User Interface Host Entity for Decoupled Application Development
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable navigation devices (PNDs) face challenges in decoupling their development cycles from external applications, leading to dependency on third-party equipment release cycles, increased maintenance burdens, and logistic complexities due to the need for specific knowledge of external device functionality for API incorporation.
Innovation Solution
A communications apparatus with a processing resource supporting a main application and user interface, allowing remote access to a user interface template via a communications network, enabling decoupling of development cycles and reusability of user interfaces across different applications, with customizable user interface elements and event data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the PND incorporates specific knowledge of external device functionality for API integration, then interoperability with external applications is improved, but device complexity and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into three independent components: the PND with its main application, the external application, and a communications network layer. This segmentation allows each component to be developed, updated, and maintained independently, reducing the maintenance burden while preserving interoperability capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal communication interface that enables the PND to interact with multiple different external applications through a standardized protocol. This universal interface allows the same PND architecture to support various external devices without requiring device-specific integration knowledge, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the PND depends on third-party equipment release cycles for API updates, then compatibility with external applications is improved, but productivity and development speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a preliminary communication framework and standardized interface protocol before external applications are fully developed or updated. This preliminary structure allows the PND to maintain compatibility while enabling parallel development of external applications, eliminating the need to wait for third-party release cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic communication architecture where the PND can adapt to external applications through a flexible protocol that supports real-time interaction. This dynamic system allows the PND to work with multiple versions of external applications simultaneously, enabling continuous development without being constrained by rigid release cycles.
3Ease of operation
If multiple applications share a common user interface, then ease of operation is improved, but difficulty in detecting and measuring interface behavior increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communications network as an intermediary layer between the main application and external applications. This intermediary handles the routing and translation of interface interactions, allowing multiple applications to share a common user interface while the intermediary tracks and manages interface behavior, thereby reducing the difficulty of detection and measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications apparatus includes a processing resource arranged to support, when in use, a main application and a user interface. The apparatus, in at least one embodiment, also includes a data store and a user interface host entity arranged to access, when in use, a user interface template selectable in response to a received message. The user interface template includes an expression of a number of user interface elements. The user interface is arranged to translate the user interface template selected from the expression of the number of user interface elements into a user interface instantiation.