Software Appliance App Management via Mobile Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers of products like automobiles and televisions face memory limitations that restrict app selection, leading to inconsistent user experiences due to changing app popularity, and existing solutions fail to provide personalized app management tailored to individual users.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables a 'back-door' connection between a personal mobile device and an App Platform or player device, allowing users to upload and control apps, including live event access, through a software appliance with a mobile manager and appliance architecture, facilitating personalized app selection and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers provide more memory to accommodate more apps, then app selection and user personalization are improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary that stores and manages app packages externally. The mobile device acts as a mediator between the user and the target device, allowing app installation without increasing the target device's memory capacity. Users can download apps to their mobile device and then transfer them to the target device as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the app storage function from the target device by implementing it in the mobile device instead. This separation allows the target device to maintain limited memory while still providing access to a large variety of apps through the mobile device's storage capacity and internet connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers allow users to add apps to a product, then app availability is improved, but user interface clutter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary interface for app management, keeping the target device's user interface clean. All app browsing, selection, and management operations occur on the mobile device, which then communicates with the target device to install and launch apps without cluttering the target device's interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of having physical buttons and on-device app management interfaces with a software-based solution running on the mobile device. The mobile device's touchscreen interface and app management software substitute for complex on-device controls.
3Device complexity
If manufacturers pre-select apps on products, then device complexity is reduced, but user personalization and app freshness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to self-manage their own app selections through the mobile device interface. Users can independently browse, select, download, and manage their personal app collections without manufacturer intervention, allowing each user to customize their experience according to their preferences while keeping the target device simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic app selection system where the available apps and user selections can change over time through internet downloads and updates on the mobile device. This allows the system to adapt to changing user preferences and app popularity without requiring manufacturers to pre-load all possible apps.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and Method to create and control a software appliance across a wired or wireless connection, such method allowing users to select and store app packages containing control apps and Appliance apps the latter of which are deployed and launched on a selected Software Appliance. The resulting approach provides for improved personalization of the App experience when deployed between a mobile device and a Software Appliance that is installed on a device that is traditionally a shared resource such as a Television.