Computer software delivery system

• US 5,577,735 A
• Filed: 10/06/1993
• Issued: 11/26/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Entertainment Company LP (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: TCI Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Reed, Michael J., Lavery, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US08/132,464
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 273/439, 273/433, 273/434, 273/435, 273/436, 273/437, 273/438, 273/85 G, 273/DIG. 28
• US Class Current: 463/40
• 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 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device

Abstract

Apparatus and method for sending and receiving subscriber video game computer data over a broadcast medium for use with video game players and which includes microprocessor controlled transmitter and receiver systems. The receiver system retrieves, demodulates, screens and selects computer data according to subscriber input. A receiver microprocessor signals a video game player to choose from a selection of games placed into a memory. The receiver microprocessor regains control of the memory and regulates flow of selected computer data to the memory. After checking for authorized use, the receiver microprocessor allows control of memory containing video game code to transfer to the video game player. The transmitter system stores, codes, and transmits the computer data over a public broadcast system.

Claims

1. A system for the delivery of computer software through a cable television network comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting said computer software over said cable television network said transmitting means further transmitting a menu associated with said computer software;

receiving means in communication with said transmitting means through said cable television network for receiving said computer software and said menu, said receiving means further including a first memory means for storing said computer software transmitted through said cable television network;

a computer having access to a second memory means;

bus means connecting said first memory means to said second memory means;

said receiving means having a control processor for controlling said bus means.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said control processor signals said computer requesting data representing a selection of a portion of said computer software.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein following said selection of said portion of said computer software said control processor directs said bus means to allow the passage of said selected computer software from said first memory means to said second memory means.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said control processor verifies authorization prior to directing said bus means to allow the passage of said selected computer software from said first memory means to said second memory means.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer software comprises computer games and said computer is a dedicated computer game console.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said receiver interfaces with said computer game console through the game cartridge connection of said computer game console.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication between said transmitting means and said receiving means is one-way.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said computer software is transmitted in blocks and wherein said transmitting unit further transmits memory location information corresponding to each said block.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said second memory means is contained within said receiver means.

10. A method for transmitting computer software through a cable television network comprising the steps of:

providing a transmitter for transmitting said computer software and an associated menu;

providing a receiver for receiving said computer software and said associated menu, said receiver including a first memory for storing said computer software transmitted through said cable television network;

providing a computer having access to a second memory;

providing a bus means located within said receiver and connecting said first memory to said second memory;

transmitting said associated menu to said receiver;

requesting a computer software selection from said computer based upon said associated menu;

controlling said bus means to permit transfer of said selected computer software from said first memory to said second memory.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of transferring control to said computer for access to said selected computer software for execution.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said computer software comprises computer games and said computer is a dedicated computer game console.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said computer software selection is made by a user through a joystick communicating with said computer game console.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of verifying authorization prior to permitting said computer to access said selected computer software for execution.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of storing said associated menu within said receiver.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of transmitting a revision number to said receiver to ensure that the said associated menu corresponds to the said computer software currently being transmitted.