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 game client typically dynamically determines locations with the game where advertisements may be inserted. Associated with these locations are ad tags that specify criteria for the ads. For example, the criteria may include ad type, ad genre, and scheduling information. The game client then sends indications of these ad tags to the dynamic inserter to be used to select appropriate ads. The dynamic inserter selects ads based upon the criteria and sends them to the game client, which selects them for ad tags with conforming criteria. The game client 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 game client typically dynamically determines locations with the game where advertisements may be inserted. Associated with these locations are ad tags that specify criteria for the ads. For example, the criteria may include ad type, ad genre, and scheduling information. The game client then sends indications of these ad tags to the dynamic inserter to be used to select appropriate ads. The dynamic inserter selects ads based upon the criteria and sends them to the game client, which selects them for ad tags with conforming criteria. The game client 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 game client typically dynamically determines locations with the game where advertisements may be inserted. Associated with these locations are ad tags that specify criteria for the ads. For example, the criteria may include ad type, ad genre, and scheduling information. The game client then sends indications of these ad tags to the dynamic inserter to be used to select appropriate ads. The dynamic inserter selects ads based upon the criteria and sends them to the game client, which selects them for ad tags with conforming criteria. The game client then renders the selected ad in the appropriate location.

Abstract: A resource delivery network and method for distributing content in the network is disclosed herein. The network comprises a plurality of servers arranged in tiers and partitioned. Each server includes a resource store with a set of resources for distribution to a successive tier. Updates to each successive tier are provided by a pull-forward client on servers in the tier. This forward propagation mechanism maximizes resource availability at edge servers in the network. Resources transmitted to the edge tier servers may be transformed, combined, and rendered without taxing lower tier servers. Transformation and pre-rendering of data can be performed by low priority CPU tasks at each layer of the system.

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 game client typically dynamically determines locations with the game where advertisements may be inserted. Associated with these locations are ad tags that specify criteria for the ads. For example, the criteria may include ad type, ad genre, and scheduling information. The game client then sends indications of these ad tags to the dynamic inserter to be used to select appropriate ads. The dynamic inserter selects ads based upon the criteria and sends them to the game client, which selects them for ad tags with conforming criteria. The game client then renders the selected ad in the appropriate location.

Abstract: A resource delivery network and method for distributing content in the network is disclosed herein. The network comprises a plurality of servers arranged in tiers and partitioned. Each server includes a resource store with a set of resources for distribution to a successive tier. Updates to each successive tier are provided by a pull-forward client on servers in the tier. This forward propagation mechanism maximizes resource availability at edge servers in the network. Resources transmitted to the edge tier servers may be transformed, combined, and rendered without taxing lower tier servers. Transformation and pre-rendering of data can be performed by low priority CPU tasks at each layer of the system.

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 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 resource distribution network and method for distributing content in the network. The network comprises a plurality of servers arranged in tiers and partitioned. Each server includes a resource store with a set of resources for distribution a next successive tier. Updates to each successive tier are provided by a pull-forward client on servers in the tier. This forward propagation mechanism maximizes resource availability at edge servers in the network. Resources transmitted to the edge tier servers may be transformed, combined and rendered without taxing lower tier servers. Transformation and pre-rendering of data can be performed by low priority CPU tasks at each layer of the system.

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 system and method for versioning of atomic units of data (such as XML fragments) in a distributed data store are disclosed. The distributed data store may maintain a linear version history for each fragment, such that each has no more than one successor and one predecessor, with no implicit branching. An application programming interface may provide an explicit branching request (indicating an intent to merge modified data in a child branch into its parent branch), along with read, create, create-merge, and/or integrate requests. A reconciliation policy may be specified on a per-application basis, and may include automatic reconciliation using a callback function or interactive reconciliation, with inputs returned to the application. Writes to a minority side of a network partition may be refused unless an explicit branch is requested. Transactions may not be supported in client applications or may be supported through explicit branching. Transactions may be used internally.

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: 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: Methods and systems for downloading subscription data to a client system associated with a subscriber are provided. In one embodiment, these methods may include causing a pass-phase to be generated, with this pass phrase associating a unique identifier of a device of the client system with the subscriber. These methods may also include encrypting the subscription data based at least in part on the generated pass-phase, such that the subscription data is uniquely associated with both the device of the client system and with the subscriber. In addition, when the device is changed, the subscription data is no longer able to be decrypted, and when the subscriber is changed, the subscription data is no longer able to be decrypted. These methods may further include transmitting the encrypted subscription data to the client system.

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: 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: 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 game client typically dynamically determines locations with the game where advertisements may be inserted. Associated with these locations are ad tags that specify criteria for the ads. For example, the criteria may include ad type, ad genre, and scheduling information. The game client then sends indications of these ad tags to the dynamic inserter to be used to select appropriate ads. The dynamic inserter selects ads based upon the criteria and sends them to the game client, which selects them for ad tags with conforming criteria. The game client then renders the selected ad in the appropriate location.

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.