Updating of Data Processing and Communication Devices
First Claim
1. A method for sharing data items between data processing devices, for data items such as computer program updates and data files, comprising the steps of:
- maintaining, at a first device, a list of update requirements for at least a second device;
in response to identification of a data item that is available for download from a data source, comparing the available data item with the list of update requirements for the second device;
in response to determining a match between the available data item and the list of update requirements, the first device obtaining the data item from the data source for subsequent transfer to the second device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are methods, computer programs and apparatus supporting cooperative updating of software, firmware and other data. A first device is able to obtain program and data updates that are required by other devices, and to do this altruistically even if the updates are not required by the first device. The updates obtained by the first device are saved in cache storage until they can be transferred to the other devices that require update support. A set of devices form a Data Sharing Group and hold information representing update requirements of the other group members. Altruistic obtaining and caching of updates can be especially beneficial for devices that have very limited network access—for example devices that have only intermittent network connectivity, or have low bandwidth or low security network connections. Some end-user devices and embedded data processing components can rely entirely on altruistic updating by another device, whereas other solutions may combine this update mechanism with conventional update mechanisms.
56 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for sharing data items between data processing devices, for data items such as computer program updates and data files, comprising the steps of:
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maintaining, at a first device, a list of update requirements for at least a second device;
in response to identification of a data item that is available for download from a data source, comparing the available data item with the list of update requirements for the second device;
in response to determining a match between the available data item and the list of update requirements, the first device obtaining the data item from the data source for subsequent transfer to the second device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A data processing apparatus comprising:
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data storage means; and
synchronization manager means for controlling the data processing apparatus comprising;
means for maintaining a list of update requirements for at least a second data processing apparatus;
in response to obtaining a data item, means for comparing the obtained data item with the list of update requirements for the second data processing apparatus; and
in response to determining a match between the obtained data item and the list of update requirements for the second data processing apparatus, means for caching the obtained data item for subsequent transfer to the second data processing apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer program comprising a data set of program code instructions for controlling a data processing device, comprising:
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a data storage means, and a synchronization manager for controlling the data processing apparatus to perform the method steps of;
program code instruction means for maintaining a list of update requirements for at least a second data processing apparatus;
in response to obtaining a data item, program code instruction means for comparing the obtained data item with the list of update requirements for the second data processing apparatus; and
in response to determining a match between the obtained data item and the list of update requirements for the second data processing apparatus, program code instruction means for caching the obtained data item for subsequent transfer to the second data processing apparatus
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Specification