Downloading data to a mobile device

• US 9,378,004 B1
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SITO Mobile R&D IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: SITO Mobile R&D IP, LLC
• Inventors: Macaluso, Anthony G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deng, Anna
• Application Number:
  US13/710,159
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 717/178
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/63 Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/085 involving remote charge determination or related payment systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• 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: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatus, including computer systems and program products, for downloading data to a mobile device. A method includes receiving, via a user interface, at a computer system independent of the mobile device, information identifying the mobile device to receive the application; receiving, at the computer system, information identifying the application to be installed on the mobile device; wirelessly transmitting, from the computer system to the mobile device, information related to the application; and in response to receiving the information related to the application, the mobile device installing the application on the mobile device independent of user input on the mobile device. The mobile device may be a mobile phone. The method may further include transmitting a download-assistance tool to the mobile device, where the download-assistance tool can receive the information related to the application to be installed and assist the mobile device in installing the application.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a computer system independent of a first mobile device and a second mobile device, the computer system comprising a combination of hardware and software to;

receive from the first mobile device an identifier corresponding to at least one of a phone number or an account number associated with the first mobile device;

receive a search criteria associated with the first mobile device;

search application data based on the search criteria to identify a plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device for downloading to the first mobile device;

transmit, to the first mobile device, a pointer to at least one of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device, wherein the pointer, when operated on by a user of the first mobile device causes the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device to be downloaded to the first mobile device;

store an inventory of which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device have been downloaded to the first mobile device;

receive, from the second mobile device, the identifier;

determine, in accordance with the inventory of which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device have been downloaded to the first mobile device, which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device that have been downloaded to the first mobile device are also compatible with the second mobile device;

after receiving the identifier from the second mobile device, transmit, to the second mobile device, one or more of the plurality of mobile applications that are determined to be compatible with the second mobile device; and

if the computer system determines that a mobile application downloaded to the first mobile device is not compatible with the second mobile device, the computer system transmits to the second mobile device a version of the incompatible mobile application that is compatible with the second mobile device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a search tool at the first mobile device to transmit the search criteria to the computer system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the search criteria comprises a title associated with the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer system notifies the first mobile device that the least one of the plurality of mobile applications is available for download.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer system works in conjunction with a download-assistance tool at the first mobile device to assist with the downloading, to the first mobile device, of the least one of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device and with a download-assistance tool at the second mobile device to assist with downloading, to the second mobile device, of the one or more of the plurality of mobile applications that are determined to be compatible with the second mobile device.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database comprising computer data.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database comprising an inventory of which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the second mobile device have been downloaded to the second mobile device.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a download assistance tool for use at the first mobile device to:

receive the pointer to the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications to be downloaded to the first mobile device; and

assist the first mobile device in downloading the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications to the first mobile device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the download assistance tool assists in downloading the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications to the first mobile device by directing the first mobile device to an electronic location for downloading the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications based on the pointer.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the download assistance tool is pre-loaded on the first mobile device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the download assistance tool comprises a mobile shopping application executable on the first mobile device.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a download assistance tool for use at the second mobile device to:

query the computer system using the identifier; and

assist the second mobile device in downloading the one or more of the plurality of mobile applications that are determined to be compatible with the second mobile device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer system communicates with the first and second mobile devices over a wireless network.

14. A computer program product, tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising instructions to be executed by at least one computer system to:

receive from a first mobile device an identifier corresponding to at least one of a phone number or an account number associated with the first mobile device;

receive a search criteria associated with the first mobile device;

search application data based on the search criteria to identify a plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device for downloading;

transmit, to the first mobile device, a pointer to at least one of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device, wherein the pointer, when operated on by a user of the first mobile device causes the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device to be downloaded to the first mobile device;

store an inventory of which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device have been downloaded to the first mobile device;

receive, from the second mobile device, the identifier;

determine, in accordance with the inventory of which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device have been downloaded to the first mobile device, which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device that have been downloaded to the first mobile device are also compatible with the second mobile device;

after receiving the identifier from the second mobile device, transmit, to the second mobile device, one or more of the plurality of mobile applications that are determined to be compatible with the second mobile device; and

if the computer system determines that a mobile application downloaded to the first mobile device is not compatible with the second mobile device, transmit to the second mobile device a version of the incompatible mobile application that is compatible with the second mobile device.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising a search tool at the first mobile device to transmit the search criteria to the computer system.

16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the search criteria comprises a title associated with the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications.

17. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising instructions to notify the first mobile device that the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications is available for download.

18. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising instructions to work in conjunction with a download-assistance tool at the first mobile device to assist with the downloading, to the first mobile device, of the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device and with a download assistance tool at the second mobile device to assist with downloading, to the second mobile device, of the one or more of the plurality of mobile applications that are determined to be compatible with the second mobile device.

19. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising instructions to store in a database computer data representing the inventory.

20. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising instructions to store in a database an inventory of which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the second mobile device have been downloaded to the second mobile device.

21. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising a download assistance tool to:

receive the pointer to the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications to be downloaded to the first mobile device; and

assist the first mobile device in downloading the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications to the first mobile device.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the download assistance tool assists in downloading the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications by directing the first mobile device to an electronic location for downloading the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications based on the pointer.

23. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the download assistance tool is pre-loaded on the first mobile device.

24. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the download assistance tool comprises a mobile shopping application executable on the first mobile device.

25. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising a download assistance tool for use at the second mobile device to:

query the computer system using the identifier; and

assist the second mobile device in downloading the one or more of the plurality of mobile applications that are determined to be compatible with the second mobile device.

26. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer system communicates with the first and second mobile devices over a wireless network.

27. A method comprising:

receiving, by a computer system independent of a first mobile device and a second mobile device, from the first mobile device an identifier corresponding to at least one of a phone number or an account number associated with the first mobile device, the computer system comprising a combination of hardware and software;

receiving, by the computer system, a search criteria associated with the first mobile device;

searching, by the computer system, application data based on the search criteria to identify a plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device for downloading to the first mobile device;

transmitting, by the computer system to the first mobile device, a pointer to at least one of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device, wherein the pointer, when operated on by a user of the first mobile device causes the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device to be downloaded to the first mobile device;

storing, by the computer system, an inventory of which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device have been downloaded to the first mobile device;

receiving, by the computer system from the second mobile device, the identifier;

determining, by the computer system in accordance with the inventory of which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device have been downloaded to the first mobile device, which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device that have been downloaded to the first mobile device are also compatible with the second mobile device;

after receiving the identifier from the second mobile device, transmitting, by the computer system to the second mobile device, one or more of the plurality of mobile applications that are determined to be compatible with the second mobile device; and

if the computer system determines that a mobile application downloaded to the first mobile device is not compatible with the second mobile device, transmitting, by the computer system to the second mobile device, a version of the incompatible mobile application that is compatible with the second mobile device.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising transmitting the search criteria from a search tool at the first mobile device to the computer system.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the search criteria comprises a title associated with the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising notifying the first mobile device that the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications is available for download.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising working by the computer system in conjunction with a download-assistance tool at the first mobile device to assist with the downloading, to the first mobile device, of the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device and with a download-assistance tool at the second mobile device to assist with downloading, to the second mobile device, of the one or more of the plurality of mobile applications that are determined to be compatible with the second mobile device.

32. The method of claim 27, further comprising indicating in a database computer data representing the inventory.

33. The method of claim 27, further comprising including in a database an inventory of which of the plurality of mobile applications compatible with the second mobile device have been downloaded to the second mobile device.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

receiving the pointer to the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications to be downloaded to the first mobile device at a download assistance tool at the first mobile device; and

assisting, by the download assistance tool at the first mobile device, the first mobile device in downloading the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications to the first mobile device.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein assisting the first mobile device in downloading the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications comprises directing the first mobile device to an electronic location for downloading the at least one of the plurality of mobile applications based on the pointer.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein the computer system communicates with the first and the second mobile devices over a wireless network.

37. A method comprising:

receiving, from a first mobile device by a computer system independent of the first mobile device and a second mobile device, an identifier corresponding to at least one of a phone number or an account number associated with the first mobile device, the computer system comprising a combination of hardware and software;

receiving, from the first mobile device by the computer system, information associated with a request by the first mobile device for mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device to be downloaded to the first mobile device;

transmitting, by the computer system to the first mobile device, a pointer, wherein the pointer, when operated on by a user of the first mobile device causes at least one of the mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device to be downloaded to the first mobile device;

storing, by the computer system, an inventory of which of the mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device have been downloaded to the first mobile device;

receiving, by the computer system from the second mobile device, the identifier;

determining, by the computer system in accordance with the inventory of which of the mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device have been downloaded to the first mobile device, which of the mobile applications compatible with the first mobile device that have been downloaded to the first mobile device are also compatible with the second mobile device;

after receiving the identifier from the second mobile device, transmitting, by the computer system to the second mobile device, one or more of the mobile applications that are determined to be compatible with the second mobile device; and

if the computer system determines that a mobile application downloaded to the first mobile device is not compatible with the second mobile device, transmitting, by the computer system to the second mobile device, a version of the incompatible mobile application that is compatible with the second mobile device.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

receiving the pointer at a download assistance tool at the first mobile device; and

assisting, by the download assistance tool, the first mobile device in downloading the one or more mobile applications to the first mobile device.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein assisting the first mobile device in downloading the one or more mobile applications comprises directing the first mobile device to an electronic location for downloading the one or more mobile applications based on the pointer.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the computer system communicates with the first and the second mobile devices over a wireless network.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the download assistance tool comprises a mobile shopping application executable on the first mobile device.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein the information associated with the request by the first mobile device includes information provided by a search query from the first mobile device.