Method and system for identifying and obtaining computer software from a remote computer

Abstract

Creators of computer software provide the most up-to-date versions of their computer software on an update service. A user who has purchased computer software calls the update service on a periodic basis. The update service automatically inventories the user computer to determine what computer software may be out-of-date, and / or need maintenance updates. If so desired by the user, the update service computer automatically downloads and installs computer software to the user computer. By making periodic calls to the update service, the user always has the most up-to-date computer software immediately available. The update service may also alert the user to new products (i.e. including new help files, etc.), and new and enhanced versions of existing products, which can be purchased electronically by a user from the update service.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 558,957, entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING AND OBTAINING COMPUTER SOFTWARE FROM A REMOTE COMPUTER," filed Apr. 25, 2000, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 149,993, entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING AND OBTAINING COMPUTER SOFTWARE FROM A REMOTE COMPUTER," filed Sep. 9, 1998, which has since issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,214 and is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08 / 562,929, entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING AND OBTAINING COMPUTER SOFTWARE FROM A REMOTE COMPUTER," filed Nov. 27, 1995, which has since issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,077 and is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002] The present invention relates to a system for automatically identifying software that may be appropriate for installation on a computer and for making that software available to that computer. In particular the invention...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Software can also be distributed over electronic bulletin board systems, the Internet, etc. In such systems, a user connects to the bulletin board and then selects and downloads desired software. Such systems allow for rapid updating of software by simply supplying a new updated version of the software to the bulletin board. However, such systems also require a degree of user sophistication and technical expertise in the selection, downloading and installation of the new software. Moreover, such systems do not provide a user that has already obtained a software product with a simple, automatic way of learning of or obtaining upgrades or fixes for that product. The software provider may also have updated help files and other help utilities about which a user would have no way of knowing.

[0010] In one aspect of the invention, available computer software can be downloaded from the remote update service computer and installed immediately on the user computer. Another aspect of the invention allows the update service computer to contact the user computer at a later, more convenient time, re-establish two-way communications, then download and install available computer software on the user computer. If a delayed download is requested, the user will provide access information (e.g. phone number, network address, a file of commands to execute to logon the user computer, etc.) to the update service computer which allows the remote update service computer to re-connect to the user computer. The transfer may use an encryption scheme to permit safe transfer of the software to the user computer.

[0012] The update service has several advantages. A user is automatically provided with information about the available versions of computer software as a result of the inventory conducted by the update center computer. If the version of the computer software on the user computer has defects that are known and have been corrected, the user is alerted to this fact and is offered an up-to-date version of the computer software. The user is also alerted to the availability of new computer software, or enhanced versions of existing computer software, and can purchase them electronically. In either case, the most up-to-date versions of computer software are available for downloading to users.

[0013] The available versions of the computer software can also be automatically installed on the user computer. Since it is no longer necessary for the user to install the computer software, the incidence of user related installation problems is greatly reduced. It is also not necessary for the user to obtain or save any storage media since the computer software is downloaded directly to the user computer. If the computer software installed on the user computer ever gets corrupted, the user can call the update service (e.g. for some limited number of iterations) and download a new (and up-todate) copy of the computer software.

[0014] In addition to providing benefits for the user, the illustrated embodiment of the invention provides benefits to the developers of the software. The developers of the computer software save support, distribution, and advertising costs. A user who calls the update service automatically obtains up-to-date versions of available computer software, and may never encounter defects which would have been encountered using an earlier, defective version of the computer software. As a result, a user will require less support from the developers of the software, be more satisfied, and be more willing to purchase future versions of computer software. Since the computer software is downloaded to the user computer, the developers of the computer software may save distribution costs as fewer versions of the computer software have to be copied to storage media and distributed. In addition, since the user is also alerted when new computer software, and / or new versions of existing computer software are available, the software developers may also save advertising costs.

Problems solved by technology

The continual and rapid development of computers, computer software and related technology has revealed many problems with the typical distribution channels for computer software.

Similarly, software products that work as intended on a particular computer with a particular configuration, may fail when installed on a different computer having a different configuration (e.g. different hardware, peripherals, operating systems, etc.).

However, it is often difficult for software developers to make upgrades and fixes available to users.

This difficulty not only deprives the user of access to the most reliable and up-to-date software products, it can result in lost sales to the software developer and can damage the goodwill and the development of a long term relationship with a customer by releasing a flawed or deficient software product.

However, given the rapid pace of software development, this manner of distribution is frequently insufficient.

For example, it is not uncommon that defects are detected and fixes created shortly after a software product is introduced to the public.

However, the software products that remain in the distribution chain contain the defect without the fix.

This situation is frustrating for users who subsequently purchase the software product that is already obsolete (i.e. because of the defects).

However, such systems also require a degree of user sophistication and technical expertise in the selection, downloading and installation of the new software.

Moreover, such systems do not provide a user that has already obtained a software product with a simple, automatic way of learning of or obtaining upgrades or fixes for that product.

The developers of the computer software save support, distribution, and advertising costs.

In addition, since the user is also alerted when new computer software, and / or new versions of existing computer software are available, the software developers may also save advertising costs.

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