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US 6,199,204 B1Granted
Distribution of software updates via a computer network
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorSeamus Donohue
Life of this patent
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AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorSeamus Donohue
Estimating the term…
Provided is a method and mechanism for automating updating of computer programs. Conventionally, computer programs have been distributed on a recording medium for users to install on their computer systems. Each time fixes, additions and new versions for the programs were developed, a new CD or diskette was required to be delivered to users to enable them to install the update. More recently some software has been downloadable across a network, but the effort for users obtaining and installing updates and the effort for software vendors to distribute updates remains undesirable. The invention provides an updater agent which is associated with a computer program and which accesses relevant network locations and automatically downloads and installs any available updates to its associated program if those updates satisfy predefined update criteria of the updater agent. The updater agents are able to communicate with each other and so a first updater agent can request updates to programs which are prerequisites to its associated program.
A computer program product, comprising computer program code recorded on a computer readable recording medium, the computer program code comprising an updater component for use in updating one or more computer programs installed on a computer system connected within a computer network, the updater component including:
A computer program product according to claim 12, wherein said means for applying updates is adapted to install correction and enhancement software which modifies existing installed software and also to install upgraded versions of installed software which replaces installed software.
A method for automated updating of a computer program installed on a computer system connected within a computer network, including the following steps:
A method according to claim 19, including providing at a second network location, identifiable from information in the updater component, a computer readable list of available updates to said computer program, wherein the updater component is adapted to perform the following steps prior to accessing said first network location:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.