Location-Specific Content Delivery on Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices are limited to applications that are pre-installed or manually installed, restricting access to location-specific content unless the user has previously installed relevant software, which does not adapt to changing locations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that communicate location information to a server, allowing content such as applications to be dynamically presented or removed on a mobile device based on proximity to specific locations, using wireless access points or positioning systems, enabling the display of location-specific content like URLs, web clips, or applications when the device is within a certain range and removing it when outside that range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If applications are pre-installed on mobile devices, then the device can access location-specific content, but the device complexity increases and storage space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the application content from the device storage and hosts it on a remote server. The mobile device only stores minimal identification data (such as device identifier and location information), while the actual application content is retrieved from the server when needed. This separation resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need to store multiple applications locally while maintaining the ability to access location-specific content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the mobile device and the application content. The server acts as a mediator that stores, manages, and delivers location-specific applications to devices based on their location and identification. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by centralizing content storage externally while keeping the device simple and lightweight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If applications are manually installed by users, then the device can access content, but the ease of operation decreases and time is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the server with location-specific applications and pre-establishing the association between location data and application content. When a device enters a specific location, the system automatically retrieves and presents the relevant application without requiring any manual installation or configuration by the user. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for user intervention while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the system automatically detects device location, identifies relevant applications, and presents them for installation without user intervention. The system serves itself by managing the entire process of application selection and deployment based on location data, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability to location-specific content.
3Reliability
If applications are permanently installed on devices, then the content is always available, but the adaptability to changing locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static application installation model into a dynamic one. Instead of permanently installing applications, the system dynamically retrieves and presents applications based on real-time location detection. The application availability becomes flexible and adaptive, changing automatically as the device moves between different locations. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by enabling location-specific content delivery while maintaining reliability through automatic retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of application availability from static (permanent installation) to dynamic (location-based retrieval). The system monitors location parameters and automatically adjusts which applications are available on the device based on the current location. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability to changing locations while maintaining content availability through conditional retrieval based on location parameters.
4Measurement precision
If location-based services use GPS and mapping software, then the location can be determined, but the device complexity increases and storage space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex location-based services from the mobile device and relocates them to a remote server. The device only performs basic location detection and communicates this information to the server, while the server handles the complex mapping, application selection, and content delivery. This extraction resolves the contradiction by reducing device complexity and storage requirements while maintaining location determination accuracy through server-based processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that handles the complex computational tasks of location-based services. The server acts as a mediator between the simple location detection on the device and the complex application delivery system. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by centralizing computational complexity externally while keeping the mobile device simple and lightweight.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program products communicate location information associated with a device, such as a mobile device, to a server. Content identified by the server is received at the device, from the server and/or from a content service. The content can include an application associated with the location information. The content received at the device is displayed on the device only while the device is at or near a particular location identified by the location information.