Shared Server-Side Macros for Cross-App Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for executing macros are limited in their ability to share and manage macros across multiple applications and users, particularly in a network-based environment, lacking efficient access control and security mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A hosted computing environment that allows macros to be stored and executed on a macro server subsystem, enabling sharing among users, with access restrictions and security wrappers to manage permissions and protect resources, and the use of a script manager to execute macros across multiple applications and services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If macros are stored and executed locally on each client device, then execution speed and responsiveness are improved, but sharing and collaboration between users become difficult and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the macro system into two segments: macro storage and execution control are centralized on the server, while execution support is distributed to client devices. This segmentation allows macros to be shared centrally while maintaining local execution capabilities, resolving the contradiction between execution speed and sharing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between users and macros. The server stores macros centrally and manages access control, while clients interact with the server to execute macros. This intermediary enables both fast local execution (through server coordination) and efficient sharing (through centralized storage), resolving the contradiction
2Productivity
If macros are made accessible to multiple users across the network, then collaboration and productivity are improved, but security risks and access control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements access control lists (ACLs) that are pre-configured on the server before macro execution. The server owner or authorized users can define which users or groups have access to specific macros in advance. This preliminary action ensures that security policies are established before any macro execution occurs, enabling collaborative access while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as a security intermediary that mediates all macro access requests. Instead of allowing direct peer-to-peer macro access, the server intercepts and evaluates all access requests against predefined ACLs. This intermediary role enables multiple users to collaborate on macros while the server enforces security policies, resolving the contradiction between productivity and security
3Adaptability or versatility
If macros are stored separately from documents in a centralized location, then macro sharing and management are improved, but access control and permission management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal access control system using access control lists (ACLs) that can be applied to any macro on the server. The ACL mechanism provides a single, unified approach to managing permissions for all macros, regardless of their specific function or user. This universal mechanism simplifies access control management while enabling broad macro sharing capabilities across the network
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method of managing computer macros is disclosed. The method comprises storing code for a macro at a location in an internet-accessible hosted computer system, and receiving a request, from an application that is running on a client computer remote from the hosted computer, to execute the macro. The method also includes executing the macro on the hosted computer system, and providing results of executing the macro to the application that is running on the client computer, wherein the code for the macro is stored and accessed apart from files on which the macro is programmed to operate.