Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-15
2001-02-27
Feild, Joseph H. (Department: 2776)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000, C713S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195666
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an electronic messaging system and more particularly relates to World Wide Web (“Web”) interface and method for displaying directory information.
2. Description of the Background
Electronic directories are evolving into important information tools having a myriad of applications. They operate much like a printed directory; that is, they provide names, locations and other information about people, products, equipment and organizations. First generation electronic directories were designed for a particular application, such as an employee or e-mail system directory, and thus had limited usefulness outside the scope of the application. However, the growth of local area networks (LANs), heterogeneous e-mail networks, the Internet, and other electronic communications media such as telephone and fax has resulted in enterprises having to manage a hodgepodge of proprietary directory systems. These directory systems rarely interoperate, are costly to maintain, and frequently contain redundant information. Enterprises today are finding a need to unify these disparate directories with a single standards-based directory to reduce maintenance costs and provide universal access through well-defined interfaces. Most directory vendors have chosen X.500 as the technology best suited to meet this need.
Until recently, users could only access information contained in an X.500 directory through specialized applications called directory user agents (DUAs). DUAs were typically limited in functionality, because (a) they were tailored for particular X.500 implementations, making them unable to interoperate with other X.500 directories; and (b) they typically displayed directory information in a fixed format, with little if any ability to customize the presentation of data.
Another shortcoming of existing directory access systems is that they fail to provide users with access to directory information via a World Wide Web (“Web”) interface in a configurable manner. Neither the format in which the information is published nor the particular content of the information is customizable. The end result therefore looks the same for any user requesting the information, irrespective of whether the user is linked via an internal network, such as a corporate intranet, or via an external network, such as the Internet. Moreover, the location or identification of the user does not affect the type of information that is provided. This may result in the disclosure of personal or otherwise secure information (such as a home telephone number) to unintended recipients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome these and other drawbacks of existing systems.
Another object of the invention is to display directory information according to predetermined criteria.
A technical advantage of the present invention is that it provides an administrator the ability to customize the appearance of the displayed directory information. Another technical advantage is that the invention provides an administrator with improved control over access to the directory information. Another technical advantage is that the invention provides an administrator with the ability to create custom directory information search forms.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, these and other objects and technical advantages of the invention are achieved by providing a Web interface and method for displaying directory information. The Web interface for displaying directory information comprises mapping means for linking the directory data to a template file, the template file including predetermined criteria for controlling display of the directory data, and publishing means for displaying the directory data according to the predetermined criteria.
In another embodiment, a method for displaying directory information in accordance with the invention comprises the following steps: (1) retrieving directory data responsive to an information request; (2) correlating the directory data with a template file to create a response, the template file including predetermined criteria for controlling the display of the directory data; and (3) displaying the response according to the predetermined criteria.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5241671 (1993-08-01), Reed et al.
patent: 5297249 (1994-03-01), Bernstein et al.
patent: 5355497 (1994-10-01), Cohen-Levy
patent: 5388255 (1995-02-01), Pytik et al.
patent: 5412774 (1995-05-01), Agrawal et al.
patent: 5481666 (1996-01-01), Nguyen et al.
patent: 5491817 (1996-02-01), Gopal et al.
patent: 5500929 (1996-03-01), Dickinson
patent: 5530852 (1996-06-01), Meske, Jr. et al.
patent: 5537546 (1996-07-01), Sauter
patent: 5548723 (1996-08-01), Pettus
patent: 5572643 (1996-11-01), Judson
patent: 5572724 (1996-11-01), Watanabe et al.
patent: 5600831 (1997-02-01), Levy et al.
patent: 5617568 (1997-04-01), Ault et al.
patent: 5649186 (1997-07-01), Ferguson
patent: 5659616 (1997-08-01), Sudia
patent: 5678045 (1997-10-01), Bettels
patent: 5708780 (1998-01-01), Levergood et al.
patent: 5708825 (1998-01-01), Sotomayor
patent: 5737533 (1998-04-01), de Hond
patent: 5742762 (1998-04-01), Scholl et al.
patent: 5745574 (1998-04-01), Muftic
patent: 5745683 (1998-04-01), Lee et al.
patent: 5754772 (1998-05-01), Leaf
patent: 5758343 (1998-05-01), Vigil et al.
patent: 5774552 (1998-06-01), Grimmer
patent: 5787450 (1998-07-01), Diedrich et al.
patent: 5812776 (1998-09-01), Gifford
patent: 5822074 (1998-10-01), Deason et al.
patent: 5832225 (1998-11-01), Hacherl et al.
patent: 5832275 (1998-11-01), Olds
patent: 5835712 (1998-11-01), Dufresne
patent: 5845067 (1998-12-01), Porter et al.
patent: 5864850 (1999-01-01), Nordman
patent: 5872915 (1999-02-01), Dykes et al.
patent: 5878219 (1999-03-01), Vance, Jr. et al.
patent: 5878415 (1999-03-01), Olds
patent: 5884035 (1999-03-01), Butman et al.
patent: 5907846 (1999-05-01), Berner et al.
patent: 5909679 (1999-06-01), Hall
patent: 5917807 (1999-06-01), Lee et al.
patent: 5918010 (1999-06-01), Appleman et al.
patent: 5937406 (1999-08-01), Balabine et al.
patent: 5940834 (1999-08-01), Pinard et al.
patent: 5957695 (1999-09-01), Redford et al.
patent: 5987245 (1999-11-01), Gish
patent: 5999972 (1999-12-01), Gish
Touvet et al, “A Multimedia White page Service Using X.500/WWW Integration” (Abstract only), Computer Networks and ISDN Systems, vol. 26, Supplement No. 1, pp. S39-S48, 1994.
Jose et al, “Providing Multiple External Views on Directory User Interfaces”, Computer Netwroks and ISDN Systems, vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 543-550, Feb. 1994.
Cellucci, J. et al., “You Are Here—New Developments In Directory Services Have Managers Wondering Which Way To Take Their Corporate Networks,”Communications Week, Nov. 11, 1996, Issue 637.
Cole, B., “Vendors Set To Give LDAP Directories A Boost,”Computerworld, Jan. 6, 1997, p. 53-54.
Hodges, J., “LDAP & X.500: Road Map & FAQ,”Computing and Communication Services, Stanford University, Mar. 31, 1997.
Levin, C., “Winsock Brings Harmony To New Apps,”PC Magazine, Jul. 1995.
Moeller, M., “JavaSoft To Unveil New 2-D API,”PC Week, May 6, 1996.
Schwartz, J., “Is X.500 In Your Future?—The Latest Version Of The OSI Global-Directory Standard Could Help Electronic-Mail Addresses Become As Easy To Access As Telephone Numbers,”Communications Week, Jun. 17, 1996, Issue 615.
Shuh, B., “Directories And X.500: An Introduction,”Information Technology Services, National Library of Canada, Mar. 14, 1997.
Stanczak, M., “Why LDAP Is Key To Making Directories Go Global,”PC Week, Jan. 13, 1997.
Wirthman, L., “LDAP Is Key To Unlocking Doors To Global Directories,”PC Week, Jan. 13, 1997, vol. 14, No. 2, p. 1.
“Web To X.500 Gateway Administrator's Guide,”Soft-Switch Directory Publisher, Feb. 1997, Version 1.0, p. 1-78.
Kim, Kwang-Soo, “Enabling Customizable World-Wide-Web Access to X.500 Directory,” Proceedings of the 1996 Third International Workshop on Services in Distributed and Networked Environments, p. 162-168.
Cherry Steve
Goodman David
Schneck David H.
Feild Joseph H.
Hunton & Williams
International Business Machines - Corporation
LandOfFree
Web interface and method for displaying directory information does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Web interface and method for displaying directory information, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Web interface and method for displaying directory information will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2568671