Incentive system for distributing software over a computer network
First Claim
1. A method of distributing software over a computer network, comprising:
- offering access to electronic content as an incentive for installing software on a client device;
receiving a network request from a client device to download the content to the client device;
verifying that the software is installed on the client device;
sending the requested content to the client device over the network if the software is installed on the client device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer network is used to distribute software and a user is provided with non-monetary incentive to download and install the software. Electronic content is offered as an incentive for installing software on a client device. The electronic content may be offered using a Web page that includes a hyperlink that a user can select to request the content. When a server device receives a request from a client device to download the content from to the client device, the server device verifies that the software is installed on the client device. The server device then downloads the requested content to the client device if the software is installed on the client device.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of distributing software over a computer network, comprising:
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offering access to electronic content as an incentive for installing software on a client device;
receiving a network request from a client device to download the content to the client device;
verifying that the software is installed on the client device;
sending the requested content to the client device over the network if the software is installed on the client device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of obtaining software over a computer network, comprising:
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receiving an offer to obtain electronic content as an incentive for installing software on a client device;
sending a request to a server device to obtain the electronic content;
granting permission to install the software on the client device on the condition that access to the electronic content is granted;
installing the software on the client device;
receiving access to the electronic content. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A program product for use in a computer device that executes program steps recorded in a computer-readable media to perform a method of distributing software over a computer network, the program product comprising:
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a recordable media; and
computer-readable instructions recorded on the recordable media, comprising instructions executable by the computer to perform operations comprising;
examining a registry of a client device to determine whether a required software application is loaded on the client device;
prompting a user for permission to install the required software on the client device if it is determined that the required software is not yet installed on the client device;
downloading the required software from a server computer if the user grants permission to install the required software;
installing the required software on the client computer;
providing access to a server computer through which electronic content can be obtained as a result of the installation of the required software.
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20. A system for distributing software over a computer network, the system comprising:
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a memory in which instructions and data are stored; and
a processor, coupled to the memory, such that the processor receives the instructions stored in the memory and executes the instructions to perform operations comprising;
offering access to electronic content as an incentive for installing software on a client device;
receiving a request from a client device to download the content to the client device;
verifying that the software is installed on the client device;
sending the requested content to the client device if the required software is installed on the client device.
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21. A program product for use in a computer device that executes program steps recorded in a computer-readable media to perform a method of distributing software over a computer network, the program product comprising:
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a recordable media; and
computer-readable instructions recorded on the recordable media, comprising instructions executable by the computer to perform operations comprising;
offering access to electronic content as an incentive for installing software on a client device;
receiving a request from a client device to download the content to the client device;
verifying that the software is installed on the client device;
sending the requested content to the client device if the required software is installed on the client device.
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Specification