Abstract: Objects which are created in conformity with the data format of objects to be handled in a virtual world are offered to users on the terminal computers of the users independently of the virtual world. The users transmit the offered objects to a server computer which generates the virtual world, while the server computer stores these objects in association with the operators. Since these objects are recorded in a format which can be interpreted by the server computer for generating the virtual world, they can be handled in the virtual world in the same manner as the other objects which have been defined in the virtual world beforehand. Thus, the users are permitted to use in the virtual world objects which are different from the objects which were defined in the virtual world beforehand.

Abstract: A game device is provided with an SSID setting unit and a channel setting unit. The SSID setting unit sets up an SSID to include an application ID uniquely defined for an application to be executed. For example, when an application A is executed, the SSID is set up to include “TITLE_A”. When an application B is executed, the SSID is set up to include “TITLE_B”. The channel setting unit sets up a communication channel based on the SSID such that the communication channel used in the BSSs do not overlap each other as much as possible.

Abstract: A game device is provided with an SSID setting unit and a channel setting unit. The SSID setting unit sets up an SSID (a network identifier) in accordance with a communication mode. Communication modes include a download standby mode, a download mode, a lobby mode and a game mode. By setting up an SSID for each communication mode, wireless networks for respective modes are formed. The channel setting unit sets up a communication channel in accordance with the SSID.

Abstract: A game device is provided with a processor and an air interface apparatus. In a wireless communication environment such as that of IEEE802.11, a CPU of the air interface apparatus selects, in a search process, an SSID that includes at least in a portion thereof a predetermined pattern. Network information including the selected SSID is retained in a memory unit as a BSS list registering wireless networks that are targets, for connection. The processor refers to the BSS list and determines a wireless network to participate in.

Abstract: A client terminal reads a device ID fixedly assigned to itself, and sends the device ID to an authentication server to make a request for authentication. The authentication server authenticates the device ID accepted from the client terminal. When succeeding in the authentication, the authentication server issues and sends a ticket to the client terminal. The client terminal receives the ticket, and then sends the ticket to a locator server to make a request for registration of an IP address. The locator server verifies the correctness of the accepted ticket. When the correctness is confirmed, the locator server registers an ID and the IP address of the client terminal in a manner that they are associated with each other, and replies the completion of the registration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus in accordance with the present invention are operable to carry out certain functions including: receiving an encrypted program at a processing apparatus; transmitting a machine ID over a network to an administrator; receiving registration data over the network from the administrator in response to the machine ID; transmitting the registration data over the network to a distributor; receiving an encrypted decryption key and an encrypted virtual ID at the processing apparatus over the network from the distributor in response to the registration data; decrypting the encrypted decryption key using the virtual ID, and decrypting the encrypted program using the decryption key; re-encrypting the program using the virtual ID; and storing the encrypted virtual ID and the re-encrypted program in a first storage device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus in accordance with the present invention are operable to carry out certain functions including: receiving an encrypted program at a processing apparatus; transmitting at least some identification information related to the processing apparatus over a network to an administrator; receiving an encrypted decryption key at the processing apparatus over the network from the administrator in response to the at least some identification information; decrypting the encrypted decryption key; decrypting the encrypted program using the decryption key; re-encrypting the program using at least some of the identification information; and storing the identification information and the re-encrypted program in a first storage device.

Abstract: A management server receives first user identification information and designation information for designating a service which are sent from a user terminal; detects specific information corresponding to a service provider which provides the desired service from a database containing specific information uniquely assigned to each service provider; generates second user identification information based on the detected specific information and the first user identification information; and then transmits the second user identification information to the user terminal. Using the second user identification information, the user terminal accesses the server of the service provider providing the desiring service. This prevents important information such as device IDs from being used when a user receives a service through a network from a service provider other than device manufacturers, and relieves the burden on such service provider upon providing a service.

Abstract: A communication device communicates information via a virtual world configured by a server machine to client terminal devices operating characters in the virtual world. It is therefore possible to transmit various information to and to receive various information from the virtual world, even from a place remote from the client terminal devices, which enables a linking between the virtual world and the real world to be realized.

Abstract: A client terminal device at a user side transmits a plurality of IDs in an arbitrary arrangement order to an authentication server machine on a network on the basis of a device environment of the user when a license authentication for software is performed. The authentication server machine performs the license authentication using an authentication program and ID issue program corresponding to the software for which the license authentication is applied, and issues an ID in the ID form corresponding to the software.

Abstract: Objects which are created in conformity with the data format of objects to be handled in a virtual world, are offered to users on the terminal computers of the users independently of the virtual world. The users transmit the offered objects to a server computer which generates the virtual world, while the server computer stores these objects in association with the operators. Since these objects are recorded in the format which can be interpreted by the server computer for generating the virtual world, they can be handled in the virtual world likewise to the other objects which are defined in the virtual world beforehand. Thus, the users are permitted to use in the virtual world the objects which are different from the objects defined in the virtual world beforehand.