Functional Resource Interface for Web Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available browsers have limited ability to enable web services to access and utilize the functional resources of a computing device, such as local hardware components and network-connected resources, leading to restricted access and inconsistent user experiences across different platforms.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a Functional Resource Interface Application (FRIA) that allows web-based programmatic resources to directly access and utilize local resources of a computing device, including hardware components and network resources, through standard web-based protocols, enabling platform-agnostic access and control over resources like printers and sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional browsers are used to access web services, then web-based programmatic resources can be executed, but access to functional resources (local hardware components and network-connected resources) is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to functional resourcesVSAvoidbrowser functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a functional resource interface application as an intermediary layer between web-based programmatic resources and the computing device's functional resources. This mediator enables web applications to access local hardware components and network resources without requiring changes to the browser's core architecture, thus resolving the contradiction by adding versatility through a separate interface layer rather than modifying browser complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If platform-specific functionality is used to access device resources, then access control can be maintained, but user experience becomes inconsistent across different platforms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoiduser experience uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal functional resource interface that provides consistent access methods across different computing platforms. By defining standard interfaces for accessing functional resources (printers, sensors, network devices), the system enables uniform user experience while maintaining platform-specific access control mechanisms underneath, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If web-based applications are limited to standard browser resources, then browser compatibility is maintained, but functionality and user interaction are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoiddevelopment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the functional resource access capability from the browser itself, placing it in a separate functional resource interface application. This segmentation allows web-based applications to leverage enhanced functionality through standardized interfaces without increasing browser complexity or development difficulty, as the interface layer handles platform-specific details independently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2915043B1Using functional resources of a computing device with web-based programmatic resources
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP2915043B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2915043B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2915043B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A request is received from a web-based programmatic resource executing within an application that is installed on the computing device. From the request, one or more functional resources of the computing device are identified. The functional resources are not otherwise accessible to the web-based programmatic resource executing within the installed application on the computing device. A task is performed using the identified one or more functional resources.