Passive Mixed Content Item for Application Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to automatically and transparently determine whether a dedicated desktop application is installed on a user's system when a link is activated, leading to user annoyance and potential incorrect application launching.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses a passive mixed content item and a local web server to automatically detect the presence of a dedicated desktop application by attempting to load this item, and if successful, launching the corresponding application, or redirecting to a web client if not installed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated desktop application is used to access server content, then user experience and security are improved, but automatic detection of application installation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a passive mixed content item as an intermediary object that mediates between the web browser and the dedicated desktop application detection system. This item serves as a probe to test whether the application is installed without requiring complex detection logic. The intermediary approach simplifies the detection mechanism while maintaining reliable application access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual detection methods (such as checking registry keys or file systems) with a web-based HTTP request mechanism. By using standard web protocols to attempt loading the passive mixed content item, the system leverages existing web infrastructure rather than building specialized detection machinery, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If manual user intervention is required to detect application installation, then detection accuracy is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service detection by automatically attempting to load the passive mixed content item via HTTP request without requiring any user action. The detection process is autonomous and transparent to the user, who simply needs to activate a link. The system independently determines application installation status and routes the user appropriately, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining accurate detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the passive mixed content item and the detection mechanism before user interaction. When a user activates a link, the detection process has already been prepared and can immediately attempt to load the content item, providing instant detection results without requiring user setup or manual configuration steps.
3Reliability
If a secure local web server is used for detection, then detection reliability is improved, but system complexity and security requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable, single-purpose passive mixed content item that exists only for detection purposes. Rather than maintaining a complex secure web server infrastructure, the system uses a simple HTTP request to attempt loading this temporary content item. The content item serves its detection function and can be discarded, eliminating the need for persistent secure server infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential detection function from the complex web server infrastructure and isolates it into a simple HTTP request mechanism. By separating the detection purpose from the full web server stack, the system achieves reliable detection without requiring the overhead of a complete secure server implementation, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes detecting, by a computing device, activation of a link to content served by a remote server, and in response to detecting activation of the link, attempting to load a passive mixed content item from the computing device. The method also includes determining whether the passive mixed content item successfully loaded. The method further includes, in response to determining the passive mixed content item successfully loaded, accessing, using an application on the computing device, the content from the remote server. In addition, the method includes, in response to determining the passive mixed content item did not successfully load, accessing, using a web browser, the content from the remote server.