Hlllllllllllllll||||||||||||||||ll||Illlllllllllllllllllllllll||l|||||||||
`
`U8005752042A
`
`UIllted States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,752,042
`
`
`Cole et a1.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`May 12, 1998
`
`[54] SERVER COMPUTER FOR SELECTING
`PROGRAM UPDATES FOR A CLIENT
`COMPUTER BASED ON RESULTS or
`RECOGNIZER PROGRAM(S) FURNISHED
`TO THE CLIENT COMPUTER
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Gary Lee Cole. Endicott: Scott Phillip
`Engleman. Vestal: Steven Michael
`Pritko. Endicott. all of NY.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`International Business Machines
`Corporation. Armonk. NY.
`
`.
`[21] APpl. NO" 659341
`[22] Filed.
`Jun. 7, 1996
`[51]
`Int. CL“ ................................................... G06F 15/177
`
`. ..
`.. 395/712; 395/703; 395/200.49;
`[52] us. Cl.
`395,200.51; 707/203
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 395/112. 610.
`395/619. 200.01. 200.09. 703. 200.49. 200.51-
`707/203;
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`.
`zgzgg?
`13233.5, 3:33;: :i 3
`$333;
`395,200.33
`4/1991 Griflin el al.
`5905:122
`707/201
`5/1991 Anderson et al.
`5.019.963
`707/201
`7/1992 Risch ...............
`5,133,075
`395/20051
`[0/1992 Kirouac et a1.
`..
`5,155,847
`395/201
`3/1994 Lundin ct 81'
`5.339.430
`707/201
`9/1995 Sakuraba 6‘ 31-
`5452348
`3933771;
`223,33) 13233: Eighweflial'
`STE/20051
`5,495,610
`2/1996 suggest 31’
`_____ 707/10
`5:553:282
`9/1996 Parrish a a1.
`395/703
`5.531.764 12/1996 Fitzgerald etal.
`........................ 395/712
`5,619,716
`4/1997 Nonalca et a1.
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Japan ,
`5/1995
`129407
`Japan -
`7/1995
`175641
`Japan
`8/1995
`225724
`Japan-
`7295330 “/1995
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`.
`.
`_
`IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin vol. 38. No. 12. 12—95.
`p. 479. “Disk Drive With Embedded Hyper—Text Markup
`Language Server".
`
`Copies of “Surfin’ Service” transparency foils.
`
`Primary Examiner—Kenneth S. Kim
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Arthur J. Samodovitz
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`A server computer 5616”“ “Ode updates 1° dOWm‘Jad ‘0 a
`client computer. The server computer identifies code updates
`WW“ a“ WSW” With has“ Sys‘e’“ Chmmmfi“ °f the
`Chin“ compute" “‘61" the 56”“ 9mm“ sends ‘° the
`client computer one or more “recognizer” programs or one
`or more addresses outside of the client computer of the one
`or more recognizer programs which execute in the client
`computer to determine whether the client computer has a
`version other than a current version of the identified code
`updates. The client sends the results to the server computer
`which generates a list of code updates which are consistent
`with the basic system characteristics. representing programs
`that exist on the client computer for which an update would
`be appropriate. Next. the server computer sends the list or
`information about the list to the client computer. Auser at the
`client computer selects from the list and sends the selections
`to the server computer. In response. the server computer
`sends addresses of the selected code updates to the client
`computer and the client computer downloads the selected
`code updates from a content server. At some later time. the
`recognizer Programs COHCSponding t0 the selected Code
`Updates are executed again before the sclected code Updates
`are installed in the client computer.
`
`20280
`
`l/1993
`
`Japan ‘
`
`30 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`CLIENT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SELECTION
`SERVER
`
`
`UPDATE
`SELECTION
`
`PROGRAM
`
`
`1177161)sz
`DATA BASE
`
`
`DOWNLOAD
`SCOUT
`SERVICE
`E
`ROUTINE
`APPLICATION
`2;
`
`CONTENT SERVER
`UPDATE MANAGER
`32
`
`CODE UPDATES
`(INCLUDE GUI)__—
`
`17
`
`
`RECOGNIZER PROGRAMS
`
`
`BASIC SYSTEM INFORMATION
`
`
`—~+°-
`III—“2
`CODE UPDATES
`
`
`
`
`
`:3:
`EC:
`
`APPLE
`


`EXHIBIT 1002 - PAGE 0001
`    
`


`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 12, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`5,752,042
`
`A 9“?
`
`SELECTION
`SERVER
`
`UPDATE
`
`1
`
`‘2
`
`17
`
`
`
`/
`
`15 -|?
`W
`
`
`
`£~K
`-I
`
`1
`m I
`—|/
`
`
`
`w»
`
`CONTENT
`SERVER
`
`[O
`
`2]
`
`\
`
`10
`
`FKi 1
`
`APPLE
`


`EXHIBIT 1002 - PAGE 0002
`    
`


`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 12, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`5,752,042
`
`onp<zmoquzmkm>muqum_¢
`
`zqmwoma
`
`a
`
`mmqm<F<o<
`
`
`
`mz<muomamMNszoumm
`
`nPaka
`
`onFUmem2QHFI
`53%aEmm>mmm
`mm>mmmFzmkzoummamoqzqzmp<oa2
`
`
`mmhqoaomooulluthuNQDJUZHV
`
`
`m.wo<042200muH>mmm
`
`onFumqmmm_j_HzmHJU
`
`mmszaoaonh<uHJaa<
`
`
`
`
`
`wh<oa3omk<oan
`
`wkqoa:m:mh<oa3
`
`mMF<oa3moou
`
`NAura
`
`APPLE
`


`EXHIBIT 1002 - PAGE 0003
`    
`


`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 12, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`5,752,042
`
`CLIENT
`
`SELECTION SERVER
`
`CONNECT T0 SERVER.
`SUPPLY CURRENT LEVEL
`INFORMATION.
`
`l04
`
`106
`
`107
`
`GENERAL MANAGER DETERMINES CURRENCY OF
`UPDATE MANAGER. SCOUT. SERVICE APPLICATION
`AND DOWNLOAD ROUTINE.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SEND FTP ADDRESSES FOR BASIC SYSTEM ‘
`
`INFORMATION RECOGNIZER PROGRAM
`(AND FTP ADDRESSES FOR UPDATE MANAGER.
`SCOUT. SERVICE APPLICATION AND
`DOWNLOAD ROUTINE.
`IF NEEDED).
`
`
`
`
`
` (DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL UPDATE
`
`MANAGER. SCOUT. SERVICE
`APPLICATION AND DOWNLOAD
`ROUTINE.
`IF FTP ADDRESSING
`PROVIDED).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DOWNLOAD AND EXECUTE
`BASIC SYSTEM INFORMATION
`RECOGNIZER PROGRAM.
`
`SEND BASIC SYSTEM
`INFORMATION TO SERVER.
`
`‘08
`
`10‘9
`
`110
`
`112
`
`114
`
`ll]
`
`INVOKE SELECTION UPDATE PROGRAM.
`
`IDENTIFY CODE UPDATES CONSISTENT WITH
`BASIC SYSTEM INFORMATION.
`
`SEND FTP ADDRESSES FOR CORRESPONDING
`RECOGNIZER PROGRAMS TO CLIENT.
`
`fl?
`
`FIG. 3(a)
`
`APPLE
`


`EXHIBIT 1002 - PAGE 0004
`    
`


`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 12, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`5,752,042
`
`STEP
`116
`
`OBTAIN AND EXECUTE RECOGNIZER
`PROGRAMS FOR UPDATES.
`
`118
`
`SEND RESULTS OF RECOGNIZER
`PROGRAMS TO SERVER.
`
`120
`
`IDENTIFY CRITICALITY OF APPROPRIATE
`CODE UPDATES.
`
`122
`
`SEND SELECTION FORM
`
`124
`
`USER SELECTS UPDATES FROM
`SERVER CATEGORIES OR LIST.
`
`130
`
`SEND SELECTION T0 SERVER.
`
`131
`
`SERVER RETURNS FTP ADDRESSES FOR
`SELECTED UPDATES.
`
`132
`
`OBTAIN SELECTED UPDATES
`FROM CONTENT SERVER.
`
` RE-EXECUTE RECOGNIZER
`
`
`PROGRAMS. OBTAIN AND
`INSTALL SELECTED
`
`UPDATES.
`IF STILL NEEDED.
`
`
`
`FIG. 3(b)
`
`133
`
`I34
`
`APPLE
`


`EXHIBIT 1002 - PAGE 0005
`    
`


`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 12, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`5,752,042
`
`40
`
`200
` DOES FILE
`ABCDE.DRV.
`
`EXIST IN
`CLIENT ?
`
`GET SIZE OF FILE
`ABCDE.DRV.
`
`
`
`DOES FILE
`SIZE EQUAL
`META DATA ?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RECORD THAT CLIENT IS
`RECORD THAT CLIENT IS
`NOT CANDIDATE FOR
`CANDIDATE FOR FILE
`
`
`FILE ABCDE.DRV UPDATE.
`ABCDE.DRV UPDATE.
`
`
`
`FIG.4
`
`APPLE
`


`EXHIBIT 1002 - PAGE 0006
`    
`


`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 12, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`5,752,042
`
`42
`
`300
`
` IS NETCOMBER
`APPLICATION IN
`
`REGISTRY
`
`
`GET RELEASE LEVEL
`FROM REGISTRY.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RECORD THAT CLIENT IS
`RECORD THAT CLIENT IS
`
`NOT CANDIDATE FOR
`CANDIDATE FOR NETCOMBER
`
`
`NETCOMBER UPDATE.
`UPDATE.
`
`
`
`
`IS RELEASE
`
`LEVEL LESS
`
`THAN 2.0 ?
`
`FIG.5
`
`APPLE
`


`EXHIBIT 1002 - PAGE 0007
`    
`


`
`

`

`1
`SERVER COMPUTER FOR SELECTING
`PROGRAM UPDATES FOR A CLIENT
`COMPUTER BASED ON RESULTS OF
`RECOGNIZER PROGRAM(S) FURNISHED
`TO THE CLIENT COMPUTER
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates generally to computer networks and
`deals more particularly with a technique for selecting code
`updates stored in a server for installation in a client.
`A computer includes hardware and programs such as an
`operating system and applications. Often times. after a
`program is installed. there are subsequent code “fixes". new
`versions and revisions (collectively called “updates”). The
`updates may comprise a replacement of a single file of the
`program or replacement of the entire program. Typically the
`update also includes a short routine to actually install the
`updated code in the client. The installation routine typically
`replaces files in the existing program with new files from the
`update.
`The “Intemet” is well known today and comprises user/
`client computers connected via modems and communication
`lines to one or more servers and respective data bases.
`Servers provide a wide variety of services to the clients such
`as routing of electronic mail. news service. management of
`web pages and web sites. management of code updates. etc.
`The data bases include actual data. code updates and meta
`data which describes the actual data and code updates.
`There are various known techniques for a server to
`provide a client with a code update. In one technique. clients
`register with the server for updates to a particular program.
`and whenever the server obtains a new update for that
`program. the server automatically sends the code update to
`every client on the list. Unfortunately. some clients may not
`wish to obtain the update because of cost. download time or
`other reason. Alternately. a client can periodically request all
`updates and the server will respond accordingly. Unfortu-
`nately again. the client may not need every code update but
`nevertheless. endures the cost and download time.
`
`A general object of the present invention is to provide a
`method and system for selecting code updates for a client.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention resides in server and client computers for
`selecting code updates to download to the client computer.
`The server computer identifies code updates which are
`consistent with basic system characteristics of the client
`computer. Then. the server computer sends to the client
`computer one or more “recognizer” programs or one or more
`addresses outside of the client computer of the one or more
`recognizer programs which execute in the client computer to
`determine whether the client computer has a version other
`than a current version of the identified code updates. The
`client sends the results to the server computer which gen-
`erates a list of code updates which are consistent with the
`basic system characteristics representing programs that exist
`on the client computer for which an update would be
`appropriate. Next.
`the server computer sends the list or
`information about the list to the client computer. A user at the
`client computer selects from the list and sends the selections
`to the server computer. In response. the server computer
`sends addresses of the selected code updates to the client
`computer and the client computer downloads the selected
`code updates from a server computer.
`According to one feature of the present invention. the
`server sends an address of one of the “recognizer” programs
`
`10
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`
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`
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`
`5.752.042
`
`2
`
`for each of the code updates that is consistent with the basic
`system characteristics of the client computer.
`According to another feature of the present invention. the
`information about the list comprises a category designating
`all updates which are consistent with but not currently
`resident in said client. and another category designating only
`critical updates.
`According to still another feature of the present invention.
`the recognizer programs corresponding to the selected code
`updates are executed again before the selected code updates
`are installed in the client computer.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a computer network which incorporates
`the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a selection server. content
`server and a client in the network of FIG. 1. which server and
`client are programmed according to the present invention.
`FIGS. 3a and 3b form a flow chart illustrating operation
`of the client and server of FIG. 2.
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a program sent from the
`server to the client of FIG. 2 to determine needs of the client
`for a particular code update.
`FIG. 5 is another flow chart illustrating a program sent
`from the server to the client of FIG. 2 to determine needs of
`the client for another particular code update.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
`reference numbers indicate like elements throughout. FIG. 1
`illustrates a computer network generally designated 10
`according to the present invention. Network 10 comprises a
`selection server 12 with a data base 13. a content server 17.
`clients 14—16 and an Internet 20 to interconnect the servers
`and clients. By way of example. the selection server 12
`comprises a computer workstation. associated programming
`and a modem. the content server 17 comprises a computer
`workstation. associated programming and a modem and
`each of the clients 14—16 comprises a personal computer.
`associated programming and a modern. The Internet com-
`prises a communication medium such as telephone wires
`between the clients 14-16. the selection server 12 and the
`content server 17 and programming to manage the commu-
`nications. Communications between the clients and the
`selection server 12 utilize hypertext
`transport protocol
`(HTTP) and communications between the clients and the
`content server 17 utilize file transport protocol (FTP).
`Although not shown. there are many other servers for the
`Internet. Selection server 12 is dedicated to automating
`selection of code updates. the content server 17 includes the
`actual code updates (stored on disk 21). and data base 13
`includes meta data for the code updates and FTP addressing
`information to locate the code updates in content server 17.
`The meta data provides descriptive information about the
`respective code updates such as Bios level. pre-load level.
`motherboard ID. etc. The FTP addressing information indi-
`cates the address or identification of the content server
`which stores the respective code update (content server 17 in
`the illustrated example). a user ID and password to log-on to
`the content server. a name of the code update. a list of files
`which comprise the code update and the size. checksum and
`directory of each file.
`The process for storing the updates in the content server
`17 andthe meta data in the selection server 12 are not critical
`
`APPLE
`


`EXHIBIT 1002 - PAGE 0008
`    
`


`
`

`

`5.752.042
`
`3
`to the present invention. However. according to one process.
`a person writes the code update and meta data and loads
`them into the content server 17. either Via the Internet or by
`manual
`loading. The code updates remain stored in the
`content server. but the meta data is written to the selection
`server. either via the Internet or by manual loading.
`As illustrated in FIG. 2. the selection server 12 is an http
`server with an associated “CGI” program 31 and includes an
`update selection program 30. The client 14 includes an
`update manager program 32 (including a GUI). a scout
`routine 33. a service application routine 34 and a download
`routine 39. The functions of the server and client program—
`ming and a typical client/server session for selecting and
`downloading updates are illustrated in FIGS. 3(a,b). A user
`at client computer 14 selects an icon to invoke update
`manager 32. In response. the update manager contacts the
`general manager 31 in server 12 to begin a session and
`supplies the current level of update manager 32. scout 33.
`service application 34 and download routine 39 within client
`14 (step 104). In response. the general manager 31 deter-
`mines if the client‘s update manager 32. scout 33. service
`application 12 and download routine 39 are the latest version
`(step 106). This determination is performed by comparing
`the client level information supplied by the client 14 to the
`data in selection server 12 for the latest version of the
`client’s update manager 32. scout 33. service application 34
`and download routine 39 stored in the content server 17.
`
`If the client’s update manager. scout. service application
`and download routine are not the latest version. the server
`sends the FTP addressing information to the client to allow
`the client to retrieve the latest versions from a content server.
`Along with the FTP addressing for the client update
`manager. scout. service application and download routine.
`the server sends FI'P addressing information to the client for
`a basic system information recognizer program 41 stored in
`content server 17 (step 107). Next. the client downloads and
`installs the latest version of the client update manager. scout.
`service application and download routine from the content
`server if the FTP addressing was provided (step 108).
`The furnishing of the FTP addressing information for the
`basic system information recognizer program begins the
`selection process according to the present invention. The
`client next downloads the basic system information recog-
`nizer program 41 from the content server and executes it
`(step 109). The basic system information recognizer pro-
`gram then obtains basic system information using scout
`APIs. about client 14 (step 108). The basic system informa-
`tion comprises system model. pre-load software level. BIOS
`level. and information that is not likely to change often such
`as type of operating system. For example. the basic system
`information of cheat 14 is BIOS level 123. BIOS date Jan.
`1. 1996 and mother board ID XYZ. The update manager
`routine 32 then sends the basic system information. obtained
`by the recognizer program. to the selection server 12 (step
`110).
`This initiates the selection update program 30 (step 112).
`The selection update program 30 within server 12 then
`determines which code updates are consistent with the basic
`system information of the client and which code updates are
`inconsistent thereby eliminating the vast majority of the
`code updates stored in content server 17 (and other content
`servers. if any) from further consideration (step 114). In the
`illustrated embodiment. this determination is made by cor-
`relating the meta data in data base 13 to the basic system
`information obtained from client 14. Matches between the
`meta data and the basic system information indicate that the
`corresponding code updates are potentially appropriate for
`
`10
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`4
`client 14. (In practice. the meta data can be arranged in a
`relational data base to facilitate the correlation). The first
`two columns of the following table list code updates avail-
`able in content server 17 and the meta data for these code
`updates. The first two columns of this table are used for the
`initial correlation of the basic system information obtained
`from client 14 to the meta data (column 2) stored in selection
`server 12.
`
`
`Basis System
`Information/
`
`Code Updates
`Meta Dam
`Device Driver
`BIOS Level 123
`ABCDEDRV
`BIOS date 1/1/96
`Mother Board ID
`XYZ
`BIOS Level 123
`BIOS date 1/1/96
`Mother Board 113
`XYZ
`BIOS Level 456
`BIOS date 2/1f96
`Mother Board 11)
`XYZ
`
`
`Device Driver
`FGHHJJRV
`
`Netcomber 2.0
`
`In this example. the BIOS level 123. BIOS date Jan. 1.
`1996 and mother board lD XYZ basic system information
`obtained from client 14 is consistent with a device driver file
`named ABCDEDRV. and Netcomber (trademark of Inter-
`national Business Machines Corporation) version 2.0.
`However. device driver file named FGHIJDRV requires
`BIOS level 456 so is inconsistent with the basic system
`information obtained from client 14 and is eliminated from
`further consideration.
`
`For each code update. such as device driver file named
`ABCDE.DRV. and Netcomber program version 2.0. which
`is consistent with the basic system information of client 14.
`the selection update program 30 sends to the client 14 the
`FTP addressing information of a corresponding recognizer
`program. such as recognizer programs 40 and 42. respec-
`tively (step 116). However. the FTP addressing information
`is not provided (and no recognizer program is fetched) to
`client 14 for the device driver file named FGHIJDRV.
`because file FGHIJDRV is not consistent with the basic
`system information of client 14. From the FTP addressing
`information. the client 14 downloads the actual recognizer
`programs from the content server 17 (step 118).
`Each recognizer program is executable and small. typi—
`cally LOGO—3.000 bytes. Consequently. each recognizer
`program can be downloaded from content server 17 to the
`client 14 in seconds (whereas the corresponding code update
`is much larger and may take hours to download).
`It should be noted that based on the basic system infor-
`mation alone. the selection update program 30 within server
`12 is not sure which of the code updates that are consistent
`with the basic system information are actually needed by the
`client; for example. the client may already have the latest
`version.
`
`Next. the client 14 executes each recognizer program 40
`and 42 with assistance from the scout 33 (step 118). The
`scout 33 assists the recognizer programs by providing sub-
`routines callable by the recognizer programs. For files
`required by the recognizer programs. these callable subrou—
`tines locate the files. determine the version of the files.
`determine the length of the file. identify a directory which
`lists the files. obtain fime stamps for the files. obtain data
`from inside the files and obtain data from a program registry.
`
`APPLE
`


`EXHIBIT 1002 - PAGE 0009
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`


`
`

`

`5 .752.042
`
`5
`
`This further reduces the requisite length of each recognizer
`program and therefore shortens the download time. When
`executed. each recognizer program further investigates the
`hardware. software and other components of the client 14 for
`information to assist the server in determining whether the
`corresponding code update is appropriate for the client 14.
`For example.
`this investigation reveals if the client 14
`already has these code updates as follows. A recognizer
`program could also determine if the corresponding code
`update is consistent with aspects of the client other than the
`basic system information. such as other programs within the
`client.
`
`Recognizer program 40 determines from the scout routine
`33 in client 14 if the size of file ABCDEDRV. stored by the
`client 14 is the same as the size of file ABCDEDRV. stored
`in the data base 13. If so. then client 14 has the latest update.
`If not. then client 14 likely has an old version which could
`be updated.
`FIG. 4 illustrates recognizer program 40 in more detail. In
`step 200. recognizer program 40 calls scout 33 to scan client
`14’s hard disk for file ABCDEDRV to determine if file
`ABCDEDRV exists in client 14. If not. the recognizer
`program provides an indication that file ABCDEDRV is not
`appropriate for client 14 (step 202). However. if file ABCD—
`E.DRV exists in client 14. then recognizer program 40 calls
`scout 33 to retrieve the size of file ABCDEDRV in client 14
`(step 204). and then compares the file size to the size of the
`latest version stored in the content server (decision 206).
`(The recognizer program includes an indication of the size
`of the corresponding update in the content server.) Ifthe two
`sizes are the same. then there is no need to download file
`ABCDEDRV from the content server 17; client 14 already
`has the latest version. However. if the two sizes are not the
`same. then recognizer program 40 makes a record that the
`file ABCDEDRV stored in the content server 17 is appro-
`priate for client 14 (step 208).
`Recognizer program 42 compares a version number of the
`Netcomber program in the client to the version number of
`the Netcomber program of the code update. and if the
`version number of the Netcomber program installed in client
`14 is less. then the client likely has an old version.
`FIG. 5 illustrates recognizer program 42 in more detail. In
`step 300. recognizer program 42 calls scout 33 to read a data
`base in client 14 to determine if the Netcomber program
`exists in client 14. If it does. recognizer program 42 calls
`scout 33 to obtain the version number of the Netcomber
`program from the data base (step 302). Ifthe version number
`stored in the data base is equal to or greater than the version
`number in the recognizer program. then client 14 does not
`need the version stored in the content server 17 (decision
`304 and step 306). However. if the version number stored in
`the data base is less than the version number in the recog-
`nizer program. then the recognizer program records that
`client 14 needs the copy of the Netcomber program stored in
`the content server 17 (decision 304 and step 308).
`The results of the recognizer programs include yes/no
`answers whether each respective code update is appropriate
`for the client. i.e. not currently resident in client 14 (and
`consistent with the client basic system information as deter-
`mined previously in step 114). The recognizer programs can
`also assign a “critical” level to each code update based on
`the need of the client for the update. For example. if another
`program in the client needs this code update to function. then
`this code update would be assigned a high level of criticality.
`After the recognizer programs are executed in client 14.
`client 14 sends to selection server 12 a list of the code
`updates which are appropriate for the client (step 120).
`
`6
`Based on the information gathered by the recognizer
`programs. the server determines the level of criticality of the
`respective code updates and builds a selection form for
`display at the client (step 122). The selection form comprises
`a list of the code updates that are consistent with the basic
`system information and appropriate for the client 14. and a
`display of the following three selection choices 124 (step
`124):
`1. minimum number of code updates—code updates
`which are necessary for the client to ensure compat-
`ibility between programs within the client and fix a
`significant “bug” in a program within the client. and
`those other updates that the author of the code update
`deemed critical such as replacement of unsupported
`programs.
`2. maximum number of code updates—all code updates
`which are consistent with the basic system information
`and appropriate for the client.
`3. client selection of specific code updates——user selects
`particular code updates from the list of all code updates
`which are consistent with the basic system information
`and appropriate for the client.
`Next. the client makes a selection. either selection of the
`first or second categories or an itemized list of code updates
`pursuant to the third category (step 130). and sends the
`selection to the server (step 131). In response. the server 12
`sends to the client 14 the FTP addressing information for the
`selected code updates (step 132). Using this FTP addressing
`information. the download routine 39 of the client down-
`loads the code updates from the content server 17 (step 133).
`(In the preferred embodiment of the present invention. the
`FTP addressing information for all code updates represented
`in the selection form are passed with the selection form to
`the client 14 in step 124.)
`As the code updates are being downloaded. the download
`routine also records status information (such as the FTP
`addresses) of the code updates in case of intmpfion to the
`communication line. If there is such an interruption. the
`downloading can continue later where it left off. Since the
`interruption could be lengthy and the system characteristics
`could have been altered. immediately before the selected
`code updates are actually installed. the update manager 32
`invokes the corresponding recognizer programs again to
`ensure that the code updates are still required; it is possible
`that changes could have occurred to the client since the
`recognizer programs were previously executed. If the code
`updates are still appropriate. the service application routine
`of client 14 installs the code updates in the client 14 as
`follows (step 134). For every code update file whose stale
`version is not currently in use by client 14. the service
`application routine replaces the stale file with the updated
`file. The update manager also lists each code update file
`whose stale version is currently in use. Then. the client is
`requested to re-boot. and the operating system installs the
`listed code updates during the re—boot.
`Based on the foregoing. a technique for selecting and
`transferring code updates to a client has been disclosed
`However. numerous modifications and substitutions can be
`made without deviating from the scope of the present
`invention.
`Therefore. the present invention has been disclosed by
`way of illustration and not limitation and reference should
`be made to the following claims to determine the scope of
`the present invention.
`We claim:
`
`1. A server computer for selecting code updates to down-
`load to a client computer. said server computer comprising:
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`65
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`APPLE
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`EXHIBIT 1002 - PAGE 0010
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`5.752.042
`
`7
`
`means for identifying code updates which are consistent
`with basic system characteristics of the client com—
`puter;
`means for sending to said client computer one or more
`programs which execute in said client computer to
`determine whether said client computer has a version
`other than a current version of the identified code
`updates;
`means for receiving results of said programs. generating
`a list of code updates which are consistent with said
`basic system characteristics. represent current versions
`of code within said client computer and are not cur-
`rently resident in said client computer. and transmitting
`said list or information about said list to said client
`computer; and
`means for receiving selection from said client computer of
`one or more of the listed code updates.
`2. A server computer as set forth in claim 1 further
`comprising means for sending address information for the
`selected code updates to said client computer so that said
`client computer can obtain said selected code updates from
`another server computer.
`3. A server computer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
`identifying means comprises:
`program means. executable in said client computer. for
`obtaining said basic system characteristics of said client
`computer;
`means for sending to said client an address of said
`program means; and
`means for receiving said basic system characteristics from
`said client.
`4. A server computer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
`sending means sends an address of one of said programs to
`said client for each of said code updates.
`5. A server computer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
`information about said list comprises a category designating
`all updates which are consistent with but not currently
`resident in said client. and another category designating only
`critical updates.
`6. A server computer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
`programs corresponding to the selected code updates are
`executed again before said selected code updates are
`installed in said client computer.
`7. A server computer for selecting code updates to down-
`load to a client computer. said serva computer comprising:
`means for obtaining basic system information from a
`client computer;
`means for identifying code updates which are consistent
`with said basic system information;
`means for sending to said client computer a recognizer
`program for each of said identified code updates. each
`said recognizer program when executed in said client-
`computer determining whether said client computer has
`a version other than a current version of said code
`update;
`means for receiving results of said recognizer programs
`and sending to said client computer a list of code
`updates which are consistent with said client computer.
`represent current versions of code within said client
`computer and are not currently resident in said client
`computer; and
`means for receiving selection from said client computer of
`one or more of the listed code updates.
`8. A server computer as set forth in claim 7 further
`comprising means for sending address information of the
`selected code updates to said client computer.
`
`8
`9. A server computer as set forth in claim 7 wherein said
`recognizer programs corresponding to the selected code
`updates are executed again before said selected code updates
`are installed in said client computer.
`10. A server computer for selecting code updates for a
`client computer. said server computer comprising:
`means for sending to said client computer an address of a
`first program said first program. executable in said
`client computer. for obtaining basic system information
`of said client computer;
`means for receiving said basic system information from
`said client computer;
`means for identifying code updates which are consistent
`with said basic system information of said client com-
`puter; and
`means for sending to said client computer one or more
`addresses outside of said client computer of one or
`more respective other programs which execute in said
`Client computer to determine Whether said client com—
`puter has a version other than a current version of the
`identified code updates.
`11. A server computer as set forth in claim 10 further
`comprising:
`means for receiving results of said other programs. gen-
`erating a list of code updates which are consistent with
`said basic system information. represent current
`version(s) of code within said client computer and are
`not currently resident in said client computer. and
`transmitting said list or information about said list to
`said client computer; and
`means for receiving selection from said client computer of
`one or more of the listed code up