Dynamic Application Identifier for Software Update Workflows
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in updating software applications on portable electronic devices is exacerbated by the diversity of hardware and software configurations, making it difficult for developers to publish a single version that can update multiple variants, such as different carrier-specific or language-specific versions, as the existing application management systems rely on predefined application identifiers and version numbers, leading to usability issues and increased support costs.
Innovation Solution
A computer system dynamically generates an identifier based on inventory information about the device, allowing for richer update relationships and facilitating the execution of update workflows, independent of the application's original identifier and version number, enabling updates across various device configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single software application version is published to update multiple previously published variants with different application identifiers, then the application developer can simplify update management and reduce support costs, but the existing application management system cannot recognize the update relationship because it relies on predefined application identifiers and version numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the application identifier dynamic rather than static. The server generates a new application identifier for the updated software application based on the inventory information of the portable electronic device, allowing the same software update to be recognized across different device configurations and previously published variants. This dynamic identifier generation resolves the contradiction by enabling universal update recognition without requiring multiple predefined identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary - a server - that mediates between the software application provider and the portable electronic device. The server receives the software application update, accesses inventory information about the device, generates an appropriate application identifier, and provides it back to the device. This intermediary enables the update to be recognized and installed correctly across different device configurations without requiring the device to have predefined knowledge of all possible variants.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the application developer specifies different application identifiers for different carrier-specific or language-specific versions, then each variant can be tailored to specific requirements, but the developer cannot publish a single update version that works for all variants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the application identifier dynamic by generating it on-demand based on the device's inventory information. This allows the same software update package to be adapted to different device configurations and previously published variants without requiring the developer to create separate updates for each variant. The dynamic identifier generation simplifies the publishing process while maintaining the ability to support multiple specialized versions.
3Reliability
If the application management system uses predefined application identifiers and version numbers, then the update process is simple and reliable, but the system cannot handle diverse hardware and software configurations in portable electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that bridges the predefined identifier system and the diverse device configurations. The server receives software updates from developers, accesses inventory information about specific devices, generates appropriate application identifiers based on the device's configuration, and delivers them to the devices. This intermediary maintains the reliability of the update recognition process while enabling support for diverse hardware and software configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the application identifier from a fixed, predefined value to a dynamically generated value based on device inventory information. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to diverse device configurations while maintaining reliable update recognition. The identifier is no longer static but is generated on-demand based on the specific device's characteristics.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the developer publishes separate software application variants for different languages or geographic locations, then each variant can be optimized for its target audience, but both variants would need to share the same application identifier which may not be acceptable to distribution channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by generating application identifiers on-demand based on device inventory information rather than using static, pre-assigned identifiers. This allows the system to support multiple localized versions (different languages, geographic locations) with different identifiers while still enabling a single developer-published update to be recognized across all variants. The dynamic identifier generation resolves the conflict between localized version support and distribution channel requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
During an update technique, an update for the software application is received from a provider of the software application. Then, update information is either received from the provider or is generated. This update information specifies an update relationship between the update and at least a previous version of the software application. Next, inventory information associated with a portable electronic device is accessed (such as whether the previous version of the software application is currently installed on the portable electronic device). In response to the accessed inventory information, an identifier associated with the update is dynamically generated, and the update and the dynamically generated identifier are provided to the portable electronic device. Using the dynamically generated identifier, an application management system or the operating system installed on the portable electronic device determines whether an update workflow is executed.