US 6,167,567 A · Technique for automatically updating software stored on a client computer in a networked client-server environment

Abstract

A technique for automatically updating software, including but not limited to application programs, residing on, e.g., a client computer. Specifically, an update script is stored on a network server for each software product to be updated and, where appropriate, for each different country or locale in which that product will be installed. At a scheduled time, the client computer automatically, through an executing updating application: establishes a network connection to the server; constructs a file name for a file containing an appropriate update script; and then downloads that file from the server. The script contains appropriate update information, including whether the update is to occur through a web site or through the script, and if the latter, listings of operating system (O/S) specific and O/S-independent product update files. For a script-based update, the updating application downloads those update files, as specified by the script, corresponding to the executing O/S and then, in a sequence specified in the script, executes various files therein to complete the update. Once the update successfully concludes, the updating application appropriately updates the locally stored version number of the installed software and schedules the next update accordingly.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A method for updating software in a client-server environment through a network server, comprising the steps of, in a client computer:

(A) determining a country or a locale within which the client computer is situated and, in response thereto, constructing a file name for a file containing an update script for use in the country or the locale;
(B) issuing a request to the network server to download the file containing the update script to the client computer;
and
(C) processing the script on the client computer so as to complete an update of the software, wherein the processing step comprises the steps of:
(C1) determining an operating system (O/S) then executing on the client computer;
and
(C2) wherein the update script comprises at least one of O/S-specific and O/S-independent sections:
(C2a) if the O/S-independent section specifies a first update file name, extracting a first group of update file names from the O/S-independent section, the first group having at least one associated update file name;
and
(C2b) if the O/S-specific section of the script corresponds to the O/S executing on the client computer and specifies a second update file name, extracting a second group of update file names from the O/S-independent section, the second group having at least one associated update file name;
and
(C3) requesting a download to the client computer of update files from the network server corresponding to the first and second groups of update file names, to the extent at least one of the first and second groups of file names are specified in the O/S-independent and O/S-specific sections.

9 more elements

Apparatus for updating software in a client-server environment through a network server, comprising:

a client computer having
a processor;
and
a memory, connected to the processor, having computer executable instructions stored therein;
and
wherein, in response to the stored instructions, the processor:
(A) determines a country or a locale within which the client computer is situated and, in response thereto, constructing a file name for a file containing an update script for use in the country or the locale;
(B) issues a request to the network server to download the file containing the update script to the client computer;
and
(C) processes the script on the client computer so as to complete an update of the software through which the processor:
(C1) determines an operating system (O/S) then executing on the client computer;
and
(C2) wherein the update script comprises at least one of O/S-specific and O/S-independent sections:
(C2a) if the O/S-independent section specifies a first update file name, extracts a first group of update file names from the O/S-independent section, the first group having at least one associated update file name;
and
(C2b) if the O/S-specific section of the script corresponds to the O/S executing on the client computer and specifies a second update file name, extracts a second group of update file names from the O/S-independent section, the second group having at least one associated update file name;
and
(C3) requests a download to the client computer of update files from the network server corresponding to the first and second groups of update file names, to the extent at least one of the first and second groups of file names are specified in the O/S-independent and O/S-specific sections.

15 more elements

Apparatus for updating software in a client-server environment through a network server, comprising:

a client computer having a processor;
and
a memory, connected to the processor, having computer executable instructions stored therein;
and
wherein, in response to the stored instructions, the processor:
(A) determines a country or a locale within which the client computer is situated and, in response thereto, constructing a file name for a file containing an update script for use in the country or the locale;
(B) issues a request to the network server to download the file containing the update script to the client computer;
and
(C) processes the script on the client computer so as to complete an update of the software through which the processor:
(C1) determines an operating system (O/S) then executing on the client computer;
and
(C2) wherein the update script comprises at least one of O/S-specific and O/S-independent sections:
(C2a) if the O/S-independent section specifies a first update file name, extracts a first group of update file names from the O/S-independent section, the first group having at least one associated update file name;
and
(C2b) if the O/S-specific section of the script corresponds to the O/S executing on the client computer and specifies a second update file name, extracts a second group of update file names from the O/S-independent section, the second group having at least one associated update file name;
and
(C3) requests a download to the client computer of update files from the network server corresponding to the first and second groups of update file names, to the extent at least one of the first and second groups of file names are specified in the O/S-independent and O/S-specific sections;
and
the network server which:
(D) downloads, in response to the request, the file containing the update script to the client computer.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Technique for automatically updating software stored on a client computer in a networked client-server environment

Life of this patent

Technique for automatically updating software stored on a client computer in a networked client-server environment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33