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 data updating system for modifying a cursor image, comprising:
 a cursor movable on a display of a user computer having a cursor image;   cursor image data corresponding to specific images, with the specific images having content corresponding to information to be displayed on the display of the user computer; and   at least one cursor display instruction associated with the cursor image data, and executable to provide updated data from a remote data source, the updated data being associated with the cursor by initiating modification of the cursor image from an initial cursor image to the specific images on the display of the user computer.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the user computer is configured to transmit cursor data files to the remote data source. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the cursor data files further comprise cursor position data. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein cursor image data further comprise an advertisement for goods or services. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the remote data source is configured to modify attributes of the user computer, including cursor display code, after authentication provided by an authentication server. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the remote data source is configured to modify attributes of the user computer, including an operating system of a user computer. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the remote data source is configured to modify attributes of the user computer, including a user application. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the user application includes a word processor. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the user application includes a spreadsheet. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the user application includes a web browser. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the user application includes a game. 
     
     
         32 . A data updating system for a game, comprising:
 a cursor movable on a game displayed by a user computer;   cursor image data corresponding to a specific images, with the specific images having content corresponding to information to be displayed on a display of the user computer; and   at least one cursor display instruction associated with the cursor image data of the specific image, the cursor display instruction executable to provide updated data from a remote data source, the updated data being associated with the cursor by initiating modification of the cursor to display the specific images on the display of the user computer.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the user computer is configured to transmit cursor data files to the remote data source. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the cursor data files further comprise cursor position data. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein cursor image data further comprise an advertisement for goods or services displayable in the game. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the remote data source is configured to modify attributes of the user computer, including cursor display code, after authentication provided by an authentication server. 
     
     
         37 . A data updating system for a cursor controlled by an operating system, comprising:
 a cursor movable on a display of a user computer;   cursor image data corresponding to specific images having content corresponding to information to be displayed on a display of a user computer;   at least one cursor display instruction associated with the cursor image data of the specific images, the cursor display instruction executable to provide updated data from a remote data source, the updated data being associated with the cursor by initiating modification of specific operating system controlled cursor images with the updated data on the display of the user computer.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the user computer is configured to transmit cursor data files to the remote data source. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the cursor data files further comprise cursor position data. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein cursor image data further comprise an advertisement for goods or services.