Browser Context Extraction for Privacy-Safe Hub Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing web browser plugins and extensions have significant privacy and security risks due to their extensive access to web page content, and they consume redundant computing resources.
Innovation Solution
A framework that allows remote applications or 'hub apps' to receive limited and specialized data about web pages through context extractors, including machine learning models, while executing remotely from the web browser, with a hub shell providing concurrent access without interfering with primary browsing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If web browser plugins and extensions are given extensive access to web page content to provide additional services, then service functionality is improved, but user privacy and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary context information from web pages that hub apps need to function, rather than providing full access to web page content. Context extractors selectively pull out specific data elements (such as page title, URL, selected text, or metadata) and transmit only this extracted information to remote hub apps, thereby maintaining service functionality while minimizing privacy and security exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces context extractors as intermediary components between the web browser and hub apps. These extractors act as a controlled interface that selectively provides information to hub apps without granting them direct access to the browser's internal state or full web page content, thus serving as a security mediator that protects user privacy while enabling service functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If web browser plugins and extensions are given extensive access to web page content, then service functionality is improved, but computing resources are consumed redundantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the specific context information that hub apps require, avoiding the redundant consumption of computing resources that would occur if entire web pages or excessive data were transmitted. By selectively extracting and transmitting only necessary information elements, the system maintains service functionality while optimizing resource usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing hub apps with only the specific portion of web page data they need to function, rather than providing complete or excessive access. This selective data provision reduces unnecessary computing resource consumption while maintaining the essential service functionality that hub apps require.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple services are integrated into the web browser interface, then service functionality is improved, but the primary browsing experience is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the browser interface by placing hub app controls and displays in a sidebar area, separating them from the main browsing content area. This segmentation allows multiple services to be accessible without interfering with the primary browsing experience, as users can interact with hub apps in the sidebar while the main browsing area remains undisturbed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the sidebar dimension as an additional interface space, allowing hub app functionality to be accessed in a secondary dimension rather than occupying the primary browsing space. This dimensional separation enables service integration without interference, as the sidebar provides a parallel interaction space that does not block or disrupt the main browsing content.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for securely exposing context-driven services within a web browser. An example method includes receiving manifests from hubs apps (e.g., remote services). The manifests define requested context types for the hub apps. When the web browser loads a web page, the web browser may execute context extractors to extract context from the web page. The context extractors that are executed are based on the context types requested by the hub apps. The extracted context is then sent to the corresponding hub apps without providing the hub apps direct access to the web page. For instance, the hub apps do not have access to the document object model (DOM) of the web page and the hub apps cannot inject data into the web page.