Mobile App Plugin Segmentation for Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile app distribution systems restrict customization and updates of applications due to compliance checks and digital signing requirements, making it difficult to deliver customized applications, especially for closed audiences or beta testing, and limiting the ability to provide frequently updated content to modern mobile terminals.
Innovation Solution
A system where a generic mobile application is delivered from an app store, while customization information is provided from a separate customization server, allowing plugins to define specific functionalities and resources without needing compliance checks, enabling platform-independent plugins to enhance user experience with customizable content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If applications are delivered through vendor-managed app stores with compliance checks and digital signing, then security and platform control are improved, but customization capability and ease of delivery for specific audiences deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The application is segmented into a base version (delivered through app store with compliance checks) and customizable components (delivered separately to specific devices). This allows the base application to maintain security verification while enabling customization without requiring full re-submission to app store compliance checks.
Solution Approach 2:
Customizable elements are extracted from the main application package and delivered separately through alternative channels. This extraction allows the core application to remain compliant with app store requirements while the extracted customizable portions can be delivered directly to specific devices without undergoing the same compliance verification process.
2Reliability
If every customized application is submitted for app store inspection and signing, then platform control and security are maintained, but delivery efficiency and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the application delivery process into a verified base version and customizable add-ons, the system maintains platform control over the core application while enabling efficient delivery of customized components through direct channels, avoiding repeated compliance checks for each customization variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The base application undergoes compliance checks and digital signing in advance through the app store process. Once verified, this pre-approved base can serve as the foundation for multiple customized versions that can be delivered efficiently without repeating the entire compliance verification process, thus improving delivery efficiency while maintaining platform control.
3Ease of operation
If app stores require applications to be available for anyone with payment, then commercial accessibility is improved, but ability to deliver applications for closed audiences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The application distribution is segmented into public app store releases for general commercial accessibility and private customized deliveries for closed audiences. The base application maintains broad accessibility through the app store, while customized versions can be selectively delivered to specific devices or audiences through alternative channels, enabling both commercial openness and restricted access scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile data processing device (MT), including a memory, a processing system and a detector system for detecting environmental identifier(s) from the environment. The memory includes at least one application, which defines a set of functions, and one or more plugins. At least one plugin is currently active. The currently active plugin defines operations of the mobile data processing device during execution of the application. The operations defined by the currently active plugin include one or more tasks. At least one task defines a subset of the functions defined by the application, including at least one function for operating the detector system. The plugin further defines an order of execution for the subset of functions. The device enables customized functionality in applications that must be submitted to compliance checking by platform providers.