Pre-heated Software Installation Background Update
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional installation of software updates on computing systems is time-consuming and disrupts ongoing processes, leading users to postpone updates, as they interfere with current applications and require significant user intervention.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where software updates are automatically downloaded and pre-installed in the background without interfering with user interactions, allowing partial installation in a reserved area, with user notification and approval before completing the update process, enabling seamless integration and minimizing user disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software updates are installed traditionally, then the system is updated to the latest version, but the installation process takes a long time and disrupts ongoing user processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by downloading and pre-installing update packages in the background before the user actually needs them. The system proactively retrieves update information, downloads packages, and prepares installation files during idle periods or background operations, so that when update installation is triggered, it completes much faster since the heavy lifting of downloading and initial setup has already been done.
Solution Approach 2:
The update installation process is segmented into distinct phases: background download phase, pre-installation phase, and final installation phase. By dividing the traditionally monolithic update process into these segments, the system can perform resource-intensive operations (downloading, extraction, validation) in the background without blocking user workflows, while the final installation phase is minimized and can be completed quickly with user approval.
2Reliability
If software updates are installed traditionally, then the system is updated, but ongoing applications and processes are disrupted or interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions (downloading, validation, preparation of update packages) during background operations when user processes are not actively running. This timing strategy ensures that resource-intensive update preparation does not compete with or disrupt foreground user applications, maintaining ease of operation while still achieving reliable updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary background service or update manager that acts as a mediator between the update source and user applications. This intermediary handles all the heavy lifting of update retrieval, validation, and preparation in isolation, preventing direct interference with user processes while still enabling smooth update deployment when needed.
3Reliability
If users wait for update installation to complete before using the system, then updates are applied, but users must postpone their work
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary update preparation actions in the background during periods when user productivity is not impacted. By downloading and preparing update packages during idle times or low-utilization periods, the system ensures updates are ready for rapid installation without requiring users to postpone their work, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The update system maintains continuity of useful action by operating in parallel with user workflows. Background download and preparation operations continue alongside user productivity activities without interruption, and the final installation can be quickly completed with minimal user involvement, ensuring both update reliability and continuous user productivity.
4Extent of automation
If full installation is performed immediately, then updates are applied, but users cannot review or approve specific updates before installation
Solution Approach 1:
The update process is segmented into automatic background preparation and a user approval stage. The system automatically downloads, validates, and prepares update packages in the background, then presents a curated list of ready-to-install updates to the user for review and approval. This segmentation enables both high automation in the preparation phase and user control in the deployment phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by presenting prepared update information to the user for review before final installation. Users can see what updates are available, review their descriptions and implications, and provide explicit approval or rejection feedback. This feedback loop maintains user control while the system handles the complex automated preparation work in the background.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of a method and an apparatus for pre-heated software installation have been presented. In one embodiment, packages of updates to software are downloaded from a remote source to a computing system in a background operation of a computing environment in the computing system. Then installation of the packages of the updates is initiated automatically in the background operation in an isolated manner without committing to the software updates.