# US 8,474,038 B1 · Software inventory derivation

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- Number: US 8,474,038 B1
- Document ID: US8474038B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 12/571,423
- Filed: 2009-09-30
- Granted: 2013-06-25
- Earliest claimed: 2009-09-30
- Assignees: EMC Corporation
- Applicants: Steven Thomas Wong
- Inventors: Steven Thomas Wong
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8474038B1

## CPC

- G06F 21/565: {by checking file integrity}
- G06F 11/1453: {using de-duplication of the data}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for efficiently processing information are disclosed. In some embodiments, this may include creating a first signature index, deriving a second signature index, wherein the second signature index is created by a backup application, comparing the first signature index to a second signature index, determining a positive signature match based on the comparison, and identifying a software application based on the positive signature match.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for processing information, comprising creating a first signature index, wherein the first signature index comprises a field indicating a location of a software application and a first signature of the software application;
deriving a second signature index, wherein the second signature index is created by a backup application, wherein the second signature index comprises a name of the software application and a second signature of the software application;
comparing the first signature index to a second signature index;
determining a positive signature match based on the comparison; and
identifying the software application based on the positive signature match.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising storing the name of the software application, the location of the software application, the second signature of the software application created by the backup application, and a timestamp in a software inventory report.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first signature index is created by a backup application.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second signature index contains a list of signatures for software applications.

### Claim 5

A system for processing information, comprising:
a storage device; and
a processor configured to create a first signature index, wherein the first signature index comprises a field indicating a location of a software application and a first signature of the software application, derive a second signature index, wherein the second signature index is created by a backup application, wherein the second signature index comprises a name of the software application and a second signature of the software application, compare the first signature index to a second signature index, determine a positive signature match based on the comparison, and identify the software application based on the positive signature match.

### Claim 6

A computer program product for processing data, comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having program instructions embodied therein for:
creating a first signature index, wherein the first signature index comprises a field indicating a location of a software application and a first signature of the software application;
deriving a second signature index, wherein the second signature index is created by a backup application, wherein the second signature index comprises a name of the software application and a second signature of the software application;
comparing the first signature index to a second signature index;
determining a positive signature match based on the comparison; and
identifying the software application based on the positive signature match.