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 (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. An apparatus, comprising:
a user input device configured to receive a user authentication input from a user; a key storage device, on which is stored a key that is associated with a set of access rights for an account; a key transmission device configured to transmit the key to a decoder device, the decoder device providing access to a set of access-restricted content 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; and a switch configured to:
determine whether the received user authentication input authorizes the user to use the account;allow transmission, by the key transmission device, of the key to the decoder device, based on a determination that the received user authentication input authorizes the user to use the account; andprevent transmission, by the key transmission device, of the key to the decoder device, based on a determination that the received user authentication input does not authorize the user to use the account.