Method and apparatus for remote control and updating of wireless mobile devices

• US 20060073820A1
• Filed: 10/10/2003
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Boller Cross Data LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Boller Cross Data LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Craswell, Ronald J., Klassen, Paul J. H., Pratt, David S. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/538,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20060073820A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42144 by service provider
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42178 by downloading data to substation equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided to in one aspect update data on a wireless mobile device. Available updates may include both mandatory and discretionary updates, where the mandatory updates are always installed on the wireless mobile device. In another aspect, a method and apparatus for of remotely instructing a wireless mobile device to perform a service is provided. The wireless mobile device receives a ping message that instructs it to retrieve further instruction for performing services actions on the wireless mobile device.

Claims

1. A wireless computing apparatus having:

a processor; and

a memory comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed are operative to;

request available updates;

receive an update catalog for available updates, wherein said updates are selected from the group consisting of discretionary updates and mandatory updates;

receive any of said mandatory updates;

install any of said mandatory updates; and

depict representations of any relevant discretionary updates in a selectable manner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further operative to select a desired discretionary update from said depicted relevant discretionary updates;

and obtain said desired discretionary update.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further operative to install said obtained discretionary update.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said relevant discretionary updates are determined from a current state of the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said current state comprises the currently installed software on the apparatus.

6. A wireless computing apparatus having:

a processor; and

a memory comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed are operative to;

execute a stub application, said stub application automatically querying a remote source for a full application;

receive said current application from said remote source;

automatically install said full application; and

automatically execute said full application.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said stub application further displays a placeholder screen for said full application.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said full application is installed in place of said stub application.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein subsequent executions of a stub application'"'"'s execution point executes said full application.

10. A method of updating data on a wireless mobile device, the method comprising:

requesting available updates;

receiving an update catalog for available updates, wherein said updates are selected from the group consisting of discretionary updates and mandatory updates;

receiving any mandatory updates;

installing any of said mandatory updates; and

depicting any relevant discretionary updates in a selectable manner.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising selecting a desired discretionary update from said depicted relevant discretionary updates;

and

obtaining said discretionary update.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising selecting a desired discretionary update from said depicted relevant discretionary updates;

and

obtaining said discretionary update.

13. A method of updating a nonfunctional stub application to a full application on a wireless mobile device, the method comprising:

executing the stub application;

the stub application automatically querying a remote source for a full application;

receiving said current application from said remote source;

automatically installing said full application; and

automatically executing said full application.

14. A wireless computing apparatus having:

a processor; and

a memory comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed are operative to;

receive a message;

determine that the message is a ping message for the apparatus;

obtain further instructions, said instructions being directed to an action for a service selected from the group consisting of update services, backup services and mobile services; and

perform said action on the wireless computing apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said action updates the wireless computing apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said action performs a mobile service.

17. The apparatus claim 14, wherein said action erases a portion of a memory of the wireless computing apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said action backs up a portion of a memory of the wireless computing apparatus.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said action is performed automatically upon receipt of said instructions.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said action is performed without notifying a user of the wireless computing apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said message is a security notice.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said security notice triggers a backup of user data on the wireless computing apparatus.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said security notice triggers an erasure of data on the wireless computing apparatus.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said security notice triggers a mobile service that locks the wireless computing apparatus.

25. A method of remotely instructing a wireless mobile device to perform a service, comprising:

receiving a message;

determining that the message is a ping message for the wireless mobile device;

obtaining instructions, said instructions being directed to an action for a service selected from the group consisting of update services, backup services and mobile services; and

performing said action on the wireless mobile device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said action updates the wireless device.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said action performs a mobile service.

28. The method claim 25, wherein said action erases a portion of a memory of the wireless mobile device.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein said action backs up a portion of a memory of the wireless mobile device.