Inter-App Communication for Contextual Task Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inefficiencies when completing tasks on computing devices, such as ordering movie tickets, due to the need for extensive manual input, searching, and trial and error across multiple applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing inter-application communication systems that identify entities and actions within content, allowing users to select target applications for contextually aware task execution, thereby reducing redundant input and facilitating task completion through data contracts and contextual information passing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users manually search and input information across multiple applications to complete a task, then the task can be completed, but the time required and user effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically identifying entities and extracting relevant contextual information from the current application before the user needs to complete the task. This pre-processing of information eliminates the need for users to manually search and input data later, directly reducing task completion time and improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a bridge between applications. This intermediary automatically captures contextual information from the source application and passes it to the target application, eliminating the need for users to manually transfer information between applications and significantly reducing task completion time.
2Productivity
If users manually input information across multiple applications, then the task can be completed, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the information extraction, context analysis, and data transfer functions into a single integrated automated process. By combining these previously separate manual steps into one unified system, the complexity of the task completion process is reduced while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically performing information extraction and transfer without requiring user intervention. The contextual information system autonomously identifies entities, extracts relevant data, and passes it to the target application, simplifying the overall process while improving efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If users search for and locate the correct application to perform an action, then the task can be completed, but the time and effort required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to present users with a selection of target applications that are capable of performing the desired action on the identified entity. This feedback loop allows users to quickly see available options and select the appropriate application without manually searching through multiple apps, reducing both time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary system acts as a mediator between the user's intent and the available applications. It automatically identifies which applications can perform the desired action and presents them to the user, eliminating the need for users to manually search for the correct application and significantly reducing the time required.
4Ease of operation
If users input redundant information when completing tasks across applications, then the task can be completed, but the user effort and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically extracting and transferring contextual information from the source application to the target application without requiring user input. This eliminates redundant information entry entirely, reducing both user effort and the time required to complete the task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary information extraction and preparation before the user needs to complete the task. By pre-processing and transferring the necessary contextual information in advance, the system eliminates the need for users to re-input information, directly reducing time and effort requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for facilitating task completion through inter-application communication and/or for registering a target application for contextually aware task execution are provided. That is, a current application may display content comprising an entity (e.g., a mapping application may display a restaurant entity). One or more actions capable of being performed on the entity may be exposed (e.g., a reserve table action). Responsive to selection of an action, one or more target applications capable of performing the action on the entity may be presented. Responsive to selection of a target application, contextual information for the entity and/or the action may be passed to the target application so that the target application may be launched in a contextually relevant state to facilitate completion of a task. For example, a dinning application may be launched to a table reservation form for the restaurant entity.