Technique for automatically updating software stored on a client computer in a networked client-server environment
US6167567A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/454
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A technique for automatically updating software, including but not limited to application programs, residing on, e.g., a client computer. Specifically, an update script is stored on a network server for each software product to be updated and, where appropriate, for each different country or locale in which that product will be installed. At a scheduled time, the client computer automatically, through an executing updating application: establishes a network connection to the server; constructs a file name for a file containing an appropriate update script; and then downloads that file from the server. The script contains appropriate update information, including whether the update is to occur through a web site or through the script, and if the latter, listings of operating system (O/S) specific and O/S-independent product update files. For a script-based update, the updating application downloads those update files, as specified by the script, corresponding to the executing O/S and then, in a sequence specified in the script, executes various files therein to complete the update. Once the update successfully concludes, the updating application appropriately updates the locally sto…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.