Application Behavior Model for Client Server Code Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating applications on client devices are time-consuming and costly due to the need for recompiling and redistributing client programs with each GUI redesign, which changes how applications interact with servers.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates an application behavior model (ABM) and uses it to instantiate application templates tailored to specific devices, allowing an application server to communicate with client devices and execute applications without requiring new client program code, enabling seamless interaction across devices with different functional capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the application behavior model is stored remotely at the application server, then the client device requires minimal code and updates are simplified, but the network dependency increases and offline functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application behavior model (ABM) as an intermediary between the server and client code. The ABM contains the application logic and behavior definitions, allowing the client application to function with minimal code while relying on the server-stored ABM for operational guidance. This mediator enables easy updates by modifying only the ABM on the server without redistributing client code.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the application uses a standardized interface for device interaction, then compatibility across devices is improved, but the ability to leverage device-specific functional capabilities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal application behavior model that can interact with multiple device types through standardized interfaces. The ABM defines generic interaction patterns that work across different devices, while the device-specific code templates provide the necessary adaptations. This allows the same application logic to serve multiple device platforms without sacrificing device-specific capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the application into three distinct parts: (1) the device-independent application behavior model stored on the server, (2) device-specific code templates that handle platform-specific interactions, and (3) the generated client application that combines both. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the ABM for portability and the device-specific templates for leveraging unique functional capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system generates device-specific code templates, then the application can leverage device capabilities, but the initial system complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining device-specific code templates for various platforms before the actual application development. These templates contain the necessary device-specific interaction patterns and capabilities. When generating a client application, the system simply selects and instantiates the appropriate pre-prepared template, avoiding the need to create device-specific code from scratch and reducing the perceived complexity during application deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an improvement for developing an application between an application server and one of multiple client devices where the application server is disposed remotely of the one of multiple client devices. In one example, an application behavior model (ABM) is produced and stored at the application server. Using an output corresponding with the one of multiple devices, program code for a client application is produced from a selected one of several configurable templates. Selected input, generated with the ABM and the program code, is received at the application server to cause a sequence of processing steps to be performed with the application server. In another example, the ABM is received at the one of multiple client devices, the one of multiple client devices including a user interface (UI). The ABM and client application are used to render a first page at the UI for providing an action identifier. The action identifier is sent to the application server for causing a sequence of processing steps to be performed with the application server. Pursuant to performing the sequence of processing steps, the ABM and client application conjunctively cause a second page to be rendered on the UI.