Device registry server for automatic connection and data exchange between pervasive devices and backend systems

• US 20010049286A1
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Published: 12/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Stober, Thomas, Hansmann, Uwe, Merk, Lothar
• Granted Patent: US 6,941,148 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/12 Reselecting a serving backbone network switching or routing node
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to communication improvements between a mobile device (12) and backend system (20) applications. A special purpose server computer—a Device Registry Server (18)—is switched between a large variety of different mobile device types (12) and a plurality of backend systems (20) for improving the communication between a mobile device and a backend system. The server (18) stores information usable for facilitating communication setup, operation and maintenance of device applications. Preferably, a ready-to-use, already customized device-type specific application can be downloaded from said server (18) to a variety of different mobile devices which is then used for easily communicate with any desired backend system (20).

Claims

1. A communication method with a mobile device and a backend system, characterized by the steps of:

a. initiating a communication between said mobile device and a Device Registry Server (DRS),

b. communicating data in a communication between said mobile device and a particular backend system application via said Device Registry Server, and

c. requesting an application component download from said Device Registry Server in order to be able to exchange data with a particular respective backend application.

2. The method according to

claim 1

further comprising the step of offering an application component to be deleted after use.

3. A mobile computing device having means for performing the method of claims 1 or 2.

4. The device according to

claim 1

or

2

further comprising means for storing a plurality of Device Registry Server addresses.

9. A computer program comprising code portions adapted for performing the steps according to the method according to claims 1 or 5 when said program is executed in a computing device.

10. A computer program product stored on a computer usable medium comprising computer readable program means for causing a computer to perform the method of claims 1 or 5, if said program product is executed on said computer.

5. A communication method between a mobile device and a backend system comprising the steps of:

receiving a request for a communication between a mobile device and a backend system, selecting a particular backend system application matching said request, said system application having application components,

routing said communication request to said particular backend system,

keeping application components ready for a selection by and/or a download to a mobile device,

establishing a connection to the backend system application responsive to an application selection issued by said mobile device, and

communicating application data between said mobile device and said backend system.

6. The method according to

claim 5

further comprising the step of

selecting said matching backend system application from a table storing at least a plurality of mobile device IDs and respective backend system application Ids.

7. A server computer having means for performing the method of claims 5 or 6.

8. The server computer according to the preceding claim comprising an application repository comprising available application components, a filter mechanism for selecting components for a specific mobile device, and a routing component for establishing a connection between a selected backend system application.