Mobile Service Launch Object Placement for User Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices face challenges in effectively managing the discovery and launch of numerous applications and services due to the overwhelming number available, leading to developers having limited control over user interaction with their applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for managing service user discovery and launch objects on mobile devices, involving obtaining information to identify a user interface portion, determining differentiating attributes, and sending configuration information to place service launch objects, enhancing visibility and accessibility through remote management of icon appearance and notification messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of available applications increases, then the variety and functionality of services improve, but the difficulty of user discovery and developer control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of servicesVSAvoiduser discovery difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the user interface by creating distinct service launch areas (such as carrier service areas, manufacturer service areas, and user-defined areas) within the application interface. This segmentation allows services to be organized into manageable sections, making them easier to discover despite the overall increase in available applications. Each segment can be independently managed and optimized for visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a service launch object that acts as a mediator between the user and the underlying applications. This service launch object provides a standardized interface that simplifies service discovery and launch, while allowing backend systems to control placement and visibility without requiring users to navigate through complex application stores.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more applications are made available through marketplaces, then service variety increases, but developer control over application visibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice varietyVSAvoiddeveloper control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by allowing different regions or areas of the service launch interface to have different control characteristics. Carrier services, manufacturer services, and user-defined services can each have their own placement rules, visibility controls, and management policies. This enables developers to have control over specific local areas while maintaining overall system variety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring service launch objects and their placement in designated areas before users interact with the system. Services can be pre-positioned in optimal locations based on importance, usage patterns, or business rules, allowing developers and system administrators to control visibility in advance rather than relying on random marketplace browsing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If service launch objects are placed in prominent UI locations, then user discovery improves, but UI complexity and management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice discoveryVSAvoidUI management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal service launch object that can serve multiple functions: it can represent different types of services (carrier, manufacturer, user-defined), adapt to different UI layouts, and respond to various user interactions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized components, simplifying UI management while maintaining effective service discovery across diverse service types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12445319B2Managing service user discovery and service launch object placement on a device

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 HEADWATER RESEARCH LLC

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses to manage service user discovery and service launch object placement on a device. A method comprising: obtaining information to assist in identifying a portion of a user interface of a wireless device, the wireless device communicatively coupled to a network system over a wireless access network; determining a differentiating attribute of the identified portion of the user interface; obtaining one or more service launch objects for placement in the identified portion of the user interface; and sending configuration information to the wireless device over the wireless access network to assist the wireless device in placing the one or more service launch objects in the identified portion of the user interface.