Software Selection Based on Estimated Storage Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software installation methods require manual selection and deselection of software based on available storage space, which can be inefficient and prone to exceeding storage capacity, leading to incomplete installations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that estimate available storage space and automatically select or deselect software components, using a user interface and application programming interfaces (APIs) to ensure that only mandatory software is installed, while optionally selecting additional components based on storage requirements, thereby optimizing storage usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual selection of software components is used, then the administrator has flexibility in allocating storage capacity, but the process is inefficient and prone to exceeding storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines available storage capacity and selects software components without requiring manual administrator intervention. The installer queries the target system for storage information and autonomously decides which components to install, eliminating the inefficiency of manual selection while preserving storage allocation flexibility through automated decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of available storage capacity before the installation process begins. By querying the target system in advance and calculating available space, the installer can pre-determine which software components will fit, preventing storage overflow and streamlining the subsequent installation process
2Reliability
If manual selection of software components is used, then the administrator can control storage usage, but incomplete installations occur due to exceeding storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The installer implements a feedback mechanism by querying the target system to determine actual available storage capacity and using this information to adjust software component selection. The system continuously monitors storage constraints and makes real-time decisions about which components to install, ensuring complete installations without exceeding capacity while simplifying the management process
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary automated selection process between the administrator's installation request and the actual software components installed. This intermediary automatically manages storage constraints and component selection, reducing the complexity of manual storage management while ensuring reliable, complete installations
3Extent of automation
If automated software selection is implemented, then manual intervention is reduced, but storage space estimation accuracy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary querying of the target system to obtain actual available storage capacity information before automated selection begins. By gathering accurate storage data in advance through system queries, the automated selection process can make precise decisions about which software components to install without requiring complex estimation algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The installer implements feedback by continuously querying the target system for accurate storage capacity information and using this real-time data to guide automated component selection. This feedback mechanism ensures high measurement precision in storage assessment, enabling reliable automated decisions about software installation while maintaining accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Software selection based on estimated available storage space involves determining that a data package (e.g., a software component) is not to be loaded (e.g., not to be installed) onto a storage device (e.g., a disk drive) of a computer (e.g., a target computer). This determination is based on estimated available storage capacity of the storage device (e.g., free disk space) and on a storage requirement of the optional data package (e.g., disk space required by the proposed software component). In some example embodiments, available storage capacity is estimated by an administrator (e.g., a user) and received via a user interface (e.g., a graphical window, or a data entry field).