Method for downloading software

• US 7,826,834 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ROKE Manor Research Limited (Chemring Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: ROKE Manor Research Limited (Chemring Group PLC)
• Inventors: Hook, Michael, Tuttlebee, Walter, Cundall, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hashem, Lisa
• Application Number:
  US09/959,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20020160752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,546 Days
• Field of Search: 455418-420, 455/414, 455/408, 455/411, 455/414.3, 455/556.1, 364/514, 709/232, 717/168, 717/173, 717/178
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23617 by inserting additional data into a data carousel, e.g. inserting software modules into a DVB carousel arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4433 Implementing client middleware, e.g. Multimedia Home Platform [MHP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

In a method for downloading software from a mobile network operator to a mobile phone user, the downloaded software can be new network services or user specified applications software or user specified information, written as Java classes capable of running on a Java Virtual Machine. All the Java classes can be continuously broadcast at a relatively modest data rate. In an enhanced mode a list of services available for downloading is broadcast over the network more frequently then the actual services themselves. The user then selects which service he wants, and only that one is downloaded. Payment can be 100 on a subscription or pay-per-use basis. The method could also be adapted to work with one of the new digital broadcasting platforms such as DAB or DVB as a means for delivering the Java classes.

Claims

1. A method for a mobile telecommunications network operator distributing software to a mobile telecommunications device that is an existing subscriber of said network operator, said method including the steps of:

said network operator providing mobile telecommunications service to said mobile telecommunications device via a mobile telecommunications network;

said network operator causing a broadcaster, different from the network operator, to broadcast application, service or information software;

said mobile telecommunications device receiving and downloading said software;

a user of said mobile telecommunications device contacting said network operator via the mobile telecommunications service provided by said network operator; and

said network operator enabling said software via said mobile telecommunications service, such that said software is available for use by a user of said mobile telecommunications device.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of broadcasting said software is implemented in digital form.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of broadcasting includes continuously broadcasting said software.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said step of broadcasting also includes broadcasting a list of software available more frequently than the software is broadcast.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of broadcasting includes broadcasting certain high demand software more often in a broadcast cycle than other software for which there is lesser demand.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of contacting a network operator responsible for said broadcast is via an existing point to point connection.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said step of causing said network operator to enable said software includes a further step of billing said user for said software via said existing point to point connection.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said step of contacting a network operator responsible for said broadcast is via an existing Global System Mobile connection.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said software is developed using a platform independent object code.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said platform independent object code is Java™

.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said software comprises a program for performing an application or service.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said broadcaster broadcasts said program independently of any request from said mobile telecommunications device.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said mobile telecommunications device receives said program from said broadcaster, without participation of said network operator in said broadcast.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein said enabling of said program comprises said network operator sending a signal which activates said program, whereby it becomes capable of performing said application or service.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said broadcast of said software is performed continuously via a digital broadcasting platform or digital video broadcasting, directly from said broadcaster to said mobile telecommunications device.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein said enabling of said software is performed by a communication from said network operator to said telecommunications device via a communication channel different from a communication channel by which said telecommunication device receives said broadcast software from said broadcaster.