Method, system and apparatus for installing software on a mobile electronic device via a proxy server

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for installing software at a mobile electronic device are provided, the mobile electronic device enabled for communication with a computing device. A query for available software for installation on the mobile electronic device receiving is received from the computing device, the query directed to a proxy server rather than a public server enabled as a gateway for software downloads. A list of the available software is generated. The list is modified to produce a modified list of approved software. The modified list is transmitted to the computing device such that the approved software can be selected for installation on the mobile electronic device.

1 . A method for installing software at a mobile electronic device, said mobile electronic device enabled for communication with a computing device, said method implementable in a proxy server associated, said method comprising:
 receiving, from said computing device, a query for available software for installation on said mobile electronic device, said query directed to said proxy server rather than a public server enabled as a gateway for software downloads;   generating a list of said available software;   modifying said list to produce a modified list of approved software; and   transmitting said modified list to said computing device such that said approved software can be selected for installation on said mobile electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said generating said list comprises at least one of retrieving at least a first portion said list from said public server and determining at least a second portion of said list based on software available from resources associated with said proxy server. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving from said computing device a selection from said modified list;   retrieving data files associated with said selection; and   transmitting said data files to said computing device for installation on said mobile computing device.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said retrieving said data files comprises at least one of retrieving said data files from said public server and retrieving said data files from resources associated with said proxy server. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising storing a subset of said data files at said resources associated with said proxy server, said subset comprising data files retrieved from said public server such that said subset need not be retrieved a second time from said public server. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said modifying said list to produce a modified list of approved software comprises at least one of modifying said list based on said rules available to said proxy server;
 removing software that is not approved from said list; and,   adding approved software available from resources associated with said proxy server, but not available from said public server, to said list.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said modified list comprises at least one of:
 at least one identifier of said approved software; and   at least one network address of a resource from where data files associated with said approved software can be retrieved.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 authenticating said query; and   when said authentication fails, at least one of transmitting an error message to said computing device and redirecting said query to said proxy server, rather than performing said generating step, said modifying step and said transmitting said modified list to said computing device step.   
     
     
         9 . A proxy server for installing software at a mobile electronic device, said mobile electronic device enabled for communication with a computing device, said proxy server comprising:
 a processing unit interconnected with a communication interface, said processing unit enabled to:
 receive, from said computing device, a query for available software for installation on said mobile electronic device, said query directed to said proxy server rather than a public server enabled as a gateway for software downloads; 
 generate a list of said available software; 
 modify said list based on rules available to said proxy server to produce a modified list of approved software; and 
 transmit said modified list to said computing device such that said approved software can be selected for installation on said mobile electronic device. 
   
     
     
         10 . The proxy server of  claim 9 , said processing unit further enabled to:
 authenticate said query; and   when said authentication fails, at least one of transmit an error message to said computing device and redirect said query to said proxy server, rather than performing said generate step, said modify step and said transmit said modified list to said computing device step.   
     
     
         11 . A method for installing software at a mobile electronic device, said mobile electronic device enabled for communication with a computing device, said method implementable in said computing device, said method comprising:
 retrieving a network address of a proxy server from said mobile electronic device;   querying said proxy server, using said network address, for available software for installation on said mobile electronic device, said querying directed to said proxy server rather than a public server enabled as a gateway for software downloads;   receiving a modified list of approved software, from said proxy server, said modified list generated at said proxy server based on rules available to said proxy server;   receiving input data associated with a selection of said approved software from said modified list, for installation on said mobile electronic device; and   retrieving data files associated with said selection for installation at said mobile electronic device.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising causing said data files to be installed at said mobile electronic device. 
     
     
         13 . A computing device for installing software at a mobile electronic device, comprising:
 a processing unit interconnected with a communication interface and an input device, said communication interface enabled to communicate with said mobile electronic device, said processing unit enabled to:
 retrieve a network address of a proxy server from said mobile electronic device; 
 query said proxy server, using said network address, for available software for installation on said mobile electronic device, said querying directed to said proxy server rather than a public server enabled as a gateway for software downloads; 
 receive a modified list of approved software, from said proxy server, said modified list generated at said proxy server based on rules available to said proxy server; 
 receive input data associated with a selection of said approved software from said modified list, for installation on said mobile electronic device; and 
 retrieve data files associated with said selection for installation at said mobile electronic device. 
   
     
     
         14 . A system for installing software at a mobile electronic device, comprising:
 a proxy server enabled to:
 receive an identifier of said mobile electronic device; 
 generate a list of available software available for installation on said mobile electronic device; 
 modify said list based on rules available to said proxy server to produce a modified list of approved software based on rules available to said proxy server; and 
 transmit said modified list such that said approved software on said modified list can be selected for installation on said mobile electronic device; and 
   a computing device enabled to:
 retrieve a network address of said proxy server from said mobile electronic device; 
 query said proxy server for said available software, using said network address, said query directed to said proxy server rather than a public server enabled as a gateway for software downloads; 
 receive said modified list; 
 receive input data associated with a selection of said approved software from said modified list, for installation on said mobile electronic device; and 
 retrieve data files associated with said selection for installation at said mobile electronic device. 
   
     
     
         15 . A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method for installing software at a mobile electronic device, said mobile electronic device enabled for communication with a computing device, said method implementable in a proxy server associated, said method comprising:
 receiving, from said computing device, a query for available software for installation on said mobile electronic device, said query directed to said proxy server rather than a public server enabled as a gateway for software downloads;   generating a list of said available software;   modifying said list to produce a modified list of approved software; and   transmitting said modified list to said computing device such that said approved software can be selected for installation on said mobile electronic device.   
     
     
         16 . A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method for installing software at a mobile electronic device, said mobile electronic device enabled for communication with a computing device, said method implementable in said computing device, said method comprising:
 retrieving a network address of a proxy server from said mobile electronic device;   querying said proxy server, using said network address, for available software for installation on said mobile electronic device, said querying directed to said proxy server rather than a public server enabled as a gateway for software downloads;   receiving a modified list of approved software, from said proxy server, said modified list generated at said proxy server based on rules available to said proxy server;   receiving input data associated with a selection of said approved software from said modified list, for installation on said mobile electronic device; and   retrieving data files associated with said selection for installation at said mobile electronic device.