Embedded Information Manipulation via Reference Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information embedded in content, such as sensitive data, risks exposure to unauthorized users due to lack of effective protection mechanisms, especially when accessed through multiple software host applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an embedded information manipulation system that uses tag modules and reference components to encode and protect sensitive information within content, allowing only authorized users to access the referenced information, employing mechanisms like Microsoft's SmartTag technology for context-based actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If information is embedded in content for easy access and integration across multiple software host applications, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but the risk of unauthorized access and information exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments embedded information into two distinct parts: (1) visible content that appears in the document, and (2) hidden reference components that contain the actual data. This segmentation allows the information to be easily accessible to authorized users while protecting the actual data from unauthorized access. The reference components are separated from the visible content but can be retrieved when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reference components as an intermediary mechanism between the visible content and the actual embedded information. These reference components contain references to the real data but do not expose the data itself. When authorized users need the information, the system uses the reference components to retrieve the actual data from its storage location, thus protecting the data while maintaining accessibility.
2Productivity
If actual information is embedded directly in content, then data accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but information security and protection from unauthorized users deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy mechanism where reference components contain references to the actual information rather than the information itself. These reference components are embedded in the content and can be easily accessed, providing the productivity benefits of embedded data. However, the actual sensitive information remains protected in its storage location, retrieved only when authorized users need it through the reference mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by embedding reference components in advance that point to the actual information. This allows the system to prepare the information structure beforehand, enabling quick retrieval when needed (maintaining productivity) while keeping the actual data protected until authorization is verified. The reference components are set up in advance to facilitate efficient access without exposing the data prematurely.
3Ease of operation
If sensitive information is embedded in content without encoding, then ease of operation and accessibility are improved, but the harmful effect of unauthorized exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actual sensitive information from the embedded content structure and stores it separately. Instead of embedding the real data directly in the content, the system embeds only reference components that point to the external storage location. This extraction maintains the simplicity of embedding (the reference components are easily inserted) while removing the harmful exposure risk, as the actual confidential information never resides within the content itself.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method involving the manipulation of information that may be embedded in content in a variety of ways and for a number of reasons, such as for protecting the embedded content from unauthorized users. Additionally, application program interfaces are disclosed that expose one or more methods relating to encoding data before the data is embedded in some content. Conversely, a method for decoding data that has been embedded in content is provided.