FEATURE MANAGER SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING COMMUNICATION AND SHARED FUNCTIONALITY AMONG COMPONENTS

1 . A method of deploying computer code for a feature within a network, comprising:

searching locally for the code for the feature;

requesting the code for the feature from a server component in the network;

receiving the code for the feature from the server component; and

activating the feature.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising establishing a need for the code for the feature.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein establishing a need for the code for the feature is based on a request for the feature.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the feature comprises at least one sub-feature.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the sub-feature may be used with other features.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the code received from the server component for the feature is an upgrade to an existing feature.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising upgrading other existing features based on the code received from the server component for the feature.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the feature comprises activating all resources associated with the feature.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the code for the feature received from the server component is a mapping.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein requesting the code for the feature from a server component in the network includes at least one restriction on the feature.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one restriction on the feature is set by a user.

12 . A method of deploying computer code for a feature within a network, comprising:

searching locally for the code for the feature, wherein the feature comprises a plurality of sub-features; and

requesting the code for at least one sub-feature from a server component within the network.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

requesting the code for the feature from the sever component within the network; and

receiving information from the server component within the network about the sub-features.

14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving code for the at least one sub-feature requested from the server component within the network.

15 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving a mapping for the at least one sub-feature requested from the server component within the network.

16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising receiving a mapping for the at least one sub-feature requested from the server component within the network.

17 . A method of deploying computer code for a feature within a network, comprising:

receiving a request for the code for the feature from a first component within the network;

searching locally for the code for the feature; and

requesting the code for the feature from a second component in the network.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving the code for the feature from the second component within the network.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising determining whether the first component has capability to process the code for the feature.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein capability to process the code for the feature is based on a type of processor on the first component.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein capability to process the code for the feature is based on memory space on the first component.

22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein capability to process the code for the feature is based on an operating system on the first component.

23 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising transferring the code for the feature to the first component within the network.

24 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising encrypting the code for the feature before transferring the code for the feature to the first component within the network.

25 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising digitally signing the code for the feature before transferring the code for the feature to the first component within the network.