Application Broker for Intelligent App Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face frustration in finding specific applications across different app stores, often paying more than necessary due to inconsistent pricing and having to manually download and transfer applications across devices, which is time-consuming and tedious.
Innovation Solution
An application broker that intelligently searches, downloads, and installs applications on a client device with minimal user intervention, interfacing with multiple app sources and executing them in an application player, while providing suggested applications based on ranking methodologies and automatically selecting cost-effective sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a user manually searches multiple app stores to find the best application, then the user can find the desired application, but the process becomes time-consuming and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application broker as an intermediary service that automatically searches multiple application sources on behalf of the user. The broker interfaces with various app stores and digitally distributes applications to the user's device without requiring manual intervention, thereby resolving the contradiction between search accuracy and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The application broker performs preliminary actions by proactively monitoring and pre-fetching applications from multiple sources before the user needs them. The system can automatically download and stage applications in advance, so when a user requests an application, it is already available or can be quickly delivered, eliminating the time-consuming manual search process.
2Ease of manufacture
If a user downloads applications to a transitory device before transferring to the ultimate device, then the application can be installed on the target device, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The application broker serves as a digital distribution intermediary that directly delivers applications from source stores to the user's ultimate device. This eliminates the need for transitory devices by establishing a direct digital transfer pathway, thereby simplifying the distribution process while maintaining the capability to acquire applications from multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The application broker provides universal application distribution capability across different device types and operating systems. By implementing a multi-functional system that can handle various application formats and device interfaces, the broker eliminates the need for device-specific transfer intermediaries, simplifying the overall process.
3Productivity
If a user pays for applications without comparing prices across different app stores, then the user can quickly acquire the application, but the user may pay more than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The application broker implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring pricing information from multiple application sources. The system compares prices in real-time and provides feedback to the user about the best available deals, enabling informed purchasing decisions without sacrificing acquisition speed. The broker can automatically select the most cost-effective source based on current pricing feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The application broker performs self-service by automatically comparing prices and selecting the most cost-effective application source without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously monitors multiple stores, compares pricing, and directs the download to the cheapest valid source, thereby reducing both monetary loss and the user's cognitive energy expenditure.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an application broker, which can be a program on a client device, a service in a cloud accessible by the client device or both. The client device typically runs a guest environment in a host environment. A user is able to search for an application on the application broker configured to interface with one or more application sources. In some embodiments, the application broker is able to intelligently search, download and/or install the application in the guest operating system of the client device with minimal or no user intervention. The application is typically executed in an application player associated with the guest environment. In some embodiments, the application player is configured as the application broker. In some embodiments, the application broker can provide suggested applications to download when the client device is communicatively coupled with the one or more application sources.