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:
Dec. 09, 2008
Filed:
Nov. 26, 2003
John D. Colleran, Redmond, WA (US);
Corneliu I. Lupu, Sammamish, WA (US);
Kinshuman Kinshumann, Bellevue, WA (US);
John D. Colleran, Redmond, WA (US);
Corneliu I. Lupu, Sammamish, WA (US);
Kinshuman Kinshumann, Bellevue, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A system and method for delivering support tools to a computer user's machine, without requiring the user to directly download, install and/or execute the tools. A user in need of support contacts support and in response receives a URL corresponding to a manifest, which is a data file identifying support tools that a user's machine is to run to collect data for analysis. Via HTTP, a control mechanism on the user's machine interprets the manifest, automatically handling downloading and installation of any needed tool, and executes the tools on the machine with appropriate parameters that are present in the manifest. Data is collected, packaged and returned to a support entity, where it is analyzed such that a support solution may be returned to the user. The system and method provide efficient and consistent support to computer users, helping both support personnel while giving computer users a very straightforward support experience.