Computer software delivery system

• US 6,126,546 A
• Filed: 07/13/1999
• Issued: 10/03/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Entertainment Company LP (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: TCI Technology Management, LLC, Time Warner Cable Programming, Inc.
• Inventors: Reed, Michael J., Lavery, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOTALING, JOHN M
• Application Number:
  US09/352,371
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 463/40-42, 700/91-93, 348/6
• 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 home subscriber data bank and retrieval apparatus, comprising:

(a) circuitry for enabling a subscriber to select specific computer data which is broadcast over a public broadcast medium, said subscriber having a host computer;

(b) a data receiver for receiving said selected computer data from said public broadcast medium;

(c) data selection circuitry for accepting selected computer data and distinguishing and rejecting other computer data received by said data receiver and currently being broadcast over said public broadcast medium;

(d) said home rental data bank and retrieval apparatus being physically located at the location of subscriber'"'"'s host computer;

(e) circuitry independent of said host computer for preventing unauthorized access to said broadcast computer data;

(f) a storage medium;

(g) circuitry for routing said selected computer data to said storage medium; and

(h) an interface allowing passage of said computer data between from data receiver to said subscriber'"'"'s host computer.

2. A method for transmitting computer software through a cable television network for execution by a computer at a subscriber location comprising the steps of:

compressing said computer software;

transmitting said compressed computer software to a receiver;

requesting a computer software selection from said computer;

decompressing said selection computer software;

controlling a bus to permit said computer to access said decompressed selected computer software for execution.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said computer software is encrypted prior to its transmission and said computer software is decrypted followings the said computer software selection.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein one or more decompression algorithms are transmitted to said receiver through said cable television network.

5. An apparatus for the prevention of unauthorized access to computer data transmitted through a cable television network comprising:

a receiver having a real time clock, said real time clock providing a first time value;

a transmitter transmitting a second time value over said cable television network to said receiver;

said receiver further comprising means for comparing said first time value to said second time value and means to selectively permit or deny access to said computer data based upon said comparison.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second time value is transmitted integrally with said computer data.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for selectively permitting or denying access is a bus controlled by a control processor.

8. An apparatus for broadcasting computer data over a cable television network comprising:

a transmitter for broadcasting said computer data;

a real time clock providing current time of day; and

means for including said current time of day in said transmission of said computer data.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising watch dog timer circuitry, said watch dog timer circuitry periodically transmitting a strobed signal in order to prevent a reset at a receiver receiving said computer data.