Methods and apparatus to integrate mobile communications device management with web browsing

A system comprising a device and a web server coupled together via a wireless link, comprising:

• a device management server, coupled to the web server, and responsive to receiving a certain type of HTTP request message from the device during a browsing session, for sending a HTTP response message towards the device, the HTTP response message comprising a dedicated MIME-type for indicating that a device management session is being initiated, the device management session being identified by an identifier that comprises part of the HTTP response message;
• said device comprising a device management client operative to reply to the HTTP response message with a device management session reply that comprises device details and the identifier;
• where said device management server uses the device details, in cooperation with a workflow manager, to develop a list comprising at least one download option that is compatible with the device and to sending the list to the device;
• and
• in response to a user selecting the at least one download option from the list, said device management server delivers the selected at least one download option to the device during a device management session.

A method to operate a device to download information via a wireless network, comprising:

• during a wireless HTTP session, making an inquiry with the device with regard to downloadable information;
• in response to the inquiry, initiating a secure device management wireless dialogue with the device to obtain device-specific parameters descriptive of at least certain capabilities of the device;
• generating a list and sending the list to the device, the list comprising at least one entry that is descriptive of downloadable information that is compatible with the device capabilities;
• and
• during a wireless HTTP session, selecting at least one entry from the list to be downloaded to the device.

A device operable in a wireless network to obtain information via the wireless network, comprising a user interface and a controller operating with a program to perform operations:

• during a wireless HTTP session involving a user and the user interface, to send an inquiry from the device with regard to downloadable information;
• in response to sending the inquiry, and to a response received through the wireless network, to establish a secure device management session to send device-specific parameters descriptive of at least certain capabilities of the device;
• and
• in response to receiving a list having at least one entry that is descriptive of downloadable information that is compatible with the device capabilities, to select via the user interface during a wireless HTTP session at least one entry from the list to be downloaded to the device.

A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium including a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to perform operations, comprising:

• in response to receiving a certain type of HTTP request message from the device during a browsing session, sending a HTTP response message to the device, the HTTP response message comprising a dedicated MIME-type for indicating that a device management session is being initiated, the device management session being identified by an identifier that comprises part of the HTTP response message;
• replying to the HTTP response message with a device management session reply that comprises device details and the identifier;
• using the device details to develop a list comprising at least one download option that is compatible with the device;
• sending the list to the device;
• and
• in response to a user selecting the at least one download option from the list, delivering the selected at least one download option to the device during a device management session.