Theft prevention of media peripherals in a media exchange network

• US 20040117660A1
• Filed: 09/26/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bennett, James D., Karaoguz, Jeyhan
• Granted Patent: US 8,343,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring

Abstract

Systems and methods of theft prevention of communication devices are provided. In one embodiment, the method may include, for example, one or more of the following: registering a communication device being used at a home, where the device is connected to a communication network; entering validation information relating to the communication device; and analyzing the validation information to determine whether the communication device is authorized for use in the communication network.

Claims

1. A method of theft prevention of communication devices used in a communication network, the method comprising:

(a) registering a communication device deployed at a location that is communicatively coupled to the communication network;

(b) entering validation information relating to the communication device; and

(c) analyzing the validation information to determine whether the communication device is authorized for use in the communication network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein registering the communication device comprises at least one of entering a device serial ID number, recognizing a digital certificate stored in the communication device, entering roaming preferences for the communication device, and entering a password.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein entering of the validation information comprises at least one of entering a device serial ID number, recognizing a digital certificate stored in the communication device, and entering a password.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(d) locking the communication device out of the communication network upon determination that the communication device is unauthorized.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

(e) determining the location of the communication device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

(f) notifying an authority of the location of the communication device, if the communication device has been reported as stolen.

7. A system supporting theft prevention of communication devices used in a communication network, comprising:

a processor, communicatively coupled to the communication network, that receives information related to a communication device, the processor further receives validation information entered into the communication network and analyzes the validation information to determine whether the communication device is authorized for use in the communication network.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor comprises at least one of a personal computer, and a set-top-box.

9. A system supporting theft prevention of communication devices used in a communication network, comprising:

a communication device deployed in a home environment; and

a communication network communicatively coupled to the home environment, the communication network receiving authorization information relating to the communication device and determining whether to grant the communication device access to the communication network.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication network comprises at least one of a third party media server, a media storage server, a broadband access headend, a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, a closed communication infrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the communication network comprises the Internet.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the communication network comprises the closed communication infrastructure.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the authorization information comprises at least one of a device serial ID number, a digital certificate, and a password.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication device comprises at least one of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a television, a personal computer, a CD player, a juke-box, a multi-media gateway device, a multi-media personal digital assistant, a DVD player, a tape player, a media player, and a MP3 player.

15. A system supporting theft prevention of communication devices used in a communication network, comprising:

a storage device residing in a first home environment;

a media device residing in a second home environment; and

a communication network communicatively coupled to the first home environment and the second home environment, the communication network analyzing authorization information and determining whether to grant access of the media device to the first home environment.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication network analyzes authorization information and determines whether to grant access of the media device to the storage device.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication network comprises at least one of a third party media server, a media storage server, a broadband access headend, a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, a closed communication infrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the communication network comprises the Internet.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the communication network comprises the closed communication infrastructure.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the authorization information comprises at least one of a device serial ID number, a digital certificate, and a password.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the media device comprises at least one of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a television, a personal computer, a CD player, a juke-box, a multi-media gateway device, a multi-media personal digital assistant, a DVD player, a tape player, a media player, and a MP3 player.