111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007904528B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Zilliacus et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,904,528 B2
`*Mar. 8, 2011
`
`(54) APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
`FOR DOWNLOADING AN APPLICATION
`WITHA VARIABLE LIFETIME TO A MOBILE
`TERMINAL
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Martin Zilliacus, Kauniainen (FI);
`Gabor Kaszonyi, Budapest (HU)
`
`(73) Assignee: Nokia Corporation, Espoo (FI)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1125 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/981,475
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov. 5, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2005/0083877 A1
`
`Apr. 21, 2005
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation of application No. 10/777,284, filed on
`Feb. 11, 2004, which is a continuation of application
`No. 09/470,303, filed on Dec. 22, 1999, now Pat. No.
`6,832,230.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 15116
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............... 709/217; 705/51; 705/54; 705/57;
`705/59
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 709/203,
`709/217-219; 705/50,59,403,405,51,
`705/57; 455/405, 414; 707/10, 203, 205
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`7/1988 Allen eta!.
`4,757,533 A
`111990 Pitts eta!.
`4,893,248 A
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`7/1997 Hornbuckle
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`5,708,709 A *
`111998 Rose ............................... 705/59
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`5,940,504 A *
`8/1999 Griswold ........................ 705/59
`5,953,005 A
`9/1999 Liu
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`12/1999 Banker et a!.
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`12/1999 Horstmann
`(Continued)
`
`EP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0778512
`6/1997
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`EP Search Report of EP 00660234 dated Nov. 22, 2005.
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner- Duyen M Doan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Bauner & Witcoff, Ltd.
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Apparatus, and associated method, provides for downloading
`an application with a selectable lifetime from an application
`database to a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal user's
`identification information and the selected lifetime for the
`application are stored in an application-license database.
`When the user seeks to download the same application on a
`subsequent occasion the user is able to download that appli(cid:173)
`cation for a reduced fee if lifetime remains from when the
`application was first downloaded. In addition, the application
`may be configured to delete or uninstall itselffrom the mobile
`terminal when the selected lifetime for the application
`expires.
`
`71 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`110\
`
`100 --...
`
`Mobile Terminal
`
`Application
`
`I Memory for
`I Memory for
`
`Application
`
`Memory for
`Application
`
`I
`
`~ K-
`
`~
`
`112
`
`•······
`
`~
`
`Network
`Infrastructure
`
`..___,
`
`Downloading
`Server
`
`~ -------+
`
`\.. ..
`
`---··········---c··--------·--
`124
`114
`
`... .J
`
`\.118
`
`122
`
`(
`
`User Application
`License Database
`
`I
`
`~
`
`120 \
`
`Application
`Database
`
`I Application 2 ~
`I Application 1 ~~\
`1\
`
`12 6
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1095-0001
`
`

`

`US 7,904,528 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`212000 May
`6,021,492 A
`212000 Hall et a!.
`6,026,375 A
`3/2000 Kaufman
`6,034,621 A
`6/2000 Yoshida et a!.
`6,075,862 A
`10/2000 Alexander et a!.
`6,134,593 A
`1112000 Kari et a!.
`6,154,745 A
`6,272,333 B1
`8/2001 Smith
`6,349,257 B1
`212002 Liu et a!.
`6,356,543 B2
`3/2002 Hall et a!.
`6,366,791 B1 *
`4/2002 Lin eta!. ....................... 455/567
`6,385,591 B1 *
`5/2002 Mankoff ......................... 705/14
`6,385,655 B1 *
`5/2002 Smith eta!. ................... 709/232
`6,502,124 B1
`12/2002 Shimakawa
`6,512,919 B2
`112003 Ogasawara
`6,522,875 B1
`2/2003 Dowling eta!.
`6,574,239 B1
`6/2003 Dowling eta!.
`6,795,925 B2
`9/2004 Colvin
`12/2004 Ritter et al.
`6,829,593 B1
`6,832,230 B1 *
`12/2004 Zilliacus eta!. .............. 707/203
`6,898,708 B2
`5/2005 Hori
`9/2005 Ginzboorg eta!.
`6,947,535 B2
`7,080,051 B1
`7/2006 Crawford
`6/2004 Colvin
`2004/0117664 A1
`
`2004/0160911 A1 *
`2004/0243610 A1
`2005/0081042 A1
`2005/0188228 A1
`
`8/2004 Zilliacus eta!. .............. 370/328
`12/2004 Ishiguro
`4/2005 Venkatesan eta!.
`8/2005 DeMello et a!.
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`GB
`JP
`wo
`wo
`wo
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0 809 221
`1111997
`0817103
`111998
`0836132
`4/1998
`2332126
`6/1999
`10143357
`5/1998
`111993
`9301550
`9/1998
`9842098
`1111999
`9957875
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Communication dated Apr. 4, 2007 for EP 00 660 234.6-1245.
`Kiniry, et al., "A Hands-on Look atJava Mobile Agents", IEEE 1997,
`pp. 21-30.
`European Search Report for Application Serial No. 00660234.6-
`1245, dated Mar. 18, 2009.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1095-0002
`
`

`

`110 \
`
`100 ----..
`
`122
`
`User Application
`License Database
`
`l -
`
`+
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~ :-:
`~CIO
`N
`
`0 ....
`....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`......
`....
`0 .....
`
`.j;o.
`
`120 \
`
`-
`
`Application
`Database
`
`Application 2
`
`-+!
`
`I
`
`~
`I Application 1 ~
`'f\
`1 126
`
`Mobile Terminal
`
`[
`
`Memory for
`Application
`
`Memory for
`.._ Application
`
`Memory for
`Application
`
`m<
`9-co
`0' ~­
`-·N
`....... 0
`--"::J
`g~
`01 -·
`> oro
`I
`oro
`ocn wen
`
`;•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••P•••••••••••••••••• ------
`1
`
`~
`
`-
`
`116
`
`~
`i I
`Network Net\
`
`-, ~~
`Infrastructure
`
`I
`
`I.
`
`...
`I
`
`Downloadina Downloading
`
`Server
`
`I
`
`-
`
`.....................
`
`i
`··-c·--·-··-----·--·--------· ·----·---·-·----·------·-_[ ________________________ _:
`'118
`
`r··
`
`I
`
`112
`
`124
`
`\114
`
`Figure 1
`
`d
`rJl
`-....l
`
`\c = ~ u. N
`00 = N
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.8,2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 7,904,528 B2
`
`210
`
`Mobile Terminal
`
`212
`
`/200
`
`User Identity
`(SIM Card/IMEI)
`
`Memory for at Least
`One Application
`
`232
`
`CPU
`
`User Application
`License Database
`
`Input Device
`(Keyboard,
`Touchscreen, Voice)
`
`Output Device
`(Display, Speaker)
`
`23
`
`220
`
`218
`
`216
`
`Downloading Server
`
`License
`Information
`
`I
`
`Downloading Server at
`Personal Service Provider
`
`~240
`
`Figure 2
`
`Application Database
`
`Application 2
`
`Application 1
`
`23
`
`230
`
`244
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1095-0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.8,2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 7,904,528 B2
`
`Start Downloading
`Service
`
`User Selects ApplicaUon
`
`User Selects Ufetlme for
`Application
`
`User Pays for Application
`
`312
`
`314
`
`300
`
`~ 316
`
`318
`
`__ _, Application is Downloaded
`
`f4-----No
`
`Yes
`
`Figure 3
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1095-0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.8,2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 7,904,528 B2
`
`{400
`
`418
`
`428
`
`End of Dynamic
`Application Downloading
`
`436
`
`Application is
`Downloaded
`
`426
`
`Figure 4
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1095-0006
`
`

`

`US 7,904,528 B2
`
`1
`APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
`FOR DOWNLOADING AN APPLICATION
`WITH A VARIABLE LIFETIME TO A MOBILE
`TERMINAL
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 10/777,284, filed Feb. 11, 2004 and titled "Appa(cid:173)
`ratus and Associated Method for Downloading an Applica(cid:173)
`tion with a Variable Lifetime to a Mobile Terminal," which
`application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 09/470,303, filed Dec. 22, 1999 and also titled "Appara(cid:173)
`tus and Associated Method for Downloading an Application
`with a Variable Lifetime to a Mobile Terminal." The contents
`of said applications are incorporated by reference herein.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to an apparatus and method for
`downloading content to a mobile terminal with communica(cid:173)
`tion capabilities.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Recent years have witnessed the emergence and prolifera(cid:173)
`tion of the Internet, the World Wide Web ("WWW"), mobile
`communication technologies and mobile computing devices.
`As technology advances, telecommunications and computing
`are converging. Convergence is producing devices that com(cid:173)
`municate over networks and integrate media, telephony and
`computing.
`Cellular communication networks, for example, allow sub(cid:173)
`scribers to communicate both voice and nonvoice data. Typi(cid:173)
`cally, a subscriber pays a fee to obtain a subscription to a
`cellular network allowing the subscriber to use the network.
`The subscriber uses a mobile terminal to communicate on the
`cellular network. As technology advances, mobile terminals
`are increasingly constructed to be contained in smaller pack(cid:173)
`ages and also to provide greater functionality. One example,
`of a "mobile terminal" is the rapidly proliferating "cell
`phone."
`The same technological advances that have fostered the
`proliferation of the cell phone have also fostered great
`advancements in computing devices. Computing devices are
`becoming increasingly smaller, faster, and more mobile.
`Technological advancement in computing devices and
`mobile terminals is blurring the line between them. Mobile
`terminals are integrating more and more capability typically
`associated with conventional computing devices. For
`example, cell phones are now able to run software applica(cid:173)
`tions and provide Internet access. Accordingly, the term 50
`"mobile terminal" shall herein refer to a broad range of
`devices (e.g. Personal Digital Assistants ("PDA"), Commu(cid:173)
`nicators, Smart Phones, and Personal Computers ("PC")) and
`not solely devices operable merely to communicate in a cel(cid:173)
`lular communication system.
`Mobile terminals utilize a range of processing circuitry to
`perform the functions described herein. The processing cir(cid:173)
`cuitry is generally capable of running, i.e., executing, content,
`also referred to herein as an application program. The terms
`content and application programs shall be used interchange(cid:173)
`ably herein and shall each refer to digital information. Con(cid:173)
`tent, executable or otherwise usable by the processing cir(cid:173)
`cuitry is typically stored at a memory device which is
`accessible by the processing circuitry. Downloading content
`to a mobile terminal is regularly performed. Oftentimes con(cid:173)
`tent is downloaded to a mobile terminal directly or indirectly
`utilizing the WWW. If an application is downloaded directly
`
`2
`the mobile terminal has the capability to connect directly to
`the WWW. Whereas, if content is downloaded to a mobile
`terminal indirectly an intermediate device such as a PC is
`used. AN okia 9000 Series ™, for example, permits the down(cid:173)
`loading of content thereto by way of a cable or infrared
`connection from a source, such as a personal computer.
`As noted above, existing mobile terminals are capable of
`receiving content downloaded thereto. Increased amounts of,
`and types of, content shall likely be available to be download-
`10 able to a mobile terminal in the future. Some, and perhaps
`much, of such content is private-domain content. That is to
`say, an owner, or other entity, has property rights in such
`content, and is entitled to payment for use of such content.
`Convenient manners by which to market, distribute and pay
`15 for such content are needed.
`Software application providers are using numerous pricing
`models to provide applications over the WWW to PC users.
`These models range from providing applications at no cost to
`full cost. "Freeware," as the term implies, refers to an appli-
`20 cation that a PC user is able to obtain without any payment.
`With freeware the user has full rights to the software, includ(cid:173)
`ing the source code. Linux is an example of a freeware prod(cid:173)
`uct. Some application providers do sell freeware, typically on
`a Compact Disk Read Only Memory ("CD-ROM"). How-
`25 ever, the freeware is bundled with installation help programs
`and additional software. It is the packaging and additional
`software that is being paid for, not the freeware itself which is
`free by default.
`"Shareware" is a term that refers to applications that PC
`30 users have full rights to at a low price. Typically, however, the
`payment is voluntary and sent directly to the developers of the
`application. In addition to freeware and shareware, some
`applications are simply sold at full price. Full price applica(cid:173)
`tions, are purchased by credit card or other money transaction
`35 and are fully functional from the start. The application is
`normally downloaded after the payment transaction has been
`processed.
`In addition to the various pricing models discussed above
`for users to obtain applications, the functionality of down-
`40 loaded applications can be restricted in several ways. "Time
`limited" applications are applications that are only usable for
`a certain time after which they become non-functional. Time
`limited applications generally are associated with an unlock(cid:173)
`ing code wherein the user obtains the code when the purchase
`45 price is paid for and is then able to unlock the application,
`making it functional for a determined time. Transaction lim(cid:173)
`ited applications, are only functional for a set number of uses
`or starts. Like time limited applications, transaction limited
`operations generally operate with an unlocking code.
`In contrast to time limited and transaction limited applica-
`tions, limited functionality applications are first obtained for
`free or for a low price by a user with some key functions
`disabled. After paying the full price the disabled functions
`may be enabled or the fully functional application down-
`55 loaded from the WWW. Limited dataset applications contain
`an incomplete dataset. Games are often available in a limited
`dataset where only the first level is available to the user. The
`limited dataset application is generally freeware, however,
`use of the complete dataset-the additional levels-requires
`60 payment of the purchase price.
`In the environment of mobile terminals as compared to
`PC's unique problems are encountered with downloading
`applications that require new solutions. Ease of payment and
`user satisfaction are key considerations when determining
`65 how best to provide downloadable applications to mobile
`terminals. Possible payment methods include charging for the
`application along with the monthly bill, electronic cash,
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 095-0007
`
`

`

`US 7,904,528 B2
`
`3
`credit card charge and monthly membership fee. These pay(cid:173)
`ment methods along with those described herein for PC users
`(i.e. freeware, shareware, full-price, and time-limited appli(cid:173)
`cations) present special problems when implemented for
`mobile terminals.
`The various methods of distributing applications to PC
`users discussed above were developed in the PC environment.
`Mobile terminals, however, provide unique problems not
`encountered with traditional PCs. For example, current
`mobile terminals typically have less memory available for
`applications than current PCs. Current mobile terminal appli(cid:173)
`cations such as downloadable ringing tones-are much less
`complex than typical PC applications. Accordingly, a mobile
`phone application cannot typically motivate a user to pay a
`price anywhere near PC application prices.
`With any application PC, Mobile terminator otherwise,
`consumers would enjoy the ability to test or try out a new
`application without paying full price. Accordingly, a manner
`by which to permit a user to download and application for a
`limited time, pay a small price, and test or try out the appli- 20
`cation is desirable. In addition, mobile terminals generally
`have much less memory capacity, at the current time, than PC
`applications. Because oflimited memory capacity, a user or
`the mobile terminal itself may have to eliminate an old appli(cid:173)
`cation in memory to make room for a new application in 25
`memory. If a consumer has paid full price for several appli(cid:173)
`cations that do not fit in the memory of the users mobile
`terminal that user will not be willing to pay for the applica(cid:173)
`tions that do not fit. Therefore, a manner by which to permit
`a user to pay for an application once but be able to download 30
`that application on subsequent occasions for a reduced fee or
`at no cost would be desirable. Moreover, the installing and
`deinstalling of applications should be as simple and or auto(cid:173)
`matic as possible providing the mobile terminal with an
`uncomplicated seamless experience. Accordingly, there is a 35
`need for new manners by which to provide applications to
`mobile terminals. The invention herein solves these prob(cid:173)
`lems.
`
`4
`The detector is coupled to the network infrastructure and
`detects requests generated by the mobile terminal for down(cid:173)
`loading an application to the mobile terminal for a selected
`lifetime. The application-license database is also coupled to
`the network infrastructure and is configured to store the
`selected lifetime for the application. By storing the selected
`lifetime in the application-license database the user may
`download the same application at a later time for a lesser fee
`than originally paid for the application, if the lifetime for the
`10 application has not expired. The lesser fee includes paying no
`fee for subsequent downloads.
`Another embodiment of the present invention is a method
`for downloading an application to a mobile terminal from an
`application database containing at least a first application.
`15 The application has a selectable lifetime during which the
`application is executable. The lifetime may be prepro(cid:173)
`grammed in the application or programmed in the application
`after the lifetime is selected. When the user of the mobile
`terminal chooses an application to download, the user also
`selects the lifetime for that application during which the
`application is executable. The lifetime may be determined on
`a transaction or time basis. The application is then down(cid:173)
`loaded to the mobile terminal from an application database.
`The user's identification and lifetime selection is also stored
`in an application-license database.
`When the application is downloaded to the mobile terminal
`it may be configured to delete itself or uninstall itself from
`memory of the mobile terminal when the lifetime expires. In
`addition, the user may be required to pay a fee for the appli(cid:173)
`cation when it is first downloaded. However, because the user
`selects, and may pay for, a lifetime and that lifetime is stored
`in the application-license database the user is able to down(cid:173)
`load the same application at a later time for a reduced fcc or no
`fee depending on the lifetime remaining for the application.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram comprising
`the devices and modules of a communication system in which
`40 an embodiment of the present invention is operable;
`FIG. 2 illustrates another functional block diagram of the
`communication system shown in FIG. 1 here further illustrat(cid:173)
`ing the devices and modules used during operation of an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart describing the operation of an
`embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 4 illustrates another flowchart describing the opera(cid:173)
`tion of a further embodiment of the present invention.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`50
`
`An embodiment of the present invention provides a method
`that records user identity when downloading an application
`from a server to a mobile phone so that application later can
`be downloaded again without separate charge. An embodi- 45
`ment of the present invention also provides a method by
`which an application with limited lifetime on the mobile
`phone can uninstall itself and thus free memory space for new
`applications. The terms delete and uninstall are used inter(cid:173)
`changeably herein.
`One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus
`for a communication system. The communication system
`comprises a mobile terminal capable of communicating by
`way of a radio link with network infrastructure. The mobile
`terminal comprises memory for at least one application. The 55
`apparatus comprises an application database, a detector and
`an application-license database. The application database is
`coupled to the network infrastructure and contains at least a
`first application downloadable to the mobile terminal. The
`application(s) in the application database have a selectable 60
`lifetime during which the application is executable. In addi(cid:173)
`tion, the applications may be configured to delete or uninstall
`themselves from memory of the mobile terminal when their
`lifetime expires. The applications may be preprograrnmed to
`delete themselves according to a preset lifetime or configured 65
`to delete themselves after the lifetime is selected. The lifetime
`may be calculated on time or transaction basis.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Referring first to FIG. 1, a communication system, shown
`generally at 100, provides for communications with a mobile
`terminal110. Within the mobile terminal110 is at least one
`memory unit 112 for storing an application. The mobile ter(cid:173)
`minal110 is connected to a network 114 by way of commu(cid:173)
`nication path, here a radio link 116. The network 114 com(cid:173)
`prises network infrastructure 124 and a downloading server
`118. The network infrastructure 124 comprises various hard(cid:173)
`ware devices and associated software for receiving and pro(cid:173)
`cessing signals transmitted upon the radio link 116 by the
`mobile terminal. In the exemplary implementation in which
`the network 114 is a cellular communication network, the
`signals form electromagnetic signals.
`The network infrastructure 124 is connected to a down(cid:173)
`loading server 118. The downloading server 118 and, in tum,
`the network infrastructure 124 is connected to both an appli-
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 095-0008
`
`

`

`US 7,904,528 B2
`
`5
`cation database 120 and an application-license database 122.
`The application-license database 122 comprises data about
`each mobile terminal users application licenses. The applica(cid:173)
`tion-license database 122 is accessible by the downloading
`server 118 whenever a mobile terminal user attempts to
`download an application. The application-license database
`122 stores individual mobile terminal users' application
`licensing information including lifetime selections. The life(cid:173)
`time selections are discussed below along with FIGS. 3 and 4.
`The application database 120 stores various applications 10
`126. The applications 126 are available for downloading to
`the mobile terminal110 via the downloading server 118 and
`other necessary network infrastructure 114.
`Referring to FIG. 2, a communication system, here shown 15
`generally at 200, again provides for communications with a
`mobile terminal, here mobile terminal 210. The mobile ter(cid:173)
`minal 210 comprises an input device 218, an output device
`216, a Central Processing Unit ("CPU") 214, memory for at
`least one application 212 and a user identity module 220. The 20
`range of possible input devices 218 includes, e.g., a keyboard,
`a touchscreen and a voice recognition module. The range of
`possible output devices 216 includes, e.g., a display screen
`and a speaker.
`The user identity module 220, in the exemplary implemen- 25
`tation, is formed of a Subscriber Identity Module ("SIM") at
`which an International Mobile Equipment Identity ("IMEI")
`is stored. Both the SIM and the IMEI are specified in the
`Global System for Mobile Communication ("GSM") techni-
`cal standards. Although this specification refers to GSM 30
`devices, it is not intended to be limited to GSM devices. In a
`GSM network the user's subscription identity to the network
`is contained in the SIM. The SIM allows the GSM network to
`identify the mobile terminal user. The SIM is linked to a
`user's subscription to the GSM network and not a particular 35
`mobile terminal and therefore may be used with different
`mobile terminals. A GSM mobile terminal is identified by the
`IMEI. An IMEI is a unique 15-digit number. The SIM in
`conjunction with the IMEI identify the user and the user's
`mobile terminal to the GSM network.
`The mobile terminal 210 is able to communicate with a
`downloading server 230 at the personal service provider by
`way of a mobile network and packet data backbone 231. The
`server 230 is linked to an application-license database 232
`and an application database 242. The application-license 45
`database comprises user identification information 234, user
`application selections 236 and application lifetime informa(cid:173)
`tion 238. The user identification information 234 may com(cid:173)
`prise both SIM and IMEI information. The application selec(cid:173)
`tions 236 may comprise both current and past application 50
`selections. The application lifetime information 238 is dis(cid:173)
`cussed further below along with FIGS. 3 and 4.
`The application database 242 contains the applications
`available for downloading to the mobile terminal. The appli(cid:173)
`cation database 242 comprises at least one application 244 55
`and an application identifier 246 associated with the applica(cid:173)
`tion. Two applications, application 1 and application 2, are
`shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2 for purposes of example.
`In the case of a mobile terminal user having a subscription
`to a particular cellular network, that user communicates by 60
`way of the mobile network, as part of the subscription, and the
`packet data backbone 231. The user, however, may commu(cid:173)
`nicate over other networks for a fee or change subscriptions.
`Moreover, a user may desire to download applications while
`using another network. Accordingly, in the exemplary imple- 65
`mentation, the packet data backbone portion of the mobile
`network and backbone 231 is a public backbone, such as the
`
`6
`Internet backbone so that the license information stored in the
`user application database 232 is accessible in other manners
`through the public backbone.
`Referring to FIG. 3, a flowchart, shown generally at 300,
`illustrates operation of one embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion. At block 310 a mobile terminal user starts a downloading
`service. A downloading service provides applications for
`mobile terminals. The downloading service may be accessed
`directly by the mobile terminal, indirectly from a PC or oth(cid:173)
`erwise. A downloading service is oftentimes implemented in
`the form of a website, either commercial or non commercial.
`The website provides links to various applications available
`for download. If the downloading service is run indirectly on
`a PC, the application is first downloaded to the PC. The
`mobile terminal must then allow the downloading of the
`application from the PC to the mobile terminal. Downloading
`from a PC to a mobile terminal, for example, is implemented
`in aN okia 9000 Series ™ mobile terminal by way of a cable or
`infrared connection.
`At block 312, the user chooses an application. Choosing an
`application, in the case of a website implemented download(cid:173)
`ing service, may be achieved by selecting the link to that
`application. After clicking the link to an application, at block
`314 the user selects a lifetime for the application. The lifetime
`represents the time during which the application will be
`executable ancl/or the time during which the application will
`reside in the memory of the mobile terminal. The application
`chosen is automatically configured, before downloading, to
`cease functioning or delete itself from the memory of the
`mobile terminal after the selected lifetime expires.
`The user, at block 314 has a plurality of choices for life(cid:173)
`times. The price of the application, at block 316, may be
`dependent on the selected lifetime. For example, use of the
`application three times may be free, use of the application ten
`times or for one week may be $2.00, use of the application
`100 times or for a month may be $5.00 and use of the appli-
`cation for an unlimited amount of time may be $10.00.
`At block 316, the user pays for the application. The pay(cid:173)
`ment price may be dependent on the selected lifetime. For
`40 example, if the user selects a lifetime of one week the user
`pays $2.00. After the application is paid for, the application is
`downloaded to the mobile terminal at block 318. The lifetime
`of the application may be tracked by the application itself, by
`the downloading service or otherwise. If the application
`tracks its own lifetime, the application is automatically con(cid:173)
`figured at downloading to delete itself according to the user's
`selected lifetime. In the example above the application would
`automatically delete itself after one week. If the user had
`selected ten uses instead of one week, the application would
`automatically delete itself after ten uses.
`Deletion comprises freeing all memory space used by the
`application and corresponding data or only freeing some
`specified portion of the memory space used by the applica(cid:173)
`tion. For example, when the lifetime expires the application
`deletes its own executable code, however, the application's
`corresponding data and libraries are not deleted. If the appli-
`cation is customized by the mobile terminal user, the custom(cid:173)
`ized settings are retained even after the application deletes
`itself. Accordingly, if the same application is downloaded on
`a subsequent occasion the user's customized settings are
`retained.
`At block 320, the application determines if it's lifetime has
`expired. If so, the application deletes itself at block 322. If
`not, the application does not delete itself and allows the user
`to continue using the application.
`Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 400 refers to
`another flowchart illustrating further operation of an embodi-
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1095-0009
`
`

`

`US 7,904,528 B2
`
`8
`7
`If the user has not paid for an unlimited lifetime on a
`ment of the present invention. At block 410 a dynamic appli(cid:173)
`previous occasion or does not have lifetime remaining from a
`cation downloading sequence is started. The first operation is
`previous selection, the user must now select the desired life(cid:173)
`connecting to a downloading service at block 412. As men(cid:173)
`time for the application at block 418. Available lifetimes
`tioned earlier in conjunction with the description of FIG. 3,
`correspond to different payment requirements. At block 420
`the downloading service may run directly on the user's
`the downloading service determines if the selected lifetime
`mobile terminal, indirectly on a PC or otherwise. The down(cid:173)
`requires payment. For example, use of the application three
`loading service may be accessed through a website. The web(cid:173)
`times or for a week may be free whereas use of the application
`site provides links to various applications available for down(cid:173)
`ten times or for a month may be $2.00. If the lifetime selected
`load. If the downloading service is run indirectly on a PC, the
`does not require payment the application is downloaded to the
`mobile terminal must allow the downloading of the applica- 10
`user's mobile terminal11 0 at block 426 and stored in memory
`tion from the PC to the mobile terminal. This may be achieved
`112. If the application does require payment the user pays for
`by way of a cable or infrared connection between the PC and
`the application at block 422. Payment methods include credit
`the mobile terminal.
`card charging, electronic cash, monthly fee or membership,
`The user's identity information (e.g. SIM and IMEI infor- 15
`and charging along with network subscription and use pay(cid:173)
`mation) is also supplied to the downloading service. If the
`ments (e.g. the cell phone bill). The application, before down-
`downloading service is run directly on the mobile terminal,
`loading at block 426, is automatically configured to delete
`the user's identity information SIM information and IMEI
`itself when the selected lifetime 418 expires.
`information is automatically transmitted to the downloading
`At block 424 the downloading service records the user's
`service. If the downloading service is run directly on the 20
`identification information in the application-license database
`mobile terminal, the user's identity information is automati(cid:173)
`232. As discussed earlier, the user identification information
`includes the application selection, and application lifetime