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:
Aug. 11, 2009
Filed:
Dec. 20, 2000
Brian J. Moore, Redmond, WA (US);
Yan Leshinsky, Bellevue, WA (US);
Brian J. Moore, Redmond, WA (US);
Yan Leshinsky, Bellevue, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A method and system that facilitates automatic software updates from an online source such as the Internet, wherein a connection to determine whether an update (e.g., a driver or software component) is available online is no longer necessary during detection time. Information stored for updates corresponding to driver and other software component detection is locally cached, whereby update information is available when no connection exists, eliminating potentially wasted connections and being particularly advantageous if occurring before the connection can be made. When a device is installed or software components are detected, instead of requiring a connection to enable updates, the cached information is evaluated to determine whether the update is available online. If so, the update is made when a connection is made and otherwise desired by the user. The user may defer making the connection, and the update may happen automatically and/or in the background on the next connection.