Patent Publication Number: US-2009234714-A1

Title: Software distribution system with advertising revenue subsidy and method of operation thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/035,984 filed Mar. 12, 2008, and the subject matter thereof is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to software distribution, and more particularly to a method and system of generating advertising revenue based on software distribution. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Retail, shareware, and freeware channels primarily control software sales and distribution. These methods of distribution are susceptible to abuses such as illegal copying and casual distribution. Such abuses result in loss of revenue to software authors and the companies that produce and sell software. Producers of shareware and freeware have limited success in generating revenue as users seldom pay for products on a voluntary basis. 
     The retail sale of software programs is identical to other types of retail sales with software programs being sold in stores, through the mail, and more recently, on-line via the Internet. Many software packages, including families of programs, are loaded on new personal computers (PCs) by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). These software packages may offer a restricted use or a trial subscription to the PC user. 
     Shareware distribution of software programs is based upon the honor system. Shareware software programs comprise windows that remind the user to register their purchase and pay the fee so that a code may be received by the user and entered in the shareware software program. After the code is entered, the shareware program stops reminding the use to register the software being used. 
     Freeware software programs are available to the user at no cost and do not solicit any form of payment. Freeware software is the most common type of software downloaded from the Internet. Many freeware software programs are distributed by organizations that also solicit donations to fund their activities. Freeware distribution of software programs collects little or no revenues or the authors of a software program. 
     All of the previously mentioned software distribution methods are susceptible to being copied and distributed without providing compensation for the authors or distributors of the original software. Many PC users don&#39;t acknowledge that such a distribution of licensed material is illegal. 
     In recent a development, advertising revenue is created by on-line search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and MSN when ads are created based on search topics. Advertisements can also appear in a small window of a home page provided by the previously mentioned search engines. Advertisements are the main mechanism of generating income for Google and others and are a means of delivering the search service to the user for free. 
     Many people have become accustomed to the concept of network television, in which viewing advertisements is the price for having free access to programming. Programming content with the most viewers commands the highest price for advertising time. 
     This concept is also applied to magazine and newspaper distribution. Some magazines are distributed free but sell advertising in order to create income. Advertisements are priced according to circulation. In general, the higher the circulation, the higher the price charged for advertisement placement. 
     A means of creating sponsored software distribution based on advertising revenue is a mechanism to encourage software use (consumption) and distribution, while generating income for software developers. This model mitigates the illegal copying and distribution of programs as people will no longer pay for software applications if they can get it legally for free. 
     A method for generating advertising revenue based on software distribution requires an Internet connection to a monitoring site for the purpose of gauging the number of times an advertisement has been viewed. In addition, advertisements are required viewing prior to application activation, which may be a source of annoyance to the user. 
     Thus, a need still remains for a software distribution system with advertising revenue subsidy that can present free or reduced price software applications to PC users while generating a revenue stream for software authors and distributors. In view of the intense growth in the software development and distribution industries, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is critical that answers be found for these problems. Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems. 
     Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a method of operation of a software distribution system including: providing a compute platform; applying an ad-subsidized application in the compute platform including: providing a software application, joining advertised content to the software application for creating a subsidized software application, and installing or running from a customized storage device or a global communication system to the compute platform the subsidized software application; providing a display from the compute platform for displaying the ad-subsidized application; and accessing a commercial content through the display while having access to the software application. 
     The present invention provides a software distribution system including: a compute platform; an ad-subsidized application in the compute platform including: a software application in a first memory, advertised content in a second memory joined to the software application in the first memory for creating a subsidized software application in a third memory, and a customized storage device or a global communication system coupled to the compute platform for executing the subsidized software application; a display from the compute platform for displaying the ad-subsidized application; and a commercial content accessed through the display. 
     Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or element will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a software distribution system with advertising revenue subsidy in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bubble chart of the components of the subsidized software application. 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of a software distribution system utilizing the global communication system. 
         FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of a customized storage device for distribution of the subsidized software application. 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of the software distribution system in an update of content process. 
         FIG. 6  is a process flow diagram for initializing the ad-subsidized application, including updating the commercial content. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a display of the ad-subsidized application. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart of a method of operation of a software distribution system in a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known circuits, system configurations, and process steps are not disclosed in detail. 
     The drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing figures. Similarly, although the views in the drawings for ease of description generally show similar orientations, this depiction in the figures is arbitrary for the most part. Generally, the invention can be operated without regard to orientation. 
     Where multiple embodiments are disclosed and described, having some features in common, for clarity and ease of illustration, description, and comprehension thereof, similar and like features one to another will ordinarily be described with similar reference numerals. The term “processing” as used herein includes software generation, integration, testing, preparation, packaging, updating and monitoring. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown a functional block diagram of a software distribution system  100  with advertising revenue subsidy in an embodiment of the present invention. The functional block diagram of the software distribution system  100  depicts a compute platform  102 , such as a personal computer (PC), a personal data assistant (PDA), a game platform, a portable telephone, a portable navigation device, or the like, having a connection  104  to a global communication system  106 , a mass storage device (not shown) or a compact disk (CD) not shown. The global communication system  106  may include the Internet or global positioning satellite network. 
     The connection  104 , while shown as a solid link, may be any communication link. For example the connection  104  may be a wired connection or a wireless connection, including optical, radio frequency (RF), or cellular means of communication. The global communication system  106 , such as the world wide web, may include hardware and software for communicating by transfer control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). 
     A software application manager  108  may be coupled through the global communication system  106  to the compute platform  102 . The software application manager  108  controls all aspects of the processing of a subsidized software application  110 , such as an advertising revenue subsidized software application. While the software application manager  108  is shown as a single entity this is an example only and the actual implementation of the software application manager  108  may include a distributed network of systems and facilities. 
     A subsidized software distributor  112  may package and transport the subsidized software application  110  received from the software application manager  108 . The subsidized software distributor  112  may produce a customized storage device  114 , such as a game cartridge or a mass storage memory device, which can contain the subsidized software application  110 . An advertising cost may be set by the number of the customized storage devices  114  produced. 
     The subsidized software distributor  112  may submit the customized storage device  114  to a conveyor  116 , such as a shipper. The conveyor  116  may move the customized storage device  114  to a location suitable for an end user (not shown) to perform an installation link  118  of the customized storage device  114  to the compute platform  102 . The installation link  118  may include receiving the customized storage device  114 , such as a postal delivery, pick-up from a distribution outlet, a third party delivery, or the like. 
     The subsidized software application  110  may be executed on the compute platform  102  by the end user (not shown). The access to the subsidized software application  110  may be through the installation link  118 , or downloaded through the connection  104 . 
     Once the subsidized software application  110  is running on the compute platform  102 , the operation and maintenance of the subsidized software application  110  is handled by the software application manager  108  or the customized storage device  114 . The subsidized software application  110  will communicate with the software application manager  108  or the customized storage device  114  as a normal part of the execution of the subsidized software application  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown a bubble chart of components  200  of the subsidized software application  110 . The bubble chart of the components  200  depicts a software application  202 , such as a game, a utility program, a service program, or a configuration program, stored in a first memory coupled to an integrator  204 . The integrator  204  may be linked to advertised content  206  stored in a second memory, such as promotional material, to be embedded in the software application  202 . 
     The advertised content  206  may enable the end user (not shown) to earn discounts, order products or services, win gifts, locate vendors, or access vendor information. The advertised content  206  may also change with time and a dynamic maintenance process is controlled by the software application manager  108 . 
     The integrator  204  may perform a joining of the software application  202  and the advertised content  206 . The joining process may include installing banners, providing an advertising interface, customizing display options, and testing. The integrator  204  provides the subsidized software application  110 , in a third memory, for distribution as well as incremental updates for the software application manager  108 . When the integrator  204  has completed the joining of the software application  202  and the advertised content  206 , it is not possible for the end user (not shown) to separate the software application  202  in a functional condition. 
     The integrator  204  may join the software application  202  and the advertised content  206  in a way that allows the end user access to the software application  202  while viewing the advertised content  206 . The subsidized software application  110  does not require accessing the advertised content  206  in order to make use of the software application  202 . Instead the advertised content  206  is presented in a user friendly fashion. 
     The advertised content  206  may change on a periodic basis and key elements or special offers may be linked to the software application manager  108  by the integrator  204 . These changes in the advertised content  206  may be managed dynamically by the software application manager  108 . 
     It has been discovered that the joining of the software application  202  and the advertised content  206  may provide a less intrusive interface to the end user (not shown). It has also been discovered that the dynamic management of the advertised content  206  may create a more interesting environment and enhance the appeal of the target commodity or business. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown a functional block diagram of a software distribution system  300  utilizing the global communication system  106 . The functional block diagram of the software distribution system  300  depicts the compute platform  102  having the connection  104  to the global communication system  106 . 
     The connection  104 , while shown as a solid link, may be any communication link. For example the connection  104  may be a wired connection or a wireless connection, including optical, RF or cellular means of communication. 
     The software application manager  108  may be coupled through the global communication system  106  to the compute platform  102 . The software application manager  108  controls all aspects of the processing of the subsidized software application  110 , such as an advertising revenue subsidized software application. While the software application manager  108  is shown as a single entity this is an example only and the actual implementation of the software application manager  108  may include a distributed network of systems and facilities. 
     In this embodiment of the present invention, the compute platform  102  would gain access to the subsidized software application  110  by accessing an address on the global communication system  106 . By way of an example the compute platform  102  may be a web enabled cell phone, a web enabled game player, or a web enabled PDA downloading the subsidized software application  110  in the form of a game or other entertainment software. An ad-subsidized application  302 , such as an advertising subsidized application, may be the result of installing the subsidized software application  110  on the compute platform  102 . Installing the subsidized software application  110  on the compute platform  102  may be defined as plugging in the customized storage device  114 , downloading the subsidized software application  110  into the memory of the compute platform  102 , or a combination thereof. 
     The compute platform  102  may download the subsidized software application  110  and while executing the ad-subsidized application  302  the end user (not shown) may be appraised of special offers, discounts, products, or services from a sponsoring company. The presentation of the commercial offers is integrated into the operation of the ad-subsidized application  302  in order to enhance the application rather than obstruct it. 
     All access to the subsidized software application  110  may be performed through the global communication system  106 . The software application manager  108  may also monitor responses to the commercial offers presented through the ad-subsidized application  302 . 
     Monitoring the number of installations the software application manager  108  performs allows a means to determine the value, to the sponsor, of the commercial offers embedded and presented by the ad-subsidized application  302 . An increased number of the ad-subsidized application  302  would correspondingly increase the amount a vendor could charge the sponsor to present the commercial offers through the ad-subsidized application  302 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown a functional block diagram of a customized storage device  400  for distribution of the subsidized software application  110 . The functional block diagram of the customized storage device  400  depicts a mass storage device  402  having an interface plug  404 , interface electronics  406 , and memory storage  408 . The subsidized software application  110  may reside in the memory storage  408  in a format suitable for installation on the compute platform  102 , of  FIG. 1 . 
     The customized storage device  400  may actually be a subset of the customized storage device  114  and is a specific example of a possible implementation thereof. In this example the customized storage device  400  takes the shape of a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick. This is only an example and other configurations are likely to be available, such as a compact disk, compact flash memory, secure digital memory, USB disk storage, or other disk storage, having the subsidized software application  110  pre-loaded. 
     The customized storage device  400  may be sold at a retail outlet, mail ordered, or be given away as a promotional item. The number of installations of the subsidized software application  110  may be used to determine the pricing of the advertised content  206 , of  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , therein is shown a functional block diagram of the software distribution system  500  in an update of commercial content process. The functional block diagram of the software distribution system  500  depicts the compute platform  102  having system memory  502  which may include the ad-subsidized application  302  and commercial content memory  504  loaded therein. 
     The configuration of the system memory  502  is an example only and it may include the memory storage  408 , of  FIG. 4 , as well as other memory (not shown) that may reside in the compute platform  102 . At pre-determined intervals, such as the beginning or end of execution or other times to be defined by the integrator  204 , of  FIG. 2 , the ad-subsidized application  302  may request an update of the data in the commercial content memory  504  that is to be presented during execution of the ad-subsidized application  302 . 
     In order to refresh the data in the commercial content memory  504 , the ad-subsidized application  302  may access a web interface  506  in the software application manager  108  through the global communication system  106  or retrieve the data from the customized storage device  400 . If new commercial content is available from the customized storage device  400  it may be directly loaded into the commercial content memory  504 . If no updates are available through the customized storage device  400 , the ad-subsidized application  302  may interrogate the software application manager  108 . 
     If new commercial content is available, the software application manager  108  will present the commercial content to be transferred to the web interface  506 . Any accesses of the data in the commercial content memory  504 , by the end user, may be monitored by the software application manager  108  through the global communication system  106  in order to calculate revenue generated. 
     The new commercial content will be transferred under control of the ad-subsidized application  302 . As packets are received across the global communication system  106 , the ad-subsidized application  302  will process the packets and store the new commercial content in the commercial content memory  504 . 
     It has been discovered that the dynamic management of the commercial content displayed by the ad-subsidized application  302  allows great flexibility in presenting time critical commercial offers. As an example, a discount may be available on certain products for only a portion of a day. The ad-subsidized application  302  can detect the window of time that the offer is valid and only display the discount option during that time. 
     It has also been discovered that during the update of commercial content process a redirection to an alternate web site may provide quicker responses during times of heavy internet traffic. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , therein is shown a process flow diagram for initializing the ad-subsidized application  302 , including updating the commercial content. The process flow diagram for initializing the ad-subsidized application  302  depicts an initialization entry  602 , such as an address in the system memory for an entry point in the ad-subsidized application  302  that may be entered at the start of execution of the software application  202 , of  FIG. 2 , or may be a re-entry point for priority or interval reloads of the commercial content. The initialization entry  602  may be located in the memory internal to the compute platform  102  or it may be located within the customized storage device  400 . 
     The initialization entry  602  may be coupled to a web site request  604 . The web site request  604  may provide an alternate web address during high traffic activity, it may indicate that no update of the commercial content is available, or it may indicate an update is available. 
     The web site request  604  may be coupled to a new content decision  606 . The new content decision  606  examines the response from the web site request  604  to determine if an update of the commercial content is available. If no update is available the new content decision  606  exits to a run software application  612 . 
     If the new content decision  606  determines that an update is available it exits to a download commercial content  608 . The download commercial content  608  manages the transfer of the new commercial content from the designated web site and stores the data in a temporary buffer location then moves to a replace advertising content  610 . 
     The replace advertising content  610  parses the new commercial content to the proper memory locations for integration into the ad-subsidized application  302 . The replace advertising content  610  also determines if there is time critical commercial content in the new delivery and sets appropriate timer intervals to initiate re-entry to the initialization entry  602 . When the replace advertising content  610  has completed the preparation the run software application  612  is entered. 
     The updating of the commercial content is executed very quickly and no perceptible delay in the operation of the ad-subsidized application  302  can be detected. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , therein is shown a block diagram of a display  700  of the ad-subsidized application  302 . The block diagram of the display  700  depicts a company banner  702 , such as an area of the display showing the company logo, company name, and company recognition information, as text or graphics. The display  700  of the current invention may be a user interface screen or a linked device that presents a coupon. 
     An application selection panel  703  may present icons for the selection of applications currently installed, such as a software application icon  704  for executing the software application  202 , of  FIG. 2 . The application selection panel  703  may be updated if additional applications are stored in the customized storage device  400 , of  FIG. 4 , such as an additional application icon  705 . 
     A commercial content panel  706  may display icons that link the commercial content to the display  700 . The commercial content panel  706  may include access links to a commercial content  707 , such as a products link  708 , a company information link  710 , a services offered link  712 , and a special promotions link  714 . It is understood that the links defined for the commercial content panel  706  are an example only and other configurations and links are possible. The definition and number of links presented in the commercial content panel  706  may change at any time. 
     As an example the product link  708  may provide access to purchase a product or products from a sponsoring company. Also by way of an example the company information link  710 , the services offered link  712 , and the special promotions link  714  may provide access to information or offers from the sponsoring company. 
     A utilities support panel  716  may contain a program management link  718 , a data back-up and restore link  720 , and a data management link  722 . It is also understood that these defined links are an example only and other services or utilities are possible. 
     A status and control banner  724  may include an eject link  726 , a capacity meter  728 , and a volume ID frame  730 . The display  700  as described is an example and other configurations are possible. The background may be customized with the company colors or other identifying signs or text as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , therein is shown a flow chart of a method  800  of operation of a software distribution system in a further embodiment of the present invention. The method  800  includes: providing a compute platform in a block  802 ; applying an ad-subsidized application in the compute platform including: providing a software application, joining advertised content to the software application for creating a subsidized software application, and installing from a customized storage device or a global communication system to the compute platform the subsidized software application in a block  804 ; providing a display from the compute platform for displaying the ad-subsidized application in a block  806 ; and accessing a commercial content through the display while having access to the software application in a block  808 . 
     Thus, it has been discovered that the software distribution system and device or product of the present invention furnishes important and heretofore unknown and unavailable solutions, capabilities, and functional aspects for providing subsidized software applications at low or no cost to the end user. 
     The resulting method, process, apparatus, device, product, and/or system is straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile and effective, can be surprisingly and unobviously implemented by adapting known technologies, and are thus readily suited for efficiently and economically operating software distribution systems fully compatible with conventional manufacturing methods or processes and technologies. 
     Another important aspect of the present invention is that it valuably supports and services the historical trend of reducing costs, simplifying systems, and increasing performance. 
     These and other valuable aspects of the present invention consequently further the state of the technology to at least the next level. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters hithertofore set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.