MIME Repository for Mobile App Over-the-Air Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software is inefficient in achieving over-the-air upload and installation of mobile applications, particularly in storing and retrieving mobile app installables.
Innovation Solution
The use of a Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) repository for storing and retrieving mobile applications, where mobile app executables are uploaded as zipped files and converted to binary format, with a REST API managing the process and assigning URLs for successful uploads and downloads across various mobile platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current software is used for storing and retrieving mobile apps, then the basic function of app management is achieved, but the efficiency and effectiveness of over-the-air upload and installation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a MIME repository as an intermediary system between mobile devices and application sources. This repository serves as a centralized mediator that stores mobile application installables in a standardized format, enabling efficient over-the-air retrieval and installation. The REST API acts as another intermediary layer that manages the communication between clients and the repository, handling authentication, authorization, and data transfer protocols to improve both efficiency and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the storage format of mobile applications from various proprietary formats to a unified MIME-based binary format. This parameter change in data representation enables consistent handling across different mobile platforms. The system changes the organizational parameters of the repository structure to support hierarchical storage with MIME types, allowing for efficient indexing, retrieval, and installation processes that improve productivity while maintaining reliability.
2Productivity
If a centralized repository is implemented for app distribution, then management and distribution efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MIME repository is designed as a universal system that handles multiple functions: storing applications, managing metadata, handling authentication, authorizing access, and facilitating over-the-air installation. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional platform, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby managing complexity while improving distribution efficiency across diverse mobile platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs copying mechanisms by creating standardized MIME-based representations of mobile applications that can be replicated and distributed across different platforms. The system creates virtual copies of applications with associated metadata, allowing for efficient duplication and distribution without requiring complex direct transfers. This copying approach simplifies the distribution process while maintaining application integrity across different device types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mobile platforms are supported with system-specific formats, then adaptability is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by converting mobile applications from platform-specific formats into a unified MIME-based binary format for storage in the repository. When retrieving applications, the system dynamically converts the MIME format back to the required platform-specific format. This parameter transformation approach enables multi-platform support while centralizing the complexity in controlled conversion processes rather than requiring separate handling mechanisms for each platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The MIME repository serves as a universal platform that accommodates multiple mobile operating systems through a single unified interface. The system maintains a universal storage format (MIME binary) while providing platform-specific retrieval and installation capabilities. This universality allows the system to handle diverse platforms without requiring separate specialized repositories, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through a single multi-functional architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is configured to maintain a plurality of mobile applications in the computer storage device and to maintain a Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) repository in the computer storage device. The system uploads a new mobile application from a user interface to the computer storage device, and stores the new mobile application in to the MIME repository. The system identifies a uniform resource locator for the new mobile application based on a type of operating system on which the mobile application will execute, and retrieves system specific information for the URL from the MIME repository. The system retrieves the new mobile application from the MIME repository by selecting the URL and transferring the new mobile application over-the-air to a user device.