Software identification system and method

#The present invention relates to software distribution.

#Electronic systems and circuits have made a significant contribution towards the advancement of modern society and are utilized in a number of applications to achieve advantageous results. Numerous electronic technologies such as digital computers, calculators, audio devices, video equipment, and telephone systems have facilitated increased productivity and reduced costs in analyzing and communicating data, ideas and trends in most areas of business, science, education and entertainment. Frequently, these advantageous results are realized through the use of software stored on a memory media and implemented by a processing device. Selecting and accessing appropriate software directed to producing desired results is often very cumbersome and complicated.

#Software typically includes information utilized in the performance of a multitude of tasks directed towards providing a variety of results. For example, software is often used to control and direct device operations in a computer system. Software requirements for different systems typically vary and are seldom static. For example, most computer systems are not configured with identical components and the different components (e.g., printers, network cards, video cards, etc.) usually require different software device drivers. When a device is added to a system an appropriate device driver is required to be installed to enable the operating system to manage the device. New software is also often required to be added to a system to take advantage of advances in technology or provide functions included in new software programs.

#FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a software identification method for identifying software in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software identification system for selecting software in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a software indication process that provides an indication of software corresponding to requested requirements in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

#Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, a software identification system and method, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it is understood the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, some items have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the current invention.

#A software identification system and method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention facilitates convenient and efficient distribution of software. A user is provided assistance in selecting software that is compatible with a target device or system the user intends to utilize the software with. In most instances, operations associated with selecting and accessing software are performed automatically thereby reducing arduous and error prone user interaction to a minimum. Thus, the user is relieved from performing convoluted tasks requiring a relatively high degree of knowledge and precision with regards to the target device and the software.

#A centralized resource receives a request for software and identifies software with features corresponding to the request. The centralized resource includes a software description database that tracks software identification and characteristics of the identified software. The software identification (e.g., a file address) identifies software files stored in a separate software repository. A search for software with characteristics corresponding to the attributes designated in the request or query is performed and potential matching software is identified. A user is not required to have extensive knowledge of numerous different potential software packages and the various features that each software package includes. The software identification system and method automatically compares requested software attributes to available software description characteristics and identifies potential matches. The user does not have to interpret the software features, nor scan through vast amounts of software description information attempting to find a correlation with desired software attributes. A selection process finalizes a software choice and information associated with the choice, including the storage location, is forwarded to the target device. If the target device initiates a file transfer process, the centralized resource communicates software files from the identified storage location of the centralized repository to the target device.