Method and system for delivering and securing computer game content via the internet
First Claim
1. A method for downloading game content to an end-user computer having a visual display, said end-user computer further coupled to a game distribution server via an Internet connection, said method comprising:
- presenting a list of game episodes on said visual display with an indication of available episodes and previously installed episodes, said presentation made from a game interface executing within said end-user computer;
in response to a user selection of a given one of said available episodes, transmitting a request to said game distribution server to commence purchase of said given episode; and
receiving said given episode and installing it on said end-user computer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for delivering and securing computer game content via the Internet provides a customized interface from which an end-user may purchase episodic game content wherein game content is secured to the user'"'"'s computer. A computer game interface lists game episodes that are installed on the end-user'"'"'s computer, as well as episodes that are available that have not been purchased by the end-user. The episodes that are installed may be started from the interface and episodes that are not installed may be purchased through the interface. Upon purchase of the game, a security mechanism communicates information that uniquely identifies the end-user'"'"'s computer to a server that then customizes the software before transmitting it to the end-user'"'"'s computer. The customization provides protection for game software publishers from unauthorized copying and use of the game content.
93 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for downloading game content to an end-user computer having a visual display, said end-user computer further coupled to a game distribution server via an Internet connection, said method comprising:
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presenting a list of game episodes on said visual display with an indication of available episodes and previously installed episodes, said presentation made from a game interface executing within said end-user computer;
in response to a user selection of a given one of said available episodes, transmitting a request to said game distribution server to commence purchase of said given episode; and
receiving said given episode and installing it on said end-user computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for downloading game content to an end-user computer having a visual display, said end-user computer further coupled to a game distribution server via an Internet connection, said method comprising:
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receiving a request at said game distribution server to download said game content to said end-user computer;
second receiving information uniquely identifying said end-user computer at said game distribution server;
customizing said game content at said game distribution server so that said game content is only executable on said end-user computer; and
transmitting said game content to said end-user computer, in response to completing said customizing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21)
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12. A computer program product comprising signal-bearing media containing program instructions for execution on an end-user computer, said program instructions comprising program instructions for:
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presenting a list of game episodes on said visual display with an indication of available episodes and previously installed episodes, said presentation made from a game interface executing within said end-user computer;
in response to a user selection of a given one of said available episodes, transmitting a request to said game distribution server to commence purchase of said given episode; and
receiving said given episode and installing it on said end-user computer.
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18. A computer program product comprising signal-bearing media containing program instructions for execution on a game distribution server, said program instructions comprising program instructions for:
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receiving a request at said game distribution server to download game content to an end-user computer;
second receiving information uniquely identifying said end-user computer at said game distribution server;
customizing said game content at said game distribution server so that said game content is only executable on said end-user computer; and
transmitting said game content to said end-user computer, in response to completing said customizing.
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22. A system for downloading game content, comprising:
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a network;
a game distribution server coupled to said network; and
an end-user computer having a visual display and coupled to said network, wherein said end-user computer comprises a processor for executing program instructions and a memory coupled to said processor for containing program instructions and data, wherein said program instructions present a list of game episodes on said visual display with an indication of available episodes and previously installed episodes, said presentation made from a game interface executing within said end-user computer, in response to a user selection of a given one of said available episodes, transmitting a request to said game distribution server to commence a purchase of said given episode, and receive said given episode and install it on said end-user computer. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32)
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29. A system for downloading game content, comprising:
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a network;
an end-user computer coupled to said network; and
a game distribution server coupled to said network, wherein said game distribution server comprises a processor for executing program instructions and a memory coupled to said processor for containing program instructions and data, wherein said program instructionsreceive a request at said game distribution server to download said game content to said end-user computer;
second receive information uniquely identifying said end-user computer at said game distribution server;
customize said game content at said game distribution server so that said game content is only executable on said end-user computer; and
transmit said game content to said end-user computer, in response to completing said customizing.
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Specification