Simplified User Management via Permission Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional user management in software applications requires a centralized department to process requests for user additions, modifications, and deletions, leading to long processing times, user frustration, and potential security risks due to delayed removal of unauthorized users.

Innovation Solution

A simplified user management system that allows authorized users within the software application to perform actions such as adding, editing, or removing other users based on their permissions and associations, eliminating the need for external requests and enabling immediate modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a centralized department processes all user management requests, then security control is maintained, but processing time increases and user frustration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments user management authority by creating different permission levels. Instead of one centralized department handling all requests, the system divides control so that users with appropriate permissions can manage users within their own organizations or departments, while a centralized admin retains oversight for cross-organization management. This segmentation reduces processing time for routine requests while maintaining security through permission-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an automated permission validation mechanism as an intermediary between user requests and system actions. When a user requests to add or modify another user, the system automatically validates permissions and associations through defined rules, eliminating the need for manual centralized approval while maintaining security control. This intermediary process resolves the contradiction by providing both speed and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If authorized users can directly manage other users, then processing time decreases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser management efficiencyVSAvoidpermission validation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service user management where authorized users can directly add, modify, or remove users within their permission scope without external intervention. The system automatically handles validation and enforcement of permission rules, allowing users to serve themselves while maintaining control. This self-service approach improves productivity while the automated validation layer manages the complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates automated feedback mechanisms that validate user permissions and associations in real-time. When a user attempts to perform an action, the system immediately checks whether the user has appropriate permissions and whether the target user is properly associated, providing instant feedback rather than requiring complex manual review processes. This feedback loop handles complexity automatically while maintaining simplicity for end users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If users can be added or modified immediately, then user frustration decreases, but security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser satisfactionVSAvoidsecurity risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining permission levels and association rules before users perform management actions. The system establishes clear criteria for which users can manage which other users based on organizational associations and predefined permission sets. This preliminary configuration allows immediate user management while maintaining security, as the rules are already in place to prevent unauthorized actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by proactively validating user permissions and associations before allowing user management actions to occur. The system checks whether the requesting user has appropriate permissions and whether the target user is properly associated before permitting the action, preventing security risks before they can materialize. This preliminary validation maintains both user satisfaction through immediate processing and security by blocking unauthorized actions in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS12118126B2Simplified user management functionality
Publication Date: 2024.10.15 TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • US12118126B2 patent drawing
  • US12118126B2 patent drawing
  • US12118126B2 patent drawing

AI summary

One embodiment provides a method for providing simplified user management within a software application, the method including: receiving, within a user management interface of the software application, input from an editing user to perform an action corresponding to a user within the software application, wherein the action comprises modifying the user within the software application; validating, within the software application, the editing user is authorized to perform the action within the software application, wherein the validating includes determining the editing user is an existing user within the software application and determining the user is associated with the editing user; and performing, responsive to validating the editing user is authorized to perform the action, the action with respect to the user in the software application. Other aspects are described and claimed.