Cloud Authentication Token Management for Workflow Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face cumbersome authentication processes when accessing cloud servers, requiring repetitive operations for authentication and token acquisition, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows users to store authentication information and workflow settings on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, enabling the execution of predefined sequences of operations for accessing cloud servers, including the option to reuse authentication tokens across multiple workflows, thereby reducing the need for repeated authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users perform authentication operations to access cloud servers, then secure access is achieved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidauthentication process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication operations in advance by automatically acquiring authentication information (tokens) from cloud servers before they are needed. The acquired tokens are stored in the authentication information management unit, so when a workflow needs to access a cloud server, the authentication has already been completed, eliminating the need for users to perform repetitive authentication operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication information management unit automatically manages the acquisition, storage, and reuse of authentication information without requiring user intervention. The system self-services by automatically selecting and using appropriate authentication information for cloud server access, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If users repeatedly authenticate to access cloud servers, then access security is maintained, but time efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecloud server access securityVSAvoidauthentication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Authentication information is acquired and stored in advance in the authentication information management unit. When workflows need to access cloud servers, the system retrieves pre-acquired tokens instead of performing time-consuming authentication operations repeatedly, significantly reducing authentication time while maintaining security through token-based access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous access to cloud servers by storing valid authentication tokens that can be reused across multiple workflow executions. Instead of interrupting workflow execution for repeated authentication, the system continuously uses stored authentication information, eliminating time loss and maintaining operational flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If authentication information is stored for reuse, then operational efficiency improves, but information security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow execution efficiencyVSAvoidauthentication information security risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication information management unit acts as an intermediary that securely manages authentication tokens. Instead of storing sensitive authentication information in plain text or exposing it to users, the system uses this dedicated management unit to handle token acquisition, storage, and retrieval, reducing security risks while enabling efficient reuse of authentication information across workflows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11222109B2Computer-readable medium and information processing device for reducing troublesome operations for authenticated access to cloud server

Publication Date: 2022.01.11 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-executable instructions causing an information processing device to accept settings for a sequence of operations executable using a cloud server, accept a selection of the cloud server, acquire authentication information for accessing the cloud server, store the authentication information in association with cloud information specifying the cloud server, store a sequence record including the cloud information and setting information representing the settings for the sequence, when accepting a selection of the sequence record, execute the sequence in accordance with the setting information and access the cloud server with the authentication information, when accepting a selection of another sequence record including the same cloud information as included in the sequence record, execute another sequence in accordance with setting information of the another sequence record and access the cloud server with the authentication information associated with the same cloud information as included in the sequence record.