Device Description Repository for Fragmented User Experience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Device fragmentation leads to difficulties in providing a consistent user experience across diverse computing devices due to variations in hardware characteristics, software capabilities, and formatting, making it challenging for content providers to deliver intended experiences.
Innovation Solution
A device description repository (DDR) system that accesses and combines computing device and run-time application profiles to detect capabilities, using manufactured user agent strings to create a device description repository ID, which includes virtual capabilities and allows for overriding run-time capabilities through patch files, and calculates an index based on user preferences to determine the appropriate user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If device fragmentation is acknowledged and diverse computing devices are supported, then device compatibility is improved, but user experience consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by detecting specific device capabilities (screen size, hardware features) and run-time application capabilities separately, then tailoring content delivery to match the specific combination of device and application characteristics. This allows consistent user experience to be maintained by adapting content to local device properties rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically detects capabilities at runtime and adjusts content delivery accordingly. The run-time profile hierarchy allows capabilities to be detected separately from device profiles, enabling dynamic adaptation based on actual application performance and device characteristics, thus maintaining experience consistency across fragmented devices.
2Measurement precision
If separate detection of run-time capabilities is implemented, then capability detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments capability detection into two independent hierarchies: device profile hierarchy and run-time profile hierarchy. This segmentation allows run-time capabilities to be detected separately from device capabilities, improving measurement precision by focusing detection on specific run-time characteristics rather than attempting to detect all capabilities simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The run-time profile hierarchy acts as an intermediary layer between device capabilities and content delivery decisions. It mediates by detecting run-time capabilities separately and then combining them with device profiles to determine appropriate content, thus improving detection accuracy without overwhelming system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple capability hierarchies are maintained, then capability detection flexibility is improved, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments capability data into distinct hierarchies (device profile hierarchy and run-time profile hierarchy), which improves flexibility by allowing independent management and detection of different capability types. The segmentation enables flexible combination of hierarchies for specific detection needs while maintaining manageable data structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a dimensional separation between device-level and run-time-level capabilities. This dimensional change allows capabilities to be organized along different axes (device characteristics vs. application runtime characteristics), improving flexibility in detection while managing complexity through structured organization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer program product, and computer system for using a device description repository comprises calculating an index by a processor based upon, at least in part, at least a portion of a plurality of user preferences associated with a computing device. One of a first experience and a second experience may be provided to the computing device based upon, at least in part, the index.