HTML Directed Adaptive Features for Mobile Apps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional mobile application update process in centralized marketplaces is prone to unpredictable delays due to approval processes, which can cause time-sensitive updates to exceed deadlines, often beyond developer control.
Innovation Solution
Implementing HTML-directed adaptive features that allow developers to update mobile applications by modifying remote HTML documents and assets, which can be directly pushed to users without requiring changes to the native binary, thereby bypassing the conventional approval process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If developers use the centralized application marketplace approval process for updates, then application quality and compliance are ensured, but update timing and speed are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the application update process into two distinct paths: (1) traditional binary updates that require full marketplace approval, and (2) HTML feature updates that can be deployed immediately. This segmentation allows time-sensitive features to be updated without undergoing the complete approval process, while still maintaining quality control for core application changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces HTML documents as an intermediary layer between the native binary application and the update content. This HTML intermediary can be updated and rendered immediately without requiring binary modification or full marketplace approval, serving as a buffer that decouples the timing of feature updates from the approval process.
2Reliability
If developers wait for marketplace approval to release updates, then compliance with guidelines is maintained, but user engagement and interest are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic update system where the application can adapt its content and features in real-time through HTML documents that are updated based on user feedback, seasonal events, and contextual changes. This dynamic capability allows the application to maintain user engagement without waiting for static binary updates to be approved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows developers to prepare HTML feature content in advance and have it ready for immediate deployment when needed. This preliminary preparation of HTML content enables rapid response to user feedback and events without requiring advance approval, as the HTML content can be activated immediately upon update.
3Reliability
If developers update native binary code for every feature change, then application integrity is maintained, but bandwidth usage and update size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts feature content from the native binary code and places it in separate HTML documents. This extraction allows the bulk of the application binary to remain unchanged, requiring minimal or no updates. Only the small HTML feature files need to be downloaded, significantly reducing bandwidth usage compared to updating the entire binary for every feature change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses HTML documents as lightweight copies or representations of feature content that can be updated independently of the main application binary. These HTML copies contain the necessary feature definitions and can be rendered by the existing application engine, eliminating the need to redistribute the entire binary for feature updates.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method for HTML directed adaptive features for mobile applications. By presenting user interface portions of the application as HTML documents referenced from a manifest file, the manifest file may be updated from a remote server without directly modifying a native binary of the application. By registering URL handlers for application functions in the native binary of the application, and by modifying a local file manifest stored on a mobile device, the scope of application functionality can be updated by adding, removing, or modifying URLs. The manifest files may further be adapted using specific contexts, such as device hardware, location, user profile data, and other information. Advantageously, application update approval processes through application marketplaces may be bypassed since the native binary is kept intact, allowing for more timely and relevant updates.