Developing applications online

• US 20070078942A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jacob Christfort, Jeremy Chone
• Original Assignee: Jacob Christfort, Jeremy Chone
• Inventors: Christfort, Jacob, Chone, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 7,784,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a network based operating system for mobile clients is disclosed. Services may be developed that can be used to support different client devices with different capabilities. The services provide output with multiple variations based on different devices, and an intermediary selects the variation best suited for the requesting device. An online software development system is provided to allow services to create, edit, test, and deploy applications at an intermediary using only a browser at the client end. Services may also be provided that can be accessed and referred to by other services, thereby facilitating the combining of different services. Services may also store and access data at an intermediary using variables and a mapping of the stored data to the variables. Data stored at the intermediary may be used to allow an end user to return to a previously accessed service.

Claims

1. A method comprising performing a machine-executed operation involving instructions, wherein the machine-executed operation is at least one of:

A) sending said instructions over transmission media;

B) receiving said instructions over transmission media;

C) storing said instructions onto a machine-readable storage medium; and

D) executing the instructions;

wherein said instructions are instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the performance of;

in response to receiving a request from a client, transmitting over a network, to said client, interface data that causes a browser executing on the client to display an interface that includes a control;

receiving, at a server remote to said client, said application code, wherein said application code is transmitted to said server in response to said client receiving first user input through said control; and

storing said application code at said server, wherein said application code can be executed from said server in response to said server receiving second user input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

retrieving existing application code from said server in response to said server receiving a second request from said client;

transmitting, to said client, second interface data that identifies a second interface that includes a field that displays said existing application code;

receiving, from said client at said server, modified existing application code that is submitted in response to said client receiving third user input; and

storing said modified existing application code at said server, wherein said modified existing application code can be executed from said server in response to said server receiving fourth user input.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

retrieving existing application code from said server in response to said server receiving a second request from said client through said control;

transmitting, to said client, second interface data that identifies a second interface that includes a field that displays said existing application code; and

deleting, at said server, said existing application code in response to said server receiving third user input through said interface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said server is associated with a hosting service provider, and wherein said interface data is transmitted by said hosting service provider.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said server is associated with a service for providing information, functions, or capabilities to said client, wherein said interface data is transmitted by a hosting service provider, and wherein said request is received by said hosting service provider.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said control is a field, and wherein said field receives said application code by a user typing said application code into said field.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said application code is specified by said first user by said first user typing said application code in an edit field of said first interface.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of causing the first browser to display a first interface comprises providing a first electronic document that generates the first interface.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said control is an edit field.

7. A method comprising performing a machine-executed operation involving instructions, wherein the machine-executed operation is at least one of:

A) sending said instructions over transmission media;

B) receiving said instructions over transmission media;

C) storing said instructions onto a machine-readable storage medium; and

D) executing the instructions;

wherein said instructions are instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the performance of;

receiving a first request from a first user using a first browser running on a first client;

in response to said first request, causing the first browser to display a first interface, wherein said first interface includes a first control for said first user to specify application code;

receiving said application code specified by said first user interacting with said control, wherein said application code is submitted by said first interface in response to user interaction with said first interface;

storing said application code at a server that is remote from said first client, wherein said application code can be executed from said server in response to a first service request from a first end user.