Device Emulator for Form Factor Detection and Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack efficient mechanisms for detecting and emulating various computing device form factors, particularly in enterprise applications, leading to challenges in ensuring web applications render correctly across different devices, and the high cost of purchasing physical devices for testing.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining device information, providing user options to adjust this information, and displaying a user interface screen accordingly, using client-side and server-side software to adjust rendering based on detected and specified device characteristics, such as form factor and capabilities, stored in browser cookies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical devices are purchased for testing purposes, then testing accuracy and reliability are improved, but cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical devices through emulators that replicate device form factors, capabilities, and rendering behaviors. These software-based emulators allow QA personnel and developers to test web applications across multiple device types without purchasing physical devices, thereby maintaining testing reliability while dramatically reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal emulator platform that can simulate multiple different device types, form factors, and capabilities within a single software environment. This multi-functional approach allows one system to replace numerous physical devices, enabling comprehensive cross-device testing without the need to purchase and maintain a large inventory of physical test devices.
2Quantity of substance
If emulators are used for testing, then cost is reduced, but availability for new computing devices is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of device characteristics and pre-configures emulator parameters before actual testing begins. By automatically detecting form factors, capabilities, and rendering behaviors and pre-setting the emulator accordingly, the system ensures immediate availability for new devices without requiring pre-built emulator configurations for every possible device.
Solution Approach 2:
The emulator system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, automatically adjusting its configuration based on detected device characteristics. Rather than relying on static pre-configured emulators for known devices only, the system dynamically generates appropriate emulator settings for new devices, ensuring continuous versatility as new computing devices emerge.
3Loss of time
If device information is automatically detected, then setup time is reduced, but user control and customization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting device form factors, capabilities, and rendering behaviors without requiring manual user input. This automated detection significantly reduces setup time and allows the emulator to quickly configure itself for the target device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automatic detection and configuration, but then presents the detected information to the user for review and adjustment. This preliminary action provides a head start while still allowing user control, combining the speed of automation with the flexibility of manual customization when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for facilitating characterizing a computing device or representation thereof. An example method includes obtaining information associated with a computing device that will be rendering a user interface display screen; providing a user option to adjust the information; and displaying the user interface display screen in accordance with adjusted information. In a more specific embodiment, the method further includes selectively transferring the adjusted information from a client device to a server. A browser of the client device may display a form factor drop down menu that facilitates user specification of a form factor of a computing device. The user specification facilitates displaying an emulation of the computing device or otherwise facilitates adjusting a user interface display screen to be rendered.