Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-08
2001-12-18
Powell, Mark R. (Department: 2122)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Translation of code
C717S152000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332217
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of electronic computers, and more particularly to the field of software for operating computers.
BACKGROUND
It is well known to have personal computers with a great many programs installed thereon. Such programs commonly have many executable components and other software components which, though they do not contain executable instructions are nonetheless essential to the correct functioning of the software in its totality. Moreover packages of software are supplied by multiple vendors and arc intended to work together.
Problems arise when software components are shared between software packages and where software exists in more than one version. Typically software comes to exist in more than one version when new versions are introduced. Often the software supplier envisages and responds to the need of the user who migrates from one version of a package to a newer version of a substantially similar package from the same supplier.
Where packages rely upon third party components they are often installed onto computers along with those third party components. Problems can arise when a version of a shared software component needs to be replaced by a newer version. A typical scenario might be that if a first software package requires a revised version of a first shared component then it happens sometimes that a second software package which worked quite well with the older version of the first shared software component but it will not work well if the older version of the first shared software component is replaced with a newer version. Pursuing this example, it may be that the second software package is in fact capable of working well with newer version of the first shared software component, but only if a further (second) shared software component is also replaced by a still newer version.
Dependencies of software versions one upon another such as those alluded to above can become cascaded or even recursive leading to complex configuration problems. When cooperating software is distributed across multiple distributed computers the problems are further compounded by a need to synchronize versions spatially and temporally.
Commercial products such as OilChange™ and IBM (R) OS/400™ Operating System address these problem with a degree of success. Embodiments of the present invention contain improvements over the artificial intelligence based and other approaches embodied in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is addressed to problems of computer remote software configuration management.
The invention executes a scripting language in order to examine the software installed on computers and wherever the script determines that software needs to be downloaded, installed or configured it causes programs to be executed to perfonn these functions.
One benefit is that users more often get correct software installed, correctly configured.
Another benefit is that demands for technical support are reduced with corresponding saving of money.
The invention comprises improvements in a number of ways including those expressed in the following: Embodiments of the invention lets us control exactly what kind of software gets used on computer based online services, ensuring that our client and server software remain in sync. It also ensures that a client's software is running smoothly, which cuts down on technical support calls. Most other systems only let you copy files down, or set configuration settings in a one-shot manner. Embodiments of the invention can ensure that every detail of a client machine is correctly set before allowing it to continue. The script-driven model of the invention gives us this flexibility.
Embodiments of the invention are superior to other work done in the field in that, inter alia, there is flexibility in checking and reconfiguring the client machine. The fact that embodiments of the invention use a scripting language is novel, and the fact that the scripting language is what actually drives the whole process is unique.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5142680 (1992-08-01), Ottman et al.
patent: 5247683 (1993-09-01), Holmes et al.
patent: 5555416 (1996-09-01), Owens et al.
patent: 5574898 (1996-11-01), Leblang et al.
patent: 5581764 (1996-12-01), Fitzgerald et al.
patent: 5623604 (1997-04-01), Russell et al.
patent: 5649200 (1997-07-01), Leblang et al.
patent: 5694546 (1997-12-01), Reisman
patent: 5734831 (1998-03-01), Sanders
patent: 5794052 (1998-08-01), Harding
patent: 5802297 (1998-09-01), Engquist
patent: 5809287 (1998-09-01), Stupek, Jr. et al.
patent: 5845077 (1998-12-01), Fawcett
patent: 5875306 (1999-02-01), Bereiter
patent: 5889942 (1999-03-01), Orenshteyn
patent: 5901320 (1999-05-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 5905492 (1999-05-01), Straub et al.
patent: 5933816 (1999-08-01), Zeanah et al.
patent: 5940074 (1999-08-01), Britt, Jr. et al.
patent: 6009274 (1999-12-01), Fletcher et al.
patent: 6012088 (2000-01-01), Li et al.
patent: 6094679 (2000-07-01), Teng et al.
Larry Hastings, “Adding Functionally to Dollar In C,” 1995, pp. 1-10.
Larry Hastings, “Dollar Basics,” 1995, 1996.
AN: 92:570051, Title: Hybrid Script/Programming Language Turns Legacy Software Into Object Oriented Applications, Source; News Release, Sep. 30, 1992.
Das Chameli C.
HearMe
Powell Mark R.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
LandOfFree
Software inventory control system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Software inventory control system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Software inventory control system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2592833