Software, devices and methods facilitating execution of server-side applications at mobile devices

• US 7,941,450 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2008
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Nextair Corporation
• Inventors: Neil, Tim, Hulaj, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DEBBIE M
• Application Number:
  US12/347,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20090177663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 707/793, 707/758, 455/566
• US Class Current: 707/793
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure

Abstract

Software, devices and methods allowing varied mobile devices to interact with server side software applications are disclosed. Data from an application executing at a computing device is presented at a remote wireless device by providing the device an application definition file, containing definitions for a user interface format for the application at the wireless device; the format of network messages for exchange of data generated by the application; and a format for storing data related to the application at the wireless device. Using these definitions, the wireless device may receive data from the application in accordance with the definition and present an interface for the application. Preferably, the application definition file is an XML file. Similarly, application specific network messages provided to the device are also formed using XML. Data from the application may be presented at the mobile device by virtual machine software that uses the application definition file.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of wireless mobile devices, each of a distinct device type;

a server in communication with said plurality of wireless mobile devices, said server comprising a processor in communication with memory, said memory storing;

a master definition comprising;

for each said distinct device type, a definition, in a markup language, of a user interface format for an application, said user interface format being specific to said distinct device type;

a definition, in said markup language, of a format of network messages for exchange of data generated by said application, said format of said network messages being the same for each said distinct device type; and

a definition, in said markup language, of a format for storing data related to said application at said wireless mobile device, said format for storing data being the same for each said distinct device type; and

software that, upon execution by said processor, causes said server to;

determine a device type of one wireless mobile device of said plurality;

select the definition of the user interface format that is specific to the determined device type;

add said selected definition of said user interface format to said definition of said format of network messages and said definition of said format for storing data, said adding resulting in an application definition file; and

send said application definition file to said one wireless mobile device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each one of said definition of said user interface format, said definition of said format of network messages, and said definition of said format for storing data is delineated from the other ones of said definitions within said master definition by a distinct markup language element.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein each one of said definition of said user interface format, said definition of said format of network messages, and said definition of said format for storing data is delineated from the other ones of said definitions within in said application definition file by a distinct markup language element.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising an application server in communication with said server for executing said application.

5. A server for use in communicating with a plurality of wireless mobile devices, each of said wireless mobile devices being of a distinct device type, said server comprising:

a processor in communication with a network interface and storage memory, said memory storing;

a master definition comprising;

for each said distinct device type, a definition, in a markup language, of a user interface format for an application, said user interface format being specific to said distinct device type;

a definition, in said markup language, of a format of network messages for exchange of data generated by said application, said format of said network messages being the same for each said distinct device type; and

a definition, in said markup language, of a format for storing data related to said application, said format for storing data being the same each said distinct device type; and

software that, upon execution by said processor, causes said server to;

determine a device type of one wireless mobile device of said plurality;

select the definition of the user interface format that is specific to the determined device type;

add said selected definition of said user interface format to said definition of said format of network messages and said definition of said format for storing data, said adding resulting in an application definition file in said markup language; and

send said application definition file to said one wireless mobile device.

6. The server of claim 5 wherein each one of said definition of said user interface format, said definition of said format of network messages, and said definition of said format for storing data is delineated from the other ones of said definitions within said master definition by a distinct markup language element.

7. The server of claim 5 wherein each one of said definition of said user interface format, said definition of said format of network messages, and said definition of said format for storing data is delineated from the other ones of said definitions within in said application definition file by a distinct markup language element.

8. A system comprising:

a first wireless mobile device of a first device type;

a second wireless mobile device of a second device type;

a server in wireless communication with said first and second wireless mobile devices, said server comprising a processor in communication with memory, said memory storing;

definitions, in a markup language, of each of;

a first user interface format for an application, said first user interface format being specific to said first device type;

a second user interface format for said application, said second user interface format being specific to said second device type;

a format of network messages for exchange of data generated by said application, said format of said network messages being the same for said first and second device types; and

a format for storing data related to said application at said wireless mobile device, said format for storing data being the same for said first and second device types; and

software that, upon execution by said processor, causes said server to;

add said definition of said first user interface format to said definition of said format of network messages and said definition of said format for storing data, said adding resulting in a first application definition file;

send said first application definition file to said first wireless mobile device;

further add said definition of said second user interface format to said definition of said format of network messages and said definition of said format for storing data, said further adding resulting in a second application definition file; and

send said second application definition file to said second wireless mobile device.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein each one of said definition of said first user interface format, said definition of said second user interface format, said definition of said format of network messages, and said definition of said format for storing data is contained in a common master definition file and is delineated from the other ones of said definitions within said file by a distinct markup language element.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising an application server in communication with said server for executing said application.