Browser-Embedded Proxy for Multi-Device Content Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face the inconvenience of needing individual authorization for multiple devices to access web-based content, which can be restricted due to security and monetization concerns, requiring separate authorization for each device to access content from web servers.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing browser-embedded proxy servers to share web-based content among devices, allowing devices to act as both consumer and proxy devices, enabling access to content without explicit authorization from the content provider, using HTML5 compliant proxy servers and clients that communicate through network stacks, and leveraging technologies like Zeroconf and Bonjour for seamless device connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual authorization is required for each device to access web-based content, then security and monetization control are maintained, but user convenience and accessibility across multiple devices deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidmulti-device accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a proxy server as an intermediary component embedded in the browser that mediates between the content provider and the user's devices. The proxy server receives requests from any device, authenticates them against authorized devices, and forwards requests to the content provider. This intermediary mechanism maintains security control while enabling seamless multi-device access without requiring individual authorization for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The proxy server is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a request forwarder, an authentication service, and a session manager. By making the proxy server universal and multi-functional, the system can handle various types of content requests across different devices while maintaining centralized security control, thus improving ease of operation without sacrificing security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices are authorized to access content, then user flexibility improves, but system complexity and authorization management burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice flexibilityVSAvoidauthorization management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The proxy server serves as a centralized intermediary that manages all authorization logic. Instead of distributing authorization complexity across multiple devices or the content provider, the proxy server consolidates authentication and session management functions. This intermediary approach allows high device flexibility while keeping the authorization management burden localized to a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service authorization where the proxy server automatically authenticates devices based on pre-configured authorization data. Once devices are authorized, they can access content through the proxy server without requiring manual intervention for each access request. The proxy server handles authentication automatically, reducing the management burden for both users and system administrators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2862096B1Creating a web proxy inside a browser
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 INTEL CORP
  • EP2862096B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2862096B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2862096B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Systems and methods may provide for receiving a first request from a remote device for access to content on a second remote device, and invoking a proxy server embedded in an HTML5-compliant browser on a local device. Additionally, the first remote device may be provided with access to the content on the second remote device via the proxy server. Moreover, input may be received from a user interface of the local device, wherein a second request may be transmitted to the first remote device for access to content on a third remote device. In one example, the first remote device is unauthorized with respect to the content on the second remote device, and the local device is unauthorized with respect to the content on the third remote device.