Software streaming system and method

• US 20050193139A1
• Filed: 04/06/2005
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Numecent Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Streamtheory Incorporated
• Inventors: DeVries, Jeffrey, Westerberg, Steig, Vinson, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,577,751 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols

Abstract

A method for streaming software may include downloading blocks associated with a software title until an executable threshold is reached, initiating execution of the software title, and continuing to download blocks of the software title while the software title is executed. Another method for streaming software may include sending to a client data sufficient for the client to build a virtual directory structure for use in executing a software title, streaming a subset of blocks associated with the software title to the client, and streaming additional blocks associated with the software title to the client on demand. A system for streaming software may include a server computer and a client computer. The server computer may include a program database and a streaming engine. In operation the streaming engine may stream an executable streaming application from the program database to the client.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

downloading blocks of a software title until an executable threshold is reached;

initiating execution of the software title when the executable threshold is reached;

continuing to download blocks of the software title while the software title is executed.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the software title for download.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a dependency string associated with the software title, wherein the dependency string includes software selected from the group consisting of executables and DLLs.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a start message generally contemporaneously with said initiating execution of the software title.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising decrypting one or more of the download blocks.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting data, associated with the software title, that is available at a remote location;

suspending execution of the software title;

downloading blocks associated with the requested data;

resuming execution of the software title with the requested data.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

completing execution of the software title;

generating an end message generally contemporaneously with said completing execution of the software title.

8. A method comprising:

sending to a client data sufficient for the client to build a virtual directory structure to facilitate executing a software title;

streaming a subset of blocks associated with the software title to the client;

streaming additional blocks associated with the software title to the client on demand.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising preparing the software title for streaming, including creating an index containing information about registry changes, files, and directories created.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising creating an index for use by a client-side file system driver to present the virtual directory structure to the client.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising sending a dependency string associated with the software title to the client.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising encrypting one or more of the blocks.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

receiving a start message associated with a start of execution of the software title;

receiving a stop message associated with an end to execution of the software title.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising uploading a client shell installation program to the client.

15. The method of claim 8 further comprising tracking data associated with a session of streaming execution of the software title at the client.

16. The method of claim 8 further comprising tracking usage statistics associated with the software title.

17. A method comprising:

sending from a server to a client data sufficient for the client to build a virtual directory structure to facilitate executing a software title;

uploading to the client blocks associated with the software title until an executable threshold is reached;

initiating execution of the software title when the executable threshold is reached;

continuing to upload blocks associated with the software title while the software title is executed;

streaming additional blocks associated with the software title to the client on demand.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the software title resides at a server site, further comprising logging onto the server site.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising verifying that the client is associated with a subscriber who has a valid association with the server.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising tracking usage statistics and performing an action selected from the group consisting of:

compensating a provider of the software title based upon usage statistics of the software title;

charging a subscriber based upon usage statistics of the software title.

21. A system comprising:

a server computer including;

first memory having modules stored therein, the modules including;

a program database that includes one or more executable streaming applications;

a streaming engine;

a first processor, coupled to the memory, for accessing modules stored in the first memory;

a first communication interface, coupled to the first processor, for forwarding data with respect to a network;

wherein, in operation, the first processor runs the streaming engine, which streams an executable streaming application from the program database through the first communication interface;

a client computer including;

second memory having modules stored therein, the modules including;

a client shell;

a cache;

a second processor, coupled to the second memory, for accessing modules stored in the second memory;

a second communication interface, coupled to the second processor, for forwarding data with respect to the network;

wherein, in operation, the second processor runs the client shell, which receives said executable streaming application from the program database through the second communication interface and stores at least some of the executable streaming application in the cache, and wherein the second processor executes the executable streaming application prior to receiving the entire executable streaming application.