Location-Aware App Discovery via Registry Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile devices lack intuitive and efficient methods for discovering and accessing relevant applications when a user is at a specific location or point of interest, failing to provide personalized app recommendations based on user profiles or contexts.
Innovation Solution
A system that maps applications to search results using a registry and application manifest, allowing search engines to integrate relevant apps within search results, rank them based on user metrics, and surface them in a user-friendly manner, leveraging location-based information and user profiles to provide context-aware app suggestions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional mobile devices are used without location-aware app discovery, then device simplicity is maintained, but users experience time-consuming and non-intuitive app discovery processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-mapping applications to geographic locations and points of interest in a registry before users need them. When a user visits a location, the system already has pre-configured app recommendations ready to display, eliminating the need for users to manually search through app stores or settings menus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the location-aware search system with registry and manifest) that mediates between the user's location data and the available applications. This intermediary automatically matches users with relevant apps based on their geographic context, removing the need for users to manually navigate complex app discovery interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If location-aware app recommendations are implemented, then app discovery intuitiveness is improved, but system complexity increases due to registry and mapping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically performing app matching without requiring user intervention. The registry and manifest structure enable the system to autonomously determine which applications are relevant to a user's current location and automatically present them, eliminating the need for users to navigate complex menus or perform manual searches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of app discovery from manual browsing to automatic presentation based on geographic parameters. By using location coordinates and geographic boundaries as key parameters, the system transforms the app discovery process into an automated function that presents relevant apps based on the user's spatial context rather than requiring manual exploration.
3Loss of information
If generic app lists are provided without personalization, then system simplicity is maintained, but user-specific relevance of app recommendations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by tailoring app recommendations to each user's specific context, including their location, user profile attributes, and behavioral patterns. Rather than providing uniform app lists to all users, the system customizes recommendations based on local variations in user needs and preferences, making each user experience uniquely relevant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making app recommendations adaptive and changeable based on real-time user context. The system dynamically adjusts which apps are presented based on the user's current location, time of day, user profile characteristics, and interaction history, allowing recommendations to evolve as user needs change rather than remaining static.
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive app mapping to all locations is performed, then app relevance accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing app-location mappings in a registry structure during system initialization or offline processing. This pre-computation allows the system to quickly retrieve relevant apps during runtime without performing complex calculations in real-time, maintaining high matching accuracy while minimizing processing delays when users visit locations.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing methods are provided for implicitly discovering applications that have a corresponding location. Initially, an application manifest is constructed that maintains a mapping between apps and their respective geographic boundaries. In operation, upon detecting a location signal being transmitted from a mobile device, the location signal is employed to identify a set of valid applications. Generally, the location signal represents location-based information entered to or received from the mobile device. Identifying the set of valid applications involves comparing the location signal against the application manifest and, based on the comparison, designating those apps that are mapped to geographic boundaries that meet the location signal as the set of valid applications. Upon identifying the set of valid applications, a selection of apps included within the set of valid applications is sent to the mobile device for display to the user within a operational context.