Automatic identification of a set-top box user to a network
AssigneeAt Home Liquidating Trust
InventorTaylor S. Gautier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are disclosed for enabling a user of data services over a network to automatically register for such services by plugging in a set-top box, such as an advanced set-top box, or other IP clients such as a Web pad, and entering certain information through a member services screen. The invention also allows a user to have several accounts distributed over several set-top boxes or IP clients and have all accounts map to a single network identity. That is, it allows a user to have multiple viewer identities for different purposes yet have all of them map back to a single network identity for that user.
Claims23
A method of automatically registering a set-top box in a network comprising:
- creating a first data record and a registration code wherein the first data record contains data relating to a user;
- establishing IP connectivity between the set-top box and an operator wherein connectivity is indicated by presenting a data input screen to the user;
- generating a unique user identifier that resides on the set-top box;
- and
- binding the set-top box and a network account that resides on a network-server side of the network such that the unique user identifier is associated with the network account.
A method of maintaining multiple accounts associated with a single entity oil multiple IP clients comprising:
- creating a first viewer account containing a first set of information on a first IP client wherein the first viewer account contains a first unique identity and belongs to a user;
- creating a second viewer account containing a second set of information on a second IP client wherein the second viewer account contains the first unique identity and belongs to the user;
- mapping the first viewer account and the second viewer account to a single network account wherein the network account contains a network identity that is associated with the first unique identity.
A computer-readable medium containing programmed instructions arranged to maintain multiple accounts associated with a single entity on multiple IP clients, the computer-readable medium including programmed instructions for:
- creating a first viewer account containing a first set of information on a first IP client wherein the first viewer account contains a first unique identity and belongs to a user;
- creating a second viewer account containing a second set of information on a second IP client wherein the second viewer account contains the first unique identity and belongs to the user;
- mapping the first viewer account and the second viewer account to a single network account wherein the network account contains a network identity that is associated with the first unique identity.
A computer-readable medium containing programmed instructions arranged to automatically register a set-top box in a network, the computer-readable medium including programmed instructions for:
- creating a first data record and a registration code wherein the first data record contains data relating to a user;
- establishing IP connectivity between the set-top box and an operator wherein connectivity is indicated by presenting a data input screen to the user;
- generating a unique user identifier that resides on the set-top box;
- and
- binding the set-top box and a network account that resides on a network-server side of the network such that the unique user identifier is associated with the network account.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.