Messaging User Identity Retrieval Without Larger Messages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing messaging applications face challenges in securely transmitting user identifying information, such as names and images, without significantly increasing the size of the messages being transmitted.
Innovation Solution
A system that encrypts user identifying information on a cloud storage server and includes a small metadata record identifier and decryption key in outbound messages, allowing receiving devices to retrieve and decrypt the information without increasing message size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user identifying information (names, images, videos) is transmitted directly in messaging applications, then the information can be securely propagated, but the message size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transmission of user identifying information into two separate components: (1) a small metadata record containing only the record identifier and decryption key is transmitted in the message, while (2) the actual user identifying information (names, images, videos) is stored separately in encrypted form on cloud storage servers. This segmentation allows secure propagation of information without increasing message size, as only the minimal metadata needs to be transmitted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud storage server as an intermediary between the messaging application and the user identifying information. The server stores encrypted versions of user identifying information and provides a record identifier that links to the encrypted data. This intermediary allows the messaging system to reference large amounts of data without transmitting the data itself, thus maintaining small message sizes while enabling secure information propagation.
2Ease of operation
If user identifying information is stored and transmitted in messaging applications, then the information is readily available, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actual user identifying information (names, images, videos) from the messaging application and stores it separately on cloud storage servers in encrypted form. Only minimal metadata (record identifier and decryption key) remains in the messaging application. This extraction reduces security risks by removing sensitive data from the messaging system while maintaining ease of operation, as the information can still be retrieved and displayed when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of user identifying information from unencrypted to encrypted form on cloud storage servers. The information is stored as encrypted data with a record identifier that links to the encrypted version. This parameter change (encryption) maintains availability of the information while significantly improving security, as the actual data cannot be accessed without the decryption key.
3Ease of operation
If encryption keys and user information are transmitted together in messages, then information retrieval is simplified, but data security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission of encryption keys and user information by storing the encrypted user identifying information on cloud servers and transmitting only the record identifier and decryption key in the message. The decryption key is transmitted separately from the actual user information, and both components are needed to retrieve the information from the server. This segmentation maintains ease of operation while improving data security, as the key and information are not transmitted together in a single message.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device implementing a system for providing information corresponding to a user in association with messaging includes a processor configured to receive, by a messaging application on the device, a message and associated metadata from a second device, the associated metadata comprising a record identifier of a data record stored on a server, the data record comprising identifying information corresponding to a user of the second device. The processor is further configured to send, to the server, a request for the data record, the request comprising the record identifier, and obtain, in response to the sending, the data record. The processor is further configured to display the identifying information of the user contained in the data record, together with content of the message in a user interface of the messaging application.