Conditional access via secure logging with simplified key management
US6738905B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/8352
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for distributing content data from a content provider to a subscriber. The method includes encrypting content data by the content provider and providing the content data from the content provider to a broadcaster. The content provider also provides a content descriptor, including keys to decrypt the encrypted content, to a conditional access provider. The broadcaster distributes the encrypted content information to a subscriber. A business service provider negotiates with the subscriber to deliver individual content programs or packages of content programs to the subscriber for a fee. The conditional access provider distributes a content descriptor including keys necessary to decrypt the programs the subscriber selected from the business service provider. A CAM retained by the subscriber maintains a log of programs accessed, and uploads the log to the business service provider, which is used to determine the appropriate fee which the subscriber should be charged. Alternatively, the subscriber may purchase a package plan which does not require logging, and thus allows unidirectional communication.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.