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AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsBenjamin W. Slivka, Jeffrey S. Webber
Estimating the term…
When creating a distribution file for distributing software over a network, instructions for automatically invoking instructions for installing software can be placed in the software distribution file. If an installation program, the software, and the instructions are placed in the software distribution file, a single user action can download and activate the software distribution file, leading to automatic installation of the software. The installation can be accomplished without further user input. The software distribution file can include an extractor for automatically extracting items in the distribution file.
In a client computer in communication with a server computer over a network, a method of installing software at the client computer from the server computer over the network, the method comprising:
A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the following in a client computer in communication with a server computer over a network to install software at the client computer from the server computer over the network:
In a client computer in communication with a server computer over a network, a method of installing software at the client computer from the server computer over the network, the method comprising:
In a client computer in communication with a server computer via a network, a method of installing software at the client computer, the method comprising:
A method for automatically installing software at a computer, the method comprising:
In a receiving computer in communication with a sending computer over a network, a method of installing software at the receiving computer from the sending computer over the network, the method comprising:
In a computer, a method for installing software on the computer, the method comprising:
In a client computer in communication with a remote computer over a network, a software system for installing software on the client computer, the system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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The technical field relates to software distribution.
The continual and rapid development of computers, computer software and related technology has revealed many problems with the typical update and distribution channels for computer software. For example, computer software, the coded instructions that control a computer's operation, is constantly and incrementally being upgraded and improved. The computer hardware and operating system environment on which the computer software is used is continually being changed, which requires additional changes in the computer software (e.g. new device drivers, new operating system calls, etc.).
A computer software developer will typically release an initial version of a software product. Thereafter, as new and improved computers and peripherals are developed, the software product will commonly be upgraded to take full advantage of the increased capabilities of the hardware. In addition, a software developer, to remain competitive, will often upgrade the software product to provide new features and functionality.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system used to implement an illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the update service center and the remote user computers.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the access processes on the user and update service computers.
Referring to FIG. 1, a possible operating environment for the described technologies is a computer system 10 with a computer 12 that comprises at least one high speed processing unit (CPU) 14, in conjunction with a memory system 16, an input device 18, and an output device 20. These elements are interconnected by a bus structure 22.
The illustrated CPU 14 is of familiar design and includes an ALU 24 for performing computations, a collection of registers 26 for temporary storage of data and instructions, and a control unit 28 for controlling operation of the system 10. Any of a variety of processors, including those from Digital Equipment, Sun, MIPS, IBM, Motorola, NEC, Intel, Cyrix, AMD, Nexgen and others are equally preferred for CPU 14. Although shown with one CPU 14, computer system 10 may alternatively include multiple processing units.
The memory system 16 includes main memory 30 and secondary storage 32. Illustrated main memory 30 is high speed random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). Main memory 30 can include any additional or alternative high speed memory device or memory circuitry. Secondary storage 32 takes the form of long term storage, such as ROM, optical or magnetic disks, organic memory or any other volatile or non-volatile mass storage system. Those skilled in the art will recognize that memory 16 can comprise a variety and/or combination of alternative components.