Mobile Widget Framework for Cross-Platform Execution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices present challenges in executing software applications due to diverse non-standard feature sets and user interfaces, making it difficult for users to access and utilize mobile web services efficiently, especially with short attention spans and limited typing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a declaratory markup language renderer, a compiled programming language execution engine, and a widget manager to automatically download and execute widget applications on mobile devices, providing a common API for accessing device services across different mobile platforms, allowing for device-independent execution of widgets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mobile devices support diverse non-standard feature sets and user interfaces, then device versatility and market coverage are improved, but application compatibility and ease of execution deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice versatilityVSAvoidapplication compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a widget framework as an intermediary layer between diverse mobile devices and applications. This framework includes a common device service API that mediates between the heterogeneous device capabilities and the standardized widget interfaces, allowing widgets to access device services uniformly without needing to know the specific underlying platform details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal widget execution environment that can run on multiple mobile platforms. The widget framework provides a common API that serves all device types, making the system multi-functional across different operating systems and hardware configurations while maintaining consistent application behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If users have short attention spans and limited typing capabilities, then mobile usage convenience is improved, but application accessibility and information delivery speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage convenienceVSAvoidinformation delivery speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic widget installation and execution without requiring user instructions. The framework proactively downloads and installs appropriate widgets based on device capabilities and user context, eliminating the need for users to manually search, select, and configure applications before receiving information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The widget framework operates autonomously to manage application deployment and execution. It automatically detects device capabilities, selects appropriate widgets, handles installation, and manages execution without continuous user intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in the application delivery process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automatic widget download without user instructions is implemented, then productivity and information delivery speed are improved, but device complexity and control over installation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery speedVSAvoidinstallation control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates user feedback mechanisms that allow users to express preferences for widget types and categories. The framework uses this feedback to make intelligent decisions about automatic widget selection and installation, ensuring that automated actions align with user intentions while maintaining high delivery speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8595186B1System and method for building and delivering mobile widgets
Publication Date: 2013.11.26 THRYV INC
  • US8595186B1 patent drawing
  • US8595186B1 patent drawing
  • US8595186B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for creating, publishing, sharing, and delivering mobile software applications called “mobile widgets” onto mobile devices. A system may include functionality to render a declaratory component of a widget, such as HTML, and also functionality to execute an imperative component of a widget, which may or may not be compiled and/or in a scripting or functional language. Mechanisms for providing common access to disparate device capabilities APIs are also provided, as are mechanisms for installing widgets onto mobile devices and managing those widgets.