Method and system for distributing updates

US 20020069282A1
Filed: 04/20/2000
Published: 06/06/2002
Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1994
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A method for distributing information to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations each of which is configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated servers via a non-proprietary network, comprising:

providing a distribution service that distributes updates for a plurality of different products; and

providing a transporter software component to each of the plurality of uncoordinated user stations, wherein the transporter software component at each user station automatically effects communication sessions with the distribution service via the non-proprietary network for the purpose of obtaining updates for each of at least a subset of the plurality of different products that are installed on that user station.

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Abstract

A method for distributing information to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations each of which is configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated servers via a non-proprietary network includes steps for providing a distribution service that distributes updates for a plurality of different products, and providing a transporter software component to each of the plurality of uncoordinated user stations, wherein the transporter software component at each user station automatically effects communication sessions with the distribution service via the non-proprietary network for the purpose of obtaining updates for each of at least a subset of the plurality of different products that are installed on that user station. Moreover, a user station, which includes a storage medium, a plurality of different products installed on the storage medium, and transporter software installed on the storage medium for automatically effectuating communication sessions with a distribution service via a non-proprietary network in order to obtain updates for each of the plurality of different products, and a distribution service that distributes updates for a plurality of different products to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations via a non-proprietary network, are also described.

273 Citations

67 Claims

1. A method for distributing information to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations each of which is configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated servers via a non-proprietary network, comprising:
- providing a distribution service that distributes updates for a plurality of different products; and
  
  providing a transporter software component to each of the plurality of uncoordinated user stations, wherein the transporter software component at each user station automatically effects communication sessions with the distribution service via the non-proprietary network for the purpose of obtaining updates for each of at least a subset of the plurality of different products that are installed on that user station.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- - 2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of different products are vended by different companies.
  - 3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the non-proprietary network is the Internet.
  - 4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the updates for each product installed on each user station are obtained according to a respective update schedule that is user-modifiable.
  - 5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the respective update schedule for each product installed on each user station is customizable, so that the respective update schedules for different products can be different.
  - 6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the products comprise software products.
  - 7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the products comprise information products.
  - 8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the products comprise software and/or information products.

9. A method for distributing information to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations each of which is configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated servers via a non-proprietary network, comprising:
- providing a distribution service that distributes updates for a plurality of different products; and
  
  wherein each of the plurality of uncoordinated user stations is provided with transporter software that automatically effects communication sessions with the distribution service via the non-proprietary network for the purpose of obtaining updates for each of at least a subset of the plurality of different products that are installed on that user station.
- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- - 10. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the non-proprietary network is the Internet.
  - 11. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the transporter software at each user station includes a transporter software component for each product installed on that user station.
  - 12. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the transporter software component for each product installed on each user station automatically effects the communication sessions with the distribution service according to an update schedule that is user-modifiable.
  - 13. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the transporter software component for each product installed on each user station automatically effects the communication sessions with the distribution service according to an update schedule that can be different for each product installed on that user station.
  - 14. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the products comprise software products.
  - 15. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the products comprise information products.
  - 16. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the products comprise software and/or information products.
  - 18. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the non-proprietary network is the Internet.
  - 19. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the products comprise software products.
  - 20. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the products comprise information products.
  - 21. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the products comprise software and/or information products.
  - 22. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the different products are vended by different vendors.
  - 24. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the plurality of different products are vended by different companies.
  - 25. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the non-proprietary network is the Internet.
  - 26. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the updates for each product installed on each user station are obtained according to a respective update schedule that is user-modifiable.
  - 27. The system as set forth in claim 26, wherein the respective update schedule for each product installed on each user station is customizable, so that the respective update schedules for different products can be different.
  - 28. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the products comprise software products.
  - 29. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the products comprise information products.
  - 30. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the products comprise software and/or information products.

17. A method for distributing information to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations each of which is configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated servers via a non-proprietary network, comprising:
- providing a distribution service that distributes a plurality of different products; and
  
  wherein each of the plurality of uncoordinated user stations is provided with transporter software that can be invoked to establish a communication link with the distribution service via the non-proprietary network for the purpose of obtaining one or more selected ones of the plurality of different products.

23. A system for distributing information to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations each of which is configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated servers via a non-proprietary network, comprising:
- a distribution service that distributes updates for a plurality of different products; and
  
  a transporter software component at each user station that automatically effects communication sessions with the distribution service via the non-proprietary network for the purpose of obtaining updates for each of at least a subset of the plurality of different products that are installed on that user station.

31. A system for distributing information to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations each of which is configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated servers via a non-proprietary network, comprising:
- a distribution service that distributes updates for a plurality of different products; and
  
  wherein each of the plurality of uncoordinated user stations automatically effects communication sessions with the distribution service via the non-proprietary network for the purpose of obtaining updates for each of at least a subset of the plurality of different products that are installed on that user station.
- View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
- - 32. The system as set forth in claim 31, wherein the non-proprietary network is the Internet.
  - 33. The system as set forth in claim 31, wherein the products comprise software products.
  - 34. The system as set forth in claim 31, wherein the products comprise information products.
  - 35. The system as set forth in claim 31, wherein the products comprise software and/or information products.
  - 37. The system as set forth in claim 36, wherein the non-proprietary network is the Internet.
  - 38. The system as set forth in claim 36, wherein the products comprise software products.
  - 39. The system as set forth in claim 36, wherein the products comprise information products.
  - 40. The system as set forth in claim 36, wherein the products comprise software and/or information products.
  - 41. The system as set forth in claim 36, wherein the different products are vended by different vendors.

36. A system for distributing information to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations each of which is configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated servers via a non-proprietary network, comprising:
- a distribution server that distributes updates for a plurality of different products; and
  
  software resident on each of the plurality of uncoordinated user stations that can be invoked to establish a communication link with the distribution server via the non-proprietary network for the purpose of obtaining updates for each of at least a subset of the plurality of different products that are installed on that user station.

42. A user station, comprising:
- a storage medium;
  
  a plurality of different products installed on the storage medium; and
  
  means for automatically effectuating communication sessions with a distribution service via a non-proprietary network in order to obtain updates for each of the plurality of different products.
- View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
- - 43. The user station as set forth in claim 42, wherein the plurality of different products are vended by different companies.
  - 44. The user station as set forth in claim 42, wherein the non-proprietary network is the Internet.
  - 45. The user station as set forth in claim 42, wherein the updates for each product are obtained according to a respective update schedule that is user-modifiable.
  - 46. The user station as set forth in claim 45, wherein the respective update schedule for each product is customizable, so that the respective update schedules for the different products can be different.
  - 47. The user station as set forth in claim 42, wherein the products comprise software products.
  - 48. The user station as set forth in claim 42, wherein the products comprise information products.
  - 49. The user station as set forth in claim 42, wherein the products comprise software and/or information products.

50. A user station, comprising:
- a storage medium;
  
  a plurality of different products installed on the storage medium; and
  
  transporter software installed on the storage medium for automatically effectuating communication sessions with a distribution service via a non-proprietary network in order to obtain updates for each of the plurality of different products.
- View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
- - 51. The user station as set forth in claim 50, wherein the plurality of different products are vended by different companies.
  - 52. The user station as set forth in claim 50, wherein the non-proprietary network is the Internet.
  - 53. The user station as set forth in claim 50, wherein the updates for each product are obtained according to a respective update schedule that is user-modifiable.
  - 54. The user station as set forth in claim 53, wherein the respective update schedule for each product is customizable, so that the respective update schedules for the different products can be different.
  - 55. The user station as set forth in claim 50, wherein the products comprise software products.
  - 56. The user station as set forth in claim 50, wherein the products comprise information products.
  - 57. The user station as set forth in claim 50, wherein the products comprise software and/or information products.
  - 58. The user station as set forth in claim 50, wherein the transporter software includes a transporter software component for each product.
  - 59. The user station as set forth in claim 58, wherein the transporter software component for each product automatically effects the communication sessions with the distribution service according to an update schedule that is user-modifiable.
  - 60. The user station as set forth in claim 58, wherein the transporter software component for each product automatically effects the communication sessions with the distribution service according to an update schedule that can be different for each product.

61. A distribution service that distributes updates for a plurality of different products to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations via a non-proprietary network.
- View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
- - 62. The distribution service as set forth in claim 61, wherein the non-proprietary network is the Internet.
  - 63. The distribution service as set forth in claim 61, wherein each of the user stations includes means for automatically effectuating communication sessions with the distribution service for the purpose of obtaining updates from the distribution service.
  - 64. The distribution service as set forth in claim 61, wherein the products are software products.
  - 65. The distribution service as set forth in claim 61, wherein the products are information products.
  - 66. The distribution service as set forth in claim 61, wherein the products are software and/or information products.
  - 67. The distribution service as set forth in claim 61, wherein the plurality of different products are vended by different vendors.

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Current Assignee
TMI Solutions LLC (Strategic Intellectual Solutions, LLC)
Original Assignee
Richard R. Reisman
Inventors
Reisman, Richard R.

Granted Patent

US 6,557,054 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

709/227
CPC Class Codes

G06F 8/65   Updates security arrangemen...

G06Q 10/025   Coordination of plural rese...

G06Q 10/067   Enterprise or organisation ...

G06Q 20/20   Point-of-sale [POS] network...

G06Q 20/382   insuring higher security of...

G06Q 30/0601   Electronic shopping [e-shop...

G06Q 30/0609   Buyer or seller confidence ...

G06Q 30/0623   Item investigation

G06Q 30/0635   Processing of requisition o...

G06Q 30/0641   Shopping interfaces

G06Q 40/04   Trading; Exchange, e.g. sto...

G06Q 40/12   Accounting

G06Q 40/123   Tax preparation or submission

G11C 8/18   Address timing or clocking ...

H04L 67/00   Network arrangements or pro...

H04L 69/329   in the application layer [O...

H04L 9/40   Network security protocols

Y10S 707/99931   Database or file accessing

Y10S 707/99944   Object-oriented database st...

Y10S 707/99945   Object-oriented database st...

Method and system for distributing updates

First Claim

8 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

273 Citations

67 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

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Method and system for distributing updates

First Claim

8 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

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Abstract

273 Citations

67 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links