SECURE AUTHORIZATION AND CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A GAME DELIVERY SERVICE

A communications system for the delivery of digital data programs to a remote location includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal having the digital data programs and a communications terminal located at the remote location. The communications terminal includes a control circuit including authorizing circuitry responsive to authorization data for authorizing the communications terminal to access authorized ones of the digital data programs in one of a first and a second authorization mode. For example, automatic authorization modes for game play may comprise an arcade mode and a rental mode, simulating manual access methods i.e. paying for play at a video arcade or for rental of games from a video game store. Moreover, new games may be accessed without charge by the game player if authorized according to a free service authorization map. Furthermore, parents may limits game play to children prior to a particular time of day such as bed-time or to a maximum playtime limit according to a secret downloadbale password known only to the parents. A game player may only read and not write authorization and control data.