Method and apparatus for software updates
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorGeorge H. Forman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Consumable components associated with computerized apparatus are provided with memory. The memory is used to store, and provide downloading capability therefrom, upgrade versions of computer code. The upgrade versions of computer code are programs or subroutines of programs associated with a device selected from a group including, the consumable, the associated computerized apparatus, and interactional program code associated with both the consumable device and the associated computing apparatus.
Claims12
A computer consumable component system employed with an associated computerized apparatus, the system comprising:
- a computer consumable component;
- incorporated with the consumable component, a memory;
- and embedded in the memory, readable program code containing at least one downloadable, upgrade version of program code associated with a device selected from a group including, the consumable component, the associated computerized apparatus, and interactional program code associated with both the consumable device and the associated computing apparatus, said program code including program code for indicating whether the readable program code is a partial listing or a complete listing of an upgrade version thereof.
A method for delivering computerized apparatus upgrade program code for computerized apparatus, the apparatus including means for accessing a memory, the method comprising:
- providing a consumable associated with a computerized apparatus with a memory;
- installing the upgrade program code into the memory;
- and
- installing program code in the memory for recognizing a requirement for the upgrade program code to be downloaded via the means for accessing a memory.
A method of doing business, the method comprising:
- manufacturing consumables employed with associated computerized apparatus;
- incorporating upgrade versions of computer code into said consumables;
- and
- distributing said consumables to computerized apparatus end-users.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.