System for replacing a cursor image in connection with displaying advertising content

Abstract

A system for displaying advertising content includes a client computer having a display device, a processor, a network interface, and a graphical user interface including a cursor. The client computer is arranged to receive advertising content data from a remote computer via the network interface. The advertising content data includes cursor display data for displaying a promotional image. The processor is coupled to the display device and modifies the cursor in accordance with the promotional image in response to a predetermined event. The promotional image may include elements such as animation, a satellite image, a sprite image, promotional text, and a combination thereof.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for modifying a cursor image to a specific image having a desired shape and appearance displayed by a remote display of a user computer, the method comprising steps of:
 providing specified content information including information to be displayed by the remote display of the user computer, along with cursor image data corresponding to the specific image, wherein the specific image includes content corresponding to information to be displayed on the remote display of the user computer, and at least one cursor display instruction including an indication of the cursor image data;   transmitting the specified content information, the cursor image data, and the at least one cursor display instruction to the user computer from a server computer after receiving a request from the user computer for the specified content information; and   processing the cursor display instruction with cursor display code to modify the cursor image of the remote display of the user computer to present the shape and appearance of the specific image after movement of the cursor image over displayed specified content information.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the server computer transmits specified content information only in response to a request by the user computer. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further including enabling content providers to modify at least some attributes of the user computer, including cursor display code, via access to the server computer. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further including enabling content providers to modify at least some attributes of the user computer, including cursor display code, with permission of a user of the user computer, via access to the server computer. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further including enabling content providers to modify at least some attributes of the user computer, including cursor display code, after authentication provided by an authentication server, via access to the server computer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further including enabling content providers to modify at least some attributes of the user computer, including an operating system of the user computer, via access to the server computer. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further including enabling content providers to modify at least some attributes of the user computer, including a user application of the user computer, via access to the server computer. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the user application includes a word processor. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the user application includes a spreadsheet. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the user application includes a web browser. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the user application includes a game. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein specified content information includes an advertisement for goods or services. 
     
     
         33 . A method for modifying a cursor image to a specific image having a desired shape and appearance displayed by a remote display of a user computer, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing specified content information including information to be displayed by the remote display of the user computer, along with cursor image data corresponding to the specific image, wherein the specific image includes content corresponding to information to be displayed on the remote display of the user computer, and at least one cursor display instruction including an indication of the cursor image data;   transmitting the specified content information, the cursor image data, at least one cursor display instruction, and data to modify at least some attributes of the user computer from a server computer to the user computer after receiving a request from the user computer; and   processing the cursor display instruction with cursor display code to modify the cursor image of the remote display of the user computer to present the shape and appearance of the specific image after movement of the cursor image over displayed specified content information.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further including modifying an operating system of the user computer in response to at least the data to modify at least some attributes of the user computer. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , further including modifying a user application of the user computer in response to at least the data to modify at least some attributes of the user computer. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , further including modifying a word processor of the user computer in response to at least the data to modify at least some attributes of the user computer. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , further including modifying a spreadsheet of the user computer in response to at least the data to modify at least some attributes of the user computer. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , further including modifying a web browser of the user computer in response to at least the data to modify at least some attributes of the user computer. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33 , further including modifying a game of the user computer in response to at least the data to modify at least some attributes of the user computer. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein specified content information includes an advertisement for goods or services.