Broadcast data receiver system

A method of operating a broadcast data system, said system comprising the steps of:

• a first broadcast data receiver located at a first location receiving video, audio and/or auxiliary digital data broadcast from a remote location, at least a second broadcast data receiver being located at at least a second location wherein said first and said at least second broadcast data receives are registered to the same user;
• said first and at least second broadcast data receivers being located in a same premise and connected to respective access points for a telephone line within the premise to allow communication between the broadcast data receivers;
• said communication only being allowed for a limited period after an authorization code has been communicated from a broadcast head end transmitter to at least one of said first and said at least second broadcast data receivers;
• said first broadcast data receiver monitoring the telephone line for change in voltage;
• at least second broadcast data receiver taking the telephone line off a hook when operation of the at least second broadcast data receiver is required;
• and
• said first broadcast data receiver detecting a change in the telephone line status and then initiating communication between said first broadcast data receiver and said at least second broadcast data receiver, thereby allowing the at least second broadcast data receiver to become operational to receive broadcast data.

A broadcast data receiver system, said system comprising:

• a first broadcast data receiver located at a first location in a premise receiving video, audio and/or auxiliary digital data broadcast from a remote location via cable, satellite or terrestrial means and processing and displaying said data on a display screen and/or audio data via speakers connected thereto;
• at least a second broadcast data receiver provided at at least a second location in the same premise as said first broadcast data receiver;
• said premise being provided with a telephone line and at least two access points to said telephone line;
• p1 said first and said at least second broadcast data receivers being connected together in parallel using said telephone line via respective access points;
• one of said first and second broadcast data receiver being made functional by a signal received from the other of said first and second broadcast data receiver via the telephone line;
• an authorization code being communicated to at least one said first and said at least second broadcast data receivers from a broadcast head end transmitter;
• once said at least one broadcast data receiver receives said authorization code, the authorization code is communicated to one or more other said broadcast data receivers via said telephone line in the premise;
• and
• said at least one of said first and said second broadcast data receivers is provided with a timer having reset capabilities such that the broadcast data receivers(s) will function for a limited period only following receipt of a signal from the other of said broadcast data receivers, unless the timer is reset, the timer being reset by reception of an authorization code via said telephone line.