Method for user-related billing for transmitted television, video, radio or games programs in a restricted-access system, and a system for carrying out the method
First Claim
1. A method for user-related billing for transmitted programs in a restricted-access system, the programs selected from the group consisting of television, video, radio and games programs, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a transmitting device for transmitting at least one desired program;
providing a service provider for releasing the at least one desired program to be transmitted;
providing a control device arranged at a receiving end for controlling access to pay programs;
providing a television set for receiving the at least one desired program;
setting up a telecommunications connection between the control device and the service provider;
requesting, via the service provider, that an amount of money be transferred to a credit account and that both usage identification data and the at least one desired program be entered in the control device;
transferring the amount of money to the credit account associated with the usage identification data with the service provider;
entering the usage identification data in the control device;
transmitting the usage identification data to the service provider;
comparing the entered usage identification data with stored usage identification data;
debiting an amount of money associated with the at least one desired program when the entered usage identification data and the stored usage identification date are identical;
allocating a key for decoding both the usage identification data and the at least one desired program;
transmitting the key to the control device; and
enabling a television channel with the at least one desired program, via the control device, to allow the television set to receive the at least one desired program.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for user-related billing for transmitted television, video, radio or games programs in a restricted-access system, which includes the steps of transferring an amount of money to a credit account which is associated with usage identification, comparing entered and storage usage identification data, debiting an amount of money which is associated with a desired television, video, radio or games program, and allocating and transmitting a key for decoding the usage identification and the desired television, video, radio or games program.
18 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for user-related billing for transmitted programs in a restricted-access system, the programs selected from the group consisting of television, video, radio and games programs, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a transmitting device for transmitting at least one desired program;
providing a service provider for releasing the at least one desired program to be transmitted;
providing a control device arranged at a receiving end for controlling access to pay programs;
providing a television set for receiving the at least one desired program;
setting up a telecommunications connection between the control device and the service provider;
requesting, via the service provider, that an amount of money be transferred to a credit account and that both usage identification data and the at least one desired program be entered in the control device;
transferring the amount of money to the credit account associated with the usage identification data with the service provider;
entering the usage identification data in the control device;
transmitting the usage identification data to the service provider;
comparing the entered usage identification data with stored usage identification data;
debiting an amount of money associated with the at least one desired program when the entered usage identification data and the stored usage identification date are identical;
allocating a key for decoding both the usage identification data and the at least one desired program;
transmitting the key to the control device; and
enabling a television channel with the at least one desired program, via the control device, to allow the television set to receive the at least one desired program. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A restricted-access system with user-related billing for transmitted programs, the programs selected from the group consisting of television, video, radio and games programs, comprising:
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a transmitting device for transmitting at least one desired program;
a service provider for releasing the at least one desired program to be transmitted;
a control device arranged at a receiving end for controlling access to pay programs;
a television set for receiving the at least one desired program;
a telecommunication connection between the control device and the service provider;
a device for crediting and debiting an amount of money to and from, respectively, a credit account associated with user identification data with the service provider;
a device for storing a user profile which contains the user identification data;
a device for storing a program and a television channel profile containing available programs;
a comparison device for comparing usage identification data entered by the user and the stored usage identification data;
a device for allocating a key for decoding the usage identification data; and
a device for transmitting and receiving data which are transmitted between the service provider and the control device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification