USRE46355E1

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Info

Publication number: USRE46355E1
Application number: US14/106,534
Authority: US
Inventors: Sanjiv Maurya; Chih-Yu Chow; Tony Robinson
Original assignee: Good Technology Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Malikie Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2006-02-27
Filing date: 2013-12-13
Publication date: 2017-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-27
Also published as: US20100173622A1; US8078157B2; US7620392B1

Abstract

A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving an update package from a wireless service provider that includes information indicating that multiple language versions of an update are included in the update package. Based on the information, the method further specifies an update associated with a language from the update package, and transmits the update associated with the language to a wireless device.

Description

The present patent applicationThis application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,157. U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,157 is a Continuation application claiming priority fromcontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/363,582, filed Feb. 27, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,620,392.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of wireless networks. More particularly, the invention relates to distributing and updating software in wireless devices.

BACKGROUND

A variety of wireless data processing devices have been introduced over the past several years. These include wireless personal digital assistants (“PDAs”) such as the Palm® VIIx handheld, cellular phones equipped with data processing capabilities (e.g., those which include wireless application protocol (“WAP”) support), and, more recently, wireless messaging devices such as the Blackberry™ wireless pager developed by Research In Motion (“RIM”).™

Currently, in order to distribute software to wireless devices, the devices are cradled and/or connected to a computer system for software to be installed to a wireless device. Additionally, some software to be installed on the device may be language specific, or device specific. In this case software running on a computer system controls what version of the software is to be installed on the wireless device, or users may choose from a set of options provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained from the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a network;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a flow diagram for a wireless device downloading updates and/or applications from a web-based software server;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an update package;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a wireless device receiving an update from an update package;

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of restricting where a device is located when it downloads updates; and

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment a method for updating a wireless device is disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the underlying principles of the present invention.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a network architecture. A “customer site”120 is illustrated inFIG. 1 and may be any local-area or wide-area network over which a plurality ofservers103 andclients110 communicate. For example, customer site120 may include all servers and clients maintained by a single corporation.

Servers

103 may provide a variety of different messaging andgroupware services102 to network users (e.g., e-mail, instant messaging, calendaring, etc). In one embodiment, these services are provided by Microsoft Exchange.™ However, the underlying principles of the invention are not limited to any particular messaging/groupware platform.

In one embodiment, aninterface100 forwards data objects (e.g., e-mail messages, instant messages, calendar data, etc.) maintained byservice102 to a plurality of wireless data processing devices (represented inFIG. 1 by device130) via anexternal data network170 and/or a wirelessservice provider network171. For example, if theservice102 includes an e-mail database, theinterface100 transmits any new e-mails, which arrive in a user's mailbox on theservice102 to the user's wireless data processing device130 (over the network(s)170 and/or171).

Alternatively, or in addition,service102 may provide the e-mail to the user's local computer (e.g., client110) upon request (e.g., so that the user will receive the e-mail on his/herdevice130 when out of the office and on his/herpersonal computer110 when in the office). Conversely, e-mail messages transmitted from the user's wirelessdata processing device130 are transmitted to theservice102 via theinterface100.

In one embodiment,interface100 is a software module adapted to work with theparticular service102. It should be noted, however, thatinterface100 may be implemented in hardware or any combination of hardware and software while still complying with the underlying principles of the invention.

In one embodiment, theexternal data network170 includes a plurality of databases, servers/clients (not shown) and other networking hardware (e.g., routers, hubs, etc) for transmitting data between theinterface100 and thedevices130. In one embodiment, theinterface100 encapsulates data in one or more packets having an address identifying the devices130 (e.g., such as a 24-bit Mobitex Access Number (“MAN #”)).

Theexternal data network170 transmits the packets to a wirelessservice provider network171, which in turn, transmits the packets (or the data contained therein) over wireless communication link173 (e.g. cell tower) to thedevice130. In one embodiment, the wireless service provider network is a CDMA 2000 network. However, various other network types may be employed (e.g., Mobitex, GPRS, PCS, etc.) while still complying with the underlying principles of the invention.

It should be noted that the networkservice provider network171 and the external data network170 (and associated interface100) may be owned/operated by the same organization or, alternatively, the owner/operator of theexternal data network170 may lease wireless services from the wireless service provider network. The underlying principles of the invention are not limited to any particular service arrangement.

In one embodiment, customer site120 includes a management console (MC)150. In a further embodiment, MC150 is a GoodLink™ management console (GMC) developed by Good Technology®. Further wirelessservice provider network171 is connected to a web-basedsoftware server172. In one embodiment, web-basedsoftware server172 is a web-store, which is used to distribute updates and applications to wireless devices (e.g. device130).

According to one embodiment, updates and/or applications fordevice130 are transmitted to web-basedsoftware server172 from wirelessservice provider network171, which are available for download bydevice130. In one embodiment, the application to be downloaded is GoodLink™ client developed by Good Technology®. In another embodiment, notification of the availability of updates and/or applications is transmitted to customer site120. At customer site120, MC150 allows an administrator to assign software policies fordevice130. In one embodiment, the software policies determine which update and/orapplication notifications device130 will receive.

Based on the software policies, customer site120 then transmits a message todevice130 notifyingdevice130 of the updates and/or applications that are available to be downloaded from web-basedsoftware server172.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a flow diagram illustrating the process ofdevice130 downloading updates and/or applications from web-basedsoftware server172. Atprocess block210, customer site120 receives a message indicating that there are updates and/or applications available fordevice130 to download. Atprocess block220, an IT administrator assigns software policies to individual users and/or a group of users (e.g. device130). In one embodiment, a software policy defines a rule, which uniquely identifies the updates and/or applications.

Atprocess block230,device130, based on the software policy, receives notification from customer site120 that updates and/or applications are available for download. Atprocess block240,device130 accesses web-basedsoftware server172 to receive information regarding the updates and/or applications. Atprocess block250, web-basedsoftware server172 transmits a universal resource locator (URL) todevice130 that indicates the location of the updates and/or applications. Atprocess block260,device130 downloads the updates and/or applications from web-basedsoftware server172 via the received URL.

Downloading updates and/or applications from a web-based software server reduces the burden on the bandwidth of a data network by spreading out the time when devices will download an update and/or application is described.

In another embodiment of the present invention a mechanism to distribute multi-language applications and updates in a package format is disclosed.FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of anupdate package300.Update package300 includes a similar software update provided in five different languages (i.e. English, German, French, Italian and Spanish). However, other languages and a different number of languages may be used.

In one embodiment, web-basedsoftware server172 decides, based on information received fromdevice130, which one of the software updates inupdate package300 thatdevice130 will receive. Accordingly, thedevice130 receives the version of the update that corresponds to its specified language.

In one embodiment,update package300 has a compatibility matrix included with it. This compatibility matrix is included in meta-data associated withupdate package300. The compatibility matrix includes information describing the languages supported byupdate package300. An IT administrator may use the information to know the content ofupdate package300.

The following is an example of one embodiment of a compatibility matrix:


	ComparabilityMatrix =
	{
	[locale=EN\|GUID=Guid3_2_1]
	[locale=DE\|GUID=Guid3_2_2]
	[locale=FR\|GUID=Guid3_2_3]
	[locale=IT\|GUID=Guid3_2_4]
	[locale=SP\|GUID=Guid3_2_5]
	}

The locale and GUID tags in the compatibility matrix are to identify rules that are associated with each update inupdate package300. For example, ‘locale=DE’ is a rule that identifies that the update is designated for devices with German as the device language.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of adevice130 receiving an update fromupdate package300. Atprocess block410, customer site120 receives a message indicating thatupdate package300 is available fordevice130. Atprocess block420, customer site120 transmits a notification todevice130 indicating thatupdate package300 is available fordevice130 to download.

Atprocess block430,device130 requests meta-data associated withupdate package300 from web-basedsoftware server172.Device130 transmits device specific information to web-basedsoftware server172,process block440. Atdecision block450, web-basedsoftware server172 checks the device specific information to determine whether the update associated with the device specific information is included in the compatibility matrix.

If the update associated with the device specific information is not included in the compatibility matrix, web-basedsoftware server172 transmits an error todevice130 indicating that the appropriate update fordevice130 is not included inupdate package300,process block460.

If the update associated with the device specific information is included in the compatibility matrix, web-basedsoftware server172 evaluates the rules in the compatibility matrix and transmits information todevice130 specifying todevice130 what file inupdate package300 to download,process block470. Atprocess block480,device130 downloads the specified file inupdate package300 from web-basedsoftware server172.

Receiving an update from an update package allows an IT administrator to globally deploy an update to all users regardless of their locale or language.

In another embodiment, a mechanism to distribute the load placed on a network is described. For Example, a network (e.g. wireless communication link173) may only be able to handle a limited number of connections at the same time. In one embodiment, the maximum number of connections that can be supported simultaneously is thirty. However, other values may be used.

In order to minimize the number of devices downloading an update from a specific cell tower, a download restriction is associated with the updates.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of restricting wheredevice130 is located when it downloads updates. Atprocess block510, an update notification that has a download restriction associated with it is transmitted todevice130 at a first location. In one embodiment, the first location is an office. Atdecision block520, it is determined whether a user has overridden the download restriction. If a user has overridden the download restriction the update is immediately downloaded todevice130,process block530.

If a user has not overridden the download restriction, the download restriction initiates scheduling of a download time for the update based on a random time,process block540. Atprocess block550, the random time is generated based on a criteria. The criteria attempts to ensure thatdevice130 will download the update at a second location (e.g. a house). In one embodiment, the criteria restricts the random time to after 8 pm and before 2 am. However, other time restrictions may be used.

The above-mentioned process effectively alters the location of a device when the download occurs. The benefit is to distribute the load of downloading updates over a range of cell towers.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a computer system600 on whichdevice130 and orserver103 may be implemented. Computer system600 includes asystem bus620 for communicating information, and aprocessor610 coupled tobus620 for processing information. According to one embodiment,processor610 is implemented using one of the multitudes of Motorola ARM family of processors of microprocessors. Nevertheless one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other processors may be used.

Computer system600 further comprises a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device625 (referred to herein as main memory), coupled tobus620 for storing information and instructions to be executed byprocessor610.Main memory625 also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions byprocessor610. Computer system600 also may include a read only memory (ROM) and/or otherstatic storage device626 coupled tobus620 for storing static information and instructions used byprocessor610.

Adata storage device625 such as a magnetic disk or optical disc and its corresponding drive may also be coupled to computer system600 for storing information and instructions. Computer system600 can also be coupled to a second I/O bus650 via an I/O interface630. A plurality of I/O devices may be coupled to I/O bus650, including adisplay device624; an input device (e.g., analphanumeric input device623 and/or a cursor control device622).

Thecommunication device621 is for accessing other computers (servers or clients) vianetwork170. Thecommunication device621 may comprise a modem, a network interface card, or other well-known interface device, such as those used for coupling to Ethernet, token ring, or other types of networks.

Embodiments of the invention may include various steps as set forth above. The steps may be embodied in machine-executable instructions. The instructions can be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor to perform certain steps. Alternatively, these steps may be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwired logic for performing the steps, or by any combination of programmed computer components and custom hardware components.

Elements of the present invention may also be provided as a machine-readable medium for storing the machine-executable instructions. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, propagation media or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. For example, the present invention may be downloaded as a computer program which may be transferred from a remote computer (e.g., a server) to a requesting computer (e.g., a client) by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or network connection).

Throughout the foregoing description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. For example, while illustrated as aninterface100 to aservice102 executed on a server103 (seeFIG. 1); it will be appreciated that the underlying principles of the invention may be implemented on a single client in which the client transmits data over a network. Accordingly, the scope and spirit of the invention should be judged in terms of the claims that follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of updating a wireless device, comprising:

a wireless device receiving, at a first location, a notification indicating that an update package is available for the wireless device, the update package comprising a plurality of versions of an update;

the wireless device transmitting, in response to receipt of said notification, device-specific information to a server system, the device-specific information comprising compatibility information relating to the wireless device;

the wireless device receiving data specifying a download location of a version of the update from the server system, the version having been selected, based on the compatibility information; and

the wireless device using the received data to access said the selected version of the update; and

the wireless device receiving, based on a download restriction, at a predetermined location different from the first location, the selected version of the update from the server system.

2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: the wireless device requesting meta-data associated with the update.

3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

the server system determining whether the compatibility information is included in a compatibility matrix associated with the update; and

the server system transmitting the data specifying a the download location of a the version of the update in response to determining that the compatibility information is included in the compatibility matrix.

4. A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon data representing sets of machine-readable instructions which, when executed by a wireless device, configure cause the wireless device to perform a method, the method comprising:

receivereceiving, at a first location, a notification indicating that an update package is available for the wireless device, the update package comprising a plurality of versions of an update;

transmittransmitting, in response to receipt of the notification, device-specific information to a server system, the device-specific information comprising compatibility information relating to the wireless device;

receivereceiving data specifying a download location of a version of the update from the server system, the version having been selected, based on the compatibility information; and

useusing the received data to access saidthe selected version of the update; and

receiving, based on a download restriction, at a predetermined location different from the first location, the selected version of the update from the server system.

5. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 4, wherein the sets of instructions, when executed by the wireless device, further cause the wireless device to request the method further comprises: requesting meta-data associated with the update.

6. A The method according toclaim 1, wherein the received data comprises a universal resource locator.

7. A The method according toclaim 1, wherein the plurality of versions relate to a plurality of languages.

8. A method of providing an update to a wireless device, comprising:

sending, to a wireless device at a first location, a notification indicating that an update package is available for the wireless device, the update package comprising a plurality of versions of an update;

receiving, from the wireless device, device-specific information comprising compatibility information relating to the wireless device;

selecting, based on the received compatibility information, a version of the update from the plurality of versions; and

sending data for receipt at the wireless device, the data specifying a download location of the selected version; and

providing, based on a download restriction, the selected version to the wireless device when the wireless device is in a predetermined location, the predetermined location being different than the first location.

9. A The method according toclaim 8, further comprising:

determining whether the compatibility information is included in a compatibility matrix associated with the update; and

transmitting the data specifying a the download location of a the version of the update in response to determining that the compatibility information is included in the compatibility matrix.

10. A The method according toclaim 8, wherein the data specifying a the download location of the selected version comprises a universal resource locator with which the selected version can be downloaded.

11. A The method according toclaim 8, wherein the plurality of versions relates to a plurality of languages.

12. A The method according toclaim 8, further comprising providing updates to a plurality of wireless devices via a network, wherein the method comprises: scheduling the a timing of provision of updates providing the selected version to the wireless devices so that no more than a predefined number of updates are simultaneously provided via the network.

13. A method according toclaim 12, further comprising scheduling the provision of the selected version so that the selected version is provided to the wireless device when the wireless device is in a predetermined location.

14. A server system for providing an update to a wireless device, the server system comprising a processor and one or more a communications interfaces interface for communicating with one or more wireless devices, the server system being configured to:

send, to a wireless device at a first location, via said one or more the communications interfaces, a notification indicating that an update package is available for the wireless device, the update package comprising a plurality of versions of an update;

receive, from the wireless device via said one or more the communications interfaces, device-specific information comprising compatibility information relating to the wireless device;

select, byat the processor, based on the received compatibility information, a version of the update; and

send data, via said one or more the communications interfaces, for receipt at the wireless device, data specifying a download location of the selected version; and

provide, based on a download restriction, the selected version to the wireless device when the wireless device is in a predetermined location, the predetermined location being different than the first location.

15. A The system according toclaim 14, further comprising: a software server system storing the plurality of versions.

16. A The system according toclaim 14, further comprising: a management console for configuring rules associated with the update.

17. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions thereon for execution on a computing system to implement a method of providing an update to a wireless device, the method comprising:

sending, to a wireless device at a first location, a notification indicating that an update package is available for the wireless device, the update package comprising a plurality of versions of the update;

selecting, based on the received compatibility information, a version of the update; and

sending data for receipt at the wireless device, a data specifying a download location of the selected version; and

18. A wireless device configured to, comprising:

a memory comprising computer-executable software;

a communication interface;

a processor in data communication with the memory and the communication interface, the processor being configured to execute the software and cause the wireless device to:

receive, at a first location, a notification indicating that an update package is available for the wireless device, the update package comprising a plurality of versions of an update;

transmit, in response to receiving a said the notification, device-specific information comprising compatibility information relating to the wireless device to a server system;

receive data specifying a download location of a version of the update from the server system, the version having been selected, based on the compatibility information; and

use the received data to access said selected version of the update; and

receive, based on a download restriction, at a predetermined location different from the first location, the selected version of the update from the server system.

19. A method of updating a wireless device, comprising:

the wireless device receiving data specifying a download location of a version of the update from the server system, the version being associated with the compatibility information; and

20. A method of distributing software, comprising, at a server system comprising memory and one or more processors:

receiving a software package for distribution, the software package having rules associated therewith;

identifying a wireless device to which to provide the software package, based on the rules and device-specific information stored in the memory; and

providing the software package via a wireless network to the identified wireless device when the identified wireless device is at a first location; and

restricting provision of the software package to the identified wireless device, so that the software package is provided to the identified wireless device at a predetermined location, the predetermined location being different than the first location.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising, at the server system:

providing the software package to each of a plurality of identified wireless devices via a respective connection; and

configuring two or more of the connections so as to restrict simultaneous provision of the software package.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising, at the server system:

scheduling a time for the provision of the software package to the plurality of identified wireless devices.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising, at the server system: setting a random time to provide the software package to the plurality of identified wireless devices.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the software package comprises an update package.

25. A server system for distributing software, the server system comprising:

memory comprising executable software and device specific information for each of a plurality of wireless devices; and one or more processors configured to execute the executable software and cause the server system to:

receive a software package for distribution, the software package having rules associated therewith;

identify, at the processor, based on the device specific information and the rules, a wireless device to which to provide the software package;

provide the software package, via a wireless network, to the identified wireless device when the identified wireless device is at a first location; and

restrict provision of the software package to the identified wireless device, so that the software package is provided to the identified wireless device at a predetermined location, the predetermined location being different than the first location.

26. The server system of claim 25, further configured to:

provide the software package to each of a plurality of identified wireless devices via a respective connection; and

configure two or more of the connections so as to restrict simultaneous provision of the software package.

27. The server system of claim 26, further configured to: schedule a time for the provision of the software package to the plurality of identified wireless devices.

28. The server system of claim 26, further configured to: set a random time to provide the software package to the plurality of identified wireless devices.

29. The server system of claim 25, wherein the software package comprises an update package.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions thereon for execution on a computing system to implement a method of distributing software, the method comprising:

identifying a wireless device to which to provide the software package, based on the rules and device-specific information stored in a memory of the computing system;

31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the method further comprises:

32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein the method further comprising:

scheduling a time for the provision of the software package to the identified plurality of wireless devices.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein the method further comprises: setting a random time to provide the software package to the plurality of identified wireless devices.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the software package comprises an update package.