Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-22
2002-06-04
Khatri, Anil (Department: 2122)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Translation of code
C717S152000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06401239
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to downloading of electronic files from the Internet or other communication channels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The Internet is a worldwide interconnection of smaller networks of computers communicating among themselves via the TCP/IP protocol. One of the primary features of the Internet is the ability to download electronic files (“files”) from one host to another, using various types of file transfer protocols such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP), HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), etc. The increasing popularity of the Internet as a whole, and as a medium for downloading files in particular, has led to network congestion and has resulted in slower download times.
Approximately 80% of all files transferred over the Internet are updated versions of previous files, for example, software updates, customer and supplier details, informational and statistical databases, books, manuals, encyclopaedias, and more. Furthermore, updated files often differ from the previous versions by only 10% or less. For example, a parts catalog listing all parts available from a manufacturer generally changes only slightly from one update to the next, since the number of parts that are added to or deleted from the catalog is generally small relative to the total number of parts in the catalog.
Currently, a user having a file on his computer and wishing to download an updated version of the file from the Internet downloads the entire updated version. An exception is a software patch in which a self-extracting file containing the patch and a program known as a restorer is downloaded to the user's computer. The patch contains only the difference between the updated software version and the user's software version. The restorer directly updates installed software on the user's computer with the patch.
Downloading large files can be a time-consuming process. Occasionally the downloading process is interrupted, for example, due to the network connection failing or due to a power failure. In the case of an interrupted download, the file being downloaded at the time of the interruption must be downloaded again in its entirety, even if most of the file had already been transferred at the time of the interruption.
Therefore, it would be beneficial to reduce the size of the files being downloaded and therefore reduce the amount of time required to download files. It would also be beneficial to be able to resume the download of a file from the point where it was interrupted.
There are currently three main technologies for sending marketing information over the Internet directly:
a) advertisements on Web pages;
b) electronic mail (e-mail) messages;
c) Internet advertising using push technology.
Advertisements appearing on Web pages involve almost no targeting of the viewing audience, and are viewed only by those users that browse the particular web pages on which the advertisement appears.
E-mail messages are non-interactive and involve only partial targeting. For example, users who have purchased software and who wish to receive information about the software may register their e-mail addresses in a database of interested users that is maintained by the company that produces the software. The company then sends an e-mail message to the interested users whenever there is news regarding the software. If files are attached to the e-mail message, the user may choose not to open the attachment or save the files. The user may even choose not to read the e-mail message.
There are currently deals whereby a user receives a computer for free in return for allowing unsolicited advertisements to appear on the computer whenever it is connected to the Internet. This is known as Internet Advertising using “push” technology, because instead of the user requesting information from servers, the servers push the unsolicited information to the user. The servers maintain a database of user identifiers, for example, the IP address of the computer. One of the problems with Internet Advertising is that lack of audience targeting. Another problem is that the user is repeatedly interrupted while using the computer, which can be very disruptive and annoying. Finally, advertisements are sent only to those users who have agreed to receive them, and the vast majority of Internet users never sea these pushed advertisements.
It would be beneficial to have a system for sending products and interactive marketing material in a non-disruptive manner to targeted users who have expressed an interest in receiving them without the suppliers of the products and marketing material requiring a database of targeted users.
One of the aspects of downloading ties is download for authorized clients only. For example, in an Internet software shop where the user selects software to download, the user is directed to a payment details form for providing account details such as a password or credit card details. Once the account details have been verified the user may download the software. If the account details are not verified, then the software may not be downloaded.
If the download is interrupted in the middle, the user generally has to complete the payment details form again and trust the he will not be charged twice by the shop. It is also expected that downloading bug fixes to the software will be free, while updated versions cost money.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a client-server system for managing versions of files an the client computer and the server computer, and for downloading versions of files from the server computer to the client computer.
The present invention also provides a client-server system for sending products and interactive marketing material in a non-disruptive manner to users who have expressed an interest in receiving them.
The present invention also provides a token based authorization system for download of files.
There is therefore provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a system for transferring a delta file from a first computer to a second computer, the first computer having a first version of a file and a second version of the file, and the second computer having the first version of the file. The system includes a delta builder for generating the delta file from the first and second versions on the first computer, a download manager for transferring the delta file from the first computer to the second computer, and a restorer for generating the second version from the first version on the second computer and the transferred delta file.
Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the delta file is generated based upon a bit analysis of the first and second versions on the first computer.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the delta builder includes means for generating a first digital stamp from the first version on the first computer, the delta file includes the first digital stamp, the restorer includes means for generating a second digital stamp from the first version on the second computer, and the second version on the second computer is generated only is the second digital stamp matches the first digital stamp.
Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the download manager includes a download manager server on the first computer, and a download manager client on the second computer.
Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the download manager server includes means for communicating with the download manager client over an Internet Protocol (IP) network, and the download manager client includes means for communicating with the download manager server over an Internet Protocol (IP) network.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a database for storing the first and second versions of the file and for storing the delta file.
Additionally, in accordance with a prefer
B.I.S. Advanced Software Systems Ltd.
Eitan Pearl Latzer & Cohen-Zedek
Khatri Anil
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