Subscriber information maintenance system and methods
US5815195A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N7/17318
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An interactive video entertainment distribution network utilizing a subscriber information maintenance system wherein the subscriber information maintenance system comprises a set-top box (STB) at the premises of an individual subscriber. A service provider headend is connected for video and bi-directional data communications with the STB, and to provide enhanced services and traditional video programming to the subscriber through the STB. A billing and subscriber management system (BSMS) maintains a BSMS database with billing information regarding individual subscribers and with information regarding traditional video programming provided to such subscribers. An interactive subscriber services program (ISS) maintains an ISS database with additional information related to enhanced services provided to individual subscribers that is not included in the BSMS database. An interactive application program executes on the STB. The interactive application program communicates with the ISS to access and modify information from the two databases. The BSMS has a program interface that allows the ISS to access and modify information from the BSMS database. The ISS has data handling routines t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.