US6314565B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for automated identification, retrieval, and installation of multimedia software components
Assignee: Intervu Inc
•
Filing: 1998-04-30
•
Granted: 2001-11-06
•
Expires: 2018-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A method for updating software components on a user terminal connected to a network provides for the automatic identification, retrieval, and installation of a selection of software components based on information contained in a script file and furnished by a user. The script file maintains information on current version numbers for the software components, and the method checks that information against stored configuration information to determine whether any components need to be updated. If so, the method simulates a manual transaction between the user terminal and a server storing the desired software component by following instructions set forth in the script file, which is updated as necessary, and sending appropriate user information to the server. The software component acquired thereby is then installed.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Kenner
- 👤 Kenneth W. Colby
- 👤 Lonnie J. Brownell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/445; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/65; H; H04; H04L; H04L65/00; H04L65/80; H04L67/00; H04L67/34; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1101; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for updating software components on a user terminal connected to a network comprising the steps of: analyzing a script file having an expiration date to ascertain what software components are available based on information in the script file and information provided by the user; querying stored configuration information on the user terminal; determining what software components need to be updated; simulating a manual transaction between the user terminal and a server to provide user information to the server; and transferring at least one software component from the server to the user terminal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for updating software components on a user terminal connected to a network comprising the steps of: analyzing a script file having an expiration date to ascertain what software components are available based on information in the script file and information provided by the user; querying stored configuration information on the user terminal; determining what software components need to be updated; simulating a manual transaction between the user terminal and a server to provide user information to the server; and transferring at least one software component from the server to the user terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the stored configuration information comprises a system registry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining step comprises the substeps of: identifying at least one software component having a current version number described in the script file; ascertaining whether the software component is installed on the user terminal, and if so, what version number of the software component is installed; and generating a list of software components that are either not installed on the user terminal or have an installed version number lower than the current version number.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the simulating step comprises the substeps of: transmitting a request from the user terminal to the server; and receiving a response from the server.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the request comprises an HTTP request formulated from script information in the script file or user information received from a user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the HTTP request further comprises link information taken from a prior response from the server.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the request comprises an FTP command formulated from script information in the script file or user information received from a user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the simulating step further comprises the substep of repeating the transmitting and receiving steps until the server is ready to transmit the software component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the simulating step further comprises the substeps of: parsing the script file to determine what user information will be required by the server; and checking whether the required user information is in the stored configuration information, and if not, prompting a user to enter the required user information and storing the required user information in the configuration information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: installing the software component; and updating the stored configuration information with the name and a version number for the software component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the software components are multimedia codecs capable of decompressing digital video.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of acquiring an original script file from an update service provider.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of acquiring a new script file if the expiration date on the original script file has passed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the information provided by the user is at least one of a user name, a user e-mail address and a user postal address.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the information in the script file is multimedia codec information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the multimedia codec information includes at least one of most recent version numbers of the software components, specific capabilities of each codec, network locations from which the codecs can be obtained, browser compatibility information and instructions on how to automatically acquire and install each codec.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for identifying and downloading software components on a user terminal connected to a network comprising the steps of: analyzing a script file to ascertain what software components are available based on information in the script file and information provided by the user; querying stored configuration information on the user terminal; determining whether a user desires to download any of the available software components; simulating a manual transaction between the user terminal and a server to provide user information to the server; and transferring at least one software component from the server to the user terminal, wherein the information provided by the user is at least one of a user name, a user e-mail address and a user postal address.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for identifying and downloading software components on a user terminal connected to a network comprising the steps of: analyzing a script file to ascertain what software components are available based on information in the script file and information provided by the user; querying stored configuration information on the user terminal; determining whether a user desires to download any of the available software components; simulating a manual transaction between the user terminal and a server to provide user information to the server; and transferring at least one software component from the server to the user terminal, wherein the information provided by the user is at least one of a user name, a user e-mail address and a user postal address.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the simulating step comprises the substeps of: transmitting a request from the user terminal to the server; and receiving a response from the server.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the request comprises an HTTP request formulated from script information in the script file or user information received from a user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the HTTP request further comprises link information taken from a prior response from the server.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the simulating step further comprises the substeps of: parsing the script file to determine what user information will be required by the server; and checking whether the required user information is in the stored configuration information, and if not, prompting a user to enter the required user information and storing the required user information in the configuration information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: installing the software component; and updating the stored configuration information with a name and a version number for the software component.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the information in the script file is multimedia codec information.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the multimedia codec information includes at least one of most recent version numbers of the software components, specific capabilities of each codec, network locations from which the codes can be obtained, browser compatibility information and instructions on how to automatically acquire and install each codec.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5963916A
Cited
US5539908A
Cited
US5694546A
Cited
US5845077A
Cited
US5909581A
Cited
US6074434A
Cited
US5790796A
Cited
US5974572A
Cited
US5913038A
Cited
US6009274A
Cited
US5918002A
Cited
US6006241A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-05 | 2005-05-07 | 2005-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-05 | 2009-05-07 | 2009-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-05 | 2013-05-07 | 2013-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |