Web Application Mediator for Cloud Service Access on End-User Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud services are difficult to use with end-user devices like multi-function peripherals (MFPs due to the need for high programming skills and customization, as well as the requirement for user authorization data to be maintained on the client side, which is impractical and sometimes impossible.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising one or more processors and a Web application that provides a user interface for specifying settings to access cloud services, allowing users to process data without implementing cloud service APIs on the end-user device, and manages user information and tokens to access third-party services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cloud services are implemented directly on end-user devices, then access to cloud functionality is improved, but the complexity of programming and customization required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between end-user devices and cloud services. The server hosts a web application that manages cloud service access, handling authentication, authorization, and service coordination. This mediator abstracts away the complexity of direct cloud service implementation from end-user devices, allowing them to access cloud functionality through simplified web interfaces without requiring programming expertise.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cloud services are integrated into a workflow, then functionality is improved, but the skill and knowledge required to manage different settings and data formats increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cloud services and their management functions into a single unified web application hosted on the server. This consolidation integrates authentication, authorization, workflow management, and service coordination into one interface, eliminating the need for users to separately manage multiple services and their different settings requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The web application serves multiple functions: it acts as an authentication server, a workflow manager, a service coordinator, and a user interface. This multi-functional design allows the system to handle diverse cloud services and workflow requirements through a single universal platform, reducing the knowledge burden on users.
3Reliability
If user authorization data is maintained on the client side, then security is improved, but practicality and feasibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that securely manages user authorization data. Instead of requiring end-user devices to store and manage sensitive authentication information, the server hosts the web application that handles all authorization operations. This centralizes security management in a controlled environment while maintaining practical deployment feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach provides access to cloud services that are impractical or difficult to implement on end-user devices without a high level of programming skill and customization. The approach uses a first set of cloud services, referred to herein as Integrated Cloud Environment (ICE) cloud services, to access to a second set of cloud services, referred to herein as Smart Integration (SI) cloud services, on end-user devices. The ICE cloud services provide a user-friendly user interface for accessing the SI cloud services via an end-user device, implement the Application Program Interfaces (APIs) of the SI cloud services, and also manage results generated by the SI cloud services. The ICE cloud services also manage user information, authorization credentials and tokens needed to access third-party services. According to another embodiment, the SI cloud and the ICE cloud are integrated using direct linking, i.e., directly linking an end-user device to the SI cloud.