System for providing alternative services
First Claim
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1. A method for a client device with a processor and memory that is coupled to a server device to provide a subscriber an alternative service upon accessing an unauthorized service, comprising the steps of:
- receiving from the server device and storing in the memory a service database and an authorization database, wherein the service database includes a channel table referencing a plurality of services corresponding to a plurality of channels and a service table defining the plurality of services and including the definition of alternate services assigned to at least one of the plurality of services, and wherein the authorization database includes a list of authorizations individual to the subscriber and corresponding to the plurality of services;
accessing the service database responsive to the subscriber attempting to access a desired channel to determine a first service corresponding to the desired channel;
determining whether the subscriber is authorized for the first service according to the authorization database, wherein the client device presents the first service to the subscriber on a display device responsive to the authorization database revealing that the subscriber is authorized for the first service; and
presenting one of the alternate services according to the service database responsive to the subscriber being unauthorized to receive the first service.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a system for providing alternative services in a television system. In one implementation, a subscriber is provided an alternative service upon attempting to access an unauthorized service, thereby providing a framework for efficient control of conditional access and enhanced services. In addition, in one implementation, user device limitations or variations are handled conveniently through the same multi-purpose system for providing alternative services.
607 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for a client device with a processor and memory that is coupled to a server device to provide a subscriber an alternative service upon accessing an unauthorized service, comprising the steps of:
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receiving from the server device and storing in the memory a service database and an authorization database, wherein the service database includes a channel table referencing a plurality of services corresponding to a plurality of channels and a service table defining the plurality of services and including the definition of alternate services assigned to at least one of the plurality of services, and wherein the authorization database includes a list of authorizations individual to the subscriber and corresponding to the plurality of services; accessing the service database responsive to the subscriber attempting to access a desired channel to determine a first service corresponding to the desired channel; determining whether the subscriber is authorized for the first service according to the authorization database, wherein the client device presents the first service to the subscriber on a display device responsive to the authorization database revealing that the subscriber is authorized for the first service; and presenting one of the alternate services according to the service database responsive to the subscriber being unauthorized to receive the first service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for a client device with a processor and memory that is coupled to a server device to provide a subscriber an alternative service upon accessing an unauthorized service, comprising:
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logic configured to receive from said server device and store in said memory a service database and an authorization database, wherein said service database includes a channel table referencing a plurality of services corresponding to a plurality of channels and a service table defining said plurality of services and including the definition of alternate services assigned to at least one of the plurality of services, and wherein said authorization database includes a list of authorizations individual to said subscriber and corresponding to said plurality of services; logic configured to access said service database responsive to said subscriber attempting to access a desired channel to determine a first service corresponding to said desired channel; logic configured to determine whether said subscriber is authorized for said first service according to said authorization database, wherein said client device presents said first service to said subscriber on a display device responsive to said authorization database revealing that said subscriber is authorized for said first service; and logic configured to present one of the alternate services according to said service database responsive to said subscriber being unauthorized to receive said first service. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification