WO2004074999A2

WO2004074999A2 - Method for delivery of digital content to handheld and wireless computing devices

Info

Publication number: WO2004074999A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/004149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ryan K. Wuerch
Original assignee: Motricity, Inc.
Priority date: 2003-02-19
Filing date: 2004-02-11
Publication date: 2004-09-02
Also published as: WO2004074999A3; WO2004074999B1

Abstract

A method of downloading digital content from a web site computer system to a handheld computer device (Fig.13) by simply clicking on a hyperlink displayed in a window on a desktop computer system (Fig.4). In response to clicking on the hyperlink, the desktop and web site computer systems perform a series of automated functions that cause digital content associated with the hyperlink and stored on the web site computer system (Fig.4) to be downloaded from the web site computer system to the desktop computer system (Fig.5) and then to the handheld computing device (Fig.13). To facilitate the downloading process, the desktop computer system includes a novel file downloading helper program (Fig.11) that allows the digital content to be automatically downloaded from the web site computer system to the handheld computing device.

Description

DESCRIPTION

METHOD FOR DELIVERY OF DIGITAL CONTENT TO HANDHELD

AND WIRELESS COMPUTING DEVICES

[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to handheld computing devices.

[0003] More particularly, the present invention pertains to a system and method for delivering digital content to handheld and wireless computing devices.

BACKGROUND ART

[0004] Handheld computing devices are well known in the art. These devices are essentially small computer systems that are very similar to desktop personal computer systems and typically include a touchscreen display, a microprocessor, memory, operating system software, and application specific software. The touchscreen display displays information generated by the system to a user and allows the user to input commands that cause the system to perform various functions. The microprocessor executes instructions provided by the operating system software and the application specific software, and causes the system to perform the various functions requested by the user. The memory is used to store the operating system and application specific software, as well as any other data that may be generated by the system. The application specific software allows the user to perform specific functions with the system.

[0005] Examples of handheld computing devices that are known in the art include personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones. Specific examples of PDAs include the Palm Zire, Zire 21, Zire 71, Tungsten E, and Tungsten T3 PDAs. Prior art smartphones include the Treo 600 and 270/300. [0006] Systems and methods for downloading application-specific software to handheld computing devices are also well known in the art. These systems typically include a web site computer system and a desktop or laptop computer system. The web site computer system includes web site and server computer hardware and software that allows the system to receive requests for, and to download, application specific software to desktop computer systems using the Internet. The application specific software is usually stored in a database located on the web site computer system.

[0007] The desktop or laptop computer system includes a display, a mouse and keyboard, a microprocessor, memory, operating system software, Internet client or browser software, a USB interface, a wireless interface, a handheld cable and cradle, a file download helper software application, a file unzipping helper software application, a handheld desktop software application, and a handheld synchronizing software application. The display is used to display information generated by the system to a user and the mouse and keyboard allow the user to input commands into the system. The microprocessor and operating system software operate together to generate and display a user interface for the user using the display and to allow the various software applications on the system to operate properly. [0008] The Internet browser software allows the desktop to connect to the Internet and to access and download information available from various web site computer systems on the Internet. The USB interface allows the user to connect a handheld computing device to the desktop using the handheld cable and cradle. Alternatively, the handheld device may be connected to the desktop using the wireless interface.

[0009] The file download helper software is automatically invoked by the Internet browser software when a user clicks on a download hyperlink and downloads files from web site computer systems connected to the Internet. In a similar manner, the unzipping helper software application is automatically called by the Internet browser software when a file that is downloaded is a zipped file having a .zip file extension.

[0010] The handheld desktop software application allows a user to connect to the handheld computing device and to display information contained on the handheld device. The desktop software also allows the user to adjust various settings on the handheld and to copy files and other information to the handheld. The handheld synchronizing software application automatically synchronizes information stored on the desktop with information stored on the handheld device. This is typically accomplished by synchronizing information contained in certain specific file folders set up on the desktop computer and the handheld device specifically for this purpose. [0011] Prior art systems and methods for downloading application- specific software to handheld computing devices, however, suffer from a number of disadvantages. First, these systems typically require a user to perform multiple steps in order to download software and other information from web site computer systems. This causes the downloading process to be very time consuming and is undesirable in many situations. Second, these systems generally download and unzip files in multiple locations, making it difficult and time consuming for a user to locate downloaded and unzipped files.

[0012] This problem is illustrated by Figs. 1-10, which include screen shots of the windows that are presented to a user during the download process using prior art systems. A review of those figures indicates that a user must perform eight different steps in order to successfully download and unzip a zipped file to a desktop computer system.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a screen shot showing the home page for the

PalmGear.com web site computer system ("the PG web site") and was generated using Internet Explorer in response to a user entering the web address for this web site on a desktop computer. Fig. 2 is a screen shot showing the downloadable software page for the PG web site that is generated when a user clicks on the software tab shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, this page includes a listing of both new and updated software programs that can be downloaded to a handheld computing device, e.g., the AIM/FAR 2004 1.0, The Prison 1.7, and the HotCash 1.0 software programs. Adjacent to each of these software programs are two small hyperlink icons that can be clicked on by a user. [0014] The first icon is an icon that includes a small gear shaped symbol and three arcs and allows a user to download the software program using the system and method of the present invention. The second icon, which includes the Windows logo positioned above the text ".zip," is an icon that allows a user to download the software program using a prior art downloading system and method. The steps associated with clicking on the first icon will be discussed in more detail below.

[0015] When a user clicks on the second icon, the PG web site generates and displays the screen shown in Fig. 3 and indicates that the downloading process has been initiated. In this case, the file being downloaded is The Prison file. In addition, the Internet browser software calls the file download helper software, which begins downloading the requested file and displays the status screen shown in Fig. 4. Once the download is complete, the download complete window is displayed as shown in Fig. 5. Note that the file is downloaded to the file folder C:\My Downloads.

[0016] To unzip the downloaded file, a user must click on the "Run" button shown in Fig. 5. This causes the unzipping helper application to be called and results in the generation of the screen shown in Fig. 6. To proceed, the user clicks on the "Next" button, selects the unzip or install item in the next window (Fig. 7), clicks the "Next" button in that window, inputs information identifying the file folder to receive the unzipped file in the resulting window (Fig. 8), and clicks the "unzip now" button in that window. The unzipping helper software then unzips the downloaded file, stores it in the file folder identified by the user, and opens an Explorer window showing the unzipped files (see Fig. 9). The user must then either click the "Next" button, if the user wants to unzip another downloaded file, or the "Close" button if the user wants to close the unzipping helper software. The Explorer window showing the unzipped files is shown in Fig. 10. Note that the unzipped file is stored in the file folder C:\unzipped.

[0017] Once the file is downloaded and unzipped, the user must then either manually copy the software or information to a handheld computing device using the handheld desktop software or to the synchronization files on the desktop, where the software will be downloaded to the handheld device during the next synchronization process. This further increases the number of steps required to download the software to the handheld device. As a result, in most cases, a user must perform approximately 13 steps in order to download a file to a handheld device.

[0018] What is needed, then, is a system and method for downloading application specific software and other information from a web site computer system to a handheld computing device that overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior art downloading systems and methods. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for downloading application specific software and other information from a web site computer system to a handheld computing device that involves fewer steps, is less time consuming, and is easier to use than prior art downloading systems and methods.

[0020] This object, and other objects that will become apparent to one skilled in the art practicing the present invention, is satisfied by the system and method of the present invention.

[0021] The system and method of the present invention allows a user to download application specific software and other information, referred to generally as digital content, to a handheld computing device by simplying clicking on a hyperlink in a window generated and displayed by an Internet browser. In response to the clicking of the hyperlink, the system automatically downloads digital content associated with the hyperlink to the user's desktop computer system and then to the user's handheld computing device.

[0022] The system includes a web site computer system and a desktop computer system. The web site computer system includes a database containing downloadable digital content in zipped archive files and web site computer hardware and software that allows the web site system to receive requests for the digital content from desktop computer systems and, in response to those requests, to download the requested digital content. [0023] The desktop computer system includes novel helper software, referred to as the StreamLync software, that is called by the Internet browser software and used to control the downloading of digital content. The StreamLync software automatically downloads zipped archive files, unzips those files and places them in a download folder for later review, and places any unzipped files that can be downloaded onto the user's handheld in an install file folder for automatic installation using handheld synchronization software loaded on the desktop computer system.

[0024] The StreamLync software allows a user to adjust several settings associated with the software so that it can customized according to their preferences. A user can indicate that the StreamLync software should display a download confirmation window when a digital content download has been completed successfully and should prompt a user to input information identifying the handheld computer device that should receive the downloaded digital content. A user can also input information identifying the file folder location for downloaded digital content and indicating whether the StreamLync software should open an Explorer window after each digital content download. The StreamLync software also allows a user to browse previously downloaded digital content from the program start menu on the desktop computer system.

[0025] The StreamLync software is designed to be used with conventional handheld synchronizing software and places digital content that is to be automatically synchronized into the synchronication file folder used by this software to perform synchronizations. When a user uses the handheld synchronizing software to synchronize the information contained on their handheld with the information contained on the desktop computer system, the downloaded digital content is automatically downloaded to the handheld device. Other than initially clicking on the hyperlink associated with the downloaded digital content and inputting a synchronization command, the downloading of the digital content is performed without any additional actions by the user. And, if the synchronization is configured to occur automatically, the only step required to be performed by the user is the step of clicking on the hyperlink associated with the downloaded digital content. [0026] The system and method of the present invention requires fewer steps and is less time consuming than prior art downloading systems and methods. In addition, by automatically downloading and unzipping digital content files to the same location, and automatically opening an Explorer window after each download, the present system and method is easier to use than prior art systems.

[0027] Fig. 1 is screen shot showing a home page for a web site computer system used in one embodiment of the present invention. [0028] Fig. 2 is a screen shot showing a downloadable software page for the web site computer system shown in Fig. 1.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a screen shot showing a preparing download page for the web site computer system shown in Fig. 1.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a screen shot showing a downloading status window generated by a prior art file downloading helper application. [0031] Fig. 5 is a screen shot showing a download complete window generated by the prior art file downloading helper application shown in Fig. 4. [0032] Fig. 6 is a screen shot showing a welcome wizard window generated by a prior art unzipping helper application.

[0033] Fig. 7 is a screen shot showing a select activity window generated by the prior art unzipping helper application reference in Fig. 6. [0034] Fig. 8 is a screen shot showing a unzip window generated by the prior art unzipping helper application reference in Fig. 6. [0035] Fig. 9 is a screen shot showing an unzip complete window generated by the prior art unzipping helper application reference in Fig. 6. [0036] Fig. 10 is a screen shot showing an Explorer window generated by the prior art unzipping helper application reference in Fig. 6. [0037] Fig. 11 is a screen shot showing a preparing download window generated by one embodiment of the system and method of the present invention.

[0038] Fig. 12 is a screen shot showing a file download window generated by the embodiment of the present invention referenced in Fig. 11. [0039] ( Fig. 13 is a screen shot showing a choose profile window generated by the embodiment of the present invention referenced in Fig. 11. [0040] Fig. 14 is a screen shot showing a successful installation window generated by the embodiment of the present invention referenced in Fig. 11. [0041] Fig. 15 is a screen shot showing an Explorer window generated by the embodiment of the present invention referenced in Fig. 11.

[0042] Fig. 16 is a screen shot showing how the start menu is modified to include a shortcut to the StreamLync settings for the embodiment of the present invention referenced in Fig. 11.

[0043] Fig. 17 is a screen shot showing a StreamLync settings window generated by the embodiment of the present invention referenced in Fig. 11.

[0044] Fig. 18 is a screen shot showing how the start menu is modified to include a shortcut to the browse downloaded digital content feature of the embodiment of the present invention referenced in Fig. 11.

[0045] Fig. 19 is a screen shot showing an Explorer window generated by the embodiment of the present invention referenced in Fig. 11 that includes the downloaded digital content file folder.

[0046] Fig. 20 is a screen shot showing an error message generated by the embodiment of the present invention referenced in Fig. 11 if the downloaded digital content file folder cannot be found.

[0047] Fig. 21 is a screen shot showing an Explorer window generated by the embodiment of the present invention referenced in Fig. 11 that includes the synchronization file folder.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0048] In one preferred embodiment, the system and method of the present invention includes the PalmGear.com web site computer system, a conventional, Windows-based, desktop computer system, and a handheld cradle connected to the desktop computer system using a standard USB cable.

The handheld cradle is designed to receive any one of a number of Palm PDAs currently available on the market.

[0049] The web site computer system includes a database containing application specific software and software documentation stored as zipped files. The web site also includes conventional web site computer hardware and software that allows the web site to connect to the Internet and communicate with multiple different desktop computer systems. More specifically, the hardware and software allows the web site to receive requests from the desktop computer systems for the application specific software and software documentation and to download requested information to the desktop computer systems as zipped files. The zipped files include a.pgz file-type, which is simply a zipped file having a file extention that is different from zipped files used by unzipping helper software application, such as Ultimate Zip.

[0050] The desktop computer system includes conventional desktop computer hardware and software, including a display, a mouse, a keyboard, a microprocessor, memory, both RAM and ROM, a CD ROM/DVD drive, a USB port, and a wireless interface. The desktop computer system further includes Internet Explorer for connecting to and accessing information from the Internet and Palm Desktop software for communicating with a Palm handheld computing device. The desktop computer system also includes novel StreamLync software that allows a user to automatically download application specific software and software documentation to the desktop computer system. [0051] A user can download application specific software and software documentation in the following manner. First, the user opens Internet Explorer and types in the web address for the PalmGear.com web site, www.palmgear.com. In response to this action, Internet Explorer contacts the PalmGear.com web site, obtains the home page information for that site, and displays the home page to the user. The home page is shown in Fig. 1. [0052] Next, the user clicks on the software tab shown in the upper left hand side of the screen in Fig. 1 and Internet Explorer requests and displays the downloadable software page from the PalmGear.com web site. That page is shown in Fig. 2. From this page, the user can select to download an application specific software program to his or her handheld device by simply clicking on the StreamLync icon included beside the desired program. For example, Fig. 2 includes a software program entitled "The Prison 1.7." This program can be downloaded to a user's handheld device by simply clicking on the StreamLync icon beside this program title.

[0053] Turning now to Fig. 11, the first screen presented to a user when they click on a StreamLync icon is the "Preparing download" window. This window prompts a user to indicate whether they would like to download the software program using StreamLync 1.0 or 2.0. StreamLync 2.0 is an improvement to the StreamLync 1.0 version of the present invention and is discussed in more detail in a continuation in part patent application that will be filed in the near future.

[0054] Note that this screen is optional and in alternative versions the system of the present invention may not display this screen. In these versions, the system automatically downloads the zipped file associated with the StreamLync icon that is clicked by the user to the user's desktop computer system.

[0055] When a user clicks on the "Download" button under the

StreamLync 1.0 label, the system of the present invention generates and displays the "File download" window shown in Fig. 12. This window prompts a user to indicate if they would like to open or save the file being downloaded. In response to the user clicking on the "Open" button, the system prompts the user to input information identifying the handheld device to receive the downloaded file using the screen shown in Fig. 13. Once the user clicks on the "OK" button shown in the window in Fig. 13, the system downloads the selected software program to the user's desktop computer system. [0056] As was the case with the window shown in Fig. 12, both of the windows shown in Figs. 13 and 14 are optional and the user may choose not to display these windows. The user can do so by clicking on the check box in Fig. 13 and unselecting the "Always ask me to choose a user" feature, and by clicking on the check box in Fig. 14 and selecting he "Do not show this again" feature.

[0057] The next screen presented to the user is the Explorer window shown in Fig. 15. As shown in that figure, the Prison software program and software documentation have been downloaded to the user's desktop computer system.

[0058] At this point, the system has also downloaded the software program to the installation file folder that is user by handheld synchronization software loaded on the desktop computer system (see Fig. 21). The next time that the user synchronizes his handheld device with his desktop, the prison software program will be automatically downloaded to the user's handheld device. [0059] One skilled in the art will recognize that the system and method of the present invention allows a user to download a software program to his or her handheld device using significantly fewer steps than that required by prior art downloading systems.

[0060] To configure the StreamLync software, a user clicks on the

"Start" men, selects the StreamLync program, and selects the "StreamLync Settings" shortcut. In response, the system generates Fig. 17, which the user can use to indicate that they would like to see a window confirming that a download was successful or a window prompting the user to identify the handheld to receive the downloaded software. Note that the latter option is only required when multiple handhelds are being used with the same desktop computer system and, when selected, causes the StreamLync program to download software programs into different synchronization file folders associated with each handheld. As shown in Fig. 17, the StreamLync software also allows a user to specify the location where the downloaded software programs and documentation are to be stored on the desktop computer system.

[0061] To browse a history of software programs and software documentation downloaded from a web site computer system, a user clicks on the "Start" men, selects the StreamLync program, and selects the "Browse PalmGear.com Software Installations" shortcut. In response, the system generates the Explorer window shown in Fig. 19, which includes a listing of all software and software documentation that has been downloaded from the PalmGear.com web site.

[0062] Although the embodiment discussed above references only application specific software and software documentation, any kind of digital content may be downloaded using the system and method of the present invention.

[0063] Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful System and Method for Delivering Digital Data to Handheld and Wireless Computing Devices, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of downloading digital content from a web site computer system to a handheld computing device, comprising the steps of: clicking on a hyperlink displayed in a window on a desktop computer system; generating and sending a request for digital content associated with the hyperlink and stored on the web site computer system to be downloaded to the handheld computer device; downloading the digital content to the desktop computer system; and downloading the digital content from the desktop computer system to the handheld computing device.