Computer software delivery system

• US 5,944,608 A
• Filed: 06/25/1996
• Issued: 08/31/1999
• 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., Time Warner Cable Programming, Inc.
• Inventors: Reed, Michael J., Lavery, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/671,817
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 463/40, 364/410, 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 method for transmitting computer software comprising at least one computer software selection through a cable television network for execution by a computer at a subscriber location, comprising the steps of:

encrypting said at least one computer software selection;

transmitting said at least one encrypted computer software selection to a data receiving and storing device;

providing decryption means for decrypting said at least one computer software selection;

routing said at least one encrypted computer software selection to memory means for storing said at least one encrypted computer software selection prior to transfer to said decrypting means for decryption, by means of a serial communication device for providing direct memory access control;

storing said at least one encrypted computer software selection in said memory means contained within said data receiving and storing device for later decryption;

requesting said at least one computer software selection from said memory means contained within said data receiving and storing device for execution by said computer;

decrypting said at least one computer software selection; and

controlling a bus to permit said computer to access said decrypted computer software selection for execution.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more decryption algorithms are transmitted to said receiver through said cable television network.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more decryption keys are transmitted to said receiver through said cable television network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing said decrypted selected software inside said memory means.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing direct memory access control to said memory means of said data receiving and storing device to a serial communication device.

4. A system for transmitting computer software comprising at least one computer software selection through a cable television network comprising:

encryption means for encrypting said at least one computer software selection;

a data receiving and storing device comprising memory means for storing said at least one encrypted computer software selection;

transmission means for transmitting said at least one encrypted computer software selection over said cable television network to said data receiving and storing device;

a computer in communication with said data receiving and storing device;

input means for requesting said at least one computer software selection;

decryption means for decrypting said at least one computer software selection;

a serial communication device for routing said at least one computer software selection to said memory means for storing said at least one encrypted computer software selection prior to transfer to said decryption means for decryption; and

said data receiving and storing device further comprising a bus, said bus selectively permitting said computer to access said at least one decrypted selected computer software selection for execution.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said computer is a dedicated game console, and said input device is a joystick connected to said game console.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein said decrypted selected software is stored inside said memory means.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein said bus provides direct memory access control to said serial communication device.