Wireless Device Application Profile Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of wireless communications devices face challenges in installing, managing, and maintaining applications, particularly in determining minimum configuration requirements and staying updated with application updates, bug fixes, and upgrades, especially for inexperienced users.
Innovation Solution
The development of tools and techniques for life cycle management of user-selected applications on wireless communications devices, including presenting available applications for installation, removing applications, and managing advertising space, with a mechanism for subscribers to customize their devices and receive automated updates and configuration management through a communication services provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If customers manually install and manage applications themselves, then they have full control over their devices, but it becomes difficult for inexperienced users to determine configuration requirements and stay updated with application updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service provider system that acts as an intermediary between application developers and customers. This intermediary manages the entire application lifecycle including installation, updates, and configuration, relieving customers of manual management tasks while ensuring they receive appropriate applications based on their device profiles and requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated self-service mechanisms where the service provider automatically monitors for application updates, checks device compatibility, and pushes updates to customers without requiring manual intervention. The system also automatically determines whether a customer's device meets minimum configuration requirements before allowing installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device supports multiple profiles with different applications, then it increases versatility and adaptability, but it increases device complexity and difficulty in managing applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device functionality into distinct profiles (e.g., personal, business, entertainment) where each profile has its own set of applications and configuration settings. This segmentation allows customers to manage applications on a per-profile basis rather than dealing with all applications globally, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The service provider system provides universal management capabilities that work across all device profiles and application types. A single interface and set of management rules handles diverse application lifecycles uniformly, simplifying the customer experience despite the underlying complexity of supporting multiple profiles.
3Reliability
If customers proactively search for application updates and bug fixes, then they can stay updated, but it requires significant time and effort from customers
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback mechanisms where the service provider continuously monitors application versions, bug fix status, and update availability. This feedback loop ensures customers receive timely notifications about updates without needing to actively search for them, maintaining reliability while eliminating the time investment required from customers.
Data Source
AI summary
Tools and techniques for performing life cycle management of user-selected applications on wireless communications devices are described herein. In part, the tools provide machine-readable media for presenting to the subscriber a list of available applications for installation on the device, and for receiving selections from the subscriber of one or more of the applications. Additionally, the tools provide methods for selling advertising space on the devices.