Trigger Character System for Inter-App Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices, such as iOS devices, typically execute applications in isolation, preventing bi-directional communication and data sharing between applications, requiring users to switch between apps for tasks like attaching files to emails, which complicates workflows.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a monitor application that detects trigger characters entered in a user interface, allowing users to launch and interact with a second application from within the first, enabling bi-directional communication and simplifying workflows by switching between app interfaces seamlessly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If applications execute in isolation by default, then application security and stability are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to communicate or share data between applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (trigger character system) that allows applications to communicate without breaking their isolated execution environments. The trigger character acts as a mediator that initiates controlled interactions between apps while maintaining their security boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger character system provides a universal interface that works across different application types. Any application can initiate communication with any other application through this standardized mechanism, making the system multi-functional and broadly applicable.
2Reliability
If applications execute in isolation by default, then system stability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to requiring users to switch between applications for tasks like attaching files to emails
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring trigger characters and communication pathways between applications. When a user needs to attach a file to an email, the file attachment app is already configured with trigger characters that can initiate communication with the email app, eliminating the need to switch applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger character system serves as an intermediary that enables seamless data transfer between applications without requiring users to switch interfaces. The intermediary handles the communication protocol, allowing direct data sharing while maintaining system stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensions are implemented for interapplication communication, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication mechanism from the application code itself and places it in the operating system layer. The trigger character system is implemented at the OS level, which simplifies the individual applications while providing robust interapplication communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger character system provides a universal communication interface that works across all applications without requiring each application to implement its own complex communication protocols. This standardization reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for initiating execution of an application using trigger characters. In one embodiment, a computing device detects an entry of a trigger character in an input field of a first user interface presented by a first application. The input field is specified for detection of the individual trigger character based on a trigger rule for the first application. The computing device then identifies a string following the trigger character. The computing device then determines that the string matches a name of a second application installed on the computing device based on a list of applications installed on the computing device. The computing device then initiates execution of the second application. Subsequently, the computing device switches from the first user interface to a second user interface presented by the second application.