Dynamic Application Modification via Visual Appearance Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software development and deployment methods are inefficient, as they require extensive code updates, risk introducing bugs, and involve significant data transfer, especially for large applications, limiting dynamic updates of both functionality and appearance, and restricting development to skilled programmers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically modifies deployed applications by transmitting a visual appearance model to an editing component, allowing users to generate and apply instructions for modifying the application's appearance and functionality, without requiring source code access, using an embedded library that communicates between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire application is downloaded and reinstalled for updates, then new functionality and appearance can be delivered, but the download size is significant causing wasteful use of expensive 3G connections and slow update speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the application into separate components: the native application framework remains on the device while only the web content (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) is downloaded for updates. This segmentation allows the heavy native portion to be reused while only the lighter web content needs updating, significantly reducing download size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the web content layer from the native application and makes it independently updatable. By separating the web content from the native application binary, the system can update only the necessary web components without requiring a full application download, thus reducing the quantity of data transferred.
2Productivity
If source code is modified and application is recompiled for any development iteration, then changes can be tested, but this introduces possibility of bugs, restricts development to skilled programmers, and slows down development
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simulation environment that creates a virtual copy of the mobile device and application. Developers can preview changes in this simulated environment without modifying or recompiling the actual native application source code. This copying approach eliminates compilation errors and bugs while maintaining development speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary simulation environment between the developer and the actual application. This intermediary layer allows developers to test and preview changes without directly touching the native codebase, thus preventing bug introduction while maintaining productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If HTML is used to deliver appearance and content, then web formatting advantages are gained, but native SDK implements some styling better such as navigational structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both native and web technologies by combining a native application framework with web content delivery. The native portion handles complex styling and navigation structures where it excels, while HTML/CSS/JavaScript provides flexible content delivery and web formatting advantages. This hybrid approach achieves both web content flexibility and native styling quality.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of dynamically modifying a deployed application including an embedded library, including: during execution of the application, the library transmitting a model about the visual appearance of the application to an editing component; receiving input from a user at the editing component to generate instructions utilizing the model; and transmitting the instructions to the application which, in turn, modify the application. A system for dynamically modifying a deployment application is also disclosed.