Devices and Methods for Auditing and Enforcing Computer Game Licenses
First Claim
1. An apparatus for monitoring use of a computer game, comprising:
- a transceiver component for communicating with a computing device of a user;
at least one processor operatively coupled with the transceiver component; and
a memory component operatively coupled with the at least one processor and comprising executable code for the at least one processor to;
in response to the user attempting to play the game on the device, receive from the device a combination of (a) a game identifier for the game and (b) a device identifier for the device, the device identifier being based on a combination of at least one user-configurable parameter and at least one non-user-configurable parameter of the device;
access a database of known game identifiers, each known game identifier being associated with (a) a device count corresponding to a total number of known devices on which a known game was previously played and (b) the known device identifiers for the known devices;
update the database in response to the combination of the game identifier and the device identifier being unique from known combinations of the known game identifiers and the known device identifiers; and
monitor the database for at least one of distribution and for at least one use of the game.
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Abstract
Techniques are provided for monitoring and controlling use of a computer game on a remote computing device. One such technique employs a processor with memory and transceiver configured to receive from the device, in response to an attempt to play the game on the device, a combination of a game identifier for the game and a device identifier for the device, the device identifier based on a combination of user-configurable parameter and non-user-configurable parameters, and to access a database of known game identifiers, each known game identifier being associated with a device count corresponding to a total number of known devices on which a known game was previously played and with known device identifiers for the known devices, to control remote access to games, for example, according to licensing constraints.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for monitoring use of a computer game, comprising:
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a transceiver component for communicating with a computing device of a user; at least one processor operatively coupled with the transceiver component; and a memory component operatively coupled with the at least one processor and comprising executable code for the at least one processor to; in response to the user attempting to play the game on the device, receive from the device a combination of (a) a game identifier for the game and (b) a device identifier for the device, the device identifier being based on a combination of at least one user-configurable parameter and at least one non-user-configurable parameter of the device; access a database of known game identifiers, each known game identifier being associated with (a) a device count corresponding to a total number of known devices on which a known game was previously played and (b) the known device identifiers for the known devices; update the database in response to the combination of the game identifier and the device identifier being unique from known combinations of the known game identifiers and the known device identifiers; and monitor the database for at least one of distribution and for at least one use of the game. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for monitoring use of a computer game, comprising:
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a transceiver component for communicating with a license authority; at least one processor operatively coupled with the transceiver component; and a memory component operatively coupled with the at least one processor and comprising executable code for the at least one processor to; collect machine parameters of a computing device, the machine parameters comprising a combination of at least one user-configurable parameter and at least one non-user-configurable parameter of the device; generate a device identifier for the device based at least in part on the machine parameters; and in response to a user attempting to play the game on the device, instructs the transceiver to send a game identifier for the game and the device identifier to the license authority. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for monitoring use of a computer game, comprising:
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in response to a user attempting to play the game on a computing device, receiving from the device a combination of (a) a game identifier for the game and (b) a device identifier for the device, the device identifier being based on a combination of at least one user-configurable parameter and at least one non-user-configurable parameter of the device; accessing a database of known game identifiers, each known game identifier being associated with (a) a device count corresponding to a total number of known devices on which a known game was previously played and (b) the known device identifiers for the known devices; and updating the database in response to the combination of the game identifier and the device identifier being unique from known combinations of the known game identifiers and the known device identifiers; and using the database to monitor at least one of distribution and the use of the game. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer program product, comprising:
a computer-readable medium comprising; code for causing a computer to, in response to a user attempting to play a computer game on a computing device, receive from the computing device a combination of (a) a game identifier for the game and (b) a device identifier for the device, the device identifier being based on a combination of at least one user-configurable parameter and at least one non-user-configurable parameter of the device; code for causing a computer to access a database of known game identifiers, each known game identifier being associated with (a) a device count corresponding to a total number of known devices on which a known game was previously played and (b) the known device identifiers for the known devices; code for causing a computer to update the database in response to the combination of the game identifier and the device identifier being unique from known combinations of the known game identifiers and the known device identifiers; and code for causing a computer to use the database to monitor at least one of distribution and the use of the game. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
Specification