External Application SSO for Thick-Client Apps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for single sign-on (SSO) in thick-client applications are inefficient, requiring technical expertise, heavy server configurations, and are not compliant with cross-platforms, limiting their ability to handle multiple applications effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables SSO through an external application using a receiving module, authentication module, encryption module, launching module, and display module, which receives and encrypts user credentials, authenticates them, launches applications via an event-driven protocol, and stores credentials, allowing seamless access to multiple thick-client applications without modifying the applications themselves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If screen-scraping technique is used for SSO integration, then thick-client applications can be accessed, but the sign-on breaks when screen resolution changes and heavy server configurations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that acts as a bridge between the SSO system and thick-client applications. This intermediary captures authentication events through system-level hooks rather than screen scraping, eliminating the dependency on visual display parameters like screen resolution. The intermediary translates authentication requests into appropriate application-specific authentication actions, providing stable and reliable sign-on across different display configurations.
2Ease of operation
If desktop application development frameworks are used, then SSO can be achieved for thick-clients, but the solution is not cross-platform compliant and requires lengthy development
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal SSO solution that operates across multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux) by using platform-independent system-level authentication mechanisms. The system employs standardized authentication protocols and event hooks that are available across different operating systems, eliminating the need for platform-specific development frameworks. This multi-functional approach allows the same SSO infrastructure to serve diverse thick-client applications regardless of the underlying operating system.
3Productivity
If conventional SSO techniques are used, then existing enterprise solutions can be leveraged, but technical expertise and external consultation are required increasing time and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service SSO deployment mechanism that automatically detects the presence of thick-client applications, configures appropriate authentication hooks, and establishes SSO integration without requiring manual intervention from technical experts. The system performs automatic application discovery, configuration generation, and activation, eliminating the need for external consultation and reducing implementation time from weeks to minutes.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments herein provide a system and method to enable a single sign-on into a plurality of thick-client applications through an external application. The system includes an authentication module for authenticating the user credentials for the plurality of thick-client applications received by a receiving module. The authenticated user credentials for the plurality of thick-client applications is stored in a data based and encrypted with an encryption module. The plurality of thick-client applications is launched with a launching module. A display module is provided to display the user credentials for launching the plurality of thick-client applications.