Selection of code updates, data updates or new data for client

Abstract

A server computer selects code updates to download to a client computer as follows. 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 which execute in the client computer to determine whether the client computer has a version other than a current version of the consistent code updates. The client sends the results to the server computer which generates a list of those code updates which are consistent with the basic system characteristics, and represent programs that exist on the client computer for which an update would be appropriate. The server computer also identifies new data which is consistent with attributes of a user of the client computer. Then, the server computer sends to the client computer one or more recognizer programs which execute in the client computer to determine whether the client computer already has the consistent new data. The client sends the results to the server computer which generates a list of that new data which is consistent with the user attributes and not currently resident in the client computer.

Claims

We claim:

1. A server computer for selecting code updates to download to a client computer, said server computer comprising:

means for identifying code updates which are consistent with basic system characteristics of the client computer;

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; and

means for receiving results of said programs, determining which of the code updates that are consistent with said basic system characteristics represent current versions of code within said client computer and are not currently resident in said client computer; and wherein

at least one of said recognizer programs is less than three thousand bytes in length.

2. A server computer as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

means for transmitting to said client computer a list of or information about said determined code updates; and

means for receiving selection from said client computer of one or more of the determined code updates.

3. A server computer as set forth in claim 2 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.

4. 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.

5. A server computer as set forth in claim 2 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 for selecting data to download to a client computer for access by a user, said server computer comprising:

means for identifying data which is consistent with attributes of said user;

means for sending to said client computer one or more programs or addresses of said one or more programs which execute in said client computer to determine whether said client computer already has said data; and

means for receiving results of said programs, and determining which of the data that is consistent with said user attributes is not currently resident in said client computer.

7. A server computer as set forth in claim 6 further comprising:

means for transmitting to said client computer a list of or information about said data that is consistent with said user attributes and is not currently resident in said client computer; and

means for receiving selection from said user of one or more of said data that is consistent with said user attributes and is not currently resident in said client computer.

8. A server computer as set forth in claim 7 further comprising means for sending address information for the selected data to said client computer so that said client computer can obtain said selected data from another server computer.

9. A server computer as set forth in claim 6 wherein the identifying means comprises:

program means, executable in said client computer, for obtaining a serial number or other identification of said client computer;

means for sending to said client computer an address of said program means; and

means for receiving said serial number of other identification of said client computer from said client computer resulting from execution of said program means, and correlating said serial number or other identification to stored user attributes accessible by said server computer.

10. A server computer as set forth in claim 6 wherein the identifying means comprises:

means for receiving an identification of said user, and correlating said identification of said user to stored attributes of said user accessible by said server computer.

11. A server computer as set forth in claim 7 wherein said information about said data comprises a category designating all data which is consistent with but not currently resident in said client computer, and another category designating only critical data.

12. A server computer as set forth in claim 6 wherein the program sending means sends a separate program for each set of data and each of said programs determines if the client computer has the respective set of data.

13. A method performed by a server computer for selecting data to download to a client computer for access by a user of said client computer, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying data which is consistent with attributes of said user;

sending to said client computer one or more programs or addresses of said one or more programs which execute in said client computer to determine whether said client computer already has said data; and

receiving results of said programs, and determining which of the data that is consistent with said user attributes is not currently resident in said client computer.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 further comprising the following steps performed by said server computer:

transmitting to said client computer a list of or information about said data that is consistent with said user attributes and is not currently resident in said client computer; and

receiving selection from said user of one or more of said data that is consistent with said user attributes and is not currently resident in said client computer.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the step of sending address information for the selected data from the server computer to said client computer so that said client computer can obtain said selected data from another server computer.

16. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the identifying step comprises the steps of:

sending a program or an address of said program to said client for execution in said client computer, said program obtaining a serial number or other identification of said client computer; and

receiving said serial number of other identification of said client computer from said client computer resulting from execution of said program, and correlating said serial number or other identification to stored user attributes accessible by said server computer.

17. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the identifying step comprises the steps of:

receiving an identification of said user, and correlating said identification of said user to stored attributes of said user accessible by said server computer.

18. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein said information about said data comprises a category designating all data which is consistent with but not currently resident in said client computer, and another category designating only critical data.

19. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the server sends a separate program for each set of data and each of said programs determines if the client computer has the respective set of data.

20. A computer program product executed in a server computer for selecting data to download to a client computer for access by a user of said client computer, said computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium;

first program instruction means for instructing a processor to identify data which is consistent with attributes of said user;

second program instruction means for instructing a processor to send to said client computer one or more programs or addresses or said one or more programs which execute in said client computer to determine whether said client computer already has said data; and

third program instruction means for instructing a processor to receive results of said programs, and determine which of the data that is consistent with said user attributes is not currently resident in said client computer; and wherein

all of said program instruction means are recorded on said medium.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to computer networks and deals more particularly with a technique for selecting code updates, data updates or new data stored in a server for installation in a client computer.

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 "code updates"). The updates may comprise a replacement of one or more bytes of the existing program, a single file of the program or the entire program. Typically each code update also includes a short routine to actually install the updated code in the client. The installation routine typically replaces selected bytes or files in the existing program with new bytes or files from the update.

A user of the client computer may also need new data or data updates such as updated customer lists, product catalogs, directories, etc. It may also be desirable to send unsolicited advertisements or product literature to the user.

The "Internet" is well known today and comprises 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 and information, 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 or a user with new data. In one technique, clients register with the server for updates to a particular program and users register with the server for updates or new data. Whenever the server obtains a new update for that program or new data of the specified type, the server automatically sends the code update or new data of the specified type to every client/user on the list. Unfortunately, some users may not wish to obtain a particular update or particular new data of the specified type because of cost, download time or other reason. Alternately, a user can periodically request all code updates or new data of specified types and the server will respond accordingly. Unfortunately again, the user may not need every code update or data of the specified type but nevertheless, endures the cost and download time. In general, because of the large number and complexity of software applications on a user's system, and the large number and complexity of the corresponding updates for that system, it is very difficult for users to know what updates are appropriate for them. Likewise, there is so much new data generated every day that it is difficult to know what new data is appropriate for particular users.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for selecting code updates and new data for a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One feature of the present invention resides in a server computer for selecting code updates to download to a 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 which execute in the client computer to determine whether the client computer has a version other than a current version of the consistent 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 and represent programs that exist on the client computer for which an update would be appropriate. The server computer may send the list or information about the list to the client computer. A user at the client computer may select from the list and send 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 another feature of the present invention, the server sends an address of one of the "recognizer" programs 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 server computer also selects new data to download to a client computer as follows. The server computer identifies new data which is consistent with attributes of a user of the client computer. Then, the server computer sends to the client computer one or more recognizer programs which execute in the client computer to determine whether the client computer already has the consistent new data. The client sends the results to the server computer which generates a list of those code updates which are consistent with the user's attributes but not currently resident in the client computer. The server computer may send the list or information about the list to the client computer, and the user may select from the list and send the selections to the server computer. In response, the server computer sends addresses of the selected new data to the client computer and the client computer downloads the selected new data from a server computer.

According to another feature of the present invention, the server sends an address of one of the recognizer programs for each of the new data that is consistent with the user's attributes.

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. 3(a,b) 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.

FIG. 6 illustrates another computer network which incorporates the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a selection server, content server and a client in the network of FIG. 6, which server and client are programmed according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8(a,b) form a flow chart illustrating operation of the client and server of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a program sent from the server to the client of FIG. 7 to determine needs of the client for a particular set of new data.

FIG. 10 is another flow chart illustrating a program sent from the server to the client of FIG. 7 to determine needs of the client for another particular set of new data.

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 modem. The Internet comprises 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 communications. 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 indicates 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 and the meta data in the selection server 12 are not critical 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 programming 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 determines 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 FTP 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 recognizer program 41 from the content server and executes it (step 109). The basic system information recognizer program then obtains basic system information using scout APIs, about client 14 (step 109). The basic system information 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 client 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 correlating 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 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 available 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.

    ______________________________________
    Code Updates        Basic System
                        Information/
                        Meta Data
    Device Driver       BIOS Level 123
    ABCDE.DRV           BIOS date 1/1/96
                        Mother Board ID
                        XYZ
    Netcomber 2.0       BIOS Level 123
                        BIOS date 1/1/96
                        Mother Board ID
                        XYZ
    Device Driver       BIOS Level 456
    FGHIJ.DRV           BIOS date 2/1/96
                        Mother Board ID
                        XYZ
    ______________________________________

    ______________________________________
    New Data          User Attributes/Meta Data
    ______________________________________
    Customer List     Marketing person
    Price List        Marketing person
    Salary Chart      Manager
    Company Rules     All Employees
    Golf Ad #1 (news) Golfer
    Golf Ad #2 (equipment)
                      Golfer
    Bowling Ad #1     Bowler
    Bowling Ad #2     Bowler
    ______________________________________

• Inventors
  Cole, Gary Lee; Engleman, Scott Phillip; Pritko, Steven Michael;
• Assignee
  International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY)
• Published
  Jun-13-2000
• Current US Classes:
  717/170
  717/173
• Application #
  814771
• International Classes
  G06F 009/445; G06F 009/45
• Field of Search
  395/712 395/703 707/3 707/10 707/201 707/203 709/221 709/305
• Examiner
  Hafiz; Tariq R.
• Agent
  Samodovitz; Arthur J.
• US Patent References:
  4558413
  4714995
  5133075
  5339430
  5452448
  5473772
  5491820
  5495610
  5553282
  5581764
  5619716