Rich Pointers Reference Tokens to Reduce Network Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transmission of large security tokens over narrow channels is slow, especially when the token provider is remote from the client, due to the significant amount of information being transmitted.
Innovation Solution
Sending rich pointers instead of actual tokens, which point to locations where the tokens can be retrieved, allowing the client or service to obtain the tokens from geographically distributed token sources, optimizing network traffic and security verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If actual tokens are transmitted over the network channel, then authentication verification is complete, but network traffic increases and transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy (pointer) that references the actual token location instead of transmitting the full token. The pointer contains essential information (token type, issuer, location) that allows verification without copying the entire token data, thus reducing transmission time while maintaining authentication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where pointers act as mediators between the authentication system and actual tokens. The pointer system enables indirect access to token verification information, reducing direct transmission requirements while maintaining the authentication chain between client, service, and token provider
2Reliability
If actual tokens are transmitted over the network channel, then authentication verification is complete, but network traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy (pointer) that references the actual token location instead of transmitting the full token. The pointer contains essential information (token type, issuer, location) that allows verification without copying the entire token data, thus reducing network traffic while maintaining authentication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential identifying information from the full token to create a pointer. This extraction process removes unnecessary data from transmission, keeping only the critical elements (token type, issuer identifier, location) needed for verification, thereby reducing network traffic volume
3Adaptability or versatility
If tokens are transmitted from a remote token provider, then centralized token management is achieved, but transmission time increases due to distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates lightweight pointer copies that reference token locations, enabling rapid transmission from remote providers. The pointer format allows efficient replication and distribution of token references without the overhead of transmitting full token data across distant networks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct token transmission to a hierarchical reference structure. Instead of linear transmission from remote provider to client, the system creates a multi-dimensional reference architecture where pointers can be cached, pre-fetched, and resolved locally, adding temporal and spatial dimensions to the authentication process
Data Source
AI summary
Providing reference tokens. A method includes receiving a request for a token. In response to the request for a token and in place of a token, one or more rich pointers are sent referencing one or more tokens. The rich pointers point to locations where one or more actual tokens can be retrieved. When only a single pointer is sent, the pointer is a reference other than an HTTP URL.