Multi-User Access for Single-User Apps via Sandboxing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-user mobile applications are not designed to accommodate multiple users, limiting their use in environments where multiple users need access, such as in enterprise settings.
Innovation Solution
A multi-user library is integrated with the application to manage user data sets and configurations, allowing multiple users to access and use single-user applications without modifying the underlying application code, by generating user-specific sandboxes and redirecting data access based on user context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-user application is modified to support multiple users, then multi-user access capability is improved, but application complexity and code modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments user data into separate sandboxes, allowing each user to have isolated data storage while sharing the same application codebase. This segmentation enables multi-user support without modifying the core application logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sandbox manager as an intermediary component that handles user authentication, data isolation, and resource allocation. This mediator layer enables multi-user functionality without requiring changes to the application code itself.
2Reliability
If multiple user data sets are stored simultaneously, then multi-user data isolation is improved, but device storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary compression of user data sets before storing them in the sandbox. This pre-compression reduces the storage footprint of user data while maintaining data isolation and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage parameters of user data by applying compression algorithms and encryption, reducing the volume of data stored while maintaining security and isolation requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If user data is encrypted for security, then data protection is improved, but data access speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs encryption operations in advance during data storage, and uses indexed lookup structures to locate encrypted data quickly. This preliminary preparation reduces the time needed for data access while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the sandbox manager tracks encryption keys and data locations, enabling rapid retrieval of encrypted data without requiring full decryption of entire data sets, thus balancing security with access speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-user use of single-user applications is disclosed. A request to access application data associated with an object identifier may be received in a context of a single-user application. Access may be provided to one or more application data objects associated with the object identifier. The objects may be included in a data set corresponding to user information associated with the context of the application.