Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Switching a message which includes an address header
Utility Patent
1997-09-02
2001-01-02
Vu, Huy D. (Department: 2735)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Switching a message which includes an address header
C709S252000, C709S219000, C709S244000, C370S398000
Utility Patent
active
06169743
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to secure communication networks, and more particularly to secure communications networks which enable business to be transacted within a specific industry between a plurality of diverse, non-affiliated entities via asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) independently and/or through an intermediate administrator.
II. Description of Prior Art
Developments in telecommunications over the past several years have enabled individuals and businesses to communicate information faster, more reliably and with much greater security. Conventional networking technology, such as that associated with local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), has drastically reduced the need for transferring information by physical means. Specifically, one who wishes to transfer a particular package of information is often relieved of the need to travel to the destination of that information or to rely on third-party delivery services. Instead, most forms of information are now transferred by electronic means, such as through LAN's, WANs, modem-to-modem communication over common telephone lines, or publicly available networks, such as the Internet.
However, there are disadvantages to using each of these forms of electronic communication for certain businesses. For example, the use of LANs and WANs is essentially limited to the transfer of information within a particular organization. Employees of an organization equipped with the necessary LAN/WAN hardware and software have no difficulties moving information back and forth, regardless of distance, because such employees have “rights” to access the system. The LAN/WAN system is typically configured to permit access by those employees to certain information, and the employees having such access are presumably loyal (and perhaps contractually bound) to the employing entity in control of the network. Access to the LAN/WAN by persons or businesses outside of the control of the employer is virtually nonexistent, although special access privileges to non-employees may sometimes be granted if the need arises.
On those occasions where access to the LAN/WAN is either impossible or impermissible, persons or businesses may alternatively communicate information from one modem to another, which would also include communication by facsimile transmission, or “fax”. This mode of transferring information uses conventional telephone lines, however, and many persons prefer not to communicate highly sensitive information over such lines given the risks of interception or inadvertently reaching an undesired destination.
More recently, the Internet has become the communication medium of choice for many businesses, because of the highly flexible methods it allows to transmit and retrieve information. For example, electronic mail, or “e-mail”, now permits the transfer of not only the raw message itself, but also attachments of binary files of any format, as well as instant links to the World Wide Web (WWW) sites of the sender or any other person. Information can also be downloaded directly from web sites or file transfer protocol (FTP) sites. In addition to its flexibility, the Internet and the software used to browse it support a wide range of security features which allow communication of highly encrypted information, as well as the implementation of password schemes. Therefore, despite concerns over security in sending information over the Internet, it continues to provide the more flexible and secure means of communicating data in comparison to other conventional means. Some key disadvantages to the Internet, however, are that: (1) access to information can sometimes be slow, (2) Internet service providers may experience technical difficulties, and (3) there is an astonishingly vast amount of information that can distract many users from focusing on the quick and timely transfer of important day-to-day business data.
The problems which often accompany information transfer are best illustrated in the context of diverse business and governmental entities within a particular industry, such as the oil exploration and production industry. As will be appreciated, the oil industry is extremely large and there are numerous, unaffiliated businesses and governmental authorities which must interact with one another on a daily basis. For example, an offshore oil drilling or production platform must be in constant communication with mechanical and electrical supply vendors, service companies, employment agencies, engineers, miscellaneous departments of the state and federal governments, banks, and a host of other businesses. While much of the communications are accomplished through phone and fax, a significant portion is also achieved by persons physically traveling from one place to another. Due to the high frequency and volume of information that must be sent and received, as well as the often highly competitive and sensitive nature of such information, a public network such as the Internet is generally not relied upon to transfer information between these businesses and the government.
Consequently, there remains a need for a networking system, or combination of systems, having all the following features: (1) high-speed and reliable transfer of information, (2) security procedures and capabilities that ensure secure transfer of highly sensitive information, (3) the ability to transfer such information between diverse, non-affiliated entities without directly accessing the LAN/WAN networking systems of those entities, (4) the capability to communicate information with only certain network members, (5) the ability to transfer information outside of the influences of a public network, such as the Internet, and (6) a central administrator capable of handling the various requirements of each network member along with their special communication needs with respect to other network members. As will become apparent from the ensuing description, the present invention satisfies each of the above criteria to provide a networking system that allows a wide range of businesses and government to transfer critical information to one another within common industrial interests, and without necessarily being associated with the Internet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an industry specific network capable of allowing secure communication of data from one server to another server.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an industry specific network which enables a first server to communicate secure data to another non-affiliated server through an intermediary administrator without the necessity of the first server granting access to the LAN/WAN of the non-affiliated server.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an industry specific network wherein data can be transferred between servers via maximum security procedures.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an industry specific network which enables multiple non-affiliated servers to communicate unsecure data to other multiple non-affiliated servers through an intermediary administrator without the necessity of such non-affiliated servers granting access to the LAN/WANs of one another.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an industry specific network wherein nonaffiliated servers may communicate data to one another only through dedicated ATM connections which contain no Internet traffic.
Another object of this invention is to provide an industry specific network which combines maximum transfer security of industry specific information between non-affiliated servers with the unregulated transfer of unsecure information between such non-affiliated servers.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an industry specific network which is limited to only those network members which have demonstrated a need to communicate with at least one other network member.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will no doubt become appa
Harper Kevin C.
Kean, Miller, et al.
Oilfield Production Contractors, Inc.
Vu Huy D.
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