Method and system for enabling visitors to subscribe to currently-viewed programming packages
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- generating, via a first set-top box associated with a first user, a user-interface configured to receive user identification information of a second user; and
sending data including the user identification information and programming package identification information of a programming package included in the first user'"'"'s subscription to a service provider,wherein the sent data 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.
5 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.
17 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating, via a first set-top box associated with a first user, a user-interface configured to receive user identification information of a second user; and sending data including the user identification information and programming package identification information of a programming package included in the first user'"'"'s subscription to a service provider, wherein the sent data 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for subscribing to a programming package comprising:
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receiving a request for programming package identification information of a programming package included in a first user'"'"'s subscription with a service provider; and in response to the request, storing the programming package identification information on a portable storage medium via a first set-top box associated with the first user, wherein the portable storage medium is readable by a second set-top box to retrieve the information, and wherein the programming package identification information is configured to generate a user-interface, via the second set-top box associated with a second user, through which the second user is able to subscribe to the programming package. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. One or more machine readable storage media storing machine readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:
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generating, at a first set-top box associated with a first user, a user-interface configured to receive user identification information of a second user; and sending data including the user identification information of the second user and programming package identification information of a programming package included in the first user'"'"'s subscription to a service provider, wherein the sent data 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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. One or more machine readable storage media storing machine readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:
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receiving a request for programming package identification information of a programming package included in a first user'"'"'s subscription with a service provider; and in response to the request, storing the programming package identification information on a portable storage medium via a first set-top box associated with the first user, wherein the portable storage medium is readable by a second set-top box to retrieve the information, and wherein the programming package identification information is configured to generate a user-interface, via the second set-top box associated with a second user, through which the second user is able to subscribe to the programming package. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; and memory configured to computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform a method comprising; receiving user identification information of a second user; and sending data including the user identification information of the second user and programming package identification information of a programming package included in a first user'"'"'s subscription to a service provider, wherein the sent data is configured to cause the service provider to transmit a signal to a second device associated with the second user, the signal configured to allow the second user to subscribe to the programming package via the second device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; and memory configured to store computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform a method comprising; receiving a request for programming package identification information of a programming package included in a first user'"'"'s subscription with a service provider; and in response to the request, storing the programming package identification information on a portable storage medium, wherein the portable storage medium is readable by a device different from the apparatus to retrieve the information, and wherein the programming package identification information is configured to generate a user-interface, via the device associated with a second user, through which the second user is able to subscribe to the programming package. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification