Hybrid Web Container for Cross-Platform Mobile Applications

Abstract

The systems, methods and computer program products for designing cross-platform mobile applications that execute on multiple operating platforms. The mobile application is activated with a workflow that includes data from a data source. The mobile application includes a plurality of web files configured to cause the mobile application to manipulate data from the data source. At least one web file in the plurality of web files is configured to display one or more screens of the mobile application. At least one file in the plurality of web files is configured to implement business logic of the mobile application. The mobile application also includes a container service configured to communicate data between the mobile device and a data source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for generating a cross-platform mobile application, comprising:
 accessing web files stored on a mobile device, including a forms tile having multiple forms wherein the multiple forms create display screens for the cross-platform mobile application and a script file that customizes the cross-platform mobile application with business logic, wherein the multiple forms designate a display screen per form; and   generating, using the web files, the cross-platform mobile application, wherein the cross-platform mobile application executes on the mobile device irrespective of a type of an operating system of the mobile device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying, using a browser installed on the mobile device, the form from the form file.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 performing the generating in response to receiving a message from a server, the message comprising a workflow that is processed using the cross-platform mobile application.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing the web files in a workflow container of the mobile device, wherein the workflow container includes a browser interface that enables browser access to the forms file and script file upon request, and container services for data access from a data source as the cross-platform application executes.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one web file in the web files is a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) file, a JavaScript file and a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) file. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one web file is encrypted. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 accessing, using the cross-platform application, a feature native to the mobile device.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 manipulating, using the cross-platform mobile application, data from a data source residing on a server.   
     
     
         9 . The method of clam  1 , further comprising:
 receiving an email message comprising a workflow, wherein the workflow includes instructions that manipulate business logic of the cross-platform application;   activating the workflow in the email message;   accessing the web files in response to the activating; and   receiving data that manipulates the cross-platform application according to the instructions.   
     
     
         10 . A system for generating a cross-platform mobile application, comprising:
 a memory within a mobile device;   a processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
 access web files stored in the mobile device, it eluding a forms file having multiple forms that create display screens for the cross-platform mobile application and a script file that customizes the cross-platform mobile application with business logic, wherein the multiple forms designate a display screen per form; and 
 generate, using the web files the cross-platform mobile application, wherein the cross-platform mobile application executes on the mobile device irrespective of a type of an operating system of the mobile device. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is furthered configured to display, using a browser installed on the mobile device, the form from the form file. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is furthered to perform the generating in response to receiving a message from a server, the message comprising a workflow processable using the cross-platform mobile application. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is furthered configured to:
 store the web files in a workflow container of the mobile device, wherein the workflow container includes a browser interface that enables browser access of the forms file and script file upon request, and container services for data access from the data source as the cross-platform application executes.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one web file in the web files is a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) file that comprises forms, a JavaScript file that comprises scripts and a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) file. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one web file is encrypted. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 access, using the cross-platform application, a feature native to the mobile device.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 manipulate, using the cross-platform mobile application, data from a data source residing on a server.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 receive an email message comprising a workflow, wherein the workflow includes instructions that manipulate business logic of the cross-platform application;   activate the workflow in the email message;   access the web files in response to the activating; and   receive data that manipulates the cross-platform application according to the instructions.   
     
     
         19 . A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, that when executed by at least one computing device, causes the at least one computing device to perform operations that generate a cross-platform mobile application, the operations comprising:
 accessing web files in a mobile device, including a forms file having multiple forms that create display screens for the cross-platform mobile application and a script file that customizes the cross-platform mobile application with business logic, wherein the multiple forms designate a display screen per form; and   generating, using the web files the cross-platform mobile application, wherein the cross-platform mobile application executes on the mobile device irrespective of a type of an operating system of the mobile device.   
     
     
         20 . The tangible computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , wherein the instructions further comprise operations, comprising.
 receiving an email message comprising a workflow, wherein the workflow includes instructions that manipulate business logic of the cross-platform application;   activating the workflow in the email message;   accessing the web files in response to the activating; and   receiving data that manipulates the cross-platform application according to the instructions.