Method and Device for Restricted Execution of Applications on a Mobile Terminal

• US 20070248036A1
• Filed: 04/15/2004
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Nevalainen, Mikko
• Application Number:
  US10/599,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20070248036A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/535 for monitoring, e.g. of user parameters, terminal parameters, application parameters, network parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5533 using program state or machine event data, e.g. server keeps track of the state of multiple players on in a multiple player game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5586 for enforcing rights or rules, e.g. to prevent foul play
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/57 details of game services offered to the player
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2109 Game systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 : by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 : for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 : according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 : to restrict the functionality of the device

Abstract

During standard operation (40) of a mobile device, the system detects user input to start a game application (42). The system ten initiates a message transmission indicating the execution of the game (44). If the mobile device is within predetermined geographical limits,the system authorizes execution of the game. (48)

Claims

1. Method for the surveyed executing of an application on a mobile terminal device, comprising:

detecting a user input directed to start the execution of an application on said mobile terminal device,

initiating a message to a surveillance center, wherein said message indicates the execution of an application, and

starting a restricted execution of said application, within predetermined limits, after said message has been initiated.

2. Method according to claim 1 further comprising

sending said message to said surveillance center, and

starting said restricted execution of said application, within predetermined limits, after said message has been sent.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein said application is a game application.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein said message indicates the start of an execution of an application.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein said limit comprises a time limit.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein said limit comprises a limit of said application.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein said initiating of a message to said surveillance center comprises

setting up a connection to a surveillance center,

sending a message to a surveillance center, said message comprising application execution related data, and

receiving an authorization to execute said application within said limits defined by said surveillance center.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein said application execution related data comprise

data selected from the group comprising:

application identification, mobile electronic terminal identification, user identification, player identification, communication parameter, and pin-code.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein said application starts the sending of a message to said surveillance center.

10. Method according to claim 7, further comprising:

outputting a user-authorization request to send a message to a surveillance center, and

detecting a user-authorization input authorizing said connection set up.

11. Method according to claim 1, further comprising:

outputting a user-authorization request to perform a payment transaction,

detecting a user-authorization input for authorizing said payment transaction, and

performing said authorized payment transaction.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein said authorized payment transaction is performed by charging an onboard payment device.

13. Method according to claim 11, wherein said authorized payment transaction is performed by sending said authorization for said payment transaction to said surveillance center.

14. Method according to claim 11, wherein said payment transaction is charged to the next telephone bill.

15. Method according to claim 1, wherein said message is sent periodically.

16. Method according to claim 1, wherein said application determines the number of messages to be sent and the point in time a message is sent.

17. Method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining that a message has not been sent.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein said message is determined as not being sent, if a confirmation message that said message has been sent is not received within a defined period.

19. Method according to claim 17, further comprising:

buffering of said messages not sent.

20. Method according to claim 17, further comprising:

determining conditions that prevent the sending of said message, and

starting/continuing a restricted execution of said application, within defined limits, if said message has not been sent and conditions that prevent the sending of said message are present.

21. Method according to claim 17, further comprising:

starting/continuing a further restricted execution of said application, within further restricted defined limits, if said message has not been sent.

22. Method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a confirmation message that said message has been sent.

23. Method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining that a message has not been sent, and

interrupting the execution of said application, if said message has not been sent.

24. Method according to claim 1, wherein said message is sent via general packet radio service.

25. Method according to claim 1, further comprising downloading application software to said mobile terminal device.

26. Method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining the actual date,

comparing said actual date with time rule provided in said application, and

interrupting the execution of said application, if said actual date does not meet said time rule.

29. Method for enabling the surveyed execution of an application on said mobile terminal device, by using a data exchange with a surveillance center, comprising the steps of claim 1.

30. Software tool comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for carrying out the method of claim 1 when said software tool is run on a computer or network device.

31. Computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for carrying out the method of claim 1 when said program product is run on a computer or network device.

27. Method for generating messages destined for mobile terminal devices for enabling the surveyed execution of an application on said mobile terminal device, comprising:

receiving a message from a mobile terminal device at a surveillance center, said message comprising application execution related data,

generating an authorization to a restricted execution of said application within predetermined limits on said mobile terminal device, and

sending said authorization to said mobile terminal device.

28. Method according to claim 27, further comprising:

evaluating said message received from said mobile terminal device at a surveillance center,

storing a result of said evaluation and an identification related to the use of said application in said data base, and

generating said authorization to a restricted execution of said application in accordance with said result of said evaluation.

40. Method for enabling the surveyed execution of an application on said mobile terminal device, by using a data exchange with a surveillance center, comprising the steps of claim 27.

41. Software tool comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for carrying out the method of claim 27 when said software tool is run on a computer or network device.

42. Computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for carrying out the method of claim 27 when said program product is run on a computer or network device.

32. Mobile terminal device for the surveyed executing of an application, comprising:

a processing unit, capable of executing an application,

a user interface connected to said processing unit, for receiving user input

an authorization circuit connected to said processing unit for detecting, notifying and restricting the execution of said application, and

a radio interface to a communication network for notifying the execution of said application to a surveillance center connected to said communication network,

wherein said authorization circuit is configured to notify the execution of said application to a surveillance center, and is further configured to restrict the execution of said application in accordance with predetermined limits.

33. Mobile terminal device according to claim 32, wherein said radio interface is further configured to receive authorizations from said surveillance center, comprising said limits for executing said application, and wherein said authorization circuit is configured to restrict the execution of said application on said processing unit in accordance with said limits.

34. Mobile terminal device according to claim 32, wherein said mobile terminal device is a game terminal device.

35. Mobile terminal device according to claim 32, wherein said mobile terminal device comprises a cellular telephone.

36. Mobile terminal device according to claim 32 further comprising a buffer for messages, said buffer being connected to said authorization circuit.

37. Surveillance center for generating messages for mobile terminal devices for enabling the surveyed execution of an application on said mobile terminal device, comprising:

an interface to a mobile communication network for receiving messages comprising application execution related data from a mobile terminal device, and

an authorization generation circuit connected to said interface for generating an authorization for a restricted execution of said application within predetermined limits on said mobile terminal,

wherein said interface is configured to send said generated authorization as a message via said communication network to said mobile terminal device.

38. Surveillance center according to claim 37, further comprising:

an evaluation circuit, connected to said authorization generation circuit, to evaluate messages received from said mobile terminal device, via said interface, and

a database connected to said evaluation circuit, for storing a result of said evaluation and an identification related to the use of said application in said evaluation circuit,

wherein said authorization generation circuit is configured to generate said authorization to a restricted execution of said application in accordance with a result received from said evaluation circuit.

39. Application execution system comprising:

a mobile terminal device comprising;

a processing unit capable of executing an application,

a user interface connected to said processing unit for receiving user input,

an authorization circuit connected to said processing unit for detecting, notifying and restricting the execution of said application, and

a radio interface to a communication network for notifying the execution of said application to a surveillance center connected to a communication network,

wherein said authorization circuit is configured to notify the execution of said application to a surveillance center, and is further configured to restrict the execution of said application in accordance with predetermined limits, and

a surveillance center comprising;

an interface to a mobile communication network for receiving messages comprising application execution related data from a mobile terminal device, and

an authorization generation circuit connected to said interface for generating an authorization for a restricted execution of said application within predetermined limits on said mobile terminal,

wherein said interface is configured to send said generated authorization as a message via said communication network to said mobile terminal device.