Subscribing to Programming Packages
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving, at a first set-top box, information identifying a programming package included in a subscription of a first user; and
sending a request to a service provider to subscribe a second user to the programming package of the first user, the request including the information identifying the programming package of the first user, wherein the request is configured to cause the service provider to transmit a signal to a second set-top box associated with the second user, the signal configured to allow the second user to subscribe to the programming package of the first user.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for enabling users visiting a friend or family member to subscribe to a TV programming package that the friend or family member currently subscribes to. In one embodiment, the method includes generating a user-interface (UI) via the friend'"'"'s set-top box to enable entry of visitor user identification information. This information, along with programming identification information is then sent to the service provider for the programming package. The service provider retrieves or generates information by which a UI may be generated to easily enable the visitor to setup and activate the programming package and sends it to the visitor'"'"'s home set-top box. In another embodiment, programming package identification information is stored on a portable storage medium and carried to the visitor'"'"'s home set-top box, where it is read to retrieve the identification information. The information is then sent to the service provider, which sends back appropriate data to generate the UI.
15 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
receiving, at a first set-top box, information identifying a programming package included in a subscription of a first user; and sending a request to a service provider to subscribe a second user to the programming package of the first user, the request including the information identifying the programming package of the first user, wherein the request is configured to cause the service provider to transmit a signal to a second set-top box associated with the second user, the signal configured to allow the second user to subscribe to the programming package of the first user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method comprising:
-
receiving a request to subscribe a first user to a programming package included in a subscription of a second user, wherein the request includes information identifying the programming package; determining the programming package using the received subscriber information; and transmitting data to a set-top box associated with the first user, the data configured to enable addition of the programming package to a subscription of the first user. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. An apparatus comprising:
-
a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform a method comprising; receiving, at the apparatus, information identifying a programming package included in a subscription of a first user; and sending a request to a service provider to subscribe a second user to the programming package of the first user, the request including the information identifying the programming package of the first user, wherein the request is configured to cause the service provider to transmit a signal to a set-top box associated with the second user, the signal configured to allow the second user to subscribe to the programming package of the first user. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification