Method and apparatus for supporting software

• US 20020116665A1
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines SA (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines SA (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Inventors: Pickover, Clifford A., Moskowitz, Paul A., Grey, William, Boies, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US09/785,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20020116665A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/66 of program code stored in read-only memory [ROM]

Abstract

A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for supporting software is provided. In one embodiment, a method of supporting a software program includes receiving error data identifying an error in software on a user device. A patch for the error is identified and forwarded to the user device to update the software program. The patch is identified and provided from a central service, a software provider, the patch is identified and provided locally from a data storage device of the user device.

Claims

1. A method of supporting a software program, comprising:

receiving error data for at least a first error;

identifying a patch for said at least first error; and

forwarding said patch to update said software program.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said error data comprises:

first data identifying said at least first error.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said first data includes an error code.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said first data includes an error code and an application identifier.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring said software program for the generation of errors; and

identifying said at least first error.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

notifying a third party of said at least first error.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said third party is a provider of said software, and said at least first error is an error in content provided by said software provider.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least first error is a user error.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said user error is a failure to properly operate said software program.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said user error is a failure to efficiently operate said software program.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least first error is a media error.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least first error is an application program error.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said patch includes executable code adapted to correct said at least first error.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said forwarding said patch further comprises:

forwarding supporting information to said user device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said supporting information includes an advertisement.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said supporting information includes a set of instructions for operating said software program.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving payment for said patch.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said payment is received from a user of said user device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said payment is received from a provider of said software program.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein said error data further comprises:

second data identifying at least a first condition under which said at least first error occurred.

21. A device for supporting software on at least a first user device, comprising:

a processor;

a communication device, coupled to said processor, receiving error information from said at least first user device; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

identify a patch for said at least first error; and

forward said patch to update said software on said at least first user device.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein said error information comprises:

first information identifying said at least first error; and

second information identifying at least a first condition under which said at least first error occurred.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein said first information includes at least an error code and an application identifier.

24. The device of claim 21, further comprising instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to:

notify a third party of said at least first error.

25. A system for supporting software, comprising:

at least a first user device having

a processor;

a communication device, coupled to said processor, configured to send and receive data over a network; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to execute at least a first software program;

monitor said at least first software program for errors; and

forward error information about an at least first error to a controller

said controller having

a controller processor,

a controller communication device, coupled to said controller processor, configured to send and receive data over said network; and

a storage device in communication with said controller processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said controller processor to

receive said error information about said at least first error;

identify a patch for said at least first error; and

forward said patch to update said at least first software program on said at least first user device.

26. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for supporting a software program, comprising:

first instructions for receiving error data for at least a first error;

second instructions for identifying a patch for said at least first error; and

third instructions for forwarding said patch to update said software program.