US6282711B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for more efficiently installing software components from a remote server source
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 1999-08-10
•
Granted: 2001-08-28
•
Expires: 2019-08-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention includes a method for more efficiently installing a subset of software components and data files contained in a component pool in a distributed processing network such as the Internet. An installation package delivered to a requesting end user is custom configured at a remote server location prior to delivery to a client system operated by the user, in response to the user's inputs. The delivered installation package contains only the programs, data, and local installation tools required for the user's unique installation requirements. The user initiates the installation process by connecting to the remote server system via a telecommunications link within a distributed processing network, such as the Internet. Engaging in a dialog with the server which provides informational links to server-side databases, the user chooses all software components and options that he desires his software package to have. Such a package may be, for example, a subset of a software suite. After selection of all options, a single package is manufactured on the server. A single download then occurs of a single file. This is no bigger or smaller than what is absolutely required by the components and options selected. Upon receipt of the downloaded file, the user executes the file to unpack the installation directory. An auto-start feature can also be included which immediately launches the installation of the selected applications and options.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph E. Halpern
- 👤 David A. Martz
- 👤 James Sangroniz
- 👤 Walter J. Scheiderich, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/61
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A process for installing, on a local client data processing system, a subset of a pool of software components and data files available on a server data processing system at a remote location in a distributed processing network, said process comprising the steps of: connecting to the remote server system via a telecommunications link; selecting specific components from said pool; accessing the component pool and producing a custom set of files at the server location, which include only those required to implement the selected components on the client system; subjecting said custom set to a packaging process which produces a custom installation package which includes a client installer program; transmitting the custom installation package to the client system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for installing, on a local client data processing system, a subset of a pool of software components and data files available on a server data processing system at a remote location in a distributed processing network, said process comprising the steps of: connecting to the remote server system via a telecommunications link; selecting specific components from said pool; accessing the component pool and producing a custom set of files at the server location, which include only those required to implement the selected components on the client system; subjecting said custom set to a packaging process which produces a custom installation package which includes a client installer program; transmitting the custom installation package to the client system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 , which further comprises the step of providing a user interface through which connection is made between said client and server systems.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 2 , which further comprises the step of customizing said user interface to fit the needs of the user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 3 , wherein the step of customizing includes the provision of multiple user interface templates, each of which may be selected by the user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 2 , which further comprises the step of providing an options manager, which is accessed through said user interface, and which engages the user in a component selection dialog.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 5 , wherein said component selection dialog includes a presentation to the user of a list of installable software components and installation options and a selection by the user of those software components and installation options which he desires.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 6 , wherein component installation information is retrieved by the options manager from server-side databases.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 6 , wherein said component selection dialog includes a request initiated by the server system to couple a discovery agent directly to the client system environment, said discovery agent adapted to gather information regarding the client environment for use by the options manager.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 , which further comprises the step of providing an installer set generator, which accesses the component pool and produces said custom set of files.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The process of claim 9 , wherein said packaging process includes a client installer appending process, a data compression process and an extractor process, said compression process compressing the custom file set and the client installer program, and said extractor process appending a self-executing extraction utility to the compressed file set and client installer program.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said transmitting step is performed by sending said custom installation package to the client system as a single executable file.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 , wherein said transmitting step is performed by sending said custom installation package to the client system as a plurality of packets using a package transport protocol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
151 words
A software system for installing on a local client data processing system, a subset of software components and data files contained in a component pool on a server data processing system at a remote location in a distributed processing network, said system comprising: an options manager resident on the server system that manages selection of the subset of said components by a user operating the client system; a user interface via which communication between the client system and the options manager can be established; an installer set generator which, in response to instructions received from the options manager, accesses the component pool and produces a custom set of files required to install said subset of software components on the client system; a packager which produces a custom installation package containing said subset, and which includes a client installer program; and means for transmitting the custom installation package to the client system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
151 words
A software system for installing on a local client data processing system, a subset of software components and data files contained in a component pool on a server data processing system at a remote location in a distributed processing network, said system comprising: an options manager resident on the server system that manages selection of the subset of said components by a user operating the client system; a user interface via which communication between the client system and the options manager can be established; an installer set generator which, in response to instructions received from the options manager, accesses the component pool and produces a custom set of files required to install said subset of software components on the client system; a packager which produces a custom installation package containing said subset, and which includes a client installer program; and means for transmitting the custom installation package to the client system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The software system of claim 13 , wherein said user interface includes multiple templates, each of which is adapted for use a selected group of users.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The software system of claim 13 , wherein said options manager initiates a dialog with the user and permits the user to choose which of the components within the pool will be incorporated into the custom installation package.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The software system of claim 13 , wherein said options manager provides access to server-side databases in response to a user's request for information relating to specific components, said databases providing the requested information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The software system of claim 13 , which further comprises a discovery agent, which at the user's behest, couples directly to the client system environment and gathers information regarding the client environment for use by the options manager in presenting selection choices to the user during the dialog.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The software system of claim 13 , which further comprises a compression process accessible by the packager which compresses at least a portion of the custom installation package prior to its transmittal to the client system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The software system of claim 18 , which further comprises an extractor process, said extractor process appending a self-executing extraction utility to the custom installation package which has undergone at least partial compression.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The software system of claim 13 , wherein said means for transmitting includes a telecommunications link between the client system and the server system, over which said custom installation package is sent as a single executable file.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The software system of claim 13 , wherein said means for transmitting includes a telecommunications link between the client system and the server system, over which said custom installation package is sent as a plurality of packets using a package transport protocol.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5860012A
Cited
US5845077A
Cited
US5931909A
Cited
US6189138B1
Cited
US5950010A
Cited
US5933647A
Cited
US6051032A
Cited
US6247128B1
Cited
US6018627A
Cited
US6080207A
Cited
US6223345B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-27 | 2005-02-26 | 2005-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2009-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-27 | 2013-02-26 | 2013-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |