Mobile Device Serial Port Application Execution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices restrict external devices from executing or controlling applications installed on them, even when connected through a USB serial port, due to exclusive device permission and limited interface capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow an external device to change the connection mode of a mobile device to a serial port mode, enabling the external device to execute and control applications installed on the mobile device by using a serial port interface, protocol parser, and application manager to process and forward commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an application installed in the mobile device is granted exclusive device permission, then the application can directly process all communicated data, but the external device cannot execute or control any application installed in the mobile device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments device permission by application, creating specific permission scopes for each application rather than granting universal exclusive access. This allows different applications to have different levels of access to device resources and communication channels, enabling external devices to control certain applications without compromising the security and reliability of other applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetric permission management where the mobile device and external device have different roles and capabilities. The mobile device maintains overall system control and security, while specific applications can be granted controlled access to external devices. This asymmetric relationship allows external devices to execute and control applications without undermining the mobile device's authority.
2Volume of moving object
If the mobile device integrates various interfaces (external storage device, modem, serial port) with a single USB connection, then the device space is optimized, but the external device does not have authority to execute or control any application installed in the mobile device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the USB interface universal by enabling it to support multiple functions including external storage, modem operations, and serial port communication. More importantly, it extends the universality to application execution, allowing the same USB connection to enable external devices to execute applications on the mobile device, thus maximizing the versatility of the integrated interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic permission allocation where the external device's authority to execute applications is not fixed but can be dynamically granted or revoked based on the connection mode and application requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt between maintaining security and enabling external control as needed.
3Ease of operation
If the mobile device grants device permission according to an application installed in the mobile device, then all communicated data is processed directly by the application, but the external device cannot execute or control any application installed in the mobile device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a protocol parser and application manager that sits between the external device and the applications. This intermediary receives commands from external devices, parses them according to predefined protocols, and forwards appropriate commands to the target applications. This maintains the simplicity of direct application processing while enabling external control through the intermediary layer.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for executing an application within a mobile device is provided. The method includes detecting, by the mobile device, a connection with a host device through a wired interface; receiving, from the host device, a request to execute a specific application installed in the mobile device; and executing the specific application according to the received request.