Method and system for updating software with smaller patch files
US6243766A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99953
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Rather than comparing an old file with a new file to generate a set of patching instructions, and then compressing the patching instructions to generate a compact patch file for transmission to a user, a patch file is generated in a single operation. A compressor is pre-initialized in accordance with the old version of the file (e.g. in an LZ77 compressor, the history window is pre-loaded with the file). The pre-initialized compressor then compresses the old file, producing a patch file from which the new file can be generated. At the user's computer, a parallel process is performed, with the user's copy of the old file being used to pre-initialize a decompressor to which the patch file is then input. The output of the decompressor is the new file. The patch files generated and used in these processes are of significantly reduced size when compared to the prior art. Variations between copies of the old file as installed on different computers are also addressed, so that a single patch file can be applied irrespective of such variations. By so doing, the need for a multi-version patch file to handle such installation differences is eliminated, further reducing the size of the patch …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.