Installing software applications and associated data on mobile computers

• US 20040044694A1
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Henig, Gerhard, Kompalli, Prasad
• Granted Patent: US 7,290,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/654 using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed to install a software application and its associated data onto mobile computers. The associated data include data common to all mobile computers, as well as defined site-specific data applicable to a specific mobile computer. As is typical, the associated data are stored in a database on a central server, and are constantly being changed and updated there. The installation process involves the use of a separate installation computer, which may be unattended. The common data are copied from the central server database to the installation computer. For each mobile computer receiving an install, the common data are copied to the mobile computer from the installation computer, and the site-specific data are copied to the mobile computer from the central server database. The software application may also be installed on the mobile computer as part of the installation process.

Claims

1. A method of installing a software application program and associated data on mobile computers, comprising:

copying, from a database of a server to a site, data that are to be used in common by mobile computers;

copying the data to each of the mobile computers through a network; and

copying additional data to each of the mobile computers, the additional data being different for at least two of the mobile computers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the site comprises a computer that subscribes to the common data from the server.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

installing automatically an application onto the mobile computer.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

storing a parameter file that includes user selectable parameters associated with installation of an application on the site computer;

copying the parameter file onto the mobile computers; and

using the parameter file to automatically interact with an installation application on the mobile computer to install the application onto the mobile computer.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

checking and canceling pending requests for information in the server.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

clearing an outbound queue of the server.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating the site periodically with the common data from the server.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assigning a site authentication by using an administrative console.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

clearing an outbound queue of the server.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

downloading requested user information from an outbound queue.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein downloading requested user information comprises triggering a data transfer tool.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein downloading requested user information comprises inserting data into a database at the mobile computer.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a wireless network.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a local area network.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a parameter file that includes user selectable parameters associated with installation of a computer program on the site;

copying the parameter file onto the mobile computer; and

using the parameter file to automatically interact with an installation application on the mobile computer to install the application onto the mobile computer.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a memory that stores executable instructions for installing a software application program and associated data on mobile computers; and

a processor that executes the instructions to;

copy, from a database of a server to a site, data that are to be used in common by mobile computers;

copy the data to each of the mobile computers through a network; and

copy additional data to each of the mobile computers, the additional data being different for at least two of the mobile computers.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the site comprises a computer that subscribes to the common data from the server.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising instructions to:

install automatically an application onto the mobile computer.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising instructions to:

store a parameter file that includes user selectable parameters associated with installation of an application on the site computer;

copy the parameter file onto the mobile computers; and

use the parameter file to automatically interact with an installation application on the mobile computer to install the application onto the mobile computer.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising instructions to:

check and cancel pending requests for information in the server.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising instructions to:

clear an outbound queue of the server.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising instructions to:

update the site periodically with the common data from the server.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising instructions to:

assign a site authentication by using an administrative console.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising instructions to:

clear an outbound queue of the server.

25. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising instructions to:

download requested user information from an outbound queue.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein to download requested user information comprises triggering a data transfer tool.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein to download requested user information comprises inserting data into a database at the mobile computer.

28. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the network comprises a wireless network.

29. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the network comprises a local area network.

30. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising instructions to:

store a parameter file that includes user selectable parameters associated with installation of a computer program on the site;

copy the parameter file onto the mobile computer; and

use the parameter file to automatically interact with an installation application on the mobile computer to install the application onto the mobile computer.

31. An article comprising a machine-readable medium that stores executable instructions for installing a software application program and associated data on mobile computers, the instructions causing a machine to:

copy, from a database of a server to a site, data that are to be used in common by mobile computers;

copy the data to each of the mobile computers through a network; and

copy additional data to each of the mobile computers, the additional data being different for at least two of the mobile computers.

32. The article of claim 31, wherein the site comprises a computer that subscribes to the common data from the server.

33. The article of claim 31, further comprising instructions causing the machine to:

install automatically an application onto the mobile computer.

34. The article of claim 33, further comprising instructions causing the machine to:

store a parameter file that includes user selectable parameters associated with installation of an application on the site computer;

copy the parameter file onto the mobile computers; and

use the parameter file to automatically interact with an installation application on the mobile computer to install the application onto the mobile computer.

35. The article of claim 31, further comprising instructions causing the machine to:

check and cancel pending requests for information in the server.

36. The article of claim 31, further comprising instructions causing the machine to:

clear an outbound queue of the server.

37. The article of claim 31, further comprising instructions causing the machine to:

update the site periodically with the common data from the server.

38. The article of claim 31, further comprising instructions causing the machine to:

assign a site authentication by using an administrative console.

39. The article of claim 31, further comprising instructions causing the machine to:

clear an outbound queue of the server.

40. The article of claim 31, further comprising instructions causing the machine to:

download requested user information from an outbound queue.

41. The article of claim 40, wherein to download requested user information comprises triggering a data transfer tool.

42. The article of claim 40, wherein to download requested user information comprises inserting data into a database at the mobile computer.

43. The article of claim 31, wherein the network comprises a wireless network.

44. The article of claim 31, wherein the network comprises a local area network.

45. The article of claim 31, further comprising instructions causing the machine to:

store a parameter file that includes user selectable parameters associated with installation of a computer program on the site;

copy the parameter file onto the mobile computer; and

use the parameter file to automatically interact with an installation application on the mobile computer to install the application onto the mobile computer.