PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10084874-B2
Application Number: US-201414293790-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Intelligent download of application programs

Abstract:
Improved techniques for controlling delivery (e.g., download) of application programs from a remote application repository to different client computing devices are disclosed. Application programs are often built to operate on computing devices that have certain hardware capabilities. Hence, application programs available for download from a remote application repository might not be suitable execution on all client computing devices that are able to access the remote application repository. The improved techniques for controlling delivery can operate to permit the applications to be received by only those client computing devices that have the required hardware capabilities to properly operate the application programs.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer implemented method comprising:
 by a repository server with a processor and memory: 
 storing a plurality of application programs available for download to an on-line application repository of the repository server; 
 causing display of information of application programs available for download on a web page, the web page comprising a user interface control and evaluation program code; 
 receiving a request, from a computing device, to download one of the plurality of stored application programs; 
 receiving operating system device information for the computing device; 
 receiving selection of the user interface control; 
 determining, by the evaluation program code of the web page, whether the computing device is a supported device for a requested application program indicated by the request to download in response to selection of the user interface control by comparing supported device requirements of the requested application program with operating system device information for the computing device; 
 permitting download of the requested application program to the computing device in response to a determination that the computing device is a supported device for the requested application program; and 
 sending for display a message that download of the requested application program is denied in response to a determination that the computing device is not a supported device for the requested application program. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a link to information pertinent to denial of the download of the requested application program to the hand-held computing device in a response to a determination that the computing device is not a supported device for the requested application program. 
 
     
     
       3. The computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the supported device requirements are provided from the on-line application repository. 
     
     
       4. The computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the supported device requirements are embedded in application information pertaining to the requested application program received from the on-line application repository. 
     
     
       5. The computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the supported device requirements comprise at least one supported functional capability. 
     
     
       6. The computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the supported device requirements are contained within the web page, the method further comprising displaying a description of the supported device requirements on the web page. 
     
     
       7. The computer implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the supported device requirements comprise, for the computing device, one or more necessary hardware components and one or more necessary software components. 
     
     
       8. A non-transitory computer readable medium including at least executable computer program code stored thereon for acquiring application programs at a client device, said computer readable medium comprising:
 computer program code executed by a repository server with a processor and memory, for allowing navigation of a web page that displays plurality of application programs, the navigation being in accordance with one or more received user inputs to select an application program to download from the plurality of application programs, plurality of the application programs are available from the on-line application repository, wherein the web page comprises a user interface control and evaluation program code; 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for receiving a download request, by the user interface control, to download a requested of the selected application program to the client device from the plurality of application programs available from the on-line application repository; 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for receiving operating system device information for the client device; 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for determining, by the evaluation program code of the web page, whether the client device supports operation of the requested application program by comparing supported device requirements of the requested application program with the operating system device information for the client device; 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for visually maintaining the user interface control for permitting selection of download of the requested selected application program to the client device from the on-line application repository in response to a determination if it is determined that the client device supports operation of the requested selected application program; and 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for sending for display a message that download of the requested application program is denied in response to a determination that the client device does not support operation of the requested application program. 
 
     
     
       9. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 8 ,
 wherein said computer readable medium comprises: 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for providing application information pertaining to the requested application program to the client device, wherein the requested application program is selected by navigating the on-line application repository displayed on the web page. 
 
     
     
       10. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the supported device requirements are embedded in application information pertaining to the requested application program received from the on-line application repository. 
     
     
       11. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the supported device requirements are provided from the on-line application repository. 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the supported device requirements comprise at least one supported functional capability. 
     
     
       13. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the supported device requirements comprise, for the client device, one or more necessary hardware components and one or more necessary software components. 
     
     
       14. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the supported device requirements are contained within the web page, said computer readable medium further comprising computer program code executed by the repository server for displaying a description of the supported device requirements on the web page. 
     
     
       15. A non-transitory computer readable medium including at least executable computer program code stored thereon for downloading application programs to a computing device from an on-line application repository, said computer readable medium comprising:
 computer program code executed by a repository server with a processor and memory for presenting a user interface control on a web page for requesting download of one or more application programs, the web page comprising a user interface control and evaluation program code; 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for receiving a request, by the user interface control, to download a requested application program available from the on-line application repository; 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for receiving operating system device information for the computing device; 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for determining, by the evaluation program code of the web page, whether the computing device is a supported device for the requested application program, in response to selection of the user interface control, by comparing supported device requirements of the requested application program with the operating system device information for the computing device; 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for permitting of download of the requested application program to the computing device in response to a determination that the computing device is a supported device for the requested application program; and 
 computer program code executed by the repository server for sending for display a message that download of the requested application program is denied in response to a determination that the computing device is not a supported device for the requested application program. 
 
     
     
       16. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the supported device requirements are embedded in information pertaining to the requested application program received from the on-line application repository. 
     
     
       17. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 15 , and wherein the supported device requirements are provided from the on-line application repository. 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the supported device requirements are contained within the web page, said computer readable medium further comprising computer program code executed by the repository server for displaying a description of the supported device requirements on the web page.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/368,111, filed Feb. 9, 2009 and entitled “INTELLIGENT DOWNLOAD OF APPLICATION PROGRAMS,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to download of applications programs and, more particularly, to managing download of application programs to different computing devices. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Today, it is common for users to access on-line repositories to acquire digital media assets, such as songs, television shows and movies. More recently, on-line repositories have also supported download of application programs. The typical interaction with an on-line media repository is that a user will browse the on-line repository from a personal computing device, select one or more items to be downloaded, and then receive digital delivery of the items at the personal computing device via a network. 
     Computing devices take many different forms and have different functionalities and capacities. For example, computing devices can be wearable, hand-held, portable or desktop. The form factor and functionality of these computing devices also tend to be different. For example, desktop computers tend to have the most processing power and data storage capacity. Hand-held computing device are small and light weight but tend to lack the high processing power and data storage of desktop computers. Different computing devices of the same form factor can even have different capabilities depending on hardware components (e.g., GPS system, wireless communications, microphone, speaker, etc.) and/or software components (e.g., operating system). 
     Given the wide variety of computing devices, application programs are typically built to operate on certain hardware and software platforms. When such applications are provided to an on-line repository for distribution, the applications are available for download to others regardless of their hardware platform and/or software platform. While an on-line repository could display information about required minimum hardware and/or software components for an application program, users might still download the application program onto computing devices that lack the required minimum hardware and/or software components. As a result, the application program would not function properly, if at all, on the computing devices. Consequently, users are dissatisfied with the application program even through the problem results from users&#39; computing devices not the application program. 
     Thus, there is a need for improved approaches to manage download of application programs to compatible computing devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to controlled application delivery (e.g., download) from a remote application repository to different client computing devices. Application programs are often built to operate on computing devices that have certain hardware and/or software capabilities. Hence, application programs available for download from a remote application repository might not be suitable execution on all client computing devices that are able to access the remote application repository. According to one aspect, the invention can operate to permit only those client computing devices that have the required hardware and/or software capabilities to receive the application programs. In one embodiment, restrictions imposed can allow users of client computing devices to view information about the application programs but prevent download to those client computing devices lacking the required hardware and/or software capabilities. In another embodiment, warnings imposed can allow users of client computing devices lacking the required hardware and/or software capabilities to be warned prior to downloading of application programs to those client computing devices. In still another embodiment, restrictions imposed can filter availability of information about application programs available from the remote application repository such that users can only view information regarding those applications they are able to download onto such client computing devices. 
     In general, the invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, or apparatus (including graphical user interface and computer readable medium). Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below. 
     As a computer implemented method for downloading application programs to a hand-held computing device from an on-line application repository, one embodiment of the invention can, for example, include at least: accessing the on-line application repository; navigating the on-line application repository to select an application program; displaying application information pertaining to the selected application program; receiving a download request; retrieving a device type for the hand-held computing device; determining whether the device type is one of one or more supported device types for the selected application program; permitting download of the selected application program to the hand-held computing device if it is determined that the device type is one of the one or more supported device types for the selected application program; and denying download of the selected application program to the hand-held computing device if it is determined that the device type is not one of the one or more supported device types for the selected application program. 
     As a computer implemented method for downloading application programs to a hand-held computing device from an on-line application repository, one embodiment of the invention can, for example, include at least: accessing the on-line application repository; navigating the on-line application repository to select an application program; displaying application information pertaining to the selected application program; receiving a download request to download the selected application program; retrieving device information for the hand-held computing device; determining whether the hand-held computing device is a supported device for the selected application program based on the device information; permitting download of the selected application program to the hand-held computing device if it is determined that the hand-held computing device is a supported device for the selected application program; and displaying message that download of the selected application program to the hand-held computing device is denied if it is determined that the hand-held computing device is not a supported device for the selected application program. 
     As a computer readable medium including at least executable computer program code stored thereon for downloading application programs to a portable computing device from an on-line application repository, one embodiment of the invention can, for example, include at least: computer program code for accessing the on-line application repository; computer program code for navigating the on-line application repository to select an application program; computer program code for displaying application information pertaining to the selected application program; computer program code for receiving a download request to download the selected application program; computer program code for retrieving device information for the portable computing device; computer program code for determining whether the portable computing device is a supported device for the selected application program based on the device information; computer program code for permitting download of the selected application program to the portable computing device if it is determined that the portable computing device is a supported device for the selected application program; and computer program code for denying download of the selected application program to the portable computing device if it is determined that the portable computing device is not a supported device for the selected application program. 
     As a computer readable medium including at least executable computer program code stored thereon for acquiring application programs at a client device, one embodiment of the invention can, for example, include at least: computer program code for navigating through application programs to select an application program; computer program code for receiving a user acquisition request to acquire the selected application program; computer program code for retrieving device capabilities for the client device; computer program code for determining whether the client device supports operation of the selected application program based on the device capabilities; computer program code for acquiring the selected application program at the client device if it is determined that the client device supports operation of the selected application program; and computer program code for denying acquisition of the selected application program at the client device if it is determined that the client device does not support operation of the selected application program. 
     As a computer-implemented method for installation of application programs on a hand-held computing device, one embodiment of the invention can, for example, include at least: receiving a plurality of application programs available for installation on the hand-held computing device, each of the application programs having associated device requirements; selecting at least one of the application programs to be installed on the hand-held computing device; and providing controls for installation of the selected application program on the hand-held computing device if the hand-held computing device meets the associated device requirement of the selected application program. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an application distribution system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an application acquisition process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of an application acquisition process according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an application download process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of an application availability process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of an application download process according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 7A-7C  are exemplary screen depictions of web pages according to embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to controlled application delivery (e.g., download) from a remote application repository to different client computing devices. Application programs are often built to operate on computing devices that have certain hardware and/or software capabilities. Hence, application programs available for download from a remote application repository might not be suitable execution on all client computing devices that are able to access the remote application repository. According to one aspect, the invention can operate to permit only those client computing devices that have the required hardware and/or software capabilities to receive the application programs. In one embodiment, restrictions imposed can allow users of client computing devices to view information about the application programs but prevent download to those client computing devices lacking the required hardware and/or software capabilities. In another embodiment, warnings imposed can allow users of client computing devices lacking the required hardware and/or software capabilities to be warned prior to downloading of application programs to those client computing devices. In still another embodiment, restrictions imposed can filter availability of information about application programs available from the remote application repository such that users can only view information regarding those applications they are able to download onto such client computing devices. 
     Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-7C . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an application distribution system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The application distribution system  100  includes an on-line media repository  102  that couples to a network  104  so as to allow a plurality of computing devices  106  to interact with the on-line media repository  102 . The on-line media repository  102  can be implemented by a single server computer or distributed over multiple server computers. In one implementation, the network  104  can refer to one or more data networks, typically, high data-bandwidth networks, namely, wired networks, such as the Internet, Ethernet, gigabit Ethernet, and fiber optic, as well as wireless networks such as IEEE 802.11(a),(b) or (g) (WiFi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMax), and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB). 
     The on-line media repository  102  stores a plurality of application programs  108 . These application programs  108  can be computer programs that operate on some or all of computing devices  106 . Developers can produce application programs and submit them to the on-line media repository  108  for distribution. Here, the on-line media repository  108  can serve to store and distribute a large number of application programs. The computing devices  106  can have different form factors and capabilities. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the computing device  106  can pertain to a portable computer  106 - 1 , hand-held computer or personal digital assistant (PDA)  106 - 2 , mobile phone  106 - 3  (e.g., cellular phone), or set-top box  106 - 4 . 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, to distribute the application programs  108  from the on-line media repository  102  in an improved manner, the on-line media repository  102  stores supported device requirements (SDRs)  110  for some or all of the application programs  108 . The supported device requirements  110  can be defined by the developer and provided to the on-line media repository  102  when providing the application program  108 . The supported device requirements  110  pertained to minimum device requirements that any computing device  106  must have in order for the application program  108  to properly operate on the computing device  106 . As an example, the on-line media repository  102  can limit distribution of the application programs  108  to only those of the computing devices  106  that meet the supported device requirements  110 . In one embodiment, the on-line media repository  102  can enforce the supported device requirements  110  for the application programs  108 . 
     The computing device  106  can include device information  112 . The device information  112  can pertained to the device capabilities of the computing device  106 . Hence, when the user of the computing device  106  accesses the on-line media repository  102  via the network  104 , which can pertained to the Internet, the computing device  106  can initially receive information descriptive of the one or more application programs  108  available from the on-line media repository  102 . Through user interaction with the computing device  106 , the user can navigate through the information descriptive of the one and more application programs  108  available from the on-line media repository  102  to select a particular application program  108  that the user desires to receive at the computing device  106 . Together with the information descriptive of the one and more application programs  108 , the computing device  106  can also receive supported device requirements  110 ′. In the event that the user requests to receive the particular application program  108 , the computing device  106  can operate to evaluate whether the computing device  106  is able to adequately support the particular application program  108 . In one embodiment, the computing device  106  compares the supported device requirements  110 ′ with the device information  112  to determine whether the computing device  106  is able to adequately support the particular application program  108 . If the computing device  106  determines that the computing device  106  is able to adequately support the particular application program, the particular application program  108  can be downloaded from the on-line media repository  102  through the network  104  to the computing device  106 . Thereafter, the application program  108  can be installed to become an installed application program  108 ′ on the computing device  106 . 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an application acquisition process  200  according to one embodiment of the invention. The application acquisition process  200  is, for example, processing performed at a computing device to determine whether a user requesting an application program is permitted to acquire the application program. 
     The application acquisition process  200  can support  202  user navigation of available application programs. The user navigation of the available application programs allows a user to identify a specific application program that they desire to acquire or install. Following the support  202  for the user navigation in which a specific application program is identified, a decision  204  can determine whether a user acquisition request for a specific application program has been received. When the decision  204  determines that a user acquisition request has not been received, the application acquisition process  200  can return to repeat the block  202 . Alternatively, when the decision  204  determines that a user acquisition request for a specific application program has been received, device capabilities for a client device to receive the specific application program can be retrieved  206 . Typically, the client device stores its device capabilities in an accessible data storage region within the client device. The client device can store its device capabilities directly or can store a type indicator that represents or references device capabilities for the client device. 
     Next, a decision  208  determines whether the client device supports operation of the specific application program. Here, through use of the device capabilities for the client device, the application acquisition process  200  can evaluate whether the client device supports operation of the specific application program. When the decision  208  determines that the client device does not support operation of the specific application program, an indication that the acquisition request is denied can be presented  210 . On the other hand, when the decision  208  determines that the client device does support operation of the specific application program, the acquisition request for the specific application program can be processed  212 . As a result of the processing  212  of the application request, the specific application program is delivered to the client device. Once the specific application program is provided to the client device, the client device can install and utilize the specific application program. Following the blocks  210  or  212 , the application acquisition process  200  can end. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of an application acquisition process  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. The application acquisition process  300  can, for example, be performed by a client device. The client device is a computing device capable of executing computer programs. For example, the application acquisition process  300  can be performed by any of the computing devices  106  illustrated in FIG. 
     The application acquisition process  300  can access  302  an on-line application repository that stores a plurality of application programs that are available for distribution. As one example, the on-line application repository can pertain to the on-line media repository  102  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The on-line application repository can then be navigated  304 . Through the navigation  304 , application information for at least one application program can be displayed  306 . For example, the application information can be displayed on a display device associated with the computing device. The application program has supported device requirements for the application program. The supported device requirements can pertain to minimum hardware and/or software components for a computing device to properly operate the computing device. For example, the minimum hardware requirements might require the computing device to have hardware components, such as a GPS system, a wireless communications, a microphone, a speaker, etc., and the minimum software requirements might require that the computing device have software components, such as a particular operating system. The supported device requirements can be contained within the application information or otherwise associated with the application program. For example, the application information can be provided as a markup language page, such as a webpage, that contains a description (e.g., XML description) of the supported device requirements. 
     Next, a decision  308  can determine whether an acquisition request has been received. When the decision  308  determines that an acquisition request has not been received, the application acquisition process  300  can return to repeat the block  304  and subsequent blocks so that the navigation  304  of the on-line application repository and the display  306  of application information can continue. 
     On the other hand, once the decision  308  determines that an acquisition request has been received, device information for the client device can be retrieved  310 . The device information for the client device describes (directly or indirectly) the device functionalities for the client device. The device information can be compared  312  to the supported device requirements for the application program. Based on the comparison  312 , a decision  314  can determine whether the application program is supported by the client device. When the decision  314  determines that the application program is not supported by the client device, an indication that the acquisition request is denied can be presented  316 . Alternatively, when the decision  314  determines that the application program is supported by the client device, the acquisition request for the specific application program can be processed  318 , whereby the specific application program can be received at the client device from the on-line application repository. Following the blocks  316  or  318 , the application acquisition process  300  can end. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an application download process  400  according to one embodiment of the invention. The application download process  400  is, for example, performed by a computing device, such as any of the computing devices  106  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The application download process  400  can display  402  an application description page. The application description page can be provided by an on-line applications store that is hosted by a remote server. For example, the on-line media repository  102  can pertain to a remote server that hosts an on-line applications store. The application description page can pertain to a markup language page, such as a webpage, that can be displayed by a program or browser operating at the computing device. The application description page provides a description of a particular application program and also includes one or more user interface controls, such as virtual buttons. At least one of the virtual buttons is a download button that, on selection, requests to download the application program from the remote server to the computing device. Following the display  402  of the application description page, a decision  404  determines whether a download button on the application description page has been selected. When the decision  404  determines that a download button has not been selected, other processing  406  can be optionally performed before the application download process  400  returns to repeat the block  402  so that the user can continue to review and interact with the application description page. 
     On the other hand, when the decision  404  determines that a download button has been selected, embedded code in the application description page can be executed (including interpreted)  408  to determine whether the application program is supported by the computing device (client device) performing the application download process  400 . A decision  410  can then determine whether the application program is supported by the computing device. Here, it is determined using the embedded code whether the particular application program is supported by the computing device. In one implementation, the supported device requirements provided with the application description page can be checked against device information known by the computing device. As one example, the embedded code can be provided in a scripting language, such as JavaScript. When the decision  410  determines that the application program is not supported, download of the application program can be denied  412 . In this case, since the application program cannot properly be utilized on the computing device, the download request made by the selection of the download button is denied  412 . Alternatively, when the decision  410  determines that the application program is supported, download of the application program to the computing device can be processed  414 . Following the blocks  412  or  414 , the application download process  400  can end. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of an application availability process  500  according to one embodiment of the invention. The application availability process  500  can be utilized to render application programs available for distribution by an on-line application repository. For example, the on-line application repository is, for example, the on-line media repository  102  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The application availability process  500  initially begins with an application program being developed  502 . Here, a software developer can develop an application program to be utilized on a computing device. Next, the application program can be submitted  504  along with supported device requirements to an on-line application repository. The developer submits  504  application program to the on-line application repository so that the on-line application repository can assist the developer with distribution of the application program to numerous users. By providing the supported device requirements, the developer can thus inform the on-line application repository of the requirements on the computing device in order for the application program to operate properly. 
     Once the application program has been submitted  504 , a decision  506  can determine whether the application program is approved for distribution. Here, the on-line application repository can perform one or more manual or automated checks or evaluations to determine whether the application program is suitable for distribution via the on-line application repository. When the decision  506  determines that the application is not approved for distribution, a decision  508  can determine whether the submission is to be retried. When the decision  580  determines that the submission is to be retried, the application availability process can return to repeat the block  504  so that the developer can again submit  504  the application program to the on-line application repository. Here, the developer is able to make another attempt to have the application program approved for distribution by the on-line application repository. Hence, the developer may be able to correct defects in their earlier submission and then resubmit their application program to the on-line application repository. 
     On the other hand, when the decision  506  determines that the application program has been approved for distribution, the application program is rendered  510  available for distribution at the on-line application repository. This allows various users of computing devices to interact with the on-line application repository to acquire the application program. Following the block  510 , or following the decision  508  when the submission is not to be retried, the application availability process  500  can end. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of an application download process  600  according to one embodiment of the invention. The application download process  600  can, for example, be performed by a client device. The client device is a computing device, such as any of the computing devices  106  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The application download process  600  can access  602  an on-line application repository. Once the on-line application repository has been accessed  602 , the on-line application repository can be navigated  604  by a user of the computing device to select an application program to be downloaded. Upon selecting an application program, application information pertaining to the selected application program can be displayed  606 . The application information can include at least text and/or graphic that explains, characterizes or describes the application program. Next, a decision  608  determines whether a download request has been received for the selected application program. When the decision  608  determines that a download request has not been received, the application download process  600  can return to repeat the block  604  so that the navigation  604  and the display  606  can continue. 
     On the other hand, when the decision  608  determines that a download request has been received, a device type for the client device can be retrieved  610 . The device type is associated with a particular class or category of client devices that might interact with the on-line application repository to download application programs. A decision  612  can then determine whether the device type for the client device is a supported device type for the selected application program. When the decision  612  determines that the device type for the client device is not a supported device type for the selected application program, a message indicating that the download request is denied can be displayed  614 . Alternatively, when the decision  612  determines that the device type is a supported device type for the selected application program, download of the selected application program to the client device can be permitted  616 . Following the blocks  614  or  616 , the application download process  600  can end. 
     In the application download process  600 , a device type for the client device can be retrieved  610 . The device type denotes those device types that are compatible with a selected application program. The device type can, for example, represent a certain set of supported device requirements. In one embodiment, the application information for the selected application program that is provided to the client device is a markup language document, such as a web page, that includes an indication of the supported device types. Additionally, for each supported device type, the markup language document can specify one or more of: a device type ID, minimum product version, minimum product version title, minimum product version description, minimum device title, or minimum device description. If the client device is of a type equal to one of the supported device types and the product version of the client device is greater than or equal to the minimum product version, then the selected application program is deemed compatible for use on the client device. 
     Alternatively, if the client device is of a type equal to (i.e., matches) one of the supported device types but the product version of the client device is less than the minimum product version, then the selected application program is deemed not compatible for use on the client device. In this case, the minimum product version title and/or minimum product version description can be used to form a notification that is presented by the client device. As an example, the notification can inform the user that the client device does no support the selected application program, e.g., “Application Not Compatible”, and also provide a reason, e.g., “The application requires a software update on your device”. For example, the software update could pertain to an operating system update for the client device. The minimum product version can also pertain to a product version or an operating system version. In one embodiment, the minimum product version title and/or minimum product version description can include a universal resource location (URL) to specify a location for additional information on the incompatibility or for a location to acquire the required component(s). 
     In another alternative, if the client device is of a type not equal to any of the supported device types, then the selected application program is deemed not compatible for use on the client device. In this case, the minimum device title and/or minimum device description can be used to form a notification that is presented by the client device. As an example, the notification can inform the user that the client device does not support the selected application program, e.g., “Application Not Compatible”, and also provide a reason, e.g., “The application cannot be used on this device, it requires device x or device y”. In one embodiment, the minimum device title and/or minimum device description can include a universal resource location (URL) to specify a location for additional information on the incompatibility or for a location to acquire the required component(s). 
     In still another alternative, regardless of whether the client device is of a type matching any of the supported device types, a client device of a certain type or serial number could be prevented from being deemed compatible. In such case, the selected application program would be deemed unavailable to the client device. In this case, a notification can be presented by the client device. As an example, the notification can inform the user that the selected application program is not available for use on the client device. In one embodiment, the notification can include a universal resource location (URL) to specify a location for additional information on the unavailability. 
       FIGS. 7A-7C  are exemplary screen depictions of web pages according to embodiments of the invention. The web pages are provided by an application distribution website hosted by or coupled to an on-line repository and presented on a display device of a client computing device. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates an exemplary screen depiction of a web page  700  pertaining to an application program according to one embodiment of the invention. The web page can be produced by the processing noted above. As an example, the web page can represent one implementation of application information provided in  FIG. 3 or 6 , or can represent one implementation of an application description page provided in  FIG. 4 . The web page  700  can include an application characteristics section  702  that lists characteristics or details of the application program. The characteristics or details can specify one or more of title, category, released date, seller name, version number, size (e.g., in MBs), price and rating. The web page  700  can also include a graphic for the application program, such as a cover image, logo or the like. In addition, the web page  700  can include a “Get App” button  706  that, upon user selection, requests download (or acquisition) of the application program from the on-line repository. The web page  700  can also present one or more representative screens  708  pertaining to the application program. The web page  700  can also include an application description that provides a textual description of the application program. Still further, the web page  700  can include other information, such as customer reviews, pertaining to the application program. 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates an exemplary screen depiction of a web page  720  according to one embodiment of the invention. The web page  720  can be displayed on the client computing device when the requested application program is not permitted to be downloaded to the client computing device. Specifically, as noted above, in response to requesting download of an application program to a client computing device, it can be determined whether the client computing device is able to properly operate the application program. In this embodiment, the web page  720  displays a notification  722  that informs a user of the client computing device that download of the application program is not permitted on the client computing device. In the particular example illustrated in  FIG. 7B , the notification displayed states “Sorry, your client device is not compatible with this application”. In  FIG. 7B , the notification  722  is displayed at the top portion of the web page  720 . For example, the web page  720  can result by updating the web page  700  shown in  FIG. 7A  by inserting the notification  722  at the top of the displayed page. However, in other embodiments, the notification can be displayed anywhere on the web page  720  or in another window (e.g., dialog box). In still another embodiment, the notification can be presented in an audio manner (with or without also displaying the notification  722 ). 
       FIG. 7C  illustrates an exemplary screen depiction of a web page  740  according to one embodiment of the invention. The web page  740  can be displayed in the client computing device when the requested application program is not permitted to be downloaded to the client computing device. Specifically, as noted above, in response to requesting download of an application program to a client computing device, it can be determined whether the client computing device is able to properly operate the application program. In this embodiment, the web page  740  blocks the user of the client computing device from being able to request an application program that is not permitted to be downloaded to the client computing device. For example, the “Get App” button  706  that, upon user selection, requests download (or acquisition) of the application program from the on-line repository can be disabled. The disablement of the “Get App” button  706  can be visually identified. For example, the “Get App” button  706  is shown in  FIG. 7C  as being disabled by an “X” superimposed on the button graphics. In alternative embodiments, the “Get App” button  706  could be “Grayed out” to indicate it being inactive or could be completely removed from the web page  740 . 
     The various aspects, features, embodiments or implementations of the invention described above can be used alone or in various combinations. 
     The invention is preferably implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium generally include read-only memory and random-access memory. More specific examples of computer readable medium are tangible and include Flash memory, EEPROM memory, memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, hard drive, magnetic tape, and optical data storage device. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different aspects, embodiments or implementations may yield one or more of the following advantages. One advantage of one embodiment of the invention is that those application programs that are digitally delivered to client computing devices from a remote application repository are known to operate on such client computing devices. Other of the application programs that are not able to operate on such client computing devices are not digitally delivered to the client computing devices. Another advantage of one embodiment of the invention is that a remote application repository can efficiently offer the same web page to different client devices, and client device limitations, if any, can be used to modify the web page locally at the client device. 
     The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20140602
Publication Date: 20180925
Grant Date: 20180925
Priority Date: 20090209
Inventors: GHARABALLY, SAM
KELLY, SEAN B.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F8/64", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F8/61", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F8/61", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F8/64", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L67/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F8/64", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L67/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L67/2823", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F8/64", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L67/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F8/61", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F8/61", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L67/565", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 42315610