Encrypted start signal for game with data substitution in original data and means for limiting execution

Abstract

This game machine system includes a set top box 51 as a receiving unit for receiving digital data distributed using a broadcast system or a communication system. In a game dedicated device 52, starting of a game software item is inhibited until a software start enable signal is received by the receiving unit. Next to the software start enable signal, data for substitution or insertion for data of part of the game software is sent. This data can be commercial ads. The game dedicated machine 52 can judge whether or not the commercial ads have been introduced into and are in operation in the game software and, if the commercial ads are not in the game software, the game dedicated machine 52 can be made so as to be out of operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A program start control apparatus for controlling the starting of a software program, comprising:
 receiving means for receiving from a data distributing device data for substitution or insertion for original data of part of the software program and encrypted program start enable signal; and 
 limiting means for enabling execution of a program of substituting or inserting said data for original data of part of the software program if the encrypted program start enable signal can be decoded regularly, said limiting means limiting starting of said software program if the encrypted program start enable signal cannot be decoded regularly. 
 
     
     
       2. A program start limiting method for limiting starting of a software program, comprising:
 a receiving step of receiving from a data distributing device data for substitution or insertion for original data of part of the software program and encrypted program start enable signal; and 
 a limiting step of enabling execution of a program of substituting or inserting said data for original data of part of the software program if the encrypted program start enable signal can be decoded regularly and limiting starting of said software program if the encrypted program start enable signal cannot be decoded regularly. 
 
     
     
       3. A distributing apparatus for distributing a software program that causes visual information represented by said software program to be displayed, comprising:
 storing means for storing new data to be displayed that is substituted for, or inserted into, discrete portions of said software program that contains old data that has been previously displayed;   generating means for generating an encrypted program start enable (PSE) signal which limits starting of said software program if said encrypted PSE signal cannot be decoded regularly by a data executing device; and   distributing means for distributing to said data executing device said new data to be displayed and said encrypted PSE signal which, if decoded regularly by said data executing device, enables execution of a program of substituting or inserting new data, thereby causing the display of said visual information in which said new data is displayed in place of said old data that had been displayed.   
     
     
       4. A method of distributing a software program that causes visual information represented by said software program to be displayed, comprising the steps of:
 storing new data to be displayed that is substituted for, or inserted into, discrete portions of said software program that contains old data that has been previously displayed;   generating an encrypted program start enable (PSE) signal which limits starting of said software program if said encrypted PSE signal cannot be decoded regularly by a data executing device; and   distributing to said data executing device said new data to be displayed and said encrypted PSE signal which, if decoded regularly by said data executing device, enables execution of a program of substituting or inserting new data, thereby causing the display of said visual information in which said new data is displayed in place of said old data that had been displayed.   
     
     
       5. A program start control apparatus for controlling the starting of a software program, comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive from a data distributing device data for substitution or insertion for original data of part of the software program and encrypted program start enable signal; and   a processor programmed to enable substituting or inserting said data for original data of part of the software program if the encrypted program start enable signal can be decoded regularly, said processor limiting starting of said software program if the encrypted program start enable signal cannot be decoded regularly.   
     
     
       6. A distributing apparatus for distributing a software program that causes visual information represented by said software program to be displayed, comprising;
 a memory configured to store new data to be displayed that is substituted for, or inserted into, discrete portions of said software program that contains old data that has been previously displayed;   a generator configured to generate an encrypted program start enable (PSE) signal which limits starting of said software program if said encrypted PSE signal cannot be decoded regularly by a data executing device; and   a distributor configured to distribute to said data executing device said new data to be displayed and said encrypted PSE signal which, if decoded regularly by said data executing device, enables execution of a program of substituting or inserting new data, thereby causing the display of said visual information in which said new data is displayed in place of said old data that had been displayed.