Background Application Update via Push Tag Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing application updating process is cumbersome, requiring manual user intervention for downloading and installation, and lacks automated mechanisms to ensure that applications are always updated to the latest version.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus where a server pushes an update tag to a terminal, allowing it to automatically acquire and install the latest version of an application in the background, ensuring that the application is always up-to-date without user confirmation, by comparing version information and triggering updates based on preset conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual user intervention is required for application updating, then user control over the update process is improved, but the updating process becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of updatingVSAvoidupdating process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal automatically performs update operations without requiring manual user intervention. The system self-services by autonomously downloading update content from the server and completing the installation process, thereby simplifying the updating operation while reducing process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal proactively checks for update tags and downloads update content before the user needs to use the application. By performing preliminary update actions automatically, the system ensures the application is already updated when needed, eliminating manual intervention steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If automated update mechanisms are implemented, then update timeliness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication version reliabilityVSAvoidupdate system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal establishes a feedback mechanism by periodically checking for update tags from the server. When an update tag is detected, the system automatically initiates the update process. This feedback-driven approach ensures reliable version updates while keeping the system architecture relatively simple through standardized check-response actions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an update tag as an intermediary mechanism between the server and the terminal. The update tag serves as a simple signal that triggers the automated update process, enabling reliable version management without requiring complex direct communication protocols between server and terminal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If background automatic installation is performed, then user experience is improved, but the need for user confirmation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal autonomously completes the entire update process including downloading and installing update content in the background without user involvement. This self-service automation significantly improves user experience by making updates invisible, while the automation level is appropriately balanced by maintaining simple trigger-based architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3418886B1Method and apparatus for updating application
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3418886B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3418886B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3418886B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A method and apparatus for updating an application are disclosed. According to the method, an update tag corresponding to a target application is pushed to a terminal when determining that the target application is required to be updated, the target application being an application downloaded and installed in background of the terminal. An acquisition request sent by the terminal based on the update tag is received, the acquisition request being used for requesting to acquire target update content corresponding to the target application. The target update content is pushed to the terminal based on the update tag, such that the terminal opens the target application of a latest version by loading the target update content.