Template-Based User Settings Management Framework
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for managing per-user settings in client/server applications are inefficient, as they require difficult and costly global policy enforcement, lack extensibility, and do not allow for seamless integration of third-party settings, leading to management nightmares and inconsistent user experiences.
Innovation Solution
A template-based architecture that groups per-user settings into logical units defined in a declarative format, allowing for easy assignment and enforcement on the server side, enabling extensibility and decoupling from product code, and supporting integration of third-party settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If global policies are pushed to individual clients for per-user settings enforcement, then settings can be applied to users, but the system becomes difficult to manage and requires software agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server-side intermediary component that acts as a mediator between administrators and clients. Instead of pushing policies directly to clients requiring software agents, the server stores template definitions and processes setting assignments centrally. The server generates and manages the actual setting instances, eliminating the need for complex client-side enforcement mechanisms while maintaining centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the settings management system into distinct components: template definitions (the blueprint), template instances (specific assignments), and user assignments. This segmentation allows administrators to manage settings at the template level rather than individually for each user, significantly reducing management complexity while maintaining fine-grained control over per-user settings.
2Reliability
If per-user settings are applied on the server side for every user object, then settings can be enforced centrally, but a large amount of data must be applied to every user object leading to management nightmares
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses template instances as reusable copies of setting definitions. Instead of storing complete setting data for every user, the system stores template instances that can be assigned to multiple users. When a template instance is assigned to a user, the server dynamically generates the actual settings based on the template definition and assignment parameters, dramatically reducing the amount of data that must be stored and managed while ensuring consistent enforcement across all users receiving that template.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all settings are shipped with the product code, then the system is complete at launch, but there is no mechanism for enhancements or additions after the product is shipped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic settings architecture where template definitions are stored as data rather than being hard-coded into the product. This allows the system to adapt and evolve after deployment - administrators can create new template definitions, modify existing ones, and assign them to users without requiring product upgrades. The server dynamically processes these template definitions and generates appropriate settings instances, enabling continuous adaptation to new requirements while maintaining system stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If third party vendors want to plug-in per-user settings, then the system becomes more versatile, but there is no consistent way to integrate them with existing settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal template-based framework that can accommodate both built-in and third-party settings through a common interface. Template definitions follow a standardized structure that can represent any type of setting, whether from the core product or third-party vendors. The server processes all template instances uniformly, applying the same assignment and enforcement logic regardless of the setting source. This universal approach allows third-party vendors to integrate their settings consistently with existing ones, providing administrators with a unified management experience for all per-user settings.
Data Source
AI summary
Extensible architecture for template-baser user setting management by creating logical groupings of per-user settings using different template types. A manageable way to assign templates to sets of users based on different criteria is provided. Templates can be defined in a declarative format (e.g., XML), which declarative format is developed such that various user interface (UI) pieces, third-party applications, and different client types can easily understand the templates. Extensibility of the architecture is supported for defining the templates such that external third-party application writers can make use of the provided infrastructure to add to existing templates or create new template types, and to seamlessly integrate into the existing infrastructure. Additionally, the per-user settings within the templates can be enforced on the server side, including the enforcement of future settings and template types.