Extensible Authentication Configuration Engine for Web Identity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developers face significant time and effort in implementing and testing authentication code for websites to use external services like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as authentication sources, due to the complexity of handling various authentication protocols.
Innovation Solution
An extensible configuration system that integrates an authentication configuration engine and social connect engine into a web experience management system, allowing websites to authenticate users based on protocols like OAuth 1.0/2.0, simplifying the process by minimizing the need for developers to handle authentication protocol intricacies and enabling seamless integration with digital identity platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If developers implement authentication code manually for external services, then authentication functionality is achieved, but development time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures authentication handlers for multiple external services (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google) with their respective authentication protocols (OAuth 1.0, OAuth 2.0, etc.) before deployment. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for developers to manually implement authentication code during deployment, resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable authentication functionality and reducing development time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an authentication configuration engine as an intermediary layer between the website and external authentication services. This engine manages authentication handlers, protocols, and service configurations, abstracting away the complexity of direct authentication implementation. The intermediary handles protocol intricacies automatically, enabling reliable authentication while minimizing developer effort and time investment.
2Reliability
If developers handle authentication protocol intricacies manually, then authentication is implemented, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication configuration engine serves as an intermediary that manages all authentication protocol intricacies. It maintains configurations for multiple protocols (OAuth 1.0, OAuth 2.0, API Key) and handles the complexity of protocol-specific requirements automatically. This intermediary layer shields developers from protocol complexity while ensuring reliable authentication implementation through proven, pre-configured handlers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal authentication system that handles multiple external services (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google) and multiple protocols (OAuth 1.0, OAuth 2.0, API Key) through a single unified configuration engine. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate implementation code for each service and protocol, reducing overall implementation complexity while maintaining reliable authentication across all services.
3Adaptability or versatility
If websites integrate multiple authentication services, then user authentication options increase, but integration effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication configuration engine provides a universal interface for integrating multiple authentication services (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google) with different protocols. Instead of requiring separate integration code for each service, the engine manages all services through unified configuration, allowing websites to offer diverse authentication options while minimizing integration effort through standardized handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the authentication system into independent, pre-configured handlers for each external service and protocol combination. Each handler (Facebook OAuth 2.0, Twitter OAuth 1.0, LinkedIn API Key) is a self-contained module that can be independently configured and activated. This segmentation allows websites to selectively integrate only the authentication services they need, increasing versatility while reducing integration effort through modular, plug-and-play configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An extensible configuration system to allow a website to authenticate users based on an authorization protocol is disclosed. In some embodiments, the extensible configuration system includes receiving an identifier for an authentication provider; and automatically configuring a website to use the authentication provider for logging into the website.