Accessibility-Based Data Querying for Secure Browser Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatic data querying on data processing devices face challenges in balancing user convenience with increasing data security restrictions, particularly in newer system versions that prevent reading of entered Internet addresses from browser search history.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes operating system accessibility functions to read and process Internet addresses from data fields, allowing for parallel searches and displaying alternative offers while ensuring security by obtaining user authorization and using a search routine to analyze and compare results, with an overlay displaying important information without disturbing the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the system reads Internet addresses from browser search history to enable automatic data querying, then the functionality and user convenience are improved, but data security requirements are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (accessibility functions) that mediates between the automatic data querying system and protected data sources. Instead of directly accessing browser search history, the system uses operating system-level accessibility functions as an intermediary layer that can retrieve data field contents while respecting security boundaries, thus enabling functionality without violating data security.
2Reliability
If the system uses accessibility functions to read data field contents, then data security requirements are met, but the ability to obtain Internet addresses for searching is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to serve itself by using accessibility functions that are already available in the operating system. These self-service tools were originally designed for accessibility purposes but can be leveraged to retrieve data field contents including Internet addresses, thus maintaining security compliance while preserving information retrieval capability without requiring additional privileged access mechanisms.
3Loss of information
If the system performs parallel searches for product information, then comprehensive price comparisons are provided, but data traffic and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by initiating parallel searches selectively rather than continuously. The system triggers automatic data querying based on specific conditions (such as user interaction with data fields containing Internet addresses) rather than performing exhaustive searches at all times. This approach provides comprehensive product information when needed while avoiding unnecessary data traffic and processing load during normal browsing operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Several price comparison tools for data processing devices such as mobile phones and computers are already known. These tools work by reading entries into the data fields of a browser or an app-based search engine and processing them in a separate search. The results of this parallel search are compared with the user's own results, and the user is notified of any price differences. However, it turns out that access to user entries in the data fields of browsers and search engine apps is sometimes limited and handled differently by different manufacturers. Based on this, the invention aims to find a simple and standardized solution for reading user entries. This is achieved by using the operating system's accessibility features to read the entries from the browser's search field or search engine app.These accessibility features capture the contents of open windows and can enlarge them, read them aloud, or take other measures to make the content accessible to people with reading impairments. Despite the limitations described above, these features allow search histories to be recorded and data queries to be performed automatically based on this data.