Computer profile update system

• US 20020002705A1
• Filed: 05/21/2001
• Published: 01/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Yule, David C., Byrnes, Nigel J.
• Application Number:
  US09/861,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20020002705A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A computer profile update system comprises an update control computer (30) arranged to communicate with a user computer (10), a profile being held in a memory (15) which is associated with the user computer (10) and/or with the user. The update control computer (30) is configured to communicate suggested profile updates to the user computer (10) and, if the suggested profile updates are accepted, corresponding updates are made to the profile in the memory (15).

Claims

1. Computer profile update system comprising an update control computer arranged to communicate with a user computer, a profile being held in a memory which is associated with the user computer and/or with the user, the update control computer being configured to communicate suggested profile updates to the user computer, wherein if the suggested profile updates are accepted, corresponding updates are made to the profile in the memory.

2. A computer profile update system according to claim 1, in which the memory is connected to the user computer, wherein if the suggested profile updates are accepted, the user computer is arranged to make the corresponding updates to the profile in the memory.

3. A computer profile update system according to claim 1, in which the memory is connected to a remote computer arranged to communicate with the user computer, wherein if the suggested profile updates are accepted, the remote computer is instructed to make the corresponding updates to the profile in the memory.

4. A computer profile update system according to claim 1, in which the memory is distributed across a number of computers, wherein if the suggested profile updates are accepted, the update control computer is arranged to determine the memory of the computer or the computers to which the profile update should be applied and to apply or instruct the application of the updates to the memory or memories.

5. A computer profile update system according to claim 3, wherein the update control computer is the remote computer.

6. A computer profile update system according to claim 1, wherein the update control computer is a WAP gateway.

7. A computer profile update system according to claim 1, in which the user computer is configured to display details of received suggested profile updates and to accept inputs from a user as to acceptance of the suggested profile updates.

8. A computer profile update system according to claim 7, in which the user computer is configured not to display technical details of suggested profile updates.

9. A computer profile update system according to claim 7, in which the user computer is configured to display the nature and/or effect of the suggested profile updates.

10. A method of updating a computer profile associated with a user computer and/or a user comprising the steps of:

maintaining the profile in a memory associated with the user computer and/or with the user;

communicating suggested profile updates to the user computer;

updating the profile in the memory if the suggested profile updates are accepted.

11. A method according to claim 10, in which the memory is connected to a remote computer, the method further comprising the step of instructing the remote computer to make the corresponding updates to the profile in the memory if they are accepted.

12. A method according to claim 10, in which the memory is distributed across a number of computers, the method further comprising the step of determining the memory of the computer or computers to which the update should be applied and instructing the computer or computers to make the update.

13. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of displaying details of suggested profile updates to the user on the user computer and accepting inputs on the user computer regarding acceptance or rejection of the suggested profile updates.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of not displaying technical details of suggested profile updates.

15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of displaying data regarding the nature and/or affect of the suggested profile updates to the user on the user computer.

22. A program storage device readable by a machine and encoding a program of instructions for executing the method steps of claim 10.

16. A computer readable storage medium, on which is stored a computer program of instructions for a general purpose computer for updating a computer profile associated with the computer and/or a user comprising, in combination:

means for enabling the computer to maintain the profile in a memory associated with the computer and/or with the user;

means for enabling the computer to receive suggested profile updates from a remote computer;

means for enabling the computer to update the profile in the memory if the suggested profile updates are accepted.

17. A program according to claim 16, in which the memory is connected to a remote computer, the computer program further comprising means for enabling the computer to instruct the remote computer to make the corresponding updates to the profile in the memory if they are accepted.

18. A program according to claim 16, in which the memory is distributed across a number of remote computers, the program further comprising means for enabling the computer to determine the memory of the remote computer or computers to which the update should be applied and means for enabling the computer to instruct the remote computer or computers to make the update.

19. A program according to claim 16, further comprising means for enabling the computer to display details of suggested profile updates to the user and means for enabling the computer to accept inputs on regarding acceptance or rejection of the suggested profile updates.

20. A program according to claim 19, further comprising means for enabling the computer to determine technical details of suggested profile updates and means for enabling the computer to prevent the display of determined technical details.

21. A program according to claim 19, further comprising means for enabling the computer to display data regarding the nature and/or affect of the suggested profile updates to the user.