Method and apparatus for proxy Pay-Per-View

A method for ordering a program by proxy comprising:

• sending a program request from a first STB to a head end unit requesting a program for a second STB including accessing firmware in said first STB, generating a user interface based on said firmware, entering information requested by said user interface to identify said second STB and said requested program, packaging said information for transmission, and sending said packaged information to said head end unit;
• receiving said program request in said head end unit;
• determining whether said first STB is authorized to make said program request for said second STB including parsing said STB identifying information from said packaged information, and comparing said STB identifying information to a subscribing user list;
• and
• if said first STB is authorized to make said program request for said second STB, enabling said second STB to play said requested program.

A cable system for ordering a program by proxy comprising:

• a lower-end STB;
• a cable head end transmitter;
• a return-path STB including firmware stored in memory device which, when executed, generates a user interface that allows a user to enter and transmit information regarding said lower-end STB, said return-path STB, and an ordered program for receipt by said lower-end STB to said cable head end transmitter;
• and
• a cable plant communicatively coupling said lower-end set top box and said return path set top box to said cable head end transmitter.

A system for ordering a program by proxy comprising:

• a lower-end STB including an addressable converter capable of selectively receiving addressed signals from said cable head end transmitter;
• a cable head end transmitter including a cable modem termination system;
• a return-path STB including an addressable converter capable of selectively receiving addressed signals from said cable head end transmitter, a cable modem, and firmware stored in a memory device which, when executed, generates a user interface that allows a user to enter and transmit program request information on behalf of said lower-end STB from said return-path STB to said cable head end transmitter;
• and
• a cable plant communicatively coupling said lower-end set top box and said return path set top box to said cable head end transmitter.

A system for ordering a program by proxy comprising:

• a first signal receiving means for receiving television program signals;
• a signal transmitting means for transmitting program signals;
• a second signal receiving means capable of both transmitting and receiving signals, wherein said second signal receiving means includes firmware stored in a memory device which, when executed, generates a user interface that facilitates a user to both enter and transmit program request information from said second signal receiving means on behalf of said first signal receiving means to said signal transmitting means;
• and
• a communications means for communicatively coupling said first signal receiving means and said second signal receiving means to said signal transmitting means.

An apparatus for facilitating proxy program ordering comprising:

• a communications means for both receiving and transmitting signals;
• a processing means for processing said transmitted signals;
• and
• firmware stored in a memory device which when executed generates a user interface that allows a user to enter and initiate transmission of information regarding a proxy program request made on behalf of a separate communications device.