Patent ID: 7401235
Filing Date: 2008-07-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for providing a first user with controlled access to a local computing resource without requiring that the first user have a unique user account associated with the local computing resource, the method comprising: receiving an identifier of the first user from a second user that has a unique user account associated with the local computing resource; associating a security identifier (SID) of the first user with the local computing resource based on the identifier received from the second user; when the first user attempts to access to the local computing resource, receiving a pair wise unique identifier (PUID) associated with the first user that is to be provided access to said local computing resource, said PUID being associated with an external computing resource that has authenticated the first user based on an electronic mail (e-mail) address associated with the first user; translating said PUID into a corresponding security identifier (SID) by providing said PUID to an application programming interface (API) and in return receiving the corresponding SID from said API; determining when the corresponding SID matches the associated SID using an access control mechanism associated with said local computing resource; and providing the first user controlled access to the local computing resource based on the determination.