Cross-Device App Installation in Multi-Screen Collaboration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-screen collaborative operations between devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, require separate installation of applications on each device, leading to inconvenient user experiences.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allows a first device to obtain installation information of an application from a second device during a specified operation, enabling automatic installation of the application on the first device, and optionally triggering installation on the second device as well.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If applications are independently installed on each device, then device autonomy and reliability are maintained, but user convenience and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication installation convenienceVSAvoidinstallation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies copying by transmitting the installation package of an application from one terminal device to another terminal device. When a user performs a specified operation on an application icon displayed on the first device, the system automatically copies the installation package to the second device and initiates installation, eliminating the need for users to manually search and install applications on each device separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically detecting user operations on application icons and autonomously completing the installation process. The terminal device monitors user interactions, retrieves installation packages, and executes installation without requiring manual intervention, thereby simplifying the installation process and improving user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If applications are shared between devices, then user convenience improves, but system complexity and resource management challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication sharing efficiencyVSAvoidmulti-device coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an intermediary mechanism where the system automatically manages the transmission and distribution of installation packages between terminal devices. The system acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of multi-device coordination, including detecting user operations, retrieving installation packages from appropriate sources, and executing installations on target devices, thereby shielding users from system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements multi-functionality by enabling a single application installation package to serve multiple terminal devices. The same installation package can be copied and installed across different devices, allowing applications to be universally accessible throughout the device group without requiring separate installation processes for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4130983B1Method and apparatus for installing application program, and terminal device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4130983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4130983B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4130983B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An application installation method and apparatus, a terminal device, and a storage medium are provided, and are applicable to the terminal control field. The method includes: A first device obtains installation information of a first application from a second device when the first device detects a specified operation on the first application in a current display interface, where the first application is an application on a home screen of the second device, and the home screen of the second device is displayed in the current display interface of the first device (401); and the first device installs the first application based on the installation information of the first application (402). The method can conveniently implement application sharing between devices in a multi-screen collaborative operation process.