Software conditional access system
US7900041B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/8193
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods which may be implemented as software to control access to content streams transmitted from a service provider's server. A software solution forces each set top box (STB) to periodically uplink to the server and to receive authentication from that server. To prevent spoofing, the server periodically loads to each STB at least one unique key that is required to access the content stream or that is required for authentication. The key or keys may be periodically revoked and/or replaced by the server. The frequency of the revocation and/or replacement of the key is ideally not fixed. Also, the server may periodically upgrade the decoding and/or authentication software on the STBs via the uplink.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.