Virtual property system

Patent 6119229 Issued on September 12, 2000. Estimated Expiration Date:

April 11, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Assignee

The Brodia Group

Application

No. 834027 filed on 04/11/1997

Examiners

Primary: Beausoliel, Robert W. Jr.
Assistant: Elisca, Pierre E.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Glenn; Michael A., Wong; Kirk

Foreign Patent References

0 753 836 EP 01/13/1997
WO 96 07251 WO 03/13/1996
WO 99/24891 WO. 05/13/1999
WO 99/24892 WO. 05/13/1999

International Class

G06F 012/14

Abstract

A digital object ownership system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of user terminals, where each terminal is accessible by at least one individual user. The system also includes at least one central computer system that is capable of communicating with each of the user terminals. A plurality of digital objects are provided, where each of the digital objects has a unique object identification code. Each of the digital objects are assigned to an owner. The digital objects are persistent, such that each of the digital objects is accessible by a particular user both when the user's terminal is in communication with the central computer system and also when the user's terminal is not in communication with the central computer system. The digital objects have utility in connection with communication over a network in that the object requires both the presence of the object identification code and proof of ownership.