US6205579B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for providing remote software technical support
Assignee: Altera Corp
•
Filing: 1997-10-27
•
Granted: 2001-03-20
•
Expires: 2017-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A method for upgrading software is described. According to the invention, in response to operation of the software on a first platform, a connection is established between the first platform and a remote platform. Where first version data associated with the software are different from second version data from the remote platform, a portion of the software is overwritten with first updated code from the remote platform.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy J. Southgate
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/317; G01R31/3177; G01R31/3181; G01R31/3185; G01R31/318516; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0706; G06F11/0748; G06F11/22; G06F11/2294; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/32; G06F30/33; G06F30/3308; G06F30/331; G06F30/34; G06F30/347; G06F8/65; G06F8/70; G06F8/71; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/10; G06F2111/00; G06F2111/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953; Y10S707/99954
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for upgrading first software comprising: in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where first version data associated with the first software are different from second version data from the remote platform, overwriting a first portion of the first software with first updated code from the remote platform; and where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, overwriting a second portion of the first software with second updated code.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for upgrading first software comprising: in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where first version data associated with the first software are different from second version data from the remote platform, overwriting a first portion of the first software with first updated code from the remote platform; and where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, overwriting a second portion of the first software with second updated code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first software comprises a plurality of software modules, and wherein the overwriting occurs for each of the plurality of software modules for which the first and second version data are different.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising downloading the known error data from the remote platform to the first platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein establishing the connection comprises establishing an Internet connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising determining whether access to the Internet is available.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising obtaining authorization from a user of the first software to establish the connection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising, where authorization is not obtained, providing software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising shutting down operation of the first software before overwriting the first portion of the first software.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising, after overwriting the first portion of the first software, running a software diagnostic routine on the first software.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising downloading the first version data from the remote platform to the first platform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
At least one computer readable medium containing program instructions for upgrading first software, said at least one computer readable medium comprising: computer readable code for, in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; computer readable code for, where first version data associated with the first software are different from second version data from the remote platform, overwriting a first portion of the first software with first updated code from the remote platform; and computer readable code for, where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, overwriting a second portion of the first software with second updated code.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
117 words
At least one computer readable medium containing program instructions for upgrading first software, said at least one computer readable medium comprising: computer readable code for, in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; computer readable code for, where first version data associated with the first software are different from second version data from the remote platform, overwriting a first portion of the first software with first updated code from the remote platform; and computer readable code for, where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, overwriting a second portion of the first software with second updated code.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing sequences of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause said at least one processor to upgrade first software by: in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where first version data associated with the first software are different from second version data from the remote platform, overwriting a first portion of the first software with first updated code from the remote platform; and where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, overwriting a second portion of the first software with second updated code.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing sequences of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause said at least one processor to upgrade first software by: in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where first version data associated with the first software are different from second version data from the remote platform, overwriting a first portion of the first software with first updated code from the remote platform; and where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, overwriting a second portion of the first software with second updated code.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions corresponding to first software, the first software having been upgraded according to a method comprising: in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where first version data associated with the first software are different from second version data from the remote platform, overwriting a first portion of the first software with first updated code from the remote platform; and where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, overwriting a second portion of the first software with second updated code.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions corresponding to first software, the first software having been upgraded according to a method comprising: in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where first version data associated with the first software are different from second version data from the remote platform, overwriting a first portion of the first software with first updated code from the remote platform; and where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, overwriting a second portion of the first software with second updated code.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for troubleshooting first software comprising: in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, overwriting a portion of the first software with updated code; where the error does not correspond to the known error data, uploading data files associated with the first software from the first platform to the remote platform via the connection; and reproducing the error on the remote platform using the data files.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for troubleshooting first software comprising: in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, overwriting a portion of the first software with updated code; where the error does not correspond to the known error data, uploading data files associated with the first software from the first platform to the remote platform via the connection; and reproducing the error on the remote platform using the data files.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising downloading the known error data from the remote platform to the first platform.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 wherein establishing the connection comprises establishing an Internet connection.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising determining whether access to the Internet is available.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising obtaining authorization from a user of the first software to establish the connection.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising, where authorization is not obtained, providing software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising shutting down operation of the first software before overwriting the first portion of the first software.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising, after overwriting the first portion of the first software, running a software diagnostic routine on the first software.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising obtaining authorization from a user of the first software for uploading the data files.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising, where authorization is not obtained, providing software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising, before uploading the data files, compiling information from the first platform regarding the data files.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for troubleshooting first software comprising: in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, overwriting a portion of the first software with updated code; and where the error does not correspond to the known error data, operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby reproducing the error on the first platform.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for troubleshooting first software comprising: in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, overwriting a portion of the first software with updated code; and where the error does not correspond to the known error data, operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby reproducing the error on the first platform.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising obtaining authorization from a user of the first software for operating the first software from the remote platform.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 further comprising, where authorization is not obtained, providing software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
116 words
At least one computer readable medium containing program instructions for troubleshooting first software, said at least one computer readable medium comprising: computer readable code for, in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; computer readable code for, where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, overwriting a portion of the first software with updated code; and computer readable code for, where the error does not correspond to the known error data, operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby reproducing the error on the first platform.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
116 words
At least one computer readable medium containing program instructions for troubleshooting first software, said at least one computer readable medium comprising: computer readable code for, in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; computer readable code for, where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, overwriting a portion of the first software with updated code; and computer readable code for, where the error does not correspond to the known error data, operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby reproducing the error on the first platform.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
116 words
A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing sequences of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause said at least one processor to troubleshoot first software by: in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, overwriting a portion of the first software with updated code; and where the error does not correspond to the known error data, operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby reproducing the error on the first platform.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
116 words
A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing sequences of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause said at least one processor to troubleshoot first software by: in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, overwriting a portion of the first software with updated code; and where the error does not correspond to the known error data, operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby reproducing the error on the first platform.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
105 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions corresponding to first software, the first software having been troubleshot according to a method comprising: in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, overwriting a portion of the first software with updated code; and where the error does not correspond to the known error data operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby reproducing the error on the first platform.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
105 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions corresponding to first software, the first software having been troubleshot according to a method comprising: in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, establishing a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, overwriting a portion of the first software with updated code; and where the error does not correspond to the known error data operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby reproducing the error on the first platform.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for upgrading first software comprising: providing the first software including a first software module which, in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, is operable to establish a connection between the first platform and a remote platform, the first software having first version data associated therewith; where the first version data differ from second version data from the remote platform, transmitting first updated code from the remote platform to the first platform via the connection for overwriting a first portion of the first software; and transmitting the second version data from the remote platform to the first platform for comparison with the first version.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for upgrading first software comprising: providing the first software including a first software module which, in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, is operable to establish a connection between the first platform and a remote platform, the first software having first version data associated therewith; where the first version data differ from second version data from the remote platform, transmitting first updated code from the remote platform to the first platform via the connection for overwriting a first portion of the first software; and transmitting the second version data from the remote platform to the first platform for comparison with the first version.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the first software comprises a plurality of software modules, and wherein updated code is transmitted for each of the plurality of software modules for which the first and second version data are different.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 31 further comprising, where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, transmitting second updated code for overwriting a second portion of the first software.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 33 further comprising transmitting the known error data from the remote platform to the first platform.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the connection comprises an Internet connection.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the first software module is operable to determine whether access to the Internet from the first platform is available.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the first software module is operable to solicit authorization from a user of the first software to establish the connection.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the first software module is operable to shut down operation of the first software before the first portion of the first software is overwritten.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 31 further comprising, after the first portion of the first software is overwritten, running a software diagnostic routine on the first software.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for upgrading first software comprising: providing the first software including a first software module which, in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, is operable to establish a connection between the first platform and a remote platform, the first software having first version data associated therewith: where the first version data differ from second version data from the remote platform, transmitting first updated code from the remote platform to the first platform via the connection for overwriting a first portion of the first software wherein the first software module is operable to solicit authorization from a user of the first software to establish the connection, and where the authorization is not obtained, to provide software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for upgrading first software comprising: providing the first software including a first software module which, in response to operation of the first software on a first platform, is operable to establish a connection between the first platform and a remote platform, the first software having first version data associated therewith: where the first version data differ from second version data from the remote platform, transmitting first updated code from the remote platform to the first platform via the connection for overwriting a first portion of the first software wherein the first software module is operable to solicit authorization from a user of the first software to establish the connection, and where the authorization is not obtained, to provide software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for troubleshooting first software comprising: providing the first software including a first software module which, in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, is operable to establish a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, transmitting updated code from the remote platform to the first platform via the connection for overwriting a portion of the first software; where the error does not correspond to the known error data, uploading data files associated with the first software from the first platform to the remote platform via the connection; and attempting to reproduce the error on the remote platform using the data files.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for troubleshooting first software comprising: providing the first software including a first software module which, in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, is operable to establish a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, transmitting updated code from the remote platform to the first platform via the connection for overwriting a portion of the first software; where the error does not correspond to the known error data, uploading data files associated with the first software from the first platform to the remote platform via the connection; and attempting to reproduce the error on the remote platform using the data files.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 41 further comprising transmitting the known error data from the remote platform to the first platform.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the connection comprises an Internet connection.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the first software module is operable to determine whether access to the Internet from the first platform is available.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the first software module is operable to solicit authorization from a user of the first software to establish the connection.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the first software module is operable to shut down operation of the first software before the first portion of the first software is overwritten.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 41 further comprising, after the first portion of the first software is overwritten, running a software diagnostic routine on the first software.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the first software module is operable to solicit authorization from a user of the first software for uploading the data files.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 41 further comprising, before uploading the data files, compiling information from the first platform regarding the data files.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 41 further comprising, where the error does not correspond to the known error data, operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby attempting to reproduce the error on the first platform.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the first software module is operable to solicit authorization from a user of the first software for operating the first software from the remote platform.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the first software module is operable, where the authorization is not obtained, to provide software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for troubleshooting first software comprising: providing the first software including a first software module which, in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, is operable to establish a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, transmitting updated code from the remote platform to the first platform via the connection for overwriting a portion of the first software wherein the first software module is operable to solicit authorization from a user of the first software to establish the connection; and where the authorization is not obtained, to provide software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for troubleshooting first software comprising: providing the first software including a first software module which, in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform, is operable to establish a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, transmitting updated code from the remote platform to the first platform via the connection for overwriting a portion of the first software wherein the first software module is operable to solicit authorization from a user of the first software to establish the connection; and where the authorization is not obtained, to provide software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for troubleshooting first software comprising: providing the first software including a first software module which, in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform is operable to establish a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, transmitting updated code from the remote platform to the first platform via the connection for overwriting a portion of the first software wherein the first software module is operable to solicit authorization from a user of the first software for uploading the data files; and where the authorization is not obtained, to provide software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for troubleshooting first software comprising: providing the first software including a first software module which, in response to an error in operation of the first software on a first platform is operable to establish a connection between the first platform and a remote platform; where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, transmitting updated code from the remote platform to the first platform via the connection for overwriting a portion of the first software wherein the first software module is operable to solicit authorization from a user of the first software for uploading the data files; and where the authorization is not obtained, to provide software support information to the user of the first software.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
112 words
A computer system comprising: a central processing unit; a display; a keyboard; and memory having software stored therein including a software module which, in response to operation of the software on the computer system, is operable to establish a connection between the computer system and a remote platform, the software having first version data associated therewith, the software module also being operable, where the first version data differ from second version data from the remote platform, to overwrite a portion of the software with updated code and where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, overwriting a second portion of the first software with second updated code.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
112 words
A computer system comprising: a central processing unit; a display; a keyboard; and memory having software stored therein including a software module which, in response to operation of the software on the computer system, is operable to establish a connection between the computer system and a remote platform, the software having first version data associated therewith, the software module also being operable, where the first version data differ from second version data from the remote platform, to overwrite a portion of the software with updated code and where known error data from the remote platform correspond to the first software, overwriting a second portion of the first software with second updated code.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
114 words
A computer system comprising: a central processing unit; a display; a keyboard; and memory having software stored therein including a software module which, in response to an error in operation of the software on the computer system, is operable to establish a connection between the computer system and a remote platform, the software module also being operable, where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, to overwrite a portion of the software with updated code and where the error does not correspond to the known error data, operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby reproducing the error on the first platform.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
114 words
A computer system comprising: a central processing unit; a display; a keyboard; and memory having software stored therein including a software module which, in response to an error in operation of the software on the computer system, is operable to establish a connection between the computer system and a remote platform, the software module also being operable, where the error corresponds to known error data from the remote platform, to overwrite a portion of the software with updated code and where the error does not correspond to the known error data, operating the first software on the first platform from the remote platform via the connection, thereby reproducing the error on the first platform.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-19 | 2004-09-18 | 2005-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-19 | 2008-09-18 | 2009-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-19 | 2012-09-18 | 2013-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |