Security Token Service Selector for Identity Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face cumbersome authentication processes when switching between different services, as each service may require unique authentication methods, leading to reauthentication even if the underlying authentication information is the same, and conventional security token services require complex lists to manage conversions between various formats and signatures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that selects the appropriate security token service for conversion by identifying the signing key name required by the target service, using a machine-readable format like Web Services Policy, allowing seamless authentication without reauthentication by converting identity tokens to match the target service's format and signature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional security token services are used to perform format conversions, then authentication compatibility between services is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to maintain large lists of service capabilities and permutations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a security token service selector as an intermediary component that sits between the authentication system and multiple security token services. This selector automatically determines which security token service to use for converting identity tokens between different formats, eliminating the need for complex manual lists of service capabilities. The selector acts as a smart mediator that handles the complexity of service selection internally while presenting a simplified interface to the rest of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The security token service selector is configured with information about available security token services and their capabilities, allowing it to autonomously determine the appropriate service for each conversion task. The system performs self-service by automatically selecting and routing to the correct security token service without requiring external manual configuration or maintenance of complex service capability lists, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining authentication compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple security token services are used to handle different format conversions, then adaptability to various service formats is improved, but the number of permutations and conversion paths increases, making synchronization error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication system by separating the security token service selection function from the actual token conversion operations. The selector component handles the complex decision-making about which service to use, while individual security token services handle their specific conversion tasks independently. This segmentation reduces the overall system complexity by dividing the permutation problem into manageable segments, where each segment handles a specific subset of conversions.
Solution Approach 2:
The security token service selector is designed to dynamically determine which security token service to use based on the specific conversion requirements. Rather than maintaining static, exhaustive lists of all possible conversion permutations, the system dynamically selects the appropriate service at runtime based on the identity token format and target service requirements. This dynamic approach reduces complexity by only considering relevant conversion paths rather than all possible permutations.
3Reliability
If identity tokens are signed with different signatures for each service, then service-specific authentication security is improved, but the number of format permutations increases, requiring more conversion capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The security token service selector is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of identity token formats and signatures. Rather than requiring separate conversion mechanisms for each service-specific signature variation, the selector can route any token format to an appropriate security token service that has the capability to handle it. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of required conversion permutations by using a universal selector that adapts to different token types.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method identifies one of several security token services that can be used to convert an identity token into one containing content, a format and having a signature corresponding to a signing key name that a software service can use. The identification of the security token service that may be used to perform the conversion is made using machine readable information about the signing key name that the software service can use.