Patent Grant
12001524
Application developers make their applications available through existing application marketplaces. While users can download the applications from the application marketplaces to their devices, support for enterprise management of the devices and applications is limited. For example, some of the existing systems require third-party software to be installed on each of the user devices, thus compromising platform security and possibly allowing piracy by rogue enterprises or rogue users. Further, some the existing systems require frequent interaction with the user to browse, select, download, install, and execute the applications on the user devices.
Embodiments of the disclosure receive, by a computing device, a token signed with a certificate. The token includes an enterprise identifier associated with an enterprise. The computing device receives a package containing one or more applications. The package also includes an enterprise identifier. The enterprise identifier from the token is compared with the enterprise identifier from the package. Based on the comparison, the computing device accepts or rejects installation of the one or more applications from the received package.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Referring to the figures, embodiments of the disclosure enable an enterprise 104 to manage application execution and/or installation with enrollment tokens. In some embodiments, the enterprise 104 registers with a web service 108 that provides the enrollment token to the enterprise 104. The web service 108 may also provide applications to the enterprise 104 that the enterprise 104 can manage. The enterprise 104 distributes the enrollment token to one or more of the computing devices 102 associated with the enterprise 104. Thus, the applications are managed by the enterprise 104 rather than another entity, such as the web service 108. In some embodiments, the web service 108 controls an account state of the enterprise 104 and monitors whether the enterprise 104 and/or its associated computing devices 102 are operating properly (e.g., in accordance with an account associated with the enterprise 104).
Aspects of the disclosure further enable the enterprises 104 to operate independently without any third party application software installation. For example, the computing devices 102 install the application without downloading the application from an application hub 212. Rather, the enterprise 104 provides the application to the computing devices 102 enrolled with the enterprise 104. The enterprise 104 can thus control distribution of the application by distributing an enrollment token to only those computing devices 102 that the enterprise 104 wants to have access to the application. Thus, only the enrolled computing devices 102 are allowed to install and execute the application. In this way, a secured distribution of applications via the enterprises 104 is enabled, in contrast with distribution of the applications via an application marketplace. In some embodiments, the web service 108 may disable or revoke access to one or more of the computing devices 102, one or more of the applications, and/or the enterprise 104 as a whole.
Referring again to
In general, the enterprise 104 manages any group, collection, or association of the computing devices 102, such as devices associated with a company, location, facility, family, friends, and the like. For example, the enterprise 104 represents the devices associated with a user 304, such as a tablet, mobile telephone, gaming console, laptop, etc. Each of the computing devices 102 may be enrolled with more than one of the enterprises 104. The computing devices 102 and enterprises 104 operate in an application ecosystem, such as next described with reference to
The web services 108 include any quantity of web services. In some embodiments, one or more of the web services 108 may be owned, operated, managed, or otherwise controlled by the enterprise 104, while other of the web services 108 are not. For example, the web services 108 may include at least one validation service that is not “owned” by any of the enterprises 104. Exemplary operation of the validation service is described below with reference to
Referring next to
In operation, the enterprise 104 requests account registration with the application hub 212. The application hub 212 enrolls one or more of the computing devices 102 associated with the enterprise 104 as eligible to install and execute the applications. In some embodiments, the enrollment of the computing devices 102 associated with the enterprise 104 is performed one time only. After enrollment of the computing devices 102, each application is signed and stored in the application store 208. The computing devices 102, which are enrolled, may install and launch the applications. In some embodiments, the applications on the enterprise 104 are not submitted by the application hub 212 to an application marketplace for consumption by other devices. In this manner, the enterprise 104 may distribute customized applications developed for consumption by the computing devices 102 associated with the enterprise 104.
In some embodiments, the applications and their associated data in the enterprise 104 are distinct from application marketplace (e.g., public) applications and their associated data. Thus, during installation and/or launch of the enterprise applications, aspects of the disclosure confirm that the computing device 102 is enrolled with the associated enterprise 104. Further, the application and associated data is removed from the computing device 102 during un-enrollment of the computing device 102 from the enterprise 104. As such, the enterprise 104 is responsible for the quality of the applications and overall experience on the computing devices 102.
In some embodiments, there are multiple application hubs 212 each providing different enrollment tokens to the enterprise 104 registering with them.
Further, the web service 108 may be hosted on one of the application hubs 212. In another embodiment, the web service 108 may be hosted on a server computing device distinct from the application hub 212.
An exemplary architecture for the computing device 102 is next described.
Referring next to
The processor 306 includes any quantity of processing units, and is programmed to execute computer-executable instructions for implementing aspects of the disclosure. The instructions may be performed by the processor 306 or by multiple processors executing within the computing device 102, or performed by a processor external to the computing device 102. In some embodiments, the processor 306 is programmed to execute at least some of the instructions illustrated in the figures (e.g.,
In some embodiments, the processor 306 represents an implementation of analog techniques to perform the operations described herein. For example, the operations may be performed by an analog computing device and/or a digital computing device.
The computing device 102 further has one or more computer readable media such as the memory area 308. The memory area 308 includes any quantity of media associated with or accessible by the computing device 102. The memory area 308 may be internal to the computing device 102 (as shown in
The memory area 308 stores, among other data, one or more applications 310. The applications 310, when executed by the processor 306, operate to perform functionality on the computing device 102. Exemplary applications include mail application programs, web browsers, calendar application programs, address book application programs, messaging programs, media applications, location-based services, search programs, game applications, and the like.
Each application 310 stored in the memory area 308 has an enterprise identifier associated therewith. In some embodiments, the same enterprise identifier is associated with multiple applications. In another embodiment, at least one of the applications 310 has a first enterprise identifier associated therewith and at least one of the other applications 310 has a second enterprise identifier associated therewith.
The memory area 308 further stores enrollment tokens 312 signed with a certificate. In some embodiments, one enrollment token 312 is associated with each of the applications 310. In other embodiments, different enrollment tokens 312 are associated with different applications 310. In some embodiments, each enrollment token 312 is an extensible markup language (XML) document signed with the certificate. The enrollment token 312 may be signed by the certifying authority 210. The enrollment token 312 includes the enterprise identifier associated with the enterprise 104.
The certificate represents certification by a third party (e.g., the certifying authority 210) that the enterprise 104 is a valid entity. In some embodiments, the enrollment token 312 also includes an enterprise policy, an expiration date, a location identifier, a device identifier, and/or a user identifier. In some embodiments, when the certificate associated with the enrollment token 312 expires, the enrollment token 312 also expires.
In operation, the processor 306 is programmed to receive a package containing the application. The enterprise identifier associated with the application in the received package is compared with the enterprise identifier associated with the enrollment token 312 stored in the memory area 308. Based on the comparison, the application in the received package is installed on the computing device 102, as described further below with reference to
The processor 306 is further programmed to receive a request from the user 304 of the computing device 102 to execute one of the applications 310 stored in the memory area 308. The enterprise identifier associated with the application 310 is compared with the enterprise identifier associated with the enrollment token 312 stored in the memory area 308. Based on the comparison, the application is executed, as described further below with reference to
In some embodiments, the enrollment token 312 stored in the memory area 308 is validated with the web service 108. The validation of the enrollment token 312 may be performed periodically and/or intermittently. In some embodiments, validation of the enrollment token 312 may be performed after a user request to execute the application 310, but before execution of the application 310.
Referring next to
In response to receiving the enrollment token, at 408, the computing device 102 authenticates with the enterprise 104. Authenticating includes, for example, presenting credentials to the enterprise 104. After successfully authenticating with the enterprise 104, at 410, the computing device 102 stores the enrollment token 312. After storing the enrollment token 312, the computing device 102 is now enrolled with the enterprise 104.
In some embodiments, the enterprise identifier from the received token is validated before storing the token. Alternatively or in addition, the enterprise identifier from the received token is validated before installing applications associated with the enterprise.
Referring next to
At 504, the enterprise identifier stored in the enrollment token 312 stored in the computing device 102 is compared to the enterprise identifier in the received package. For example, a plurality of enrollment tokens 312 stored by the computing device 102 is searched for an enrollment token having the enterprise identifier that matches the enterprise identifier from the received package. The computing device 102 accepts or rejects installation of the applications in the received package based on the comparison. If the enterprise identifiers do not match, at 506, installation of any application from the received package is rejected. For example, rejecting installation of the received package includes preventing installation of any of the applications if the enterprise identifier from the enrollment token 312 fails to match the enterprise identifier from the package.
If the enterprise identifier is no longer valid (e.g., the certificate has expired) at 507, installation of any application from the received package is rejected. Otherwise, if the enterprise identifiers match and are still valid, at 508, installation of the received package is accepted by installing one or more applications from the received package on the computing device 102.
Referring next to
The application management 602 component requests metadata from the application package. The metadata is provided to the application management 602 component by a package manager 604. The application management 602 component then checks whether the applications associated with the application package are installed, via a function call such as IsAppinstalled. In response, the install status of the application is returned. Based on the install status, installation or update of the application package is requested by the application management 602 component and a return code is provided. The package manager 604 verifies the signature of the files in the application package with a secure loader 606 (executed on the computing device 102). Verification returns a code and the enterprise identifier.
The package manager 604 verifies enrollment of the enterprise 104 by matching the returned enterprise identifier with the enterprise identifier from the application package. The application is provisioned if the enterprise identifiers match. For example, installation or update of the application package is performed and the periodic progress of the installation or update is communicated to the computing device 102 through the application management 602 component. The enterprise identifier is added to an application database 812. The final progress of the installation or update of the application package is communicated to the computing device 102 through the application management 602 component.
In some embodiments, the application management 602 component and the package manager 604 execute on the enterprise 104. Further, the secure loader 606 may execute on the application hub 212, or the secure loader 606 may be part of the web service 108.
Referring next to
Referring next to
Referring next to
Referring next to
The memory area 1014 further stores one or more computer-executable components. Exemplary components include a memory component 1006, a communications interface component 1008, a usage component 1010, and a state component 1012. The memory component 1006, when executed by the processor 1002 associated with the web service 108, causes the processor 1002 to access an account state associated with the enterprise 104. The account state defines access by the computing devices 102 to applications associated with the enterprise 104. The account state is, for example, enabled, revoked, disabled, and/or suspended. In some embodiments, the account state is valid for a predetermined time period (e.g. one month, one year, etc.). For example, the account state may be based on a subscription by the enterprise 104 to at least one of the applications 1004.
The processor 1002 includes any quantity of processing units, and is programmed to execute computer-executable instructions for implementing aspects of the disclosure. The instructions may be performed by the processor 1002 or by multiple processors executing within the web service 108, or performed by a processor external to the web service 108. In some embodiments, the processor is programmed to execute at least some instructions such as those illustrated in the figures (e.g.,
The communications interface component 1008, when executed by the processor 1002 associated with the web service 108, causes the processor 1002 to receive from at least one of the computing devices 102, a report describing installation and usage by the computing device 102 of one or more of the applications (e.g., applications 1004 downloaded by the computing device 102). The report includes the enterprise identifier associated therewith. In some embodiments, the report includes a device identifier associated with the computing device 102.
In some embodiments, the communications interface component 1008 includes a network interface card and/or computer-executable instructions (e.g., a driver) for operating the network interface card. Communication between the computing device 102 and the web service 108 may occur using any protocol or mechanism over any wired or wireless connection as would be recognized by one skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the communications interface is operable with short range communication technologies such as by using near-field communication (NFC) tags.
The usage component 1010, when executed by the processor 1002 associated with the web service 108, causes the processor 1002 to compare the report received by the communications interface component 1008 with the account state accessed by the memory component 1006. The state component 1012, when executed by the processor 1002 associated with the web service 108, causes the processor 1002 to modify the account state of the enterprise 104 based on the comparison performed by the usage component 1010. In some embodiments, the state component 1012 modifies the account state by suspending access by the computing device 102 to at least one of the one or more applications.
In some embodiments, the state component 1012 modifies the account state by revoking access by the computing device 102 to at least one of the applications. In another embodiment, the state component 1012 modifies the account state of the enterprise 104 by limiting access to one or more of the applications by the computing device 102, limiting access to one or more of the applications by selected users of the computing device 102, and/or limiting access to a subset of one or more of the applications by the computing device 102. For example, some of the applications may remain executable by the computing device 102 whereas some other applications may no longer be executable. In another example, each of the applications associated with the enterprise 104 is allowed to execute, or none of the applications associated with the enterprise 104 are allowed to execute. If the enterprise 104 is no longer valid, then each application associated with the enterprise 104 is prevented from executing.
Operation of the computer-executable components illustrated in
Referring next to
Referring next to
At 1106, the web service 108 sends the determined account state to at least the computing device 102 (e.g., as a notification), which records the account state at 1108 and performs operations based on the account state. For example, the installation and/or execution of one or more of the applications 310 may be blocked at 1110 when the account state is anything other than “enabled.” Alternatively or in addition, rather than blocking installation or execution, the computing device 102 may only be able to install and/or execute reduced versions of the applications 310 (e.g., demo or preview versions), or versions of the applications 310 that use less resources.
In some embodiments, the web service 108 may send a notification to each of the computing devices 102 in the enterprise 104 when there has been a change in the account state that affects these other computing devices 102. In such embodiments, for example, each of the affected computing devices 102 has similar access to the applications. It is contemplated, however, that different computing devices 102 may have differing access to the applications associated with the enterprise 104 in other embodiments. In such embodiments, access by some of the computing devices 102 to the applications associated with the enterprise 104 may be enabled, whereas access by other computing devices 102 associated with the enterprise 104 may be revoked, disabled, and/or suspended.
Referring next to
At 1202, the web service 108 accesses the account state associated with the enterprise 104. At 1204, the web service 108 receives one or more reports describing installation and usage by one or more of the computing devices 102 of the enterprise 104. At 1206, the received report is compared with the accessed account state. At 1208, the account state is modified based on the comparison. For example, the account state may be changed to any of the following states: enabled, revoked, disabled, suspended, and cancelled.
In some embodiments, the web service 108 acts as a validation service. Further, the web service 108 may execute as a cloud service, which may be the same as or differ from a cloud service associated the enterprise 104 server and/or the application hub 212.
Referring next to
At 1302, validation of the enterprise 104 is launched. Validation of the enterprise 104 may be launched in response to a request to execute or install one or more of the applications 310 by the user 304 of the computing device 102. At 1304, a report is generated, such as an extensible markup language (XML) payload. At 1306, the XML payload is sent to the web service 108. If, at 1308, there is a repeated failure to send data to the web service 108, then at 1310 all active enrollments are set to “disabled.” For example, the ability of the computing device 102 to execute the applications 310 associated with any of the enterprises 104 is disabled. The repeated failures is determined when, for example, the report cannot be sent to the web service 108 after a predefined number of times (e.g., three times). The enterprise 104 validation completes at 1326 after all active enrollments have been disabled.
If there is no repeated failure to send the report at 1308, the computing device 102 waits for a determination from, for example, the web service 108, whether there has been a change in any of the enrollments at 1312. For example, the computing device 102 is notified whether an account state of the computing device 102 and/or any of the enterprises 104 has changed. If there are no enrollment status changes, the enterprise 104 validation completes at 1326. Otherwise, if there is an enrollment status change, at 1314, the computing device 102 updates the enrollment database 814 with the new enrollment status.
At 1316, the computing device 102 checks whether any enrollment status has changed to “active.” If any enrollment status changes to “active”, any requested applications are installed at 1318 and the process continues at 1320. Otherwise, if at 1316, none of the enrollments has changed to “active”, at 1320, the computing device 102 checks whether any enrollments have changed to “revoked.” For the enrollments that have changed to “revoked” at 1320, then at 1322 any installed applications associated with the “revoked” enrollments are uninstalled.
After uninstalling, the process continues at 1324. However, if none of the enrollments has changed to “revoked” at 1320, then at 1324 any re-install or uninstall request is processed. At 1326, the enterprise 104 validation process completes.
Referring next to
Referring next to
Aspects of the disclosure are capable of detecting rogue enterprises.
For example, a rogue enterprise may create an enterprise account, package applications as its own enterprise applications, and attempt to allow any device to install the applications (e.g., distribute the applications). Aspects of the disclosure are capable of detecting such a rogue enterprise by the operations described herein. For example, the web service 108 detects and revokes the enterprise account for the rogue enterprise by comparing the quantity of devices actually enrolled with the rogue enterprise with the quantity of devices requesting installation and/or execution of the packaged applications.
Aspects of the disclosure are also capable of detecting rogue users 304, such as in embodiments where a user identifier is stored in the enrollment token 312. For example, a rogue user 304 may share the enrollment token 312 for an enterprise with other users not authorized by the enterprise 104. In this example, the enterprise 104 detects the unauthorized users by authenticating the enrollment token 312 every time the enrollment token 312 is distributed to users.
In an exemplary embodiment, the user 304 is enrolled to access applications in the application database 812 when the user 304 (e.g., a new employee) configures an office account on the computing device 102. The user 304 is provided with a list of the available applications categorized into groups and tailored to the user 304, in some embodiments. Further, the user 304 may be un-enrolled when the user 304 deletes the office account from the computing device 102. In such an example, the user 304 is provided with a warning message that all installed applications and corresponding data are removed upon deletion of the office account. In other examples, the applications are automatically pushed to the user 304 without configuration by the user 304, and automatically removed upon the user 304 leaving the enterprise 104 or changing roles within the enterprise 104.
Some embodiments allow automatic application update on the computing devices 102 of the enterprise 104. For example, the enterprise 104 administrator may automatically install a new updated version of an application on the computing devices 102 of employees using an older version of the application. The installation of the update may be performed without any interaction by the employee.
In some embodiments, the application is installed on the computing device 102 when the computing device 102 is connected to a non-cellular network (e.g., Wi-Fi, universal serial bus, or other lower cost network connection).
Application installation may also be scheduled by the enterprise 104, for example, during non-peak hours or during a fixed time (e.g., overnight).
In some embodiments, the operations illustrated in
For example, aspects of the disclosure may be implemented as a system on a chip or other circuitry including a plurality of interconnected, electrically conductive elements.
The term “Wi-Fi” as used herein refers, in some embodiments, to a wireless local area network using high frequency radio signals for the transmission of data. The term “BLUETOOTH” as used herein refers, in some embodiments, to a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using short wavelength radio transmission. The term “cellular” as used herein refers, in some embodiments, to a wireless communication system using short-range radio stations that, when joined together, enable the transmission of data over a wide geographic area. The term “NFC” as used herein refers, in some embodiments, to a short-range high frequency wireless communication technology for the exchange of data over short distances.
Embodiments have been described with reference to data monitored and/or collected from the users. In some embodiments, notice may be provided to the users of the collection of the data (e.g., via a dialog box or preference setting) and users are given the opportunity to give or deny consent for the monitoring and/or collection. The consent may take the form of opt-in consent or opt-out consent.
The following exemplary XML payload illustrates how a computing device 102 enrolls with an enterprise having enterprise identifier “{96BBB293-8ED2-4DOD-8529-7B54DED7221F}”:
The following exemplary XML payload represents how the computing device 102 un-enrolls from an enterprise having an enterprise identifier “{96BBB293-8ED2-4DOD-8529-7B54DED7221F}”:
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the functionality described herein as being performed by the enterprise 104 may be performed by another entity, such as the application hub 212, one or more of the computing devices 102 of the user 304, and/or the web service 108.
Exemplary computer readable media include flash memory drives, digital versatile discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy disks, and tape cassettes. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media are tangible and mutually exclusive to communication media. In some embodiments, computer storage media are implemented in hardware. Exemplary computer storage media include hard disks, flash drives, and other solid-state memory. In contrast, communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media.
Although described in connection with an exemplary computing system environment, embodiments of the disclosure are capable of implementation with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments, configurations, or devices.
Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to, mobile computing devices, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, gaming consoles, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, mobile telephones, mobile computing and/or communication devices in wearable or accessory form factors (e.g., watches, glasses, headsets, or earphones), network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. Such systems or devices may accept input from the user in any way, including from input devices such as a keyboard or pointing device, via touch and/or gesture input, proximity input (such as by hovering), and/or via voice input.
Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. The computer-executable instructions may be organized into one or more computer-executable components or modules. Generally, program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
Aspects of the invention may be implemented with any number and organization of such components or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein. Other embodiments of the invention may include different computer-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein.
Aspects of the invention transform a general-purpose computer into a special-purpose computing device when configured to execute the instructions described herein.
The embodiments illustrated and described herein as well as embodiments not specifically described herein but within the scope of aspects of the invention constitute exemplary means for managing access by the mobile computing device 102 to the applications associated with the enterprise 104 via the enrollment token.
The order of execution or performance of the operations in embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.
When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of.” The phrase “one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means “at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C.”
Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/635,183 entitled ““ENTERPRISE APPLICATION MANAGEMENT WITH ENROLLMENT TOKENS,” filed Jun. 27, 2017 which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/831,849 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,754,089), entitled “ENTERPRISE APPLICATION MANAGEMENT WITH ENROLLMENT TOKENS,” filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7747851 | Robinson | Jun 2010 | B1 |
| 8108536 | Hernacki | Jan 2012 | B1 |
| 8229858 | Mazza | Jul 2012 | B1 |
| 8473749 | Madsen | Jun 2013 | B1 |
| 8719908 | Boniface | May 2014 | B1 |
| 11429696 | Strom | Aug 2022 | B2 |
| 20030056094 | Huitema | Mar 2003 | A1 |
| 20050004873 | Pou | Jan 2005 | A1 |
| 20120084184 | Raleigh | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| 20130055345 | Belchee | Feb 2013 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220366018 A1 | Nov 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15635183 | Jun 2017 | US |
| Child | 17816396 | US | |
| Parent | 13831849 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Child | 15635183 | US |
