Automatic Application Definition Distribution

• US 20080020737A1
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Neil, Tim, Grenier, Steve, Neil, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,805,133 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files

Abstract

A new master application definition is installed at a server. Responsively, the server determines the identity of a user associated with the server-side application related to the master application definition. The server may then generate an application definition file specific to the application and to the remote wireless device associated with the identified user. The application definition file may contain definitions for: a user interface format; a format for network messages; and a format for storing data. Using these definitions, the wireless device may receive data generated by the server-side application and formatted in accordance with the definitions. The wireless device may then present a user interface for the application. Preferably, the application definition file is an XML file. Advantageously, when changes occur to previously established server-side applications, automatic updating of devices is efficiently accomplished.

Claims

1. A method of configuring a mobile communication device, said method comprising:

receiving a master document associated with a server-side application;

responsive to said receiving, determining a user identification associated with said server-side application;

generating, from elements of said master document, a device-specific document to describe aspects of said server-side application to a further application executing on a mobile communication device associated with said user identification; and

transmitting said device-specific document to said mobile communication device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said determining a user identification comprises querying a database with an indication of said server-side application as a key.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating said device-specific document comprises generating a document in a markup language.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said elements of said master document include:

a format of a user interface for said server-side application at said mobile communication device;

a format of network messages for exchange of data generated by said server-side application; and

a format for storing data related to said server-side application at said mobile communication device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said master document comprises a plurality of formats, each format of said plurality of formats for a user interface for said server-side application at a specific type of mobile communication device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said generating comprises:

determining a type for said mobile communication device associated with said user identification; and

selecting a format among said plurality of formats, where said format is associated with said type.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said master document comprises a format of network messages for exchange of data generated by said server-side application.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said master document comprises a format for storing data related to said server-side application at said mobile communication device.

9. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

memory in communication with said processor, storing software adapting said device to;

receive a master document associated with a server-side application;

determine a user identification associated with said server-side application responsive to said receiving;

generate, from elements of said master document, a device-specific document to describe aspects of said server-side application to a further application executing on a mobile communication device associated with said user identification; and

transmit said device-specific document to said mobile communication device.

10. The computing device of claim 9 wherein said software further adapts said device to determine said user identification by querying a database with an indication of said server-side application as a key.

11. The computing device of claim 9 wherein said software further adapts said device to generate said device-specific document by generating a document in a markup language.

12. The computing device of claim 9 wherein said master document comprises a plurality of formats, each format of said plurality of formats for a user interface for said server-side application at a specific type of mobile communication device.

13. The computing device of claim 12 wherein said software further adapts said device to generate said device-specific document by:

determining a type for said mobile communication device associated with said user identification; and

selecting a format among said plurality of formats, where said format is associated with said type.

14. A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by processor, cause said processor to:

receive a master document associated with a server-side application;

determine a user identification associated with said server-side application responsive to said receiving;

generate, from elements of said master document, a device-specific document to describe aspects of said server-side application to a further application executing on a mobile communication device associated with said user identification; and

transmit said device-specific document to said mobile communication device.