Application Download Compatibility Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users often download application programs to computing devices that lack the required hardware and software capabilities, leading to improper functioning or dissatisfaction, as current systems do not effectively manage compatibility during the download process.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that restricts or warns users about the compatibility of application programs with their devices, ensuring only devices meeting the necessary hardware and software requirements can download and execute the programs, by comparing device information with supported device requirements stored in a remote application repository.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If application programs are made available for download to all computing devices accessing the repository, then the repository is highly accessible and easy to use, but incompatible applications are downloaded to devices lacking required hardware/software capabilities, causing improper functioning and user dissatisfaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of downloading applicationsVSAvoidapplication compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary compatibility checking by comparing device capabilities against application requirements before allowing download. The server retrieves device information, checks supported device types, and determines compatibility in advance, preventing incompatible downloads before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary between the application repository and computing devices. It mediates the download process by filtering applications based on compatibility, presenting only suitable applications to users, and controlling the transfer of application data based on device capability verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If compatibility restrictions are imposed to ensure only compatible devices can download applications, then application reliability and proper functioning are improved, but the download process becomes more complex and users face additional limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication compatibilityVSAvoiddownload process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service compatibility verification by automatically comparing device capabilities with application requirements without requiring user intervention. The server autonomously determines compatibility, presents appropriate applications, and manages the download process, keeping the interface simple for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The server implements a universal compatibility checking mechanism that handles multiple device types and application requirements through a single integrated process. The system universally applies capability comparison across all device-application pairs, managing diverse compatibility scenarios through one unified approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If device capability information is collected and verified before download, then application compatibility is ensured, but additional processing time and system resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication compatibilityVSAvoiddownload time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Device capability information is collected and stored in advance, and compatibility checking is performed as a preliminary step before the actual download begins. By verifying compatibility upfront and caching device information, the system minimizes the time impact during the download process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The compatibility checking process is merged with the application search and selection process. As users browse applications, the system simultaneously verifies compatibility, presenting only compatible options in the search results, thereby combining information retrieval and compatibility verification into a single efficient operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10938936B2Intelligent download of application programs
Publication Date: 2021.03.02 APPLE INC
  • US10938936B2 patent drawing
  • US10938936B2 patent drawing
  • US10938936B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Improved techniques for controlling delivery (e.g., download) of application programs from a remote application repository to different client computing devices are disclosed. Application programs are often built to operate on computing devices that have certain hardware capabilities. Hence, application programs available for download from a remote application repository might not be suitable execution on all client computing devices that are able to access the remote application repository. The improved techniques for controlling delivery can operate to permit the applications to be received by only those client computing devices that have the required hardware capabilities to properly operate the application programs.