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EP0689325A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for distributing software

Assignee: NCR International Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-06-20
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Abstract

Abstract In a software management system, a software package held in a management station (12) is transferred across a communications network (14) to a plurality of destination terminals (16), of which there may be a large number. In order to save on distribution time, the management station (12) can cause terminals (16) which have received the software package to transmit it to further terminals, until all terminals (16) have received the package.

Inventors

  • 👤 Bruce Shepherd
  • 👤 Robert P. Mcpherson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 18:31
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G07F19/206; G07F19/211; H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/34; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 66 words
A method of distributing a software package from a source station (12) to a plurality of terminals (16), characterized by the steps of: transmitting said software package from said source station (12) to at least one of said terminals (16); and utilizing at least one of said terminals (16) which has received said software package to transmit said software package to another of said terminals (16).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 68 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said utilizing step includes the steps of transmitting a transfer command from said source station (12) to one of said terminals (16) which has received said software package, said transfer command specifying another terminal (16) which has not received said software package; and transmitting said software package from said one of said terminals (16) to said another terminal (16).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 50 words
A method according to claim 2, characterized by the steps of transmitting from said one of said terminals (16) which has received said package to said another terminal (16) which has not received said software package a receive command, thereby conditioning said another terminal (16) to receive said software package.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
A method according to claim 3, characterized by the steps of maintaining at said source station (12) a list of said terminals (16), identifying which terminals (16) have and which terminals (16) have not received said software package.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 44 words
A method according to claim 4, characterized by the steps of: transmitting to said source station (16) a transfer complete message from a terminal (16) which has completed transmission of said software package to another terminal (16), and updating said list of terminals (16).
Claim 6
Independent Claim 38 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said step of transmitting said software package from said source station (12) includes transmitting said software package concurrently to a plurality of said terminals (16).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 81 words
A terminal system including a management station (12), a plurality of terminals (16) and connection means (14) adapted to interconnect said management station (12) and said terminals (16), characterized in that said management station (12) is adapted to transmit a software package to at least one of said terminals (16), and is that said management station (12) is adapted to cause a terminal (16) which has received said software package to transmit said software package to another of said terminals (16).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 41 words
A terminal network according to claim 7, characterized in that said management station includes a database (32) adapted to contain a list of said terminals (16) identifying which terminals (16) have and which terminals (16) have not, received said software package.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
A terminal system according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that said terminals (16) are self-service terminals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
A terminal system according to claim 9, characterized in that said self-service terminals (16) are automated teller machines.

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