Automatic Web Login via Certificate Authentication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users experience inefficiencies and diminished user experience due to automatic logout from web applications when a timeout period expires, requiring manual re-login upon returning to the application.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an automatic login feature within the application that detects timeout logout and sends a login request to the website, either immediately if the application is in the foreground or upon being brought to the foreground, using certificate-based authentication to re-establish access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a timeout period is implemented to automatically logout users, then security is improved, but user experience and efficiency deteriorate due to automatic logout during absence

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the timeout logout condition and automatically initiating the login process before the user would need to manually log in. The application monitors for timeout conditions and proactively sends login requests to restore access, eliminating the need for user intervention after timeout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically handling the re-login process without requiring user action. The application detects when it has been backgrounded or timeout occurs, and autonomously transmits login credentials and receives authentication responses to restore user access to the web application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual re-login is required after timeout, then security is maintained, but productivity decreases due to additional login steps

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by automatically restoring user access to the web application after timeout. The application continuously monitors for timeout conditions and ensures seamless re-authentication, allowing users to resume work without interruption or loss of productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If automatic login is implemented, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional authentication logic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidauthentication logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the automatic login functionality with the existing application framework by integrating authentication logic into the application's lifecycle management. The login detection and execution is combined with the application's background/foreground state monitoring, reducing the need for separate complex authentication systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves universality by implementing a multi-functional approach where the application serves both as the user interface and as the authentication manager. The same application that displays web content also monitors for timeout conditions and handles re-authentication, eliminating the need for separate dedicated authentication components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240205215A1Automatic web page login for web-based applications

Publication Date: 2024.06.20 SAP SE

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for automatic login to a website accessible through an application including operations of executing, by a computing device, an application including at least one user interface (UI) provided as a web page of a website, and determining, by the computing device, that a timeout logout has occurred to logout of the website, and at least partially in response, automatically, by the application, transmitting a login request to the website and displaying the web page after logging into the website.