IPTV Follow Me Content System and Method

摘要

Tools are provided for distributing access-restricted content in an internet protocol television (“IPTV”) environment based on portable entitlement keys. Such tools can include a decoder, an encoder, and a network entitlement handler. The decoder may be configured to receive a key associated with entitlement information, and transmit the entitlement information over a network. The encoder may be configured to receive content from content providers, and to encode the content to create IP-compatible content, with access restrictions based on entitlement. The network entitlement handler may be configured to receive a request for requested content from the decoder; receive the access-restricted content (including the requested content) from the encoder; and transmit the requested content over the network to the decoder using IP, when the decoder is entitled to receive the requested content.

主权项

1. A portable apparatus, comprising:
a portable chassis; a key storage device, on which is stored a key that is associated with a set of access rights for an account associated with a user, the key storage device being disposed within the portable chassis; a key provider that provides the key to a decoder device, the key provider being disposed within the portable chassis, the decoder device providing access to a set of access-restricted content associated with the user, based on a determination that the account has an entitlement to receive a requested content set that is included in the set of access-restricted content, the access-restricted content associated with the user being displayed to the user associated with the access-restricted content on a device that is unassociated with the user or a premises of the user.