Federated access

Abstract

A federation system operating in a first enterprise includes a configuration server and a database for creating and storing federation configuration data and a federation registrar having an interface for dealing with a second enterprise seeking to federate. In the system the second enterprise connects to the federation registrar, negotiation takes place concerning details of federation, agreement is reached, configuration is stored in the configuration database, and the second enterprise is then coupled to the first enterprise through a pair of federation proxy interfaces, one at the first enterprise and one at the second enterprise, the proxy interfaces configured by details of the federation.

1 . A federation system operating in a first enterprise, comprising:
 a configuration server and a database for creating and storing federation configuration data; and   a federation registrar having an interface for dealing with a second enterprise seeking to federate;   wherein the second enterprise connects to the federation registrar, negotiation takes place concerning details of federation, agreement is reached, configuration is stored in the configuration database, and the second enterprise is then coupled to the first enterprise through a pair of federation proxy interfaces, one at the first enterprise and one at the second enterprise, the proxy interfaces configured by details of the federation.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein communication, workflow and data exchange is accomplished after federation through the paired federation proxy interfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein configuration details include at least agent identities and contact information. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein federation is accomplished by the first enterprise with two or more second enterprises, and after federation configuration details concerning one of the second enterprises are shared with the other of the second enterprises. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the two second enterprises are enabled to federate, communicate and share work and data directly, rather than only through the first enterprise. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein work assignments are pushed from the first enterprise to the second enterprise. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein work assignments are pulled by the second enterprise from the first enterprise. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the second enterprise bids on work assignments against other enterprises. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein, in negotiating for federation, a third party certifying authority is consulted. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein software enabling federation is proprietary to the first enterprise which retains control for distribution and licensing. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein software enabling federation is acquired and licensed from a third party, other than the first or second enterprises. 
     
     
         12 . A federation method comprising steps of:
 (a) a second enterprise connecting to a first enterprise through a federation registrar at the first enterprise;   (b) negotiating details of federation between the first and the second enterprise;   (c) storing details of the federation in a configuration database by a configuration server; and   (d) coupling the first and the second enterprise through a pair of federation proxy interfaces, one at the first enterprise and one at the second enterprise, the federation proxy interfaces configured by details of the federation.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  including a step for exchanging workflow and data after federation through the paired federation proxy interfaces. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein configuration details include at least agent identities and contact information. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein federation is accomplished by the first enterprise with two or more second enterprises, and after federation configuration details concerning one of the second enterprises are shared with the other of the second enterprises. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  including a step for enabling the two second enterprises to federate, communicate and share work and data directly, rather than only through the first enterprise. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  including a step for pushing work assignments from the first enterprise to the second enterprise. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  including a step for pulling work assignments from the first enterprise by the second enterprise. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the second enterprise bids on work assignments against other enterprises. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12  wherein, in negotiating for federation, a third party certifying authority is consulted. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled)