System and methods for automatically installing a correct software version from media containing multiple software versions
First Claim
1. A method of installing software on a computer comprising:
- contacting a software distribution medium, the software distribution medium comprising multiple software versions for installation on a computer;
automatically locating an INF file; and
installing a correct software version on the computer based on information within the INF file.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The system and methods described herein relate to automatically installing a correct software version onto a computer from a software distribution medium that stores multiple installable versions of the same software product (i.e., a multi-version software distribution medium). A double INF file architecture on the multi-version software distribution medium relieves a user of the burden of directing an installation program (e.g., a hardware/software installation Wizard) to a specific location within the medium to complete the installation of the correct software version. The user need only direct the installation program to the distribution medium. The double INF file architecture ensures an automatic installation of the correct software version without the need for understanding how to navigate the medium.
62 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of installing software on a computer comprising:
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contacting a software distribution medium, the software distribution medium comprising multiple software versions for installation on a computer;
automatically locating an INF file; and
installing a correct software version on the computer based on information within the INF file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A software distribution medium comprising:
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multiple installable software versions;
a root INF file configured to control a software installation of any one of the multiple software versions; and
secondary INF files, each configured to control a software installation of a particular software version. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer comprising:
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a processing unit; and
a memory with installation data, the installation data comprising;
multiple software versions; and
a double INF file architecture configured to direct the processing unit to automatically install a correct software version on the computer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A system comprising:
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a computer device comprising an installation module; and
a software distribution medium comprising a root INF file located in a root directory and secondary INF files each located in a particular subdirectory, the root INF file configured to direct the installation module to install a correct software version onto the computer device from source files located in any subdirectory, each secondary INF file configured to direct the installation module to install a correct software version onto the computer device from source files located in a particular subdirectory. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification