Embedding Visual Program Descriptions in Media Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software programs are often distributed in cryptic file formats that are difficult for human users to understand, making it challenging for end-users to comprehend the program's functionality before loading, running, or transferring it.
Innovation Solution
The development of media files that embed executable programs with a human-understandable description, allowing users to visualize the program's functionality through images, text, or graphics, enabling easy sharing and informed decision-making about running the program.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If software programs are distributed in cryptic file formats for machine consumption, then the programs can be executed by the execution environment, but the end users cannot understand the program functionality by inspecting the code
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (visual representation, metadata, or embedded description) between the cryptic executable code and the end user. This intermediary translates the machine-oriented code into human-understandable information, allowing users to comprehend program functionality without needing to interpret the actual code structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the program's functionality that can be inspected by users. Instead of showing the actual executable code, the system generates a copy in the form of visual diagrams, flowcharts, or descriptive metadata that mirrors the program's behavior in a human-readable format.
2Productivity
If users load and run programs without understanding their functionality, then the programs can be executed efficiently, but security risks increase as users cannot make informed decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing users with program functionality information before execution. The visual representation or metadata is prepared and presented to users prior to running the program, enabling them to make informed security decisions about whether to execute the code, thus preventing malicious or unwanted programs from running.
3Productivity
If programs are transferred between machines or users without functional description, then the transfer process is simple and fast, but the receiving party cannot appreciate what the program does
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the executable program with its visual representation or functional description into a single package or file structure. This combination allows the program and its explanatory information to be transferred together as one unit, maintaining transfer efficiency while ensuring that functionality information is not lost or separated during the transfer process.
Data Source
AI summary
The description relates to media files and more particularly to media files that include a program and a human-understandable description of the program. One example can receive executable code. This example can determine a functionality provided by the executable code. The example can also create a media file that stores the executable code and presents the functionality in a human-understandable form.