Software Distribution Framework for Device-Specific Update Bundles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The infrequent release of system software updates due to extensive compatibility testing across different hardware versions and generations, leading to delays in bug fixes and feature additions, as well as exclusion of compatible features from updates due to incompatibility with older devices.
Innovation Solution
A software distribution framework that creates tailored application and software update bundles based on the specific hardware and software configuration of each computing device, including prerequisite applications and features, using digital rights management and digital signatures for authentication and authorization, allowing for more frequent updates without restarting the operating system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If system software updates are released infrequently with extensive compatibility testing, then backward compatibility and system stability are improved, but update frequency and bug fix speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software update distribution by creating device-specific bundles tailored to different hardware versions and generations. Each bundle contains only the features and applications compatible with that specific device configuration, allowing updates to be released more frequently without compromising backward compatibility across the entire device lineup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by customizing software bundles for specific device configurations rather than using a universal update package. Each bundle is locally optimized for its target device's hardware capabilities, enabling faster update cycles while maintaining compatibility guarantees for each device segment.
2Reliability
If features are excluded from system software updates due to incompatibility with older hardware versions, then system stability across all devices is improved, but feature availability and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the user base into segments based on device hardware versions and generates customized software bundles for each segment. This allows advanced features to be included in bundles for compatible devices while older devices receive streamlined bundles without those features, thereby maintaining system stability across all devices while maximizing feature availability for capable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by tailoring each software bundle to the specific hardware capabilities of the target device. Devices with advanced hardware receive bundles with corresponding advanced features, while older devices receive bundles with features matched to their capabilities, ensuring both stability and optimal feature utilization.
3Reliability
If extensive compatibility testing is performed across different hardware versions, then software compatibility is improved, but development time and release delays worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing process by focusing compatibility validation on device-specific bundles rather than testing all features against all device versions. Each bundle is tested against its target device configuration, significantly reducing the overall testing scope and time while maintaining compatibility reliability for each device segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring device-specific bundles with only the features compatible with each hardware version before distribution. This preliminary segmentation of features by device compatibility reduces the need for extensive post-bundle testing and accelerates the release process while maintaining compatibility standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A server determines that a software update is available for a computing device and creates a software bundle that includes the software update. In the software bundle, the server includes instructions to install the software bundle in a user partition of a memory of the computing device that is used to store content and applications and to modify a path variable in an operating system of the computing device to include a location in which the software bundle is installed. The server enables the computing device to download the software bundle.