OS Credential Sharing for Multi-App Camera Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques face challenges in enabling multiple applications on a smartphone to smoothly connect to the same digital camera, particularly due to limitations in storing multiple connection keys and IDs on the operating system, making it difficult for secondary applications to establish Bluetooth connections independently.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus and method that involves a first application requesting the OS to establish a connection, obtain identification information, and store it in a data sharing area, while a second application retrieves this information to control connections with the external apparatus, allowing multiple applications to communicate effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications are enabled to connect to the same digital camera, then the versatility and functionality of the system is improved, but the complexity of connection management and key storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection management system is segmented into OS-level key storage and application-level connection control. The OS stores connection keys and IDs in a secure key store, while each application independently manages its connections using these stored credentials, dividing the complexity between system layers
Solution Approach 2:
The OS acts as an intermediary between applications and the digital camera. Applications request connection information from the OS, which provides stored keys and IDs through APIs, mediating the complex authentication process and shielding applications from direct key management complexity
2Ease of operation
If connection keys and IDs are stored in the OS for multiple applications, then the ease of operation for secondary applications is improved, but the security risk and potential conflicts increase
Solution Approach 1:
Connection credentials are segmented into application-specific key pairs. Each application receives its own connection key and ID from the OS, isolating security contexts so that one application's credentials cannot be misused by another, maintaining security while enabling multiple connections
Solution Approach 2:
The OS provides localized security contexts for each application through the key store. Each application has access only to its designated connection credentials, creating locally secure connection environments while maintaining overall system security through centralized management
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single application embeds all camera functions including cloud services, then the functionality is comprehensive, but the application design and update complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera control functionality is segmented into a base camera application and separate cloud service applications. The base application handles core camera operations, while cloud-dependent functions are provided by independent applications that share connection credentials through the OS key store, enabling modular design and independent updates
Solution Approach 2:
The OS key store provides universal credential storage that can be shared by any application needing camera connectivity. This universal mechanism allows different applications (camera control, cloud services, remote viewing) to independently connect to the same digital camera without requiring each application to embed all functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus includes a recording medium having recorded therein an operating system OS, a first application that operates on the OS, and a second application that operates on the OS. The first application causes a processor to request the OS to establish connection for communication between the first application and an external apparatus, obtain identification information of the external apparatus, and store the identification information into a data sharing area provided by the OS. The second application causes the processor to obtain the identification information from the data sharing area, and based on the identification information, perform connection control for establishing connection for communication between the second application and the external apparatus.