Smartlink System for Adaptive Application Invocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in providing a single URL that can seamlessly invoke either a special-purpose application or a general-purpose web browser, depending on the device's capabilities, especially for social network hosts, as standard URL-handling routines do not support special handling of http-scheme links without altering the social network host's web server behavior.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of 'smart links' or compound URLs, which encapsulate an alternative URL inside a primary URL using a predetermined key, allowing devices to recognize and handle the alternative URL for appropriate application invocation, ensuring access through the best-available application on the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single URL is used to access a resource, then the URL structure remains simple and backwards compatible, but the system cannot automatically invoke the most suitable application (special-purpose or general-purpose) based on device capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds an alternative URL inside a primary URL using a predetermined key format (e.g., key=value where value contains the alternative URL). This nested structure allows the URL to carry multiple access paths while maintaining the appearance of a standard URL, enabling the system to adapt to different device capabilities without increasing external complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a URL-handling routine as an intermediary component that sits between the URL and the application invocation mechanism. This routine parses the URL, detects the presence of alternative URLs using predetermined keys, and determines the most suitable application based on device capabilities, thereby resolving the contradiction without modifying the URL structure itself
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard URL-handling routines are used, then the system maintains backwards compatibility with existing URI mechanisms, but the system cannot provide special handling for http-scheme links to invoke special-purpose applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary parsing and detection of alternative URLs within the URL-handling routine, before application invocation is attempted. By pre-processing the URL to extract embedded alternative URLs and storing them for later use, the system can reliably invoke special-purpose applications when appropriate while maintaining backwards compatibility, as the preliminary action separates the detection logic from the invocation logic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic behavior in the URL-handling routine that adapts its processing based on the URL structure. When a predetermined key is detected indicating an alternative URL, the routine dynamically switches to alternative invocation logic; otherwise, it follows the standard URL-handling path, thereby maintaining backwards compatibility while enabling enhanced functionality
3Ease of operation
If alternative URLs are embedded inside primary URLs, then the system can recognize and invoke the most suitable application, but the URL-handling logic becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the URL-handling process into distinct phases: parsing the URL, detecting predetermined keys, extracting alternative URLs, determining device capabilities, and invoking the appropriate application. This segmentation allows each phase to be handled by dedicated code modules, reducing the perceived complexity of the overall logic while enabling sophisticated application invocation
Solution Approach 2:
The URL-handling routine automatically detects the presence of alternative URLs using predetermined keys and self-determines the most suitable application based on device capabilities without requiring external intervention or configuration. This self-service approach simplifies the user experience while containing the complexity within the automated routine itself
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple applications may be targeted via key/value data associated with a resource identified by a primary Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”). By parsing the key/value data, an alternative application for accessing the resource may be identified. When the alternative application is installed on a device, the alternative application may be invoked to access the resource.