Method for downloading software

• US 20020160752A1
• Filed: 02/08/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Cundall, Michael Hook, Walter Tuttlebee
• Original Assignee: John Cundall, Michael Hook, Walter Tuttlebee
• Inventors: Cundall, John, Tuttlebee, Walter, Hook, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,826,834 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23617 by inserting additional data into a data carousel, e.g. inserting software modules into a DVB carousel arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4433 Implementing client middleware, e.g. Multimedia Home Platform [MHP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided a method for downloading software from a mobile network operator to a mobile phone user. The downloaded software can be new network services or user specified applications software or user specified information. The method requires the downloaded software to written as Java classes capable of running on a Java Virtual Machine. All the Java classes can be continuously broadcast at a relatively modest data rate. In an enhanced mode a list of services available for downloading is broadcast over the network more frequently then the actual services themselves. The user then selects which service he wants and only that one is downloaded. Payment can be on a subscription or pay-per-use basis.

The method could also be adapted to work with one of the new digital broadcasting platforms such as DAB or DVB as a means for delivering the Java classes. This would significantly increase the volume of data which could be downloaded thus increasing the number of new services or information which could be accessed.

Claims

1. Method for downloading application, service or information software to a mobile telecommunications device said method including the steps of:

broadcasting application, service or information software via a broadcaster (14) different from a network operator (12) responsible for said broadcasting,

receiving and downloading said software to said mobile telecommunications device,

contacting said network operator (12) responsible for said broadcasting, and

causing said network operator (12) to enable said software such that said software is available for use by a user of said mobile telecommunications device.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of broadcasting said software is in digital form.

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said step of broadcasting includes continuously broadcasting said software.

4. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said step of broadcasting includes continuously broadcasting a list of software available more frequently than the actual software themselves.

5. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said step of broadcasting includes continuously broadcasting certain high demand software more often in a broadcast cycle than other software of lesser demand.

6. Method as claimed in any preceding claim 1 or 2, wherein said step of contacting a network operator (12) responsible for said broadcast is via an existing point to point connection (18).

7. Method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said step of causing said network operator (12) to enable said software includes a further step of billing said user for said software via said existing point to point connection (18).

8. Method as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein said step of contacting a network operator (12) responsible for said broadcast is via an existing GSM connection.

9. Method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said software is developed using a platform independent object code.

10. Method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said platform independent object code is Java™

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