Satellite TV security system
First Claim
1. A satellite TV security system including a TV satellite operated by a satellite TV provider directing video and audio TV signals to a television set of a satellite TV subscriber, comprising:
- a TV set top box, a satellite TV dish antenna receiving encoded TV signals from the TV satellite, an addressable integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) including means for receiving said encoded TV signals transmitted from said satellite TV dish antenna, and for decoding said encoded TV signals, and for transmitting said decoded TV signals to the subscriber television set, said IRD having an assigned IRD identification number and being positioned in said TV set top box, a modular smart card operationally mounted with said IRD and having input/output means for storing TV subscriber data and TV program data, said smart card having an assigned smart card identification number that is matched to said assigned IRD identification number by the satellite TV provider, said TV satellite transmitting data to said IRD relating to said smart card identification number and to said IRD identification number upon command of the satellite TV provider, a security module operationally integrated with said IRD and having means for receiving signals of said assigned said smart card identification number and said assigned IRD identification number from said IRD and for periodically verifying the match of said smart card identification number and said IRD identification number and further having means for detecting a lack of verification of a match, and means for disabling the transmission of said decoded TV signals from said IRD to the subscriber TV upon detection of said lack of verification of a match.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A satellite TV security system including a TV satellite operated by a satellite TV provider directed to a television set of a satellite TV subscriber that defends the satellite TV provider from illegal reception of TV signals from a TV satellite. An addressable integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) positioned in the TV set top box has an assigned identification number and a smart card positioned in the IRD has an assigned identification number. A security module is provided that is integrated with the IRD. Upon command of the satellite TV provider or automatically, the security module makes a periodic verification of a match of the two identification numbers. Lack of verification of a match triggers a signal from the security module to the IRD to stop transmitting TV signals to the subscriber television. As an alternative verification, the security module initiates periodic verifications of the operability of the telephone line connection between the satellite TV provider and the IRD of the subscriber. Lack of verification of the operability of the telephone line triggers a signal from the security module to the IRD to stop transmitting TV signals to the subscriber TV. The two systems of verification can be operated independently or simultaneously. The subscriber telephone number can be added as an assigned identification number, so that a three-way verification of identification numbers by the security module is required for continued transmission of TV signals to the subscriber television.
291 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A satellite TV security system including a TV satellite operated by a satellite TV provider directing video and audio TV signals to a television set of a satellite TV subscriber, comprising:
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a TV set top box, a satellite TV dish antenna receiving encoded TV signals from the TV satellite, an addressable integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) including means for receiving said encoded TV signals transmitted from said satellite TV dish antenna, and for decoding said encoded TV signals, and for transmitting said decoded TV signals to the subscriber television set, said IRD having an assigned IRD identification number and being positioned in said TV set top box, a modular smart card operationally mounted with said IRD and having input/output means for storing TV subscriber data and TV program data, said smart card having an assigned smart card identification number that is matched to said assigned IRD identification number by the satellite TV provider, said TV satellite transmitting data to said IRD relating to said smart card identification number and to said IRD identification number upon command of the satellite TV provider, a security module operationally integrated with said IRD and having means for receiving signals of said assigned said smart card identification number and said assigned IRD identification number from said IRD and for periodically verifying the match of said smart card identification number and said IRD identification number and further having means for detecting a lack of verification of a match, and means for disabling the transmission of said decoded TV signals from said IRD to the subscriber TV upon detection of said lack of verification of a match. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A satellite TV security system including a TV satellite operated by a satellite TV provider directing video and audio TV signals to a television set of a satellite TV subscriber, comprising:
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a TV set top box, a satellite TV dish antenna receiving encoded TV signals from the TV satellite, an addressable integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) including means for receiving said encoded TV signals transmitted from said satellite TV dish antenna for decoding said encoded TV signals and for transmitting decoded TV signals to the subscriber television set, a telephone line connection extending in operational relationship with the satellite TV provider and said IRD, and a security module operationally integrated with said IRD, said security module having means for periodically verifying the operability of said telephone line connection and for detecting a lack of said operability of said telephone line connection, said security module further including means for disabling the transmission of said decoded TV signals from said IRD to the subscriber TV set upon detection of a lack of verification of the operability of said telephone line connection. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification