Message Broker Policy Functions for Channel-Specific Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing message broker systems lack dynamic customization capabilities, requiring elevated privileges for modifying message broker behaviors, and do not allow user entities to customize message flow or behavior for specific channels without impacting other users, and they often lack access to external information and sensitive data.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows user entities to dynamically initiate and control programmatic customization of message broker behaviors through user interfaces, selecting policy functions based on user input, and executing them in user-controlled or third-party environments, with access to external information and sensitive data without exposing it to the message broker.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If message broker systems allow dynamic customization of message flow and behavior, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but system complexity and security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a policy function as an intermediary component that mediates between the message broker and user entities. This policy function handles customization logic externally, allowing the message broker to remain simple while still enabling dynamic customization through the intermediary policy layer that can be updated without modifying the broker itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments customization capabilities into separate policy functions that can be independently developed, deployed, and managed. Instead of embedding all customization logic within the message broker, the patent divides the system into the core broker and external policy functions, allowing each to be optimized separately and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If user entities can customize message broker behaviors without elevated privileges, then ease of operation improves, but security control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser accessibilityVSAvoidsecurity control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The policy function serves as a secure intermediary that handles sensitive operations. User entities can interact with the policy function through standard interfaces without needing elevated privileges, while the policy function itself maintains security controls and can be deployed with appropriate authorization levels, thus preserving security while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables user entities to self-service customization needs through the policy function interface. Users can dynamically configure and update policy functions without requiring administrator intervention or elevated privileges, making the system easier to operate while maintaining security through the designed interface boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If message broker systems expose sensitive data to policy functions, then functionality improves, but security and data protection worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddata exposure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by allowing different levels of data access to different policy functions based on their specific needs. Each policy function can be configured to receive only the specific data elements required for its function, rather than exposing all sensitive data system-wide. This enables full functionality for each policy while minimizing data exposure risk through localized, need-based access control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If message broker behaviors are customized for specific channels, then adaptability improves, but impact on other users increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel-specific customizationVSAvoidside effects on other users

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by scoping policy function effects to specific channels or message flows. Each policy function can be associated with particular channels, ensuring that customizations only affect messages passing through those channels. This prevents side effects on other users whose messages traverse different channels, allowing channel-specific adaptability without unwanted impacts elsewhere in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12047468B1Message broker customization with user administered policy functions

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 CARLEY JEFFREY ALAN

AI summary

Disclosed is a message broker customization system and method with user administered policy functions. The system uses user defined and controlled policy functions to programmatically customize the behaviors of a message broker's processing of messages and further allowing for that customization to take place on a per channel basis. This provides for greater functionality and flexibility to the users of a message system, especially when the users of the message system do not have administrative control over the message broker.