CONTROL METHOD, SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20140366100A1
• Filed: 01/24/2013
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dunraven Finance Limited (BC Investment Management Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Dunraven Finance Limited (BC Investment Management Corp.)
• Inventors: Deeley, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 9,324,108 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/306 using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32

Abstract

A computer-implemented control method for a rented device, comprises providing identification data to identify the device at a server, receiving a permission data file for the device from the server on the basis of the identification data, and including data representing a set of operating permissions associated with the device, executing a device specific operation on the basis of the permission data file to restrict or enable a function of the device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented control method for a rented device, comprising:

providing identification data to identify the device at a server;

receiving a permission data file for the device from the server on the basis of the identification data, and including data representing a set of operating permissions associated with the device;

executing a device specific operation on the basis of the permission data file to restrict or enable a function of the device.

2. A computer-implemented control method as claimed in claim 1, further including validating the permission data file.

3. A computer-implemented control method as claimed in claim 1, the device operable to display static and moving images, further including controlling an electronic program guide for the device.

4. A control system for a rented device, comprising:

a control platform unit to provide permission data representing multiple operating permissions associated with the device;

a permission control unit of the device to use the permission data to execute a device specific operation to restrict or enable a function of the device.

5. A control system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the permission control unit is a standalone device to connect to the device and restrict a function of the device upon its removal from the device.

6. A control system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the permission control unit is embedded into a firmware module of the device.

7. A control system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the permission control unit is a cloud based module operable to communicatively couple with the device.

8-11. -11. (canceled)