Electronic single action software distribution

Abstract

Deep linking to a URL of a download is obviated by the generation of a dynamic symbolic system link. When a user is at a download page, the HTML source for the displayed download button does not contain the URL of the download site. Selection of the button sends as form values the product ID and a session ID to the server which generates a dynamic link. This link is returned to the browser to redirect it to the download site. The link is further set to expire after the session so that, even if the link is captured, after expiration it will be unable to reach the download site.

What is claimed as the invention is: 
     
         1 . A virtual store system comprising:
 a computer network;   a client being selectively connected to said network;   a download server including at least one electronically stored file locatable by a URL and further being connected to said network;   an ESD server being connected to said network; and   a store server including a first alphanumeric identification and a plurality of web pages and further being connected to said network;   wherein a first one of said web pages includes a second alphanumeric identification associated with said file and a first indicia selectable at said client when said first one of said web pages is viewed at said client;   wherein said first identification and said second identification are transmitted to said ESD server upon selection of said first indicia and in response said ESD server transmits to said store server an alphanumeric string generated as a function of said first identification and said second identification; and   wherein a second one of said web pages includes a second indicia selectable at said client when said second one of said web pages made viewable at said client subsequent to said alphanumeric string being generated; and   wherein said client is connected to said download computer to access said file at said URL upon selection of said second indicia, said URL including said alphanumeric string.   
     
     
         2 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said computer network is a public computer network. 
     
     
         3 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said client is a user computer having a browser. 
     
     
         4 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said electronically stored file is an executable software program. 
     
     
         5 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first alphanumeric identification is a session ID. 
     
     
         6 . A system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein a third one of said web pages includes a login form and a third indicia, said login form being adapted to receive a login name and password when said third one of said web pages is viewed at said client, said third indicia being selectable when said third one of said web pages is viewed at said client, said login name and said password being transmitted to said store server upon selection of said third indicia, said store server in response generating said session ID. 
     
     
         7 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second alphanumeric identification is a name of said file. 
     
     
         8 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said second alphanumeric identification is an encoded name of said file. 
     
     
         9 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first one of said pages includes an html input tag to generate said first indicia. 
     
     
         10 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first indicia is a one-click button. 
     
     
         11 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first indicia is an add to cart button. 
     
     
         12 . A system as set forth in  claim 11  wherein a third one of said pages is a shopping cart page viewable at said client in response to selecting said add to cart button and including textual information concerning said file and a download indicia in association with said textual information wherein said second one of said web pages is viewable at said client in response to selection of said download button. 
     
     
         13 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said client further includes a third alphanumeric identification. 
     
     
         14 . A system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said third alphanumeric identification is a cookie. 
     
     
         15 . A system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said store server further includes a database adapted to contain at least one entry wherein said entry includes said third alphanumeric identification and said second alphanumeric identification subsequent to selection of said second indicia. 
     
     
         16 . A system as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said third identification from each of said client and said database are read by said download server, said client being enabled to connect to said download server only in the event said third identification from each of said client and said database are identical. 
     
     
         17 . A system as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said shopping cart page further includes additional textual information concerning at least one non-ESD item and a purchase indicia in association with said additional textual information. 
     
     
         18 . A system as set forth in  claim 17  wherein a fourth one of said web pages includes information relating to said at least one non-ESD item, a fourth alphanumeric identification and a fourth indicia. 
     
     
         19 . A method for electronic software distribution comprising:
 displaying at a client a download page having a download button;   sending to a first server an alphanumeric identification identifying electronically stored software title in response to selection of said download button;   sending to a second server from said first server said alphanumeric identification and a session ID;   generating at said second server said dynamic symbolic system link as a function of said alphanumeric identification and said session ID;   redirecting said client to a URL identified by said symbolic system link at a download server, said URL being the location from which an electronically stored software title may be downloaded.   
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19  further comprising:
 setting at said client a user cookie upon connection to said store server; 
 writing said user cookie and said alphanumeric identification into a database in association with each other; 
 reading said user cookie by said second server in response to receiving said alphanumeric identification and said session ID; 
 comparing said user cookie at said client to said user cookie in said database, said generating being performed only in the event of match occurs between said user cookie at said client and said user cookie in said database.