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 an initial cursor image displayed on a display of a user computer, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a request to provide specified content information to the user computer, the specified content information including information to be displayed on the display of the user computer;   providing at least one indication of a cursor image data corresponding to a specific image to the user computer after receiving the request, wherein the specific image includes content corresponding to at least a portion of the information to be displayed on the display of the user computer;   providing the specified content information to the user computer after receiving the request, the specified content information including at least one cursor display instruction;   executing a cursor display code, operable to process the at least one cursor display instruction to modify the cursor image in the shape and appearance of the specific image after the movement of the cursor image over at least a portion of the information to be displayed on the display of the user computer, the specific image having a shape and appearance relating to the information to be displayed; and   transforming the initial cursor image displayed on the display of the user computer into the shape and appearance of the specific image in accordance with the at least the cursor display instruction.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein transforming the initial cursor image further comprises executing the cursor display code to display the specific cursor image while at least a portion of the information to be displayed is displayed on the display of the user computer. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein transforming the initial cursor image further comprises displaying advertising material related to at least a portion of said information to be displayed. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the advertising material further comprises images of a good or a service corresponding to said information to be displayed. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said advertising material further comprises messages relating to said information to be displayed. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein transforming the initial cursor image further comprises displaying user application related information related to at least a portion of said information to be displayed. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein user application related information is related to a game. 
     
     
         28 . The method in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein transforming the initial cursor image further comprises:
 employing a browser application including cursor display code responsive to the cursor display instruction; and   executing the cursor display code by employing parameters defined in said cursor display instruction.