Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVISIONING A REMOTE LIBRARY FOR AN
ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Field of the Invention
[0001]The invention relates to providing a resource, such as data,
information, text
or a file, to a communication device. More particularly, the invention relates
to a
system and method for provisioning remote resources through a central server
for
the device.
Background
[0002] Mobile communication devices allow their users to communicate with
others
in more flexible ways and at more flexible times. Devices have output systems
(e.g.
displays and speakers) to generate audio and visual signals to the user.
Visual
information and enunciations generated on displays can notify the user of
certain
events (e.g. receipt of an email). Similarly, audio enunciators generated
through a
speaker can notify the user of other events (e.g. an incoming telephone call).
[0003] A device has limited capabilities to customize such audio / visual
signals.
Many devices have limited libraries of data files, screen images and audio
clips that
can be optionally activated and selectively used by the device. However,
retention of
such files on the device takes up valuable memory storage. Further such local
files
present a static set of files that cannot be expanded or changed.
[0004] It is desirable to provide an improved system and method for providing
such
files to one or more electronic devices.
Summary
[0005] In a first aspect, a method of provisioning a resource to an electronic
device is
provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) maintaining a library of
resources
at a remote server from the device; (b) after a triggering event, providing a
data
transmission to the device, the data transmission containing access
information for
the library that can be extracted by the device and used to access the
library; and (c)
after a selection event initiated on the device for a specific resource from
the library,
providing a second data transmission to the device, the second data
transmission
containing a copy of the specific resource.
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[0006] In the method after step (c), the access information may be
incorporated into
a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with an application operating on
the
device.
[0007] In the method, the application may use the access information to
provide
options for retrieving different resources for different contexts for the
application.
[0008] In the method, after step (c), the device may store the copy of the
specific
resource in its internal memory and associates the specific resource with an
application operating on the device.
[0009] In the method, the specific resource may relate to an audible signal
selectively
generated by the application operating on the device. Alternatively, the
specific
resource may relate to an image to be selectively generated by the
application.
Alternatively still, the specific resource may relate to a theme for
backgrounds
relating to displays generated by the application.
[0010] In the method, a second library of resources may be maintained; the
device
may have access to the second library and to second access information
relating to
the second library; and the GUI operating on the device may display the access
information and the second access information in an order based on a ranking
scheme.
[0011] In the method, third access information differing from the access
information
may be provided where it relates to the library of resources, but is provided
to a
second device.
[0012] In a second aspect, a system for provisioning a resource to an
electronic
device is provided. The system comprises: a library of resources for the
device; a
server providing maintenance for the library; a communication link providing
the
device with access to the library; a data transmission module for extracting
access
information about the library and selectively providing the access information
to the
device in a data transmission through the communication link; and a data
processing
module for receiving the data transmission and updating access information in
the
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device for the resource. In the system, after a triggering event, the data
transmission
module provides the access information to the device; after a selection event
initiated on the device for a specific resource from the library, a second
data
transmission is provided to the device containing a copy of the specific
resource; and
the specific resource is incorporated into a graphical user interface (GUI)
associated
with an application operating on the device.
[0013] In the system, the application may use the access information to
provide
options for retrieving different resources for different contexts for the
application.
[0014] In the system, the device may store the copy of the specific resource
in its
internal memory and may associate the resource with the application operating
on
the device.
[0015] In the system the resource may relate to an audible signal selectively
generated by the application operating on the device.
[0016] In the system, the specific resource may relate to an image to be
selectively
generated by the application operating on the device. Alternatively, the
specific
resource may relate to a theme for backgrounds relating to displays generated
by
the application.
[0017] The system may further comprise a second library of resources, wherein
the
device has access to the second library and is provided with second access
information relating to the second library; and the GUI operating on the
device
displays the access information and the second access information in an order
based on a ranking scheme.
[0018] In the system, third access information may be provided differing from
the
access information, but related to the library of resources, where the third
information
relates to a electronic second device.
[0019] Additional features and aspects of the invention are described in the
following
description of several exemplary embodiments of the invention.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020] In the drawings:
[0021] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a library system including a remote
library server providing access to a library of files to an
electronic device as per an embodiment;
[0022] Fig. 2A is an exemplary screen image produced on a display of the
device of Fig. 1 when an option application operating on the
device is accessing a remote library server of the system;
[0023] Fig. 2B is another exemplary screen image produced on a display of the
device of Fig. 1 when the option application is accessing another
remote library server of the system;
[0024] Fig. 2C is still another exemplary screen image produced on a display
of
the device of Fig. 1 when the option application is accessing yet
another remote library server of the system;
[0025] Fig. 2D is still another exemplary screen image produced on a display
of
the device of Fig. 1 when an email application is accessing yet
another remote library server of the system;
[0026] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of internal components of the device of Fig.
1;
[0027] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the system of Fig. 1;
[0028] Fig. 5A is a flow chart of exemplary processes and executed by the
library server in the system of Fig. 4;
[0029] Fig. 5B is a flow chart of exemplary processes executed by the device
to
monitor for and process access information provided by the
library server in the system of Fig. 4;
[0030] Fig. 5C is a flow chart of exemplary processes executed by the device
to
monitor for and process a resource downloaded from the library
server in the system of Fig. 4; and
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[0031] Fig. 6 is a block diagram of another system that may be used to
provide a library server to the device of Fig. 1 according to an
embodiment.
Detailed Description
[0032] The present invention provides a system and method for providing a
remote
library of resources to an electronic device. Typically, although not
necessarily, the
device is a mobile, wireless communication device. The associated library is
dynamically provided to the device from a remote source, such as a server. As
such, the library may be dynamically maintained, updated and changed at the
remote source, thereby providing the device (and other devices accessing the
library) with common set of data and information for that library.
[0033] First, a description is provided relating to a device that accesses a
library
managed by an embodiment. Referring to Fig. 1, an electronic device for
receiving
electronic communications, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
is
indicated generally at 10. In the present embodiment, electronic device 10 is
based
on a computing platform having functionality of an enhanced personal digital
assistant with celphone, web-browsing and e-mail features. Such
functionalities are
provided through software and firmware modules operating on device 10. It is,
however, to be understood that electronic device 10 can be based, on
construction,
design and functions of other electronic devices, such as smart telephones,
desktop
computers pagers or laptops having telephony equipment. In a present
embodiment, electronic device 10 includes, a housing 12, which frames an LCD
display 14, a speaker 16, an LED indicator 19, a trackwheel 20, an exit key
22,
keypad 24 and a telephone headset comprised of an ear bud 28 and a microphone
30. Trackwheel 20 and exit key 22 can be inwardly depressed along the path of
arrow "A" as a means to provide additional user-input. Keypad 24 is shown as a
matrix of three rows of keys with each row having ten keys. In other
embodiments a
directional key can be provided (not shown), where it is a "rocker"-type key
that has
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a center rest position and can be tilted or moved from its rest position in
one of
several directions (e.g. up, down, left or right, when viewing the front of
device 10) to
activate a programmed function associated with the direction of activation. A
joystick
or a rollerball input device may also be provided instead or in addition to a
directional
key.
[0034] Remote resource 32 is managed and maintained by library server 34.
Resource 32 may be a file, data or a combination of other resources. Resource
management software operating on server 34 allows resource 32 to be updated
and
information, including access information, about resource 32 to be extracted
and
distributed to device 10. The software operating on device 10 provides a GUI
interface allowing the user to preview resources 32 and selectively download
and
store individual resources into device 10. In one embodiment, the GUI is
provided
as a web page viewed through a web browser on device 10. It will be
appreciated
that in other embodiments, other access and display techniques can be used to
show remote resources on device 10. When a resource is to be downloaded,
server
34 extracts a copy of the resource 32 from its database and encapsulates it
into one
or more data packets 38 and provides the packets to a transmission interface
of
communication network 36 for conversion and transmission to one or more
devices
10. The resource management software allows a user at the server to update and
manage the content and associated text and links for resource 32. The software
may also control or signal when a data transmission should be created and
provided
to one or more devices 10. Any trigger may initiate the data transmission,
including
a change in resource 32, a change in the network or detection of any new
devices to
the network. It will be appreciated that the devices may be notified of
changes or
new resources 32 by other communication methods. For example, in another
embodiment, the management software may generate and send an email message
to device 10 containing a notification of the new content and access link for
resource
32. Alternatively, a specific background transmission may be sent to device 10
that
is received and processed by device 10 without any interaction by its user.
The
transmission may include a command to update a text message in a GUI of an
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application to indicate that new content is available. For example, the
command
may produce a special "*" flag in the GUI that indicates the presence of the
new
content. Other commands and messages may be provided. Thereafter, the
software can forward data packets 38 to a transmission interface of
communication
network 36 for conversion and transmission to one or more devices 10. Network
36
may provide a wired connection, a wireless connection or a combination of both
between server 34 and device 10. Each server can be identified via individual
identification tags. Access information for device 10 required to communicate
with
each server can be individually controlled by each server 34.
[0035] The embodiment allows different servers to provide different resources
32 to
device 10. The embodiment provides several library servers 34 including a
registration server, a corporate mobile data service (MDS) server, a public
MDS
server, a generic provisioning server, a wireless application protocol (WAP)
server
and regular Web servers, content servers or application servers. Each server
can
manage different resources and as such different image, tone and theme
resources.
Each server may be positioned at different access points within the
communication
network(s) for device 10 (e.g. behind firewalls, incorporated with local
corporate
servers, incorporated with specific carriers for wireless/wired services,
incorporated
with a generic services for multiple carriers, etc.). As such, different
servers can
provide different levels of security, access and speed of access when
providing
resources to devices 10. Each server may also have different protocols for
providing
their access information to device 10.
[0036] Further detail is provided on device 10. Device 10 has components
therein to
receive such data packets 38 from network 36 and to extract and process data
from
any received data packets 38. The data extracted from data packets 38 is used
by
applications operating on device 10.
[0037] Various applications are provided on device 10, including email,
telephone,
calendar, web browsing and address book applications that may use one or more
of
the remote resources maintained by server 34. As noted earlier, the resources
may
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provide screen images, a set of specific background images and colour palettes
for
screen schemes and audible ring tone. One or more applications can be used to
review, access and download the resources and to incorporate them into the
target
application.
[0038]A graphical user interface (GUI) to activate these applications is
provided on
display 14 through a series of icons 26. Some of the shown icons include
telephone
icon 26A, calendar icon 26C, address book icon 26D, email icon 26E, web
browser
icon 26G and option icon 26F. Such applications can be selected and activated
using the keypad 24 and / or the trackwheel 20 to navigate through icons 26
and
individually highlight same. Cursor 40 provides a visual cue for each icon as
it
indicates what icon 26 is currently being "highlighted" as the icons are being
navigated.
[0039] In the embodiment, one access interface provided for resource 32 on
device
10 is through a specific application. As a particular embodiment, option
application
48F (Fig. 3) provides a GUI for configuring operational parameters of device
10 (e.g.
local time display preferences, font sizes etc.). Option application also
provides
menu options to access resources 32 for additional (external) libraries for
screen
savers, ring tones, themes and other resources. When a particular menu option
for
a library is accessed, a new GUI is generated on device 10 to allow the user
to
navigate through the contents of the library and select and download an entry.
The
GUI for accessing resource 32 is preferably provided via a website that is
remotely
maintained by the server 34 associated with resource 32. Access information to
the
website is provided to device 10 through a universal resource link (URL)
pointing to
the web site. The URL is stored in device 10 and is provided to the web
browser
application on device 10 when the corresponding menu option is activated. As
such,
server 34 provides access to resource 32 to one or more devices 10 and allows
resource 32 to be centrally managed, maintained and distributed.
[0040] Additionally or alternatively, resources can be provided through other
GUIs:
for example, additional background images may be provided through a link in a
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Pictures application (not shown). More generally, the embodiment allows
application-specific provisioning of links to resources for any of the
applications on
the device.
[0041] Further still, the access information for resource 32 may be integrated
with
specific applications operating on device 10. As such, applications can access
resources 32 and their libraries to provide specific, contextual libraries
presented to
the user in the context of those applications. As such, a resource 32, text
relating to
the resource and access information for resource 32 can be integrated with the
GUI
of one or more applications, such that the resource effectively becomes an
extension
to those applications (as opposed to generic, non-application-specific,
downloadable
content), thereby providing the ability to extend the look and feel of those
applications, dynamically, in the field.
[0042] Turning back to some general access mechanisms for a resource 32, when
a
website for a resource 32 is being navigated through a web browser and the
user
identifies and selects a particular resource 32 to be downloaded to device 10,
the
GUI links the particular resource to an access request for the resource. The
browser
then generates an appropriate access request to download the resource. Other
embodiments may provide control handed back to the application for the actual
download the resource. In such a configuration, a command would be generated
by
the application to download the particular resource and the command is sent to
server 34.
[0043] In any event, once the download command is received by server 34,
server
34 prepares a copy of the resource and transmits it to device 10 through
communication network 36. Device 10 receives the transmitted copy of the
resource
and stores it in its local non-volatile memory. Then appropriate links are
updated to
the applications operating on device 10 to use that resource, as required.
[0044] Figs. 2A-2C provide exemplary images from different websites when
different
remote libraries are being accessed. In Fig. 2A, an exemplary screen shot 200
generated on display 14 when a user has selected the menu option to review the
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screen saver library. As shown, the user of device 10 can navigate through a
selection of screen images (shown as thumbnail images 202B, 204B and 206B )
and
selectively download one or more to device 10. Text notes 202A, 204A and 206A
provide additional information about the thumbnail images. In Fig. 2B, an
exemplary
screen shot 208 generated on display 14 when a user has selected the menu
option
to review the ring tone library. Thumbnail images 210B, 212B and 214B are
provided for three different ring tones with accompanying text notes 210A,
212A and
214A. In Fig. 2C, an exemplary screen shot 216 generated on display 14 when a
user has selected the menu option to review the themes library. Thumbnail
images
218B, 220B and 222B are provided for three theme sets (e.g. colour palettes)
with
accompanying text notes 218A, 220A and 222A.
[0045] Fig. 2D provides an exemplary image from one or more websites when
different remote libraries are being accessed during by a specific
application. Using
email application 48E as an example, different tones and background images
from
remote resources 32 may be accessed, then retrieved and locally stored in
device
10. Specific images or ring tone or other resources may be used to reflect a
current
state in the application. For example, when viewing incoming emails, the
background image may be set to be one image and when viewing saved emails, a
different image may be used. Exemplary screen shot 224 generated on display 14
when a user has selected the menu option to review the background image
library
for the email application. As shown, the user of device 10 first selects a
context for a
background image through selection 226. Then the user can select one of
several
screen images (shown as thumbnail images 228B, 230B and 232B ) and selectively
download one or more to device 10. Text notes 228A, 230A and 232A provide
additional information about the thumbnail images. In other embodiments,
several
types of resources may be shown in the web page (e.g. background images,
themes, audio clips), that may be selectively downloaded to provide visual /
audible
cues for different contexts for the application.
[0046] Referring to Fig. 3, details on functional elements of device 10 are
provided.
The functional elements are generally electronic or electro-mechanical
devices. In
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particular, microprocessor 18 is provided to control and receive almost all
data,
transmissions, inputs and outputs related to device 10. Microprocessor 18 is
shown
schematically as coupled to keypad 24, display 14 and other internal devices.
Microprocessor 18 controls the operation of the display 14, as well as the
overall
operation of the device 10, in response to actuation of keys on the keypad 24
by a
user. Exemplary microprocessors for microprocessor 18 include Data 950 (trade-
mark) series microprocessors and the 6200 series microprocessors, all
available
from Intel Corporation.
[0047] In addition to the microprocessor 18, other internal devices of the
device 10
include: a communication subsystem 41; a short-range communication subsystem
43; keypad 24; and display 14; with other input/output devices including a set
of
auxiliary I/O devices through port 45, a serial port 47, a speaker 16 and a
microphone port 32 for microphone 30; as well as memory devices including a
flash
memory 42 (which provides persistent storage of data) and random access memory
(RAM) 44; clock 46 and other device subsystems (not shown). The device 10 is
preferably a two-way radio frequency (RF) communication device having voice
and
data communication capabilities. In addition, device 10 preferably has the
capability
to communicate with other computer systems via the Internet.
[0048] Operating system software executed by microprocessor 18 is preferably
stored in a computer readable medium, such as flash memory 42, but may be
stored
in other types of memory devices, such as read only memory (ROM) or similar
storage element. In addition, system software, specific device applications,
or parts
thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile storage medium, such as RAM
44.
Communication signals received by the mobile device may also be stored to RAM
44.
[0049] Microprocessor 18, in addition to its operating system functions,
enables
execution of software applications on device 10. A set of software
applications 48
that control basic device operations, such as a voice communication module 48A
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and a data communication module 48B, may be installed on the device 10 during
manufacture or downloaded thereafter.
[0050] Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are
performed through the communication subsystem 41 and the short-range
communication subsystem 43. Collectively, subsystem 41 and subsystem 43
provide the signal-level interface for all communication technologies
processed by
device 10. Various other applications 48 provide the operational controls to
further
process and log the communications. Communication subsystem 41 includes
receiver 50, transmitter 52 and one or more antennas, illustrated as receive
antenna
54 and transmit antenna 56. In addition, communication subsystem 41 also
includes
processing module, such as digital signal processor (DSP) 58 and local
oscillators
(LOs) 60. The specific design and implementation of communication subsystem 41
is dependent upon the communication network in which device 10 is intended to
operate. For example, communication subsystem 41 of the device 10 may be
designed to operate with the Mobitex (trade-mark), DataTAC (trade-mark) or
General
Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communication networks and also
designed to operate with any of a variety of voice communication networks,
such as
Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA),
Code Division Multiple Access CDMA, Personal Communication Service (PCS),
Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), etc. Communication subsystem
41 provides device 10 with the capability of communicating with other devices
using
various communication technologies, including instant messaging (IM) systems,
text
messaging (TM) systems and short message service (SMS) systems.
[0051] In addition to processing communication signals, DSP 58 provides
control of
receiver 50 and transmitter 52. For example, gains applied to communication
signals in receiver 50 and transmitter 52 may be adaptively controlled through
automatic gain control algorithms implemented in DSP 58.
[0052] In a data communication mode a received signal, such as a text message
or
web page download, is processed by the communication subsystem 41 and is
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provided as an input to microprocessor 18. The received signal is then further
processed by microprocessor 18 which can then generate an output to the
display
14 or to an auxiliary I/O port 45. A user may also compose data items, such as
e-
mail messages, using keypad 24, a thumbwheel associated with keypad 24, and/or
some other auxiliary I/O device connected to port 45, such as a touchpad, a
rocker
key, a separate thumbwheel or some other input device. The composed data items
may then be transmitted over communication network 68 via communication
subsystem 41.
[0053] In a voice communication mode, overall operation of device 10 is
substantially
similar to the data communication mode, except that received signals are
output to
speaker 16, and signals for transmission are generated by microphone 30.
Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording
subsystem, may also be implemented on device 10.
[0054] Short-range communication subsystem 43 enables communication between
device 10 and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily
be
similar devices. For example, the short-range communication subsystem may
include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a
Bluetooth
(trade-mark) communication module to provide for communication with similarly-
enabled systems and devices. A WiFi connection may also be provided.
[0055] Powering the entire electronics of the mobile handheld communication
device
is power source 62. Preferably, the power source 62 includes one or more
batteries.
More preferably, the power source 62 is a single battery pack, especially a
rechargeable battery pack. A power switch (not shown) provides an "on/off"
switch
for device 10. Upon activation of the power switch an application 48 is
initiated to
turn on device 10. Upon deactivation of the power switch, an application 48 is
initiated to turn off device 10. Power to device 10 may also be controlled by
other
devices and by internal software applications.
[0056] Brief descriptions are provided on exemplary applications 48 stored and
executed in device 10. Each application may use a locally stored resource
(e.g. a
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screen saver image, ring tone, theme palette) to provide an audio / visual
notification
for device 10 indicating some event. For example, a resource may be a default
background image that is selectively generated on display 14 under certain
conditions (e.g. a timeout screen). Additionally, the resource may provide
some
parameters for preferred display or audio themes generated for applications on
device 10. For example, a resource may be a provide colour code information
for
backgrounds, borders and windows generated on display 14. Generically, the
resource provides a parameter that controls how or what is generated as an
output
on device 10. An application may utilize locally stored resources for a
parameter.
However, the locally stored resources can be changed to a different resource
through resource 32. Device 10 has routines in its applications that will
detect when
a resource has been downloaded and will correctly associate the resource with
the
appropriate functions for a related application. These routines may also be
provided
in part by the option application. Further detail is provided on some
applications and
their use of resources to control specific parameters of the applications.
[0057] As noted, voice communication module 48A enables device 10 to receive
and
initiate (wireless) telephone calls. Module 48A can be activated by activation
of
telephone icon 26 on display 14. Module 48A may utilize a locally stored ring
tone to
generate an audio signal whenever an incoming call is received. The locally
stored
ring tone can be changed to a different ring tone provided through resource
32.
Option application 48F may have routines that will detect when a new ring tone
has
been downloaded and will correctly associate the downloaded ring tone with the
appropriate functions of the application.
[0058] Calendar 48C tracks appointments and other status matters relating to
the
user and device 10. Calendar 48C provides a daily/weekly/month electronic
schedule of appointments, meetings and events entered by the user using
processor
18 and internal clock 46. The schedule contains data relating to the current
accessibility of the user. For example it can indicate when the user is busy,
not
busy, available or not available. In use, calendar 48C generates input screens
on
device 10 prompting the user to input scheduled events through keypad 24.
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Alternatively, notification for scheduled events could be received via an
encoded
signal in a received communication, such as an e-mail, SMS message or
voicemail
message. Once the data relating to the event is entered, calendar 48C stores
processes information relating to the event; generates data relating to the
event; and
stores the data in memory in device 10. Customized screens, icons, enunciator
tones and text may be provided for calendar 48C for its audio and visual
notification
routines via resource 32.
[0059] Address book 48D enables device 10 to store contact information for
persons
and organizations. Address book 48D is activated by activation of address book
icon
26 on display 14. In particular, name, address, telephone numbers, e-mail
addresses, cellphone numbers and other contact information is stored. The data
can
be entered through keypad 24 and is stored in an accessible a database in non-
volatile memory, such as persistent storage 70, which is associated with
microprocessor 18, or any other electronic storage provided in device 10.
Customized screens, icons and text may be provided for address book 48D via
resource 32.
[0060] Email application 48E provides modules to allow user of device 10 to
generate email messages on device 10 and send them to their addressees.
Application 48E also provides a GUI which provides a historical list of emails
received, drafted, saved and sent. Text for emails can be entered through
keypad
24. Email application 48E is activated by activation of email icon 26 on
display 14.
Customized screens, icons and text may be provided for email application 48E
via
resource 32.
[0061] Option application 48F is an application that provides a GUI for a user
to
review and change configuration options and retrieve operating information
about
device 10. Values for some options can be manually entered by the user through
the GUI. Other options may be selected from a library of files. The option
application provides access to a GUI to allow the user to browse through
resources
32, select one or more resources 32 for downloading and storage into local
memory
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in device 10 and manage integration of the downloaded resources into the
effected
applications of device 10. It will be appreciated that the effected
application may
also be the main GUI of device 10.
[0062] Browser application 48G is an application that can access information
from
the Internet (such as HTML or active documents) or an intranet, as well as
folders in
the local file system and on a network and generate results on display 14.
Such
applications are known in the art. If a link (as an address) to a web site is
provided
by another application to browser 48G, it will search the Internet or intranet
(as
relevant) for the web site associated with the link.
[0063] The URLs (or other access information for the resources 32) may be
provided
to device 10 through several mechanisms. One simple mechanism is manual entry
and storage of the access information into device 10 through a user input
screens.
The screen prompt the user to enter the relevant links and text manually
through
input dialog boxes. Once the data elements are entered, they are processed and
stored in the non-volatile memory. Then the resource (and its related
information)
can be accessed by device 10 as necessary through the GUI noted above. This
mechanism requires the user to have accurate knowledge of the data elements.
[0064]A more preferable mechanism is to download the access information into
device 10. The access information may be generated at server 34 then provided
in a
data packet(s) 38 to device 10. An interface software module operating on
device 10
receives the data packet(s) 38, then extracts the relevant access information
from
the packet(s) and stores the access information in non-volatile memory of
device 10.
For the embodiment, the data packet 38 is provided in a transmitted service
record,
which is a transmittable data structure containing set field(s) where the
access
information is encoded therein. As such, expected access information can be
extracted from the packet(s) by device 10. Once a service record is received
by
device 10, it can extract the access information from it and then update its
GUIs to
selectively identify and initiate access to the web site.
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[0065] It will be appreciated that service records may contain additional
parameters
that can be used by device 10. Some parameters may be references to resources
32 that can be associated either with the device or with specific applications
on the
device. Such parameters may be in the form of content (such as, but not
limited to,
HTML or WML links) that are compatible with the display capabilities of device
10.
However, such parameters may also be data, such as just an URL and descriptive
text associated with each external resource 32 (and possibly an identifier to
describe
which application(s) on the device each particular link applies to). In such
cases, the
applications operating on device 10 may make those resources available to the
user
separately (such as via a menu item in an application that will access the
content
indicated by the resource).
[0066] In an alternative embodiment, the resource itself may be provided via a
link to
a FTP site, where the resource can be downloaded, stored and integrated into
the
operating parameters for the audio / visual systems on device 10.
[0067] It will be seen that a data packet (including a service record) can be
generated by server 34 associated with the resource 32, which can then encode
and
transmit the data packet through its associated communication network to one
or
more devices 10. Transmission of a service record may be provided based on
predetermined conditions. One transmission condition may be the detection of a
new device 10 within the transmission capabilities of the communication
network 36.
For a wireless communication network the transmission capabilities may be set
by
the transmission range of the network. For a wired communication network, the
transmission capabilities may be limited to the devices 10 that are connected
to
predetermined access points to the network.
[0068] Another transmission condition may be to periodically generate and
broadcast
the service record to all devices 10 that are in transmission capabilities of
the
communication network. For example, the service record may be sent whenever
the
server initiates a change to the resource.
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[0069] Service records for one or more resources 32 may be provided through
one or
more servers 34. Each library servers can communicate with device 10 to
selectively provide a service record to device 10 through its associated
communication network 36. To assist in identifying library servers 34, each
server
34 can be provided with a unique identification address to identify it to
devices 10
and other servers 34. The service record may contain a series of WML and HTML
pages that display information for the user and allow the user to provide data
using a
browser application installed on the device. It will be appreciated that
different
service records may be provided to different devices from a particular server
34. For
example, a particular server can provide different web sites for different
devices 10
and the service records would provide specific web sites to different devices
10.
[0070] One feature of an embodiment provides a selectable prioritization
protocol
when two or more resources 32 are provided from one or more servers 34. When
two or more service records 38 are received by device 10, the prioritization
protocol,
if implemented, ranks the access information in service records 38 according
to a
preset ranking scheme. Following the scheme, the presentation arrangement in
the
GUI for the received and extracted links from the service records may be
presented
in an order reflecting the ranking. In some instances where there is a
conflict or
ranking of resources between two or more service records, only a subset of the
service records may be used and presented in the GUI. It will be appreciated
that
the protocol may be based on several factors including a relative
trustworthiness of
library server, redundancy of information provided by one resource in view of
the
availability of another resource from another server, speed of access from a
server,
etc.
[0071] Based on the received service records 38 and any prioritization
protocols
applied there against, the GUI may be modeled on device 10 to show the
resources
in a certain order, show some resources as subgroups in a menu, not show
selected
resources or a combination of any ranking techniques.
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[0072]As an example of provisioning a resource 32 to device 10, further detail
is
provided on the processing of a service record 38 received by device 10 from a
registration server for a communication network 36. The communication network
is
a wireless network provided by a given carrier. As such, the carrier is
offering
wireless services to its customers and may sell, rent or lease devices 10 to
its
customers. An address is associated with the registration server to identify
the
registration server in its communication network 36. For devices 10 connecting
to
the communication network 36, the address of the registration server is stored
in the
device after it is manufactured. Typically, the address of the registration
server will
be designated by the provider of the communication network.
[0073] Eventually the device 10 is delivered to a user. The user may obtain
the
device from the wireless network operator or from a reseller who sells the
device on
behalf of one of the operator. After obtaining the device, the user enables
the
communication system of the device. The communication system detects the
presence of at least one of the networks 36 and uses the stored address of the
registration server to send a registration request to the registration server.
The
registration server, in conjunction with a provisioning server determines
whether the
device may be provisioned with a service record using the present method. If
the
service record has been provisioned for the device before, or if the device
has been
designated not to be provisioned with the associated resource, or if the
device has
been designated to be provisioned with the associated resource by an alternate
method, the registration request is denied. If the registration request is
approved,
the device is provided with a service record 38 generated by server 34
relating to
resource 32 that contains links and text that enable the device 10 to access
resource
32. Additional services may also be provisioned in the record.
[0074] In another embodiment, resources may be automatically pushed to device
10.
For example, a provisioning or registration server may simply push the service
record to the device, unsolicited, as soon as it detects that the device is on
the
network. The device 10 may send a message to the server to confirm receipt of
the
pushed service record via an appropriate message.
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[0075] Some further aspects of an embodiment will now be described in greater
detail with reference to Fig. 4, which illustrates a system 100 for
provisioning an
associated resource for a mobile communication device 10.
[0076] System 100 includes a registration server, a provisioning server 106,
another
library server 34, a subscriber registry 109 and a device registry 118. System
100 is
typically operated by a service provider A, which may provide the associated
resource itself or which may provision the associated resource for device 10
on
behalf of another service provider (not shown) that provides the associated
resource.
In the present exemplary embodiment, resource 32 is provided through a web
page
provided by library server 34.
[0077] System 100 communicates with device 10 across a network 110, such as
the
Internet or a local area or wide area network (LAN or WAN). Typically,
although not
necessarily, device 10 is a wireless communication device capable of
communicating with network 110 using a wireless communication network 36,
which
typically will be operated by a network operator 116.
[0078] In this exemplary embodiment, device 10 is operated by a user who is a
subscriber of services provided by network operator 116.
[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, resource 32 is associated with a server 34,
which is provided by a service provider B. In the present exemplary
embodiment,
the network operator 116 is also service provider B, although the network
operator
116 may be a distinct entity from service provider B.
[0080] Network operator 116 / Service provider B maintains a primary service
provider system 114 for recording information relating to users that obtain
device 10
and/or the resource 34 from service provider B. In embodiments where the
network
operator 116 and service provider B are distinct entities, each of them may
maintain
separate systems to record information relating to the user and the specific
equipment (such as device 10) and services and resources (such as the primary
resource) that each of them provides to the user.
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[0081] The components of system 100 may communicate with one another through
network 110 or through another network 120. Furthermore, one or more
components of system 100 may operate on a single computer system or may be
integrated into a single server. For example, registration server and
provisioning
server 106 may be integrated together or they may operate concurrently on a
single
computer system. In other embodiments of the present invention, registration
server
or provisioning server 106 or both may consist of multiple processes operating
on
two or more computers.
[0082] Subscriber registry 109 is used by system 100 to track the status of
subscribers, who are users of various devices that have subscribed to network
access resources offered by network operator 116.
[0083] Typically, additional wireless network operators (not shown), like
network
operator 116, will provide network access services allowing mobile devices to
connect to network 110 and to system 100. This is further described below.
Each of
these network operators may provide devices to subscribers of their services.
Subscriber registry 109 is used to track the status of all such subscribers
and the
record for each subscriber in subscriber registry 109 may include the identity
of the
specific network operator who provides network access services to the
subscriber.
[0084] In the present embodiment, subscriber registry 109 has a record for
each
subscriber that is known to system 100. This may include subscribers of
services
and resources provided by network operator 116 (and other network operators)
who
have not yet provisioned the associated resource for use on their mobile
devices in
addition to subscribers who have provisioned the associated resource for use
on
their mobile devices. The status of a subscriber in subscriber registry 109
may one
or more of the following:
Status Meaning
Associated resource provisioned for The subscriber has provisioned the
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subscriber associated resource his or her mobile
device.
Associated resource cannot or will not The subscriber is not permitted to use
be provisioned for subscriber through the provisioning method of the present
the method of this invention invention. It may be possible to
provision the resource using a different
method.
Subscriber known - associated The network operator has reported that
resource not provisioned the subscriber has subscribed to
resources from the network operator, but
the subscriber has not yet provisioned
the resource for use on his or her mobile
device.
Subscriber Suspended The subscriber device has been
suspended or blocked. This may be
done because the subscriber has failed
to pay fees to the network operator or for
other reasons.
These status descriptions are only exemplary and additional status categories
may be
used to describe the status of a subscriber. In addition, the record for each
subscriber
may contain additional information related to the resources or services that a
subscriber
has subscribed to.
[0085] Device registry 118 is used by system 100 to track the status of mobile
communication devices, such as device 10. All devices for which system 100 has
provisioned the associated resource have a record in device registry 118. In
addition, the device registry 118 may contain records for devices that are
capable of
having the associated resource provisioned for them. Subscriber registry 118
may
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also contain records for devices for which the associated resource cannot or
will not
be provisioned through the method of this invention. The status of a device
may be
one or more of the following:
Status Meaning
Associated resource provisioned for The associated resource has already
device been provisioned for the device.
Associated resource cannot or will not The device is not permitted to use the
be provisioned through the method of provisioning method of the present
this invention invention. It may be possible to
provision the resource using a different
method.
Device activated - associated resource The device is known to have been
not provisioned activated, but the associated resource
has not been provisioned for it. This
status may be used for a device that
has been reported as activated by a
network operator.
Device known but not activated The device is known to exist (i.e. the
identification code of the device has
been assigned to it), but the device has
not been activated.
Suspended The device has been suspended or
blocked. This may be done because
the device has been reported lost or
stolen.
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These status descriptions are only exemplary and additional status categories
may
be used to describe the status of a device. In some embodiments of the present
invention, some of these status descriptions may not be used. In addition, the
record
for each device may contain additional information related to the device's
capabilities, other services provisioned by service provider A or other
service
providers, etc. The status of a device in device registry 118 may be set based
on
advice from network operator 116. For example, the network operator 118 may
advise when it has delivered a device to a user, or when a user has reported a
device lost or stolen, or when a device should be suspended because the user
has
failed to pay required fees, etc.
[0086] Returning to the present example, the user obtains the primary service
from
service provider B, and will enter an arrangement with service provider B
relating to
the primary service.
[0087] The user obtains device 10 and subscribes to wireless network access
services from network operator 116. The user obtains e-mail service, which is
the
primary service, from service provider B. As noted above, network operator 116
and
service provider B are the same entity, in this exemplary embodiment.
[0088] During manufacturing, device 10 is configured to operate with one or
more
types of communication networks. For example, network 36 may be a GPRS
network which provides "always-on" communication capabilities for mobile
devices
such as device 10. Device 10 will contain a radio antenna and associated
circuitry
required to detect the presence of the network 36 and to communicate with
other
components in the network. Device 10 may also be configured to operate with
other
types of networks, such as other GSM networks or CDMA networks. During or
after
manufacture, device 10 will typically also be configured with an
identification code
such as electronic serial number (ESN) or an International Mobile Equipment
Identifier (IMEI) that is typically used for wireless communication devices in
GSM
networks (such as a GPRS network).
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[0089] In some embodiments, after device 10 has been manufactured, a record
may
be created for it subscriber registry 118. If a record is created, the status
of device
will be set to "Device known but not activated". In the present exemplary
embodiment, this is not typically done and a record for the device is not
created in
5 the device registry until the device is activated.
[0090] Referring to Fig. 5A, flow chart 500 shows exemplary steps and
processes
executed by library server 34 in determining how and when to send a new
service
record relating to its resource 32 to device 10. After the server has been
activated at
step 502, it monitors its trigger conditions to determine whether a trigger
condition
10 has been activated to generate and send a service record at step 504. The
condition
may be that an access parameter has changed or that a new device has been
detected or that a timeout condition has occurred. If no trigger condition has
occurred, then the process returns to start at step 502. If a trigger
condition has
occurred, then the resource is analyzed for any new access information and a
service record containing the information is built at step 506. It will be
appreciated
that the status "Device Not Yet Provisioned" may also be a trigger that is
executed
upon initial startup of a device. Next the service record is provided to
communication
network 36 for conversion to a transmission signal and transmission to device
10 at
step 508. It will be appreciated that in other system other steps may be
provided or
the steps may be executed in a different order.
[0091] Referring to Fig. 5B, flow chart 510 shows exemplary steps and
processes
executed by device 10 in determining when to request a new service record for
a
resource 32 from server 34 and what to do once a service record is received.
After
device 10 has been activated at step 512, it checks whether it has roamed to a
new
carrier service or if it has not been registered with the current carrier
service at step
514. If either condition is true, it sends a request for a service record
through the
carrier at step 516. If neither condition is true, it monitors for the receipt
of new
service records at step 518. Once a new service record is received (after
either step
516 or 518), at step 520, device 10 extracts the access information from the
record.
At step 522, all data from all received service records from all servers 34 is
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prioritized. At step 524, the data is ranked and any text data associated with
the
servers to be populated in the various GUI fields is provided to the GUI.
Thereafter,
when a user is in option application (or any application associated with the
provisioned access information) and activates a menu option to review an
external
resource, device 10 retrieves the website information associated with the
resource
and provides it to the browser application 40G. Browser 40G then fetches and
manages the web site pages as they are retrieved from server 34. It will be
appreciated that in other devices, other steps may be provided or the steps
may be
executed in a different order.
[0092] Referring to Fig. 5C, flow chart 526 shows exemplary steps and
processes
executed by device 10 when a resource is being selected for downloading.
First, at
step 528, device 10 creates and sends a request for a particular resource 32
from
the target library server 34. Then, at step 530, device 10 monitors for
receipt of the
resource 32 over communication network 36. In the meantime, server 34 has
received the request and has prepared and transmitted a copy of the resource
to
device 10 over network 36. Next, at step 532, device 10 extracts and
reassembles
the resource from the received data packet(s). Next at step 534, the
reassembled
resource is stored in the non-volatile memory of device 10. Finally, at step
536
device 10 updates applications that can access the downloaded resource to use
the
resource as necessary.
[0093] Reference is next made to Fig. 6, which illustrates another system 600
that
may be used by an embodiment. System 600 is similar to system 100 and
identical
components are given the same reference numeral as in system 100. System 600
includes a gateway 620 and a provisioning proxy 622.
[0094] Gateway 620 operates as an interface between device 10 and provisioning
server 106 and associated resource. Gateway 620 may be an assembly of one or
more computer systems that serve to streamline communications between
provisioning server 106 and mobile communication devices such as device 10.
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Similarly, gateway 620 serves to streamline communications between associated
resource provider and mobile communication devices.
[0095] Provisioning proxy 622 serves as an interface between gateway 620 and
provisioning server 106, similarly serving to streamline communications
between
gateway 620 and provisioning server 106 by, for example, conducting the
operation
of pushing service records to device 10. Provisioning proxy 622 may also serve
to
provide secure communication between device 10 and provisioning server 106.
[0096] The present invention has been described here by way of example only.
Various modification and variations may be made to these exemplary embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited
only by
the appended claims.
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