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CROSS REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Appendix A, which is a part of the present disclosure, is a microfiche appendix consisting of 2 sheets of microfiche having a total of 141 frames. Microfiche Appendix A is a listing of computer subroutines for embodiments of the system and
process of this invention, which is described more completely below.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it
appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to communications, information management, and human organization, and more particularly to an electronic system of hierarchical documents, collectors, and rosters within a network to manage and disseminate information and
communications.
2. Description of the Related Art
As computer networks have evolved into viable instruments for communicating, structuring and sharing information, various disparate information systems, such as electronic mail (email), usenet newsgroups, mailing lists, and web pages, were
developed to facilitate communication and information management. Since the various systems were developed independently and for different purposes, these systems do not function collaboratively to the benefit of a user of the computer network.
Computer networks typically consists of two or more computers connected so that the two computers can communicate and share information with each other. However, most information systems can function on a single stand alone computer as well.
Therefore, as used herein, computer network encompasses stand alone computers. Typically, users, normally humans but sometimes other computers, have one or more user accounts on one or more computers on the computer network. Users on a computer network
can communicate and share information with each other through a variety of systems such as electronic mail, mailing lists, newsgroups, and the World Wide Web (WWW).
Electronic mail, or email, is used to communicate private messages between users on a computer network. Typically, email messages are originated by a single user but can be sent to one or more users. When a user receives an email message, the
email message is placed in his email inbox and the user is notified of the incoming email message. Each user typically has only one email inbox for each user account. Therefore, all the email a user receives is placed in a single email inbox. The user
must then manually sort through his email inbox to determine whether any high priority email has been received. If a user receives many incoming email messages, the user may miss important email messages.
A mailing list is a specialized use of email. Mailing lists are used to exchange information with every member of a specified group of users. The mailing list has a specific email address. Any email sent to the email address of the mailing
list is forwarded to all members of the mailing list. Typically users who wish to be included on a mailing list must subscribe to the mailing list, by requesting the maintainer of the list to add the user's email address. To cancel a subscription the
user must request that the maintainer of the list remove the user's email address. Subscription to mailing lists further compounds the problem of overcrowded email inboxes, since a user will receive even more email.
A common problem with mailing lists occurs when error messages bounce between the mailing list and an errant user. The bouncing error messages can cause many unwanted email messages to be sent to every member of the list. In such a situation a
user may accidently delete important email messages in his attempt to remove all the unwanted error messages. Furthermore, the user can not unilaterally cancel his subscription to prevent the error messages from flooding his email inbox.
Another popular information system is the use of usenet newsgroups. A newsgroup consists of various articles sent by users from across the network. The usenet newsgroup information system was developed in an era when computers were connected
temporarily at fixed intervals to exchange information. Thus to guarantee access to the newsgroups each computer had to obtain and maintain a local copy of the articles. World wide newsgroups such as those found on the internet are copied by a local
news server for local area networks. A user has access to the local copy of the newsgroup on his local new server by running a news reader. Articles the user wishes to send to a particular newsgroup are eventually copied to all local news servers
across the world which carry the particular newsgroup. Unlike a mailing list, the user who reads a newsgroup does not receive a personal copy of each article; rather, the user reads the copy on the local news server. Furthermore, typically the user is
not notified of new articles until he uses his news reader to read the newsgroup.
A major limitation with the newsgroup system is the difficulty of creating new newsgroups. Since each article of each newsgroup must be copied to every local news server, all the news servers must be aware of a new newsgroup. The general system
to create a new newsgroup is to post a proposal for the new newsgroup to any related group. Then, if users vote to approve the group, the group is promulgated across all the news servers. Typically, if only a small number of users wish to use the
proposed new newsgroup, the new newsgroup will not be approved. Furthermore, if there is a similar newsgroup in existence the new newsgroup is typically not approved.
Since any user can post to a newsgroup, a newsgroup is often filled with unrelated or unimportant articles; therefore, a user is often forced to skim through many worthless articles to read the few good articles. In response to this problem,
moderated newsgroups were created. A moderated newsgroup is identical to a normal newsgroup except that all articles are reviewed by the moderator of the newsgroup. If the article satisfies the criteria of the news group, the article is released to the
local news servers.
Another system for exchanging information on a computer network is the World Wide Web (WWW). The WWW uses makes use of hypertext markup language (HTML) to create various HTML documents known as "web pages." Each web page has a unique address
known as a uniform resource locator (URL). HTML makes use of tags to mark text in various ways, such as headings, paragraphs, lists, underlining, and bolding. HTML also includes tags for images, forms and links to other documents. A particular web
page can use an HTML link to connect to other web pages.
Computers with web pages must have a web server to handle requests for the web pages. Users accessing web pages use a web browser. The web browser and the web server communicate using a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). Typically, a user
will supply a URL with the address of a web page to the web browser. Then, the web browser contacts the web server containing the web page to request a copy of the web page. The web server then sends the web page to the browser, which displays the page
to the user. As used herein, "displaying" an item, can include, for example, actually showing the contents of the document, showing a symbolic representation of the document, showing the title of the document, showing information about the document, or
a combination thereof. If the user finds the web page valuable, the user can store the URL as a "bookmark" so that the user can easily return to the web page. A typical web page will contain links to other web pages. A user can easily instruct the web
browser to retrieve the linked web pages or the user can supply another URL for another web page.
Web pages have become popular due to the ease of navigating to various web pages. Furthermore, construction of web pages is not overly complex. Even an individual user has the ability with the WWW to "publish" a page to the world on any subject
the user desires. In addition, various services, such as databases of web pages and key word searching of web pages, are available.
However, the WWW has many limitations that may hinder its usefulness. For example, most web pages are updated at various intervals. However, no notification feature is available to alert users who frequent a particular web page that the web
page has been updated. Therefore, a user who wishes to read the page after each update must manually request the web page at various intervals to be sure that the most recent updates are received.
Another limitation is found in current browser implementations. As mentioned above, a user can save "bookmarks" on pages he finds of interest. However, current browsers save all the "bookmarks" into one flat file. Therefore, if the user
desires a hierarchical arrangement of his bookmarks he must manually edit the bookmarks in a different HTML document.
As mentioned above, the various systems for communication and information management on computer networks were designed for different purposes. Therefore, a user does not have a uniform system for communicating and sharing information.
Furthermore, each system has certain limitations that prevent the systems from performing optimally for the user.
Hence there is a need for a method or system to unify and enhance or replace the current disparate systems users of computer networks employ for communication and information management on the computer network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, an electronic system for communications and information management is provided to unify and improve disparate conventional systems. In one embodiment, an electronic system for receiving electronic information
is designed to replace conventional email systems. Specifically, the system provides one or more electronic information collectors in a user account. Each of the electronic information collectors can be used as a separate email inbox since each
electronic information collector has a unique address. Furthermore the electronics information collectors can be hierarchical, so that one electronic information collector is contained within another electronic collector.
For example, a user can use a first electronic information collector having a first collector address as an email inbox for one purpose and a second electronic information collector having a second collector address for a second purpose. An
electronic message sent to the first collector address is received in the first collector. An electronic message sent to the second collector address is received in the second collector.
In another embodiment, the electronic system for receiving information contains a notifier. The notifier is divided into notifier sections. Each notifier section is associated with an electronic information collector. Electronic messages sent
to an electronic information collector are displayed in the notifier section associated with the electronic information collector.
In another embodiment, the electronic information collectors of the system have a paste input port and a post input port. Electronic messages received in the paste input port of a first electronic information collector are displayed in the first
electronic information collector. Electronic messages received in the post input port of the first electronic information collector are displayed in the notifier section associated with the first electronic information collector.
The principles of the present invention can also be used to develop an electronic information management system. In one embodiment, the electronic information management system uses collectors, rosters and links. The collectors can have access
control attributes such as read protection, write protection, paste protection, or post protection. The links can have attributes to control flow direction such as subscription and forwarding. The links can also have attributes to control notification
and authorization attributes such as read authorization, write authorization, paste authorization, and post authorization.
One implementation of the electronic information management system contains a first collector, a second collector, and a link having a flow direction attribute from the first collector to the second collector. If the flow direction attribute of
the link is in forward mode, a document placed in the first collector is automatically copied into the second collector. If the flow direction attribute of the link is in subscription mode, a document placed in the second collector is automatically
copied into the first collector. The collectors can be either in the same user account or in different user accounts. For example the first collector can be in a first user account and the second collector can be in a second user account.
In another embodiment of the electronic system of information management, a first notifier section is associated with the first collector and a second notifier section is associated with the second collector. If the collectors are in the same
user account then the first notifier section and the second notifier section are in a single notifier. Otherwise the first notifier section is in a first notifier and the second notifier section is in a second notifier. In this embodiment, links in the
system also have a notification attribute. If the notification attribute is activated documents copied across a link to a collector are placed in the notifier section associated with the collector rather than in the collector.
In another embodiment, the collectors of the electronic information management system have a read protection attribute and a write protection attribute. The links of the electronic information management system can have the additional attributes
of read authorization and write authorization. If a first user account has the read protection attribute of a first collector activated then a second user account is unable to read the first collector unless a link with the read authorization attribute
activated exists from the first collector to a second collector belonging to the second user account. Similarly, if a first user account has the write protection attribute of a first collector activated then a second user account is unable to write to
the first collector unless a link with the write authorization attribute activated exists from the first collector to a second collector belonging to the second user account. In other words, a specific read authorization or write authorization, given to
a second user account by a link from a read or write protected collector to a collector belonging to the second user account, overrides the general read protection or write protection attribute of the protected collector.
Other embodiments of the present invention are further enhanced by rosters. A roster can be used to forward documents to a group of different collectors or to subscribe to documents from a group of users. Specifically, a roster is a special
type of collector which contains links to other collectors. Creating a link to a roster is equivalent to creating a link with the same attributes to each collector linked to the roster. Furthermore, posting an item to a roster is equivalent to posting
the item to each collector linked to the roster. Similarly, pasting an item to a roster is equivalent to pasting the item to each collector linked in to the roster.
For example, in one embodiment, a roster has a roster address, a first link to a first information collector and a second link to a second information collector. A message sent to the roster address is copied to the first electronic information
collector and the second information collector.
In another embodiment, a first collector has an activated read protection attribute. A roster has a first link to a second collector belonging to a second user account. The roster also has a second link to a third collector belonging to a third
user account. The first collector is connected to the roster by a third link. The second user account and the third user account can not read the first collector unless they are authorized to by an authorization link. For example, if the third link
has an activated read authorization attribute, the second user account and the third user account can read the first collector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows some of the important components which can be used in a system in accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 2(a)-2(d) show a conceptual model of a collector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a conceptual model of a notifier in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a conceptual model of the links in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show the use of a roster to transfer information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows the use of a roster for access control in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7(a) shows a conceptual model of conventional email system.
FIG. 7(b) shows a conceptual model of an email system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8(a) shows a conceptual model of conventional electronic news system.
FIG. 8(b) shows a conceptual model of an electronic news system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a conceptual model of an information gathering system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 shows a conceptual model of an information routing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows a conceptual model of an knowledge remapping system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows the use of rosters for organizing human resources in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13(a) shows the implementation of a conventional information system.
FIG. 13(b) shows a implementation of an information system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14(a) shows a document (web page) used conventionally.
FIG. 14(b) shows a document (web page) used in accordance to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 15 shows a notifier display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 shows a notifier summary display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 shows a collector display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 shows a roster display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
According to the principles of this invention, the inefficiencies and limitations of conventional disparate systems for communication and information management on computer networks have been overcome. The present invention provides a
hierarchical collection of folders, each of which can act as a separate email inbox. Furthermore, the present invention provides a uniform notifier for incoming email, new articles in newsgroups, and updated web pages. In addition, the present
invention provides a unique roster feature which allows broadcasting of information to a group of users. The features of the invention are accomplished by use of a novel interlink structure with independent access and flow controls.
A key component of the present invention is the electronic information collector, hereinafter called collector. Each collector has a distinct address usually in the form of a uniform resource locator (URL). A collector holds a collection of
electronic information. The information in a collector can be, for example, documents or articles, such as text files, sound files, graphics files, or video files, links to other collectors, links to other objects such as web pages, links to users, or
other collectors. A user can have as many collectors as the user wishes. Typically the user's collectors will be arranged hierarchically with a single root collector. Within a collector a user can create objects such as documents, articles, links, and
other collectors. Furthermore, the user can use a "clipboard" to cut, copy, and paste objects. The clipboard is a temporary storage device used to store a copy of the cut or copied object. The user can also post objects as explained below.
A special type of collector is a roster. A roster contains links to other collectors. Rosters can also contain other rosters or links to other rosters. Most systems in accordance with the present invention, maintain some standard rosters, for
example, a system-wide roster with links to one collector of every user of the system. The advantages of using rosters are explained in detail below.
Other important components of the present invention include a uniform notifier and links. Each user has a uniform notifier which contains all the changes which may have occurred in any of the user's collectors. Links are used to interconnect
various collectors as well as documents such as articles or external objects such as web pages.
FIG. 1 illustrates some of the important components which can be used in a system in accordance with the present invention. As used herein, a user's name is equivalent to the user's account. Although a user may have more than one account in the
examples herein each user has only one account. John has notifier 110. John also has root collector 111, which contains collector 112 and collector 113. Collector 112 contains document 114 and link 116, which points to object 140. Collector 113
contains document 115 and link 117, that points to collector 132 belonging to Paul. A user is able to create additional collectors or rosters at any point in the user's collector hierarchy. Notifier 110 is divided into three notifier sections Notifier
section 110-1 is associated with root collector 111; notifier section 110-2 is associated with collector 112; and notifier section 110-3 is associated with collector 113. In some embodiments of the invention, notifier sections are created automatically
whenever a collector is created. In other embodiments, notifier sections can be selectively created by a user so that only some collectors have associated notifier sections.
Similarly, Mary has notifier 120 and root collector 121, which contains roster 122 and collector 123. Roster 122, contains link 126 to collector 113 and link 127 to collector 131. Collector 123 contains link 124 to external object 150. As
shown in FIG. 1, notifier section 120-3, which is associated with collector 123, also contains link 125 to external object 150. However external link 125 is not visible in collector 123 (as explained in more detail below). Link 125 to external object
150 appears in notifier section 120-3 under three circumstances. First, a user may have posted (as explained below) a link to external object 150 to collector 123. Second, if collector 123 has a subscription link with notification (as explained below)
to a collector and a link to external object 150 is added to that collector, link 125 is created in notifier section 120-3. Third, if collector 123 is the information destination collector of a forwarding link with notification (as explained below) from
a collector in which a link to external object 150 is added, link 125 is created in notifier section 120-3.
Paul has notifier 130 and root collector 131, which contains collector 132 and collector 133. Collector 132 contains document 134 and document 135. Notifier section 130-3, which is associated with collector 133, contains document 136 and
document 137. Document 136 and document 137 are documents which another user wished to place in Paul's collector 133. As explained in detail below, document 136 and document 137 are not visible in collector 133. However, the documents are visible in
notifier section 130-3.
FIG. 2, illustrates a conceptual model of a collector 200. As shown in FIG. 2(a), collector 200 can be conceptualized as having new storage area 230, persistent storage area 240, post input port 210, paste input port 220, and output port 250.
As shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c), document 245 which enters paste input port 220 is placed into persistent storage area 240. Documents in persistent storage area 240 are visible to users viewing collector 200.
As shown in FIG. 2(b) and 2(c), document 235, which enters collector 200 through post input port 210, is placed in new storage area 230. Documents in new storage area 230 are not normally visible to the users viewing collector 200. However as
explained below with respect to FIG. 3, documents which are posted to a collector appear in the notifier section associated with that collector. Thus, if collector 200 is used as an email inbox, the user who owns collector 200 would not activate the
post protection attribute (as explained below) on collector 200 so that users are able to post into collector 200. As documents are posted into collector 200, the documents are displayed in the notifier section associated with collector 200 so that the
user can view all incoming documents in a single place. As used herein, "displaying" an item, can include, for example, actually showing the contents of the document, showing a symbolic representation of the document, showing title of the document,
showing information about the document, or a combination thereof. The user who owns collector 200 can move document 235 from new storage element 230 into persistent storage area 240 by using an "accept" command as illustrated in FIGS. 2(c) and 2(d) and
explained in more detail below. Conceptually, documents which are removed from or copied from collector 200 exit collector 200 through output port 250.
FIG. 3, illustrates a conceptual model of notifier 300. Notifier 300 is separated into notifier section 300-1, which is associated with collector 310, and notifier section 300-2, which is associated with collector 320. Conceptually, new storage
area 312 of collector 310 is located within notifier section 300-1. Similarly, new storage area 322 of collector 320 is located within notifier section 300-2. As mentioned above, document 313, which is located within new storage area 312, is not
normally visible when a user views collector 310. Similarly, document 323, which is located in new storage area 322 is not normally visible when a user views collector 320. However, document 313 and document 323 are visible when a user views notifier
300.
When a user views a notifier, the user is given command options such as accepting, replying to, cutting, and copying the documents in the notifier. If the user elects to accept a document, the document is moved from the new storage area to the
persistent storage area. If the user replies to a document, the user is prompted to create a second document which is posted back to the source of the document in the notifier. If the user copies a document, the document is copied into the clipboard
without removing the document from the notifier. If the user cuts a document, the document is removed from the new storage area and placed in the clipboard. Consequently, the cut document no longer appears in the notifier. The user can also choose to
ignore the document in which case the document remains in the new storage area and remains visible in the notifier. In some embodiments of the invention, a notifier distinguishes documents that were skipped from new documents which arrived after the
user last viewed the notifier. Typical ways to distinguish the documents are using different colors, bolding, underlining, or tagging either the new or skipped documents.
Since each collector can have an associated notifier segment in the notifier, the user can receive notification of all new communications the user has received in a central location. As described below, the user can use collectors as email
inboxes so that the notifier contains the user's incoming email sorted in the various notifier sections. Furthermore, as described below, collectors can be used to replace newsgroups. Therefore, the user can also view news articles through the
notifier. In some embodiments of the invention, the system signals the user of incoming email and new news articles. For example, the system can cause the computer that the user is using to display a message, flash a signal, or make a sound when the
user's notifier receives new entries. Thus, a notifier in accordance with this invention provides a central location for new communications or information from disparate information and communication systems. Furthermore, a system in accordance with
this invention can be configured to signal a user of incoming communications or information.
FIG. 4, illustrates a conceptual model of various links used in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Links in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention are able perform several functions. Some links are
used to cause the automatic transfer of information between collectors. Other links are used to give access control authorization to users. In most embodiments, links are capable of performing multiple functions simultaneously based on which of the
link's attributes are activated (as explained in detail below). For example, a single link can be used to give access control authorization and cause the automatic transfer of information.
Link 460 and link 470 illustrate information transfers into collector 410, while link 480 and link 490 indicate information transfer out of collector 410. Each link is represented by a link origination arrow and an information direction arrow.
The information direction arrow, illustrated as a large empty arrow, indicates the direction of information flow. The link origination arrow, illustrated as a thin solid arrow indicates, the origination of the link. The direction of information flow is
controlled by various attributes of the link which are explained more fully below.
Link 460 connects collector 410 and collector 420. Since link origination arrow 460-1 points to collector 420, link origination arrow 460-1 indicates that link 460 originates from collector 410 and connects to collector 420. Therefore,
collector 410 is the link source collector, and collector 420 is the link destination collector. Information direction arrow 460-2 indicates that information is copied from collector 420 into collector 410. Therefore, collector 420 is the information
source collector and collector 410 is the information destination collector. Since link 460 originates from collector 410 while the information copied by link 460 originates from collector 420, link 460 is a subscription link because collector 410
subscribes to the information in collector 420.
Link 470 connects collector 440 to collector 410. Link origination arrow 470-1 indicates that link 470 originates from collector 440 and connects to collector 410. Information direction arrow 470-2 indicates that the flow of information is from
collector 440 to collector 410. Therefore, link 470 is a forwarding link, since information in collector 440 is copied and forwarded to collector 410.
Link 480 provides an information outflow link for collector 410. Specifically, as indicated by link origination arrow 480-1, link 480 originates from collector 430. Information direction arrow 480-2 indicates that information is copied from
collector 410 to collector 430. Therefore, link 480 is a subscription link used to subscribe to information in collector 410.
Link 490 also provides an information outflow link for collector 410. However, link 490 originates from link 410 as indicated by link origination arrow 490-1. Therefore, link 490 is a forwarding link used to copy and forward information from
collector 410 to collector 450.
A link between collectors can be operated in multiple modes which can be characterized by different attributes. The subscription and forwarding attributes control the direction information is transferred across a link. If a link is created with
the forwarding attribute activated, new information added to the persistent storage area of the link source collector of the link will be copied and forwarded to the link destination collector. In other words with a forwarding link (a link with the
forwarding attribute activated), the link destination collector receives a copy of any new information placed in the persistent storage area of the link source collector. Whether the new information is transferred to the persistent storage or new
storage area of the link destination collector is controlled by the notification attribute as explained below.
If a link is created with the subscription attribute activated, new information added to the persistent storage area of the link destination collector of the link is copied to the link source collector. In other words with a subscription link,
the link source collectors subscribes to and receives new information placed in the persistent storage area of the link destination collector. Whether the new information is copied to the new storage area or the persistent storage area of the link
source collector is controlled by the notification attribute as explained below.
A second attribute of links is the notification attribute, which controls whether information transferred across the link is shown in the notifier of the user who owns the information destination collector. As explained above, a transfer with
notification, i. e. a post transfer, enters the information destination collector through post input port 210 (FIG. 2) and is placed in new storage area 230. The posted information is visible in the notifier section associated with the information
destination collector but normally not in the information destination collector. Thus a link with the notification attribute activated uses post transfers to place the new information in the new storage area of the information destination collector.
A transfer without notification, i. e. a paste transfer, enters the information destination collector through paste input port 220 (FIG. 2) and is placed in persistent storage area 240. The pasted information is visible in the information
destination collector. Thus, a link without the notification attribute activated uses paste transfers to place the new information into the persistent storage area of the information destination collector.
Various implementation of the attributes are possible. In one embodiment of the invention, notification attribute is combined with the subscription and forwarding attributes. Therefore, each link has four switches which can be activated or
deactivated to control the attributes as follows: (1) subscription with notification, (2) subscription without notification, (3) forwarding with notification, and (4) forwarding without notification. In this implementation a link can be both a
forwarding link and a subscription link. When a link is used as both a subscription link and a forwarding link, information transferred on the link from the first collector to the second collector are not retransferred back to the first collector. In
another embodiment the subscription and forwarding attribute are combined into a switch so that each link can only set to forwarding or subscription but not both. In this embodiment the notification attribute is controlled by a switch which can be
activated or deactivated. In another embodiment the notification, subscription, and forwarding link are combined into two three way switches. The first switch controls subscription with the options of subscription with notification, subscription
without notification, and no subscription. The second switch controls forwarding with the options of forwarding with notification, forwarding without notification, and no forwarding. Those skilled in the art can create other implementation of the
various attributes of the links described herein in accordance with the principles of this invention.
Another important feature in the present invention is access control for the collectors and links. Each collector can have attributes for paste protection, post protection, read protection. Paste protection prevents unauthorized users from
pasting into a paste protected collector. Post protection prevents unauthorized users from posting into the post protected collector. Read protection prevents unauthorized users from reading a read protected collector. In most embodiments the user who
owns a collector is not restricted by the access control attributes of the collector. However, in some embodiments differing level of access control is provided so that the user can differing level of read protection, paste protection, and post
protection. In the highest level of protection even the user who owns the collector is restricted by the access control. In most embodiments of the invention activating access control on a collector automatically changes the access control of articles
and documents within the collector to match the access control of the collector.
Each link can have attributes for read authorization, paste authorization, and post authorization. In most embodiments of the invention link authorization has precedence over collector protection of the link source collector. Thus, an
authorization link gives the user who owns the link destination collector authorization to access the link source collector.
For example, if read protection is set on collector 410 of FIG. 4, link 490 could be set with read authorization to allow documents to flow from collector 410 to collector 450 since link 490 originated from collector 410. However, link 480 is
prevented from reading collector 410 since link 480 originates from collector 430. However, John, who owns collector 410, can authorize Mary, the owner of collector 430, to read collector 410 by creating a separate authorization link originating from
collector 410 to collector 430 or to any other collector belonging to Mary with read authorization set. If such an authorization link is created, link 480 will function to subscribe to information from collector 410 to collector 430.
Similarly, if paste protection is set on collector 410, paste authorization on link 460 would allow information in collector 420 to be transferred into the paste input port of collector 410, since link 460 originates from collector 410. However,
since link 470 originates from collector 440, no information can pass into the paste input port of collector 410, unless a separate authorization link originating from collector 410 to collector 440 (or another collector belonging to Bob) gives paste
authorization to Bob, who owns collector 440. Post protection and post authorization would exhibit the same behavior. In some embodiments post protection and paste protection are combined into a single write protection. Similarly, post authorization
and paste authorization are combined into a single write authorization. Also in some embodiments, activating read protection automatically act | | |
