Desktop Widget Cards for Application Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing application distribution methods result in poor visual effects on terminal desktops due to varied widget styles and limited usability when applications are not installed, restricting the range of application functionality available to users.

Innovation Solution

An application distribution method and device that displays cards with real-time information and functions of applications on the desktop, allowing users to access part of the application's functionality without downloading it, and provides a skipping entry to an intermediate page for more information and download options, increasing utilization and downloads by extending the application's range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If developers design widgets of different styles for their applications, then each application can have its unique visual identity and functionality, but the visual effect of the terminal desktop becomes poor and inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication uniquenessVSAvoiddesktop visual effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different widget styles only in non-display areas or when not actively used, while ensuring that the main desktop interface maintains a unified visual style. Each application widget can have its unique characteristics when invoked, but the overall desktop composition preserves consistency through standardized positioning, sizing, and layout rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal widget container structure that can accommodate different application types while maintaining a consistent interface. The standardized widget framework serves multiple functions: it provides a unified visual baseline, supports various application functionalities, and enables consistent user interaction patterns across different applications.

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

2Reliability

If users can only use widgets after downloading the corresponding application, then application functionality is ensured, but the widget application range is greatly limited and usability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidwidget application range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the application into two independent parts: the lightweight widget component that can be used immediately, and the full application that can be downloaded later. The widget contains essential functionality and interfaces independently, allowing users to access core features without downloading the complete application, thereby expanding the immediate usable range while maintaining functionality reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by providing a functional widget version of the application before the full application is downloaded. The widget performs preliminary operations and core functions in advance, allowing users to experience and evaluate the application's utility before committing to a full download, thus expanding adoption while ensuring functionality is delivered incrementally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If the application is not installed, then storage space is saved, but the corresponding widget cannot be used and functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidwidget usability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential widget functionality from the full application package, creating a standalone lightweight component that can be deployed and used independently. The widget contains only the necessary code and resources for core operations, separating it from the full application's extensive feature set and asset library, thereby enabling usage with minimal storage requirements while maintaining ease of operation for primary functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3407189B1Application distribution method and device
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3407189B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3407189B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C
  • EP3407189B1 patent drawingFigure 2D~3A

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an application distribution method and device, and belongs to the technical field of Internet. The method includes that: a card type to be displayed is acquired (101); card real-time information corresponding to the card type is acquired according to the card type (102); and a card in a predetermined display format is displayed on a predetermined desktop based on the card real-time information, wherein the card has part of functions of an application program corresponding to the card, and is loaded on the predetermined desktop to directly receive control of a user, and the card has a skipping entry to an intermediate page corresponding to the card (103).