Shared Storage for Cross-App Cookie Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for automating authentication with multi-channel media distributors fail in sandboxed computing environments where cookies cannot be shared between applications, preventing seamless access to multiple media channels without repeated credential entry.
Innovation Solution
A computing device extracts a cookie containing authentication information from one media application and stores it in a shared storage resource, allowing another media application to access and use this information to authenticate with the multi-channel media distributor, even in environments that enforce strict sandboxing policies, thereby enabling automated authentication across different media channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If authentication credentials are stored in cookies for automated authentication across media channels, then ease of operation is improved, but sandboxing policies prevent cookie sharing between applications causing authentication to fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shared storage resource as an intermediary between sandboxed media applications. This mediator allows authentication credentials to be stored and retrieved across application boundaries without violating sandboxing policies. The shared storage resource acts as a bridge that enables cookie sharing while maintaining the security boundaries imposed by the operating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves authentication data from the application-specific dimension (individual app cookies) to a system-level dimension (shared storage resource). By storing credentials in a location accessible to multiple applications rather than within individual application sandboxes, the system transcends the limitations of traditional cookie-based authentication in sandboxed environments.
2Ease of operation
If third party services like Adobe Pass are used to generate authentication tokens, then ease of operation is improved, but multi-channel media distributors prohibit token-based authentication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the authentication credential (cookie) generated by one media application and stores it in shared storage. This copied credential can then be retrieved and used by other media applications without requiring third-party token generation services. The cookie copying approach is universally compatible with any multi-channel media distributor that uses cookie-based authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service authentication by automatically extracting, storing, and retrieving cookies without requiring external authentication token services. The media applications themselves handle the authentication process using shared credentials, eliminating dependence on third-party services like Adobe Pass that may not be compatible with all media distributors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users manually enter authentication credentials for each media channel, then adaptability to different authentication methods is improved, but productivity decreases due to repeated credential entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary authentication by having the first media application obtain and store the authentication cookie before other applications need to access content. This pre-obtained credential is then automatically retrieved when subsequent applications need authentication, eliminating the need for users to re-enter credentials and significantly improving access speed.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a processing device extracts a cookie from a first media application that is prevented from providing the cookie to a second media application. The cookie includes authentication information that is associated with an authentication of the first media application with a multi-channel media distributor for accessing a first media channel. The processing device copies the extracted cookie to a shared storage resource that is accessible to both the first media application and the second media application. In response to the second media application accessing a second media channel, the processing device retrieves the extracted cookie from the shared storage resource. The second media application provides the authentication information from the extracted cookie to the multi-channel media distributor for authenticating the second media application to access the second media channel.