Web App Format Conversion for Legacy Device Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in ensuring compatibility and seamless operation of Web applications across different application platforms, particularly when older devices with incompatible Web browsers need to execute Web apps designed for newer platforms, leading to incompatibility issues with data formats.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system comprising a conversion unit that transforms data from one format to another, allowing it to be processed by devices with different application platforms, along with transmission units for sending and receiving operation information, enables the execution of Web apps on incompatible devices by converting and interpreting data formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a transition to a browser-based application platform is performed, then the device can support newer application platforms with modern Web browsers, but older devices with incompatible Web browsers cannot execute Web apps designed for newer platforms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with newer application platformsVSAvoidexecution capability on older devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the Web app and older devices. The server converts the Web app into a format compatible with older devices, enabling execution without requiring firmware updates or installations on the older devices themselves. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability to newer platforms while ensuring reliability on older devices through format conversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the data format parameter of the Web app based on the capabilities of the target device. The server detects the device type and converts the Web app into appropriate formats (e.g., full Web app for newer devices, converted format for older devices). This parameter change enables broader adaptability while maintaining execution reliability across different device generations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the same application program is developed and maintained for multiple types of application platforms, then compatibility across platforms is improved, but development and maintenance costs and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-platform compatibilityVSAvoiddevelopment and maintenance burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the application into two parts: a core Web app that runs on newer platforms with full functionality, and a converted version for older platforms. The server handles the conversion logic, separating the platform-specific adaptation from the core application logic. This segmentation allows the development team to maintain a single primary codebase while providing cross-platform compatibility through automated conversion, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The server is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple device types and convert Web apps to various formats. This multi-functional server can serve both newer devices that run Web apps directly and older devices that require conversion, eliminating the need for separate maintenance of platform-specific applications and reducing development burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10270926B2Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method
Publication Date: 2019.04.23 RICOH CO LTD
  • US10270926B2 patent drawing
  • US10270926B2 patent drawing
  • US10270926B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a conversion unit configured to convert second format data into first format data that differs from the second format data, the first format data being processable by a device connected to the information processing apparatus via a network; a first transmission unit configured to transmit the first format data converted by the conversion unit to the device; a first reception unit configured to receive, from the device, information that represents an operation to a screen displayed, based on the first format data transmitted by the first transmission unit, in a display unit of the device; and a second transmission unit configured to transmit, to the device, an instruction to execute a process defined in the second format data, the process relating to the operation represented by the information received by the first reception unit.