Systems and methods for delivering content over a network
First Claim
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1. A game delivery system that allows a user to select from and receive delivery of at least one of a plurality of games via a network, said system comprising:
- an asset server that stores software game code associated with said plurality of games, said plurality of games comprising a first set of game software stored in a format able to be executed on one or more arcade game systems, a second set of game software stored in a format able to be executed on a video game console, and a third set of game software stored in a format able to be executed on a personal computer;
a host server that directs said asset server to deliver one of said plurality of games to said user in response to a request from said user; and
one or more processors residing on a user computing device associated with said user, said user computing device being remotely located from said asset server and said host server and in communication with said asset server and said host server over said network, said one or more processors configured for running a client application, and said client application configured for displaying a list of available games, accepting from said user said request to play a game selected from said list of available games, selecting an emulator from a plurality of emulators stored on said user computing device when said selected game is included in said first set or said second set of game software, and executing said selected emulator to translate said software game code, wherein said list of available games comprises at least a portion of said plurality of games stored on said asset server;
wherein said plurality of emulators comprises;
one or more arcade emulators for translating software game code originally written for execution by one or more arcade game systems to functionally equivalent blocks of compiled instruction set code on said user computing device, andone or more console emulators for translating software game code originally written for execution by one or more console game platform to functionally equivalent blocks of compiled instruction set code on said user computing device.
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Abstract
A content delivery system that uses a graphical user interface and host avatar to introduce users to and allow them to select from available content. A game delivery system that uses emulators to execute software written to run on a plurality of game platforms. The systems include a scalable, dynamic interface that launches and manages emulators in a manner that is largely transparent to the user, and a combination of linear and on-demand content provides users with a managed gaming experience not unlike that of interactive television.
322 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A game delivery system that allows a user to select from and receive delivery of at least one of a plurality of games via a network, said system comprising:
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an asset server that stores software game code associated with said plurality of games, said plurality of games comprising a first set of game software stored in a format able to be executed on one or more arcade game systems, a second set of game software stored in a format able to be executed on a video game console, and a third set of game software stored in a format able to be executed on a personal computer; a host server that directs said asset server to deliver one of said plurality of games to said user in response to a request from said user; and one or more processors residing on a user computing device associated with said user, said user computing device being remotely located from said asset server and said host server and in communication with said asset server and said host server over said network, said one or more processors configured for running a client application, and said client application configured for displaying a list of available games, accepting from said user said request to play a game selected from said list of available games, selecting an emulator from a plurality of emulators stored on said user computing device when said selected game is included in said first set or said second set of game software, and executing said selected emulator to translate said software game code, wherein said list of available games comprises at least a portion of said plurality of games stored on said asset server; wherein said plurality of emulators comprises; one or more arcade emulators for translating software game code originally written for execution by one or more arcade game systems to functionally equivalent blocks of compiled instruction set code on said user computing device, and one or more console emulators for translating software game code originally written for execution by one or more console game platform to functionally equivalent blocks of compiled instruction set code on said user computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of delivering game content to a computing device associated with a user, said method comprising:
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delivering a graphical user interface that displays a list of available games and allows said user to select a game from said list; receiving input indicative of a first game selection by said user; choosing one emulator from a plurality of emulators to emulate a hardware configuration of a game platform for which said first selected game was written, wherein at least two emulators of said plurality of emulators are configured to emulate the hardware configuration of a different game platform, and wherein said emulator is chosen based at least in part on the game platform for which said first selected game was written; launching said chosen emulator and initiating game play of said first selected game; monitoring user input during said game play of said first selected game by a game player associated with said chosen emulator; and returning said user to said graphical user interface upon identifying in said user input one of a predefined set of user inputs, wherein said step of returning said user to said graphical user interface comprises said game player receiving said one of said predefined set of user inputs and communicating a message associated with said received input to a game manager, and said game manager communicating said message to a graphical user interface manager to return said user to said graphical user interface. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A system for delivering game content to a user device via a network, said system comprising:
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an asset server that stores a game file for a game written for a console gaming system; a datastore that includes game metadata associated with said game file, said metadata comprising a plurality of index points that logically divide said game file into a plurality of portions, a first index point identifying a portion of said game file that is required to initiate game play of said game, and one or more subsequent index points that identify one or more additional portions of said game file; and a processor on said user device configured for executing a client application, said client application comprising; A. a content manager that monitors a progress of a transfer of said game file from said asset server to said user device; and B. a game manager that manages said game play of said game on said user device; wherein said game manager receives said metadata from said datastore and periodic updates of said game transfer progress from said content manager, and initiates said game play of said game in response to an indication that a portion of said game file identified by said first index point has been transferred successfully to said user device, wherein said game manager is configured for initiating said game play of said game prior to all portions of said game file being transferred to said user device. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A system for monitoring and managing game play of a plurality of games on a computer associated with a user, said system comprising:
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a game manager configured for receiving a request to play a first game or a second game selected from said plurality of games by a user using said computer, said first and second games being originally adapted for execution on one or more computing devices having different hardware configurations than said computer; a first emulator configured for translating said first selected game into a format executable on said computer and responding to user input while said first selected game is being played on said computer; a second emulator configured for translating said second selected game into a format executable on said computer and responding to user input when said second selected game is being played on said computer; a first game player associated with said first emulator, said first game player configured for monitoring user input while said first selected game is being played on said computer; and a second game player associated with said second emulator, said second game player configured for monitoring user input while said second selected game is being played on said computer, wherein said game manager is further configured for identifying said first game player and said first emulator associated with said first game in response to receiving said request to play said first game and identifying said second game player and said second emulator associated with said second game in response to receiving said request to play said second game, wherein said first game player is further configured for obtaining and passing control of said first game to said game manager in response to receiving a particular input from said user while said first selected game is being played, said particular input being included on a list of predetermined user inputs, and wherein said second game player is further configured for obtaining and passing control of said second game to said game manager in response to receiving a particular input from said user while said second selected game is being played, said particular input being included on said list of predetermined user inputs. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification