System and method for creating a secure channel for inter-application communication based on intents

摘要

System and method for creating a secure channel for inter-application communication based on the messaging system called Intents in the Android OS are disclosed. In one embodiment, an application for accessing a cloud-based storage platform triggers the broadcast of a custom Intent to all applications on a mobile device to detect an authorized application that is capable of interacting with the application. Once an authorized application is chosen, the application opens a secure channel for communication with the authorized application and passes encrypted data stream to the to the secure channel for access by the authorized application.

主权项

1. A method of providing a channel for securely transferring data between applications on a mobile device, the method comprising:
detecting one or more qualified applications on the mobile device that are qualified to interact with a cloud communication application on the mobile device, wherein the cloud communication application provides access to a cloud-based platform providing file storage and collaboration services; providing a channel for communication between the cloud communication application and at least one qualified application of the one or more qualified applications, wherein providing the channel includes establishing a secure storage area on the mobile device that is inaccessible by the applications on the mobile device with the exception of the cloud communication application and the one or more qualified applications, wherein any data transferred via the channel is encrypted, and wherein the at least one qualified application is selected from the one or more qualified applications to receive a file based on user input; transferring, from the cloud communication application to the at least one qualified application, the file in encrypted form via the channel, wherein the cloud communication application receives the file from the cloud-based platform providing file storage and collaboration services; allowing subsequent manipulation of the transferred file by the at least one qualified application; receiving, by the cloud communication application, a new version of the file from the at least one qualified application via the channel; and uploading, by the cloud communication application, the new version of the file to the cloud-based platform providing file storage and collaboration services.