System and method for obtaining software

#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 illustrating a method for obtaining software in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of showing a software obtaining system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a target profile creation process utilized to develop a profile describing software requirements in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

#Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, a system and method for obtaining software, 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 obtaining 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 analyzing a target device or system the user intends to utilize the software with. The user is also provided assistance in loading and installing the software on the target device or system. In most instances, operations associated with analyzing the target, preparing a request for software compatible with the target, accessing the software, and installing the 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.

#An automated analysis of the target device is executed. The analysis is directed at discovering what components are included in the target system. Thus, a user is not required to have extensive knowledge of the components included in a target system nor engage in convoluted activities directed at extracting the information from the system. Based upon the results of the analysis, a request for software that is compatible with the target device is developed. The request includes indications of desired software parameters and attributes. Again, a user does not have to have expertise in constructing complex queries and the potential for syntax errors is significantly reduced. Should a user wish to have greater participation in the process, flexible provisions are also made to include indications of user desired objectives (e.g., special functionality) in the request. These provisions include providing the user with convenient suggestion prompts and easily understood explanations. The final formulated request with automatically included pertinent information is forwarded to a centralized resource.