Application Cluster Permission Management System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack the ability to easily control permissions for subsets of applications, both permanently and temporarily, and users face difficulties in determining specific permissions and managing notifications from multiple applications, leading to resource wastage and security risks.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for creating clusters of applications, where permissions, features, and notifications can be collectively modified and managed, allowing users to adjust permissions and information settings for all applications within a cluster without modifying each application individually, and enabling temporary or permanent changes based on criteria like location or scheduled events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manage permissions for each application individually, then precise control over each application's access is achieved, but the complexity and time required for permission management increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepermission management efficiencyVSAvoidpermission control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent groups multiple applications into clusters and applies permission settings to the entire cluster simultaneously. Users can modify permissions for all applications in a cluster through a single interface, eliminating the need to configure each application separately. This merging approach directly reduces the time and effort required for permission management while maintaining precise control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal permission templates that can be applied across multiple applications within a cluster. A single permission configuration serves multiple applications simultaneously, allowing users to manage common permissions once and have them propagated to all relevant applications. This multi-functional approach simplifies the permission management process while ensuring consistent security policies across application groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If users review and manage permissions for multiple applications individually, then security control is maintained, but the time and resources required for management increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidpermission management time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines security management for multiple applications into a unified cluster-level interface. Users can review and modify permissions for all applications in a cluster simultaneously, maintaining comprehensive security control while reducing the time investment required. The system ensures that security policies are consistently applied across all clustered applications through batch operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements pre-configured permission templates and automatic permission propagation mechanisms. When a permission template is created or modified, it is automatically applied to all applications within the cluster, eliminating the need for manual configuration of each application. This preliminary action approach ensures security control is maintained while significantly reducing management time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If notifications from multiple applications are displayed separately, then individual notification tracking is precise, but the user interface complexity and information overload increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification managementVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates notifications from multiple applications within a cluster into a single unified notification interface. Users can view and manage all notifications from clustered applications in one location, reducing interface complexity and preventing information overload. The merged notification system maintains the ability to track individual notifications while presenting them in an organized, manageable format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments notifications by application cluster rather than by individual application. This segmentation approach groups related notifications together, creating a hierarchical structure that reduces overall interface complexity. Users can navigate through clusters to access specific application notifications, providing both overview and detailed views without overwhelming the user interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If applications run with full permissions always, then application functionality is maximized, but security risks and resource wastage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidsecurity risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic permission management that allows permissions to be adjusted based on contextual factors such as user preferences, application behavior, and security requirements. Rather than static full permissions, the system enables flexible permission configurations that can be modified in real-time through cluster templates. This dynamic approach ensures applications have necessary functionality while minimizing security risks through controlled access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different permission levels to different application clusters based on their specific requirements and security risk profiles. Instead of uniform permission policies, the system tailors permission settings to each cluster's characteristics, allowing high-functionality clusters to have broader access while restricting permissions for clusters with higher security risks. This localized quality approach optimizes both productivity and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11138251B2System to customize and view permissions, features, notifications, and updates from a cluster of applications
Publication Date: 2021.10.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US11138251B2 patent drawing
  • US11138251B2 patent drawing
  • US11138251B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, an electronic device, and computer readable medium is provided. The method includes generating a cluster that includes at least one application. The method also includes identifying a set of features (i.e., a set of one or more features) associated with each of the at least one application included within the generated cluster. The method further includes receiving a request to modify a subset of features (i.e., a subset of one or more features) of the identified set of features. The method additionally includes modifying the subset of features associated with each of the at least one application within the generated cluster based on the received request to modify.