Query Request Quota Management for Third-Party Data Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Global enterprises face challenges in securely managing access to third-party data sources due to disconnected systems and the risk of quota exhaustion when API keys are shared, as each data source has limited query quotas and lacks centralized control.

Innovation Solution

A system that aggregates access privileges across multiple third-party data sources and intelligently manages query request quotas by determining user access and quota availability, dynamically adjusting quotas based on actual and predicted usage, ensuring secure and centralized control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If API keys are shared with users outside the controlling entity to enable access to third-party data sources, then user access capability is improved, but security risk increases and quota control is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser access capabilityVSAvoidsecurity and quota control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that sits between users and third-party data sources. This intermediary manages API keys securely, authenticates users, and controls query access without requiring direct key sharing. The intermediary acts as a gateway that maintains security while enabling user access to data sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the access control function by separating authentication and quota management from the data sources themselves. Instead of giving users direct access to data sources with their own API keys, the system divides access control into distinct layers: user authentication, query validation, and quota enforcement, each handled by separate system components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If query quotas are allocated to individual users for third-party data sources, then user-specific access control is improved, but quota exhaustion risk increases when users share credentials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control managementVSAvoidquota availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors user query usage against allocated quotas. When users approach their quota limits, the system provides feedback through warnings or access restrictions. The system also tracks overall data source quota consumption and adjusts individual user allocations dynamically based on actual usage patterns and available capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes quota allocation dynamic rather than static. Instead of fixed quota assignments that risk exhaustion, the system adjusts user quotas in real-time based on multiple factors including current usage rates, historical patterns, available data source capacity, and user priority levels. This dynamic adjustment prevents quota exhaustion while maintaining fair access control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple disconnected third-party data sources are accessed individually, then data source independence is maintained, but centralized access management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata source independenceVSAvoidaccess management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal access management system that can handle multiple different third-party data sources through a single unified interface. The system implements universal authentication mechanisms, standardized query routing, and centralized quota management that work across diverse data sources regardless of their individual protocols or access requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the access control functions for multiple disconnected data sources into a single centralized management system. Instead of maintaining separate authentication and quota management systems for each data source, the patent combines these functions into one integrated platform that manages all data source access uniformly, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11989188B2Aggregating access to third party data sources and intelligently managing access through request quotas

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Aggregating user access privileges across various third-party data sources and intelligently managing query request quotas delegated by the data sources to users having access privileges. Query requests are received from users and in response determining that the user (i) has been granted access privileges to an identified data source responsive to the query and (ii) has available query requests from their specific allocated amount of query request quota, the query request is authorized for submission to the data source that is responsive to the query. Intelligent management of query request quotas includes determining query request quota allotments for each user including adjusting query request quotas when users have been identified as requiring an increase or decreasing in quota allotment.