Browser Extension Middleware for Third-Party App Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integration between third-party application providers and vendors often takes a long time and is risky, as vendors must be proficient in multiple third-party applications and build systems to operate within these applications, leading to a desire for a standard integration across all platforms.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows a customer to access a vendor service from within a third-party application without the need for direct integration between the third-party application and the vendor service, using a browser extension module and middleware system to extract data and provide functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vendors build systems to operate within multiple third-party applications, then integration capability is achieved, but integration time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a browser extension module as an intermediary layer between the third-party application and the vendor service. This extension extracts data from the third-party application's user interface and communicates with the vendor service through the middleware system, eliminating the need for vendors to build direct integrations with multiple third-party applications. The intermediary handles the complexity of data extraction and transmission, allowing vendors to access third-party data without integrating with their systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The browser extension module serves multiple functions: it operates with various third-party application user interfaces, extracts data according to regular expression templates, communicates with the middleware system, and receives information to alter the user interface. This multi-functional design allows a single extension to work across different third-party applications without requiring vendor-specific integrations for each application.
2Reliability
If vendors build systems to operate within third-party applications, then integration capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The browser extension module acts as a mediator that simplifies the system architecture by separating the third-party application from the vendor service. Instead of vendors building complex systems to operate within each third-party application, the extension handles the complexity of data extraction and communication on the client side, while the middleware system manages the vendor service communication. This reduces the complexity burden on vendors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct components: the third-party application user interface, the browser extension module, the middleware system, and the vendor service. This segmentation allows each component to have well-defined responsibilities and interfaces, reducing overall system complexity. The extension module handles client-side data extraction, while the middleware system handles communication with the vendor service, separating concerns that would otherwise be bundled together in vendor systems.
3Ease of operation
If direct integration between third-party application and vendor service is implemented, then access to vendor services is enabled, but integration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The browser extension module and middleware system serve as intermediaries that enable access to vendor services without direct integration between the third-party application and the vendor. The extension extracts data from the third-party application's user interface and transmits it to the middleware system, which then communicates with the vendor service. This intermediary layer isolates the third-party application from vendor-specific systems, reducing integration risk while maintaining access to vendor services.
4Reliability
If extensive configuration and support are required for integration, then integration capability is achieved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The browser extension module performs self-service by automatically extracting data from the third-party application's user interface using regular expression templates without requiring manual configuration. The extension autonomously communicates with the middleware system and receives information to alter the user interface, eliminating the need for extensive configuration and support while maintaining integration capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for integrating with third-party applications. An extension module operates with a user interface application on a client computing device. The extension module enables integration of functionality of an associated middleware system. The extension module extracts data from a user interface of a third-party application system based on a regular expression template. The extension module transmits data to the middleware system and receives information from the middleware system. The extension module can alter at least a portion of the user interface based on the information received from the middleware system.