Mobile Device Workstation Interface Emulator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Server-based applications often require separate user interfaces for mobile devices and workstations due to differences in display and interaction capabilities, leading to inconsistent user experiences and increased development complexity.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with a processor, touchscreen interface, and transceiver communicates with an application server to receive and translate workstation-based communications into a mobile device user interface, allowing user interactions to be translated back into workstation-compatible inputs, enabling seamless interaction as if the mobile device were a workstation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate user interfaces are generated for mobile devices and workstations, then device-specific interaction capabilities are optimized, but development complexity and interface consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device is configured to perform multiple functions: it can natively execute mobile applications and simultaneously emulate a workstation interface to access server-based applications. The system includes a workstation interface emulator that generates virtual workstation interfaces (desktop, taskbar, windows) on the mobile device, allowing it to function both as a mobile device and as a workstation proxy, thereby eliminating the need for separate interface development
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the server-based application and the user. It receives server-based application data streams intended for workstation display, processes and renders them on the mobile touchscreen, and captures user touch inputs, translating them into simulated workstation inputs (mouse clicks, keyboard presses). This intermediary role allows a single server interface to serve both mobile and workstation users without modification
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate user interfaces are generated for mobile devices and workstations, then device-specific display characteristics are accommodated, but user experience consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adapting the server-based application interface to different devices, the approach is inverted: the mobile device adapts itself to emulate the workstation interface. The workstation interface emulator on the mobile device creates a virtual workstation environment that mirrors the original workstation display characteristics, while the translation layer adapts mobile touch inputs to simulate traditional workstation inputs. This inversion maintains a single source interface while achieving device-specific optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes interface parameters based on the execution context. When running server-based applications, the mobile device activates the workstation interface emulator which modifies display parameters (resolution, color depth, interface layout) to match workstation characteristics. When running native mobile applications, the device uses its native touchscreen interface parameters. This dynamic parameter switching allows the same hardware to maintain both workstation and mobile interface characteristics as needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate server is used to generate mobile device interfaces, then mobile device compatibility is improved, but system complexity and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The interface translation and emulation functionality is extracted from the server and relocated to the mobile device itself. The mobile device includes a workstation interface emulator and translation layer that previously would have resided on an intermediate server. This extraction eliminates the need for additional server infrastructure while maintaining mobile compatibility, as each mobile device independently performs the translation and emulation functions
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves itself by implementing the workstation interface emulation and translation capabilities locally. Rather than relying on an intermediate server to generate and manage mobile interfaces, the mobile device autonomously emulates the workstation interface, processes server-based application data streams, and translates user inputs. This self-service approach reduces system complexity by eliminating the intermediate server component while improving response time through local processing
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device and method includes receiving communications from an application server at a touchscreen based mobile device, wherein the communications are tailored for providing a user interface for a workstation computer system, translating the received communications at the mobile device into a mobile device user interface tailored for the mobile device touchscreen, receiving user interactions via the mobile device touchscreen, translating the received user interactions into corresponding workstation based user interactions, and transmitting the translated user interaction to the application server such that the application server interacts with the mobile device in the same manner as with workstations.