Mobile RPA Workflow Modeling with a Mirrored Device GUI
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic process automation (RPA) on mobile computing platforms faces challenges due to hardware and software heterogeneity, requiring substantial technical knowledge and differing interaction methods compared to desktop computers, making it difficult to translate conventional RPA solutions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that display a desktop GUI and a model GUI on a computer system to mimic a mobile device, allowing the configuration of RPA workflows for both desktop and mobile devices, enabling the generation of robot specifications to perform activities on each platform, thereby simplifying the automation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional RPA solutions are used for mobile platforms, then automation capability is achieved, but the complexity of implementation increases due to hardware and software heterogeneity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the RPA system with model GUI) that sits between the user and the heterogeneous mobile devices. This intermediary handles the complexity of different hardware and software configurations, allowing users to interact with a standardized interface while the system manages the underlying diversity of mobile platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The RPA system is designed to be universal across multiple mobile device types and operating systems. The model GUI and workflow construction interface provide unified functionality that works across Android, iOS, and other mobile platforms, eliminating the need for separate solutions for each device type.
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized knowledge of hardware and software engineering is required for mobile RPA, then automation precision improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a model GUI that copies or mimics the appearance and behavior of actual mobile device interfaces. This allows users to configure automation workflows by interacting with a visual representation that closely resembles the target device, making the configuration process more intuitive and reducing the need for specialized technical knowledge.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service capabilities through automated detection and configuration features. The RPA system can automatically identify mobile device characteristics, select appropriate interaction methods, and configure workflows without requiring users to manually specify technical parameters, thereby maintaining precision while improving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If separate RPA solutions are developed for desktop and mobile platforms, then platform-specific performance optimizes, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges desktop and mobile RPA capabilities into a single unified system. The same RPA workflow construction interface and robot specification generator can handle both desktop and mobile devices, eliminating the need for separate development and maintenance of platform-specific solutions while maintaining reliable performance on each platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to the target platform based on the configured workflow. When a workflow is specified to interact with mobile devices, the system automatically applies mobile-optimized interaction methods; when targeting desktop systems, it uses desktop-appropriate methods. This dynamic adaptation maintains platform-specific performance without requiring separate static solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a robotic process automation (RPA) design application provides a user-friendly graphical user interface that unifies the design of automation activities performed on desktop computers with the design of automation activities performed on mobile computing devices such as smartphones and wearable computers. Some embodiments connect to a model device acting as a substitute for an actual automation target device (e.g., smartphone of specific make and model) and display a model GUI mirroring the output of the respective model device. Some embodiments further enable the user to design an automation workflow by directly interacting with the model GUI.