Abstract: Thinning operating systems can include monitoring a number of functionalities of an operating system, the number of functionalities of the operating system being provided by a number of computing components loaded thereon. Thinning operating systems can include automatically identifying an undesired functionality of the number of functionalities during runtime and removing from the operating system at least one of the number of computing components providing the undesired functionality as a result of the automatic identification to thin the OS.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for updating software applications installed on client computing devices, creating a manifest file describing the differences between multiple versions of application archives present in an application distribution system, and coordinating an update process for updating the applications on the client computing devices are disclosed. A scheme of hard-linking to existing files, downloading new files, and erasing unwanted files can be used.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a graph model associated with a software release. The methods and systems are configured to receive a software release including a set of software packages. The software release is parsed to identify modeling information including package information, package dependency information, and function dependency information associated with each software package in the set of software packages. A graph model is generated and stored which represents the modeling information, wherein the graph model comprises a package node for each software package in the set of software packages and a function node for each function in the set of software packages.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for upgrading firmware of an energy metering device are provided. A method for upgrading firmware of an energy metering device which receives firmware from a server via a network and upgrade firmware includes: transmitting a size of a firmware segment to the server, initializing firmware upgrade, receiving a firmware segment from the server, and controlling the energy metering device to operate with received firmware in response to a request for activating firmware from the server. The server communicates with the energy metering device by using an object model obtained by object-modeling the size of a firmware segment, the firmware segment download, and the activation request.

Abstract: A method of executing a software application. A storage device stores connection data, an identifier of the software application, a context selector, and an application launcher. An execution device connects, using the connection data, to a server. The storage device transfers the context selector to the execution device, which executes it to generate a first context for the execution device. The identifier and the first context are sent to the server from which the storage device receives the software application, which is stored with the first context. The application launcher is transferred to the execution device for execution. A second context of the execution device is generated and the storage device checks if it matches the first context. If so, the storage device transfers the software application to the execution device where it is executed.

Abstract: To protect a software to be transferred to programmable electronic devices, a management system for programmable electronic devices is provided, comprising: a plurality of electronic devices (57), each identified by at least one unique identification parameter (ID) and containing at least one encryption key (Key); —at least one protected site (41) in which a protected database (45) resides, in which the unique identification parameter (ID) and the encryption key (Key) are stored for each electronic device (57); —a server (49) programmed to receive a request for transmission of a software from a device (57) and to generate an encrypted version of said software, using the encryption key (Key) associated in the database (45) with the unique identification parameter (ID) of the device (57) that has requested the transmission of said software.

Abstract: A method to manage an initial software installation and configuration script is provided. The method may include saving, by a plurality of collaboration tools, a new customization associated with the initial software installation and configuration script in an installation and configuration knowledgebase. The method may also include saving, by the plurality of collaboration tools, a new solution associated with the initial software installation and configuration script in the installation and configuration knowledgebase. The method may further include querying, by a search engine or a similarity engine, the installation and configuration knowledgebase for the new customization or the new solution based on a comparison between a criteria provided by an administrator and an index of vocabularies stored in the configuration knowledgebase related to the initial installation and configuration script.

Abstract: A frame device has a display region (e.g., an LCD) surrounded with a border region modeled to resemble a traditional picture frame. Each frame device is connected to an interconnection fabric to obtain image data from a repository and then display that data according to criteria established by an authorized user. The data repository is populated with image data via the image collection process. A user may specify filter criteria which establishes what network addresses (e.g., picture mail address) are authorized to populate the data repository. The filter criteria and other information such as the behavior characteristics of each frame device are established and/or managed via a user interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of programming a processing unit by firmware in a protocol converter for providing first data received from a telephone device in accordance with a first protocol to a headset system in accordance with a second protocol and for providing second data received from the headset system in accordance with the second protocol to the telephone in accordance with the first protocol, the operation of the protocol converter being controlled by the processing unit. The invention further relates to a protocol converter, such as an Electronic Hook Switch adapter, for providing first data received from a telephone device in accordance with a first protocol to a headset system in accordance with a second protocol and for providing second data received from the headset system in accordance with the second protocol to the telephone device in accordance with the first protocol. The headset system provides firmware to the protocol converter in accordance with the second protocol.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mobile device performs an over-the-air firmware update by writing the updated firmware to a inactive system image partition, and rebooting the device. The security of the OTA update is maintained through checking a plurality of security signatures in an OTA manifest, and the integrity of the data is maintained by checking a hash value of the downloaded system image.

Abstract: Under the present invention, prerequisites are first determined on a server for one or more OSGi bundles that are to be loaded on a client device. Once determined, the prerequisites are communicated to the client device. Upon receipt, the client device will determine whether it has/meets the prerequisites. If not, any prerequisites that the client device does not have represent resource limitations that are communicated back to the server in a response. The server will then recursively resolve the prerequisites by identifying a final set (e.g., one or more) of OSGi bundles that fulfill the prerequisites within the resource limitations of the client device. Once all prerequisites are resolved, the final set OSGi bundles can be loaded on the client device.

Abstract: The technology allows a user's demo experience to be set up and maintained remotely. Retailers and vendors may remotely manage and update the user experience on demonstration devices. A package of applications that highlight a particular device's capabilities can be selected and installed on demo versions of the particular device in stores all across the country. Usage information from the demonstration devices may be collected. With the collected information, retailers can ascertain user interest in particular devices and applications. Further, the user experience may be maintained and reset to default settings on a regular basis. Automatically resetting the experience maintains a consistent retail experience.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data processing apparatus providing a predetermined function by executing a program for the data processing apparatus, including a first storage unit that stores encoded execution starting data for starting execution of the program; a first decode key storage unit that stores a first decode key capable of decoding the encoded execution starting data; a start up unit that obtains the first decode key from the first decode key storage unit when turning on the power is accepted and decodes the encoded execution starting data by the first decode key to start executing the program; and an authentication confirmation unit that sends a request for authentication to an external apparatus after the start up unit starts executing the program and starts providing the predetermined function when obtaining an authentication result indicating the apparatus is authenticated from the external apparatus.

Abstract: A method for optimizing memory usage in a device having a universal controlling application includes receiving into the device data for use in configuring the universal controlling application wherein the data is used to identify from within a library of command code sets stored in a memory of the device a command code set that is appropriate for use in commanding functional operations of the appliance and causing a non-identified one or more of the command code sets of the library of command code sets stored in the memory of the device to be discarded to thereby create freed space in the memory of the device.

Abstract: A process for identifying functional and detailed design decisions in a core software architecture across multiple applications and clients includes comparing the results of two independent review sub processes to rapidly build an upgrade testing matrix. The two sub process include an independent functional review and a regression analysis using data extracts from historical data generated from client use of the core software architecture.

Abstract: A provisioning server can provide and interact with an eraser agent on target machines. The eraser agent can execute on one or more target machines to erase all the contents of storage on the target machines. In particular, the eraser agent can utilize secure algorithms to alter and obscure the information stored the storage devices of the target machines. The provisioning server can instruct the target machines to alter their power state (e.g. power cycle), if necessary, to provide and to initiate the eraser agent.

Abstract: A method for opening a browser includes: receiving a signal for starting up a browser and opening the browser; judging whether a locally stored first splash screen image is valid at the current time; if yes, displaying the first splash screen image, if not, displaying a local default second splash screen image; after the opening the browser, further including: sending first information to a server, wherein the first information includes client basic information and image information of the first splash screen image, wherein the client basic information includes a screen size of the client and a client attribute; receiving second information returned by the server according to the first information; and updating the locally stored first splash screen image according to the second information.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided for managing information technology devices through a network, in which a power filter can be customized to provide a dynamic and customized view of device status information, as well as to modify device settings, of the devices.

Abstract: An installer running on a computing device automates crash recovery of attended operating system installations. The installer initializes a provisioning event of an application on a computing device, presents an application configuration option for the application, receives a decision corresponding to the application configuration option, provisions the application based upon the decision, and updates an answer file with the decision. The installer also, in response to a detected provisioning event failure, generates a custom answer file, initializes a new provisioning event of the application on the computing device, detects the custom answer file, and provisions the application according to the custom answer file.

Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to updating firmware of multiple non-volatile memory devices having diverse configurations using a common update file. The non-volatile memory device may include a flash memory device having a non-volatile memory array. Particular implementations described herein relate to circuits, devices, systems, and methods that update, with a common update file, firmware residing on multiple non-volatile memory devices having diverse configurations.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for evaluating expressions in a distributed networking environment. A data object associated with an expression may be retrieved. The data object may include intermediate code that is a compiled representation of the expression. A value of an identifier included in the intermediate code may be identified. The identifier may provide information about a version of a target system for which the intermediate code was compiled. A system component may determine whether the version of the target system for which the intermediate code was compiled is a current version of the target system by analyzing the value of the identifier. The intermediate code may be regenerated if the version of the target system for which the intermediate code was compiled is not current. The intermediate code might not be regenerated if the version of the target system for which the intermediate code was compiled is current.

Abstract: Among other things, in controlling a download of one or more files from a server to a mobile device, account is taken of at least two of: an urgency of the file, the existence of a user-indicated preference about the download, a power status of the mobile device, and a network connectivity status of the mobile device.

Abstract: A communication method for a host and a wireless Internet access module, and a data card, are provided so that the host implements wireless Internet access with the wireless Internet access module of a secure digital interface. The method includes simulating each port on a wireless Internet access processing function unit in a wireless Internet access module into a secure digital card partition and reporting the secure digital card partition to a host side; receiving downlink interaction information from the host side encapsulated in a secure digital card interface format, decapsulating the downlink interaction information, and delivering the decapsulated downlink interaction information to a corresponding port; and receiving uplink interaction information reported to the host side from each port, encapsulating the received uplink interaction information in the secure digital card interface format.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus reduces downtime of the apparatus caused by firmware updates. When a function relating to an option unit not connected to the image forming apparatus is the update target, firmware of the image forming apparatus is not updated.

Abstract: A computing device is provided that includes a plurality of user-interactive mechanisms. The computing device may also include a universal communication port that is capable of receiving a connection from a device that belongs to any one of a plurality of device classes or types. The device may be equipped or configured with logic. The logic may configure or otherwise enable an operative state of user-interface mechanisms on the device. Additionally, the logic may (i) detect a connected device that connects to the universal communication port, and (ii) determine a set of functionality that the connected device is capable of performing when connected to the universal communication port. The logic may perform, or cause performance, of operations that are for use with or by the connected device.

Abstract: An authentication system for an instruction processing apparatus includes first and second authentication portions each for performing user authentication at the time of using the instruction processing apparatus, and a controller which makes the first authentication portion execute the user authentication and switches from the first authentication portion to the second authentication portion when the user authentication by the first authentication portion cannot be established.

Abstract: A non-disruptive upgrade technique involves, with (i) a first SP using first virtual SPs (VSPs) defining first environments for first host file systems, (ii) a second SP using second VSPs defining second environments for second host file systems, and (iii) an initial software version installed on each SP, processing host I/Os on the host file systems by the SPs. The technique further involves moving the first VSPs from the first SP to the second SP to provision the second SP to process host I/Os concurrently on the first and second host file systems using the first and second VSPs. The technique further involves, after moving the first VSPs from the first SP to the second SP and while the second SP processes host I/Os concurrently on the first and second host file systems using the first and second VSPs, installing a new backwards compatible software version on the first SP.

Abstract: System to automatically process components on a device. A method is provided for automatically processing components on a device. The method includes receiving a version identifier associated with an action list, determining that the version identifier is not equivalent to a stored version identifier, receiving the action list, parsing the action list to obtain a component identifier and an associated action, and performing the action on a component identified by the component identifier.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for handling hand-offs in a cloud computing environment is provided. The method includes identifying, at a cloud governance module of a server device, a plurality of applications executing on a plurality of servers belonging to a plurality of cloud computing service providers. The method includes determining, based upon information in a policy module, to hand-off an execution of at least one identified application executing on a first cloud computing service provider platform to a second cloud computing service provider, determining whether the second cloud computing service provider satisfies one or more governance policies associated with the at least one identified application, and handing-off the execution of the at least one identified application to a second cloud computing provider platform based upon the second cloud computing provider being compliant with the one or more governance policies associated with the at least one identified application.

Abstract: A cloud computing system can be used to transparently reduce the storage space of an application on a client device. An application can be installed with a minimal set of application resource files. The remaining application resource files can be replaced with application resource file placeholders, which can have the appearance of application resource files but are in fact empty files. When an application requests an application resource file, an application resource file retrieval process installed on the client device can detect the difference between an application resource file and an application resource file placeholder. The application resource file retrieval process can trigger a fault in response to detecting an application resource file placeholder, which causes the client device to obtain the requested application resource file from a remote storage location, such as cloud-based storage. Additionally, installed application resource files can be replaced with application resource file placeholders.

Abstract: Provided are an a display apparatus, a system and a control method thereof for a display apparatus, comprising: a video signal processing unit which processes a video signal; a display unit which displays the processed video signal; a storage unit which stores ID information of the display apparatus; a communication unit which performs network communication based on an internet protocol (IP) with an external apparatus; and a control unit which downloads an application program determined to correspond to the ID information transmitted through the communicating unit from the external apparatus to execute the application program so that a predetermined function can be performed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for database record recovery. A method may include determining a target database record format. The method may further include using the target database record format to evaluate source data for presence of database records matching the target database record format. The method may additionally include, in an instance in which a database record is determined, based on the evaluation, to be present in the source data, recovering the database record from the source data. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A technique for providing an improved way to update the nodes of a wireless mesh network is described. An upgrade engine executing on a server connected to the wireless mesh network determines a topology of the network, subdivides the network into a plurality of clusters based on the topology of the network, and seeds a small number of nodes within each cluster. The upgrade engine manages the upgrade process, notifying particular nodes within each cluster when to search for an upgrade package (e.g., an image of a new firmware) stored in an adjacent node. The upgrade engine also monitors success and failure of each node and delivers the upgrade package to a node directly when the node fails to download the upgrade package from an adjacent node within the network.

Abstract: A system and method for bucket testing includes: retrieving a user's information from a user in a bucket testing group when a request to serve a web page is received; determining from the user's information if the user has an active bucket identifier associated with the user's account in a persistent store; retrieving bucket parameters from the user's information when it is determined that the user has an active bucket identifier; determining if the bucket parameters are within a range assigned to the bucket testing group; passing the bucket parameters to the server; and loading configuration and files associated with the active bucket identifier.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a remote computing device, an update request, the update request including a first signature corresponding to a client-side application package that is stored at the remote computing device. The method also includes identifying a first server-side application package using the first signature. The method also includes generating a differential update package using the first server-side application package and a second server-side application package as inputs, wherein the differential update package, when applied to the client side application package, is operable to modify to the client-side application package such that it is functionally equivalent to the second server-side application package.

Abstract: A system and method allow a user to extract the set of customizations performed on an application and use these to estimate the time and effort and cost of (a) migrating to a new version of the application and/or (b) consolidating systems. The user can browse the extracted data and select configuration elements for re-use. After downloading the one or more configurations and comparing them, the user selects elements of the configurations for re-use. The first step is to scan one or more application systems and extract the configuration data using a surveyor. The method according to the invention automatically identifies configuration differences. The user then selects configuration elements for re-use. A graphic user interface (GUI) can be provided which allows the user to make these selections by dragging and dropping selected elements to a “To Be” configuration. The selected configurations are then uploaded and installed on an instance of the application.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to message-based installation management using a message bus. In embodiments, a deployment server or other provisioning host can be connected to a resource via a message bus. A processor monitors the bus message traffic to detect a message activity. The processor generates an installation command to cause a software installation in a managed network in view of the message activity detected on the message bus.

Abstract: In order to provide additional functionalities in an infotainment system of a motor vehicle, a method for providing a signal output, in which a main file is transmitted that refers to secondary files and indicates an identifier related to each secondary file. The identifier can be calculated upon receipt of the main file (for example in the motor vehicle) for a secondary file already provided in the motor vehicle and compared with the identifier contained in the main file. Thus, the secondary file does not need to be downloaded every time, but can be provided in a buffer memory. The identifier shows if the secondary file provided is the most recent version thereof.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for determining whether a newer firmware version is available for the card reader or whether a download of such a firmware needs to be completed, and in response to determining such a download is needed, performing a download of the firmware via the audio plug during periods of inactivity.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a package holding section; a package designation receiving section; and a program creating section. The package holding section holds a plurality of packages each containing: a command to output to an image forming apparatus an instruction to perform an operation performable by the image forming apparatus or a designation of a setting value for an item adjustable in the image forming apparatus, the setting value indicating an operating level of an operation shown by the item; and image data showing the operation for which the command instruction to perform is intended or the item for which the command designates the setting value. The package designation receiving section receives a designation of packages and an order of execution of the packages. The program creating section uses the designated packages to create a program for executing the commands in the packages in the designated order of execution.

Abstract: Provided is a method of a host device managing at least one external device connected to the host device through a management server. The method includes: obtaining measurement information measured by the at least one external device; requesting authorization by the management server; transmitting the obtained measurement information to the management server when the authentication succeeds; receiving management information for managing the at least one external device, where the management information is generated based on the measurement information by the management server; and managing the at least one external device based on the received management information.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for performing automatic enterprise software upgrades is presented. An install agent application of a target system authorizes a centralized controller to securely communicate with the target system. The install agent downloads an upgrade for an enterprise software application installed on said target system from the centralized controller and executes the upgrade for an enterprise software application installed on the target system.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for a sentiment action process. Electronic feedback reports about a version of a product are received over a network from one or more users of a plurality of users. Sentiment of at least a portion of the electronic feedback reports about the version of the product is analyzed. The sentiment of at least the portion of the electronic feedback reports about the version of the product is determined to have reached a threshold. In response to determining that the sentiment of at least the portion of the electronic feedback reports about the version of the product has reached the threshold, the version of the product is automatically changed to a second version of the product.

Abstract: A method for replacing an illegitimate copy of a software program with a legitimate copy is provided, the method including: determining metadata of a first software program running on a computer; transmitting a patch from a first server to the computer, if the metadata does not correspond to metadata of a legitimate copy of the software program; generating a second software program by replacing at least a part of the first software program with the patch; displaying a graphical user interface using code components of the patch and asking a user for an authentication token; acquiring the authentication token from a second server; verifying the authentication token; and labeling the second software program as a legitimate copy if the authentication token is verified. A corresponding system is also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electric tool, particularly a hand-held power tool, comprising a control unit which has control software with control parameters, and is provided for the purpose of controlling a drive unit. According to the disclosure, said electric tool comprises an interface unit that is provided to fundamentally update and/or modify the control software and/or the control parameters.

Abstract: One or more bookkeeping nodes may receive a request to deploy update information from a requesting node. The bookkeeping node(s) may determine whether to authorize the requesting node to deploy the update information based at least in part on one or more deployment parameters. If authorized, the requesting node may download the update information from one or more download nodes.

Abstract: A computing device configured for installing an operating system is described. The computing device includes a storage device, a processor and instructions stored in memory. The computing device begins writing an operating system image to a storage device. One or more current storage device driver files are downloaded. The computing device injects one or more current storage device drivers obtained from the one or more current storage device driver files without first booting an operating system obtained from the operating system image.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for updating software deployed on computers in an enterprise computer network wherein each computer has a software update agent installed to enable the computer to receive software patch updates. The method includes determining a required software component and updates; determining a version of the agent and updating the agent if required; selecting a server from which required updates are to be downloaded; scanning a plurality of software components on a selected computer and comparing the components with updates available on the server to determine required updates; downloading the required patches from the server; and installing the patches on the selected computer. The system includes components that perform the method steps when operated on a computer in the network. A computer readable medium implements the method for updating software deployed on computers in a network.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to framework versioning for a mobile computing device. The described embodiments may include a web browser, a plurality of application frameworks, one or more applications compatible with one or more of the plurality of application frameworks, and a loader module operative to select and load one of the plurality of application frameworks into the web browser for each of the one or more applications based on an identifier in each of the one or more applications. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for generating a Set Top Box (STB) code download step sequence includes the steps of retrieving a code object from a Software Download Generator (SDG) memory in response to an instruction signal, generating at least one of a control message and a decoder conditional command using a SDG processor in response to the code object, accessing information in a channel map in the SDG memory, combining the at least one of a control message and a decoder conditional command with the code object to generate the STB code download step sequence for a target STB, transmitting the at least one STB code download step sequence from the SDG memory to a Digital Addressable Controller (DAC), re-transmitting the STB code download step sequence from the DAC to a Remote Addressable DANIS/DLS (RADD), and re-transmitting the STB code download step sequence from the RADD to the target STB.