Distributed Web Browser Architecture for Secure Mobile Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current web browser software on smartphones is limited in providing productive input and displaying complex web pages, leading to the need for additional devices for efficient use of complex websites, which introduces security risks when using shared computers and is not universally compatible with all smartphones.
Innovation Solution
A distributed web browser software architecture that separates the browser application into a client and server component, allowing any smartphone to connect to a keyboard, mouse, and monitor via Near-Field Communication (NFC) and WiFi Direct, ensuring secure and efficient access to complex web sites without persisting user data on the client device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If smartphone users connect to shared computers to access complex web sites, then productivity is improved, but security risks increase due to logging into shared systems
Solution Approach 1:
The browser application is segmented into two independent components: a server browser running on the smartphone that handles sensitive operations (login, password entry, data storage), and a client browser running on the shared computer that handles display and input. This segmentation allows the smartphone to remain the secure identity anchor while leveraging the shared computer's hardware capabilities, eliminating security risks associated with storing credentials on shared systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The server browser on the smartphone acts as an intermediary between the user's identity and the shared computer's browser interface. It receives authentication credentials from the user, manages security tokens, and controls the client browser's actions through automated scripting, thereby mediating secure access without exposing sensitive data on the shared system.
2Ease of operation
If docking devices are used to connect smartphones to keyboards and monitors, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability decreases because brand-specific devices only work with particular smartphone types
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal communication protocols (HTTP, WebSocket, or other web-based protocols) between the server browser on the smartphone and the client browser on the shared computer. This allows any smartphone with a web-capable operating system to function as a server browser, making the solution universally compatible across different smartphone brands and models while maintaining full keyboard and mouse input capability through the shared computer.
3Area of stationary object
If screen mirroring or casting is used to display smartphone output on larger displays, then ease of operation is improved, but input capability is lost preventing efficient work with complex web sites
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mirroring the smartphone display to the shared computer (which would preserve display content but lose input capability), the system inverts the approach: the shared computer's display and input devices are used to control the smartphone's browser. The client browser on the shared computer captures keyboard and mouse input, translates it into automated actions, and executes them through the server browser on the smartphone, thereby gaining full input capability while maintaining access to the smartphone's secure browsing environment.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for a distributed web browser software architecture are described herein. In an embodiment, a client web browser software application provides input functionality and displays web pages, while a server web browser software application acquires the resources necessary for rendering those web pages. A communication connection between the client and server browser applications joins them into a distributed web browser. In this way a server browser running on a personal device, such as a smartphone, can be used in conjunction with a client browser running on a separate hardware device having efficient input capabilities (keyboard, mouse, etc.) and a large display so that the user can work with complex web applications in an efficient manner.