Controlled deployment of software in a web-based architecture

US7562358B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC. · US

Inventors

• David Allison Bennett · Bothell, US
• Paul Bilibin · Lynnwood, US
• Mark A. Bjerke · Bellevue, US
• Lynn Shaindell Goldhaber · Renton, US
• Hsiangwen S. Hu · Redmond, US
• Lory Elizabeth Krett · Kirkland, US
• Jinyue Liu · Sammamish, US
• Paul R. McLaughlin · Redmond, US
• Reichie R. Nelson · Everett, US
• Charles D. Mentzer · Redmond, US
• Matthew Smith · Cambridge, GB
• William W. Smith, III · Bellevue, US
• Harland Fred Maier, Jr. · Redmond, US
• Geoffrey Carl McGrath · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 28, 2005
• Grant date: Jul 14, 2009
• Expiry date: Sep 14, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F8/61
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention includes systems and methods for the controlled deployment of software in a web-based environment where multiple versions of a single application are supported to provide field experience of various versions before general deployment. The systems and methods of the invention support backwards compatibility, which allows older versions of the same software to be accessed concurrently with newer (revised) versions. Likewise, data item opaqueness is supported whereby data items not recognized by a software level or tier are not rejected but are passed on to another tier or level where they may be recognized.