Apparatus and methods for authenticating a user of an entertainment device using a mobile communication device

• US 8,152,642 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2008
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Dish Network Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Dish Network LLC (Dish Network Corporation), Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Ergen, Charles W., Gratton, Max S
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US12/046,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20090233715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• Field of Search: 463 40- 42, 705 34- 35, 709/201, 348/723
• US Class Current: 463/41
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32

Abstract

Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for remotely controlling an entertainment device using a mobile communication device. A user utilizes a mobile communication device to input information that requests manipulation of playback of content outputted for presentation by an entertainment device. The mobile communication device transmits the user input to the entertainment device and furthers transmits identifying data regarding the user. Responsive to receiving the user input and the identifying data, the mobile communication device authenticates the user and outputs the content for presentation to a user based on the user input.

Claims

1. A method for outputting locked presentation content by an entertainment device, the method comprising:

receiving user input, at the entertainment device, from a mobile communication device, the user input requesting output of locked presentation content by the entertainment device, the locked presentation content being accessible on a per-user basis;

receiving identifying data, at the entertainment device, from the mobile communication device, the identifying data regarding a user of the mobile communication device;

authenticating the user, at the entertainment device, to access the locked presentation content of the entertainment device, based on the identifying data; and

outputting the locked presentation content for presentation on a presentation device, based on the user input, responsive to authenticating the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the locked presentation content comprises an on-demand video that is streamed to the entertainment device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the locked presentation content comprises a video stored on the entertainment device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

populating a social networking profile of the user based on the user input and the identifying data.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating demographic information, regarding the locked presentation content, responsive to authenticating the user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein authenticating the user further comprises:

generating a request, at the entertainment device, based on the user input and the identifying data;

transmitting the request, from the entertainment device, to the mobile communication device; and

transmitting the request, from the mobile communication device, to an application server.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

billing the user, for the access to the locked presentation content, based on the identifying data.

8. A method for outputting locked presentation content by an entertainment device, the method comprising:

receiving user input, at the entertainment device, from a mobile communication device, the user input requesting presentation of locked presentation content available through entertainment device, the locked presentation content being accessible on a per-user basis;

receiving identifying data, at the entertainment device, from the mobile communication device, the identifying data regarding a user of the mobile communication device;

transmitting the identifying data to an application server;

receiving, at the entertainment device, from the application server, authentication information allowing the user to access the locked presentation content; and

outputting the locked presentation content, from the entertainment device, for presentation on a presentation device, responsive to the entertainment device receiving the authentication information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the locked presentation content comprises an on-demand video that is streamed to the entertainment device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the locked presentation content comprises a video stored on the entertainment device.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the locked presentation content comprises audio content stored on the entertainment device.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting the identifying data to the application server further comprises:

generating a request, at the entertainment device, based on the user input and the identifying data;

transmitting the request, from the entertainment device, to the mobile communication device; and

transmitting the request, from the mobile communication device, to the application server.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

billing the user, for the access to the locked presentation content, based on the identifying data.

14. An entertainment device comprising:

an input module that receives locked presentation content from at least one content source, the locked presentation content being accessible on a per-user basis;

an interface module that wirelessly communicates with a mobile communication device to receive user input and identifying data, the user input requesting access to the locked presentation content and the identifying data regarding a user of the mobile communication device;

a processor communicatively coupled to the input module and the interface module that authenticates the user based on the identifying data and that further outputs the locked presentation content for presentation on a presentation device, based on the user input, responsive to authenticating the user.

15. The entertainment device of claim 14, wherein the locked presentation content comprises an on-demand video that is streamed to the entertainment device.

16. The entertainment device of claim 14, wherein the locked presentation content comprises a video stored on the entertainment device.

17. The entertainment device of claim 14, wherein the interface module further receives a command, from the mobile communication device, the command instructing the processor to manipulate the output of the locked presentation content.

18. The entertainment device of claim 14, wherein the processor transmits a request to an application server, the request including information utilized by the application server to populate a social networking profile of the user, based on the user input and the identifying data.

19. The entertainment device of claim 14, wherein the processor generates demographic information, regarding the locked presentation content, based on the user input, responsive to authenticating the user.

20. A mobile communication device comprising:

an input device that receives user input requesting playback of locked presentation content available for output by an entertainment device, the locked presentation content being accessible on a per-user basis;

a storage medium that stores identifying data regarding a user of the mobile communication device;

a processor communicatively coupled to the input device and communicatively coupled to the storage medium that translates the user input and the identifying data into a command compatible with the entertainment device; and

a wireless transmitter that transmits the command to the entertainment device wherein the entertainment device utilizes the command to authenticate the user and output the locked presentation content for presentation on a presentation device.

21. The mobile communication device of claim 20, further comprising:

a wireless receiver that receives a request from the entertainment device requesting authentication for the user to access the locked presentation content;

wherein the wireless transmitter transmits the request to an application server;

wherein the wireless receiver receives an authentication response from the application server responsive to the request; and

wherein the wireless transmitter transmits the authentication response to the entertainment device.

22. The mobile communication device of claim 20, further comprising:

a wireless receiver that receives a request from the entertainment device, the request including information utilized by an application server to populate a social networking profile of the user based on the user input;

wherein the wireless transmitter transmits the request to the application server.

23. The mobile communication device of claim 20, further comprising:

a wireless receiver that receives demographic information from the entertainment device, the demographic information generated by the entertainment device based on the command;

wherein the wireless transmitter transmits the demographic information to the application server.