Method and device for transmitting decryption codes of freely transmitted, encrypted program contents to clearly identifiable receivers

• US 20060271483A1
• Filed: 07/05/2004
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BT GmbH & Company OHG (BT Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: BT GmbH & Company OHG (BT Group PLC)
• Inventors: Ernst, Matthias, Specht, Jens
• Granted Patent: US 9,143,817 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/51
• 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 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26613 for generating or managing keys in general key distribution for secret or secure communication involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP] H04L9/083; network support of key management H04L63/06; key management for network security in communication control or processing H04W12/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63345 by transmitting keys key distribution for secret or secure communication H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a device for transmitting decryption codes for freely transmitted, encrypted program contents, enabling decryption codes to be transmitted in a more simple manner and enabling a connection or a user to be established via a user network, also enabling the reception of a telephone call, identification of the network termination element, especially the telephone number, and transmission of the decryption code for a program content. Billing data can be automatically established using the network termination element/the telephone number and information on the requested program content. Additionally or alternatively, examination is possible if a registered right of access for the decryption code exists for the network termination element/telephone number, whereby transmission occurs exclusively for the existing right of access. The invention also relates to a system for decrypting freely transmitted, encrypted program contents.

Claims

1. Method for transmitting decryption codes for freely transmitted encrypted program contents and for automatically establishing billing data for the program contents with the following steps:

a) Setup of a connection to a service provider by a customer via his subscriber network;

b) Determination of the network terminating units (terminals) of the existing connection, in particular the calling party number of the customer and the called no. of the service provider;

c) Transmission of the decryption code for a program content;

d) Establishing of billing data using the network terminating unit (terminal), in particular the calling party number, the called no. of the service provider, and information about the requested program content.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the setup of the connection by the customer is executed by the dialing of a call number of the service provider and the acceptance of the telephone call by the service provider.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional identification feature is retrieved from the caller during the period of the telephone call and before the transmission of the decryption code.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the validity of the identification features is checked, and the decryption code is transmitted only in the case of validity.

5. Method according to claim 3, wherein the additional identification features include at least one of the following:

an age-related or personal identification code, an identification or device number of a decoder receiving the decryption code.

6. Method according to claim 4, wherein the decryption code is generated specifically for the identified decoder and transmitted to this.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the information about the identified calling party number is integrated in the decryption code.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the program content for which the decryption code is to be sent is queried before the transmission of the decryption code.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following items of information is stored for the billing data, or forwarded to a corresponding billing unit:

the called number, the time and/or duration of the telephone connection, the additional identification features and/or the transmitted decryption code.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the billing data is forwarded to the telecommunication service provider for collection.

11. Method according to claim 1, wherein the called number is a service number, which is billed via the telecommunication service provider.

12. Method for transmitting decryption codes for freely transmitted encrypted program contents to a registered subscriber group with the following steps:

a) Setup of a connection to a service provider by a customer via his subscriber network;

b) Determination of the network terminating units (terminals) of the existing connection, in particular the calling party number of the customer and the called no. of the service provider;

c) Checking of whether there is a registered access right to the decryption code for the customer'"'"'s network terminating unit (terminal), in particular the calling party number;

d) Transmission of the decryption code if the access right exists.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the setup of the connection to the customers is executed by the dialing of a call number of the service provider and the acceptance of the telephone call by the service provider.

14. Method according to claim 12, wherein as well as the network terminating unit (terminal) or the call number, at least one additional identification feature is retrieved from the caller.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the additional identification feature includes at least one age-related or personal identification code and/or an identification code of a decoder receiving the decryption code.

16. Method according to claim 14, wherein the information about the identified calling party number and/or the receiving decoder is integrated in the decryption code.

17. Method according to claim 12, wherein the program content for which the decryption code is needed is queried for the transmission of the decryption code.

18. Method according to claim 12, wherein the calling party number and information relating to the program contents for which the decryption code was transmitted are stored and/or forwarded to an appropriate unit for billing purposes.

19. Method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the following items of information is stored and/or forwarded for billing purposes:

the called number, the time and/or duration of the telephone call, the additional identification features and/or transmitted decryption code.

20. Device for transmitting decryption codes for freely transmitted decrypted program contents and for automatic billing of the same, the device having the following:

a unit for establishing a connection between a customer and a service provider over a subscriber network of the customer, in particular a telephone connection between a customer and a service provider;

a unit for determining the network terminating units (terminals) of the existing connection between the customer and the service provider, in particular the calling party number of the customer and the called no. of the service provider;

a unit for transmitting the decryption code; and

a unit for storing and/or forwarding billing data, consisting of the network terminating units (terminals), in particular the call no. of the customer and the called number of the service provider, and information about the program content for which the decryption code was transmitted.

21. Device according to claim 20, wherein a comparator unit is provided for comparing a received item of information with stored information.

22. Device for transmitting decryption codes for freely transmitted encrypted program contents to a registered subscriber group, said device comprising:

a unit for establishing a connection between a customer and a service provider over a subscriber network of the customer, in particular a telephone connection between a customer and a service provider;

a unit for determining the network terminating units of the existing connection between the customer and the service provider, in particular the calling party number of a customer and the called no. of the service provider;

a memory unit for storing data of a registered subscriber group with its respective network terminating units (terminals), in particular its call numbers;

a unit for comparing the network terminating units (terminals), in particular the established call numbers with the registered data; and

a unit for transmitting the decryption code.

23. Device according to claim 22, wherein a unit for storing and/or forwarding billing data, consisting of at least the customer'"'"'s call number, the called no. of the service provider and information about the program content for which the decryption code was transmitted.

24. Device according to claim 22, wherein a comparator unit is provided for comparing a received item of information with stored information.

25. System for decrypting freely transmitted encrypted program contents, the system having the following:

a receiver unit for receiving the encrypted program content;

a unit for establishing a connection between a customer and a decryption code transmission unit of a service provider over a subscriber network of the customer;

a memory for storing a decryption code transmitted over the connection; and

a decoder for decrypting the encrypted program content with the help of the decryption code.

26. System according to claim 25, wherein the connection is a telecommunication link.

27. System according to claim 25, wherein the system comprises a memory for storing information for the connection setup, in particular for storing a telephone number to be called.

28. System according to claim 25, wherein the system comprises a unit for input of information for the connection setup, in particular a telephone number to be called and/or additional information.

29. System according to claim 28, wherein the unit comprises a remote control of the decoder.

30. System according to claim 28, wherein the unit comprises an interactive terminal device, in particular a telephone.

31. System according to claim 25, wherein an error detection unit is provided, which detects whether the stored decryption code correctly decodes a desired program content.

32. System according to claim 25, wherein the system includes a unit for automatic setup of a connection and for retrieval of a decryption code at preset times.

33. System according to claim 25, wherein the unit for establishing a connection, the memory for storing the decryption code, the memory for storing information for the connection setup, in particular a telephone number to be called, the input unit and/or the error detection unit are integrated in the decoder.

34. System according to claim 25, wherein the decoder contains a source code, which is combined with the decryption code to decode an encrypted signal.

35. System according to claim 34, wherein the source code of the decoder is stored on a non-overwritable storage medium.