JP2015533435A - System and method for dynamically updating the contents of a folder on a device - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system for dynamically updating the contents of a folder on a portable device. A system according to the present invention includes identifying at least one folder on a portable device as a dynamic folder, determining at least one context parameter corresponding to the dynamic folder, and at least one context. Searching for an application that can be added to the dynamic folder corresponding to the parameter; generating an icon corresponding to each application found by the search; displaying each icon corresponding to each application in the dynamic folder; , Have. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention generally relates to displaying applications on a device, and more particularly to techniques for adding applications to folders on the device.

This application claims priority from US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 714,777, filed Oct. 17, 2012. This application is a continuation-in-part of the following applications.
a) claims priority of US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 653,562, filed May 31, 2012, US Patent Application No. 13 / 712,563, filed December 12, 2012 b) Claims priority of US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 468,095 filed on March 28, 2011 and US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 354,022 filed on June 11, 2010, 2011 US Patent Application No. 13 / 156,999, filed June 9, c) US Patent Application No. 13 / 296,619, filed November 15, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. .

  The use of portable devices, especially smartphones, has increased significantly. Such portable devices are often the main alternative to other computing devices, and the portable devices can access data from various application programs. Application programs, also referred to as applications or apps (Apps), are designed to help users of portable devices (usually smart phones or tablet computers) perform certain tasks. The application may be embedded in a computing device, or may be available on an information source on the web such as AppStore (registered trademark), and may be downloadable in some cases.

  A graphical user interface (GUI) is often used to navigate between applications on portable devices. A GUI is a type of user interface that allows a user to interact with an electronic device using an image rather than a character command. However, so many applications are now available and the display area of portable devices is inherently very limited, so they can be moved between applications that are built into portable devices or available via the web. It has become increasingly difficult to do.

  In order to easily move between applications in a portable device, the user is given the option of placing the application in a folder. By applying various gestures, folder creation and application placement within the folder is performed manually. For example, a user of a portable device can tap an application icon and drag the icon onto another icon representing another application to create a folder. You can then tap any application and drag it to the created folder. This can reduce the clutter on the display of the portable device. The generated folder may be automatically named by the operation system (OS) of the apparatus or manually by the user. For example, the user may place all icons of a game application in one folder and name the folder “game”.

  However, currently available OSs for portable devices, such as iOS (registered trademark) or Android (registered trademark), dynamically place applications in folders or are included in previously created folders It does not provide a solution for searching for applications that may be Furthermore, there is currently no way to provide an application that supports such functionality.

  Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a way to overcome the limitations of the prior art by dynamically deploying applications according to user preferences.

  Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a method for dynamically updating the contents of a folder on a portable device. The method includes identifying at least one folder on the portable device as a dynamic folder, determining at least one context parameter corresponding to the dynamic folder, and a dynamic corresponding to at least one context parameter. A step of searching for an application that can be added to the folder; a step of generating an icon corresponding to each application found by the search; and a step of displaying each icon corresponding to each application in the dynamic folder.

  Certain embodiments disclosed herein also include a system for dynamically updating the contents of a folder on a portable device. This system includes an interface for receiving specific information from a user that at least one folder on a portable device is a dynamic folder, a processor, and a memory connected to the processor. , Determining at least one context parameter corresponding to the dynamic folder, searching for an application that can be added to the dynamic folder corresponding to the at least one context parameter, and an icon corresponding to each application found by the search. And a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions for executing, a step of generating, a step of displaying each icon corresponding to each application in the dynamic folder.

  The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and claimed explicitly at the end of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a system for updating a dynamic folder on a device according to an embodiment. 4 is a screen shot of a screen of a portable device displaying dynamic folder updates on the device, according to an embodiment.

  The embodiments disclosed herein are merely examples of many potential advantageous uses and implementations of the innovative teachings presented herein. In general, statements herein do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Furthermore, some statements may apply to some inventive features, but not to other features. In general, unless otherwise indicated, a single element may be plural and vice versa without loss of generality. In the accompanying drawings, like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

  Certain embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for updating folders that exist on a portable device. The system identifies a folder on the portable device as a dynamic folder and further identifies at least one context parameter corresponding to the dynamic folder. To identify applications that can be added to the dynamic folder, a search is performed locally on the user's portable device, on the Internet, or both, using context parameters. Next, one or more icons representing one or more applications found by the search are displayed in the dynamic folder. Such a representation may be for direct access to one or more applications or for a shortcut to them.

  Applications disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, native applications (also referred to as “Internet mobile applications”) and web applications. A specific application is any software application that runs on a portable device and is not required, but can be used using the Internet or via a connection to the Internet. Typically, the unique application is built into a smartphone or tablet computer (Apple® iPhone® and iPAD® apps). Examples of unique applications include an application that plays a movie, an application that downloads songs, an application that allows a user to order pizza, an application that allows a user to request a home visit from an electrician, and the like. A web application is any application available on the World Wide Web (www) by a web browser. Usually, a web application is executed by a web server, and a user device (client) receives a processing result, for example, a web application that reserves an air ticket. In one embodiment, the native application and web application are presented in a dynamic folder using separate folders.

  FIG. 1 is an exemplary and non-limiting schematic diagram of a network system 100 used to describe the various embodiments disclosed herein. Without limitation, a user portable device 110 such as a tablet computer, smart phone, etc. communicates with the network 120. Network 120 may be wired, wireless, cellular, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), urban area network (MAN), the Internet, WWW, etc., and any combination thereof.

  The server 130 identifies a folder on the user device as a dynamic folder. This specification may be performed by receiving a notification from the portable device 110. In one embodiment, the dynamic folder specification may be a folder default (default). In other words, any new folder generated on the portable device is set as a dynamic folder. Next, the server 130 identifies the context parameter corresponding to the dynamic folder and processes the context parameter using the processing unit 140 that operates by executing the instructions stored in the memory 145.

  According to an exemplary embodiment, the context parameter may be a folder name, for example. In another exemplary embodiment, server 130 further analyzes the contents of the dynamic folder to determine context parameters when there is a dynamic folder. That is, the server 130 determines to which category (疇) each application currently included in the dynamic folder belongs, and determines the context parameter based on most categories of the applications included in the folder. . For example, when most of the applications can be classified as game applications, the context parameter may be set to “game”. Note that the folder may be given a different name as a result of the analysis. For example, if the user names the folder “Play Time” and the folder contains only the Gabe application, the analysis performed by the server 130 will result in a context parameter equal to “Game”. When omitted, the value of the context parameter is set to the folder name given by the user. When the user later places an additional application in the folder, the context parameter is updated by analysis performed by the user. Also good. The context parameters may be stored in the database 150 for further use.

  In yet another embodiment, the above-described context parameter identification may be performed by an agent (not shown) or a specific application embedded in the portable device 110. According to this embodiment, the identification of the context parameter may be performed offline without connection to the network 120.

  Based on at least one context parameter, server 130 searches locally for portable device 110, network 120, or both device 110 and network 120 for applications that can be added to the dynamic folder. The icon may represent an application or a shortcut to the application. Next, the server 130 displays one or more icons in a dynamic folder on the user's device. When the user device is not connected to the network 120, the search can only be performed locally on the portable device 110.

  In another embodiment, the server 130 receives a request from a user to add an icon to the dynamic folder or delete an icon from the dynamic folder via the portable device 110. In one embodiment, the server 130 also identifies applications that are no longer used or no longer relevant and unless the application is explicitly added by the user or identified as a keeper. Delete from dynamic folder.

  As shown in FIG. 1, there is a network 120 connected to a plurality of web resources 160-1 to 160-n. Resources 160 include, but are not limited to, multiple web search engines, content provider servers, vertical comparison engines, content publisher servers, and the like. Resource 160 is a “cloud-based” application, ie, an application executed by a server of a cloud computing infrastructure (for example, but not limited to, a dedicated cloud, a public cloud, or any combination thereof). It is. Cloud computing infrastructure is usually realized by a data center.

  According to one embodiment, searching for applications or content to include in a dynamic folder may include selecting one or more resources 160 based on context parameters. The search server 120 determines which of the resources 160-1 to 160-n is the most appropriate resource to deal with user preferences for dynamic folders corresponding to at least one context parameter. Configured to do. The method of searching for the most appropriate resource is described in more detail in the aforementioned US patent application Ser. No. 13 / 712,563.

  According to another embodiment, only a local search for applications already installed in the portable device 110 is performed. The local search is executed when the portable device 110 is not connected to the server 130 or when the server 130 cannot obtain the search result via the network. In one embodiment, the “offline” search is performed by an application embedded in the portable device and is incorporated into the portable device 110 that can be added to the dynamic folder 110 based on at least one context parameter. The server 130 is configured to remotely execute a task for retrieving a registered application.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary and non-limiting flowchart 200 of a method for updating a dynamic folder on a user's device, according to one embodiment. In step S <b> 210, a folder on the user device, for example, the portable device 110, is identified as a dynamic folder by the server 130. Such identification may be performed corresponding to the setting of the portable device 110.

  In step S220, at least one context parameter corresponding to the dynamic folder is identified. The context parameter may be set based on, for example, the name of the dynamic folder, the contents of the dynamic folder, and the like. If the folder name is automatically specified by the OS of the user device or is specified by the user of the device 110, the server 130 determines whether the specified name correlates with the contents of the dynamic folder. Configured to inspect. When there is no correlation between the specified names, the server 130 determines an appropriate name. As described above, such a determination may be based on the category of each application in the dynamic folder that uniquely identifies the stored application.

  In step S230, the server 130 searches for one or more applications that can be added to the dynamic folder in correspondence with at least one context parameter. The search can be performed locally on the portable device 110, within the network 120, for the resource 160, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, searching the network 120 may include searching a central repository for applications designed for portable devices. The search can be executed in, for example, AppStore (registered trademark), GooglePlay (registered trademark), MS Store, collaborative repository, and the like. The search may include querying one or more repositories with context parameters. The search for resource 160 is performed by server 130 to select the most appropriate resource to address user preferences for dynamic folders that correspond to at least one context parameter. A search of the portable device 110 is performed to find an application that is locally incorporated on the portable device 110 that can be added to the dynamic folder. As described above, the local search can also be performed when the portable device 110 does not have an active connection with the server 130.

  Optionally, in step S235, the search results, i.e., the applications and / or resources returned by the search, may be stored and / or filtered to provide the most appropriate application to the user. Good. In one embodiment, screening and / or storing is performed using at least one external parameter. This external parameter characterizes at least one of the user of the portable device and the user's device. External parameters may include, but are not limited to, demographic information corresponding to the user, the location of the portable device, the OS type of the device, and the like. For example, when the external parameter includes the age of the user, the age restriction application found by the search (step S230) can be selected. As another example, when the OS of the portable device is iOS (registered trademark), applications that are incompatible with the main OS are excluded. External parameters may be received from a portable device and an external database (eg, database 150).

  In step S240, it is checked whether or not at least one application has been found. If found, step S250 is subsequently executed. Otherwise, step S270 is executed subsequently. In another embodiment, it is checked in step S240 if the user has added at least one application to the dynamic folder. Such an application may be considered part of a dynamic folder.

  In step S250, one or more icons corresponding to the found application or applications are generated. In step S260, one or more icons corresponding to one or more applications are displayed in a folder on the user's device. In one embodiment, the web application may be represented by an icon different from the unique application, for example a round icon. The icon may be any kind of graphic symbol drawn and displayed on the display of the user device. Clicking or tapping the icon launches the corresponding application or provides a link to an information resource (eg, a news website), thereby providing the user with the desired information and / or action Is done. In one embodiment, the icon may be in the form of a widget or gadget that activates the corresponding resource on the web and / or provides a link to the resource. Note that this widget or gadget is related to the application selected as detailed above. In one embodiment, before placing an icon in a dynamic folder, the server 130 requests the user to approve or authenticate the placement to complete the operation.

  In step S270, it is checked whether or not the additional folder specified by the server 130 has been added to the dynamic folder. If it has been added, step S220 is subsequently executed. Otherwise, execution ends.

  FIG. 3 shows an exemplary non-limiting screenshot 300 of a typical portable device 310 screen. The user enters the name of the dynamic folder in window 320. For example, when the user inputs “music” as the name of the dynamic folder, the server 130 searches for a local and / or network (for example, the Internet) for an application that can be added to the folder. Next, the server 130 displays an icon 330 representing an application in the dynamic folder 340 of the portable device 310.

  According to this embodiment, the web application is represented by a round icon. In one embodiment, an instant wallpaper that includes one or more images corresponding to the name of the dynamic folder is displayed in the background of the dynamic folder 340. For the display of instant wallpaper, see Pending Patent Application No. 13 / 296,619, filed November 15, 2011, “A System and Methods Thereof for Instantaneous Updating of a Wallpaper Responsive of a Query Input and Responses Thereto”. It has been explained in detail. The contents of that application are incorporated herein by reference.

  In one embodiment, the appearance order of applications in a folder can be changed in response to user selection. According to another embodiment, the server 130 may receive a selection of one or more applications to display in the folder from the user. In yet another embodiment, the server 130 enables the generation of subfolders that match the name of the dynamic folder or the contents of the dynamic folder. For example, a folder named “Game” may have subfolders such as “Puzzle” and “Trivia” or other subfolders according to the user's choice.

  It should be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein allow a user of a portable device to search for an application of interest without having the user provide a search query. That is, by simply creating a folder on the portable device and setting that folder as a dynamic folder, the disclosed embodiments can put applications that the user is interested in into that folder. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments allow for the deployment of applications that are already embedded in the user device without any interaction with the user.

  The various embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, it is desirable that the software is realized as an application program that is tangibly realized on a tangible computer-readable medium consisting of a program storage unit or parts, or consisting of a certain device and / or a combination of devices. Application programs can be uploaded and executed on machines with any suitable architecture. The machine is preferably implemented on a computer platform with hardware such as one or more central processing units (CPUs), memory, and input / output interfaces. The computer platform may also include an OS and microinstruction code. The various processes and functions described herein may be part of the microinstruction code, part of the application program, or any combination thereof, and can be executed by a CPU, but such a computer Or the processor is not explicitly shown. In addition, various other peripheral units may be connected to the computer platform such as an additional data storage unit and a printing unit. All or some of the servers may be coupled to one or more integrated servers. Further, the non-transitory computer readable medium is any computer readable medium except a temporary propagation signal. The display portion and the small display portion may be a browser or other suitable graphical user interface for Internet mobile applications, adapted for general purpose or for purposes described in detail herein.

  All examples and conditional expressions set forth herein are intended for educational purposes to assist the reader in understanding the ideas that the inventor has contributed to the principles and technical progress of the invention. , And should not be construed as being limited to the specifically stated examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention are intended to include both structural and functional equivalents, as well as specific examples thereof. Furthermore, such equivalents shall include not only presently known equivalents, but also equivalents developed in the future, ie, any element developed to perform the same function regardless of structure.

Claims (20)

A method for dynamically updating the contents of a folder on a portable device,
Identifying at least one folder on the portable device as a dynamic folder;
Determining at least one context parameter corresponding to the dynamic folder;
Searching for applications that can be added to the dynamic folder corresponding to the at least one context parameter;
Generating an icon corresponding to each application found by the search;
Displaying each icon corresponding to each application in the dynamic folder. Receiving at least one external parameter;
Screening the application found by the search based on the at least one external parameter;
The method of claim 1, further comprising:   The method of claim 2, wherein the external parameter characterizes at least one of a user of the portable device and the portable device.   The method of claim 1, wherein the context parameter is determined based on at least one of a name of the dynamic folder and contents of the dynamic folder. Identifying a category for each of at least one application in the dynamic folder;
Setting the context parameter based on the category of applications in the dynamic folder;
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:   The search is performed in at least one of the portable device, the network, and a plurality of information resources, and the network is at least the Internet, and the plurality of information resources are a search engine, a content provider server, and a vertical comparison, respectively. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is at least one of an engine, a content publisher server, and a mobile application embedded in a user device.   The method of claim 6, wherein searching the network further comprises searching a central repository of applications.   7. The method of claim 6, wherein each application found in the search includes one of a unique application and a web application. Generating the icon corresponding to each application found in the search,
The method according to claim 8, further comprising generating a different icon for each one of the unique application, the information resource, and the web application.   10. The at least one icon is any one of a graphic symbol, a widget, and a gadget that activates a corresponding application or causes the corresponding application to be embedded on the portable device. the method of.   A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that cause one or more processing units to perform the method of claim 1. A system for dynamically updating the contents of a folder on a portable device,
An interface for receiving specific information from a user that at least one folder on the portable device is a dynamic folder;
A processor,
A memory connected to the processor, when executed, to the system;
Determining at least one context parameter corresponding to the dynamic folder;
Searching for applications that can be added to the dynamic folder corresponding to the at least one context parameter;
Generating an icon corresponding to each application found by the search;
Displaying each icon corresponding to each application in the dynamic folder; and a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions for executing
A system comprising: The processor is
Receive at least one external parameter,
Selecting the application found by the search based on the at least one external parameter;
The system of claim 12, further configured as follows.   The system of claim 12, wherein the context parameter is determined based on at least one of a name of the dynamic folder and a content of the dynamic folder. The processor is
Identify the category of each application in the dynamic folder,
Set the context parameter based on the category of applications in the dynamic folder;
The system of claim 12, further configured as follows.   The search is performed in at least one of the portable device, the network, and a plurality of information resources, and the network is at least the Internet, and the plurality of information resources are a search engine, a content provider server, and a vertical comparison, respectively. The system of claim 12, wherein the system is at least one of an engine, a content publisher server, and a mobile application embedded in a user device.   The system of claim 16, wherein searching the network further comprises searching a central repository of applications.   The system according to claim 16, wherein each application found by the search includes one of a unique application and a web application. The processor is
The system of claim 18, further configured to generate a different icon for each unique application, information resource, and web application.   20. The at least one icon is any one of a graphic symbol, a widget, and a gadget that activates a corresponding application or causes the corresponding application to be embedded on the portable device. System.

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