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EP0300710A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of operating a computer system for updating programs stored therein

Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1988-07-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-07-18
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Abstract

Abstract A stored program having a plurality of separately installable features, stored on a computer system is to be updated. An end user invokes an update program to update the stored program. The user selects one of a plurality of operating modes for the computer system and identifies a target drive and directory where the software program is stored. Thereafter, the user identifies a source drive and directory where a plurality of update files are stored. If a prompted mode of operation has been selected, the system copies the update files from the source drive and directory to the target drive and directory and then applies all of the updates to the respective features stored on the target drive in a sequential manner. If a full function mode of opera­tion has been selected, the system copies the update files from the source drive and directory to the target drive and directory and then displays the highest numbered update stored on the target drive and directory for a selected installed feature. The user can apply the highest numbered update and all of the lower numbered updates associated with the selected feature or a subset of the updates in a sequential manner.

Inventors

  • 👤 Alice June Killebrew
  • 👤 Charles Franklin Mann

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 12:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/70; G06F8/71; G06F8/60; G06F8/65

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 87 words
A method of operating a computer system for updating a program stored therein, said program having a plurality of selectively installable features installed on the system, said method being characterised by the steps of: storing a plurality of update files in the computer system; selecting one of a plurality of operating modes for the system; and applying data from said update files to respective installed features in response to said step of selecting, whereby at least one of said installed features is updated with update file data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 87 words
A method of operating a computer system for updating a program stored therein, said program having a plurality of selectively installable features installed on the system, said method being characterised by the steps of: storing a plurality of update files in the computer system; selecting one of a plurality of operating modes for the system; and applying data from said update files to respective installed features in response to said step of selecting, whereby at least one of said installed features is updated with update file data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 51 words
A method according to claim 1, including the further steps, after said selecting step, of: displaying a first target drive and directory therein, referencing said stored program, on a display screen of the system; and displaying a first source drive and directory therein, referencing said update files, on said display screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 107 words
A method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of: selectively identifying a second target drive and directory in response to the display of said first target drive and directory, and storing said stored program at a location referenced by said second target drive and directory identification; and selectively identifying a second source drive and directory, and storing said update files at a location referenced by said second source drive and directory identification; whereby, when the second drives and directories are selected and the program and update files are stored therein, the program stored therein is updated by update data from the update files stored therein.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 29 words
A method according to any one of the previous claims including the further step of: determining a selected subset of features from the update files for updating the program.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 32 words
A method according to any one of the previous claims including the further step of: retrieving from an update file, and displaying, a value representing the highest numbered update in that file.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 61 words
A method according to claim 5, in which said value represents an update limit, further comprising the step of: determining whether updates previously applied to the respective installed feature exceed said update limit; and, if so deleting said previously applied updates, and reapplying all updates associated with the installed feature up to, and including, the update associated with the update limit.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 22 words
A method according to any of the previous claims in which said operating modes include prompted mode and a full function mode.

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