Network-based distribution of application products

Abstract

An improved system and method for submitting, distributing and/or managing digital products with respect to a product distribution system are disclosed. The submission of digital products to the product distribution system can operate to electronically submit not only the digital products but also product information, developer information and distribution parameters. The product distribution system can present the digital products for distribution at an online product distribution site in accordance with the distribution parameters. The online product distribution site can present potential purchasers with product information and/or developer information prior to any purchase.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for distributing digital products through an online repository managed by a server computing device, the method comprising, at the server computing device:
 storing a set of digital products into the online repository, wherein each digital product is associated with a device type on which the digital product is compatible to execute;   for each digital product in the set of digital products:
 identifying, based on the device type associated with the digital product, a subset of digital products that is associated with the device type, and 
 categorizing the digital product into the subset of digital products; 
   receiving, from a client computing device, a request to access a product page that includes digital products that are compatible to execute on the client computing device;   identifying, based on a device type of the client computing device, the subset of digital products that is associated with the device type of the client computing device; and   providing the product page to the client computing device, wherein the product page includes at least one digital product categorized into the subset of digital products identified based on the device type of the client computing device.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein providing the product page to the client computing device causes the client computing device to display the product page on a display device that is communicably coupled to the client computing device. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 authenticating the client computing device prior to providing the product page to the client computing device.   
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a second request to filter the digital products displayed on the product page, wherein the request specifies one or more of the following parameters associated with the digital products by which the digital products should be filtered:
 (i) a product name, (ii) a genre indication, (iii) a version number, or (iv) a product identifier. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the product page includes, for each digital product included in the product page, a respective hyperlink to a license page that provides information concerning a license agreement for the digital product. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the product page includes, for each digital product included in the product page, a respective hyperlink to download the digital product for installation on the client computing device. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the product page includes, for each digital product included in the product page, a respective hyperlink to a developer page associated with the digital product, and   the developer page comprises at least one link to at least one other digital product offered by a developer associated with the developer page, and the at least one other digital product is also compatible to execute on the client computing device.   
     
     
         8 . A method for distributing digital products through an online repository managed by a server computing device, the method comprising, at a client computing device:
 issuing, to the server computing device, a request to access a product page that includes digital products that are compatible to execute on the client computing device, wherein the request causes the server computing device to:
 identify, based on a device type of the client computing device, a subset of digital products that is associated with the device type of the client computing device; and 
   receiving, the product page from the server computing device, wherein the product page includes at least one digital product categorized into the subset of digital products identified based on the device type of the client computing device.   
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 displaying the product page on a display device that is communicably coupled to the client computing device.   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 authenticating with the server computing device prior to receiving the product page from the server computing device.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 providing, to the server computing device, a second request to filter the digital products displayed on the product page, wherein the request specifies one or more of the following parameters associated with the digital products by which the digital products should be filtered:
 (i) a product name, (ii) a genre indication, (iii) a version number, or (iv) a product identifier. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the product page includes, for each digital product included in the product page, a respective hyperlink to a license page that provides information concerning a license agreement for the digital product. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the product page includes, for each digital product included in the product page, a respective hyperlink to download the digital product for installation on the client computing device. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein:
 the product page includes, for each digital product included in the product page, a respective hyperlink to a developer page associated with the digital product, and   the developer page comprises at least one link to at least one other digital product offered by a developer associated with the developer page, and the at least one other digital product is also compatible to execute on the client computing device.   
     
     
         15 . A server computing device configured to distribute digital products through an online repository, the server computing device comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the server computing device to:
 store a set of digital products into the online repository, wherein each digital product is associated with a device type on which the digital product is compatible to execute; 
 for each digital product in the set of digital products:
 identify, based on the device type associated with the digital product, a subset of digital products that is associated with the device type, and 
 categorize the digital product into the subset of digital products; 
 
 receive, from a client computing device, a request to access a product page that includes digital products that are compatible to execute on the client computing device; 
 identify, based on a device type of the client computing device, the subset of digital products that is associated with the device type of the client computing device; and 
 provide the product page to the client computing device, wherein the product page includes at least one digital product categorized into the subset of digital products identified based on the device type of the client computing device. 
   
     
     
         16 . The server computing device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the at least one processor further causes the server computing device to:
 authenticate the client computing device prior to providing the product page to the client computing device.   
     
     
         17 . The server computing device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the at least one processor further causes the server computing device to:
 receive a second request to filter the digital products displayed on the product page, wherein the request specifies one or more of the following parameters associated with the digital products by which the digital products should be filtered:
 (i) a product name, (ii) a genre indication, (iii) a version number, or (iv) a product identifier. 
   
     
     
         18 . The server computing device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the product page includes, for each digital product included in the product page, a respective hyperlink to a license page that provides information concerning a license agreement for the digital product. 
     
     
         19 . The server computing device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the product page includes, for each digital product included in the product page, a respective hyperlink to download the digital product for installation on the client computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The server computing device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein:
 the product page includes, for each digital product included in the product page, a respective hyperlink to a developer page associated with the digital product, and   the developer page comprises at least one link to at least one other digital product offered by a developer associated with the developer page, and the at least one other digital product is also compatible to execute on the client computing device.