System and method for an application distribution and metrics system enabling the integration of distrubuted applications into host applications and the monetizing of distributed applications

Abstract

The present invention comprises an application distribution and metrics system as well as an application monetizing system (ADMS). The ADMS incorporates a cross-platform application distribution system and a usage-based and ad-based monetizing system which allows for fine-tuned usage-based pricing schemes to be created based on system-defined metrics and developer-defined metrics, seamless integration of ad-based monetizing, third party participation in monetizing efforts, and a flexible revenue allocation process.

1 . A method for distributing one or more applications, comprising the steps of defining said applications to provide one or more part definitions; and installing adapter code on a host application server. 
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said applications is defined with one or more attributes and wherein each of said part definitions is defined with one or more attributes. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of creating one or more subscriptions for each of said applications. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising the step of creating one or more parts for each of said part definitions. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of: generating markup for each of said parts; associating one created part with said subscription for each of said applications; said markup generated will reference an application distribution system, said application, said application subscription, said application part definition, and said application part. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of inserting said markup for at least one of said multiplicity of parts into a web page. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: generating markup, said markup generated will reference an application distribution system, said application, an application subscription, said application part definition, and an application part; inserting said markup into a webpage. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of creating said subscription and said part referenced in said markup. 
     
     
         9 . A method for the prefetching of distributed application parts comprising the steps of:
 receiving displayPart calls from a host application, and determining which of the displayPart calls was first called by said host application.   
     
     
         10 . A method for effecting efficient data transport between an ADMS, an adapter, and a client comprising the step of using an EHDF. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the EHDF is insensitive to the endianness of an architecture, wherein said architecture is running a host application. 
     
     
         12 . A device for distributing and monetizing a multiplicity of applications, comprising:
 an adapter for tunneling said multiplicity of applications, and means for automatic prefetching of parts of said multiplicity of applications.   
     
     
         13 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said adaptor comprises means for caching cookie headers. 
     
     
         14 . An EDHF comprising a length prefix,
 wherein said length prefix provides means for reduced coding and decoding of full data byte sets.  15 . The EDHF as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said length prefixing allows one to traverse the data byte sets without looking for end characters.