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Automatically upgrading software over a satellite link

  • US 6,473,099 B1
  • Filed: 10/30/2000
  • Issued: 10/29/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a networked system that includes a client that stores program instructions, a server, and a network infrastructure having a two-way communication link for providing two-way communication between the client and the server and a satellite link for providing one-way communication to the client, a method for upgrading the program instructions stored at the client, comprising the steps for:

  • determining at the server that an upgrade of the program instructions is available;

    determining whether the upgrade is mandatory or not mandatory; and

    at a time when the two-way communication is not established over the two-way communication link, downloading the upgrade of the program instructions to the client via the satellite link, wherein;

    if the upgrade is mandatory, the program instructions stored at the client are replaced automatically by the upgrade of the program instructions; and

    if the upgrade is not mandatory, a user of the client is prompted to decide whether to accept the upgrade.

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