Targeted Metadata Applicability Determination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing application distribution services face inefficiencies and errors in determining the applicability of software packages to diverse client devices, leading to unnecessary downloads and user frustration.
Innovation Solution
The use of targeted metadata to identify the parameters and requirements of application files, allowing for accurate and efficient determination of their applicability to client devices by comparing metadata with device characteristics, thereby reducing unnecessary downloads and optimizing bandwidth and storage usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing application distribution services use traditional methods to determine applicability of software packages, then they can distribute applications to various devices, but the determination process is error-prone and inefficient leading to unnecessary downloads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and storing applicability information in metadata before distribution. The applicability determination is performed in advance during package preparation, and the results are cached in metadata structures that can be quickly compared against device characteristics during distribution, eliminating the need for time-consuming runtime analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating simplified metadata representations of application requirements and device characteristics. Instead of performing complex applicability analysis on the actual application binaries and device specifications, the system creates lightweight metadata copies that capture the essential compatibility information, enabling fast comparison and determination
2Reliability
If existing application distribution services download all application packages for compatibility checking, then they ensure complete coverage, but it consumes excessive bandwidth and storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential applicability information from complete application packages and stores it in metadata format. Instead of downloading and analyzing entire application binaries to determine compatibility, the system extracts pre-computed metadata that contains the necessary compatibility criteria, significantly reducing data transfer and processing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the necessary applicability checks using metadata comparisons rather than exhaustive analysis of complete application packages. The system downloads minimal metadata information rather than full application binaries, achieving sufficient accuracy for compatibility determination without excessive resource consumption
3Measurement precision
If application distribution services perform detailed applicability checks on each package, then they provide accurate results, but the process becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the applicability determination process into distinct metadata comparison operations. Instead of performing a single complex analysis of application-package compatibility, the system divides the problem into separate metadata fields (device type, platform, architecture, etc.) that can be independently compared and evaluated, simplifying the overall process while maintaining accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
For applications that are designed to operate across multiple computer environments, an application distribution service may store multiple different versions of application packages, the different versions being applicable to different computing environments. Application targeted metadata associated with the application packages may be utilized to quickly diagnose the applicability of the application packages to a client device with low bandwidth cost, and before any package distribution is commenced.