Cloud Dashboard Sharing with Template-Based Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional cloud-based computing systems, users cannot share customized dashboards with others, leading to duplication of efforts and costs, as each user must individually configure separate dashboards for similar information.

Innovation Solution

Implementing computer dashboards as cloud-based services that allow users to publish and share dashboards, with configurable access control, enabling sharing among users while allowing for integration with deployment packages and metadata tagging for efficient navigation and unattended upgrades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users individually configure separate dashboards for similar information, then each user has full control and customization, but duplication of efforts and costs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedashboard customizationVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dashboard templates that can be copied and reused across multiple users and instances. A template defines a set of visual elements and data bindings that can be instantiated multiple times, allowing users to quickly deploy dashboards without recreating them from scratch. This directly addresses the duplication problem by enabling one-time creation with repeated usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal dashboard templates that can serve multiple users and purposes simultaneously. A single template can be instantiated for different users, time periods, and data sources, making the dashboard configuration universally applicable rather than user-specific. This reduces redundant configuration efforts while maintaining adaptability through template parameters.

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

2Ease of operation

If users individually configure separate dashboards, then each user has full control, but resource management efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser controlVSAvoidresource management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments dashboard functionality into templates (reusable definitions) and instances (user-specific deployments). The template contains the core configuration that can be shared, while instances allow user-specific customizations. This segmentation enables centralized template management for efficiency while preserving user control at the instance level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces templates as an intermediary layer between centralized resource management and user-specific configurations. Templates act as the mediator that encapsulates reusable dashboard definitions while allowing parameterization for different users. This intermediary enables efficient resource sharing without sacrificing user control over instance-specific settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dashboards are shared as cloud-based services with access control, then collaboration improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaboration capabilityVSAvoidaccess control configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different access control settings to different elements within the dashboard template. Rather than a single access control mode for the entire dashboard, specific visual elements can have granular access permissions defined. This allows collaboration at the element level while maintaining simplicity for users who only need basic access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3374857B1Dashboard as remote computing services
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3374857B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3374857B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3374857B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Various techniques for implementing computer dashboards as cloud-based services are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a dashboard file at a server via a computer network, the dashboard file identifying a dashboard having one or more graphical user interface elements individually configured to display and dynamically update data associated with a cloud-based service. The dashboard file further contains metadata indicating a cloud-based subscription. The method also includes associating the received dashboard file with the cloud-based subscription, identifying one or more entities allowed to access the dashboard based on the cloud-based subscription, and displaying, via the computer network, the dashboard identified by the dashboard file to the one or more entities upon verification of the cloud-based subscription.