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United States Patent
6557054
Reisman
April 29, 2003
Title
Method and system for distributing updates by presenting directory of software available for user installation that is not already installed on user station
Abstract
A method for distributing information to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations each of which is configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated servers via a non-proprietary network includes steps for providing a distribution service that distributes updates for a plurality of different products, and providing a transporter software component to each of the plurality of uncoordinated user stations, wherein the transporter software component at each user station automatically effects communication sessions with the distribution service via the non-proprietary network for the purpose of obtaining updates for each of at least a subset of the plurality of different products that are installed on that user station. Moreover, a user station, which includes a storage medium, a plurality of different products installed on the storage medium, and transporter software installed on the storage medium for automatically effectuating communication sessions with a distribution service via a non-proprietary network in order to obtain updates for each of the plurality of different products, and a distribution service that distributes updates for a plurality of different products to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations via a non-proprietary network, are also described.
Inventors:
Reisman; Richard R.
(New York,
NY
)
Appl. No.:
556061
Filed:
April 20, 2000
Current U.S. Class:
710/33
710/4
713/1
713/100
713/2
709/206
709/219
709/221
709/229
710/16
710/19
Field of Search:
705/26,31,6 709/206,215,219,221,229 710/4,16,19,33 713/1,2,100
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Primary Examiner:
Gaffin; Jeffrey
Assistant Examiner:
Peyton; Tammara
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Westerlund; Robert A. Powell, Jr.; Raymond H. J.
Parent Case Text
LIST OF RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a combined Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/641,010, filed on Apr. 29, 1996, and entitled "COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED TRANSPORT OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION OBJECTS," which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/251,824, filed on May 31, 1994, and entitled "SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC UNATTENDED ELECTRONIC INFORMATION TRANSPORT BETWEEN A SERVER AND A CLIENT BY A VENDOR PROVIDED TRANSPORT SOFTWARE WITH A MANIFEST LIST," which as U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,820 on May 30, 1995, and U.S. application Ser. No. 08/982,157, filed on Dec. 1, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,388 and entitled "COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED TRANSPORT OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION OBJECTS," which is a Continuation of the aforementioned Ser. No.08/251,724 filed May 31, 1994 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,546). All of the above-identified applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: responsive to an identification of software already installed on the user station, presenting a directory of software available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station; sending to the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected by a user at the user station responsive to the directory; and receiving from the remote computer system over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software should be received.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the user.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein, once the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
16. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: providing information enabling the user station to present a directory of software available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station based on the information and an identification of software installed on the user station; receiving at the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected by a user at the user station responsive to the directory; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software should be received.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the user.
23. The method of claim 16, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
24. The method of claim 16, wherein, once the software is distributed to the user station, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
25. The method of claim 16, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
26. The method of claim 16, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
27. The method of claim 16, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
28. The method of claim 16, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
29. The method of claim 16, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
30. The method of claim 16, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
31. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: presenting, at the user station, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, a directory of software available for installation on the user station; sending to the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected at the user station as a function of the directory; and receiving from the remote computer system over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software should be received.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
36. The method of claim 31, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
37. The method of claim 31, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
38. The method of claim 31, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
39. The method of claim 31, wherein, once the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
40. The method of claim 31, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
41. The method of claim 31, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
42. The method of claim 31, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
43. The method of claim 31, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
44. The method of claim 31, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
45. The method of claim 31, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
46. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: providing information enabling the user station to present a directory of software available for installation on the user station based on the information and an identification of software installed on the user station; receiving at the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected at the user station as a function of the directory; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
48. The method of claim 46, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
49. The method of claim 46, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software should be received.
50. The method of claim 46, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
51. The method of claim 46, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
52. The method of claim 46, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
53. The method of claim 46, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
54. The method of claim 46, wherein, once the software is distributed to the user station, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
55. The method of claim 46, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
56. The method of claim 46, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
57. The method of claim 46, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
58. The method of claim 46, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
59. The method of claim 46, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
60. The method of claim 46, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
61. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: presenting, at the user station, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, a directory of software available for installation on the user station; sending to the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected by a user at the user station as a function of the directory; and receiving from the remote computer system over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
62. The method of claim 61, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software.
63. The method of claim 61, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
64. The method of claim 61, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software should be received.
65. The method of claim 61, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
66. The method of claim 61, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
67. The method of claim 61, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the user.
68. The method of claim 61, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
69. The method of claim 61, wherein, once the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
70. The method of claim 61, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
71. The method of claim 61, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
72. The method of claim 61, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
73. The method of claim 61, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
74. The method of claim 61, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
75. The method of claim 61, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
76. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: providing information enabling the user station to present a directory of software available for installation on the user station based on the information and an identification of software installed on the user station; receiving at the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected by a user at the user station as a function of the directory; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
77. The method of claim 76, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software.
78. The method of claim 76, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
79. The method of claim 76, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software should be received.
80. The method of claim 76, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
81. The method of claim 76, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
82. The method of claim 76, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the user.
83. The method of claim 76, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
84. The method of claim 76, wherein, once the software is distributed to the user station, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
85. The method of claim 76, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
86. The method of claim 76, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
87. The method of claim 76, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
88. The method of claim 76, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
89. The method of claim 76, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
90. The method of claim 76, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
91. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: responsive to an identification of software already installed on the user station, presenting, at the user station, a directory of software available for installation but not installed on the user station; sending to the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected by a user at the user station responsive to the directory; and receiving from the remote computer system over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
92. The method of claim 91, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software.
93. The method of claim 91, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
94. The method of claim 91, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software should be received.
95. The method of claim 91, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
96. The method of claim 91, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
97. The method of claim 91, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the user.
98. The method of claim 91, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
99. The method of claim 91, wherein, once the software is distributed to the user station, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
100. The method of claim 91, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
101. The method of claim 91, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
102. The method of claim 91, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
103. The method of claim 91, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
104. The method of claim 91, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
105. The method of claim 91, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
106. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: providing information enabling the user station to present a directory of software available for installation but not installed on the user station based on the information and an identification of software installed on the user station; receiving at the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected by a user at the user station responsive to the directory; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
107. The method of claim 106, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software.
108. The method of claim 106, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
109. The method of claim 106, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software should be received.
110. The method of claim 106, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
111. The method of claim 106, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
112. The method of claim 106, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the user.
113. The method of claim 106, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
114. The method of claim 106, wherein, once the software is distributed to the user station, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
115. The method of claim 106, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
116. The method of claim 106, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
117. The method of claim 106, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
118. The method of claim 106, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
119. The method of claim 106, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
120. The method of claim 106, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
121. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: presenting, at the user station, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, a directory of software available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station; sending to the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected at the user station as a function of the directory; and receiving from the remote computer system over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
122. The method of claim 121, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
123. The method of claim 121, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
124. The method of claim 121, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software should be received.
125. The method of claim 121, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
126. The method of claim 121, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
127. The method of claim 121, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
128. The method of claim 121, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
129. The method of claim 121, wherein, once the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
130. The method of claim 121, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
131. The method of claim 121, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
132. The method of claim 121, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
133. The method of claim 121, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
134. The method of claim 121, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
135. The method of claim 121, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
136. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: providing information enabling the user station to present a directory of software available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station based on the information and an identification of software installed on the user station; receiving at the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected at the user station as a function of the directory; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
137. The method of claim 136, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
138. The method of claim 136, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
139. The method of claim 136, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software should be received.
140. The method of claim 136, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
141. The method of claim 136, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
142. The method of claim 136, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
143. The method of claim 136, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
144. The method of claim 136, wherein, once the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
145. The method of claim 136, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
146. The method of claim 136, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
147. The method of claim 136, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
148. The method of claim 136, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
149. The method of claim 136, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
150. The method of claim 136, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
151. A computer implemented method for distributing software updates from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: presenting, at the user station, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, a directory of software updates available for installation on the user station; sending to the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software updates for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software updates is selected at the user station as a function of the directory; and receiving from the remote computer system over the communications network software updates indicated by the selection.
152. The method of claim 151, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
153. The method of claim 151, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
154. The method of claim 151, wherein the software updates indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software updates should be received.
155. The method of claim 151, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
156. The method of claim 151, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
157. The method of claim 151, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
158. The method of claim 151, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
159. The method of claim 151, wherein, once the software updates indicated by the selection are received from the remote computer system, the software updates are automatically installed on the user station.
160. The method of claim 151, wherein the directory describes software updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
161. The method of claim 151, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
162. The method of claim 151, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
163. The method of claim 151, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
164. The method of claim 151, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software updates indicated by the directory.
165. The method of claim 151, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
166. A computer implemented method for distributing software updates from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: providing information enabling the user station to present a directory of software updates available for installation on the user station based on the information and an identification of software installed on the user station; receiving at the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software updates for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software updates is selected at the user station as a function of the directory; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software updates indicated by the selection.
167. The method of claim 166, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
168. The method of claim 166, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
169. The method of claim 166, wherein the software updates indicated by the selection are received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software updates should be received.
170. The method of claim 166, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
171. The method of claim 166, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
172. The method of claim 166, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
173. The method of claim 166, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
174. The method of claim 166, wherein, once the software updates are distributed to the user station, the software updates are automatically installed on the user station.
175. The method of claim 166, wherein the directory describes software updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
176. The method of claim 166, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
177. The method of claim 166, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
178. The method of claim 166, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
179. The method of claim 166, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software updates indicated by the directory.
180. The method of claim 166, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
181. A computer implemented method for distributing software updates from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: presenting, at the user station, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, a directory of software updates available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station; sending to the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software updates for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software updates is selected at the user station as a function of the directory; and receiving from the remote computer system over the communications network software updates indicated by the selection.
182. The method of claim 181, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
183. The method of claim 181, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
184. The method of claim 181, wherein the software updates indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software updates should be received.
185. The method of claim 181, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
186. The method of claim 181, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
187. The method of claim 181, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
188. The method of claim 181, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
189. The method of claim 181, wherein, once the software updates indicated by the selection are received from the remote computer system, the software updates are automatically installed on the user station.
190. The method of claim 181, wherein the directory describes software updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
191. The method of claim 181, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
192. The method of claim 181, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
193. The method of claim 181, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
194. The method of claim 181, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software updates indicated by the directory.
195. The method of claim 181, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
196. A computer implemented method for distributing software updates from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: providing information, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, enabling the user station to present a directory of software updates available for installation but not installed on the user station; receiving at the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software updates for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software updates is selected at the user station as a function of the directory; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software updates indicated by the selection.
197. The method of claim 196, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
198. The method of claim 196, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
199. The method of claim 196, wherein the software updates indicated by the selection are received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software updates should be received.
200. The method of claim 196, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
201. The method of claim 196, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
202. The method of claim 196, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
203. The method of claim 196, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
204. The method of claim 196, wherein, once the software updates are distributed to the user station, the software updates are automatically installed on the user station.
205. The method of claim 196, wherein the directory describes software updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
206. The method of claim 196, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
207. The method of claim 196, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
208. The method of claim 196, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
209. The method of claim 196, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software updates indicated by the directory.
210. The method of claim 196, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
211. A computer implemented method for distributing software updates from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: presenting, at the user station, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, a directory of software updates available for installation on the user station; sending to the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software updates for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software updates is selected by a user at the user station as a function of the directory; and receiving from the remote computer system over the communications network software updates indicated by the selection.
212. The method of claim 211, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software.
213. The method of claim 211, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
214. The method of claim 211, wherein the software updates indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software updates should be received.
215. The method of claim 211, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
216. The method of claim 211, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
217. The method of claim 211, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the user.
218. The method of claim 211, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
219. The method of claim 211, wherein, once the software updates indicated by the selection are received from the remote computer system, the software updates are automatically installed on the user station.
220. The method of claim 211, wherein the directory describes software updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
221. The method of claim 211, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
222. The method of claim 211, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
223. The method of claim 211, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
224. The method of claim 211, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software updates indicated by the directory.
225. The method of claim 211, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
226. A computer implemented method for distributing software updates from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: providing information enabling the user station to present a directory of software updates available for installation on the user station based on the information and an identification of software installed on the user station; receiving at the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software updates for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software updates is selected by a user at the user station as a function of the directory; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software updates indicated by the selection.
227. The method of claim 226, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software.
228. The method of claim 226, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
229. The method of claim 226, wherein the software updates indicated by the selection are received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software updates should be received.
230. The method of claim 226, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
231. The method of claim 226, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
232. The method of claim 226, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the user.
233. The method of claim 226, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
234. The method of claim 226, wherein, once the software updates are distributed to the user station, the software updates are automatically installed on the user station.
235. The method of claim 226, wherein the directory describes software updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
236. The method of claim 226, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
237. The method of claim 226, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
238. The method of claim 226, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
239. The method of claim 226, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software updates indicated by the directory.
240. The method of claim 226, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
241. A computer implemented method for installing software on a user station, the method comprising: presenting, at the user station, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, a directory of software available for installation on the user station; and installing a selection of software on the user station, wherein: the selection of software is selected at the user station as a function of the directory; and the selection of software is received from a remote computer system over a communications network.
242. The method of claim 241, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
243. The method of claim 241, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
244. The method of claim 241, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software should be received.
245. The method of claim 241, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
246. The method of claim 241, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
247. The method of claim 241, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
248. The method of claim 241, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
249. The method of claim 241, wherein, once the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
250. The method of claim 241, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
251. The method of claim 241, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
252. The method of claim 241, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
253. The method of claim 241, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
254. The method of claim 241, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
255. The method of claim 241, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
256. A computer implemented method for installing software on a user station, the method comprising: presenting, at the user station, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, a directory of software available for installation but not installed on the user station; and installing a selection of software on the user station, wherein: the selection of software is selected at the user station as a function of the directory; and the selection of software is received from a remote computer system over a network.
257. The method of claim 256, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
258. The method of claim 256, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
259. The method of claim 256, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software should be received.
260. The method of claim 256, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
261. The method of claim 256, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
262. The method of claim 256, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
263. The method of claim 256, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
264. The method of claim 256, wherein, once the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
265. The method of claim 256, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
266. The method of claim 256, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
267. The method of claim 256, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
268. The method of claim 256, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
269. The method of claim 256, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
270. The method of claim 256, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
271. A computer implemented method for installing software on a user station, the method comprising: presenting, at the user station, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, a directory of software available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station; and installing on the user station a selection of software, wherein the selection of software is selected by a user at the user station as a function of the directory and wherein the selection of software is received from a remote computer system over a network.
272. The method of claim 271, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software.
273. The method of claim 271, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
274. The method of claim 271, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software should be received.
275. The method of claim 271, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
276. The method of claim 271, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
277. The method of claim 271, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
278. The method of claim 271, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
279. The method of claim 271, wherein, once the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
280. The method of claim 271, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
281. The method of claim 271, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
282. The method of claim 271, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
283. The method of claim 271, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
284. The method of claim 271, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
285. The method of claim 271, wherein: the method is initiated in, response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
286. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: responsive to an identification of software already installed on the user station, presenting, at the user station, a directory of software available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station; sending to the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected responsive to the directory; and receiving from the remote computer system over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
287. The method of claim 286, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
288. The method of claim 286, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
289. The method of claim 286, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software should be received.
290. The method of claim 286, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
291. The method of claim 286, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
292. The method of claim 286, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
293. The method of claim 286, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
294. The method of claim 286, wherein, once the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
295. The method of claim 286, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
296. The method of claim 286, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
297. The method of claim 286, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
298. The method of claim 286, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
299. The method of claim 286, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
300. The method of claim 286, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
301. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: providing information enabling the user station to present a directory of software available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station based on the information and an identification of software installed on the user station; receiving at the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected responsive to the directory; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
302. The method of claim 301, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
303. The method of claim 301, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
304. The method of claim 301, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software should be received.
305. The method of claim 301, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
306. The method of claim 301, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
307. The method of claim 301, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
308. The method of claim 301, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
309. The method of claim 301, wherein, once the software is distributed to the user station, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
310. The method of claim 301, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
311. The method of claim 301, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
312. The method of claim 301, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
313. The method of claim 301, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
314. The method of claim 301, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
315. The method of claim 301, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
316. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: sending to the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected at the user station from a directory of software available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station; and receiving from the remote computer system over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
317. The method of claim 316, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
318. The method of claim 316, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
319. The method of claim 316, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software should be received.
320. The method of claim 316, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
321. The method of claim 316, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
322. The method of claim 316, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
323. The method of claim 316, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
324. The method of claim 316, wherein, once the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
325. The method of claim 316, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
326. The method of claim 316, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
327. The method of claim 316, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
328. The method of claim 316, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
329. The method of claim 316, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
330. The method of claim 316, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
331. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: receiving at the remote computer system over a communications network a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected at the user station from a directory of software available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
332. The method of claim 331, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring a user of the user station to identify the software.
333. The method of claim 331, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
334. The method of claim 331, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after a user of the user station confirms that the software should be received.
335. The method of claim 331, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
336. The method of claim 331, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
337. The method of claim 331, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
338. The method of claim 331, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
339. The method of claim 331, wherein, once the software is distributed to the user station, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
340. The method of claim 331, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
341. The method of claim 331, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
342. The method of claim 331, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
343. The method of claim 331, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
344. The method of claim 331, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
345. The method of claim 331, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
346. A computer implemented method for distributing software from a remote computer system to a user station, the method comprising: providing information, responsive to an identification of software already installed on the user station, enabling the user station to present a directory of software available for installation on the user station and not already installed on the user station; receiving, at the remote computer system over a communications network, a selection of software for distribution to the user station, wherein the selection of software is selected by a user at the user station responsive to the directory; and distributing to the user station over the communications network software indicated by the selection.
347. The method of claim 346, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software.
348. The method of claim 346, wherein the directory is provided by the remote computer system.
349. The method of claim 346, wherein the software indicated by the selection is received from the remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software should be received.
350. The method of claim 346, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system.
351. The method of claim 346, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule.
352. The method of claim 346, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the user.
353. The method of claim 346, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system, and wherein the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
354. The method of claim 346, wherein, once the software is distributed to the user station, the software is automatically installed on the user station.
355. The method of claim 346, wherein the directory describes updates to at least a portion of the software already installed on the user station.
356. The method of claim 346, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
357. The method of claim 346, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
358. The method of claim 346, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
359. The method of claim 346, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
360. The method of claim 346, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and the remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
361. The method of claim 346, wherein the directory is prepared at the user station responsive to the identification of software already installed on the user station.
362. A computer implemented method for installing a software update on a user station, the method comprising: presenting, at the user station, as a function of an identification of software already installed on the user station, a directory of software updates available for installation but not included in the software already installed on the user station; and installing a selected software update on the user station, wherein: the selected software update is selected by a user operating the user station as a function of the directory; and the selected software update is received over a network.
363. The method of claim 362, wherein the identification of software already installed on the user station is determined without requiring the user to identify the software to a remote computer system.
364. The method of claim 362, wherein information for generating the directory is provided by a remote computer system.
365. The method of claim 362, wherein the selected software update is received from a remote computer system only after the user confirms that the software update should be received.
366. The method of claim 362, wherein the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and a remote computer system.
367. The method of claim 362, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and a remote computer system; and the communication occurs according to a schedule.
368. The method of claim 362, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and a remote computer system; and the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by a user of the user station.
369. The method of claim 362, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and a remote computer system; and the communication occurs according to a schedule determined by the remote computer system.
370. The method of claim 362, wherein, once the selected software update is received from a remote computer system, the software update is automatically installed on the user station.
371. The method of claim 362, wherein the directory further provides identification of software available for installation but not installed on the user station.
372. The method of claim 362, wherein the method is facilitated using an HTML viewer at the user station.
373. The method of claim 362, wherein the communications network includes the Internet.
374. The method of claim 362, wherein the user station comprises at least one of a computer, cable television controller, video game player, information kiosk, wired personal communicator, wireless personal communicator, personal information communicator, personal digital assistant, information appliance, and system controller.
375. The method of claim 362, wherein the method is facilitated using a user interface provided at the user station by an entity associated with the software indicated by the directory.
376. The method of claim 362, wherein: the method is initiated in response to a communication between the user station and a remote computer system; and the communication is initiated by a user action.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer-implemented transport of electronic information objects. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and corresponding system for distributing updates for a plurality of different products to a plurality of uncoordinated user stations via a non-proprietary network.
Electronic publication is an exploding industry in which thousands of new products including magazines and periodicals, software applications and utilities, video games, business, legal and financial information and databases, encyclopedias and dictionaries are purchased by millions of customers. Commonly, such information products are replicated in computer-readable form on magnetic or optical storage diskettes and are box-packaged with printed manuals for distribution to retail stores and direct mail sales. These marketing practices are relatively expensive and involve a significant time lag of at least days or weeks to get a product into a consumer's hands once it is created.
Such costs and delays are generally acceptable for original, high value products such as collections of publications or software application, of which some examples are NEWSWEEK.RTM. Interactive CD-ROM, or disks, which provides a searchable audio-visual library of issues of NEWSWEEK magazine and CINEMANIA.RTM. CD-ROM which provides reviews and other information on newly released films. For time-sensitive, low-value updates, for example, the latest issue of Newsweek or last week's movie reviews, distribution in stored form, on physical media, is slow and the cost may exceed the value of the information in the product.
Thus, electronic transfer from a central computer server to a subscriber's computer over common carriers or wide area networks is an attractive proposition. Similar considerations apply to the distribution of software program updates, although cost and frequency of issue are not such serious constraints. A problem faced in both situations is that of incorporating the received material with the original material so that a filly integrated publication, information database or software program is obtained by the user.
Another class of electronically distributed information product comprises home shopping catalogues of mail order products distributed on optical or other digital data storage disks which may contain text, sound and images from printed catalogues or uniquely created material, for example software application demos. To applicant's knowledge and belief, available products lack any computer order placement capability, requiring orders to be placed by voice call.
Communication between remote computers, not directly interconnected by umbilical cable or a wired network, is enabled by a wide range of hardware devices and software drivers, utilities, applications and application modules. Telephone modems that couple a computer with the telephone network are familiar devices. RF modems that couple computers into wireless networks are less familiar but are beginning to appear in consumer devices known broadly as personal information communicators (PIC's) of which personal digital assistants (PDA's) such as Apple Corp.'s NEWTON.RTM. product are a first generation. New kinds of digital communications devices can be expected to emerge as digital technology replaces analog transmission.
General-purpose, online, modem-accessed, electronic information services, such as PRODIGY, COMPUSERVE and AMERICA ONLINE (trademarks), and some Internet services, provide wide access to timely information products from a central server, but are limited and complex. They provide no means for the integration of downloaded information with information products offered on disk or CD, and provide only rudimentary facilities for local viewing and search of downloaded files.
Such online information services provide their own user interface which is generally unlike that of a disk or CD-based information product, and can be customized very little, if at all, by a publisher using the service for product distribution.
Online services are oriented to extended online sessions which require complex user interaction to navigate and find desired information objects. Initial setup and use is rendered complex by requirements related to extended session use of data networks and the frequent need to navigate across the network, and through massive data collections, to locate desired data items. General-purpose online information services do not provide a suitable medium for electronic information publishers to distribute updates, and the like, because of limited interface flexibility, because a publisher cannot expect all their customer base to be service subscribers, and because of cost and payment difficulties. Such services are centered on monolithic processes intended for national use by millions of subscribers which processes are not readily adaptable.
Online service charging mechanisms are also inflexible and inappropriate for most individual information products, requiring monthly subscription fees of $5-10 or more, plus time charges for extended use, which are billed directly to users, after a user sign-up and credit acceptance process. Such cost mechanisms are too expensive and too complex for distribution of many products such as magazine and other low cost update products. They do not presently permit a publisher to build an access fee into a purchase price or a product subscription.
Recent press announcements from corporations such as AT&T, Lotus, Microsoft and MCI describe plans for new online services providing what are called "groupware" services to offer rich electronic mail and group collaboration functions, primarily for business organizations. Although offering multiple electronic object transport operations such services are believed to have complex setup procedures and software requirements and complex message routing features and protocols, and to lack interface flexibility. Accordingly, they are not suitable for mass distribution of low cost electronic information update products and cannot achieve the objectives of the invention.
Communications Products
Many software products exist that enable one computer to communicate with another over a remote link such as a telephone cable or the air waves, but none enables a vendor substantially to automate common carrier mass distribution of an electronic information product to a customer base employing multiple heterogenous systems with indeterminate hardware and software configurations. Two examples of popular such software products are Datastorm Technologies, Inc.'s PROCOMM (trademark) and CENTRAL POINT COMMUTE (trademark) from Central Point Software, Inc. which are commonly used to provide a variety of functions, including file transfers between, interactive sessions from, host-mode services from, and remote computer management of, mo