Patent ID: 6327617
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a computer system having an update service computer in communication with a remote customer's computer over a network, the update service computer having access to a database identifying software remotely available to the customer's computer over the network, wherein at least one item in the database identifies computer software installable on the remote customer's computer, a method for providing computer software available for installation on the remote customer's computer, the method comprising:generating an inventory of the remote customer's computer, the inventory identifying computer software installed on the remote customer's computer;comparing the inventory of the remote customer's computer with software remotely available to the customer's computer over the network as indicated in the database to identify computer software available for installation on the remote customer's computer but not installed on the remote customer's computer;presenting a list at the remote customer's computer displaying the identified computer software available for installation on the remote customer's computer but not installed on the remote customer's computer;from the list displaying the identified computer software available for installation on the remote customer's computer but not installed on the remote customer's computer, accepting a selection selected at the remote customer's computer indicating computer software to be downloaded and installed on the remote customer's computer; andto the remote customer's computer, downloading the computer software to be downloaded and installed on the remote customer's computer.