Methods and systems for upgrade and synchronization of securely installed applications on a computing device

• US 8,849,717 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2010
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Cooper, Simon, Atley, Dallas De
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEUNG, CALVIN K
• Application Number:
  US12/757,009
• Publication Number:
  US 20110010699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,636 Days
• Field of Search: 705 51- 59, 726 28- 33
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/12 Protecting executable software
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2145 Inheriting rights or properties, e.g., propagation of permissions or restrictions within a hierarchy
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/71 Version control security arrangements therefor G06F21/57; Configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for upgrades and synchronization of applications installed on a device, such as a mobile device. In one embodiment, a device may include applications purchased and downloaded via a content management system. The device maintains a list or database of applications that are authorized for each device. This list is also replicated in a remote cache that is maintained by an archive host. The device may then synchronize and upgrade these applications across multiple platforms, such as one or more computers that can be coupled to the device or the archive host. The archive host allows for files of the application be provided back to the device. Upon installation, the device can then confirm the authorization and identity of the newly installed application.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at a first device;

installing a first version of an application using first installation information,

causing authentication information pertaining to the first version of the application to be sent to a host for archiving,

receiving second installation information for a second version of the application from the host in response to a need to restore or upgrade the first version of the application,

installing, the second version of the application to cause the second version of the application to replace the first version of the application, and

receiving the archived authentication information from the host to make the second version of the application operable; and

at a second device on which the first version of the application is also installed;

receiving the second installation information, wherein the first device and the second device are associated with a same entity,

installing the second version of the application to cause the second version of the application to replace the first version of the application, and

receiving the archived authentication information from the host to make the second version of the application operable.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a network is interposed between the first device, the second device, and the host.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the host is a component of an on-line media store.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first installation information and the second installation information includes program code of the application.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication information includes program code of the application.

6. A non-transitory machine readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by:

a first processor included in a first device, cause the first device to carry out steps that include;

installing a first version of an application using first installation information,

causing authentication information pertaining to the first version of the application to be sent to a host for archiving,

receiving second installation information for a second version of the application from the host in response to a need to restore or upgrade the first version of the application,

installing the second version of the application to cause the second version of the application to replace the first version of the application, and

receiving the archived authentication information from the host to make the second version of the application operable; and

a second processor included in a second device on which the first version of the application is also installed, cause the second device to carry out steps that include;

receiving the second installation information, wherein the first device and the second device are associated with a same entity,

installing the second version of the application to cause the second version of the application to replace the first version of the application, and

receiving the archived authentication information from the host to make the second version of the application operable.

7. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 6, wherein a network is interposed between the first device, the second device, and the host.

8. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 6, wherein the host is a component of an on-line media store.

9. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 6, wherein each of the first installation information and the second installation information includes program code of the application.

10. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 6, wherein the authentication information includes program code of the application.

11. A system, comprising:

a first device, wherein the first device is configured to;

install a first version of an application using first installation information,

cause authentication information pertaining to the first version of the application to be sent to a host for archiving;

receive second installation information for a second version of the application from the host in response to a need to restore or upgrade the first version of the application,

install the second version of the application to cause the second version of the application to replace the first version of the application, and

receive the archived authentication information from the host to make the second version of the application operable; and

a second device on which the first version of the application is also installed, wherein the second device is configured to;

receive the second installation information, wherein the first device and the second device are associated with a same entity,

install the second version of the application to cause the second version of the application to replace the first version of the application, and

receive the archived authentication information from the host to make the second version of the application operable.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein a network is interposed between the first device, the second device, and the host.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the host is a component of an on-line media store.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the first installation information and the second installation information includes program code of the application.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the authentication information includes program code of the application.