Data Container for User Interface Content Data

Abstract

A data container is provided for use in provisioning content data fore the user interface of a device, such as mobile telephone. The container comprises content data and metadata relating to the content data, the metadata limiting access to the content data and/or providing a contest for the use of the content data within the user interface.

1 . A method of provisioning a user interface to a device, the method comprising the steps of 
 a) creating a container, the container comprising: executable code for a user interface; one or more content resources for use in the user interface; and metadata relating to the or each content resource, the executable code, the or each content resource and the metadata being stored as serialised objects within the container;    b) transmitting the container to one or more devices;    c) extracting the contents of the container at the or each device; and    d) executing the code to generate a user interface for the device.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the metadata comprise data determining access to the executable code and/or the or each content resource to prevent unauthorised access to the executable code and/or the or each content resource during step (a).  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein if during step a) the executable code and/or a content resource is altered, the metadata is updated accordingly.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to any preceding claim wherein, the metadata relating to the or each content resources relates to one or more hierarchical classifications, the hierarchical classification(s) relating to the capabilities of a device.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of 
 e) processing the container contents into a format for transmission to a device, step e) being performed subsequent to step a) and prior to step b).    
     
     
         6 . A server for provisioning a user interface to one or more devices, the server comprising: 
 storage means to receive a data container;    editing means to enable the data container to be edited, in use the data container comprising executable code for a user interface; one or more content resources for use in the user interface; and metadata relating to the or each content resource, the executable code, the or each content resource and the metadata being stored as serialised objects within the data container; and    transmission means for transmitting a data container to one or more devices.    
     
     
         7 . A server according to  claim 6 , wherein the server further comprises a processing means configure, in use, to process a data container prior to transmission of a data container to one or more devices.  
     
     
         8 . A data container comprising computer executable code for performing the method of any of  claims 1  to  5 .  
     
     
         9 . A method of installing a user interface in a device, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving at a device a container over a communications network, the container comprising: executable code for a user interface; one or more content resources for use in the user interface; and metadata relating to the or each content resource, the executable code, the or each content resource and the metadata being stored as serialised objects within the container;    b) extracting the contents of the container at the device; and    c) executing the code to generate a user interface for the device.    
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the metadata comprises data determining access to the executable code and/or the or each content resource to control access to the executable code and/or the or each content resource during step (b).  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the access-determining metadata can be updated in response to receiving a control message from the communications network.  
     
     
         12 . A data container comprising computer executable code for performing the method of any of  claims 9  to  11 .  
     
     
         13 . A device comprising a display, a user interface, storage means, processing means and a communication interface, the device being configured, in use, to 
 receive a data container from a communications network via the communications interface;    store the data container in the storage means;    process the data container using the processing means to extract the contents of the data container, the data container comprising executable code for a user interface; one or more content resources for use in the user interface; and metadata relating to the or each content resource, the executable code, the or each content resource and the metadata being stored as serialised objects within the data container;    form a user interface in accordance with the extracted contents of the data container; and    display the user interface in the device display.    
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 13 , wherein the metadata stored in the storage means comprises data determining access to the executable code and/or the or each content resource to control access to the executable code and/or the or each content resource.  
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein the device is further configure, in use, to receive control commands from the communications network via the communications interface, the control commands updating the metadata that determines access to the code and/or content resource(s).