Abstract: Embodiments of a mobile device incorporating a resource application program interface for downloading user interface components for a resident application are described. Resource profiles are defined by device manufacturers for each model of mobile device. The resource profiles specify the composition, format, and appearance of one or more user interface elements displayed or executed by the mobile device. A content provider maintains a common database of resources for each mobile device model. The resources comprise files, links to files, and/or data or program objects associated with the configurable aspect of the user interface for each mobile device and are provided in the form of a downloadable UI content package consisting of the description file and resource files. The mobile device handset includes a resource API to download UI content package data from a UI content server or UI content that is locally stored.

Abstract: Embodiments of a content distribution and billing system for wireless communication networks are described. A wireless service provider provides network service to users of mobile communication devices. One or more third party content providers serve content data to the mobile communication devices. Content data is downloaded to the mobile communication device with free advertising content. A content distribution and billing process on the content provider server computer facilitates the charging of usage fees to the content providers based on usage of the downloaded content by the mobile device user. A content setting module on the mobile device sets the status of the downloaded content based on the viewing of an ad message associated with the downloaded content data.

Abstract: Embodiments of a user interface authoring tool for networked mobile communication devices are described. Resource profiles are defined by device manufacturers for each model of mobile device. The resource profiles specify the composition, format, and appearance of one or more user interface elements displayed or executed by the mobile device. A user interface authoring process executed by a content provider maintains a common database of resources for each mobile device model. The resources comprise files, links to files, and/or data or program objects associated with the configurable aspect of the user interface for each mobile device. The customizable aspects or items of a user interface are extracted from selected resource profiles and description files for these aspects are generated using the appropriate common resources.