Electronic Visitor Credential Management with Timing and Usage Restrictions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack efficient methods for issuing and managing temporary visitor credentials with specific timing and usage restrictions, limiting access to resources within organizations.
Innovation Solution
A server system receives requests to issue electronic visitor credentials with timing and usage restrictions, authorizes credential issuance, stores visitor data, and sends enabling data to visitors, allowing controlled access to resources while managing credential validity and withdrawal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic visitor credentials are issued with timing and usage restrictions, then access control and security are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The credential is segmented into multiple independent restriction dimensions: timing restrictions (valid from/expiry dates), usage restrictions (specific resources accessible), and authorization restrictions (which members can issue). Each dimension is stored as separate data fields in the visitor data structure, allowing the system to manage complex access control policies through modular data organization rather than monolithic complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The server system acts as an intermediary between credential issuers (members) and credential users (visitors). It receives issuance requests from members, validates authorization, stores credentials with restrictions in the visitor data, and manages the actual access control. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity from individual components while enabling sophisticated access control policies
2Adaptability or versatility
If visitor data with timing and usage restrictions is stored, then credential management capability is improved, but data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The visitor data structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores the credential itself, stores timing restrictions (valid from/expiry dates), stores usage restrictions (accessible resources), and stores authorization information (issuing members). By consolidating these multiple data types into a single unified structure, the system reduces overall storage requirements while maintaining comprehensive credential management capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate data elements (credential, timing info, usage restrictions, authorization data) into a single integrated visitor data structure. This consolidation eliminates redundant storage and reduces the total quantity of data that needs to be stored and managed, while still providing full adaptability for different credential scenarios
3Productivity
If credential issuance is automated with authorization determination, then issuance speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service authorization determination automatically. When a member requests credential issuance, the server system autonomously checks the member's authorization status against stored authorization data, validates timing restrictions, and processes the credential issuance without manual intervention. This automation speeds up the issuance process while the pre-established authorization frameworks keep the underlying complexity manageable
Data Source
AI summary
A request is received by a member of a credential granting authority to issue an electronic visitor credential to a visitor of the credential granting authority, the electronic visitor credential enabling access to resources of the credential granting authority. It is determined that the member of the credential granting authority is authorized to issue the credential to the visitor. Based on the determination that the member of the credential granting authority is authorized to issue the credential to the visitor, the electronic visitor credential is issued with at least one timing restriction that defines a time period during which the electronic visitor credential is valid and at least one usage restriction that limits resources of the credential granting authority to which the electronic visitor credential enables access It is determined to withdraw the electronic visitor credential. Based on determining to withdraw the electronic visitor credential, the credential is withdrawn.