Application File Segmentation for Distribution Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software distribution systems face limitations in handling large application files, particularly due to size constraints and bandwidth considerations, which restrict the distribution of applications that exceed maximum binary size limits, and lack efficient methods for updating specific application components without affecting others.
Innovation Solution
The system splits application files into a core binary and supplemental files, allowing for separate distribution and updating of application components, with the application marketplace server identifying necessary files and the client determining which files to download based on device-specific versions and existing file versions on the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If application files are distributed as single large binaries, then the application functionality is complete, but the distribution system cannot handle files exceeding maximum size limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides application files into multiple components: a core binary file containing essential application code and one or more supplemental files containing additional content such as graphics, audio, video, or game levels. This segmentation allows the distribution system to handle each file separately within size limits while distributing complete applications larger than any single file limit.
2Reliability
If entire applications are re-distributed for updates, then all components are updated, but bandwidth usage increases and update efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the specific supplemental files that need updating from the complete application package. The system identifies which supplemental files have newer versions available and downloads only those files rather than redistributing the entire application, including unchanged core binaries and other supplemental files.
3Extent of automation
If supplemental files are downloaded over-the-air, then automatic updates are achieved, but download time and bandwidth consumption increase for large files
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a side-loading mechanism that acts as an intermediary for transferring supplemental files. Users can download large supplemental files to a computer via high-speed wired connections and then transfer them to mobile devices through wired connections, bypassing the limitations of over-the-air downloads while maintaining automatic update capability through system coordination.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a server system interface arranged to receive, from a client application of one of a plurality of client computing devices, a communication that corresponds to a request to obtain or update a software application; and an application marketplace server system programmed to identify, in response to the communication, application files that include an application binary file that corresponds to the software application and one or more supplemental files associated with the software application, and to send information that relates to the application files to the client application in response to receiving the communication, and identify stored files on the computing device that correspond to the application files, determine particular ones of the application files to download based on the identified stored files and the information that relates to the application files sent from the application marketplace server system, and initiate download.