Email-Triggered Software Bots for Secure Transaction Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transaction handling processes are inefficient and require significant user intervention, leading to manual completion of tasks that could be automated.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of software bots that can be activated through emails to automate transactions, such as bill payments or other tasks, using secure mechanisms for login and data handling, and integrating with vendor servers to perform transactions without user involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual transaction handling is used, then user control and visibility are maintained, but transaction efficiency and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through software bots that automatically execute transactions without user intervention. The bot receives credentials, autonomously logs into vendor websites, navigates transaction pages, enters data, and completes purchases. This eliminates the need for manual user operation while maintaining security through credential management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The software bot acts as an intermediary between the user and the vendor's website. It receives authentication credentials from the user, uses them to access the vendor system, performs the transaction, and reports back to the user. This intermediary approach automates the process while maintaining user control through credential-based authorization.
2Speed
If automated software bots are implemented, then transaction speed and productivity improve, but system complexity and security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: credential management module for secure storage and retrieval of authentication data, bot control module for orchestrating transaction workflows, vendor interaction module for communicating with external websites, and reporting module for user feedback. This modular architecture manages complexity while enabling fast automated transactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The software bot serves as an intermediary layer that simplifies complex vendor website interactions. It handles authentication, navigation, data entry, and form submission automatically, translating user intentions into vendor-specific actions without requiring users to understand the underlying complexity.
3Ease of operation
If software bots automate transactions, then user effort is reduced, but security risks from credential management arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable or temporary credential mechanisms where possible, such as generating unique authentication tokens for each transaction or using time-limited access credentials. This reduces security risks by minimizing the exposure window for credential compromise while still enabling automated bot operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The software bot and credential management system act as secure intermediaries that handle sensitive authentication data without requiring users to manually expose credentials. The bot securely stores, retrieves, and uses credentials only when needed for transactions, reducing the attack surface compared to manual credential handling.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for using software bots for automated transaction handling. The systems and methods include receiving an email message about an upcoming transaction. The email message includes a link to a software bot that is programmed to automate the transaction in response to receiving a selection of the link to the software bot. Thereafter, the link selection causes a call to the software bot to execute the transaction. The software bot performs the transaction automatically on behalf of the user and provides confirmation of completion of the transaction.