software distribution system and method
OwnerDuane E. Mentze, Robert D. Vaughaninventors
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Abstract
A system and method for facilitating automated distribution of software is disclosed. The components of a software distribution system cooperatively operated to provide assistance in selecting and locating software compatible with a target system and capable of performing desired functions. A target system automatically formulates a request for software. The software distribution system includes a software description database that supports searches directed at identifying software that is compatible with the request formulated by the target system. The software is stored in a software data repository communicatively coupled to the target system and is capable of forwarding the software to the target system.
Claims27
A software distribution system comprising:
- a software description database that supports searches that identify software that is compatible with a request for said software;
- a target system coupled to said software description database, said target system automatically formulates said request for said software;
- and
- a software data repository coupled to said target system, said software data repository stores said software and is capable of forwarding said software to said target system.
A software distribution method comprising:
- determining required software attributes automatically;
- identifying software compatible with said required software attributes;
- and
- accessing said software.
A computer readable medium comprising instructions which when executed by a computer system causes said computer system to implement a process comprising:
- receiving information including software parameters;
- searching for software with characteristics corresponding to said software parameters;
- and
- constructing an indicator to said software with said characteristics.
The process of claim 22 wherein said compatibility process comprises:
- parsing an indication of query parameters;
- examining software description information for agreement with said query parameters;
- and
- identifying software with features corresponding to said query parameters.
A software distribution system comprising:
- a means for furnishing software;
- a means for correlating said software to descriptive information;
- a means for generating a query for said software with indicated characteristics derived by interrogating a target system for information on desired software characteristics;
- and
- a means for examining said descriptive information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.