SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEPLOYING APPLICATION PROGRAMS
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 server comprising:
means for obtaining from a development sector an identification of a plurality of wireless devices registered by the development sector to operate with a specific application program; and
a gateway server deploying the specific application program to the identified plurality of wireless devices.
2 . The server of claim 1 , further comprising an application server providing application data to a business sector in accordance with communication with at least one of the wireless devices.
3 . The server of claim 1 , further comprising a payment server supporting payment transactions.
4 . The server of claim 1 wherein the application program provides, between the server and at least one of the plurality of wireless devices, at least one of the functions of email, database access, order placement and credit authorization.
5 . The server of claim 1 wherein the application program provides, between the server and at least one of the plurality of wireless devices, at least one of the functions of order fulfillment, package tracking, automated manufacturing, quality control and inventory control.
6 . A method of providing service in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:
obtaining from a development sector an identification of a plurality of wireless devices registered by the development sector to operate with a specific application program; and
deploying the specific application program to the identified plurality of wireless devices.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of providing application data to a business sector in accordance with communication with at least one of the wireless devices.
8 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of supporting payment transactions.
9 . The method of claim 6 wherein the method is performed by a server and wherein the application program provides, between the server and at least one of the plurality of wireless devices, at least one of the functions of email, database access, order placement and credit authorization.
10 . The method of claim 6 wherein the method is performed by a server and wherein the application program provides, between the server and at least one of the wireless devices, at least one of the functions of order fulfillment, package tracking, automated manufacturing, quality control and inventory control.
11 . A wireless device comprising:
means for obtaining from a server an application program with which the wireless device has been registered to operate by a development sector in communication with the server; and
means for executing the application program obtained from the server.
12 . The wireless device of claim 11 wherein the wireless device communicates with the server to support providing to a business sector application data related to the application program.
13 . The wireless device of claim 11 wherein the wireless device is a first wireless device and wherein the application program facilitates communication between the first wireless device and a second wireless device registered to operate with the application program.
14 . The wireless device of claim 13 wherein the application program provides between the first wireless device and the second wireless device at least one of the functions of voice communication, data synchronization, serverless email, wireless device locating and RFID device tracking.
15 . The wireless device of claim 13 wherein the application program provides at least one of the functions of call forwarding and conference calling.
16 . A method, performed by a wireless device, comprising the steps of:
obtaining from a server an application program with which the wireless device has been registered to operate by a development sector in communication with the server; and
executing the application program obtained from the server.
17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the wireless device communicates with the server to support providing to a business sector application data related to the application program.
18 . The method of claim 16 wherein the wireless device is a first wireless device and wherein the application program facilitates communication between the first wireless device and a second wireless device registered to operate with the application program.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the application program provides between the first wireless device and the second wireless device at least one of the functions of voice communication, data synchronization, serverless email, wireless device locating and RFID device tracking.
20 . The method of claim 18 wherein the application program provides at least one of the functions of call forwarding and conference calling.