System, method, and article of manufacture for creating and updating an application using software application elements

• US 20030084438A1
• Filed: 10/25/2001
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnislash Digital LLC (Alpha Alpha Intellectual Partners LLC)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions Health Services Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Konas, Marc A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,944,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A system, method, and article of manufacture are described for use in updating a target application with one or more software application data elements. In an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a source of a plurality of application data elements suitable for updating a plurality of different target applications; a first processor for identifying and extracting selected application data elements from the source in response to user selection of a target application; and an output processor for mapping the extracted selected application data elements to corresponding file locations for replacement of corresponding data elements using mapping information associating the selected application data elements with file location data of the corresponding data elements. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims.

Claims

1. ) A system for use in updating a target application with a plurality of software application data elements, comprising:

a. a source of a plurality of application data elements suitable for updating a plurality of different target applications;

b. a first processor for identifying and extracting selected application data elements from the source in response to user selection of a target application; and

c. an output processor for mapping the extracted selected application data elements to corresponding file locations for replacement of corresponding data elements using mapping information associating the selected application data elements with file location data of the corresponding data elements.

2. ) A system according to claim 1, further comprising a menu generator for initiating display of a menu supporting user selection of a target application based on at least one of (a) target application identification code, (b) target application version code, and (c) target application geographical association.

3. ) A system according to claim 1 further comprising an authorization processor for inhibiting replacement of corresponding data elements in response to at least one of (a) billing information, (b) user identification code, (c) user password, and (d) detection of a data element error.

4. ) A system according to claim 1 wherein the output processor copies the extracted selected application data elements to the corresponding file locations.

5. ) A system according to claim 1 wherein:

d. the first processor identifies and extracts a plurality of sets of selected application data elements in the source file in response to user selection of a corresponding plurality of target applications; and

e. the output processor maps the sets of extracted selected application data elements to corresponding sets of file locations of the plurality of target applications for replacement of corresponding data elements.

6. ) A system according to claim 1, wherein the source comprises at least one source file.

8. ) A system according to claim 1, wherein the first processor identifies and extracts selected application data elements in response to user selection of target application functions determined via a menu.

9. ) A system according to claim 1, wherein the menu is an electronic form that includes user billing information received from a remote source.

7. ) A system for use in creating application software with adaptively selectable functions, comprising:

a. a source of a plurality of application data elements corresponding to a plurality of functional elements;

b. a first processor for identifying and extracting selected application data elements from the source in response to user selection of target application functions; and

c. an output processor for mapping the extracted selected application data elements to corresponding file locations for creation of a target application with user selected functions using mapping information associating the selected application data elements with file location data of the corresponding data elements.

10. ) A method of updating software applications, comprising:

a. identifying an application data element to be applied to a targeted software application resident in a targeted application computer;

b. extracting the identified application data element from a source of application data elements;

c. storing the extracted application data element on a persistent data store;

d. making the extracted application data element available to the targeted application computer; and

e. installing the extracted application data element at the targeted application computer.

11. ) The method of claim 10 wherein step (d) further comprises:

i. identifying mapping information that associates the extracted application data element with predetermined file location data for a corresponding data element at the targeted application computer; and

ii. mapping the extracted application data element by an output processor to a corresponding file location at the targeted application computer using the mapping information.

12. ) The method of claim 10, wherein step (d) further comprises:

i. accessing an authorization processor;

ii. identifying the targeted application computer to the authorization processor; and

iii. making the extracted application data element available to the targeted application computer only if the authorization processor approves the targeted application computer for installation of the extracted application data element.

13. ) The method of claim 12 wherein the authorization processor approves the targeted application computer using predetermined authorization criteria.

14. ) A computer program embodied within a computer-readable medium created using the method of claim 10.