The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 18, 1996
Benjamin W Slivka, Clyde Hill, WA (US);
Jeffrey S Webber, Kirkland, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
Creators of computer software provide the most up-to-date versions of their computer software on an update service. A user who has purchased or downloaded free computer software calls an update service or a network service provider (e.g., an Internet provider) on a periodic basis. The update or network service automatically inventories the user computer to determine what computer software (e.g., a network browser) may be out-of-date, and/or need maintenance updates. If so desired by the user, the update service computer automatically downloads with a secure software transfer process and installs computer software to the user computer. By making periodic calls to an update or network service, the user always has the most up-to-date computer software immediately available. The update or network service may also alert the user to new products (i.e. including new help files, etc.), and new and enhanced versions of existing products which can be purchased electronically by a user and transferred immediately from the update or network service.