The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 18, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 14, 1999
David W. Kravitz, Fairfax, VA (US);
David M. Goldschlag, Silver Spring, MD (US);
Digital Video Express, L.P., Herndon, VA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for distributing content data from a content provider to a subscriber. The method includes encrypting content data by the content provider and providing the content data from the content provider to a broadcaster. The content provider also provides a content descriptor, including keys to decrypt the encrypted content, to a conditional access provider. The broadcaster distributes the encrypted content information to a subscriber. A business service provider negotiates with the subscriber to deliver individual content programs or packages of content programs to the subscriber for a fee. The conditional access provider distributes a content descriptor including keys necessary to decrypt the programs the subscriber selected from the business service provider. A CAM retained by the subscriber maintains a log of programs accessed, and uploads the log to the business service provider, which is used to determine the appropriate fee which the subscriber should be charged. Alternatively, the subscriber may purchase a package plan which does not require logging, and thus allows unidirectional communication.