Reactive Authorization Proxy for Semantic Network Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data-centric architectures face limitations in providing reactive authorization for accessing semantic network resources, as they rely on service-specific protocols that are not suited for generic data manipulation operations like get, update, delete, and query, leading to predefined access policies that do not accommodate dynamic user authorization.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a reactive authorization proxy that allows users to create an intermediate authorization proxy node in an RDF graph, enabling the owner to decide on access requests without predefining policies, thus providing flexible and asynchronous authorization mechanisms within a data-centric architecture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If service-specific protocols are used for data access, then existing reactive authorization mechanisms can be applied, but the system cannot provide generic data manipulation operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata manipulation capabilityVSAvoidprotocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a universal data-centric architecture that enables generic data manipulation operations (get, update, delete, query) to work across multiple services and protocols. The reactive authorization mechanism is adapted to function within this universal framework, allowing a single protocol to serve multiple purposes rather than requiring service-specific protocols for each operation type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an intermediary layer that translates between generic data manipulation commands and service-specific operations. This mediator enables the system to accept universal commands while internally routing them to appropriate service-specific implementations, thus providing both generic capability and service-specific functionality without direct protocol complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If data stores pre-define access policies, then data security is maintained, but dynamic user authorization cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthorization flexibilityVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static, pre-defined access policies to dynamic reactive authorization. Instead of fixing authorization rules in advance, the system evaluates authorization requests in real-time based on current context, user identity, and resource requirements. This dynamic approach maintains security by evaluating each request while providing flexibility to adapt to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reactive authorization mechanism incorporates feedback loops where authorization decisions are made based on real-time information about the user, resource, and request context. The system continuously evaluates authorization criteria and adjusts access decisions dynamically, providing both security through rigorous evaluation and flexibility through context-aware decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If reactive authorization is implemented without intermediate proxy nodes, then direct access control is achieved, but asynchronous authorization mechanisms cannot be supported

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveasynchronous authorizationVSAvoidauthorization structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate authorization proxy node that mediates between the data store and requesting entities. This proxy handles asynchronous authorization requests, allowing the system to support automated asynchronous workflows while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The proxy absorbs the complexity of asynchronous coordination, leaving the core data access mechanisms simple and direct.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2577939B1Providing reactive authorization in a semantic network
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2577939B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2577939B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2577939B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An approach is provided for providing reactive authorization for accessing a semantic network resource. An access application of a resource owner entity detects an authorization proxy entity acting between at least a semantic network resource and a requesting entity that requests access to the semantic network resource. The access application determines to cause, at least in part, actions that result in transmission of a query for whether to accept the requesting entity to an owner entity of the semantic network resource.