Synchronizing Cross-Form Factor Application Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Different computing devices with varying form factors and hardware capabilities often require different versions of applications, making it challenging to showcase the functionality and appearance of applications across devices in a synchronized manner, particularly in product display kiosks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where computing devices with different form factors can receive commands to synchronize the display of application activities, with one device determining instructions to adapt visual representations to its form factor and executing them to show synchronized activities across devices, using a server to manage network time delays for simultaneous display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different versions of applications are displayed on devices with different form factors, then the functionality and appearance differences can be illustrated, but the display cannot be synchronized across devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines a series of instructions that cause the application to display visual representations of activities on the first computing device before executing them. These instructions are prepared in advance to ensure that the display occurs at a specific synchronized time, allowing the first device to show adapted visual representations simultaneously with the second device despite different form factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that coordinates between the first and second computing devices. This intermediary system manages the timing and coordination of display operations, allowing each device to show its own adapted version of the application while maintaining synchronization. The intermediary handles the complexity of coordinating different form factors and their respective application versions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If visual representations are adapted to different form factors, then the application functionality is optimized for each device, but the complexity of coordinating displays increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the display coordination task by having each computing device independently execute its own adapted version of the application. The first computing device determines and executes its own series of instructions tailored to its form factor, while the second device does the same for its version. This segmentation allows each device to handle its own adaptation complexity independently rather than requiring centralized coordination of all display details.
3Reliability
If simultaneous display is achieved across networked devices, then synchronized demonstration is enabled, but network time delays must be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines the timing and sequence of instructions before execution. By preparing the series of instructions in advance and determining when each device should display its visual representations, the system accounts for network time delays beforehand. This preliminary timing determination ensures that despite variations in network transmission times, both devices display their adapted application versions simultaneously, achieving reliable synchronized demonstration.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes receiving, by a first computing device, a command regarding operation of an application. A first version of the application is configured to execute on the first computing device and a second version of the application is configured to execute on a second computing device that has a different form factor than the first computing device. In response to receiving the command, the first computing device may determine a series of instructions that cause the first version of the application to display visual representations of an activity on the first computing device synchronized to displayed visual representations of the activity on the second computing device. The displayed visual representations are respectively adapted to the form factors of the first and the second computing devices. The first computing device may execute the determined series of instructions.