Mobile download system

• US 20040034853A1
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Musil, Alexander Quincey, Gibbons, Bill, Herrera, Carlos Jose, Dixit, Manish, Jin, Dale D., Shah, Manish Ramesh, Webster, Roger Robert, Xu, Denise Dandong
• Granted Patent: US 7,275,243 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/654 using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories
• 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

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for adapting software applications for download and execution on a variety of different mobile devices which employ different Application Execution Environments. An Application Download Protocol for transferring applications to mobile devices is also provided. Mobile devices can be matched with compatible applications according to functionality required by the applications and functionality provided by the mobile devices. Applications submitted by developers can be automatically matched to application categories, thus facilitating user selection of applications. Data used by applications running on mobile devices can be remotely managed by application developers, allowing developers to remotely control the type and presentation of data on mobile devices without the need for data management servlets to be provided by the developers.

Claims

1. A method for producing an application, comprising:

scanning an application file for script code;

extracting the script code from the application file;

inserting a code reference tag in the application file in place of the extracted script code;

compiling the extracted script code to produce compiled code; and

combining the compiled code and the application file.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein inserting a code reference tag includes:

inserting sequence identification information.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving an application file, the application file including the user interface elements; and

receiving application parameter files for each of a mobile device type upon which the application is to be used.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein receiving download instructions includes:

receiving a download instruction for each operation to be performed on the download object.

4. A method for remotely managing the downloading of download objects on a mobile device, comprising:

providing an application manager on a mobile device;

receiving download instructions for a download object, the download object to be downloaded to the mobile device; and

transmitting the download object to the mobile device.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the download instructions include at least one operation to be performed

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the download instructions include metadata information regarding the download object.

8. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

verifying download object compatibility with the mobile device before downloading.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein verifying download object compatibility includes:

determining that sufficient storage space for storing the download object exists on the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein verifying download object compatibility includes:

determining that sufficient resources for download object operation exist on the mobile device.

11. A method for managing the operation of download objects stored on a mobile device, comprising:

12. A method for downloading applications to a mobile device, comprising:

selecting a download object and associated operation for download to a mobile device;

receiving an application description, the application description including operations to perform for the download object;

executing the operations for the download object; and

transmitting the download object for download to a mobile device.

13. A method for remotely managing data used by a mobile device, said method comprising:

receiving a description of data, said description specifies data to be managed;

providing an application to a mobile device, said application utilizing said specified data; and

managing said specified data, said managing performed at a location remote from said mobile device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the description includes user interface format information regarding a particular mobile format.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the description includes file format information.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the description includes data identification information.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the description is in XML format.

18. A method for remotely managing data used by a mobile device, said method comprising:

receiving a first description of data, said first description specifies a first data to be managed;

providing an application to a mobile device, said application utilizing said specified first data;

receiving an updated description of data, said second description specifies a second data to be managed;

determining that the second data is compatible with first description of data; and

providing an application to a mobile device, said application utilizing said specified second data;

managing said specified second data, said managing performed at a location remote from said mobile device.

19. A method for receiving application data for a remotely managed application, comprising:

receiving an application by a mobile device, the application configured for use on a mobile device and configured to process application data located on the mobile device;

managing the application data on the mobile device from a remote location;

20. The method of claim 19 wherein managing the application data includes synchronizing the application data between multiple user devices.

21. A server for remotely managing data used by a mobile device, the server comprising:

an input configured to receive a first description of a first data, the first data located on the mobile device, the description of first data specifying data to be managed;

an output configured to provide an application to a mobile device, the application utilizing said specified first data; and

processing logic for managing said specified first data.