Authorization Management System Union Logic Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer systems for managing user access to data often require multiple authorizations to be evaluated serially, leading to restrictive access control and limited flexibility, as they only grant access if data falls within the intersection of all evaluated authorization objects, rather than allowing access if it falls within the union of granted authorizations.
Innovation Solution
A method that evaluates authorizations by detecting user access to data categorized within specified dimensions, allowing access if at least one authorization segment identifies the data, and enabling serial evaluation of authorizations to grant access based on the union of granted permissions, with features like meta dimensions for actions and validity management, and support for an essentially unlimited number of authorizations and segment names.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If serial evaluation of authorization objects is used with intersection logic, then access control security is improved, but flexibility and usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional authorization logic from requiring data to fall within the intersection of all authorization objects to allowing access if data falls within the union of granted authorizations. This inversion fundamentally changes the access control model from restrictive (intersection) to flexible (union), resolving the contradiction by improving flexibility while maintaining security through the authorization framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic authorization evaluation where the system can adapt between different evaluation modes (serial and parallel) and logic types (intersection and union). This dynamic approach allows the system to switch between security-focused and flexibility-focused modes depending on the specific authorization scenario, resolving the static contradiction between security and flexibility.
2Reliability
If multiple authorization objects are evaluated serially, then security control is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by evaluating all authorization objects in parallel before making an access decision, rather than serially evaluating them one by one. This preliminary parallel evaluation significantly reduces processing time while maintaining comprehensive security control, as all authorization checks are performed simultaneously rather than sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple authorization evaluations into a unified parallel processing framework where all authorization objects are evaluated concurrently. This merging of evaluation processes reduces the total processing time from the sum of individual evaluation times to approximately the maximum of individual evaluation times, resolving the time loss issue.
3Manufacturing precision
If intersection logic is used for authorization evaluation, then access control precision is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the authorization logic from intersection-based precision to union-based flexibility. By allowing access if data falls within any of the granted authorization objects rather than requiring it to fall within all of them, the system achieves greater flexibility and adaptability while maintaining appropriate access control precision through the structured authorization framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of authorization logic from intersection to union. This parameter change transforms the access control behavior from highly precise but rigid to flexible and adaptable, allowing users to access data that matches any of their granted authorizations rather than requiring matches with all authorizations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If unlimited authorizations are allowed, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the authorization system into modular authorization objects that can be independently created, configured, and evaluated. This segmentation allows unlimited authorizations to be managed through discrete, manageable units rather than as a monolithic complex structure, reducing the perceived system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a unified authorization evaluation framework that handles all authorization objects through a common process. This universal approach allows the system to manage unlimited authorizations of various types through a single multi-functional evaluation mechanism, preventing complexity from proliferating across multiple specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing user access to data includes detecting that a user seeks access to a data portion that belongs to a specified category. One or more authorizations are evaluated, each authorization having an authorization segment corresponding to the specified category. The method includes permitting the sought access to the data portion if at least one of the authorization segments corresponding to the specified category identifies the data portion to which access is sought. The method may permit access to data that falls within a union of granted authorizations. An authorization segment may correspond to a data dimension or to a meta dimension, such as an authorized action or data source, that does not directly relate to a data dimension.


