Mobile App Design Tool Using Platform Data Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing approach to mobile application development requires creating multiple versions for different mobile device platforms, making it difficult to visualize and debug applications consistently across platforms, leading to increased costs and delayed software releases due to the need for platform-specific development environments and tools.
Innovation Solution
A device application designer tool and API framework allow developers to create platform-neutral mobile applications by accessing data models specific to selected platforms and devices, enabling visual design and debugging, and generating code that can be deployed securely across various devices, independent of the data model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple versions of mobile applications are developed for different mobile device platforms, then the application can run on various mobile operating systems, but the development complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal development environment that can generate mobile applications for multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, etc.) through a single development process. The system uses platform-specific data models that describe the characteristics of each target platform, allowing the same development environment to produce platform-appropriate code without requiring separate development tools for each platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer consisting of data models that describe mobile device platforms. These data models serve as mediators between the development environment and the target platforms, allowing the development system to understand and generate code for different platforms without direct platform-specific tooling for each target.
2Manufacturing precision
If platform-specific development environments and tools are used for each mobile device type, then the application can be optimized for specific platforms, but the ability to visualize and debug applications consistently across platforms is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The development environment provides unified visualization and debugging capabilities that work across all target platforms. The system can display application screens and debug code in the development environment regardless of the target platform, eliminating the need to physically deploy to each device for testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual representations (copies) of mobile device platforms through data models that describe platform characteristics. These virtual models allow the development environment to simulate and visualize application behavior for different platforms without requiring actual physical devices, enabling consistent debugging across platforms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple versions of mobile applications are developed for different platforms, then the application can be deployed to various mobile devices, but software releases are delayed and development costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables a single development process to produce applications for multiple platforms simultaneously. The development environment can generate code for iOS, Android, and other platforms from the same project, eliminating the need to maintain separate development workflows for each platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary platform analysis by loading appropriate data models that describe target platform characteristics before code generation. This preliminary action allows the system to automatically adapt the development process to the target platform's requirements, reducing the need for manual platform-specific adjustments later in the development cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and computer program products for mobile device application design are described herein. The method accesses a data model corresponding to a selected mobile platform. The data model is used by a device application designer to generate, model, and debug a mobile application. The data model is used to take into consideration characteristics of the selected platform and a selected mobile device as the application is designed. The application is structured and generated for a selected platform that is independent of the data model, but is cognizant of the selected platform. A simulator models the application user interface (UI) as it will appear on the selected platform. The method performs platform-specific validation and allows for correction of various aspects of a generated application including platform-specific features. The tool generates a graphical image that can guide a developer to either generated code or help files corresponding to framework libraries.