Data management method using communication network and data management device

• US 20050227767A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, Inc. (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, Inc. (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Kaneko, Hiromasa, Tamada, Yuko, Shimomura, Satoshi
• Application Number:
  US10/851,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20050227767A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/556 Player lists, e.g. online players, buddy list, black list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location

Abstract

A unique ID 35 by which a distribution region can be identified is attached to a use-permission certificate 33 distributed in different regions. Different terminal devices send unique terminal device IDs to a data management device. Based on these IDs, the region in which the terminal device is installed is determined. IDs attached to use-permission certificates are sent by the terminal devices to the data management device through a communication network. Based on these IDs, the distribution regions of the use-permission certificates are determined. If the determined terminal device installation region and the use-permission certificate distribution region match, the use of data by the terminal device is allowed.

Claims

1. A data management method for a server connected through a communication network to a plurality of game execution terminals installed in a plurality of regions world-wide, comprising:

associating unique passwords to game cards distributed in said regions, said passwords allowing identification of regions in which said game cards are distributed, and said server determining an installation region of said game execution terminal based on a global address of said game execution terminal sent to said server from said game execution terminal through said communication network;

determining a distribution region of said game card based on a password associated with said game card from said game execution terminal through said communication network; and

giving permission to said game execution terminal to execute said game if said determined installation region of said game execution terminal matches said distribution region of said game card.

2. A data management method using a communication network as described in claim 1, further comprising:

setting up in the server a player account containing player identification information of a player;

keeping a sum of said player accounts for each global address and determining whether or not at least a predetermined number of said player accounts is set up for a single global address; and

outputting a message to outputting means if it is determined that said predetermined number or more of said player accounts is set up for a single global address.

3. A data management method for a data management device connected through a communication network to a plurality of terminal devices assigned unique first IDs, comprising:

assigning unique second IDs to usage certificates distributed in a plurality of regions around the world, said second ID allowing identification of a region in which said usage certificate is distributed;

identifying an installation region of said terminal device assigned said first ID for said data management device using said first ID sent to said data management device through said communication network from said terminal device;

identifying a distribution region of said usage certificate for said data management device using said second ID assigned to said usage certificate sent to said data management device through said communication network from said terminal device; and

giving permission from said data management device to said terminal device to use a predetermined program or data if said determined installation region of said terminal device matches said distribution region of said usage certificate;

wherein permission is given to use said predetermined program or data only in a predetermined region in which said usage certificate is distributed.

4. A data management device connected through a communication network to a plurality of game execution terminals installed in a plurality of regions around the world, comprising:

installation position determining means for determining an installation region of said game execution terminal based on a global address of said game execution terminal sent from said game execution terminal through said communication network to said data management device;

distribution region determining means for determining a distribution region of a game card based on a password assigned to said game card sent from said game execution terminal through said communication network to said data management device; and

game execution permission giving means for giving said game execution terminal permission to execute said game if said determined installation region of said game execution terminal matches said distribution region of said game card;

wherein permission is given to execute said game only for a game card distributed in said predetermined region.

5. A data management device as described in claim 4, comprising:

player account setup means for setting up a player account storing player identification information of a player;

player account summation means for keeping a summation for each global address of said player accounts and determining whether or not at least a predetermined number of said player accounts is set up for a single global address; and

means for outputting a message to output means if there is a determination that at least a predetermined number of said player accounts is set up for a single global address.

6. A data management device connected through a communication network to a plurality of terminal devices assigned unique first IDs, comprising:

installation position determining means for determining an installation region of said terminal devices based on said first ID of said terminal device sent to said data management device through said communication network;

distribution region determining means for determining a distribution region of a usage certificate based on a second ID assigned to said usage certificate sent from said terminal device through said communication network to said data management device; and

means for giving usage permission for predetermined program or data to said terminal device if said determined installation region for said terminal device matches said distribution region of said usage certificate;

wherein permission to use said predetermined program or data is given only to a predetermined region in which said usage certificate was distributed.