Method and system for identifying and obtaining computer software from a remote computer

• US 20060218246A1
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Fawcett, Philip E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,925,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

Creators of computer software provide the most up-to-date versions of their computer software on an update service. A user who has purchased computer software calls the update service on a periodic basis. The update service automatically inventories the user computer to determine what computer software may be out-of-date, and/or need maintenance updates. If so desired by the user, the update service computer automatically downloads and installs computer software to the user computer. By making periodic calls to the update service, the user always has the most up-to-date computer software immediately available. The update service may also alert the user to new products (i.e. including new help files, etc.), and new and enhanced versions of existing products, which can be purchased electronically by a user from the update service.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A computer-implemented method of acquiring computer software for a first computer, the method comprising:

establishing communications with a second computer over a network to determine whether computer software not installed on the first computer is available for installation on the first computer;

responsive to determining computer software not installed on the first computer is available for installation on the first computer, presenting a list at the first computer displaying the computer software not installed on the first computer and available for installation on the first computer;

from the list displaying the computer software not installed on the first computer and available for installation on the first computer, accepting a selection selected at the first computer indicating computer software to be downloaded and installed on the first computer; and

to the first computer, downloading the computer software to be downloaded and installed on the first computer.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the computer software not installed on the first computer and available for installation on the first computer comprises at least one software upgrade not already installed on the first computer, wherein the software upgrade upgrades software already installed on the first computer.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the computer software not installed on the first computer and available for installation on the first computer comprises new software.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the list is limited by one or more categories selected by a user at the first computer.

25. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 21.

26. A computer-implemented method of acquiring computer software for a computer over a network, the method comprising:

determining whether computer software is available for installation on the computer over the network;

responsive to determining that the computer software is available for installation on the computer, presenting a list at the computer displaying the computer software not installed on the computer and available for installation on the computer;

from the list displaying the computer software not installed on the computer and available for installation on the computer, accepting a selection selected at the computer indicating computer software to be downloaded to the computer; and

to the computer, downloading the computer software to be downloaded to the computer.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the list is limited by one or more pre-selected categories.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the computer software not installed on the computer and available for installation on the computer comprises at least one software upgrade, wherein the software upgrade upgrades software already installed on the first computer.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein the computer software not installed on the computer and available for installation on the computer comprises new software.

30. A computer-implemented method of acquiring computer software for a computer over a network, the method comprising:

determining from communications over the network, whether computer software is available over the network for installation on the computer but not installed on the computer;

responsive to determining that the computer software is available but not installed on the computer, presenting a list at the computer displaying the computer software available but not installed on the computer;

from the list displaying the computer software available but not installed on the computer, accepting a selection selected at the computer indicating computer software to be downloaded and installed on the computer; and

to the computer, downloading and installing the computer software to be downloaded and installed to the computer.

31. A computer-implemented method of acquiring computer software for a computer over a network, the method comprising:

determining from communications over the network whether computer software is appropriate for installation on the computer;

responsive to a determination that the computer software is appropriate for installation on the computer, acquiring permission at the computer to download the computer software; and

responsive to acquiring permission, downloading the computer software to the computer over the network.

32. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 31.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the computer is a user computer.

34. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

receiving an indication of one or more categories selected by a user at the computer; and

limiting the computer software to that falling in the categories selected.

35. The method of claim 31 wherein the computer software is downloaded to the computer over the network with a digital signature.

36. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

collecting billing information from the computer over the network to pay a fee for the computer software.

37. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

installing the computer software on the computer.

38. A computer-implemented method of providing computer software for a computer over a network, the method comprising:

determining from information sent over the network whether computer software is appropriate for installation on the computer;

as a result of permission given at the computer to download the computer software, receiving a request for the computer software from the computer; and

responsive to the request, providing the computer software for the computer over the network.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising:

receiving a user indication that the software is to be automatically installed after download; and

responsive to the user indication, automatically installing the software after download.

40. A method performed at a computer in communication over a network, the method comprising:

at the computer, presenting a user interface requesting user permission to download software downloadable over the network and determined from communications over the network as appropriate for installation at the computer; and

responsive to receiving user permission via the user interface at the computer, downloading the software from a remote location.

41. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 40.

42. A method for acquiring software over a network for a computer in communication over the network, the method comprising the following computer-executed actions:

determining via the network that software is available over the network for installation at the computer but not installed on the computer;

as a result of the determining, presenting a user interface at the computer, wherein the user interface is operable to accept user input to initiate acquisition of the software; and

responsive to user input at the computer via the user interface, acquiring the software over the network.

43. The method of claim 42 further comprising:

automatically installing the software.

44. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 42.

45. In a computer, a software delivery system for providing software to a remote computer over a network, the delivery system comprising:

a program operable to determine, via communications over the network, software appropriate for installation at the remote computer;

wherein the program is further operable to send the software appropriate for installation to the remote computer over the network as a result of permission given at the remote computer.

46. The software delivery system of claim 45 wherein the program is further operable to receive an indication of one or more software categories to limit the software appropriate for installation to the software categories indicated.

47. A computer-implemented method of acquiring computer software for a computer over a network, the method comprising the following computer-executed actions:

acquiring permission from a user at the computer to download software;

via the network, determining computer software is available for download over the network but not installed on the computer; and

responsive to determining computer software is available for download over the network but not installed, downloading without further user interaction the computer software available for download but not installed.

48. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 47.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein the computer software available for download but not installed comprises at least one software upgrade, wherein the software upgrade upgrades software already installed on the computer.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein the computer software available for download but not installed comprises new software.

51. The method of claim 47, wherein the computer software available for download but not installed comprises software to correct corrupted computer software on the computer.

52. The method of claim 47 wherein the computer software is downloaded to the computer with a digital signature over a public network.

53. The method of claim 47 further comprising:

installing the computer software available for download but not installed.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein installing the computer software comprises backing up copies of computer software components on the user computer that will be affected.