Automatic collection and updating of application usage

Abstract

A method and system providing automatic collection and updating of application usage on a large number of electronic devices without user intervention. The electronic devices may be a palm-sized computer systems, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or wireless telephones. On an electronic device, application usage statistics, for example, the number of times a user uses an application, are gathered and stored. Once gathered and stored, the usage statistics are transferred to a host computer, and subsequently to a server (alternatively, the electronic device can send the gathered statistics directly to a server). The server tabulates usage statistics gathered from a plurality of electronic devices and publishes the results. The users of the electronic devices that gather usage statistics can be compensated in a variety of ways (e.g., monetary, chances in a raffle, discounts on purchases etc.).

1 . A method of monitoring usage in an electronic device operating a plurality of application programs, comprising the steps of:
 a) gathering usage statistics of the application programs;   b) storing the usage statistics; and   c) automatically transmitting the usage statistics that are stored to a server on a regular basis, whereby the server tabulates the usage statistics;   wherein the gathering step further comprises the steps of:
 measuring duration of application usage, and when an auto-shutoff occurs, including a predetermined fraction of the time from a last user interaction to the auto-shutoff in the measured duration. 
   
   
   
       2 . A method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the storing step further comprises, for at least one of the application programs, storing of:
 i) duration of usage since the last transmitting step occurred;   ii) number of times used since the last transmitting step occurred;   iii) total duration usage; and   iv) total number of times used.   
   
   
       3 . A method as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 displaying the stored usage statistics on a display of the electronic device.   
   
   
       4 . A method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the gathering step further comprises the step of:
 measuring duration of usage of at least one of the application programs and does not include time when the electronic device is turned off.   
   
   
       5 . A method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the gathering step further comprises the steps of:
 i) measuring, for at least one of the application programs, a first duration of usage while the electronic device is running on batteries; and   ii) measuring, for the at least one application program, a second duration of usage while the electronic device is connected to an external source of power.   
   
   
       6 . A method as described in  claim 5 , wherein the measuring steps do not include time when an interrupt pauses use of the at least one application program. 
   
   
       7 . A method as described in  claim 1 , where the usage statistics comprise at least one of:
 measurements denoting a duration of usage when the electronic device is powered by batteries;   measurements denoting a duration of usage when the electronic device is powered by an external source of power;   measurements denoting a duration of usage when an auto-shutoff of the electronic device occurs, the measurements for denoting a duration of usage adjusted by a predetermined scale factor; and   measurements denoting a duration of usage of the application programs when an interrupt occurs.   
   
   
       8 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is a palm-sized computer system. 
   
   
       9 . A method as described in  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is a wireless telephone. 
   
   
       10 . A method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a personal digital assistant. 
   
   
       11 . In an electronic device comprising a processor coupled to a bus, a display coupled to the bus and a memory coupled to the bus, the memory having a database of records of different categories and instructions implementing a method of displaying information comprising the steps of:
 a) gathering usage statistics of the application programs;   b) storing the usage statistics; and   c) automatically transmitting the stored usage statistics to a server on a regular basis, whereby the server tabulates the usage statistics; and   wherein the gathering step further comprises measuring duration of application usage, and when an auto-shutoff occurs, includes a predetermined fraction of the time from a last user interaction to the auto-shutoff in the measured duration.   
   
   
       12 . A method as described in  claim 11  wherein the storing step comprises, for at least one the application program, storing of:
 i) duration of usage since last the transmitting step occurred;   ii) number of times used since last the transmitting step occurred;   iii) total duration usage; and   iv) total number of times used.   
   
   
       13 . A method as described in  claim 11  and further comprising the step of:
 displaying the stored usage statistics on a display of the electronic device.   
   
   
       14 . A method as described in  claim 11 , wherein the gathering step further comprises the steps of:
 i) measuring, for at least one the application program, a first duration of usage while the electronic device is running on batteries; and   ii) measuring, for the at least one application program, a second duration of usage while the electronic device is connected to an external source of power.   
   
   
       15 . A method as described in  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device is a palm-sized computer system. 
   
   
       16 . A method as described in  claim 11  wherein the electronic device is a wireless telephone. 
   
   
       17 . A method as described in  claim 11 , wherein the usage statistics comprise at least one of:
 measurements denoting a duration of usage when the electronic device is powered by batteries;   measurements denoting a duration of usage when the electronic device is powered by an external source of power;   measurements denoting a duration of usage when an auto-shutoff of the electronic device occurs, the measurements for denoting a duration of usage adjusted by a predetermined scale factor; and   measurements denoting a duration of usage of the application programs when an interrupt occurs.   
   
   
       18 . In a system comprising one or more electronic devices having application programs and a computer server, a method of monitoring usage comprising the steps of:
 a) gathering usage statistics of the application programs   b) storing the usage statistics;   c) automatically transmitting the stored usage statistics to a server on a regular basis; and   d) tabulating the transmitted usage statistics; and   wherein the gathering step further comprises measuring duration of application usage, and when an auto-shutoff occurs, includes a predetermined fraction of the time from a last user interaction to the auto-shutoff in the measured duration.   
   
   
       19 . A method as described in  claim 18 , wherein the usage statistics comprise at least one of:
 measurements denoting a duration of usage when the electronic device is powered by batteries;   measurements denoting a duration of usage when the electronic device is powered by an external source of power;   measurements denoting a duration of usage when an auto-shutoff of the electronic device occurs, the measurements for denoting a duration of usage adjusted by a predetermined scale factor; and   measurements denoting a duration of usage of the application programs when an interrupt occurs.   
   
   
       20 . A method as described in  claim 19 , the system further comprising a host computer, and wherein the stored usage statistics are transmitted to the host computer before transmitting the stored usage statistics to the server. 
   
   
       21 . A method as described in  claim 19  and further comprising the step of:
 publishing the tabulated usage statistics on the Internet.   
   
   
       22 . A method as described in  claim 19  and further comprising the step of:
 crediting value to an account corresponding to at least one of the electronic devices.   
   
   
       23 . In one or more computer servers, a method of collecting usage statistics comprising the steps of:
 a) automatically receiving usage statistics for at least one application program on a regular basis, the usage statistics having been gathered from electronic devices,;   b) tabulating the received usage statistics;   c) publishing the tabulated usage statistics; and   wherein the gathering step further comprises measuring duration of application usage, and when an auto-shutoff occurs, includes a predetermined fraction of the time from a last user interaction to the auto-shutoff in the measured duration.   
   
   
       24 . A method as described in  claim 23  and further comprising the step of:
 crediting value to an account corresponding to at least one of the electronic devices.   
   
   
       25 . A method as described in  claim 23  and further comprising the step of:
 storing the tabulated usage results in a database that can be queried.   
   
   
       26 . A method as described in  claim 23 , wherein the publishing step comprises:
 a) receiving a query request;   b) applying the query to the database;   c) receiving query results from the database;   d) formatting the results; and   e) transmitting the formatted results.   
   
   
       27 . A method as described in  claim 23 , wherein the usage statistics comprise at least one of:
 measurements denoting a duration of usage when the electronic device is powered by batteries;   measurements denoting a duration of usage when the electronic device is powered by an external source of power;   measurements denoting a duration of usage when an auto-shutoff of the electronic device occurs, the measurements for denoting a duration of usage adjusted by a predetermined scale factor and measurements denoting a duration of usage of the at least one application program when an interrupt occurs.