Method for monitoring access to a restricted-access system, and a restricted-access system

• US 20020092016A1
• Filed: 11/07/2001
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Offer, Gero
• Application Number:
  US10/005,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20020092016A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/1739 the upstream communication being transmitted via a separate link, e.g. telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A method and restricted-access system for monitoring access to a restricted-access system including the setting up of a second telecommunications connection, via which an identifier for a control device is sent to a transmission provider which, in response to this, sends a decoding key via the second telecommunications connection to the user of the control device, wherein the user then enters the transmitted decoding key into the control device.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring access to a restricted-access system for transmitting at least one desired television program, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a transmitting device of a service provider for transmitting the at least one desired television program via at least one desired television channel of a first telecommunications connection;

providing at least one control device arranged at a receiving end for controlling access by a user to pay-per-view television programs;

providing at least one television set for receiving the at least one desired television program;

setting up a second telecommunications connection between the user and the service provider using a telecommunications system;

checking an identifier allocated to the control device;

checking additional information about the desired television program, by the service provider, via the second telecommunications connection;

allocating a decoding key to the identifier and to the additional information by the service provider;

transmitting the decoding key from the service provider to the user via the second telecommunications connection;

inputting the decoding key in the control device by the user via an input device;

linking the decoding key and the identifier in the control device to form decoding information; and

enabling the desired television channel with the at least one desired television program to allow the at least one desired television program to be received by the television set via the first telecommunications connection.

2. A method for monitoring access to a restricted-access system for transmitting at least one desired television program as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising the step of:

setting up the second telecommunications connection by a call from the user to the service provider via a mobile telephone.

3. A method for monitoring access to a restricted-access system for transmitting at least one desired television program as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of checking further includes entering data via at least one of voice selection, tone selection, a Wireless Access Protocol and a short message service, and transmitting the data.

4. A method for monitoring access to a restricted-access system for transmitting at least one desired television program as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control device is connected between the television set and an antenna device which receives the television programs.

5. A method for monitoring access to a restricted-access system for transmitting at least one desired television program as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising the step of:

checking a credit account of the user by the service provider once the identifier has been checked.

6. A method for monitoring access to a restricted-access system for transmitting at least one desired television program as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising the step of:

checking a personal identification number of the user.

7. A restricted-access system for transmitting at least one desired television program, comprising:

a transmitting device of a service provider for transmitting the at least one desired television program via at least one desired television channel of a first telecommunications connection;

at least one control device arranged at a receiving end for controlling access by a user to pay-per-view television programs;

at least one television set for receiving the at least one desired television program;

a second telecommunications connection set up between the user and the service provider via a telecommunications system, wherein the service provider transmits a decoding key to the user, via the second telecommunications connection, in order to check both an identifier which is allocated to the control device and additional information about the desired television program, and in order to allocate the decoding key to the identifier and to the additional information;

an input device for inputting the decoding key into the control device; and

a processor device for linking the input decoding key with the identifier and for enabling the desired television channel with the desired television program to allow the desired television program to be received by the at least one television set via the first telecommunications connection.

8. A restricted-access system for transmitting at least one desired television program as claimed in claim 7, wherein the input device is a television set remote control and the processor device is arranged in the television set.

9. A restricted-access system for transmitting at least one desired television program as claimed in claim 7, wherein a mobile telephone is used by the user for setting up the second telecommunications connection.

10. A restricted-access system for transmitting at least one desired television program as claimed in claim 9, wherein the input device is a receiving device arranged on the control device and uses Bluetooth data transmission technology to receive the decoding key, which is received by the mobile telephone, from a transmitting device in the mobile telephone.