Motorola Mobility, Inc. v. Microsoft Corporation

Filing 133

NOTICE by Microsoft Corporation re #126 Defendant's MOTION for Summary Judgment (Redacted) of Filing Additional Exhibits (Attachments: #1 Appendix Index to Additional Exhibits, #2 Exhibit 1103, #3 Exhibit 1104, #4 Exhibit 1106, #5 Exhibit 1107, #6 Exhibit 1108, #7 Exhibit 1109, #8 Exhibit 1113)(Miner, Curtis)

111111
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US006026366A

United States Patent
Grube
[54]

METHOD FOR PROVIDING SOFTWARE TO
A REMOTE COMPUTER

[75]

Inventor:

[73]

Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.

[21]

AppL No.: 08/950,502

[22]

Filed:

Gary W. Grube, Barrington, Ill.

Oct. 14, 1997
Related U.S. Application Data

[63]

[51]
[52]
[58]

Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/795,905, Feb. 5,
5.
1997, abandoned, which is a continuation of application No.
08/124,616, Sep. 22, 1993, abandoned.

Int. CI? ...................................................... G06F 17/30
U.S. CI. ................................................. 705/10; 705/26
Field of Search .......................................... 705/10, 26
References Cited

[56]

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,156,798
4,654,799
4,887,077
5,036,518
5,057,935
5,193,151
5,202,985
5,267,148
5,267,171
5,355,327
5,416,840
5,442,791
5,495,610
5,504,921
5,619,716
5,717,923

5/1979
3/1987
12/1989
7/1991
10/1991
3/1993
4/1993
11/1993
11/1993
10/1994
5/1995
S/1<)<)5
8/1995
2/1996
4/1996
4/1997
2/1998

Doelz ................................. 179/15 AL
Ogaki et al. ............................ 364/479
Irby, III et al. .................... 340/825.47
Tseung ...................................... 371/32
Williams ................................. 358/482
Jain ......................................... 395/200
Goyal. ...
Goyal.... ...... ... .... ... ... ...... ... ...... 395/600
Kosaka et al. .......................... 364/408
Suzuki et al. ...................... 364/479.04
Stent ct al. ......................... 364/551.01
Cane et al. .................................. 380/4
3<)5/65U
Wrabetz et al. ........................ 395/65U
Shing et al. ... ... ...... ... .... ... ... ... 395/600
Dev et al.
395/800
Nonaka et al. ......................... 395/800
Dedrick ................................... 707/102

OlliER PUBLICATIONS
Derfier, Frank J. Jr., "LAN management systems: building
workghroup solutions", PC Magazine, Nov. 28, 1989, vol.
No. v8, Issue No. n20, p. 285(11).
IBM Announcements, "Computergram International", Dec.
11, 1989, Issue No. n1324, p. 5.

ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-

[11]

Patent Number:

[45]

[19]

Date of Patent:

6,026,366
Feb. 15,2000

Brooks, Roseann McGrath, "Robo to the rescue: CIS' new
robo products address your system security and resource
accounting needs", DEC Professional, Aug. 1991, vol. No.
vl0, Issue No. n8, p. 26(1).
Ellison, Carol and Rigney, Steve, "Reap the rewards of LAN
inventory programs", PC Sources, Aug. 1992, vol. No. v3,
Issue No. n8, p. 485(7).
IBM Announcements, "Computergram International", Oct.
2, 1992, p. 15.
Examiner-lack
Primary Examiner-Jack M. Choules
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Susan L. Lukasik

[57]

ABSTRACT

A communication system (100) employs a method for
providing software to a remote computer (e.g., 116) or
network server (e.g., 114). The remote computer (or network
server) and a host computer (101) each has a radio communication device (102, 115, 117) coupled to it. The remote
computer transmits information related to the computer's
present configuration to the host computer via the remote
computer's radio communication device, wherein such
information includes information indicating software applications presently contained within the remote computer.
Based on the received configuration information, the host
computer determines whether the remote computer is in
need of software that compliments the software applications
presently contained within the remote computer. When the
remote computer is in need of such complimenting software,
the host computer selects software applications that compliment the software applications presently contained within
the remote computer and transmits a list of the complimenting software to the remote computer via the host computer's
radio communication device. Upon receiving the list of
complimenting software, the remote computer determines
whether it wants to obtain any ofthe listed software from the
host computer and, when it does, selects the desired software
from the list. The remote computer then transmits the list of
selected software to the host computer via the remote
computer's radio communication device. Subsequent to
receiving the remote computer's list, the host computer
transmits the selected software applications to the remote
computer.
14 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets

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u.s. Patent

Feb. 15,2000

6,026,366

Sheet 2 of 2

200

TRANSMIT NETWORK INFO RELATED
TO PRESENT CONFIGURATION

202

205

SELECT COMPLIMENTING
APPLICA nONS
APPLICAnONS AND
PREPARE LIST

AWAIT RECEIPT OF INFO
RELA TED
RELATED TO A SUBSEQUENT
CONFIGURATION

203

TRANSMIT LIST TO
REMOTE COMPUTER(S)

NO
206

YES
207
SELECT DESIRED
APPLICATIONS FROM THE LIST
208

TRANSMIT LIST OF SELECTED
SOFTWARE TO HOST COMPUTER
209

TRANSMIT SELECTED SOFTWARE .--_----'
SOFTWARE~
~
TO REMOTE COMPUTER(S)

FIG. 2

ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-

MOT ITC 0002680

6,026,366
1

2

person is not required to be at the site of the server, but each
communication network needs to be individually serviced
due to the limitations of the public telephone switching
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
network.
5
APPLICATIONS
In addition to the difficulties in updating software and
maintaining complimenting software in computer networks,
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
manufactures of software applications and hardware have a
08/795,905, filed Feb. 5, 1997 now abandoned, which is a
difficult time in obtaining marketing information, such as
continuation of application Ser. No. 08/124,616, filed Sep.
what software applications are being used, how often they
22, 1993 and now abandoned.
10 are used, on what types of computers, etc. With this type of
marketing information, manufacturers are more efficient in
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
providing updates and/or enhancements of software.
This invention relates generally to computer networks
However, at present, manufacturers collect such data in a
and, in particular, to a method for exchanging information
rather static fashion. For example, manufacturers use perbetween a host computer and a plurality of computers and 15 sonal polling, return warranty cards, or sales statistics to
computer networks.
acquire marketing information. With these static data collection methods, manufacturers collect only a small portion
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
of the data available which may be weeks or months old by
it is compiled.
Computer networks are known to include a plurality of 20 the time
Therefore, a need exists for a method that allows comcomputers and a server. The server typically stores shared
receive software
putcrs and computcr nctworks to casily rcccivc softwarc that
software applications and data bases which any of the
compliments software currently contained in the computer
computers may access via the network. The computers may
or network without requiring computer or network users to
be of any type, for example, they may be personal
computers, work stations, etc. Within such computer 25 continually monitor for new software releases and that
networks, each computer may communicate, via a local area 25 allows manufactures to dynamically collect marketing information regarding the structure and services being presently
network (LAN), with other computers in the network. For
used by the computer networks.
example, one computer may send an electronic mail message or a file to any other computer in the network. In
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
addition, the network allows the computers to share software 30
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a plurality of
applications, such that only one software application is
needed for a plurality of computers.
computer networks, a plurality of computers, and a host
computer coupled together through a communication netAs is also known, computer networks may be coupled to
work in accordance with the present invention.
other computer networks via telephone lines. Over such
FIG. 2 illustrates a logic diagram that may be utilized to
connections, networks may further share information and 35
implement the present invention.
utilize such services as bulletin boards and centralized data
bases. As technology continues to advance, the networks can
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
share more and more information and are hecoming larger
EMBODIMENT
and larger. With such growth, it may be difficult to maintain

METHOD FOR PROVIDING SOFTWARE TO
A REMOTE COMPUTER

current software within the network due to the frequent 40
Generally, the present invention encompasses a method
occurrence of software and hardware updates. In addition,
for providing software to a remote computer or network. The
notwithstanding the availability of office-type combinations
remote computer (or network server) and a host computer
of software, such as Microsoft Office, it may be difficult to
each has a radio communication device coupled to it. The
maintain software in the network that compliments other
remote computer transmits (e.g., periodically) information
software in the network due to the frequency at which new 45 relatcd to the computer's present configuration to thc host
related
the
thc computcr's prcscnt
software is being made available to the public. For example,
computer via the remote computer's radio communication
if a network contains a drawing software application prodevice, wherein such information includes information indiduced by a vendor and that vendor or another vendor
cating software applications presently contained within the
subsequently releases a word processing application that
remote computer. Based on the received configuration
permits drawings from the drawing application to be 50 information, the host computer determines whether the
imported into the word processing application, users of the
remote computer is in need of software that compliments the
network must keep a watchful eye on all vendors' software
software applications presently contained within the remote
releases in order to determine that the new word processing
computer. When the remote computer is in need of such
application exists. If the users inadvertently miss the
complimenting software, the host computer selects software
announcement of the new word processing application, the 55 applications that compliment the software applications presnew application will not be purchased and users of the
ently contained within the remote computer and transmits a
network may continue to have difficulty creating drawings
list of the complimenting software to the remote computer
for use in their word processing-generated reports.
via the host computer's radio communication device.
Upon receiving the list of complimenting software, the
To update software or provide complimenting software to
existing computer networks, software must be loaded at the 60 remote computer determines whether it wants to obtain any
site of the server, where trouble shooting, if needed, is
of the listed software from the host computer and, when it
does, selects the desired software from the list. The remote
carried out as well. If there are a plurality of communication
computer then transmits the list of selected software to the
networks coupled together, each computer network must be
host computer via the remote computer's radio communiserviced independently, thereby requiring a substantial
amount of effort and time to update and/or enhance the 65 cation device. Subsequent to receiving the remote computnetworks. Alternatively, updates or complimenting software
er's list, the host computer transmits the selected software
may be transmitted over telephone lines. In this case, a
applications to the remote computer.

ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-

MOT ITC 0002681

6,026,366

3

4

By providing software to remote computers in this
manner, the present invention allows software manufacturers to rapidly provide software users with up-to-date information regarding newly released software applications that
may benefit the users based on the users' current software
portfolios.
The present invention can be more fully described with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 illustrates a global
schematic of a computer area 100. The computer area 100
includes a plurality of computer networks, a plurality of
computers, and a host computer 101. Host computer 101
comprises a communication device 102, and a data base 103,
which may be RAM, disc, magnetic storage, or any other
means for storing digital information. Of the two computer
networks shown, one includes computers 104-107, which
may be any type of personal computer, workstation, or other
type of computing device. The network also includes a
server 108, which may be a supervisory computer, that is
coupled to a communication device 109. The other computer
network includes computers 110-113, a server 114 and a
communication device 115. As in the other computer
network, the computers may be personal computers or work
stations, where the server is a computer dedicated to serve
the system. Communication devices 102, 109 and 115 may
be RF radios which may be an RF radio that transceives
information over wireless communication resources or
channels.
Computer area 100 further includes separate computers
116 and 118 that are each coupled to communication devices
117 and 119. Computers 116 and 118 may be personal
computers or workstations and communication devices 117
and 119 may be RF radios. If the communication network
120 is a telephone system as opposed to a wireless communication system, communication devices 102, 109, 115,117,
and 119 would be modems.
In computer area 100, host computer 101 communicates
information over radio frequency (RF) communication
frequmcy
channels to communication devices 102, 109, 115, 117, and
119 via wireless communication network 120. In a preferred
embodiment, communication network 120 is a tmnked
communication system, a multi-site tmnked communication
system, a conventional communication system, or any communication system that transceives information over Rf
communication channels or resources. In communication
system 120, the communication channels may he frequency
carriers, pairs of frequency carriers, time division multiplex
slots, or code division orthogonal codes.
The information transmitted over the communication
channels is either network information 126 or user information127-130.
tion 127-130. Network information 126 is transmitted from
communication devices 109, 115, 117, 119 via commllllication network 120 to host computer 101, whereas user
information 127-130 is transmitted from host computer 101
commllllication
to the commlmication devices 109, 115, 117 and 119. Note
that transmission of network information 126 and user
information 127-130 is done in a conventional manner
within the specific types of communication systems. For
example, if communication system 120 is a tmnking system,
host computer 101 would need to request and receive a
communication channel to transmit user information
127-130. Similarly, a communication channel would have to
be requested and granted to transmit network information
126. Formatting of network information 126 and user information127-130
mation 127-130 may be any type that is compatible with the
system type. Thus, no further discussion will be presented on
the manner of transmission or the means for transmitting
except to facilitate the understanding of the present invention.

Network information 126 preferably includes configuration information and may also include statistical information. The configuration information contains information
regarding the platform of the network, or individual
computers, and software applications contained within the
network, or individual computers. The platform information
indicates the type of hardware contained within the network,
or within the individual computer. User information
127-130 includes software applications that compliment
software applications that are contained within the network
or individual computers. How network information 126 and
user information 127-130 are utilized and conveyed will be
discussed below.
FIG. 2 illustrates a logic diagram that may be used to
implement the present invention. At step 200, each remote
server of a computer network (or each remote computer in
a separate computer area) transmits network information to
a host computer via a radio communication channel. In a
preferred embodiment, the transmissions of network information occur periodically (e.g., once a month). As mentioned above, the network information preferably includes
information indicating the identities of the software applications presently contained within the server or computer,
and may also include statistical information or information
indicating a hardware platform of the server or computer.
Statistical information indicates how many times a particular
software application is used, how often the network or
computer is used, and any other type of statistical information that may be compiled regarding the use of the network
or computer. Hardware platform information indicates the
number of computers in the network, the types of computers,
and any other type of platform information.
Upon receiving the network information, the host computer determines (201) if any computers, or servers, (users)
(complimenting
are in need of software (complimenting software) that
compliments the software applications presently contained
presenLly
within the computer or server. The host computer may
determine that a computer or server is in need of complimenting software when the host computer determines that a
software application (e.g., a spreadsheet application) that
compliments another software application (e.g., a word
processing application) is not contained in the network
information received from the server or computer. In the
preferred emhodiment, the host computer maintains a database of complimenting software applications. Accordingly,
when the host computer receives a remote computer's
network information, the host computer compares each
software application identified in the network information
with that application's complimenting applications, if any,
stored in the database. Upon determining that the remote
computer does not have a particular complimenting
application, the host computer determines that the remote
computer is in need of complimenting software.
If no servers or computers are in need of complimenting
software, the host computer awaits (205) receipt of information related to a subsequent configuration of the computers or servers and the logic flow ends (206). If, on the other
hand, a computer or server is in need of complimenting
software, the host computer accesses its database and selects
(202) respective complimenting applications for each computer or server so in need and prepares respective lists of the
complimenting applications, including appropriate identifiers (e.g., names) of the selected applications. The host
computer then transmits (203) the lists of complimenting
software to their respective remote computer or server via a
radio communication channel. In the event that all computers or servers are in need of the same complimenting

ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-

5

10

15
15

20
20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

MOT ITC 0002682

6,026,366
5

6

(e .g.,
server or individual computers to the host computer. The
software (e.g., when multiple computers or servers at a
transmission may be initiated independently by the server, or
company transmit similar network information), the host
individual computer, on a timed basis such as once a month
computer may broadcast a single list to all such computers
or at some other interval. In addition, the transmission may
or servers instead of transmitting individual lists.
Upon receiving a list of complimenting software, the 5 ~:q~n:~~at~~r i~nrf~;~~~~o~o tt;aen;~~~s~~:pui~e s::~:~r~
~:q~n:!~at~~r
s:~~:~r~
remote computer or server (or a user thereof) determines
information, as mentioned above includes specific informa(204) whether it desires to obtain one or more of the listed
tion regarding the configuration of the networks. This type
software applications. When the computer or server does not
of network information may be compiled to provide specific
desire to obtain any of the listed software applications, the
customer information. For example, the information may
logic flow ends (206). However, when the computer or 10 indicate the type of computers that are associated with the
server does desire to obtain one or more of the listed
network, the software applications used, how often the
software applications, the computer or server selects (207)
computers are used, how often the software is used, if the
the desired applications and transmits (208) a list of selected
software is being utilized in an unauthorized manner, and the
software to the host computer. The list of selected software
number of users sharing a specific application. Upon receivtransmitted by the remote computer or server is a subset of
ing this information, the host computer can compile it to
(i.e., contains all or some portion of) the software identified 15 provide the marketing information. With such marketing
information, the manufacturers have a dynamic means for
in the list of complimenting software that was transmitted to
assessing how its product is being utilized within the market
the remote computer or server by the host computer.
place.
Once the host computer receives the list of selected
In exchange for receiving the network information, the
software from the remote computers or servers, the host
computer transmits (209) the selected software to the respec- 20 host computer provides specifiC user information
(complimenting software applications) to the networks. For
tive computers or servers. In the event that multiple comexample, upon receiving the network information, the host
putcrs or servers rcqucst thc samc softwarc, thc host comscrvcrs request the same software, the
computer may determine that a specific network does not
puter may broadcast the common software simultaneously to
have a software application that is intended to or otherwise
those computers or servers that requested it, instead of
would compliment a software application that the network
individually transmitting the software. In this manner, the 25 does have. Accordingly, the host computer transmits, over
host computer may transmit uscr information (c.g., compliuser
(e.g.,
computcr
the RF channel, the identity of the complimenting software
menting software applications) simultaneously to multiple
application and how much the application would cost. If the
servers and stand alone computers. This global transmission
user wants the complimenting application, a message is sent,
of user information maybe done simultaneously over the RF
over the RP channel, to the host computer indicating the
computers
communication channcl such that millions of computcrs 30 desire to purchase the complimenting software. In response,
may be reached at one time. This type of simultaneous
the complimenting software is transmitted, over the RF
transmission of user information is not obtainable with
channel, to the network where it can be immediately used.
public telephone switching networks unless a telephone line
In addition, when the host computer has general
is allocated to each network and computer. Thus, to achieve
information, such as a new software program is available,
the coverage that can be obtained with an RF communica- 35 the host computer only needs to transmit the message once
tion channel as disclosed by the present invention, up to
and it will be received by a multitude of computers. Thus
hundreds of telephone lines would be required.
saving the manufacturer considerable amounts of money in
The host computer may do considerably more with the
advertising and production of disks.
network information than provide specific user information.
The present invention provides a method for providing
For example, the network information may be used to verify
software to computer networks or stand alone computers.
that software applications stored at each computer network, 40 With such a method, a host computer can dynamically
or computer are authorized copies of the software applicacompile marketing information that indicates the types of
tions. If the copies are not authorized, the host computer may
hardware and software being used as well as the frequency
send a message indicating that the software is not authorized
of use, which was not available prior to this invention. In
and request that it be destroyed. The host computer may also
exchange for the network information, the host computer
transmit a message that disables the software application, or 45 can provide complimenting software either individually or
send an authorized copy of the software and bill the user of
simultaneously to a multitude of computer networks and
the computer or network. All of this can be done over an RF
computers over an RF channel. Prior to this invention such
communication channel with very little expense to the
user information could only be provided on a disk or over a
operator of the host computer. In addition to monitoring for
telephone line to one computer or one network at a time.
unauthorized copies of software applications, the host com- 50 Moreover, the present invention allows computer users to
puter may use the network information to generate user
easily stay abreast of new software releases and the
marketing reports. Because the RF channels can reach
relationship, if any, between a newly released software
literally millions of computers at one time, a tremendous
application and the software already being used by the users.
amount of data may be dynamically obtained. Thus, marI claim:
keting information that is hours old containing a substantial 55
1. A method for a host computer to provide software to a
amount of data may be used by manufactures to obtain a
remote computer, the method comprising the steps of:
much improved reading of the marketplace as to opposed to
receiving, from the remote computer via a radio commuthe prior art static methods of collecting such data.
nication device coupled to the host computer, network
As a working example of the above, consider a computer
information related to a present configuration of the
area that has several networks and several stand alone
remote computer, wherein the network information
computers. The computer networks include several 60
includes at least information indicating software applicomputers, a server and a communication device. Each of
cations presently contained within the remote comthe individual or stand alone computers is coupled to computer;
munication device, wherein the communication device can
determining, based on the network information, whether
transceive information to and from a host computer which is
the remote computer is in need of software that comalso coupled to a communication device. In such an 65
pliments the software applications presently contained
environment, network information is transmitted from timeto-time from the communication devices associated with the
within the remote computer;

ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-

MOT ITC 0002683

6,026,366
7

8

receiving, from each of the at least two remote comwhen the remote computer is in need of software that
compliments the software applications presently conputers via the radio communication device and
tained within the remote computer,
responsive to the step of transmitting the list of
selecting at least one software application that complisotlware,
complimenting software, a list of software desired by
ments the software applications presently contained 5
the respective remote computer to produce selected
within the remote computer;
software, wherein the list of software desired by the
transmitting a list of complimenting software to the
respective remote computer is a subset of the list of
remote computer via the radio communication
complimenting software;
device, wherein the list of complimenting software
determining software that is common to at least two
includes an identifier for the at least one software 10
lists of selected software to produce common
application;
selected software; and
receiving, from the remote computer via the radio
transmilling, via the radio communication device, the
transmitting,
communication device and responsive to the step of
common selected software simultaneously to the at
sotlware
transmitting the list of complimenting software, a list
least two remote computers.
of sotlware desired by the remote computer to pro- 15
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the network informaduce selected software, wherein the list of software
tion further comprises information indicating a hardware
desired by the remote computer is a subset of the list
platform of the remote computer.
of complimenting software; and
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of receiving
transmitting, via the radio communication device, the
information from each remote computer comprises the step
selected software to the remote computer.
20 of receiving information from each server computer of a
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network informamultiple computer network that includes a plurality of server
tion further comprises information indicating a hardware
computers.
platform of the remote computer.
10. A method for a remote computer to obtain software
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
from a host computer, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, from the remote computer via the radio commu- 25
transmitting, to the host computer via a radio communinication device, information related to statistical use of
cation device coupled to the remote computer, network
software applications contained within the remote computer.
information related to a present configuration of the
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of
remote computer, wherein the network information
generating user marketing reports based on the information
includes at least information indicating software applirelated to statistical use of software applications contained
cations presently contained within the remote comwithin the remote computer.
30
puter;
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving
receiving, from the host computer via the radio commuinformation from the remote computer comprises the step of
receiving information from a server computer of a multiple
nication device, a list of complimenting software that
computer network.
includes an identifier for at least one software applica6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, 35
tion that compliments the software applications preswhen the remote computer is not in need of software that
ently contained within the remote computer;
compliments the software applications presently contained
determining whether to obtain from the host computer at
within of the remote computer, awaiting receipt of informaleast one software application in the list of complimenttion related to a subsequent configuration of the remote
ing software;
computer.
40
upon determining to obtain at least one software
7. A method for a host computer to provide software to a
application,
plurality of remote computers, the method comprising the
selecting at least one software application from the list
steps of:
of complimenting software to produce selected softreceiving, from each remote computer of the plurality of
ware;
remote computers via a radio communication device 45
transmitting, via the radio communication device, a list
coupled to the host computer, network information
of selected software to the host computer, wherein
related to a present configuration of the respective
the list of selected software is a subset of the list of
remote computer, wherein the network information
complimcnting softwarc;
complimenting software; and
includes at least information indicating software applireceiving, from the host computer via the radio comcations presently contained within the respective 50
munication device, at least one software application
remote computer;
identified in the list of selected software.
determining, based on the network information, whether
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the network inforat least two remote computers are in need of software
mation further comprises information indicating a hardware
that compliments software applications presently con55 platform of the remote computer.
tained within the at least two remote computers;
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step
when at least two remote computers are in need of
of transmitting, via the radio communication device, inforsoftware that compliments software applications presmation related to statistical use of software applications
ently contained within the at least two remote
contained within the remote computer.
computers,
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the remote computer
selecting at least one software application that compli- 60 is a server computer of a multiple computer network.
60
ments the software applications presently contained
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of transwithin the at least two remote computers;
mitting network information related to a present configuratransmitting a list of complimenting software to the at
tion of the remote computer comprises the step of periodileast two remote computers via the radio communically transmitting network information related to a present
cation device, wherein the list of complimenting 65 configuration of the remote computer.
software includes an identifier for the at least one
software application;
* * * * *

ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-

MOT ITC 0002684