Network Operating System and Method for Messaging within an Access Control Model

Abstract

The invention provides a system and method for a network operating system. The system includes a complex data medium that enables the continuous reconciliation of the collaborative information process and product. The system generally increases productivity by enabling a network dynamic among knowledge workers. The system unifies e-mail and shared file management, synchronous and asynchronous collaboration, serial and parallel work flow, top-down and bottom-up collaboration, and information lifecycle management.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A computer implemented method of messaging within an access control model, comprising the steps:
 creating a message so that a sender of the message has a set of access rights to the message;   in the access control model, sending the message, wherein a receiver of the message obtains a second set of access rights to the message, such that that the second set of access rights are derived from the set of access rights of the sender of the message; and   pushing the message to the receiver so that the receiver exercises the second derived set of access rights in accessing the message.   
     
     
         3 . The computer implemented method of  claim 2 , further comprising maintaining the message in a secure information sharing network having a single and secure information context, so that users enter into the secure information context to access the message. 
     
     
         4 . The computer implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the message is an e-mail message and the e-mail message and associated e-mail service become an extension of the access control model. 
     
     
         5 . The computer implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the message is an instant message and the instant message and associated instant messaging service become an extension of the access control model. 
     
     
         6 . The computer implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the message is at least one of a threaded discussion entry and a threaded discussion and a threaded discussion service become an extension of the access control model. 
     
     
         7 . The computer implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the sender is a software component and the receiver is a software component, so that programmatic messaging becomes an extension of the access control model. 
     
     
         8 .- 91 . (canceled) 
     
     
         92 . A computer program product comprising a computer useable storage medium having readable program code embodied in the storage medium, the computer program product when read and executed buy a computer processor includes at least one component to:
 create a message so that a sender of the message has a set of access rights to the message; and   in an access control model, send the message, wherein a receiver of the message obtains a second set of access rights to the message, such that that the second set of access rights are derived from the set of access rights of the sender of the message; and push the message to the receiver so that the receiver exercises the second derived set of access rights in accessing the message.   
     
     
         93 . (canceled) 
     
     
         94 . The computer program product of  claim 92 , wherein the at least one component maintains the message in a secure information sharing network having a single and secure information context, so that users enter into the secure information context to access the message. 
     
     
         95 . The computer program product of  claim 92 , wherein the message is an e-mail message and the e-mail message and associated e-mail service become an extension of the access control model. 
     
     
         96 . The computer program product of  claim 92 , wherein the message is an instant message and the instant message and instant messaging service become an extension of the access control model. 
     
     
         97 . The computer program product of  claim 92 , wherein the message is at least one of a threaded discussion entry and the threaded discussion and the threaded discussion service become an extension of the access control model. 
     
     
         98 . The computer program product of  claim 92 , wherein the sender is a software component and the receiver is a software component, so that programmatic messaging becomes an extension of the access control model. 
     
     
         99 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein a message is an entity with a structure defined by a form having a set of properties and a global identity, thereby known as a message entity. 
     
     
         100 . The computer implemented method of  claim 99 , wherein the entity contains immutable data. 
     
     
         101 . The computer implemented method of  claim 99 , wherein meaning and context of an entity is defineable through a relationship connecting the entity with other entities. 
     
     
         102 . The computer implemented method of  claim 99 , wherein the message entity is a file entity. 
     
     
         103 . The computer implemented method of  claim 99 , wherein a set of entities are attachable to the message entity through one or more relationships. 
     
     
         104 . The computer implemented method of  claim 101 , wherein the entity and relationships connecting with other entities form a graph. 
     
     
         105 . The computer implemented method of  claim 104 , wherein the entities in the graph comprise at least any one of: a message, a file and an attachment. 
     
     
         106 . The computer implemented method of  claim 101 , wherein a change to the entity is an addition or negation of a relationship that relates to the entity, wherein the relationship is an immutable entity by containing immutable data and the relationship records a timestamp that indicates a time of the addition or negation 
     
     
         107 . The computer implemented method of  claim 106 , wherein incremental updates are distributed in a system using message entities that include a relationship representing the change.