Matrix code for use in verification of data card swap

• US 8,511,540 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2011
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Dish Network Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Anguiano, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAIL, ALLYSON NEEL
• Application Number:
  US13/031,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20120215830A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235/494, 709/203
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26291 for providing content or additional data updates, e.g. updating software modules, stored at the client deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/418 External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34

Abstract

A content receiver receives an update to a memory unit contained therein utilizing data stored in a data card inserted or incorporated into the content receiver. The content receiver dynamically generates a matrix code based on the updates received in the memory and on information uniquely identifying the content receiver. The matrix code is transmitted to a content display device for display, and a matrix code reader detects the displayed matrix code and transmits information contained within the matrix code to a content provider for updating a user'"'"'s account associated with the updated content receiver. The content provider may transmit a message to the content receiver for display on the content display device indicating the update to the user'"'"'s account. The content provider may transit a similar message to the matrix code reader.

Claims

1. A method for confirming a content receiver has received an update utilizing matrix codes, comprising:

receiving an update at the content receiver using a source of data;

dynamically generating a matrix code utilizing the content receiver, wherein the matrix code generated comprises information identifying the source of data for the update to the content receiver and identification data unique to the content receiver; and

transmitting the matrix code to a content display device utilizing the content receiver, wherein the matrix code is decodable by a matrix code reader that detects the matrix code displayed to initiate an update to a user account associated with the identification data unique to the content receiver, said update including the information identifying the source of data for the update to the content receiver.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting a data card into the content receiver, wherein the source of data for the content receiver update comprises data stored within the data card.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein in response to inserting the data card in the content receiver, the content receiver is automatically updated utilizing the data stored within the data card.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the content receiver security access information stored within the content receiver is automatically updated.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the content receiver software data is automatically updated.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a message in the content receiver that the content receiver has been updated and displaying the message on the content display device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at the content receiver, a message that the user account has been updated, and transmitting the message to the content display device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a message utilizing the content receiver, said message prompting a user to capture the matrix code utilizing the matrix code reader, and transmitting the message to the content display device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the content receiver receives content in response to initiating the update to the user account.

10. A system for confirming a content receiver has received an update utilizing matrix codes, comprising:

a content receiver comprising;

a processing unit for dynamically generating a matrix code, wherein the information contained within the matrix code comprises information identifying a source of data for the update to the content receiver and identification data unique to the content receiver;

a communications unit for transmitting the matrix code to a content display device; and

a content provider remotely located from the content receiver;

wherein the matrix code is decodable by a matrix code reader that optically captures an image of the matrix code displayed on the display unit to initiate an update to a user account at the content provider, said user account associated with the identification data unique to the content receiver and updated with information identifying the source of data for the update to the content receiver.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the source of data used to update the content receiver comprises a data card configured to be inserted in the content receiver.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the data card is configured to store security access information used for updating the content receiver.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the data card is configured to store software used for updating the content receiver.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the content receiver is configured to deliver a message to the content display device that the content receiver has been updated.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the content receiver communications unit is configured to receive a message from the content provider that the user account has been updated.

16. The system of claim 15, the content receiver communications unit is configured to receive a message from the content provider that a memory unit of the content receiver has been updated.

17. A system for confirming a content receiver has received an update utilizing matrix codes, comprising:

a matrix code reader comprising;

an optical input unit for optically detecting a matrix code displayed on a display unit;

a processing unit for decoding the detected matrix code, wherein the information contained within the matrix code comprises information identifying a source of data for an update to a content receiver and identification data unique to the content receiver;

a communications unit for transmitting information in the decoded matrix code to a content provider;

wherein the transmitted information initiates an update to a user account at the content provider, said user account associated with the identification data unique to the content receiver and updated with information identifying the source of data for the update to the content receiver.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the matrix code reader further comprises a display unit, and the communications unit is configured to receive a message from the content provider that the user account has been updated and to display the message on the display unit.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the matrix code reader further comprises a display unit, and the communications unit is configured to receive a message from the content provider that the content receiver has been updated and to display the message on the display unit.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the communications unit is configured to receive a message from the content provider that the user account has been updated and to display the message on the display unit.