De-authentication of network component

• US 20060174328A1
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Redwood Technologies, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Dawson, Thomas Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,703,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32

Abstract

A wireless home entertainment system consistent with certain embodiments has at least one server having at least one manipulable authentication element thereon, wherein the manipulable authentication element is not a general purpose data entry element. At least one component is in wireless communication with the server. A User Interface is used for selecting an authenticated component to be de-authenticated. A person can cause the server to regard an authenticated component as being de-authenticated by manipulating the authentication element while a component to be de-authenticated is selected using the user interface. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Claims

1. A wireless home entertainment system, comprising:

at least one server having at least one manipulable authentication element thereon, wherein the manipulable authentication element is not a general purpose data entry element;

at least one component in wireless communication with the server;

a User Interface for selecting an authenticated component to be de-authenticated; and

wherein a person can cause the server to regard an authenticated component as being de-authenticated by manipulating the authentication element while a component to be de-authenticated is selected using the user interface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the element comprises a button.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the de-authentication comprises removing the component from a list of authorized components.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the de-authenticating comprises stopping any content being delivered to the component, sending a message to the component that it is de-authenticated, and terminating all connections to the component.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the server further comprises means for indicating that the component is de-authenticated.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for indicating generates an audible or visual signal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the User Interface forms a part of the server.

8. A method for de-authenticating a component in wireless communication with a server, comprising:

identifying the component to be de-authenticated using a user interface; and

at the server, receiving a signal indicative of actuation of a dedicated authentication button on the server while the component is identified to de-authenticate the component.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the de-authentication comprises removing the component from a list of authorized components.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the de-authenticating comprises stopping any content being delivered to the component, sending a message to the component that it is de-authenticated, and terminating all connections to the component.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing an indication that the component is de-authenticated.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the indication comprises generating an audible or visual signal.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the User Interface forms a part of the server.

14. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on a programmed processor, carry out a process as described in claim 8.

15. A home entertainment multimedia server, comprising:

at least one manipulable authentication element thereon, wherein the manipulable authentication element is not a general purpose data entry element;

a wireless transceiver for wireless communication with network components;

means for providing a User Interface for selecting an authenticated component to be de-authenticated; and

a programmed processor overseeing communication with components on a list of authenticated components, and wherein a person can cause the server to regard an authenticated component as being de-authenticated by manipulating the authentication element while a component to be de-authenticated is selected using the user interface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the element comprises a button.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the de-authentication comprises the processor removing the component from the list of authenticated components.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the de-authenticating comprises stopping any content being delivered to the component, sending a message to the component that it is de-authenticated, and terminating all connections to the component.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the server further comprises means for indicating that the component is de-authenticated.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the means for indicating generates an audible or visual signal.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the User Interface forms a part of the server.

22. A home entertainment multimedia server, comprising:

at least one authentication button element thereon, wherein the authentication button is not a general purpose data entry element;

a wireless transceiver for wireless communication with network components;

a User Interface forming part of the server for selecting an authenticated component to be de-authenticated;

a programmed processor overseeing communication with components on a list of authenticated components, and wherein a person can cause the server to regard an authenticated component as being de-authenticated by manipulating the authentication element while a component to be de-authenticated is selected using the user interface,

wherein the de-authentication comprises the processor removing the component from the list of authenticated components, stopping any content being delivered to the component, sending a message to the component that it is de-authenticated, and terminating all connections to the component; and

means, residing on the server, for providing an audible or visual indication that the component is de-authenticated.