Network account linking

• US 8,388,440 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2003
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Patterson, Russell D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Danneman, Paul
• Application Number:
  US10/690,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20050086126A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,424 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26
• US Class Current: 463/29
• 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 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for managing and linking network accounts to share access privileges among accounts. In one implementation, a method of managing network accounts includes: linking a second account having general access to a first account having member access; and granting at least part of said member access to said second account while said second account is linked to said first account; wherein said first account has a corresponding subscription, said general access provides at least one privilege, and said member access provides two or more privileges that are not provided by said general access.

Claims

1. A method of managing network accounts, comprising:

providing a first account with member access allowing two or more privileges in the network;

providing a second account with general access,

wherein general access comprises;

at least one privilege in the network that member access allows; and

at least one privilege less than the member access allows;

linking the second account having general access to the first account having member access; and

granting at least one privilege of said member access of the first account to said second account while said second account is linked to said first account,

wherein when the first account disconnects from the network, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated and the granted at least one privilege to the second account is removed from the second account,

wherein after a predetermined number of services is requested through the link between the first account and the second account, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated,

wherein a service request includes identification information of the second user, subscription information of the second user, and a type of a requested service,

wherein a second account is permitted to be linked to only one first account at a time,

wherein, when the second account and the first account are not linked, the second account reverts back to previous general access.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said subscription has a higher cost than a cost needed to be eligible for an account having general access.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to participate in an online game.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to initiate an online game.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to access a restricted online resource.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to participate in an online game in a way that indicates the account has member access.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to participate in an online game with a visual cue indicating the account has member access.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to participate in an online game in a way that is different from a way an account without this privilege of member access participates.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to access one or more special resources in an online game that are not available to an account without member access.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to access one or more special features in an online game that are not available to an account without this privilege of member access.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said first account also has members-only access, and

said members-only access provides one or more privileges different from said two or more privileges provided by said member access and from said at least one privilege provided by said general access.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

said second account does not have members-only access when said second account is linked to said first account.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said first account also has said general access.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a create member account request indicating said subscription;

confirming said subscription allows creating a member account; and

creating said first account.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

upgrading said subscription to allow creating a member account.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a create non-member account request; and

creating said second account.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a link request indicating said first account and said second account; and

confirming said first account allows linking.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

confirming said second account allows linking.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an unlink request indicating said first account and said second account;

revoking said granted at least part of said member access from said second account; and

unlinking said second account from said first account.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a service request indicating a service having a minimum access and an account;

confirming said requesting account currently has access meeting said minimum access of said indicated service; and

providing said service.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

upgrading said requesting account to have access meeting said minimum access of said indicated service.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein:

granting said at least part of said member access includes granting less than all of said two or more privileges of said member access to said second account.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein:

granting said at least part of said member access includes granting at least one of said two or more privileges of said member access to said second account for a limited period of time.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

removing said member access from said first account while said second account is linked to said first account.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said second account is linked to said first account indirectly through an intermediary data object.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said intermediary data object is a pool.

27. A method of managing network accounts, comprising:

creating a first account having general access;

communicating with a second account having member access,

wherein general access allows;

at least one privilege in the network that member access allows; and

at least one privilege less than the member access allows;

receiving an upgrade request requesting an upgrade of the first account having general access to include the at least one privilege of the member access of the second member;

confirming said first account is permitted to be upgraded based on said first account meeting one or more requirements for having member access, including being linked to an account having member access;

upgrading said first account to have member access,

wherein when the second account disconnects from the network, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated and the upgrade of the first account is removed from the first account,

wherein after a predetermined number of services is requested through the link between the first account and the second account, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated,

wherein a service request includes identification information of the first user, subscription information of the first user, and a type of a requested service,

wherein a second account is permitted to be linked to only one first account at a time;

reverting said first account back to general access when said first account is no longer linked to at least one account having member access.

28. A method of linking network accounts, comprising:

creating a first account having member access;

sending a link invitation indicating a second account having general access,

wherein general access allows;

at least one privilege in the network that member access allows; and

at least one privilege less than the member access allows;

receiving a link acceptance indicating said first account will be linked to said second account;

sending a service request indicating a service having a minimum access requiring member access;

accessing said service by said second account such that said second account has member access of the first account while linked to the first account,

wherein when the first account disconnects from the network, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated and the member access of the second account is removed from the second account,

wherein after a predetermined number of services is requested through the link between the first account and the second account, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated,

wherein a service request includes identification information of the second user, subscription information of the second user, and a type of a requested service,

wherein a second account is permitted to be linked to only one first account at a time; and

reverting said second account to general access when the first account and said second account are not linked.

29. A method of linking network accounts, comprising:

creating a first account having member access;

communicating with a second account having general access,

wherein general access comprises;

at least one privilege in the network that member access allows; and

at least one privilege less than the member access allows;

receiving a link invitation from the second account having general access;

sending a link request indicating said second account is to be linked to said first account;

allowing the second account access to the at least one privilege of the member access of the first account,

wherein when the first account disconnects from the network, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated and the at least one privilege of the member access of the second account is removed from the second account,

wherein a second account is permitted to be linked to only one first account at a time;

wherein after a predetermined number of services is requested through the link between the first account and the second account, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated,

wherein a service request includes identification information of the second user, subscription information of the second user, and a type of a requested service,

reverting said second account to general access when the first account and said second account are not linked.

30. A computer program, stored on a tangible storage medium, for use in managing network accounts, the program comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

providing a first account with member access allowing two or more privileges;

providing a second account with general access;

wherein general access comprises;

at least one privilege in the network that member access allows; and

at least one privilege less than the member access allows;

link a second account having general access to a first account having member access;

grant at least one privilege of said member access of the first account to said second account while said second account is linked to said first account,

wherein when the first account disconnects from the network, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated and the granted at least one privilege to the second account is removed from the second account,

wherein after a predetermined number of services is requested through the link between the first account and the second account, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated,

wherein a service request includes identification information of the second user, subscription information of the second user, and a type of a requested service,

wherein a second account is permitted to be linked to only one first account at a time; and

reverting the grant to said second account when said second account and said first account are not linked.

31. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

said subscription has a higher cost than a cost needed to be eligible for an account having general access.

32. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to participate in an online game.

33. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to initiate an online game.

34. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to access a restricted online resource.

35. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to participate in an online game in a way that indicates the account has member access.

36. The computer program of claim 35, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to participate in an online game with a visual cue indicating the account has member access.

37. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to participate in an online game in a way that is different from a way an account without this privilege of member access participates.

38. The computer program of claim 37, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to access one or more special resources in an online game that are not available to an account without member access.

39. The computer program of claim 37, wherein:

said member access privileges include allowing an account to access one or more special features in an online game that are not available to an account without this privilege of member access.

40. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

said first account also has members-only access, and

said members-only access provides one or more privileges different from said two or more privileges provided by said member access and from said at least one privilege provided by said general access.

41. The computer program of claim 40, wherein:

said second account does not have members-only access when said second account is linked to said first account.

42. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

said first account also has said general access.

43. The computer program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

process a create member account request indicating said subscription;

confirm said subscription allows creating a member account; and

create said first account.

44. The computer program of claim 43, further comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

upgrade said subscription to allow creating a member account.

45. The computer program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

process a create non-member account request; and

create said second account.

46. The computer program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

process a link request indicating said first account and said second account; and

confirm said first account allows linking.

47. The computer program of claim 46, further comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

confirm said second account allows linking.

48. The computer program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

process an unlink request indicating said first account and said second account;

revoke said granted at least part of said member access from said second account; and

unlink said second account from said first account.

49. The computer program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

process a service request indicating a service having a minimum access and an account;

confirm said requesting account currently has access meeting said minimum access of said indicated service; and

provide said service.

50. The computer program of claim 49, further comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

upgrade said requesting account to have access meeting said minimum access of said indicated service.

51. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

granting said at least part of said member access includes granting less than all of said two or more privileges of said member access to said second account.

52. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

granting said at least part of said member access includes granting at least one of said two or more privileges of said member access to said second account for a limited period of time.

53. The computer program of claim 30, further comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

remove said member access from said first account while said second account is linked to said first account.

54. The computer program of claim 30, wherein:

said second account is linked to said first account indirectly through an intermediary data object.

55. The computer program of claim 54, wherein:

said intermediary data object is a pool.

56. A computer program, stored on a tangible storage medium, for use in managing network accounts, the program comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

create a first account having member access;

communicate with a second account having general access,

wherein general access allows;

at least one privilege in the network that member access allows; and

at least one privilege less than the member access allows;

process an upgrade request requesting an upgrade of the second account having general access to include the at least one privilege of the member access;

confirm said second account is permitted to be upgraded based on said second account meeting one or more requirements for having member access, including said second account being linked to said first account;

upgrade said second account to have member access of the first account,

wherein when the first account disconnects from the network, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated and the upgrade of the second account is removed from the second account,

wherein after a predetermined number of services is requested through the link between the first account and the second account, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated,

wherein a service request includes identification information of the second user, subscription information of the second user, and a type of a requested service,

wherein a second account is permitted to be linked to only one first account at a time; and

revert said second account to general access when said second account and said first account are not linked.

57. A computer program, stored on a tangible storage medium, for use in linking network accounts, the program comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

create a first account having general access;

send a link invitation indicating a second account having member access,

wherein general access allows;

at least one privilege in the network that member access allows; and

at least one privilege less than the member access allows;

process a link acceptance indicating said first account will be linked to said second account;

send a service request indicating a service having a minimum access requiring member access; and

access said member service of the second account by said first account when said first account is linked to said second account,

wherein when the second account disconnects from the network, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated and the member access to the first account is removed from the first account,

wherein after a predetermined number of services is requested through the link between the first account and the second account, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated,

wherein a service request includes identification information of the first user, subscription information of the first user, and a type of a requested service,

wherein a second account is permitted to be linked to only one first account at a time; and

revert said first account to general access when said first account and said second account are not linked.

58. A computer program, stored on a tangible storage medium, for use in linking network accounts, the program comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

create a first account having member access,

communicate with a second account, the second account having general access,

wherein general access allows;

at least one privilege in the network that member access allows; and

at least one privilege less than the member access allows;

process a link invitation from the second account having general access;

send a link request indicating said second account is to be linked to said first account;

allowing the second account access to the at least one privilege of the member access of the first account while the second account is linked to the first account,

wherein when the first account disconnects from the network, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated and the at least one privilege to the second account is removed from the second account,

wherein after a predetermined number of services is requested through the link between the first account and the second account, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated,

wherein a service request includes identification information of the second user, subscription information of the second user, and a type of a requested service,

wherein a second account is permitted to be linked to only one first account at a time; and

reverting the access of the second account to general access when the second account is not linked to the first account.

59. A system for managing network accounts, comprising:

means for linking a second account having general access to a first account having member access,

wherein general access allows;

at least one privilege in the network that member access allows; and

at least one privilege less than the member access allows; and

means for granting at least one privilege of said member access of the first account to said second account while said second account is linked to said first account;

wherein when the first account disconnects from the network, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated and the granted at least one privilege to the second account is removed from the second account,

wherein said first account has a corresponding subscription,

wherein after a predetermined number of services is requested through the link between the first account and the second account, the link between the first account and the second account is terminated,

wherein a service request includes identification information of the second user, subscription information of the second user, and a type of a requested service,

wherein a second account is permitted to be linked to only one first account at a time; and

means for reverting said second account grant of member access when said second account and said first account are not linked.