Dynamic Link Registration for Mobile App Onboarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face frustration and security risks when registering mobile applications with web services, as they often need to manually enter usernames and passwords, and the process can be cumbersome, especially when searching for and downloading apps, while also posing a risk of account compromise.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows for simplified user onboarding by sending a short-lived registration code via email or SMS, which activates a dynamic link to install and register the mobile application without manual username or password entry, eliminating the need for long-lived passwords and streamlining the app retrieval process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually enter usernames and passwords to register mobile applications, then account security can be maintained through authentication, but user frustration and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the password entry step from the registration process by implementing automatic password retrieval through device identification. The system separates authentication (device-based automatic login) from registration (simplified flow), eliminating the need for users to manually enter complex passwords while maintaining security through device-specific authentication mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically retrieving stored passwords from the user's device password manager and populating login fields without user intervention. The mobile application autonomously accesses the device's secure storage, retrieves the appropriate credentials, and completes the login process, freeing the user from manual password entry while maintaining security through device-protected credential storage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users search for and download mobile applications from app stores, then application availability is ensured, but onboarding time and user frustration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring deep links within the registration email that directly route users to the mobile application download page. Instead of requiring users to search app stores, the system proactively provides direct access pathways. The deep link is prepared in advance and embedded in the registration communication, enabling immediate navigation to the application store page upon email receipt.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary mechanism (deep link service) that bridges the gap between email registration and mobile application download. The deep link acts as a mediator that translates a simple email click into a directed navigation to the appropriate app store page, eliminating the need for users to manually search or navigate through app store interfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If long-lived passwords are used for account authentication, then user accounts can be accessed across multiple devices, but security risks increase from password compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements disposable, short-lived authentication tokens instead of long-lived passwords. Each registration or login session receives a temporary authentication credential that expires after use or after a short time period. This replaces the traditional long-lived password model with ephemeral tokens that cannot be compromised for future use, significantly reducing security risks while maintaining authentication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, long-lived passwords to dynamic, time-limited authentication tokens. The authentication credentials change frequently and are tied to specific sessions or devices, creating a dynamic security model where compromised tokens become invalid after expiration or use, unlike static passwords that remain valid indefinitely until changed.
4Reliability
If multiple registration steps are required for mobile application onboarding, then account verification can be ensured, but user disengagement and customer loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple registration steps into a single streamlined flow. The registration email serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it verifies the user account, provides authentication credentials, includes direct download links to the mobile application, and initiates the login process. By combining account verification, credential distribution, and application acquisition into one integrated email message, the system maintains verification reliability while dramatically improving onboarding efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The registration email is designed as a multi-functional universal message that performs multiple critical functions: account verification, password delivery, deep link provision for app download, and login initiation. This single communication replaces what would traditionally require separate emails or steps for each function, reducing user engagement friction while maintaining all necessary verification and setup functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments described herein include a system and method that allows for a much simpler user onboarding experience when registering a new mobile application with a service provider. An exemplary method for regustering a software application includes creating a dynamic link, sending the dynamic link to a user to be accessed by the user from a mobile device, and automatically registering an application access by the dynamic link when the dynamic link is activated by a user.