Method and device for updating reception rights in a multiple operator system

• US 7,913,272 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2001
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nagravision SA (Kudelski SA)
• Original Assignee: Nagravision SA (Kudelski SA)
• Inventors: Sasselli, Marco, Bussy, Jean-Luc, Stransky, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirl, Joseph P
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENG, FRED H
• Application Number:
  US10/311,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20030147531A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,571 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 725/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4436 Power management, e.g. shutting down unused components of the receiver power management in computer systems G06F1/3203; hibernate or awake process in computer systems G06F9/4418
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4623 Processing of entitlement messages, e.g. ECM [Entitlement Control Message] or EMM [Entitlement Management Message] arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services H04H60/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

The invention refers to a method of updating a multi-operator reception system by administration (EMM) and updating messages between a subscriber management system and one or several decoders of pay television, being the functioning of the decoder dependent on the reception of administration (EMM) and updating messages of at least one preferential operator, this decoder having to pass into stand-by state under certain conditions.

If the subscriber uses mostly an operator that does not require subscription rights, the decoder does not receive any more the necessary updating.

To switch this decoder into the stand-by state, the method according to the invention carries out the following operations:

• • switching of the reception to one or several preferential operators,
  • receiving and processing of the messages of management of rights (EMM),
  • determining of the end of a complete cycle of reception messages,
  • switching to the stand-by state.

Claims

1. A method for updating reception rights of a decoder in a multi-operator pay television reception system, the decoder including a first processor and being connected to a security module, the security module including a security module processor and a memory in which reception rights are stored, the method comprising the steps of:

making by the first processor a determination to enter into a stand-by mode in which no administration messages are received by the decoder;

after making the determination, switching to a transport associated with a preferential operator;

receiving by the decoder a plurality of administration messages comprising a complete cycle of administration messages on the transport, the plurality of administration messages configured to include a reception right;

updating the reception rights stored in the memory of the security module; and

switching to the stand-by state after the plurality of administration messages has been received and the reception rights have been updated;

wherein the receiving step includes the steps of detecting when a complete cycle of administration messages has been received by determining when a duplicate administration message has been received, and wherein the switching step is performed if a duplicate administration message is not received within a predetermined period of time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the decoder is capable of receiving transmissions from more than one preferential operator and wherein the switching and receiving steps are performed for each preferential operator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a time required to receive a complete cycle of administration messages is predetermined.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a period of time necessary to receive the complete cycle of administration messages is determined prior to making a determination to enter into the stand-by state and the receiving step is performed for the period of time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step is performed for a period of time defined in a message received by the decoder.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining a period of time required to receive a complete cycle of administration messages based at least in part on a period of time during which the decoder was connected to the preferential operator prior to the step of making a determination to enter into the stand-by mode.

7. A pay television decoder, comprising:

a receiver capable of receiving a plurality of channels, at least one channel including at least one administration message comprising a reception right;

a security module associated with the decoder, the security module including a security module processor and a memory for storing reception rights; and

a first processor, the first processor being configured to perform the steps of;

making a determination to enter a stand-by state in which no administration messages-are received by the decoder;

switching the receiver to the at least one channel including administration messages after making the determination;

receiving a plurality of administration messages comprising a complete cycle of administration messages, the plurality of administration messages including at least one reception right;

processing administration messages received on the at least one channel;

updating the reception rights stored in the memory of the security module; and

entering the stand-by state after the administration messages received on the at least one channel have been processed and the stored reception rights have been updated;

wherein the receiving step includes the steps of detecting when a complete cycle of administration messages has been received by determining when a duplicate administration message has been received, and wherein the entering step is performed if a duplicate administration message is not received within a predetermined period of time.

8. The pay television decoder of claim 7, wherein the first processor is configured to perform the switching and processing steps for a plurality of channels corresponding to different preferential operators.