Application Sharing Service Resolving Cross-Device Version Mismatches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in sharing applications between computing devices due to variations in application names and versions, making it challenging to identify and install corresponding applications on target devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that transmit application information from a source device to a target device, where an application sharing service automatically searches for resident or equivalent applications, and if not found, downloads them from an application store or repository, ensuring compatibility and updating as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If application information is transmitted from source device to target device, then application sharing capability is improved, but difficulty in identifying corresponding applications due to name and version variations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication sharing capabilityVSAvoidapplication identification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an application store or repository as an intermediary that maintains mappings between different application names, versions, and identifiers across multiple devices and platforms. When application information is transmitted, the target device queries this intermediary to resolve the corresponding application, eliminating the need for direct complex matching between devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where application usage data, installation status, and version information are continuously reported back to the application store. This feedback enables the system to learn and adapt to device-specific application variations, improving the accuracy of application correspondence identification over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual identification of corresponding applications is required, then application version compatibility can be ensured, but user time and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication version compatibilityVSAvoiduser time for application sharing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the target device to automatically perform application identification, version matching, and correspondence resolution through automated services. The device independently queries the application store, compares version information, and identifies the correct corresponding application without requiring user intervention, thus maintaining reliability while eliminating time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing application relationships, version mappings, and compatibility rules in the application store before actual application sharing occurs. This preliminary preparation enables rapid automated matching when sharing is initiated, ensuring version compatibility without requiring time-consuming manual verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If exact application name matching is used, then precision in application identification is improved, but adaptability to different platforms and version variations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication identification precisionVSAvoidcross-platform application compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the application identification approach by changing from relying on exact name parameters to using multiple parameters including unique identifiers, version numbers, platform tags, and functional descriptors. The system dynamically adjusts which parameters are used for matching based on the specific context, enabling both precision and cross-platform adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The application store serves as a universal intermediary that handles multiple functions: storing application metadata, mapping different naming conventions across platforms, tracking version relationships, and resolving correspondences. This multi-functional system enables precise identification while maintaining versatility across different operating systems and device types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11785061B2System and method to share an application with another device

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 INSYDE SOFTWARE CORP

AI summary

A technique for sharing an application between devices is discussed. Embodiments of the present invention transmit information about an application from a source computing device to a target computing device. An application sharing service on the target computing device then automatically searches the target computing device for a resident corresponding application or its equivalent and if a corresponding application is not found, searches an application store or repository for the corresponding application. If the application or its equivalent is found in the application store or repository, a user may be prompted to download the application or the application may be downloaded automatically. If the corresponding application was found on the target computing device originally, a check may be performed to determine if the most recent update is installed and, if the most recent version is not installed, it may be downloaded from the application store.