Patent for Sale

Automatically Initiated Software Updates Patent

This technology relates to computer systems which look for incorrect system configurations and automatically initiate software updates and other events.

Overview

OS and Application Software applications include observing  current software configurations, diagnostic information etc. and comparing against the correct or most current system information. Determining if software updates are needed. Informing a user that updates are available and/or then automatically installing the updates. Additional Network & Data Management applications also include assessing networked computer software versions and the associated data types such as for running additional virus scans on known virus prone out-of-date software.

Operating System and Application Software applications include:

1) Scanning target computer(s) current software configuration(s), diagnostic information and other relevant data and comparing the data against a centralized database containing the correct or most current system information.

2) Determining if the target computer(s) need or could use available software update(s) or other necessary or beneficial update(s).

3) Informing a user of the target computer(s) that an update(s) is available and/or automatically installing the available update(s) on the target computer(s).

Additional Network & Data Management applications include not only the above but also systems assessing various software versions on target computers and the associated data types to potentially know if it is necessary to take extra security measures (e.g., running additional virus scans if the agent computer encounters an older software version known to be susceptible to security risks) if the assessment of software version(s) show that the target computer(s) are running out-of-date software.

This invention describes a centralized unit or agent computer(s) to collect information including but not limited to: configuration, diagnostics and frequency of use from one or more target computer(s) and transmit the collected information to a central control server. The control server receives the information and cross-references said information with a centralized database. The system then formats and transmits the resultant information (i.e., that a new software update is available) back to the target computer(s). The target computer(s) may then act on the information directly (i.e., automatically installing an update) or may display the information to a user of the computer alerting the user of a problem or update.  The method provides for updates to be automatically installed in a target computer and providing for the centralization of software information.