System and method for deploying application programs
View Patent ↗A communication system includes a development sector for registering a plurality of wireless devices, a business sector for controlling utilization of an application program and for receiving application data, a service sector for deploying the application program and for providing the application data to the business sector in accordance with communication with at least one wireless device of the plurality; and a mobile sector comprising the plurality of wireless devices, each device for receiving the application program deployed by the service sector, executing the application program in response to the business sector, and communicating with the service sector to support provision of the application data to the business sector. The wireless device, such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant, or palm top computer may include an auxiliary device such as a bar code scanner, a magnetic stripe card reader, or a printer. The business sector or service sector may monitor or limit utilization of the auxiliary device. Deployment of application programs may be controlled by the business sector or the development sector by rendering an application program or auxiliary device available for use only after a particular time or after receipt of a message. Distributed processing application programs having components in the business, service, and mobile sectors may thereby be updated in an orderly manner. An application program on a wireless device may assist confirmation of an order made by a buyer via a web site. The wireless device is expected to be operated by the buyer. Fraud reporting is accomplished by comparing data obtained by registration of the wireless device with data provided in the confirmation.
1. A secure communication system comprising:
a. a development sector for registering a plurality of wireless devices to operate with a specific application program;
b. a business sector for serving as a data source for the specific application program and for receiving encrypted application data;
c. a service sector for deploying the specific application program and for providing the encrypted application data to the business sector in accordance with secure communication with at least one wireless device of the plurality; and
d. a mobile sector comprising the plurality of wireless devices, each device configured for receiving the specific application program deployed by the service sector, executing the specific application program in response to the business sector, and securely communicating with the service sector to support provision of the encrypted application data to the business sector.
2. The secure communication system of claim 1 wherein the business sector comprises:
a. a subsystem coupled to the service sector for receiving the encrypted application data; and
b. a server coupled to the service sector for supporting browsing by a client computer.
3. The secure communication system of claim 2 wherein browsing comprises controlling utilization of the application program.
4. The secure communication system of claim 2 wherein the service sector comprises an application server: a. that communicates with the subsystem via a first protocol; and b. that communicates with the server via a second protocol, different from the first protocol.
5. The secure communication system of claim 1 wherein the service sector comprises: a. an application server that provides the encrypted application data; and b. a gateway server that deploys the application program to the plurality of wireless devices; and provides secure communication between the plurality of wireless devices and the application server.
6. The secure communication system of claim 5 wherein the gateway server communicates with the mobile sector via a first protocol and communicates with the application server via a second protocol different from the first protocol.
7. The secure communication system of claim 5 wherein the service sector further comprises a content server coupled to the gateway server for providing the application program for deployment.
8. The secure communication system of claim 1 wherein the development further supports browsing by a client computer and browsing accomplishes development of the application program.
9. The secure communication system of claim 8 wherein the application program is developed to incorporate an address of at least one of a subsystem of the business sector, a server of the business sector, an application server of the service sector, and a gateway server of the service sector.
10. The secure communication system of claim 1 wherein: a. the system further comprises a finance sector comprising: (1) a plurality of merchant servers each supporting taking an order in accordance with operation of a wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices; and (2) a plurality of transaction subsystems each for accounting for order payment for a respective merchant server; and b. the service sector comprises: (1) an application server that provides the encrypted application data; (2) a gateway server that deploys the application program to the plurality of wireless devices; and provides secure communication between the plurality of wireless devices and the application server; and (3) a payment server that operates as a payment clearinghouse for the plurality of transaction subsystems.
11. The secure communication system of claim 1 wherein the application program facilitates communication between a first wireless device of the plurality and a second wireless device of the plurality.
12. The secure communication system of claim 11 wherein the application program further provides between the first and second wireless devices at least one of the functions of voice communication, data synchronization, serverless email, wireless device locating, and RFID device tracking.
13. The secure communication system of claim 11 wherein the application program further comprises at least one of the functions of call forwarding and conference calling.
14. The secure communication system of claim 1 wherein: a. the service sector comprises a gateway server and at least one of an application server, a payment server, and a content server; and b. the application program facilitates secure communication between a wireless device of the plurality and at least one of the application server, the payment server, and the content server.
15. The secure communication system of claim 12 wherein the application program further provides between the wireless device and the at least one server at least one of the functions of credit authorization, email, access to databases, receiving an announcement, receiving a delegated task, and placing an order.
16. The secure communication system of claim 12 wherein the application program is deployed to provide actor functions in cooperation with the at least one server.
17. The secure communication system of claim 1 wherein: a. the service sector comprises a gateway server and at least two of an application server, a payment server, and a content server; and b. the application program facilitates secure communication between a wireless device of the plurality and at least two of the application server, the payment server, and the content server.
18. The secure communication system of claim 1 wherein the two servers comprise a first server supporting payment transactions; and a second server supporting at least one of order fulfillment, package tracking, automated manufacturing, quality control, and inventory control.