Portable Code Widgets Cross-Device State Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Widgets typically do not communicate with each other across different devices, limiting their functionality and interoperability, such as synchronizing media playback or sharing content between devices without manual initiation or compilation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for widget-to-widget communication, where a communication server provides portable code widgets to devices, enabling them to share content and states, allowing coordinated presentation of content across devices without additional compilation, and supporting virtual mashups of independent widgets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If widgets are made portable and device-independent, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but widget-to-widget communication and coordination across devices deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication server as an intermediary that mediates between widgets on different devices. The server receives state information from widgets, manages the information exchange, and enables coordinated content presentation across devices without requiring direct widget-to-widget communication or additional compilation of the widgets themselves.
2Ease of operation
If widgets operate independently on different devices, then ease of operation is improved, but interoperability and coordinated functionality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the communication server universal by enabling it to handle multiple types of widgets and coordinate their interactions across different device types. The server provides a unified interface for state information exchange and content coordination, allowing widgets to maintain their device-specific execution while achieving cross-device interoperability through the server's multi-functional capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual initiation and compilation are required for widget coordination, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having widgets automatically publish their state information to the communication server without requiring manual initiation. The server is pre-configured to receive and process this information, enabling automatic coordination and content sharing between widgets on different devices without requiring users to manually initiate communication or recompile the widgets.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for widget to widget communication. The system includes a first device, a second device, and a communication server. The first device and/or the second device are a mobile device. The communication server provides a first widget to the first device and provides a second widget to the second device, wherein the first widget and the second widget are portable code that is installed and executed in a corresponding runtime environment without additional compilation. The first widget, when executed by the first device, communicates information that identifies content associated with the first widget and a state of the content via the first device to the communication server. The communication server communicates the information and the state to the second device. The second widget, when executed by the second device, presents at least some of the content based on the information and the state in coordination with the first widget presenting the content.