SOFTWARE CONDITIONAL ACCESS SYSTEM FOR A MEDIA DELIVERY NETWORK

• US 20130091516A1
• Filed: 11/27/2012
• Published: 04/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zimler, Randy, Watson, P. Thomas, Swix, Scott R.
• Application Number:
  US13/686,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20130091516A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/25
• 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 21/42676 for modulating an analogue carrier signal to encode digital information or demodulating it to decode digital information, e.g. ADSL or cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 involving video stream decryption
• 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 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup

Abstract

A method for purchasing a media service from a media delivery service provider includes sending a request to the media delivery service provider requesting the media service and authenticating a media distribution device by comparing a permanent virtual circuit established between the media distribution device and the media delivery service provider with a predetermined permanent virtual circuit defined and programmed by the media delivery service provider. Upon determining the media distribution device is successfully authenticated, the method includes downloading a software key from the media delivery service provider to the media distribution device and automatically deleting the software key after a predetermined amount of time. Upon determining the media distribution device is not successfully authenticated, the method includes downloading displayable data to the media distribution device from the media delivery service provider.

Claims

1. A method for purchasing a media service from a media delivery service provider, the method comprising:

sending a request, by an application executing on a computer processor of a media distribution device, to the media delivery service provider requesting the media service;

authenticating, by the application, the media distribution device by comparing a permanent virtual circuit established between the media distribution device and the media delivery service provider with a predetermined permanent virtual circuit defined and programmed by the media delivery service provider;

upon determining the media distribution device is successfully authenticated, downloading a software key from the media delivery service provider to the media distribution device and automatically deleting the software key after a predetermined amount of time; and

upon determining the media distribution device is not successfully authenticated, downloading displayable data to the media distribution device from the media delivery service provider.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the displayable data includes an instruction to contact a service representative of the media delivery service provider.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying information of the media distribution device; and

comparing the information to a customer record at the media delivery service provider;

determining whether the customer record indicates a customer associated with the customer record is in good standing; and

upon determining the customer is in good standing, permitting the media distribution device to purchase the media service.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein comparing the information to the customer record further includes matching a hardware serial number of the media distribution device with a registered hardware serial number of the customer record.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a predetermined physical communications path between the media distribution device and a communications component of the media delivery service provider.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a communications link utilizing a broadband connection with the media delivery service provider.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a communications link utilizing an asymmetric digital subscriber line with the media delivery service provider.

8. A computer program product for purchasing a media service from a media delivery service provider, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium containing instructions that when executed by a processing circuit perform a method, the method includes:

sending a request to the media delivery service provider for the media service;

authenticating a media distribution device by comparing a permanent virtual circuit established between the media distribution device and the media delivery service provider with a predetermined permanent virtual circuit defined and programmed by the media delivery service provider;

upon determining the media distribution device is successfully authenticated, downloading a software key from the media delivery service provider to the media distribution device and automatically deleting the software key after a predetermined amount of time; and

upon determining the media distribution device is not successfully authenticated, downloading displayable data to the media distribution device from the media delivery service provider.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the displayable data includes an instruction to contact a service representative of the media delivery service provider.

10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:

identifying information of the media distribution device; and

comparing the information to a customer record at the media delivery service provider;

determining whether the customer record indicates a customer associated with the customer record is in good standing; and

upon determining the customer is in good standing, permitting the media distribution device to purchase the media service.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein comparing the information to the customer record further includes matching a hardware serial number of the media distribution device with a registered hardware serial number of the customer record.

12. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a predetermined physical communications path between the media distribution device and a communications component of the media delivery service provider.

13. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a communications link utilizing a broadband connection with the media delivery service provider.

14. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a communications link utilizing an asymmetric digital subscriber line with the media delivery service provider.