Electronic Resource Sharing via Segmented Reference Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient method for securely sharing electronic resources between users while ensuring authorized access and maintaining the integrity of the shared content.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of a resource identifier for an electronic resource, which is used to create a reference code that can be shared, allowing authorized access through decoding and verification processes, including ultrasonic audio signals and optical machine-readable representations, ensuring secure and controlled access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If reference codes are made easily shareable to promote resource sharing, then ease of operation improves, but security and access control may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The reference code is segmented into multiple components including a resource identifier portion and an authorization portion. This segmentation allows the system to verify both the resource identity and the authorizing user independently, enabling easy sharing through simple code transmission while maintaining security through structured verification of each segment
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary that receives the reference code, validates its components against stored resource and user information, and independently determines authorization. This intermediary verification process enables straightforward code-based sharing while maintaining robust security controls through server-mediated authentication
2Reliability
If reference codes are single-use to enhance security, then reliability improves, but productivity decreases due to needing new codes for each access
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating and storing multiple valid reference code variations or by pre-configuring the reference code with multiple use credentials. This allows the same reference code to be used multiple times for different access events while maintaining security through server-side tracking and validation of each use
Solution Approach 2:
The reference code includes dynamic parameters such as time-based validity periods or use-count limits that are verified by the server. These parameter changes allow the code to remain reusable within defined boundaries, balancing security requirements with operational efficiency by enabling multiple accesses without requiring new codes each time
3Reliability
If verification processes are comprehensive to ensure integrity, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex verification logic is extracted from the client devices and centralized on the server. Client devices only need to transmit the reference code and receive validation results, while the server performs the comprehensive verification of code components against resource and user information. This extraction reduces device complexity while maintaining thorough integrity verification
Solution Approach 2:
The server serves as an intermediary that handles all complex verification operations including validating the reference code structure, checking resource ownership, verifying user authorization, and confirming integrity. This intermediary approach allows comprehensive verification without burdening client devices with complex verification logic
4Reliability
If authorization verification is performed server-side to maintain security, then reliability improves, but loss of time increases due to additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary verification of the reference code structure and components before full authorization checks. This preliminary validation quickly identifies obviously invalid codes, reducing the time spent on comprehensive verification for legitimate requests while maintaining security through subsequent thorough checking
Solution Approach 2:
The reference code includes pre-computed validation parameters such as cryptographic hashes or checksums that allow for rapid initial verification. These parameter changes enable the server to quickly validate code integrity before performing more time-consuming authorization checks, reducing overall access time while maintaining accurate verification
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by one or more processing devices, comprising: receiving information corresponding to an electronic resource of a first user; generating a resource identifier for the electronic resource of the first user; receiving a request for access to an electronic resource that is shared with a second user of the second client device; identifying, based on the first information, that the electronic resource of the first user is the electronic resource for which the second user is requesting access; determining, in response to the request, second information that is based on the received first information; determining a correspondence between the first information and the second information; determining that the second user of the second client device is authorized to access the electronic resource of the first user; and enabling the second client device to access the electronic resource of the first user.