Method for initiating software update through version-aware content

• US 9,152,407 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2009
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe Inc.)
• Inventors: Zuverink, Dave
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt, II, Calvin L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leffall-Allen, Nakia
• Application Number:
  US12/429,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20140250432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,356 Days
• Field of Search: 705 50- 79, 717/68, 463/42
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for updating players that run, display, or otherwise use electronically-stored content. Information is included in the content that not only indicates the player version needed to play the content, but also the existence of a newer player version. Content providing such an indication is termed “version-aware content” and allows a player to recognize that a newer player version exists. Version-aware content may be interpreted to provide a user with a message indicating that there is a newer version available. In another example, a player may automatically update based on the version-aware content'"'"'s indication that a newer player exists. Content created to be compatible with older player versions can be created as version-aware content. Similarly, existing content can be modified to be version-aware content. In both cases, distribution of such content can encourage player updates and thus more rapid proliferation of a newer player version.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, by a computer apparatus, electronic content that comprises metadata;

determining, by the computer apparatus, compatibility of the electronic content with a first version of a content player, the computer apparatus comprising the first version of the content player-to play the electronic content;

playing the electronic content on the computer apparatus via the first version of the content player based on the determination that the electronic content is compatible with the first version of the content player;

determining, by the computer apparatus as it plays the electronic content, that a second version of the content player is available based at least in part on the metadata included in the electronic content, the metadata indicating that the second version of the content player is available;

downloading, by the computer apparatus, the second version of the content player to the computer apparatus, at least some of the downloading occurring simultaneously with or after playing the electronic content; and

installing, by the computer apparatus, the second version of the content player.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein downloading the second version of the content player occurs simultaneously while the computer apparatus plays the content.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein downloading the second version of the content player occurs after the computer apparatus plays the content.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein downloading the second version of the content player occurs before the computer apparatus plays the content.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a prompt requesting permission to download the second version of the content player.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a prompt requesting permission to install the second version of the content player.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising first receiving an instruction to automatically download updates to the content player whenever available.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing apparatus is a mobile computing device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second version of the content player is more recent than the first version of the content player,

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second version of the content player is the most recent version of the content player available.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic content is electronically-stored or electronically-transmitted.

12. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving content to play on a computer apparatus, the computer apparatus comprising a first version of a content player providing instructions embodied in a computer- readable medium which configure the computer apparatus to play electronically-stored or electronically-transmitted content,

if the content is not playable by the first version of the content player prompting for an instruction to download the content player;

if the content is playable by the first version of the content player, checking the content for an indication that a second version of the content player is available, wherein the second version of the content player is more recent than the first version of the content player; and

playing the content.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising, if the content provides an indication that the second version is available, updating the content player by downloading and installing the second version of the content player on the computing apparatus.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein downloading the second version of the content player occurs while playing the content.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising, if the content provides an indication that the second version is available, providing a prompt requesting permission to download the second version of the content player.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the prompt occurs prior to playing the content.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the prompt occurs after playing the content.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a prompt occurs upon the next initiation of content player.

19. A computer-implemented method comprising:

modifying content on a computing apparatus configured to create or modify content comprising data embodied in a computer-readable medium and capable of playing on a first version of a content player, wherein the content is modified to comprise an indication that a second version of the content player is available, and wherein the second version of the content player is more recent than the first version of the content player; and

providing the content for distribution to one or more computing apparatuses.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein modifying the content is performed during the original creation of the content.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein modifying the content occurs separately from the original creation of the content.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein at least some of the one or more computing apparatus are capable of playing the content and interpreting the indication that the second version of the content player is available

23. A mobile computing device comprising:

a processor; and

non-transitory computer readable medium storing executable instructions that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform at least;

receiving pieces of content from an authoring tool, the pieces of content comprising metadata comprising an indication that a more recent version of a content player is available;

determining compatibility of the pieces of content with a version of the content player;

playing the pieces of content utilizing the version of the content player based on the determination that the pieces of content are compatible with the version of the content player; and

determining, while playing the pieces of content, whether the more recent version of the content player is available based at least in part on the metadata included in the pieces of content, and wherein, if the more recent version is available;

downloading the more recent version of the content player, at least some of the downloading occurring simultaneously with or after playing the pieces of content, and

installing, the second version of the content player.

24. The mobile computing device of claim 23 further comprising a display for displaying visual portions of the received pieces of content.

25. The mobile computing device of claim 23 further comprising a speaker for producing sound according to audio portions of the received pieces of content.

26. A computer-readable medium on which is encoded program code, the program code defining a piece of content for playing using a first version of a content player on one or more computing devices, and wherein the piece of content comprises an indication that a more recent version of the content player is available.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the piece of content comprises a watermark or metadata that comprises the indication that a more recent version of the content player is available.

28. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, by a computer apparatus, content that comprises metadata that is included in the content during creation of the content by an authoring tool;

determining, by the computer apparatus, compatibility of the content with a first content player, the computer apparatus comprising the first content player configured to play the content;

playing the content on the computer apparatus via the first content player based on the determination that the content is compatible with the first content player;

determining, by the computer apparatus as it plays the content, that a second content player is available based at least in part on the metadata included in the content, the metadata indicating that the second content player is available, the second content player providing a feature that is not provided by the first content player;

downloading, by the computer apparatus, the second content player to the computer apparatus, at least some of the downloading occurring simultaneously with or after playing the content; and

installing, by the computer apparatus, the second content player.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second content player is a different version of the first content player.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the second content player is a different application than the first content player.