Certificate-Based Inter-Workspace Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cross-workspace communication methods are limited, making it difficult for Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) clients in personal workspaces to configure third-party enterprise applications efficiently, leading to a time-consuming process that impacts user experience.

Innovation Solution

The use of certificates to facilitate cross-workspace communication, where an EMM client generates a certificate with configuration information and installs it in the enterprise workspace using APIs, allowing a configuration application to configure enterprise applications securely and simplify the development process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional cross-workspace communication methods are used, then enterprise applications can be configured, but the process is time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration speedVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a certificate as an intermediary object that carries configuration information between the EMM client in the personal workspace and the enterprise application in the enterprise workspace. This certificate-based intermediary simplifies the communication process by encapsulating configuration data in a standardized format that can be directly installed and processed, eliminating the need for complex direct communication protocols between workspaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the configuration information from the complex cross-workspace communication process and encapsulates it within a certificate object. By separating the configuration data into a distinct, portable certificate structure, the system allows for efficient transfer and installation without requiring the receiving application to parse complex communication protocols or handle multiple configuration parameters separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If EMM client directly configures third-party enterprise applications, then configuration can be performed, but it requires complex APIs and development effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration easeVSAvoiddevelopment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The certificate serves as an intermediary that standardizes the configuration interface. Instead of requiring the EMM client to directly interact with third-party enterprise applications through complex, application-specific APIs, the system uses a universal certificate format that can be installed by any enterprise application. This intermediary layer abstracts away the complexity of direct application configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal certificate structure that can be used across different enterprise applications and third-party applications alike. This single certificate format serves multiple functions: it carries configuration information, authentication data, and application-specific parameters in a standardized way that any enterprise application can process, eliminating the need for application-specific configuration protocols.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3242242B1Inter-workspace communications
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3242242B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3242242B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Systems, methods, and software can be used to access an enterprise resource. In some aspects, configuration information for an enterprise application is received at an enterprise mobility management (EMM) client on a mobile device. A certificate that includes at least a portion of the configuration information is generated. The certificate is installed in an enterprise workspace on the mobile device. A configuration application is executed in the enterprise workspace on the mobile device to configure the enterprise application.