Local Browser Extension Automating Data Transfer Between Remote Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring data between remote services often require manual intervention, rely on third-party services that raise data privacy concerns, and involve high maintenance efforts due to the need for API connections and handling of unstructured data.
Innovation Solution
A method that automates the transfer of data between remote services using a local program, such as a browser extension, which leverages existing user authentication, utilizes generative AI to reduce manual coding efforts, and provides user control over data transfer and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If direct API connections between services are established, then data transfer automation is improved, but authentication complexity and dependency on remote services increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local program as an intermediary component that mediates between remote services. This local program handles authentication token storage and data transfer operations locally, eliminating the need for direct service-to-service authentication while maintaining automation. The intermediary approach simplifies the authentication model by centralizing it in the user's controlled environment rather than requiring complex mutual authentication between services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If third-party services are used to transfer data between services, then data transfer capability is improved, but data privacy concerns and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transfer functionality from external third-party services and implements it locally on the user's computer. By taking out the data processing operations from remote servers and executing them locally, the system maintains data transfer capability while ensuring that sensitive data never leaves the user's controlled environment, thereby eliminating data privacy concerns associated with third-party services.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual copy & paste process is used for data transfer, then data privacy is improved, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the local program automatically performs data extraction, transformation, and transfer operations without requiring manual user intervention. The system reads data from source services, applies mapping rules, and sends data to target services autonomously, thereby maintaining data privacy through local processing while dramatically improving productivity compared to manual copy & paste operations.
4Ease of operation
If existing authentication tokens are reused for data transfer, then ease of operation is improved, but security risks from token exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a secure, isolated environment (inert atmosphere) for storing and using authentication tokens. The local program stores tokens in a protected local storage mechanism and retrieves them only when needed for legitimate data transfer operations. This approach maintains ease of operation by reusing existing tokens while mitigating security risks through controlled access and local-only usage, preventing token exposure to external services.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method receives data from a first remote service (3) and sends data to a second remote service (4) via a local program (1) such as a browser plug-in, using a local storage (2) as illustrated in [Fig.1]. This automates the transfer performed by the user (5) from web pages to web forms as well as API calls, including mapping and adaptations of data items and their format, enforcing technical limitations on the amount of transferred data, and offers the user control elements to steer the transfer and a step to review and change data before sending. It uses existing authentication tokens and offers persistent storage of sent data and the corresponding response from the second remote service for later re-use. It enables modifications of the local program, either manually, semi-automatically, or automatically by generative AI.