Mobile App Credential Sharing for Multi-App Data Transfers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process of installing and operating mobile applications is inefficient, requiring users to repeatedly enter credential information for each application, leading to inconveniences and inefficiencies, especially when dealing with multiple applications.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application, referred to as a provider app, is configured to perform data transfers for a user account with a given provider, such as PayPal. This app identifies other applications on the device that can perform fund transfers and sends a notification to these apps, allowing them to access the user account as a primary funding source without requiring additional authentication from the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users install multiple mobile applications, then the functionality and versatility of the device is improved, but the time and effort required for authentication and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring authentication credentials and application settings before the user needs to use the applications. The mobile device stores authentication information in advance and automatically retrieves it when applications need to access data, eliminating the need for users to manually enter credentials each time they use different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that acts as a mediator between the user and multiple applications. This intermediary manages the authentication credentials and automatically handles the data transfer process, allowing the user to access multiple applications without directly interacting with each application's authentication system individually.
2Reliability
If users manually enter credential information for each application, then authentication security is maintained, but the ease of operation and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the mobile device to automatically manage and provide authentication credentials to applications without requiring manual user input. The device autonomously handles the authentication process, retrieving stored credentials and configuring data transfers automatically, thus maintaining security while significantly improving user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the authentication and data transfer functions into separate modular components. Authentication credentials are stored separately from application data, and the authentication process is divided into discrete steps that can be automatically executed. This segmentation allows secure credential management while enabling automated operation across multiple applications.
3Productivity
If the system automatically transfers data between applications, then the efficiency of data transfer is improved, but the device complexity and system configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal data transfer mechanism that can operate across multiple different applications and data types. Rather than requiring separate configuration for each application pair, the system uses a unified approach that automatically identifies data requirements and establishes transfer pathways, improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems, mediums, and methods may involve a provider application configured to access a user account associated with a provider server. For example, a system may perform operations to identify one or more other applications installed on the mobile device that may be configured to communicate with the provider server. The system may determine data required by the other applications to perform one or more data transfers with the user account. The system may cause the provider application to send the data required to the other applications. As such, the other applications may be enabled to perform one or more data transfers with the user account based on the data sent to the other applications.