Distribution management of intelligent agents using distribution control information

Abstract

An apparatus, program product, and method utilize distribution control information associated with intelligent agents to manage the distribution of such intelligent agents. Such distribution management may be incorporated into a dynamic, automated, extensible and flexible intelligent agent-based product support “framework” to facilitate the provision of product support services to customers of computer-related products. In such a framework, agent platforms may be utilized on both a customer computer and a product support computer, with different agents configured to execute on one or both of such computers.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 (a) a memory within which is resident a plurality of intelligent agents and distribution control information associated with each intelligent agent that defines distribution rights for such intelligent agent; and    (b) program code configured to control distribution of an intelligent agent in response to a request to access such intelligent agent based upon the distribution control information associated with such intelligent agent.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the program code is further configured to set distribution control information for an intelligent agent in connection with publishing the intelligent agent.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the distribution control information is disposed in a header for each intelligent agent.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution control information defines a publishing level that prohibits distribution of an intelligent agent to another computer.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution control information defines a publishing level that permits distribution of an intelligent agent to another computer only in response to authorization from product support personnel.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of intelligent agents are each configured to perform product support operations in connection with supporting a computer-related product, and wherein the distribution control information identifies a first intelligent agent as an internal agent configured to execute on a product support computer, and a second intelligent agent as an external agent configured to execute on a customer computer configured to utilize the computer-related product.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the distribution control information further identifies a third intelligent agent as a base agent associated with a particular release of the computer-related product.  
     
     
         8 . A method of controlling distribution of an intelligent agent, the method comprising: 
 (a) maintaining in a memory distribution control information that defines distribution rights to each of a plurality of intelligent agents; and    (b) controlling distribution of an intelligent agent among the plurality of intelligent agents in response to a request to access such intelligent agent based upon the distribution control information associated with such intelligent agent.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising setting distribution control information for an intelligent agent in connection with publishing the intelligent agent.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the distribution control information is disposed in a header for each intelligent agent.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the distribution control information defines a publishing level that prohibits distribution of an intelligent agent to another computer.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the distribution control information defines a publishing level that permits distribution of an intelligent agent to another computer only in response to authorization from product support personnel.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of intelligent agents are each configured to perform product support operations in connection with supporting a computer-related product, and wherein the distribution control information identifies a first intelligent agent as an internal agent configured to execute on a product support computer, and a second intelligent agent as an external agent configured to execute on a customer computer configured to utilize the computer-related product.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the distribution control information further identifies a third intelligent agent as a base agent associated with a particular release of the computer-related product.  
     
     
         15 . A program product, comprising: 
 (a) an intelligent agent;    (b) a header associated with the intelligent agent, the header including distribution control information that defines distribution rights to the intelligent agent; and    (c) a signal bearing medium bearing the header and the intelligent agent.    
     
     
         16 . The program product of  claim 15 , wherein the header is defined in a markup language.  
     
     
         17 . The program product of  claim 16 , wherein the header is defined in XML.  
     
     
         18 . A program product, comprising: 
 (a) program code configured to control distribution of an intelligent agent in response to a request to access such intelligent agent by accessing distribution control information associated with such intelligent agent, wherein such distribution control information defines distribution rights for such intelligent agent; and    (b) a signal bearing medium bearing the program code.    
     
     
         19 . The program product of  claim 18 , wherein the signal bearing medium includes at least one of a transmission medium and a recordable medium.  
     
     
         20 . The program code of  claim 18 , wherein the program code is configured to access the distribution control information for such intelligent agent by accessing a header associated with such intelligent agent, wherein the header is defined in a markup language.