Patent EP0703531A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0703531A1
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EP
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Software updating method
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1995-09-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for use in upgrading a resource of a computer from an existing version of the resource to a later version of the resource. The method includes the steps of (a) digitally storing upgrade information which identifies the later version and describes features of the later version relative to one or more earlier versions of the resource, (b) digitally storing in the computer information identifying the existing version, by computer, automatically determining which of the earlier versions is the existing version, and (c) based on the results of the comparing step, automatically determining, or displaying to a user at least some of the upgrade information to aid the user in determining, whether to perform an upgrade. The upgrade information may be stored on a portable medium along with copies off the resources and the upgrade information may include instructions, in accordance with a predefined common syntax, for installing each of the resources.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Stupek, Jr.
- 👤 Curtis R. Jones
- 👤 David S. Shaffer
- 👤 Steve Davis
- 👤 William D. Justice, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/65; G06F8/658; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for use in upgrading a resource of a computer from an existing version of the resource to a later version of the resource, comprising digitally storing upgrade information which identifies the later version and describes features of the later version relative to one or more earlier versions of the resource, digitally storing in the computer information identifying the existing version, by computer, automatically determining which of the earlier versions is the existing version, and based on the results of the comparing step, automatically determining, or displaying to a user at least some of the upgrade information to aid the user in determining, whether to perform an upgrade.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the upgrade information is stored on a portable medium, the later version of the resource is also stored on the portable medium, and the upgrade information identifies the location of the resource on the portable medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the portable medium comprises a CD-ROM.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the portable medium contains stored later versions of multiple resources, and upgrade information with respect to each of the resources.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the upgrade information is stored within an on-line service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the upgrade information is stored in the form of a database.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the upgrade information further comprises instructions for installation of the resource.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the installation instructions are expressed in accordance with a predefined common syntax.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the resource comprises a complete standalone software package.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the resource comprises less than all of a complete standalone software package.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically performing the upgrade on a network server.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 11 wherein automatically performing the upgrade on the network server comprises storing on a storage medium the existing version of the resource, and replacing on the server the existing version of the resource with the upgrade.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically performing the upgrade on a network client.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the upgrade is performed via the network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 13 wherein automatically performing the upgrade on the network client comprises storing on a storage medium the existing version of the resource, and replacing on the client the existing version of the resource with the upgrade.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the upgrade is performed by automatically storing the later versions and installation instructions on a portable storage medium for manual installation on the client.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the upgrade information includes information concerning reasons for the later version.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the upgrade information includes an indication of the type of change from a prior version to the later version.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the type may include feature enhancement, performance enhancement, or bug fix.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the upgrade information includes an indication of the importance of the change from the prior version to the later version.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the upgrade information includes information identifying other resources that must be upgraded before the resource may be upgraded.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of supplying later versions of resources for upgrading existing versions comprising storing, on a portable medium, copies of the resources and upgrade information which identifies the later versions, describes features of the later versions relative to one or more earlier versions of the resource, and provides instructions, in accordance with a predefined common syntax, for installing each of the resources.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the upgrade information includes information concerning reasons for the later version.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the upgrade information includes an indication of the type of change from a prior version to the later version.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the upgrade information includes information identifying other resources that must be upgraded before the resource may be upgraded.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the copies of the resources and the upgrade information are stored on a portable medium.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the copies of the resources and the upgrade information are stored within an on-line service.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for use in upgrading a resource of a computer from an existing version of the resource to a later version of the resource, comprising digitally storing, on a portable medium, the later version of the resource and upgrade information which identifies the later version, describes features of the later version relative to one or more earlier versions of the resource, identifies the location of the resource on the portable medium, provides instructions for installation of the resource, describes reasons for the later version, indicates the type of change from a prior version to a later version, and indicates the importance of the change from a prior version to the later version, digitally storing in the computer information identifying the existing version, by computer, automatically determining which of the earlier versions is the existing version, based on the results of the comparing step, automatically determining, or displaying to a user at least some of the upgrade information to aid the user in determining, whether to perform an upgrade, and automatically performing the upgrade.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
EP0300710A2
Cited
WO1991002313A1
Cited
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