Patent ID: 6151643
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: G06F,G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method of providing information for software residing on a client computer, comprising:maintaining a service provider computer on a network, the client computer accessible over the network by the service provider computer;maintaining on the service provider computer a database, the database containing references to network locations where information relating to software from a plurality of software vendors can be obtained;maintaining on the service provider computer a downloadable application, the application being capable of performing a scan of the client computer to identify one or more software products residing on the client computer;establishing a communication link between client computer and the service provider computer over the network;downloading the application to the client computer over the communication link;scanning the client computer with the application;as a result of the scan, generating a list of software residing on the client computer for which the service provider has information; andfor at least one product on the list, downloading to the client computer at least a portion of the information for that product that is available to the service provider.