Multi-variant HTTP Requests for Unified Resource Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HTTP request methods are inflexible and require multiple API calls to access resources, leading to complex sub-resource architectures and ambiguous resource identification, especially when trying to access resources by both identifier and name simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A multi-variant HTTP request approach that uses tag/value pairs and Boolean expressions within the URI to identify resources, allowing a single API call to access resources based on different field names and values, and enabling flexible access to system entities without the need for sub-resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional HTTP request methods are used to access resources by identifier and name, then multiple API calls are required, but this leads to complex sub-resource architectures and ambiguous resource identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple resource identification methods (identifier-based and name-based access) into a single unified HTTP request interface. The URI structure integrates both resource identifiers and names in one path, allowing clients to access resources using either method without requiring separate API endpoints or multiple sequential calls, thereby simplifying the API architecture while maintaining operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The HTTP request interface is designed to handle multiple resource access patterns universally through a single endpoint. The URI structure can accommodate both identifier-based paths (e.g., /resources/{id}) and name-based paths (e.g., /resources/name/{name}) within the same interface, making the system multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate specialized endpoints for different access methods
2Measurement precision
If multiple API calls are used to access resources, then resource identification can be precise, but this increases the number of requests and communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple resource identification criteria into a single HTTP request by integrating both resource identifiers and names in the URI path. This allows the system to maintain precise resource identification through structured URI components while reducing the number of requests needed, as all identification parameters are resolved in one call rather than requiring sequential requests
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible URI structure with tag/value pairs is used, then a single API call can access resources by different fields, but this requires a new request format
Solution Approach 1:
The URI structure is designed to be universally applicable across different resource access scenarios. By using a consistent path-based format that can accommodate both identifier and name parameters (e.g., /resources/{parameter}/{value}), the system achieves high versatility without introducing complex query parameters or alternative syntax, maintaining request format simplicity while enabling flexible resource access
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the URI structure to achieve flexibility. By allowing the URI to accept different parameter types (identifiers or names) in standardized position slots, the system can adapt to various resource access needs without changing the fundamental request format. This parameter-based approach enables a single API call to handle multiple access scenarios while keeping the syntax simple and consistent
4Ease of operation
If sub-resources are created for different access methods, then resource access can be specific, but this increases documentation and maintenance burdens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal resource access interface that handles both identifier-based and name-based access through a single endpoint and unified URI structure. This eliminates the need to create and maintain separate sub-resources for different access methods, reducing documentation requirements and maintenance effort while preserving specific resource access capabilities through standardized path parameters
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for multi-variant HTTP requests to identify one or more HTTP resources are disclosed. A server receives an HTTP request to carry out an operation, extracts a field name and a field value recited in the HTTP request, and defines a query based on the field name and the field value. The server executes the query to identify any resources with the field value for a field with the field name and identifies a resource in a set of query results corresponding to the query. The server carries out the operation on the identified resource in the set of query results.