SECURE AUTHORIZATION AND CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A GAME DELIVERY SERVICE

摘要

A communications system for the delivery of digital data programs to a remote location includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal having the digital data programs and a communications terminal (177) located at the remote location. The communications terminal (177) includes a control circuit (200) including authorizing circuitry responsive to authorization data for authorizing the communications terminal to access authorized ones of the digital data programs in one of a first and second authorization mode. For example, automatic authorization modes for game play may comprise an arcade mode and a rental mode, simulating manual access methods i.e. paying for play at a video arcade or for rental of games from a video game store. Moreover, new games may be accessed without charge by the game player if authorized according to a free service authorization map.