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 method for modifying a cursor image, comprising the steps of:
 in response to moving a cursor on a display of a user computer, changing 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   executing at least one cursor display instruction associated with the cursor image data of the specific image to provide updated data from a remote data source, the updated data being associated with the cursor by initiating modification of the cursor image data to display the specific images on the display of the user computer.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further including transmitting cursor data files from the user computer transmits to the remote data source. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cursor data files further comprise cursor position data. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein cursor image data further comprise an advertisement for goods or services. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further including modifying attributes of the user computer with the remote data source, including cursor display code, after authentication provided by an authentication server. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further including modifying attributes of the user computer, including an operating system of the user computer, with the remote data source. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further including modifying attributes of the user computer, including a user application of the user computer, with the remote data source. 
     
     
         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 . A data updating method for a game, comprising:
 in response to moving a cursor on a game displayed by a user computer, changing cursor image data corresponding to specific images, with the specific images having content corresponding to information to be displayed on a display of the user computer;   executing at least one cursor display instruction associated with the cursor image data of the specific image to provide updated data from a remote data source, the updated data being associated with the cursor by initiating modification of a cursor image to display the specific images on the display of the user computer.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further including transmitting cursor data files from the user computer transmits to the remote data source. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the cursor data files further comprise cursor position data. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein cursor image data further comprise an advertisement for goods or services displayable in the game. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , further including modifying attributes of the user computer with the remote data source, including cursor display code, after authentication provided by an authentication server. 
     
     
         37 . A data updating method for a cursor controlled by an operating system, comprising:
 in response to moving a cursor of an operating system on a display of a user computer, changing 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   executing at least one cursor display instruction associated with the cursor image data of the specific image to provide updated data from a remote data source, the updated data being associated with the cursor by initiating modification the operating system controlled cursor with the updated data on the display of the user computer.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further including transmitting cursor data files from the user computer to the remote data source. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the cursor data files further comprise cursor position data. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein cursor image data further comprise an advertisement for goods or services.