Apparatus and associated method for downloading an application with a variable lifetime to a mobile terminal

• US 20050083877A1
• Filed: 11/05/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Kaszonyi, Gabor, Zilliacus, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,904,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1077 Recurrent authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/959 Network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99954 Version management

Abstract

Apparatus, and associated method, provides for downloading an application with a selectable lifetime from an application database to a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal user'"'"'s identification information and the selected lifetime for the application are stored in an application-license database. When the user seeks to download the same application on a subsequent occasion the user is able to download that application for a reduced fee if lifetime remains from when the application was first downloaded. In addition, the application may be configured to delete or uninstall itself from the mobile terminal when the selected lifetime for the application expires.

Claims

1. A method comprising steps of:

receiving from a user a choice of a first application, the first application being one of a plurality of applications; and

transmitting the first application via a wireless network to a mobile terminal associated with the user, the first application being configured to become unavailable for use on the mobile terminal upon either

expiration of a predetermined time period, or

use of the first application a predetermined number of times.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network is a cellular communication network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network comprises short-range wireless communication.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the short-range wireless communication comprises an infrared connection.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a selection of the predetermined time period for the first application.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a selection of the predetermined number of times the first application may be used.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first application is configured to become unavailable by becoming non-functional.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first application is configured to become unavailable by automatically deleting at least a portion of itself.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first application is configured to delete only executable code.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first application is configured to retain customized settings in the mobile terminal.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first application;

determining whether time remains in the predetermined time period; and

again transmitting the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of time remaining in the predetermined time period.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first application;

determining whether the first application has been used less than the predetermined number of times; and

again transmitting the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of use of the first application less than the predetermined number of times.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving payment for the first application, wherein the amount of said payment is based on either the predetermined time period or the predetermined number of times.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving first payment for the first application;

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first application;

determining whether time remains in the predetermined time period;

again transmitting the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of time remaining in the predetermined time period; and

receiving additional payment for said again transmitting the first application, wherein the amount of said additional payment is reduced from the amount of the first payment.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving first payment for the first application;

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first application;

determining whether the first application has been used less than the predetermined number of times;

again transmitting the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of use of the first application less than the predetermined number of times; and

receiving additional payment for said again transmitting the first application, wherein the amount of said additional payment is reduced from the amount of the first payment.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first application is configured to:

determine, each time the user attempts to use the first application, whether time remains in the predetermined time period, and

delete itself if time does not remain in the predetermined time period.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first application is configured to:

determine, each time the user attempts to use the first application, whether the first application has been used less than the predetermined number of times, and

delete itself if the first application has been used the predetermined number of times.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving step comprises receiving the choice of the first application as a result of the user selecting a link at a website.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing data regarding the user and the first application in an application-license database.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the data stored in the application-license database includes one of the predetermined time period and the predetermined number of times.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting step includes transmitting the first application from storage in an application database.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the first application is a game.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the first application contains executable digital information.

24. A method comprising steps of:

receiving from a user a choice of a first application, the first application being one of a plurality of applications;

storing data regarding the user and the first application in an application license database; and

transmitting the first application via a network to a mobile terminal associated with the user, the first application being configured to become unavailable for use on the mobile terminal upon either

expiration of a predetermined time period, or

use of the first application a predetermined number of times.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

determining whether time remains in the predetermined time period; and

again transmitting the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of time remaining in the predetermined time period.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

determining whether the first application has been used less than the predetermined number of times; and

again transmitting the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of use of the first application less than the predetermined number of times.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising receiving a selection of the predetermined time period for the first application.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising receiving a selection of the predetermined number of times the first application may be used.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the first application is configured to become unavailable by becoming non-functional.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein the first application is configured to become unavailable by automatically deleting at least a portion of itself.

31. A method comprising steps of:

receiving from a user a choice of a first ringing tone, the first ringing tone being one of a plurality of ringing tones; and

transmitting the first ringing tone via a wireless network to a mobile terminal associated with the user, the first ringing tone being configured to become unavailable for use on the mobile terminal upon either

expiration of a predetermined time period, or

use of the first ringing tone a predetermined number of times.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the wireless network is a cellular network.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the wireless network comprises short-range wireless communication.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the short-range wireless communication comprises an infrared connection.

35. The method of claim 31, further comprising receiving a selection of the predetermined time period for the first ringing tone.

36. The method of claim 31, further comprising receiving a selection of the predetermined number of times the first ringing tone may be used.

37. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first ringing tone;

determining whether time remains in the predetermined time period; and

again transmitting the first ringing tone to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of time remaining in the predetermined time period.

38. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first ringing tone;

determining whether the first ringing tone has been used less than the predetermined number of times; and

again transmitting the first ringing tone to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of use of the first ringing tone less than the predetermined number of times.

39. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving payment for the first ringing tone, wherein the amount of said payment is based on either the predetermined time period or the predetermined number of times.

40. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving first payment for the first ringing tone;

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first ringing tone;

determining whether time remains in the predetermined time period;

again transmitting the first ringing tone to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of time remaining in the predetermined time period; and

receiving additional payment for said again transmitting the first ringing tone, wherein the amount of said additional payment is reduced from the amount of the first payment.

41. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving first payment for the first ringing tone;

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first ringing tone;

determining whether the first ringing tone has been used less than the predetermined number of times;

again transmitting the first ringing tone to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of use of the first ringing tone less than the predetermined number of times; and

receiving additional payment for said again transmitting the first ringing tone, wherein the amount of said additional payment is reduced from the amount of the first payment.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein said receiving step comprises receiving the choice of the first ringing tone as a result of the user selecting a link at a website.

43. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

storing data regarding the user and the first ringing tone in an application-license database.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the data stored in the application-license database includes one of the predetermined time period and the predetermined number of times.

45. The method of claim 31, wherein said transmitting step includes transmitting the first ringing tone from storage in an application database.

46. A method comprising steps of:

receiving from a user a choice of a first ringing tone, the first ringing tone being one of a plurality of ringing tones;

storing data regarding the user and the first ringing tone in an application license database; and

transmitting the first ringing tone via a network to a mobile terminal associated with the user, the first ringing tone being configured to become unavailable for use on the mobile terminal upon either

expiration of a predetermined time period, or

use of the first ringing tone a predetermined number of times.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

determining whether time remains in the predetermined time period; and

again transmitting the first ringing tone to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of time remaining in the predetermined time period.

48. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

determining whether the first ringing tone has been used less than the predetermined number of times; and

again transmitting the first ringing tone to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of use of the first ringing tone less than the predetermined number of times.

49. The method of claim 46, further comprising receiving a selection of the predetermined time period for the first ringing tone.

50. The method of claim 46, further comprising receiving a selection of the predetermined number of times the first ringing tone may be used.

51. The method of claim 46, wherein the first ringing tone is configured to become unavailable by becoming non-functional.

52. The method of claim 46, wherein the first ringing tone is configured to become unavailable by automatically deleting at least a portion of itself.

53. A server, comprising:

a link to one or more databases;

a link to a mobile network, wherein the server is configured to perform steps including

receiving from a user a choice of a first application, the first application being one of a plurality of applications stored in a database, and

transmitting the first application via the mobile network to a mobile terminal associated with the user, the first application being configured to become unavailable for use on the mobile terminal upon either

expiration of a predetermined time period, or

use of the first application a predetermined number of times.

54. The server of claim 53, wherein the mobile network is a cellular communication network.

55. The server of claim 53, wherein the mobile network comprises short-range wireless communication.

56. The server of claim 55, wherein the short-range wireless communication comprises an infrared connection.

57. The server of claim 53, wherein the server is further configured to receive a selection of the predetermined time period for the first application.

58. The server of claim 53, wherein the server is further configured to receive a selection of the predetermined number of times the first application may be used.

59. The server of claim 53, wherein the first application is configured to become unavailable by becoming non-functional.

60. The server of claim 53, wherein the first application is configured to become unavailable by automatically deleting at least a portion of itself.

61. The server of claim 60, wherein the first application is configured to delete only executable code.

62. The server of claim 60, wherein the first application is configured to retain customized settings in the mobile terminal.

63. The server of claim 53, wherein the server is further configured to perform steps including:

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first application,

determining whether time remains in the predetermined time period, and

again transmitting the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of time remaining in the predetermined time period.

64. The server of claim 53, wherein the server is further configured to perform steps including:

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first application,

determining whether the first application has been used less than the predetermined number of times, and

again transmitting the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of use of the first application less than the predetermined number of times.

65. The server of claim 53, wherein the server is further configured to receive payment for the first application, and wherein the amount of said payment is based on either the predetermined time period or the predetermined number of times.

66. The server of claim 53, wherein the server is further configured to perform steps including:

receiving first payment for the first application,

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first application,

determining whether time remains in the predetermined time period,

again transmitting the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of time remaining in the predetermined time period, and

receiving additional payment for said again transmitting the first application, wherein the amount of said additional payment is reduced from the amount of the first payment.

67. The server of claim 53, wherein the server is further configured to perform steps including:

receiving first payment for the first application,

receiving a subsequent re-choice of the first application,

determining whether the first application has been used less than the predetermined number of times,

again transmitting the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of use of the first application less than the predetermined number of times, and

receiving additional payment for said again transmitting the first application, wherein the amount of said additional payment is reduced from the amount of the first payment.

68. The server of claim 53, wherein the first application is configured to:

determine, each time the user attempts to use the first application, whether time remains in the predetermined time period, and

delete itself if time does not remain in the predetermined time period.

69. The server of claim 53, wherein the first application is configured to:

determine, each time the user attempts to use the first application, whether the first application has been used less than the predetermined number of times, and

delete itself if the first application has been used the predetermined number of times.

70. The server of claim 53, wherein said receiving step comprises receiving the choice of the first application as a result of the user selecting a link at a website.

71. The server of claim 53, wherein the first application is a ringing tone.

72. The server of claim 53, wherein the first application is a game.

73. The server of claim 53, wherein the first application contains executable digital information.

74. The server of claim 53, further comprising:

storing data regarding the user and the first application in an application-license database.

76. The server of claim 53, wherein said transmitting step includes transmitting the first application from storage in an application database.

75. The server of 74, wherein the data stored in the application-license database includes one of the predetermined time period and the predetermined number of times.

77. A server comprising:

a link to an application license database;

a link to a network, wherein the server is configured to perform steps including

receiving from a user a choice of a first application, the first application being one of a plurality of applications,

storing data regarding the user and the first application in the application license database, and

transmitting the first application via the network to a mobile terminal associated with the user, the first application being configured to become unavailable for use on the mobile terminal upon either

expiration of a predetermined time period, or

use of the first application a predetermined number of times.

78. The server of claim 77, wherein the server is further configured to:

determine whether time remains in the predetermined time period; and

again transmit the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of time remaining in the predetermined time period.

79. The server of claim 77, wherein the server is further configured to:

determine whether the first application has been used less than the predetermined number of times; and

again transmit the first application to the mobile terminal if the determining step results in a determination of use of the first application less than the predetermined number of times.

80. The server of claim 77, wherein the server is further configured to receive a selection of the predetermined time period for the first application.

81. The server of claim 77, wherein the server is further configured to receive a selection of the predetermined number of times the first application may be used.

82. The server of claim 77, wherein the first application is configured to become unavailable by becoming non-functional.

83. The server of claim 77, wherein the first application is configured to become unavailable by automatically deleting at least a portion of itself.