Automatic computer upgrading

• US 5,588,143 A
• Filed: 05/23/1995
• Issued: 12/24/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Shaffer, David S., Jones, Curtis R., Davis, Steve, Justice, William D. Jr., Stupek, Richard A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREJD, RUSSELL WARREN
• Application Number:
  US08/447,980
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 395/500, 395/575, 395/600, 395/700, 340/825.22
• US Class Current: 703/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/658 Incremental updates; Differential updates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users

Abstract

A method for use in upgrading a resource of a computer from an existing version of the resource to a later version of the resource. The method includes the steps of (a) digitally storing upgrade information which identifies the later version and describes features of the later version relative to one or more earlier versions of the resource, (b) digitally storing in the computer information identifying the existing version, by computer, automatically determining which of the earlier versions is the existing version, and (c) based on the results of the comparing step, automatically determining, or displaying to a user at least some of the upgrade information to aid the user in determining, whether to perform an upgrade. The upgrade information may be stored on a portable medium along with copies of the resources and the upgrade information may include instructions, in accordance with a predefined common syntax, for installing each of the resources.

Claims

1. A method for use in changing a resource of a computer from a first version of the resource to a second version of the resource, comprising:

digitally storing, on a portable medium, the second version of the resource and replacement information which

identifies the second version,

describes features of the second version relative to at least one earlier version of the resource,

identifies the location of the second version of the resource on the portable medium,

provides instructions for installation of the second version of the resource,

describes at least one reason for the second version,

indicates a type of change from other versions to the second version, and

indicates the importance of the change from the other versions to the second version,

digitally storing in the computer information identifying the first version,

by computer, automatically determining which of the other versions is the first version,

based on the results of the determining step,

automatically determining whether to change the resource, and

automatically changing the resource.

2. An apparatus for use in changing a resource of a computer from a first version of the resource to a second version of the resource comprising:

a portable storage medium containing the second version of the resource and replacement information which

identifies the second version,

describes features of the second version relative to other versions of the resource,

identifies the location of the second version of the resource on the portable medium,

provides instructions for installation of the second version of the resource,

describes at least one reason for the second version,

indicates a type of change from the other versions to the second version, and

indicates the importance of the change from the other versions to the second version,

information, digitally stored in the computer, identifying the first version,

a comparison service that automatically determines which of the other versions is the first version,

an advisor that

automatically determines whether to change the resource, and

a device that automatically changes the resource.

3. A method for use in changing a resource of a computer from a first version of the resource to a second version of the resource, comprising:

digitally storing, on a portable medium, the second version of the resource and replacement information which

identifies the second version,

describes features of the second version relative to at least one earlier version of the resource,

identifies the location of the second version of the resource on the portable medium,

provides instructions for installation of the second version of the resource,

describes at least one reason for the second version,

indicates a type of change from other versions to the second version, and

indicates the importance of the change from the other versions to the second version,

digitally storing in the computer information identifying the first version,

by computer, automatically determining which of the other versions is the first version,

based on the results of the determining step, displaying to a user at least some of the replacement information to aid the user in determining whether to change the resource, and

automatically changing the resource.

4. An apparatus for use in changing a resource of a computer from a first version of the resource to a second version of the resource comprising:

a portable storage medium containing the second version of the resource and replacement information which

identifies the second version,

describes features of the second version relative to other versions of the resource,

identifies the location of the second version of the resource on the portable medium,

provides instructions for installation of the second version of the resource,

describes at least one reason for the second version,

indicates a type of change from the other versions to the second version, and

indicates the importance of the change from the other versions to the second version,

information, digitally stored in the computer, identifying the first version,

a comparison service that automatically determines which of the other versions is the first version,

an advisor that displays to a user at least some of the replacement information to aid the user in determining whether to change the resource, and

a device that automatically changes the resource.