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Methods and systems for obtaining computer software via a network

a network and computer software technology, applied in the field of software distribution, can solve the problems of software products that work as intended on a particular computer with a particular configuration, may fail when installed on a different computer with a different configuration, and it is difficult for software developers to make upgrades and fixes available to users, so as to save distribution costs, reduce the incidence of user-related installation problems, and reduce support

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-02-24
MICROSOFT TECH LICENSING LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Software can also be distributed over electronic bulletin board systems, the Internet, etc. In such systems, a user connects to the bulletin board or the Internet 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.
In one aspect of the technologies, available computer software can be downloaded from the remote update service computer and installed immediately on the user computer. Another aspect of the technologies 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.
The electronic updates have several advantages. A user is automatically provided with information about the available versions of computer software as 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.
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-to-date) copy of the computer software.
In addition to providing benefits for the user, the present technologies can provide 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 or network 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 update and 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.

Method used

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  • Methods and systems for obtaining computer software via a network
  • Methods and systems for obtaining computer software via a network
  • Methods and systems for obtaining computer software via a network

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

Referring to FIG. 1, a possible operating environment for the described technologies is a computer system 10 with a computer 12 that comprises at least one high speed processing unit (CPU) 14, in conjunction with a memory system 16, an input device 18, and an output device 20. These elements are interconnected by a bus structure 22.

The illustrated CPU 14 is of familiar design and includes an ALU 24 for performing computations, a collection of registers 26 for temporary storage of data and instructions, and a control unit 28 for controlling operation of the system 10. Any of a variety of processors, including those from Digital Equipment, Sun, MIPS, IBM, Motorola, NEC, Intel, Cyrix, AMD, Nexgen and others are equally preferred for CPU 14. Although shown with one CPU 14, computer system 10 may alternatively include multiple processing units.

The memory system 16 includes main memory 30 and secondary storage 32. Illustrated main memory 30 is high speed random access memory (RAM) an...

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PUM

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Abstract

When creating a distribution file for distributing software over a network, instructions for automatically invoking instructions for installing software can be placed in the software distribution file. If an installation program, the software, and the instructions are placed in the software distribution file, a single user action can download and activate the software distribution file, leading to automatic installation of the software. The installation can be accomplished without further user input. The software distribution file can include an extractor for automatically extracting items in the distribution file.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The technical field relates to software distribution. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY The continual and rapid development of computers, computer software and related technology has revealed many problems with the typical update and distribution channels for computer software. For example, computer software, the coded instructions that control a computer's operation, is constantly and incrementally being upgraded and improved. The computer hardware and operating system environment on which the computer software is used is continually being changed, which requires additional changes in the computer software (e.g. new device drivers, new operating system calls, etc.). A computer software developer will typically release an initial version of a software product. Thereafter, as new and improved computers and peripherals are developed, the software product will commonly be upgraded to take full advantage of the increased capabilities of the hardware. In addition, a software deve...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06F9/445
CPCG06F8/65G06F8/61
Inventor SLIVKA, BENJAMIN W.WEBBER, JEFFREY S.
Owner MICROSOFT TECH LICENSING LLC
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