WO2016146779A1

WO2016146779A1 - Method and system for distributing applications stored on an application server

Info

Publication number: WO2016146779A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/055875
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Hagl
Original assignee: Vasema Diagnostics Ag
Priority date: 2015-03-18
Filing date: 2016-03-17
Publication date: 2016-09-22
Also published as: AT517031A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for distributing applications (121, 122, ...) stored on an application server (12) to a plurality of, in particular mobile, terminals (31, 32, ...), on each of which a local control program (311, 321, ...) runs for accepting control commands to execute and/or install and/or maintain and/or configure and/or uninstall the applications (121, 122, ...), wherein the individual terminals (31, 32, ...) are connected to a control server (11), which causes the control program (311, 321, ...) running on the terminal (31, 32, ...) to accept, execute and maintain the applications (121, 122, ...) on the relevant terminal (31, 32, ...) on the basis of the control commands (X). According to the invention, the outbound control commands (X) from the control server (11) are received from a middleware control server (21), on which a middleware control program corresponding to the local control program runs, which middleware control program processes the inbound control commands (X) to same from the control server (11), the control commands (X) are delivered to a program logic, which analyses the control commands (X) and transforms, filters and forwards same to the terminals (31, 32, ...) as modified control commands (Y) according to predetermined rules and, on the basis of at least one part of the modified control commands (Y), the local control program (311, 321, ...) of a terminal (31, 32, ...) downloads one of the applications (121, 122, ...) at least indirectly from the application server (12) and installs and/or executes and/or maintains and/or configures and/or uninstalls same on the terminal (31, 32, ...).

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING ON AN APPLICATION SERVER

STORED APPLICATIONS

The invention relates to a method and a system for distributing or cascading applications to a plurality of terminals. Advantageously, such methods and systems are used for security-critical, data protection-relevant communication structures, in particular sensitive data such as health data, personal data, government data.

Different ways of distributing applications to mobile terminals are known in the art, e.g. is shown in Fig. 1. On the one hand, such a system comprises a control server 11, which is in data connection with a plurality of terminals 31, 32,.... Advantageously, these are mobile terminals 31, 32 which are in communication and data connection with the control server 11 via a wireless data connection. On the individual mobile terminals 31, 32, ... runs in each case a local control program 311, 321, ..., which is designed to accept applications 121, 122, ... and these applications on the terminal 31, 32, ... executes and / or installs and / or maintains. In addition, this system also includes an application server on which a variety of applications is stored. Under an application server is understood in the context of the invention, a server on which applications are stored. However, it is not necessary that stored applications also run on this application server. These applications can be downloaded at the instigation of the control server 1 1 on the terminals 31, 32, .... The applications are then installed on the end devices and possibly also maintained, configured and possibly uninstalled again.

For example, appstores are known from the prior art, in which an operator has a multiplicity of different applications available on an application server or for download and installation. In addition, an Appstore has a control server that transmits individual control commands to a local control program installed in the terminal and causes the terminals accordingly for downloading and installing, if necessary, for maintenance and configuration and, if necessary, for uninstalling.

In order to concretely install an application 121, 122,... On a terminal 31, 32,..., The local control program 311, 321,... Transmits a request to the control server 11, which is sent to the mobile terminal 31, 32, ... transmits a control command X which causes the local control program 311, 321, ... on the terminal 31, 32,... To make a transmission request to the application server 12. The application server 12 transmits the requested application 121, 122, ... to the terminal 31, 32,. The local control program 31 1, 321, ... installs the application 121, 122, wherein via the control server 1 1 further control commands for performing the installation to the local control program 31 1, 321, ... can be transmitted. While the application 121, 122, ... is installed on the terminals 31, 32,..., There is the possibility that the control server 1 1 sends further control commands X to the terminals 31, 32, , local control programs 31 1, 321, ... transmitted and these to maintenance commands, such as program updates or execution or termination of the application 121, 122, ... causes. In principle, there would also be the possibility that the control server causes the terminal 31, 32, ... or the local control program 31 1, 321,... For uninstalling the application in the event of considerable security problems.

A major problem of the prior art is that the control over the installation, maintenance, configuration and uninstallation is the Appstore operator. If a particular institution, for example a hospital or a hospital association, wishes to retain control over the applications used in it and, in particular, stipulates that individual, generally available applications with a specific configuration should be used, then it is advantageous if these applications can be used one of the institution associated middleware to the individual terminals transmitted and monitored by this middleware.

According to the invention, in a method for distributing applications stored on an application server to a plurality of, in particular mobile, terminals, on each of which a local control program for accepting control commands for execution and / or installation and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or Uninstall the applications,

wherein the individual terminals are connected to a control server which causes the control program running on the terminal to start, execute and maintain the applications on the respective terminal on the basis of control commands,

that control commands issued by the control server are received by a middleware control server running a middleware control program corresponding to the local control program, which processes the control commands received from the control server,

- That the control commands are supplied to a program logic that analyzes the control commands and converts according to predetermined rules, filters and forwards to the terminals as modified control commands, and - That the local control program of a terminal due to at least part of the modified control commands downloads one of the applications at least indirectly from the application server and installed and / or executes and / or maintained and / or configured and / or uninstalled on the terminal.

With the invention it is possible to create a local device for distributing applications that is separate from a provider and not necessarily dependent on a global connection.

Additional data security and the elimination of a possibly not possible downloading of applications from remote locations can be omitted if the applications stored in the application server are transmitted to a middleware application server and possibly updated continuously, and that the local control program of a terminal due to at least part of the modified control commands at least indirectly downloading one of the applications from the middleware application server and installing and / or executing and / or maintaining on the terminal.

A simple, hierarchical or cascaded structure of a network can provide that each middleware control server is assigned in each case the control server or another middleware control server as a superordinate or cascaded upstream control server,

- In which the respective parent or in the cascade upstream control server outgoing control signals are received in each case by all or selected subordinate or cascaded middleware control server, on each of which a local control program corresponding middleware control program runs, which is supplied to him by the control server Processed control commands,

- The control commands are supplied to a program logic that analyzes the control commands and converts according to predetermined rules, filters and forwards to the terminals or the respective subordinate or cascaded middleware control server as modified control commands.

The structure shown here can also be regarded as a cascaded structure. In this sense, in the sense of a hierarchy higher-level control server in the cascade upstream control server represent. The subordinate in terms of a hierarchy control server in the cascade control server In order to be able to easily and securely control which terminals have access to which applications, it can be provided that each higher-level or cascade-connected middleware control server only accesses the terminals or the respective subordinate or cascaded middleware control servers Allows applications to be accessed by its parent or cascaded middleware control server or control server;

where appropriate, each middleware control server restricts the access of subordinate or downstream in the cascade middleware control server or its connected terminals on the applications available to him according to predetermined rules.

In order to have the respective applications constantly available and to be independent of the functioning of a global data connection, it can be provided that a middleware application server is assigned to each middleware control server, in each of which the applications are stored, for which the respective middleware Control server access is allowed,

where appropriate, the middleware application server is synchronized in such a way that the middleware application servers are arranged according to the same hierarchy or the same cascaded arrangement as the respective middleware control server and middleware application server applications respectively from its parent or Kaskase upstream Middleware application server or application server receives and optionally forwarded to the subordinate or in the cascade middleware application server and / or terminals.

A simple and advantageous help function can provide that the applications running on the terminals offer a query function, wherein upon actuation of the inquiry function by the user a message signal is transmitted to a request server.

In order to be able to find persons who may possibly be helpful for queries, it may be provided that, together with or in the message signal, the respective state of the application and optionally a selection of the last operator actions and / or accesses made with the application and / or or logs to the backhaul server. In this case, it is particularly advantageous for the back-end server to search for further terminals connected to it, which have already used the respective application with similar or matching operating patterns and transmit the message signal to the terminal thus found and, if appropriate

a) creates a communication channel between the sending the message signal terminal and the terminal receiving the message signal and / or

b) leaves a message in the respective receiving terminal and stores the message signal.

An advantageous integration into existing systems can provide that the respective middleware control server acts as a query server.

In order to enable a callback system in larger networks, provision can be made for the middleware control server, in the event that it can not forward a message signal sent to it to a terminal connected to it, to its parent or cascade-connected middleware control server forwards the message signal to the other subordinate or downstream cascade middleware control server or terminal device.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided in this context that the back-end server, in particular the middleware control server, transmits a message signal to the terminals connected to it.

In order to achieve a simple configuration of the queries or a simple, targeted forwarding of queries, it can be provided that each terminal and each backend server each have a logic with which the forwarding or acceptance of a message signal is processed,

- In particular, the logic of a terminal for different types of queries contained in the message can take the following states and accordingly accepts the query, rejects or forwards:

- general refusal of all queries or specific queries,

- accepting in principle all queries or specific queries,

- accepting all queries or specific queries,

and or - In particular, the logic of a query server for different types of queries contained in the message can take the following states and accordingly accepts the query, rejects or forwards:

- accepting all queries or specific queries,

- Forward all queries or specific queries among the subordinate or downstream terminals

- forward all queries or specific queries to a possibly existing and acting as a query server parent or upstream in the cascade middleware control server.

The concrete approach in the treatment of queries can be advantageously carried out with methods of artificial intelligence or self-learning methods.

A simple combination with global, existing systems of downloadable applications provides

- that the local control program, bypassing the middleware control server allows direct access to the control server or another control server to install and / or execute and / or maintain additional applications, and

- That the local control program blocks immediate access if the accesses relate to an application that was installed and / or executed and / or maintained due to a request from the middleware control server.

In this regard, to keep applications that have been downloaded from the middleware control server functional, it may be provided that at execution of applications that have been installed and / or executed and / or maintained while bypassing the middleware control server, at timed intervals the user is notified or the application is suppressed at intervals, in particular exclusively when immediate applications installed, executed or maintained by the middleware control server are active.

In order to enable a permanent data connection with the middleware control server even when leaving the middleware control server, it can be provided

a communication is established in a local network between the terminal and a middleware control server, - That are transmitted via the local network connection data for a further, especially non-local, communication from the terminal to the middleware control server, and

- That a communication between the terminal and the middleware control server is created via this further communication.

An advantageous storage of data can provide that the applications running on the terminals establish a connection with at least one back-end server and transmit the data obtained by the application to the back-end server, wherein the back-end server is preferably arranged in a secure area ,

To increase the data security and to avoid unwanted deletions of programs can be provided that the local control program is configurable so that it blocks the control commands and / or queries, especially regarding certain or all applications.

A simple release of applications from terminal to terminal provides,

that a first terminal is granted the authorization to release applications on other terminals, a key being transmitted to it,

that the key or a key derived therefrom, preferably by means of RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, is transmitted to a second terminal located in the immediate vicinity, and

the second terminal, while transmitting the key transmitted to it, requests the installation of the relevant application from the respective middleware control server,

- that the middleware control server checks the authorization of the second terminal to use the application based on the forwarded key, and

- That upon successful examination of the middleware control server releases the respective application for the second terminal, in particular the execution and / or installation and / or maintenance of the respective application takes over.

For easy configuration of such a released application can be provided that the application to be installed on the second terminal is configured in the first terminal and that the respective configuration information is transmitted to the second terminal and / or the middleware control server and optionally at An update, reconfiguration, maintenance or execution of the application.

Advantageously, billing for the use of applications may be provided that the or each middleware control server determines the number of executions and / or installations and / or maintenance of applications made by him and, if appropriate by weighting the individual processes, transmitted payment information.

In this case, it can be advantageously provided for compliance with a cost framework that the middleware control server or each middleware control server in the event that the payment information thus determined exceeds a predetermined maximum value, further executions and / or installations and / or maintenance of applications only after additional Detection determined.

In hierarchical systems can be provided for billing that the middleware control servers are arranged hierarchically or in the form of a cascade and each parent or upstream in the cascade middleware control server payment information due to the payment information in the respective, subordinate or downstream cascade middleware Control servers.

An advantageous procedure, in which applications from different servers can be used, provides that a middleware control server is in data connection with at least two control servers,

wherein the first control server is designed in each case for the execution and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or installation and / or deinstallation of the applications of a first set of applications, and

wherein the second control server is in each case designed for the execution and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or installation and / or deinstallation of the applications of a second set of applications, the applications of the second set being different from the applications of the first set, and

the middleware control server depending on the request of the terminal each selects that control server that offers the respective application, and forwards the request to this control server. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a system for distributing applications

an application server on which the applications are stored,

a number of mobile terminals on each of which a local control program for accepting control commands for execution and / or installation and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or deinstallation of the applications is executed,

a control server with which the individual terminals are connected, which causes the control program running on the terminal due to control commands for the acceptance, execution and maintenance of the applications on the respective terminal.

at least one middleware control server is present which receives control commands issued by the control server and on which runs a middleware control program which corresponds to the local control program and processes the control commands received from the control server,

- That the middleware control server has a program logic to which the control commands are supplied, wherein the program logic analyzes the control commands and converts according to predetermined rules, filters and forwards to the terminals as modified control commands, and

- That the local control program of a terminal due to at least part of the modified control commands downloads one of the applications at least indirectly from the application server and installed and / or executes and / or maintained and / or configured and / or uninstalled on the terminal.

Fig. 1 shows a prior art embodiment of a system for downloading applications to terminals. Several advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in more detail with reference to the drawing figures 2 to 6. Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of the invention. 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention with hierarchically structured middleware control servers and middleware application servers. Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the downloading of applications is possible bypassing the middleware control server. Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the terminal communicates with the middleware control server over both a local area network and a global network. FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which an application for a further mobile terminal is specified by a mobile terminal. Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the invention with two control servers with different applications. 2, a first embodiment of a system according to the invention is shown. This system comprises in addition to the control server shown in Fig. 1 1 1 application server 12 and terminal 31, and an intermediate layer, with a middleware control server 21 and a middleware application server 22. From the control server 1 1 outgoing control commands are received from the middleware control server 21. These control commands X are processed by a running on the middleware control server 21 middleware control program, which is in terms of protocol and transmission properties a local control program 31 1, 321, ... a terminal 31, 32, ... imitated. The middleware control program processes the control commands X sent to it by the control server 1 1 and supplies them to a program logic which analyzes the control commands X and converts and filters according to predetermined rules. As a result, modified control commands Y are created, which are forwarded to the terminals 31, 32, .... From the point of view of the terminal 31, 32,... Or of the local control program 31 1, 321, ... running on the terminal 31, 32,..., The middleware control program functions like the control server 11. The modified control commands Y correspond in their nature to the control commands X and cause the terminal 31, 32, ... or the control program 31 1, 321, ... running on the terminal 31, 32, ..., respectively to installations, Execution and maintenance of applications

121, 122, ....

In principle, the terminal 31, 32, ... could access the application server 12 directly after receiving a modified control command Y. In order to ensure complete independence from the control server 11 and from the application server 12 and the associated data security, a middleware application server 22 is also provided in the intermediate layer shown in FIG. 2, which is in data connection with the application server 12 and in the application server 12 stored applications 121, 122, ... of this constantly downloads and updates. Seen from the mobile terminal 31, 32, ..., the middleware application server 22 functions like the application server 12 and transmits applications 121,

122, ... on query of the terminals 31, 32, ... or of the terminals 31, 32, ... running local control program 31 1, 321, ... as the application server 12th

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the middleware control server 21 is replaced with incoming control commands X, which are directed to the installation of an application, the address of the application server 12 by the address of the middleware application server 22 and in the corresponding modified control commands Y. forwarded to the terminals, so that the total installation, uninstallation, configuration, maintenance and execution of applications is possible even in case of failure of the control server 1 1 and the application server 12.

After the installation of the applications 121, 122,..., There is the possibility that the terminals 31, 32,... Build up a connection with a back-end server 7 due to the expiring applications 121, 122,..., And through the application 121, 122, ... data transmitted to the back-end server 7 are transmitted. This backend server 7 is preferably arranged in a secure area.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment according to the invention, which enables efficient distribution of applications 121, 122,... Onto a plurality of spatially separated areas. Such a system comprises a hierarchical arrangement of middleware control servers 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d and associated middleware application servers 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, each middleware control server 21 each having the control server 1 1 or another Middleware control server 21 is assigned as a higher-level control server 1 1, 21 b or upstream in the cascade. Each middleware control server 21 receives the control signals X sent to it from the respective upstream or upstream control server 11 or middleware control server 21b.

The system shown in FIG. 3 can be used, for example, in connection with the transfer of medical applications to terminals that are associated with each other in each case different hospitals. The control server 11 and the application server 12 are provided by a provider for medical applications.

The middleware control server 21 a and the middleware application server 22 a are located locally in a hospital and are in direct data connection with the application server 12 or the control server 1 1. Four mobile terminals 31, 32, ... are assigned to this hospital.

The middleware control server 21b and the middleware application server 22b are assigned to a hospital association, whereby the latter separately provides application servers 22c, 22d and control servers 21c, 21d in two of its hospitals. The first of these hospitals, in which the middleware control server 21 c and the middleware application server 21 c is located, are the two mobile terminals 35, 36 assigned. The second of these hospitals, in which the middleware control server 21 d and the middleware application server 22 d are located, are assigned the two mobile terminals 37, 38. The two middleware control servers 21 c, 21 d located in the hospitals have the middleware control server 21 b superordinated or upstream in a cascade. The two application servers 22c, 22d are preceded or preceded by the middleware application server 22b of the hospital association.

Throughout the hierarchical system, each of the middleware control servers 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d is either superordinate or upstream of either the control server 11 or another middleware control server. The middleware control server 21 a and the middleware control server 21 b of the hospital network, the control server 1 1 is superordinate or upstream. The middleware control servers 21 c, 21 d of the hospitals of the hospital association is assigned to the middleware control server 21 b of the hospital association. The same hierarchical structure is also found among the middleware application servers 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d.

The outgoing from each higher-level control server 1 1 control signals are received by all or in this control signal, each subordinate or downstream middleware control servers 21. Run on this, as well as on the middleware control server 21 shown in Fig. 2, from a local middleware control program that communicates with the respective parent or upstream control server or middleware control server according to a protocol that also from the local control program 31 1, 321, ... of the terminals 31, 32, ... is used. The control commands X are supplied to a program logic which analyzes the control commands and converts according to the predetermined rules, filters and to the respective subordinate or downstream middleware control server or - if available - to the connected terminals 31, 32, ... as modified control commands Y transmits or forwards.

In order to be able to always keep the respective applications up-to-date and at the same time have the relevant applications 121, 122,... Locally available in the event of a failure of the respectively higher-level or upstream middleware application server 22 or application server 12, then each middleware control server 21 each associated with a middleware application server 22. In each case, the applications 121, 122, ... are stored, for which the respective middleware control server 21 access is permitted. As in the case of the first embodiment of the invention, synchronization of the applications offered in the middleware application servers 22 can also be carried out in such a way that the middleware application servers 22 according to the hierarchy of the middleware control server 21 applications 121, 122,. .. from which they receive higher-level or upstream middleware application servers 22 and if necessary forward them to the subordinate or downstream middleware application server 22 or the terminals 31, 32,... on request.

This advantageous procedure can also ensure that the respective subordinate or downstream application server receives only accesses to applications 121, 122,... Due to the logic of the respectively upstream or upstream application server, to which it is assigned by its higher-level or upstream middleware control server 21 or the control server 1 1 access is allowed. It can thereby be achieved that the respective subordinate or downstream middleware application server 22 gains access to only a subset of the programs assigned to it by the parent or upstream application server 12 or middleware application server 22 or middleware application server 22. For example, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3, there is the possibility that the hospital operating the middleware application server 22a has a different set of applications 121, 122,... Available than the hospital association that operates the Middleware application server 22b operates. All applications 121, 122,... For all middleware application servers 22 are stored in the application server 12. Likewise, the operator of the hospital network, which operates a middleware application server 22b, also specify that in the hospitals operated by him only subsets of the available applications 121, 122, ... are available. In this case, only a subset of the applications stored in the middleware application server 22b are kept in stock in the middleware application servers 22c, 22d.

On which applications 121, 122, ... the individual mobile terminals 31, 32, ... the access is possible, is thus on the one hand of the available applications in each middleware application server 22 and on the other hand from the respective parent or upstream middleware control servers 21 determined. In Fig. 3 is further shown an advantageous application for consultation or assistance for people who have problems with the operation of the applications. The running on the terminals 31, 32, ... Applications 121, 122, ... offer a polling function, which upon actuation of the polling function by the user a message signal Z is transmitted to a backhaul server. In the present exemplary embodiment, the middleware control server 21 assigned to one terminal 31, 32,... Respectively is designed as a query server. The message signal Z is thus transmitted to the request server, which also due to the message signal Z on the respective state of the application 121, 122, ... and optionally a selection of the last with the application 121, 122, ... operator actions and / or Accesses and / or logs will be informed.

The backhaul server searches among the terminals connected to it 31, 32, ... for terminals that have already used the respective application 121, 122,... With similar or identical operating patterns. The message signal Z is transmitted to the thus found terminal 31, 32, .... If necessary, a communication signal is generated between the terminal 31 sending the message signal Z and the terminal 32 receiving the message signal Z, so that in this case direct mutual assistance between users is made possible.

If a terminal 31, 32, which has already shown similar or matching operating patterns in the same application 121, 122,..., Can not be found directly by the respective control server 1 1, hierarchically organized systems also have the option of being used as middleware. Control server 21 trained query server in the event that he can not forward a message signal Z received to him to a terminal connected to him 31, 32, ..., this message signal Z forwards to the respective parent or upstream middleware control server 21. This middleware control server 21 has a larger number of subordinate or downstream middleware control servers 21 or terminals 31, 32 to which the respective query can be reported. In the present embodiment, therefore, there is the possibility that one of the terminals 37 sends a query to the parent or upstream middleware control server 21 d, but the lack of a suitable, connected to him terminal 31, 32, ... the query to him parent or upstream middleware control server 21 b of the hospital group forwards. This middleware control server 21 b searches in the system of the other affiliated hospital for a person who can solve the query, thereby accessing the middleware control server 21 c too. The middleware control server 21 c may establish a communication with the terminal 36, which has already made similar or matching control patterns in this application 121, 122, ... In a last step, a direct data communication between the two mobile terminals 31, 32, ... is set up, wherein the person who operates the terminal 36, in direct voice connection with the person who operates the terminal 37, can step.

In addition, there is also the possibility that a query can be entered directly at the respective query server, in this case the middleware control server 21. This transmits the relevant message signal Z to the terminals connected to it 31, 32, ... or to the respective parent or upstream control server 1 1 or middleware control server 21 b.

In order to avoid an overload of individual persons with queries or to avoid queries in specific situations, there is also the possibility that each terminal 31, 32, ... and each query server in each case receive a program logic implemented with the forwarding or acceptance of a Message signal Z is processed.

In the case of terminals 31, 32,..., It is possible, depending on the respective type of the message signal Z, to determine the following states for queries which determine the processing of the respective message signal Z and accept, reject or forward the queries accordingly. The following processing schemes can be set here:

a) general refusal of all queries or specific queries;

b) acceptance of all queries or specific queries in principle;

c) Priority acceptance of all queries or specific queries.

The logic of a query server can also, depending on the type of the message signal Z, be set to the following states, according to which it is determined whether the respective query server accepts, rejects or forwards the corresponding query:

a) Accepting all queries or specific queries;

b) forwarding all queries or specific queries among the subordinate or downstream terminals;

c) forwarding all queries or specific queries to an existing and functioning as a query server, parent or upstream middleware control server. 4, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown, which makes it possible, in addition to the middleware control server 21 used to establish a connection directly to the control server 1 1 or to another control server 51. This is particularly relevant if terminals are used that are only temporarily in the area of the overall system. As a possible application in this context, the case of a patient is called, who should equip his private, mobile terminal 31 with medical applications for the duration of his treatment in each hospital. For this purpose, a local control program 31 1 is installed on the respective terminal 31, which on the one hand allows access to the middleware control server 21 and on the other hand allows direct access to another control server 51, bypassing the middleware control server 21. In this case, it is then possible to load individual applications 121, 122,... From the middleware control server 21, which are used for, in this case, medical applications, and to download applications 121, 122,... From the control server 51 in general , The local control program 31 1, 321,... Blocks accesses with which the middleware control server 21 should be bypassed, only if the accesses relate to an application 121, 122,... Which, on the basis of a request from the middleware control server 21, 22 has been installed and / or executed and / or maintained and / or configured. In the present embodiment, it can be achieved that a patient in a hospital basically downloads applications 121, 122, ... from other providers, for example via the Internet, a game on his terminal device 31, 32, ... installed mobile phone but at the same time it is not possible for the medical application to be updated or deleted by third parties.

Another application which is advantageous to users in connection with private terminals 31, 32,... Is shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the private, mobile terminal 31, 32, ... of a user is not permanently within the local network of the middleware control server 21 or middleware application server 22. As long as the terminal 31 is connected to the middleware control server 21 and the middleware application server 22, for example, the patient's mobile phone is within the local WLAN of the hospital, a communication is made between the terminal 31 and a middleware control server 21 via this local network 61 constructed. Connection data for a further, non-local communication via a communication network 62 are exchanged via this local network 61. Subsequently, a communication between the terminal 31, 32, ... and the middleware control server 21 created over this further communication channel 62. This measure allows patients who have a mobile phone to be provided with the latest software updates for their medically certified software.

In order to avoid that the control server 1 1 immediately goes through the local control program 31 1 and makes software updates that are undesirable due to certain determinations within the local network of the middleware control server 21 or middleware application server 22, the local control program can also be configured so that it blocks the control commands and / or queries, in particular concerning certain or all applications 121, 122.

A further advantageous application, which is particularly advantageous for the medical sector, is to selectively enable the downloading or use of programs between terminals 31, 32,.... Such a procedure is shown in FIG. A first terminal 31 is granted the authorization to release applications 121 for other terminals 32. For this purpose, a key is transmitted to the first terminal 31. So that the second terminal 32 is unlocked for the use of the respective application 121, 122,..., The first terminal 31 transmits the key K or a key K 'derived therefrom directly to the second terminal 32. This can be done with all possible communication connections , Preferably, it may be prescribed that this transmission of the key K, K 'is transmitted via near field communication such as NFC, RFID, Bluetooth.

The second terminal 32, while transmitting the key K 'transmitted to it, requests the installation of the relevant application from the respective middleware control server 21. The middleware control server 21, which knows the key K of the first terminal 31 and possibly even created, checks whether the key 32 transmitted by the second terminal 32 or further keys K 'matches the key K of the first terminal 31. If this is the case, the middleware control server 21 can release the respective application 121, 122,... For the second terminal 32 upon successful checking. As a result, in the present embodiment, the respective program can be installed, executed, configured or maintained.

It is particularly advantageous in this case that the configuration of the application for the second terminal 32 can be made directly at the first terminal 31. For example, in an application running in a hospital 121, the Configuration of an application used by the patient and running on the second terminal 32 by a physician who operates the first terminal 31. A complex application can be configured in such a way for the special needs of a patient. The calculation of the remuneration for the use of the program can also be made depending on the respective configuration.

The configuration can either be transmitted directly from the first terminal 31 to the second terminal 32 by means of near-field communication. Alternatively, however, the configuration itself can also be transmitted from the first terminal 31 to the middleware control server, which stores the created configuration information with respect to the second terminal 32 and takes it into account in further control commands Y. In particular, this configuration information may be used when updating, reconfiguring, maintaining or executing the application.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in more detail in FIG. In the system shown here, two control servers 1 1 a, 1 1 b are present, each holding a lot of applications 121, 128 ready. The middleware control server (21) is connected to both control servers 1 1 a, 1 1 b in data connection.

The first control server 1 1 a, 1 1 b is in each case designed for the execution and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or installation and / or deinstallation of a first set of applications 121, 124. The second control server 1 1 a, 1 1 b is in each case designed for the execution and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or installation and / or deinstallation of a second set of applications 125, 128.

The applications 125, 128 of the second set are different from the applications 121, 124 of the first set. At best, for the clear assignment of an application 121, 128 to a control server 1 1 a, 1 1 b be provided that in such a constellation applications that are available on both control servers 1 1 a, 1 1 b, on the part of the middleware control server only be accepted and forwarded by a pre-specified control server 1 1 a.

If a terminal device 31, 32 now wishes to install, uninstall, maintain, configure or execute an application, then the middleware control server 21 selects the control server 11a, 11b, depending on the request of the terminal device 31, 32, which executes the application 121, 128, which offers the respective application 121, 128. It is possible that the two control servers 1 1 a, 1 1 b enable the downloading of the applications 121, 128 from separate application servers 12a, 12b or from a single application server 12.

Further preferred aspects relate to the billing or remuneration of the individual applications 121, 122,... By the respective operators of the middleware control server 21. For this purpose, a middleware control server 21 can determine the number of executions, installations or maintenance of applications 121, 122,... If necessary, a different price can be determined for different applications 121, 122,... Or different actions, such as execution, installation, deinstallation, configuration or maintenance. Due to the individual actions taken a payment information can be transmitted. The middleware control server 21 blocked in the event that the payment information thus determined exceeds a maximum value, the further execution, installation, uninstallation, configuration or maintenance of programs or allows this only after additional activation. In the case of a hierarchical arrangement of middleware control servers 21, as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to transmit the individual payment information determined in the middleware control servers 21 to the respectively higher or upstream middleware control servers 21 and, if so desired - settle together with the respective service provider of the tax server 1 1.

A provider can be, for example, a hospital, hospital provider, a school, school board, airport, prison, care facility such as a nursing home, nursing home operator, as well as health-related areas in companies or healthcare facilities such as airports, kindergartens, company doctors or even classic telecommunications providers.

The security of the data is thus precisely defined and configured within the smallest unit up to the largest unit, thus allowing protection and security for the citizen and the authorities.

The applications range from diagnoses, therapies, rehabilitation, informations to recalls all relevant medical and / or safety-critical areas.

A preferred approach of the invention provides that the middleware control server 21 the communication between the terminal 31 and the respective Control server 1 1 monitors, in particular, the terminal 31 exclusively via a data exchange unit with the control server 1 1 in data connection, which is monitored by the middleware control server 21 and this is advantageously assigned. The data transmitted by the terminal 31 to the control server 1 1 data are forwarded by the middleware control server 21 unchanged to the control server 1 1. The outgoing from the control server 1 1 control commands X are received in the signal path from the middleware control server 21 on which a local control program corresponding middleware control program runs. The control commands X are supplied to a program logic which analyzes the control commands X and converts according to predetermined rules, filters and forwards to the terminals 31, 32 as modified control commands Y. The local control program 31 1, 321 of a terminal 31, 32,... Loads, on the basis of at least some of the modified control commands Y, at least indirectly from the application server 12 one of the applications 121, 122, ..., and installs, maintains, configures, and / or uninstalled on the terminal 31, 32. Overall, this preferred procedure ensures that the terminal 31, 32 can send requests directly to the control server 1 1, but the control signals X can be processed by the middleware and adapted accordingly.

If individual application server 12 or control server 1 1 require different certificates from the terminals connected to them, the middleware control server can forward individual certificates on demand to the control server 1 1, in order to achieve that certain applications requiring a certificate on all the middleware Control server associated terminals can be installed.

Of course, it is also possible to provide individual applications only within certain validity periods or up to certain deadlines. After expiry of the validity period or due date, installed applications will be uninstalled or the installation of these applications will be denied.

It is also possible that the middleware control server 21 independently of a specific request of a terminal - as well as the principle, the control server 1 1 is possible - a modified control command Y outputs, which also installs individual applications, uninstalled, configured or maintained, without the user is informed about this. The terminal in question receives the modified control command Y and carries out the relevant action. This allows the operator of the middleware control server 21, individual applications that are still offered by the control server 1 1, to deactivate, especially if the applications in question subsequently prove to be unsafe, for example in the context of a callback action. The execution of the control command can be done with or without knowledge and with or without the consent of the user of the terminal 31. In addition, it is also possible that individual control commands X exiting from the control server 1 1 for maintenance, configuration or deinstallation are suppressed by the middleware control server 21 and not forwarded to the terminals. This has the advantage that the state of individual applications remains unchanged indefinitely.

In addition, it is also possible that the order of installation of individual applications can be specified. In particular, an order may be set in which certain programs are installed on all terminals with certain characteristics.

If a software installation concerns a large number of applications, only those applications are installed that have not yet been installed on the terminal. For the remaining applications, it can be examined whether they require maintenance or an update.

It is also possible that the request for installing, maintaining, configuring or uninstalling an application at a terminal device is used to install, maintain, configure or uninstall the relevant application in a multiplicity of terminals. If the middleware control server 21 receives a control command Xan to a specific predefined master terminal, it can forward a plurality of modified control commands Y to individual terminals and cause them all to perform a specific action. Depending on the type of terminal, in particular the hardware or running on the terminal operating system, different applications can be transmitted to different devices.

Claims

claims:

1 . Method for distributing applications (121, 122, ...) stored on an application server (12) to a plurality of, in particular mobile, terminals (31, 32, ...), on each of which a local control program (31 1 , 321, ...) for accepting control commands to execute and / or install and / or maintain and / or configure and / or uninstall the applications (121, 122, ...),

wherein the individual terminals (31, 32, ...) with a control server (1 1) are in communication, which runs on the terminal (31, 32, ...) control program (31 1, 321, ...) due to control commands (X) for accepting, executing and maintaining the applications (121, 122, ...) on the respective terminal (31, 32, ...),

characterized,

in that control commands (X) originating from the control server (11) are received by a middleware control server (21) on which a middleware control program corresponding to the local control program runs, which receives the control commands (X) from the control server (11) processed

- that the control commands (X) are supplied to a program logic, which analyzes the control commands (X) and converts according to predetermined rules, filters and forwards to the terminals (31, 32, ...) as modified control commands (Y), and

- That the local control program (31 1, 321, ...) of a terminal (31, 32, ...) due to at least part of the modified control commands (Y) one of the applications (121, 122, ...) at least indirectly from the application server (12) and installed on the terminal (31, 32, ...) and / or running and / or waiting and / or configured and / or uninstalled.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the applications (121) stored in the application server (12) are transmitted to a middleware application server (22) and possibly continuously updated, and that the local control program (31 1, 321, .. .) Of a terminal (31, 32, ...) due to at least part of the modified control commands (Y) one of the applications (121, 122, ...) at least indirectly from the middleware application server (22) downloads and installed on the terminal and / or executes and / or waits.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising a hierarchical system of middleware control servers (21), wherein each middleware control server (21) each of the Control server (1 1) or another middleware control server (21) is assigned as a higher-ranking or cascaded upstream control server (1 1; 21),

- wherein the respective parent or upstream control server (1 1) outgoing control signals (X) are each received by all or selected subordinate or downstream middleware control server (21), on each of which the local control program (31 1, 321, .. .) corresponding middleware control program runs, which processes the control server (1 1) it receives control commands (X),

- wherein the control commands (X) are supplied to a program logic, which analyzes the control commands (X) and converts according to predetermined rules, filters and sent to the terminals (31, 32, ...) or the respective subordinate or downstream middleware control server (21 ) as modified control commands (Y).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that each parent or upstream middleware control server allows the terminals (31, 32, ...) or the subordinate or downstream subordinate middleware control servers (21) only accesses to applications to the he is allowed access on the part of his respective parent or upstream middleware control server (21) or control server (1 1),

where appropriate, each middleware control server (21) access the subordinate or downstream middleware control server (21) or its connected terminals (31, 32, ...) to the available applications (121, 122,. ..) limits according to predetermined rules.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that each middleware control server (21) in each case a middleware application server (22) is assigned, in each of which the applications (121, 122, ...) are stored, for the the respective middleware control server (21) is allowed access

where appropriate a synchronization of the middleware application server (22) takes place in such a way that the middleware application servers (22) are arranged according to the same hierarchy as the respectively associated middleware control server (21) and each middleware application server (22) applications (121, 122, ...) in each case receives from its parent or upstream middleware application server (22) or application server (12) and optionally to the subordinate or downstream middleware application server (22) and / or terminals (31, 32, .. .).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the terminals (31, 32, ...) running applications offer a query function, wherein upon actuation of the inquiry function by the user a message signal (Z) is transmitted to a request server ,

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that together with or in the message signal (Z) of the respective state of the application (121) and optionally a selection of the last with the application (121) made operations and / or accesses and / or logs to the backhaul server.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the query server searches for further connected to him terminals (31, 32), which have already used the respective application (121) with similar or matching control patterns and the message signal (Z) the thus-discovered terminal (31, 32, ...) transmitted and, where appropriate

a) creates a communication channel between the message (Z) sending terminal (31) and the message (Z) receiving terminal (32) and / or

b) leaves a message in the respective receiving terminal and stores the message signal (Z).

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the respective middleware control server (21) acts as a query server.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the middleware control server (21) in the event that he can not forward a message signal (Z) received by him to a terminal (31) connected to him, to him parent or upstream Middleware control server (21) forwards and this the message signal (Z) to the other subordinate or downstream middleware control server (21) or terminals (31, 32, ...) forwards.

1 1. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the back-query server, in particular the middleware control server (21), a message signal (Z) to the terminals connected to it (31, 32, ...) transmitted. 2? ""

5

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each terminal (31, 32, ...) and each request server each having a logic with which the forwarding or acceptance of a message signal (Z) is processed,

- In particular, the logic of a terminal (31, 32, ...) for different types of information contained in the message signal (Z) may take the following states and accordingly accepts the query, rejects or forwards:

- general refusal of all queries or specific queries,

- accepting in principle all queries or specific queries,

- accepting all queries or specific queries,

and or

- In particular, the logic of a back-end server for different types of queries contained in the message signal (Z) can accept the following states and accordingly accepts the query, rejects or forwards:

- accepting all queries or specific queries,

- Forward all queries or specific queries to a possibly existing and acting as a query server parent or upstream middleware control server (21).

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

the local control program, bypassing the middleware control server (21, 22), allows direct access to the control server (11) or another control server (51) in order to install and / or execute and / or maintain further applications; and

- That the local control program (31 1, 312, ...) blocks immediate accesses when the accesses relate to an application that has been installed and / or executed and / or maintained due to a request from the middleware control server (21, 22) ,

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that when executing applications that were installed bypassing the middleware control server (21, 22) and / or executed and / or serviced, a notification of the user takes place or at timed intervals Application is suppressed at intervals, especially only when immediate from the middleware control server (21, 22) installed, running or maintained applications are active.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

- that communication is established in a local network (61) between the terminal (31, 32, ...) and a middleware control server (21, 22),

that connection data for a further, in particular non-local, communication (62) from the terminal (31, 32, ...) to the middleware control server (21, 22) are subsequently transmitted via the local network (61), and

- That a communication between the terminal (31, 32, ...) and the middleware control server (21, 22) over this further communication (62) is created.

16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the terminals (31, 32) running applications (121, 122, ...) establish a connection with at least one back-end server (7) and by the application (121, 122, ...) transmitted data to the back-end server (7), wherein the back-end server (7) is preferably arranged in a secure area.

17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the local control program (31 1, 312, ...) is configurable such that it the control commands (X, Y) and / or queries (Z), in particular concerning certain or all applications blocked.

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a first terminal (31) is granted the authorization to release applications (121) on other terminals (32), to which a key (K) is transmitted,

- That the key (K) or a derived therefrom key (Κ '), preferably by means of RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, to a located in close proximity to the second second terminal (31, 32, ...) is transmitted, and

the second terminal (32), while transmitting the key (Κ ') transmitted to it, requests the installation of the relevant application (121) from the respective middleware control server (21),

- That the middleware control server (21) checks the authorization of the second terminal (32) for using the application (121) on the basis of the forwarded key (Κ '), and

- That upon successful examination of the middleware control server (21) the respective application (121) for the second terminal (21) releases, in particular the execution and / or installation and / or maintenance of the respective application (21) takes over.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that on the second terminal (22) to be installed application in the first terminal (21) is configured and that the respective configuration information to the second terminal (22) and / or to the middleware control server (21) and may be used when updating, reconfiguring, maintaining or running the application.

20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each middleware control server (21) determines the number of executed by him designs and / or installations and / or maintenance of applications (121, 122, ...) and , if necessary, by weighting the individual transactions, transmitted a payment information.

21. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that the middleware control server (21) or each of the middleware control server in the event that the payment information thus determined exceeds a predetermined maximum value, further embodiments and / or installations and / or maintenance of applications (121 , 122, ...) determined only after additional activation.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the middleware control servers (21) are arranged hierarchically and each parent or upstream middleware control server (21) the payment information based on the payment information in the respective subordinate or downstream middleware control servers (21). determined.

23. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a middleware control server (21) with at least two control servers (1 1 a, 1 1 b) is in data connection,

wherein the first control server (1 1 a, 1 1 b) respectively for the execution and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or installation and / or uninstallation of the applications (121, 122, ...) formed a first set of applications is and

wherein the second control server (1 1 a, 1 1 b) respectively for the execution and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or installation and / or uninstallation of the applications (121, 122, ...) formed a second set of applications is, wherein the applications of the second set are different from the applications of the first set, and the middleware control server (21) depending on the request of the terminal (31, 32) selects each of those control server (1 1 a, 1 1 b), which offers the respective application, and the request to this control server (1 1 a, 1 1 b) forwards.

24. system for distributing applications (121, 122, ...) comprising

- An application server (12) on which the applications (121, 122, ...) are stored,

- A number of mobile terminals (31, 32, ...), on each of which a local control program (31 1, 321, ...) for accepting control commands for execution and / or installation and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or uninstalling the applications (121, 122, ...) expires,

- A control server (1 1), with which the individual terminals (31, 32, ...) are in communication, which runs on the terminal (31, 32, ...) control program (31 1, 321, .. .) on the basis of control commands (X) for accepting, executing and maintaining the applications (121, 122, ...) on the respective terminal (31, 32, ...),

characterized,

- That at least one middleware control server (21) is present, which receives from the control server (1 1) outgoing control commands (X) and on which a local control program corresponding middleware control program runs, the control commands from the control server (1 1) (X) processed,

- That the middleware control server (21) has a program logic to which the control commands (X) are supplied, the program logic analyzes the control commands (X) and converts according to predetermined rules, filters and sent to the terminals (31, 32, ... ) as modified control commands (Y), and

25. System according to claim 24, characterized in that it comprises a middleware application server (22) having a memory for applications (121, 122, ...), wherein the application server (12) at least a part of the stored at him Transmits applications (121) to a middleware application server (22) and if necessary continuously updates, and

in that the local control program (31 1, 321,...) of a terminal (31, 32,...) owing to at least part of the modified control commands (Y) has one of the applications (121, 122, ...) at least indirectly downloads from the middleware application server (22) and installs and / or executes and / or maintains on the terminal.

26. The system of claim 24 or 25, comprising a hierarchical system of middleware control servers (21), wherein each middleware control server (21) each of the control server (1 1) or another middleware control server (21) as a parent or upstream control server (1 1, 21) is assigned,

- Wherein all or selected subordinate or downstream middleware control server (21) from the respective parent or upstream control server (1 1) outgoing control signals (X) receive, and on the subordinate or downstream middleware control servers (21) each a local control program ( 31 1, 321, ...) runs corresponding middleware control program which processes the control commands (X) which it receives from the control server (11),

- wherein the subordinate or downstream middleware control server (21) have a program logic that analyzes the control commands (X) and converts according to predetermined rules, filters and to the terminals (31, 32, ...) or the respective subordinate or downstream middleware Control server (21) as modified control commands (Y) forwards.

27. The system according to claim 26, characterized in that each parent or upstream middleware control server the terminals (31, 32, ...) or the subordinate or downstream subordinate middleware control servers (21) only accesses to applications allowed on the he is allowed access on the part of his respective parent or upstream middleware control server (21) or control server (1 1),

28. The system according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that each middleware control server (21) is assigned a middleware application server (22) in each of which the applications (121, 122, ...) are stored, for the the respective middleware control server (21) is allowed access

where appropriate, the middleware application server (22) is synchronized in such a way that the middleware application servers (22) are arranged according to the same hierarchy as the middleware control servers (21) and respectively associated therewith each middleware application server (22) receives applications (121, 122, ...) respectively from its parent or upstream middleware application server (22) or application server (12) and, if appropriate, to the subordinate or downstream middleware application server (22). and / or terminals (31, 32, ...) forwards.

29. System according to any one of claims 24 to 28, characterized in that on the terminals (31, 32, ...) running applications offer a query function, which on actuation of the inquiry function by the user a message signal (Z) to a Send back query server.

30. System according to claim 29, characterized in that the terminals (31, 32, ...) together with or in the message signal (Z) of the respective state of the application (121) and optionally a selection of the last with the application (121) carried out operations and / or accesses and / or logs to the backhaul server.

31. System according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the query server searches for further terminals (31, 32) connected to it, which have already used the respective application (121) with similar or matching operating patterns and the message signal (Z) to the so detected terminal (31, 32, ...) transmitted and, where appropriate

32. System according to one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that the respective middleware control server (21) acts as a request server.

33. System according to claim 32, characterized in that the middleware control server (21) in the event that it can not forward a message signal (Z) received by it to a terminal (31) connected to it, to its parent or upstream Middleware control server (21) forwards and this the message signal (Z) to the other subordinate or downstream middleware control server (21) or terminals (31, 32, ...) forwards.

34. System according to one of claims 24 to 33, characterized in that the request server, in particular the middleware control server (21), a message signal (Z) to the terminals connected to it (31, 32, ...) transmitted.

35. System according to one of claims 24 to 34, characterized in that each terminal (31, 32, ...) and each query server each having a logic that processes the forwarding or acceptance of a message signal (Z),

- general refusal of all queries or specific queries,

- accepting in principle all queries or specific queries,

- accepting all queries or specific queries,

and or

- accepting all queries or specific queries,

36. System according to one of claims 24 to 35, characterized

37. System according to claim 36, characterized in that the local control program (31 1, 312) in execution of applications, bypassing the Middleware control servers (21, 22) have been installed and / or executed and / or maintained, at timed intervals a notification of the user is made or the application is suppressed at intervals, especially only when immediate from the middleware control server (21, 22 ) installed, running or maintained applications are active.

38. System according to one of claims 24 to 37, characterized

- that between the terminal (31, 32, ...) and a middleware control server (21, 22) is a communication in a local network (61),

- that the terminal (31, 32, ...) or the middleware control server (21, 22) via the local network (61) then connection data for a further, in particular non-local, communication (62) from the terminal (31, 32, ...) transmits to the middleware control server (21, 22), and

- That the terminal (31, 32, ...) or the middleware control server (21, 22), a communication between the terminal (31, 32, ...) and the middleware control server (21, 22) on this further Communication (62) created.

39. System according to one of claims 24 to 38, characterized in that on the terminals (31, 32) running applications (121, 122, ...) establish a connection with at least one back-end server (7) and by the application (121, 122, ...) transmitted data to the back-end server (7) transmit, the back-end server (7) is preferably arranged in a secure area.

40. System according to one of claims 24 to 39, characterized in that the local control program (31 1, 312, ...) is configurable such that it the control commands (X, Y) and / or queries (Z), in particular concerning certain or all applications.

41. System according to one of Claims 24 to 40, characterized

- That the middleware control server (21) a first terminal (31) granted the authorization to release applications (121) on other terminals (32) and is transmitted to this a key (K),

that the terminal (31) transmits the key (K) or a key (Κ ') derived therefrom, preferably by means of RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, to a second terminal (31, 32, ...) located in the immediate vicinity, and the second terminal (32), while transmitting the key (Κ ') transmitted to it, requests the installation of the relevant application (121) from the respective middleware control server (21),

- That the middleware control server (21) the successful application of the respective application (121) for the second terminal (21) releases, in particular the execution and / or installation and / or maintenance of the respective application (21) accepts.

42. System according to claim 41, characterized in that the first terminal (21) creates a configuration information for the application to be installed on the second terminal (22) and this configuration information to the second terminal (22) and / or to the middleware control server (21), wherein, in particular, middleware control server (21) uses the configuration information when performing an update, reconfiguration, maintenance or execution of the application.

43. System according to one of claims 24 to 42, characterized in that the or each middleware control server (21) the number of executed by him designs and / or installations and / or maintenance of applications (121, 122, ...) determined and, if appropriate by weighting of the individual transactions, a payment information transmitted.

44. System according to claim 42, characterized in that the middleware control server (21) or each of the middleware control servers in the event that the payment information thus determined exceeds a predetermined maximum value, further embodiments and / or installations and / or maintenance of applications (121, 122, ...) determined only after additional activation.

45. The system of claim 43 or 44, wherein the middleware control servers (21) are arranged hierarchically and each parent or upstream middleware control server (21) the payment information based on the payment information in the respective subordinate or downstream middleware control servers (21) determined.

46. System according to one of claims 23 to 45, characterized in that a middleware control server (21) with at least two control servers (11a, 11b) is in data connection,

wherein the first control server (11a, 11b) is in each case designed for the execution and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or installation and / or deinstallation of the applications (121, 122,...) of a first set of applications, and

wherein the second control server (11a, 11b) in each case for the execution and / or maintenance and / or configuration and / or installation and / or uninstallation of the applications (121, 122, ...) of a second set of applications is formed, wherein the Applications of the second set are different from the applications of the first set, and

the middleware control server (21) depending on the request of the terminal (31, 32) each selects that control server (11a, 11b) that offers the respective application, and forwards the request to this control server (11a, 11b).