Asymmetric API Resource Transformation with Shared URI Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RESTful APIs require different URIs or identifiers for resources with different contents, necessitating resource transformation before uploading, which complicates management and sharing, and increases network bandwidth usage due to frequent resource retrieval.
Innovation Solution
An asymmetric application programming interface system and method that allows the same URI to correspond to different resource transformations based on operation information, enabling resource owners to upload main resources without initial transformation, and allowing the API system to perform transformations as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different URIs or identifiers are assigned to resources with different contents, then resource management and sharing is simplified, but the system cannot support resource transformation scenarios where the same resource needs to be accessed with different transformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource identification mechanism into two parts: the URI (which remains static and simple) and the transformation parameters (which carry the transformation information). This allows the URI to remain simple while the transformation capabilities are encoded separately in the parameters, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to resource identification by introducing transformation parameters as an additional layer alongside the URI. Instead of using different URIs for different transformations, the system uses the same URI plus transformation parameters, effectively moving the differentiation from the identifier dimension to the parameter dimension.
2Reliability
If resource transformation is performed before uploading, then the retrieved resource matches the expected transformation, but the resource owner must perform complex transformation operations initially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the resource transformation in advance during the upload process, but instead of requiring the resource owner to do it manually, the system automatically applies the transformation based on the transformation parameters stored with the resource. This preliminary action ensures transformation accuracy while keeping the upload process simple for the resource owner.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service transformation by automatically applying the correct transformation to resources during retrieval based on the stored transformation parameters. The resource owner doesn't need to manually perform transformation operations; the system handles it automatically, maintaining reliability while simplifying the upload process.
3Ease of operation
If the same URI is used for different resource transformations, then resource management and sharing is facilitated, but the API service must handle more complex transformation requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the URI universal by allowing the same URI to represent different resource transformations through the addition of transformation parameters. This multi-functionality enables a single URI to serve multiple purposes (different transformations) without requiring separate URIs for each transformation type, thus facilitating ease of operation while managing complexity through parameter-based differentiation.
4Productivity
If frequent resource retrieval is performed, then downstream digital applications can access resources, but network bandwidth is consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs resource transformation in advance during the upload process, so that when resources are retrieved later, they are already transformed and ready for use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated transformation operations during retrieval, improving productivity while reducing network bandwidth usage since only the transformed resource data needs to be transmitted, not the transformation process itself.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an asymmetric application programming interface method, which includes steps as follows. A resource transformation method for a main resource specified by a computer device of a resource provider is received; it is determined whether the resource transformation method can act on the main resource or not; when the resource transformation method can act on the main resource, based on information of the resource provider, identification code information of the main resource, and identification code information of the resource transformation method, a secret key is generated and returned to the computer device of the resource provider.