Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically incorporating advertising content into multimedia environments, such as games, are provided. Example embodiments include a dynamic inserter, which selects content, based upon a set of criteria, to deliver to a receiving client system, such as a game client. The receiving client system typically dynamically determines locations within the game where advertisements are desirably inserted. Associated with these locations are ad tags that specify criteria for the ads including, for example ad type, ad genre, and scheduling information, which are sent by the client system to the dynamic inserter to select appropriate ads. The dynamic inserter selects ads based upon the criteria and sends them to the client system, which selects them for ad tags with conforming criteria. The client system then renders the selected ad in the appropriate location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically incorporating advertising content into multimedia environments, such as games, are provided. Example embodiments include a dynamic inserter, which selects content, based upon a set of criteria, to deliver to a receiving client system, such as a game client. The receiving client system typically dynamically determines locations within the game where advertisements are desirably inserted. Associated with these locations are ad tags that specify criteria for the ads including, for example ad type, ad genre, and scheduling information, which are sent by the client system to the dynamic inserter to select appropriate ads. The dynamic inserter selects ads based upon the criteria and sends them to the client system, which selects them for ad tags with conforming criteria. The client system then renders the selected ad in the appropriate location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securely distributing software in a subscription-based environment are provided. A Game Security Facility (“GSF”) associated with a game server manages secure communications with game clients. A subscriber is registered in a manner that includes a unique identifier of the machine upon which the subscription data will reside. Encryption keys are generated for the registered subscriber and encrypted subscription data is exchanged, thus preventing unauthorized copying to another machine or unauthorized use by a third party. The subscriber is re-registered, and new encryption keys are generated. Access is enabled to the previously exchanged encrypted subscription data without causing the previously exchanged data to be re-downloaded.

Abstract: A server farm for processing client requests comprising a first server having a first processor and a first network interface controller communicatively coupled to the first processor, and a second server comprising a second processor and communicatively coupled to the first server, wherein the first network interface controller is configured to maintain a state table associated with at least the first server and the second server and respond to receipt of a request packet from a client by, initiating by the first processor execution of a software application associated with the request packet when the state table corresponds to a first state, and selectively forwarding the request packet to the second server when the state table corresponds to a second state.

Abstract: A server farm for processing client requests comprising a first server having a first processor and a first network interface controller communicatively coupled to the first processor, and a second server comprising a second processor and communicatively coupled to the first server, wherein the first network interface controller is configured to maintain a state table associated with at least the first server and the second server and respond to receipt of a request packet from a client by, initiating by the first processor execution of a software application associated with the request packet when the state table corresponds to a first state, and selectively forwarding the request packet to the second server when the state table corresponds to a second state.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically incorporating advertising content into multimedia environments, such as games, are provided. Example embodiments include a dynamic inserter, which selects content, based upon a set of criteria, to deliver to a receiving client system, such as a game client. The receiving client system typically dynamically determines locations within the game where advertisements are desirably inserted. Associated with these locations are ad tags that specify criteria for the ads including, for example ad type, ad genre, and scheduling information, which are sent by the client system to the dynamic inserter to select appropriate ads. The dynamic inserter selects ads based upon the criteria and sends them to the client system, which selects them for ad tags with conforming criteria. The client system then renders the selected ad in the appropriate location.

Abstract: A method for secure communications. At least one encryption key can be generated based on a pass-phrase that associates a unique identifier of a client system with a customer. Customer data encrypted with the at least one encryption key can be received such that the customer data is uniquely associated with both the client system and with the customer. The client system cannot decrypt the customer data if the unique identifier of the client system is changed. The client system cannot decrypt the customer data if the customer is changed.

Abstract: An information processing system comprises a first computing device configured to receive state information through a first port and selectively initiate execution of a software application by the first computing device when a state of at least one of the first computing device and a second computing device is a first state, and the second computing device through a second port when the state is a second state, the software application being associable with one or more software objects.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first computing device receives first information that has been formed according to application software instructions. Independent of the application software instructions, the first computing device forms second information for causing a second computing device to perform an operation. In response to receiving the first information, the first computing device executes protocol stack instructions to form a packet including at least the first and second information. The first computing device outputs the packet to the second computing device.

Abstract: Through a first local area network, a first computing device of an information processing system receives an information packet from a global computer network. In response to at least the information packet and a state of the information processing system, the first computing device selectively outputs the information packet when the state of the information processing system is a first state, such that the output information packet bypasses the first local area network. When the state of the information processing system is a second state, the first computing device selectively executes a software application associated with the information packet.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for securely distributing software in a subscription-based environment are provided. In an example embodiment, a Game Security Facility (“GSF”) associated with a game server is used to manage secure communications with game clients. The GSF typically manages secure communication of the accounting and billing information and secure communication of game session data. In typical operation, the game client generates a pass-phrase that transparently includes a unique identifier of the machine upon which the subscription software will reside. RSA-type key pairs that are then generated using this pass-phrase will be associated uniquely with both the game player and with the machine upon which the software resides, thus preventing unauthorized copying to another machine or unauthorized use by a third party.

Abstract: An information processing system comprises a first computing device configured to receive state information through a first port and selectively initiate execution of a software application by the first computing device when a state of at least one of the first computing device and a second computing device is a first state, and the second computing device through a second port when the state is a second state, the software application being associable with one or more software objects.

Abstract: According to a first embodiment, a first computing device receives a request packet originating from a client. In response to at least the request packet and a state of at least one of the first computing device and a second computing device, the first computing device selects a computing device for maintaining a session with the client. If the selected computing device is the first computing device, the first computing device outputs a response packet to the client for identifying the first computing device as maintaining the session with the client. If the selected computing device is a second computing device, the first computing device outputs a response packet to the client for identifying the second computing device as maintaining the session with the client. According to a second embodiment, a first computing device receives a request packet originating from a client. The request packet includes an identifier.