Video games on demand with anti-piracy security

• US 20070066490A1
• Filed: 09/22/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Petronelli, Anthony, Gemelos, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 7,789,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 505/100
• 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 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• 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 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• 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 2300/5513 involving billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/306 using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP

Abstract

Systems, methods and computer-readable media are described for the automated payment, download over a network, installation on a set-top box, and play of console and online video games by user interaction with a controller-adapted set-top box. Security measures inhibit video game piracy.

Claims

1. A machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform any one or more of the following:

process a user order for a video game from a game controller-adapted television set-top box to a game-on-demand server connected by a secure network to the set-top box;

authenticate the identity of the user;

authenticate the identity of the STB;

deliver the game to the set-top box; and

execute game controller instructions substantially locally at the set-top box.

2. The medium of claim 1, wherein the medium maintains a database of recently played games on the set-top box.

3. The medium of claim 1, wherein the medium stores a saved game.

4. The medium of claim 1, wherein the machine loads a saved game.

5. The medium of claim 1, wherein the machine connects the set-top box to a network for networked game play between two or more players.

6. The medium of claim 1, wherein the machine automatically debits an amount to a user account.

7. The medium of claim 6, wherein the debit amount corresponds to a game sale for unlimited game play.

8. The medium of claim 6, wherein the debit amount corresponds to a game rental, whereby game play permission expires after a pre-designated amount of time.

9. The medium of claim 6, wherein the debit amount corresponds to a game pay-for-play session, whereby game play permission expires after each session.

10. The medium of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a secure network to inhibit game piracy.

11. The medium of claim 1, wherein the secure network comprises at least one network component segregated from the public domain to inhibit unauthorized release of the game into the public domain.

12. The medium of claim 1, wherein the secure network comprises at least one fiber optic component.

13. The medium of claim 1, wherein the set-top box authentication inhibits access to the game from a second set-top box.

14. The medium of claim 1, wherein the set-top box authentication comprises verifying that the identified user is associated with the specific set-top box unit that is being used.

15. The medium of claim 1, wherein the controller-adapted set-top box comprises an adapter to convert a standard set-top box to a game controller-ready set-top box.

16. The medium of claim 1, wherein the controller-adapted set-top box comprises an integrated device to receive controller instructions.

17. A method to deliver one or more video game to a subscriber controller-adapted set-top box over a broadband network, the method comprising:

processing a subscriber order for a video game from a game controller-adapted television set-top box to a game-on-demand server connected by a secure broadband network to the set-top box;

authenticating the identity of the subscriber;

authenticating the identity of the set-top box; and

delivering the game to the set-top box such that game play commands are executed substantially locally at the set-top box.

18. The method of claim 17, the method further comprising automatically disabling the game upon the occurrence of a predetermined contingency.

19. A video game on demand network to deliver one or more video game to a subscriber controller-adapted set-top box over a broadband network, the network comprising:

at least one broadband telecommunications medium to transmit information;

a video game server to store and serve video game software over the broadband telecommunications medium;

an authenticator to receive and authenticate subscriber and set-top box identity over the broadband telecommunications medium; and

a controller adapted set-top box, in communication with the server, on which to install at least one video game served to the set-top box by the server such that game play commands are executed substantially locally at the set-top box.

20. A kit for playing a console video game on a non-console set-top box with a video game console controller, the kit comprising:

a set-top box to connect to a display and to a game server via a broadband network for delivery of game software to the set-top box such that game play commands are executed substantially locally at the set-top box;

an adapter to transmit controller input from a console controller to the set-top box; and

a console game controller to transmit input to the adapter.