SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DIGITAL CONTENT

• US 20100115572A1
• Filed: 11/05/2008
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: CHEN, MICHAEL A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,644,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/131
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3234 involving additional secure or trusted devices, e.g. TPM, smartcard, USB or software token network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using an additional device in a packet data network H04L63/0853
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3297 involving time stamps, e.g. generation of time stamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed

Abstract

A method of providing access to content based upon one or more adequately-credentialed keys being proximate to a certain location, said method comprising: (a) acquiring credential information from at least one key tagged with credential information using a credential acquisition device (CAD) at said certain location; (b) confirming that said credential information meets requirements for receiving said content; and (c) providing access to said content after steps (a) and (b).

Claims

1. A method of providing access to content based upon one or more adequately-credentialed keys being proximate to a certain location, said method comprising:

(a) acquiring credential information from at least one key tagged with credential information using a credential acquisition device (CAD) at said certain location;

(b) confirming that said credential information meets requirements for providing access to said content; and

(c) providing access to said content after steps (a) and (b).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said access is provided at said certain location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said access is provided at a location different from said certain location.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises said key transmitting said credential information wirelessly to said CAD.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said key comprises an RFID tag.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said credential information comprises at least one of key identification, a time stamp, or user identification.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said content is related to said key.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said key is a merchandise item.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said key is a branded merchandise item.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said branded merchandise item is an article of apparel relating to a sports team and said content relates to said sports team.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

offering said content as an incentive to purchase said key.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said key at least partially contains a consumable item.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises determining whether a predetermined plurality of keys is at said certain location before providing access to said content.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises determining whether a time stamp of said credential information is within a predetermined time range.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the identity of said user.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said content is correlated with a profile of the identified user.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said content is advertising.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said CAD is incorporated into a set top box.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein said content is provided automatically to said user following steps (a) and (b).

20. The method of claim 1, wherein, in step (c), said content is rendered via a user interface at said location.

21. A system for providing access to content based upon one or more adequately-credentialed keys being proximate to a certain location, said system comprising:

a credential-acquisition device (CAD) in said certain location configured for receiving credential information from keys tagged with said credential information;

a server operatively connected to said CAD and configured to receive said credential information to determine if said credential information meets requirements for making content available to a user at said location; and

a content server interface configured for interfacing with a content server to provide said user with access to said content if said key is determined to have adequate credential information.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said CAD is an RFID interrogator.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

a key comprising an RFID tag having said credential information.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein said server is configured to interface with a back office system to identify said user and obtain a profile on said user.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising said back office system, wherein said back office system is configured to use said credential information to determine identity of said user.

26. The system of claim 21, further comprising said content server.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said content server is integrated with said server receiving said credential information.

28. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

a network interface at said location for providing said user access to said content.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said network interface comprises a client integrated with said CAD.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein said network interface comprises a client integrated with a user interface.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein said network interface comprises a set top box.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said set top box is integrated with a user interface.

33. A key comprising an item and a tag associated with said item, said tag having credential information and being configured to communicate with a credential-acquisition device (CAD) to provide said CAD with said credential information.

34. The key of claim 33, wherein said tag is configured to communicate with said CAD wirelessly.

35. The key of claim 34, wherein said tag comprises an RFID tag containing said credential information.

36. The item of claim 33, wherein said item is at least one of an article of apparel, a ticket, a coupon, or a consumable, and said tag is at least attached to said item, contained by said item, or at least partially contains said item.