Over-the-Air Mobile App Updates via Instant Messaging Intermediaries

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile data messaging services lack standardization, leading to costly and inflexible solutions for application service providers trying to notify and update mobile applications, due to proprietary protocols and high network traffic issues in pull-mode mechanisms, while push-mode mechanisms face challenges in initiating communication from application servers to mobile devices due to security considerations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing instant messaging services to enable over-the-air messaging and updating between application servers and mobile devices, where application service providers and mobile device subscribers set up accounts with instant messaging servers, allowing application servers to push instant notification messages and updates to mobile devices, which can then communicate back to fetch and execute updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pull-mode mechanism is used where applications periodically fetch updates from application servers, then data accuracy and timeliness are ensured, but network traffic increases and scalability issues occur on application servers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidnetwork traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by having applications periodically poll for updates at configurable intervals. This allows the system to balance between data freshness (shorter intervals) and network traffic reduction (longer intervals), providing a tunable solution that resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and quantity of substance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by allowing applications to selectively pull updates only when changes are detected, rather than continuously fetching all data. The system uses change detection mechanisms to trigger selective data retrieval, reducing unnecessary network traffic while maintaining data accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Quantity of substance

If push-mode mechanism is used where application servers push instant notification messages to applications, then unnecessary network traffic is avoided and scalability is improved, but communication initiation from application servers to mobile devices is blocked by security considerations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork trafficVSAvoidcommunication initiation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a messaging service platform (such as Apple Push Notification Service or Google Cloud Messaging) that acts as a mediator between application servers and mobile devices. This intermediary receives push notifications from application servers and relays them to devices through authorized channels, bypassing firewall restrictions while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the traditional push model. Instead of application servers directly pushing to devices, the system uses device-authorized messaging clients that can initiate communication with application servers. This allows the device side to control the communication initiation while still achieving push functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If proprietary protocols are used by mobile device manufacturers and operating system providers for messaging services, then control and customization are improved, but standardization is lost and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontrolVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a messaging architecture that works across multiple mobile operating systems and device types through standardized interfaces. The system uses universal messaging protocols and leverages existing platform-specific services (APNS, GCM) in a unified manner, enabling cross-platform compatibility without requiring proprietary implementations for each device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses existing, widely-available messaging services (such as Apple Push Notification Service and Google Cloud Messaging) as disposable, standardized building blocks rather than investing in proprietary infrastructure. This approach leverages free or low-cost services that are already standardized and maintained by major platform providers, reducing costs while maintaining control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10044648B2Messaging and updating services over the air from application servers to applications in mobile devices

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 HE JIANPING

AI summary

The present invention provides a method and system for messaging and updating services over the air from application servers to their corresponding applications in mobile devices, so that applications in mobile devices can receive instant notification messages about updates over the air from their corresponding application servers via instant messaging servers and communication networks, and can communicate back to their corresponding application servers to fetch updates over the air via communication networks, and then execute updates.