Software Update Agent Federation for Multi-Application Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software update mechanisms manage multiple software applications independently, leading to user inconvenience as they need to track and update each application separately, often prompting updates at inconvenient times.
Innovation Solution
A centralized software update distribution system that employs an update agent on the client device to interface with a content source authenticator, which verifies and authenticates content sources, generating authentication information for legitimate sources, allowing the update agent to check, download, and install updates from selected sources based on user preferences and behavioral conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each software application implements its own update mechanism independently, then each application can be updated according to its specific requirements, but users must track and manage multiple update mechanisms separately, increasing complexity and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent update mechanisms into a single centralized update agent that manages updates for multiple software applications. The update agent consolidates the functionality of individual application update mechanisms, allowing users to interact with a single unified interface rather than managing multiple separate update systems for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The update agent is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it checks for updates across different applications, downloads update packages, applies updates, and provides a unified user interface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate update management systems for each application while preserving application-specific update requirements through configurable policies.
2Productivity
If multiple update mechanisms run independently on the client machine, then each update can be applied according to its schedule, but updates may be prompted at inconvenient times and require separate user attention
Solution Approach 1:
The update agent operates continuously in the background, automatically checking for updates, downloading packages, and applying updates without requiring intermittent user intervention. This continuous operation ensures that updates are applied efficiently and promptly while eliminating the need for users to repeatedly check update status across multiple applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The update agent provides self-service functionality by automatically managing the entire update process for multiple applications without requiring user involvement in tracking or coordination. The system autonomously determines when updates are available, applies them according to configured policies, and handles any necessary conflicts or dependencies between different application updates.
3Ease of operation
If a centralized update management system is implemented, then users can manage multiple applications through a single interface, but the system must authenticate and coordinate with multiple content sources, increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The update agent serves as an intermediary between the user and multiple content sources. It centralizes the authentication and coordination logic, handling communications with various content sources through standardized protocols. This intermediary role simplifies the user interface while managing the underlying complexity of coordinating with multiple independent content sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages complexity by dynamically configuring authentication parameters and coordination settings based on the specific content sources being accessed. The update agent adjusts authentication tokens, expiration times, and communication protocols as needed for different content sources, allowing centralized management without requiring manual configuration of each connection detail.
Data Source
AI summary
Software update distribution techniques are disclosed. Authentication information is received, from a content source authenticator, by an update agent included in a client device. The authentication information comprises a list of a plurality of content sources, wherein the plurality of content sources have been verified by the content source authenticator as being authentic content sources for legitimate software applications. The update agent selects a first content source of the plurality of content sources, where the first content source is configured to provide updates for a first software application. The update agent checks the first content source for updates for the first software application.