# US 8,789,077 B2 · Method and system for facilitating network connectivity and consumption of broadband services > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,789,077 B2 - Document ID: US8789077B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/645,733 - Filed: 2009-12-23 - Published: 2011-06-23 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2009-12-23 - Assignees: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc. - Applicants: Jack Jianxiu Hao; Diego S. Rozensztejn; Zhiying Jin - Inventors: Jack Jianxiu Hao; Diego S. Rozensztejn; Zhiying Jin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8789077B2 ## CPC - H04N 21/2541: {Rights Management (protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08)} - H04N 21/2396: {characterized by admission policies (admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for network security using user profiles for access control H04L63/102; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08)} - H04N 21/25816: {involving client authentication (restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06)} - H04N 21/43615: {Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals (home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805)} - H04N 21/44227: {Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network (configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811)} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An approach is provided to facilitate network connectivity and consumption of broadband services. A data network connection is established by a set-top box. Sharing of the data network connection by a plurality of user devices is permitted by the set-top box. A credit count is maintained based on the sharing of the data network connection by the plurality of user devices. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: establishing, by a set-top box, a data network connection; and permitting, by the set-top box, sharing of the data network connection by a plurality of user devices, the plurality of user devices including at least one user device unassociated with a subscriber account, wherein a credit count associated with the subscriber account is maintained based on the sharing of the data network connection by the plurality of user devices, wherein the credit count is incremented based on the sharing of the data network connection with users unassociated with the subscriber account, and negatively incremented based on a usage by at least one user device of the plurality of user devices associated with the subscriber account. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising: separately monitoring, in association with the sharing of the data network connection, usage of bandwidth by each of the plurality of user devices, wherein the credit count is further maintained based on the usage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the set-top box, content for storage at a networked repository of a service provider; and uploading the content to the networked repository, wherein the content is trusted by the networked repository based on being received from the set-top box. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A method according to claim 3, wherein the content is accessible to a community of users via the networked repository. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising: causing, by the set-top box, a user interface for networked commerce to be presented; receiving, via the user interface, a request for monetized content from a user device; retrieving, in response to the request, the monetized content; and processing the monetized content for presentation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A method according to claim 5, wherein the monetized content is retrieved via the data network connection. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A method according to claim 5, wherein the monetized content is encrypted with at least one access control, the method further comprising: decrypting the at least one access control to enable the user device to present the monetized content based on at least one provision associated with the at least one access control. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of user devices establish connectivity with the set-top box either via a wired interface or a wireless interface. ### Claim 9 A set-top box comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the set-top box at least to: establish a data network connection, and permit sharing of the data network connection by a plurality of user devices, the plurality of user devices including at least one user device unassociated with a subscriber account, wherein a credit count associated with the subscriber account is maintained based on the sharing of the data network connection by the plurality of user devices, wherein the credit count is incremented based on the sharing of the data network connection with users unassociated with the subscriber account, and negatively incremented based on a usage by at least one user device of the plurality of user devices associated with the subscriber account. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A set-top box according to claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the set-top box at least to: separately monitor, in association with the sharing of the data network connection, usage of bandwidth by each of the plurality of user devices, wherein the credit count is further maintained based on the usage. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A set-top box according to claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the set-top box at least to: receive content for storage at a networked repository of a service provider; and upload the content to the networked repository, wherein the content is trusted by the network repository based on being received from the set-top box. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A set-top box according to claim 11, wherein the content is accessible to a community of users via the networked repository. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) A set-top box according to claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the set-top box at least to: cause a user interface for networked commerce to be presented; receive, via the user interface, a request for monetized content from a user device; retrieve, in response to the request, the monetized content; and process the monetized content for presentation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A set-top box according to claim 13, wherein the monetized content is retrieved via the data network connection. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A set-top box according to claim 13, wherein the monetized content is encrypted with at least one access control and the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the set-top box at least to: decrypt the at least one access control to enable the user device to present the monetized content based on at least one provision associated with the at least one access control. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) A set-top box according to claim 9, wherein the data network connection is a wired data network connection or a wireless data network connection. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, further comprising: establishing, by another set-top box, another data network connection to a user device associated with the credit count, wherein the credit count is further maintained based on usage of the another data network connection by the user device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) A set-top box according to claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the set-top box at least to: establish, by another set-top box, another data network connection to a user device associated with the credit count, wherein the credit count is further maintained based on usage of the another data network connection by the user device.