Valve Corporation

Mikel Howard Thompson

Christopher Richard Newcombe

Richard Donald Ellis

Paul David Jones

Derrick Jason Birum

Harold Michael Dunkle

A method and system for granting access to system and content is provided. A key is provided that allows access by a client computer to content that includes a plurality of resources. A server is accessed and the key is provided to the server. Based on the key, access is granted to the content. A program on the client computer requests a resource of the plurality of resources. If the resource is located locally, the resource is provided to the program. Otherwise, the resource is downloaded from the content server and stored locally. A data structure is modified to indicate that the resource is stored locally and the resource is provided to the program.

Method and system for granting access to system and content

A method and system for preloading data is provided. Resources are preloaded on a client before they are needed by an application. Application hints and static resources lists may be used to indicate resources are needed. The application may begin execution before receiving all of the resources associated with the application. Preloading may be done during execution of an application, or when the application is not executing. Preloading allows an application to run smoothly without consuming more resources than are needed by an application. A prediction graph may be generated that is used in predicting the resources that are likely to be needed by the application. An analyzer may also be used to simulate the system and adjust parameters used in creating the prediction graph.

Method and system for preloading resources

A method and system for effectively communicating file properties and directory structures within a distributed file system is provided. A manifest that includes properties relating to all of the files used in an application is created. The manifest is distributed to a client before the client has received all of the files or properties associated with an application. The manifest is stored on the client and is used to determine properties and locations of files used within the application. A distributed file system layer is used to receive file and property requests from the application; determine the location of the requested file, or the property using the manifest, and retrieve the property or file using the manifest. A tool may be used to generate the manifest manually or automatically. File system calls within an application may be replaced with calls that use the distributed file system layer. An interpreter may also be used to intercept the file system calls and replace them with calls that use the distributed file system layer.

Method and system for effectively communicating file properties and directory structures in a distributed file system

A method and system for versioning of applications is provided. A version of an application may be updated or rolled back transparently to the client. A list of resources in a current version of an application is created and compared to the list of resources in a new version. When a resource is not included in the current version but is included in the new version, a notation is made to include the resource in the new version. When an extra resource is in the current version but not in the new version, a notation is made to purge the resource so that it is not included in the new version. These notations may be created in a purge list used by the client to request the resources needed to change versions. No interaction is needed by the client to change versions.

Growing community of inventors

Shoreline, WA, United States of America

Mikel Howard Thompson