System and method for automatically uploading updates

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a user of an electronic device with an Automatic Upgrade Functionality (AUF), the ability to automatically upgrade software installations with a configurable amount of user interaction and interruption.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for receiving over a computer network a software
 upgrade at a user device used by a user, comprising: 
 receiving, with the user device, a user-selected download priority, wherein the user selected download priority is stored after the user-selected download priority is received; 
 receiving, with the user device, a user-selected bandwidth parameter, wherein the user selected bandwidth parameter indicates a maximum portion of a bandwidth of the user device that is less than all of the bandwidth of the user device, and wherein the user-selected bandwidth parameter is stored after the user-selected bandwidth parameter is received; 
 after the user-selected download priority and the user-selected bandwidth parameter are stored, monitoring a status of a software program on the user device by at least one of a client or a server, wherein monitoring comprises comparing the status of the software program on the user device with a status of a second software program; 
 responsive to the monitoring, automatically transmitting, with the user device, a request for a software upgrade to a service provider server, wherein the request indicates the maximum portion of the bandwidth of the user device; 
 receiving, with the user device, the requested software upgrade pursuant to a priority based on the user-selected download priority and at less than the maximum portion of the bandwidth of the user device, from the service provider server; and 
 after receiving the requested software upgrade, installing the requested software upgrade on the user device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing notice to at least one of the user, a client, a server, and a provider regarding one or more of:
 setting the download priority, 
 monitoring the status of the software program on the user device, 
 formulating a response to the request using the download priority, 
 delivering the requested software upgrade pursuant to the download priority, and 
 installing the requested software upgrade pursuant to the download priority. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 installing the software program on the user device; 
 starting the software program on the user device; and 
 setting service parameters according to a preference received from the user. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring the status of the software program on the user device further comprises automatically detecting availability of the requested software upgrade without the need for further action by the user. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring the status of the software program on the user device further comprises detecting availability of the requested software upgrade by one of a client, a server, and a provider. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring the status of the software program on the user device further comprises automatically detecting appropriateness of the requested software upgrade for installation without the need for further action by the user. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 formulating a response to the request using the download priority by accessing the download priority,
 interpreting the download priority, and 
 applying the download priority to the request for information. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the download priority is included in a service parameter that includes at least one of a source parameter, a security parameter, a compatibility parameter, a cost parameter, a timing parameter, the bandwidth parameter, and a size parameter. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the service parameter includes a timing parameter; and 
 the requested software upgrade is delivered at a time indicated by the timing parameter. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the service parameter includes a size parameter; and 
 the requested software upgrade is delivered in at least one file not exceeding a maximum file size indicated by the size parameter. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the service parameter includes a cost parameter, and the method further comprises:
 charging an account, indicated by the cost parameter, with a cost for the requested software upgrade. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the service parameter includes a compatibility parameter, the method further comprises:
 automatically assessing compatibility of the requested software upgrade with an installed program based on the compatibility parameter without the need for further action by the user. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 setting a thread priority control based on the download priority. 
 
     
     
       14. A server for updating a user device over a computer
 network, comprising: 
 a processor, 
 a network interface configured to facilitate communication with the user device over the computer network; and 
 a monitoring component, configured to remotely monitor a client on the user device; wherein 
 the processor is configured to receive a user-selected download priority from the user device; 
 the processor is also configured to receive a user-selected bandwidth parameter, wherein the user-selected bandwidth parameter indicates a maximum portion of a bandwidth of the user device that is less than all of the bandwidth of the user device; 
 the user-selected download priority is stored after the user-selected download priority is received; 
 the user-selected bandwidth parameter is also stored after the user-selected bandwidth parameter is received; 
 the monitoring component is configured to:
 automatically monitor the client after the user-selected download priority and the user-selected bandwidth parameter are stored, wherein monitoring the client comprises: monitoring a status of a software program on the user device by at least one of the user device or the server, and comparing the status of the software program on the user device to a status of a second software program, and 
 based on the monitoring of the client, produce an indication that a software upgrade for the user device is available; and 
 
 the processor is configured, responsive to indication by the monitoring component that the software upgrade for the user device is available, to transmit to the user device the software upgrade pursuant to a priority based on the user-selected download priority and at less than the maximum portion of the bandwidth of the user device. 
 
     
     
       15. The server of  claim 14 , wherein the download priority is included in a service parameter that includes at least one of a source parameter, a security parameter, a compatibility parameter, a cost parameter, a timing parameter, the bandwidth parameter, and a size parameter. 
     
     
       16. The server of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the service parameter includes a timing parameter; and 
 the software upgrade is transmitted at a time indicated by the timing parameter. 
 
     
     
       17. The server of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the processor is further configured to automatically determine the time. 
 
     
     
       18. The server of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the service parameter includes a size parameter; and 
 the software upgrade is transmitted in at least one file not exceeding a maximum file size indicated by the size parameter. 
 
     
     
       19. The server of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the service parameter includes a cost parameter; and 
 the processor is further configured to charge an account, indicated by the cost parameter, with a cost for the software upgrade. 
 
     
     
       20. The server of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the service parameter includes a compatibility parameter; and 
 the processor is further configured to assess compatibility of the software upgrade with an installed program based on the compatibility parameter. 
 
     
     
       21. A user device, comprising:
 a processor, 
 a client configured to access a server; and 
 a software upgrade component, configured to receive a user-selected download priority and a user-selected bandwidth parameter; wherein: 
 the user-selected download priority is stored after the user-selected download priority is received; 
 the user-selected bandwidth parameter is stored after the user-selected bandwidth parameter is received; 
 the software upgrade component is configured to, at a time after the user-selected download priority has been stored and the user-selected bandwidth parameter has been stored, to detect that a software upgrade for the user device is available, wherein detecting that the software upgrade for the user device is available comprises monitoring a status of a software program on the user device, and comparing the status of the software program on the user device with a status of a second software program, and responsive to detecting the software upgrade is available, to transmit a request for the software upgrade to the server; 
 the software upgrade component is configured to receive, responsive to the request transmitted by the software upgrade component, a software upgrade sent to the client, pursuant to the user-selected download priority and at less than the maximum portion of the bandwidth of the user device; and 
 the software upgrade component is configured to install the software upgrade on t he device after the software upgrade has been received. 
 
     
     
       22. The device of  claim 21 , wherein the software upgrade component is configured to install the software upgrade pursuant to a service parameter different from the download priority. 
     
     
       23. The device of  claim 22 , wherein the software upgrade component is configured to install the software upgrade at a time specified by the service parameter. 
     
     
       24. The device of  claim 21 , wherein the download priority is included in a service parameter that includes at least one of a source parameter, a security parameter, a compatibility parameter, a cost parameter, a timing parameter, the bandwidth parameter, and a size parameter. 
     
     
       25. The device of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the service parameter includes a timing parameter; and 
 the software upgrade is received at a time indicated by the timing parameter. 
 
     
     
       26. The device of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the client is further configured to automatically determine the time. 
 
     
     
       27. The device of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the service parameter includes a size parameter; and 
 the software upgrade is received in at least one file not exceeding a maximum file size indicated by the size parameter. 
 
     
     
       28. The device of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the service parameter includes a cost parameter indicating an account to charge with a cost for the software upgrade. 
 
     
     
       29. The device of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the service parameter includes a compatibility parameter enabling compatibility of the software upgrade with an installed program to be automatically assessed without further action by the user. 
 
     
     
       30. The device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the download priority specifies a thread priority; and 
 the software upgrade is received according to the thread priority. 
 
     
     
       31. The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device is one of a computer, a cellular phone, a PDA, a MP3 player, and an entertainment device. 
     
     
       32. The device of  claim 21 , wherein the software upgrade component has a thread priority based on the download priority.