Interoperable Usage Management Framework for Resource Policy Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems face challenges in managing resource usage policies across multiple computing environments, particularly in open, distributed settings like the Internet, where traditional access control and digital rights management mechanisms fail to ensure interoperability and flexibility due to the use of different policy languages and the complexity of mashup applications.

Innovation Solution

A framework for usage management that employs a calculus to develop a generic license language, allowing for dynamic interpretation and enforcement of usage control specifications across various environments, separating access control and usage control, and enabling interoperability through standardized operational semantics and hierarchical context and license structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional access control and digital rights management mechanisms are used in closed computing environments, then resource usage policy control is maintained, but interoperability across multiple computing environments fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource usage policy controlVSAvoidinteroperability across computing environments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the usage policy into two distinct parts: a usage control specification (UCL) that defines the resource usage constraints, and an access control specification (ACL) that handles authentication and authorization. This segmentation allows the UCL to be environment-agnostic while the ACL can be adapted to specific computing environments, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining policy control and achieving interoperability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a usage control mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the resource owner and the computing environment. This intermediary interprets and enforces the usage control specification independently of the specific computing environment, enabling interoperability while maintaining reliable resource usage policy control through the standardized UCL framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different policy languages are used in various computing environments, then each environment can express its specific requirements, but interoperability and standardization fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironment-specific policy expressionVSAvoidpolicy language diversity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal usage control specification framework that can express resource usage constraints in a standardized manner across different computing environments. The UCL uses a unified syntax and semantics that works across environments, eliminating the need for multiple different policy languages while still allowing environment-specific requirements to be expressed through the same standardized framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If translation mechanisms are used to translate entire policies between different languages, then interoperability is attempted, but the process becomes infeasible and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolicy translation capabilityVSAvoidtranslation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of translating entire policies between different languages, the patent segments the policy into usage control and access control components. The usage control specification uses a standardized framework that eliminates the need for translation, while only the access control portion needs to be adapted to specific environments. This segmentation makes the system feasible and avoids the complexity of full policy translation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If complex policy specification languages are standardized as universal standards, then complete policy language standardization is achieved, but innovation and flexibility are stifled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolicy language standardizationVSAvoidinnovation and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the policy specification into a standardized usage control component and a flexible access control component. The UCL provides the necessary standardization for interoperability, while the ACL portion remains flexible and can be customized or innovated upon for different environments. This segmentation maintains standardization where needed while preserving flexibility and innovation where appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9805172B2System and methods of resource usage using an interoperable management framework

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 STC UNM

AI summary

Generic rights expression language allowing interoperability across different computing environments including resource usage of different applications. A formal framework for usage management provides scaffolding upon which interoperable usage management systems can be built. Certain features of the framework are standardized, such as the operational semantics, including areas free of standards that necessitate choice and innovation to achieve a balance of flexibility and usability for interoperability in usage management systems.