Method and apparatus for managing and automatically updating software programs
First Claim
1. A software module stored in memory of a computer for managing an application program executed on the computer, comprising:
- means for receiving an instruction to launch an application program on the computer and for determining whether multiple versions of the application program are stored in memory associated with the computer;
means for selecting one of the stored versions of the application program, pursuant to specified criteria; and
means for generating a command to launch the selected version of the application program.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A software program running on a computer is automatically managed, monitored and updated with a newer version in a completely automated fashion, without interruption of its primary function, and in a manner that is completely transparent to the user of the computer. This is achieved by means of a control module that performs the functions of locating and identifying other versions of its associated program, determining whether the other versions are older or newer than currently stored versions, and downloading a newer version. Multiple versions of the program can remain accessible on the computer, and the control module manages the launching of a particular version that may be required. Statistical data relating to the launching and operation of the program is collected, and uploaded to a central location on a regular basis.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A software module stored in memory of a computer for managing an application program executed on the computer, comprising:
-
means for receiving an instruction to launch an application program on the computer and for determining whether multiple versions of the application program are stored in memory associated with the computer; means for selecting one of the stored versions of the application program, pursuant to specified criteria; and means for generating a command to launch the selected version of the application program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for automatically updating software programs on a computer, comprising the steps of:
-
storing an updated version of a program at a designated location in a memory that is accessible to the computer; initiating the launching of a program that is stored in memory of the computer; activating a software management module in response to said initiating step, and prior to actually launching the program, wherein said module carries out the steps of; selecting and launching one version of the program that is stored in the memory of the computer; detecting whether a version of the program is stored in the designated location; and downloading to the computer the version that is stored at the designated location. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 25)
-
-
14. A system for automatically updating software programs stored on a computer, comprising:
-
a first memory location that is accessible to the computer, for storing updated versions of software programs; a second memory location for storing one or more versions of software programs to be executed on the computer; and a logic module stored in said second memory location, said logic module including means for launching a version of a software program stored in said second memory location, means for detecting whether an updated version of the launched program is stored in said first memory location, and means for downloading an updated version from said first memory location to said second memory location. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
-
17. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an application management program which executes the steps of:
-
selecting and launching one version from among plural versions of an application program; detecting whether another version of the application program is present in a memory that is accessible to said management program; determining whether a detected version of the application program is more recent than the launched version of the application program; and copying a more recent version of the program to memory of a computer on which said application management program is running. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
-
20. A software module stored in memory of a computer for monitoring an application program executed on the computer, comprising:
-
means for receiving an instruction to launch an application program on the computer; means responsive to said instruction for generating a command to launch a version of the application program stored in memory associated with the computer; means for recording data relating to the operation of the launched program; and means for uploading the recorded data to a central location that is accessible to a plurality of computers. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification