Method and system to access PC-based services from non-PC hardware

• US 20060048179A1
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
• Original Assignee: Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
• Inventors: Sullivan, Marc Andrew, Kortum, Philip Ted, Williams, Alyssa Lenorah Noll, Cansler, James L. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/927,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20060048179A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Abstract

An authentication protocol interface is described that allows a user to authenticate into, or login to, a PC based environment using a non-pc device. It also provides the user with a transparent method of “programming” the interface so that the interface behaves the way a user wants the next time they use the system. The invention further enables a user to avoid authentication altogether by allowing the settop box to serve as the login authority for certain tasks. The invention operates in a non-PC environment where the use of a mouse and other MS Windows® interface components (i.e., check boxes, radio dials, and the like) are not allowed.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a PC-based content source;

a content display module;

a wireless remote control; and

a programmable non-PC-based medium networked to the PC-based content source, wherein the non-PC-based medium accepts program input from the remote control and outputs content to the display module according to the input program, and wherein the programmable non-PC-based medium reads computer code that programs the medium to perform programmed functions, wherein the functions comprise;

displaying on the display module a PC-based content login interface;

logging into the PC-based content; and

displaying the PC-based content display on the display module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-PC-based medium comprises a DHCT.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the DHCT comprises a satellite television settop box.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the DHCT comprises a cable television settop box.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the DHCT comprises a high definition television settop box.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the content display module comprises a television monitor.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the television comprises a high definition television monitor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the PC-based content source comprises the Web.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control comprises an alphanumeric keyboard.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface provides a soft keyboard.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the PC-based based content source comprises a personal computer.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the personal computer runs Windows®

operating system.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the personal computer runs MAC OS.

14. A user interface displayed on a television screen connected to a DHCT to access content from a personal computer or internet server through the DHCT, wherein the interface accepts user information from a remote control, the interface comprising:

a menu item to select a user account from a list of users, wherein at least one user account is a master account, for the user to login to the computer content source;

a master account window for the user to optionally login with the master account every time;

a username window to enter a new user into the user list;

a password window to enter a user password; and

a password save window for the user to optionally save a password.

15. A DHCT remote control comprising an alphanumeric keyboard.

16. A method for authenticating a non-PC user into PC-based content, the method comprising:

providing a PC-based content source;

providing a content display module;

providing a wireless remote control; and

providing a programmable non-PC-based medium networked to the C-based content source, wherein the non-PC-based medium accepts program input from the remote control and outputs content to the display module according to the input program, and wherein the programmable non-PC-based medium reads computer code that programs the medium to perform programmed functions, wherein the functions comprise;

displaying on the display module a PC-based content login interface;

logging into the PC-based content; and

displaying the PC-based content display on the display module.

17. A method for authenticating a non-PC user into PC-based content, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying on a display module a PC-based content login interface;

logging into the PC-based content; and

displaying the PC-based content on the display module.