Media services with access control
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsBrian M. Novack, David Dunmire, Jason Hicks, Matthew A. Rakers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are describe wherein a service provider provides media services that can include, but are not limited to, telephone, radio, interactive and television services. A user residence and/or a user receiving device are designated as a primary location or device for receiving the services of the service provider. An authorization center authenticates a request to provide the service(s) at one or more secondary location/device. The verification process can include, but is not limited to, password(s), Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) and biometric identifiers such as voice, retina, finger print and DNA.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- providing, over a network by a system including a processor, media services to a primary media receiver and a primary voice communication device at a first location according to a subscription plan, wherein the media services comprise an internet access service and a voice communication service;
- receiving, by the system, a request for the media services, wherein the request includes identification information for a user, wherein the request is received over the network from a secondary media receiver at a second location, and wherein the first and second locations are remote from each other;
- obtaining, by the system, an authentication of the request based on the media services requested and the identification information of the user;
- and
- enabling, by the system, access to the media services for the secondary media receiver and for a secondary voice communication device at the second location without providing video services at the second location, wherein the second location is not designated under the subscription plan to access the media services.
A computer-readable storage device comprising computer instructions which, responsive to being executed by a processor of a secondary media receiver, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
- providing a service request over a network to an authentication system for media services, wherein the service request includes identification information for a user, wherein the service request causes the authentication system to generate an authentication of the service request and the identity of the user, wherein the media services are associated with a primary media receiver at a first location according to a subscription plan, and wherein the media services comprise an internet access service and a voice communication service;
- and
- responsive to the authentication, accessing the media services at a second location, wherein the first and second locations are remote from each other, wherein the secondary media receiver is not designated under the subscription plan to access the media services, and wherein the accessing of the media services at the second location is terminated responsive to a detection of access to the media services at the primary media receiver.
A system comprising:
- a memory to store instructions;
- and
- a processor coupled with the memory, wherein the processor, responsive to executing the instructions, performs operations comprising:
- providing media services to a primary media receiver at a first location according to a subscription plan, wherein the media services comprise an internet access service and a voice communication service;
- receiving a request for the media services, wherein the request includes identification information for a user, wherein the request is received over a network from a secondary media receiver at a second location, and wherein the first and second locations are remote from each other;
- obtaining an authentication of the request based on the media services requested and the identification information of the user;
- enabling access to the media services for the secondary media receiver at the second location;
- and
- generating an additional fee responsive to detection of access to the media services at both the primary and secondary locations at a same time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.