JP2004505564A - Pay-per-use system via serial bus - Google Patents

Abstract

A local area pay-per-use (PPU) system includes at least one user node connected via a local network, each receiving program content that is selectable from a menu of program content. Connected to at least one user node to provide a plurality of selectable program content included in a signal stream transmitted to each user node. The accounting module is connected to the local area PPU system and monitors the use status of the selectable program by each user node. User nodes include various media systems such as TVs, PCs, MP3 format digital audio recorders, and digital video arcades. The decryption key module stores a plurality of decryption keys corresponding to each program content included in the transmitted signal stream and given to the user node upon request.

Description

[0001]
[Field of the Invention]
The present invention relates to a digital pay-per use network system, and more particularly to a local digital pay-per-use network system capable of operating many nodes in an independent arrangement. Related to youth network systems.
[0002]
[Background of the Invention]
Many systems for in-home pay-per-view are commercially available. Most of these systems use set-top boxes that include the same type of user interface protocol. The user enters information relayed back to a signal source, such as a signal source, station, intermediate or local distribution center, or a signal stored on a smart card. In the case of a smart card, authorization may be given for decryption and billing information may be sent to the central office at a later date. At the signal source, the end user's request is checked and the correct encoded signal is transmitted to the end user via a cable line or satellite. The return signal is processed and decoded by the user's set-top box and displayed on the screen.
[0003]
In general, with the above arrangement, a user with various television sets in a single home will have separate set-top boxes for each set to simultaneously decode multiple pay-per-view channels. Need to buy. Such a device configuration is expensive. In addition, tracking of usage via this system is only possible through the cable operator, and thus the user has no local control over account billing.
[0004]
With the increasing demand for digital signal input to homes for items such as MP3 encoded audio and digital pay-per-view, a system is needed that simultaneously and conveniently addresses many of these needs. .
[0005]
[Summary of the Invention]
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a variety of pay-per-use functions provided by a source node that simultaneously and independently controls the usage and availability of data stream information for connected end-user nodes. A home pay-per-use system is provided in which all user requests are controlled within the home. End user nodes may include a number of different user applications such as televisions, video recorders, audio devices, and personal computers.
[0006]
The source node is connected to at least one end-user node via a serial bus, for example, according to a communication protocol conforming to the IEEE 1394 or Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. The source node not only independently controls the ability of the user node to decode the information contained in the data stream on the serial bus, but also continues to monitor while accounting for all transactions that occur at each end user node.
[0007]
The digital information contained in the data stream is transmitted in encrypted form from a signal source, such as a cable operator, to a source node located locally at the end user's residence, and then the entire encrypted data stream is transmitted. Each is sent to a number of end user nodes that receive it. Alternatively, the digital information may be retrieved locally from a digital storage medium such as a DVD, CD or other means of storing digital information. When the end user requests the pay-per-use function, the end-user node sends a key request to the source node via a serial bus. The source node processes the information and returns a specifically addressed decryption key response to the requesting end-user node. The end user node uses the received decryption key to decode the requested information from the incoming data stream.
[0008]
All accounting and decryption key requests are handled locally rather than at a remote, central location. This allows the user to control various settings provided by the system, such as setting limits for pay-per-use nodes, selecting appropriate content for each user node, etc. Good control becomes possible. Further, since all accounting is done locally, the user may have access to more recent billing information.
[0009]
More importantly, another novel aspect of the present invention is the ability to simultaneously service many separate end-user nodes on a serial bus while providing each with separate information and accounting. Is possible. End user nodes may include televisions, MP3 recorders, Internet related equipment, and other equipment capable of processing digital media signals.
[0010]
Other features and systems of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description below.
[0011]
[Detailed description of preferred embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a local area pay-per use system 10 including a source node 20 and end-user nodes 30, 30a to 30n. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the source node 20 includes several internal components including a microprocessor 21, a memory module 22, an end-user table 23, a decryption key module 24, an accounting module 40, and a bus interface 25. With elements. Microprocessor 21 is capable of bidirectional communication with all other internal components of source node 20 via address and data bus 26. Note that the present invention is not limited to the range described in the embodiment of the present application. For example, the various components shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination of both.
[0012]
Further, although the accounting module 40 is shown in the source node 20 of FIG. 1, it should be understood that this is only one possible location and may be located elsewhere. The accounting module 40 can be located anywhere in the hardware or software format within the local area pay-per-use system 10 as long as it can communicate bi-directionally with the source node 20.
[0013]
The connection from the source node 20 to the end user node 30 by the serial bus 50 continues further, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of further end user nodes 30 to 30 n all serially connected to the source node 20 by the serial bus 50. Link with The actual number of end-user nodes 30 that can be connected to source node 20 through serial bus 50 is limited only by the processing power of the protocol used by serial bus 50.
[0014]
The source node 20 is controlled by a microprocessor 21. Memory module 22 stores encoded information from signal source 60 that provides program content, such as digital media, to source node 20 via line feed 61. Alternatively, digital media storage 63 in source node 20 is configured to store program content, again for providing media data to end user node 30. This information can be forwarded to the end user node on demand. Line feed 61 or digital media storage 63 can be connected directly to bus interface 25 bypassing address and data bus 26.
[0015]
End-user table 23 holds a list of end-user nodes 30-30n, along with relevant information needed to selectively address any one end-user node 30. All associated hardware and software components of each end-user node are configured to be addressable. To this end, source node 20 is configured to store a memory map for each end user node to directly address the corresponding component of each end user node.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a possible data structure of the end user table 23. The entries of the end user table include information fields relating to each end user's name, ID, password, user type, memory map, and user preference. Including, but the invention is not limited to this example. The end user name field contains the name of the given end user node 30. The end user ID field includes a number identifying the address of a particular end user node 30. The end-user password field contains the password for accessing control from that particular end-user node 30 so that the source node 20 can confirm the authorization before sending the decryption key. The end user type field stores information that allows the source node 20 to identify the type of device operating at the end user node 30, for example, a television set or a digital audio recorder in MP3 format. The end-user memory map field contains all the hardware and software in a particular end-user node 30 so that each hardware or software component of each end-user node 30 can be specifically addressed by the source node 20. Store location. Finally, the end-user preference field includes information about some of the user preferences for the type of selection, channel block information, and other relevant issues regarding normal use of the end-user node 30.
[0017]
The decryption key module 24 of the source node 20 stores the decryption keys for the various pay-per-use functions so that the source node 20 can directly retrieve all decryption keys from the local area pay-per-use system 10. Can control pay-per-use functions.
[0018]
The bus interface 25 of the source node 20 coordinates the information from the microprocessor 21 with information from other modules and tables, and subsequently on the serial bus 50 so that the source node 20 and each end user node 30 can communicate with each other. In order to transfer information, the information is put on a regular protocol such as IEEE1394 or Universal Serial Bus (USB).
[0019]
The accounting module 40 of the source node 20 is configured to monitor each usage status by each end user node 30. The accounting module 40 not only monitors the usage status of the pay-per-use function for each end user node 30, but also uses various individuals having different IDs that use the same end user node as another accounting device. It is possible to monitor the condition.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, the accounting module 40 may include several fields including a program content field, an end user node field, a time field, a rate field, an ID field, and an end user usage information field. The program content field stores information that allows monitoring of a particular ID or type of program being used by the end user node 30. The end-user field stores information that allows monitoring of all specific usage of pay-per-use features by a given end-user node 30 over a desired time frame specified by the end-user. . Similarly, the ID field contains information that allows to monitor all specific usage of pay-per-use features by a given ID over a given time frame. The time field contains information that allows to monitor the time at which a particular pay-per-use feature was used in the case of pay-per-use features sold at different rates at different times. The rate field stores information that allows to monitor various rates of different types of pay-per-use functions. Finally, the end-user usage information field is intended to allow a user with an ID or a particular end-user node to check billing information from the local area pay-per-use system 10 as often as desired by the user. Stores information used for
[0021]
Referring again to FIG. 1, the end user node 30 includes several internal components including an end user node microprocessor 31, an end user node memory module 32, an end user node user interface 33, and an end user node bus interface 34. Having. All these internal components of the end user node 30 are capable of bidirectional communication with each other via the end user node address / data bus 35. Further, the end user node 30 can perform bidirectional communication with the source node 20 via the serial bus 50. The bus interface 25 and the end user node bus interface 34 control communication through the serial bus 50.
[0022]
The end user node microprocessor 31 controls the pay-per-use function of the end user node 30. It not only coordinates the internal components of the end user node 30, but also adjusts the receipt of billing and information from the source node 20 via the end user node bus interface 34, serial bus 50, and serial bus interface 25. End user memory module 32 stores information so that end user node 30 can be programmed to take future actions. Further, the end-user memory module 32 may be used to store a user's profile information, such as ID and password if necessary, program preferences, and other similar types of information. End user node user interface 33 may be any one of a number of different means for a user to interact with end user node 30 and local area pay-per-use system 10. One example is an LCD screen mounted anywhere on the end user node 30. Another example is a device configuration in which the end user node 30 has its own display such as a television set or a computer. In such a situation, the end-user node user interface 33 simply appears as a display screen asking the user for information necessary to start the pay-per-use function.
[0023]
In operation, source node 20 continuously transmits the encoded signal stream to all end user nodes 30-30n. Each end user node 30 decodes the desired program content present in the transmitted signal stream according to the selection by the end user. To this end, as shown in FIG. 4, the pay-per-use system 10 begins operation at step 200, in which the user enters the interface at any one of the end-user nodes 30-30n. A request for a pay-per-use function is entered via 33 (the interface 33 and all reference numbers in the following description are the reference numbers shown in FIG. 1 unless otherwise noted). Next, in step 205, the end user node microprocessor 31 processes the request signal and sends it to the end user node bus interface 34. In step 210, the end user node bus interface 34 provides the request signal with the correct protocol for the serial bus 50 and transmits the signal to the source node 20. At step 215, bus interface 25 of source node 20 receives the information and passes it to microprocessor 21 for processing of the pay-per-use request.
[0024]
At step 220, microprocessor 21 verifies the request using end-user table 23 to determine whether the correct information has been received for processing the request. In addition, the end user table 23 provides the microprocessor 21 with the correct addressing information for the requesting end user node 30. In step 225, the microprocessor 21 accesses the correct decryption key from the decryption key module 24. At step 230, the microprocessor uses the end-user memory map from the end-user table 23 to send the specifically addressed decryption key signal to the requesting end-user node 30. In this manner, only the end-user node 30 of the pay-per-use system 10 with the appropriate decryption key decodes the corresponding program content present in the digital data stream transmitted over the serial bus 50 sell. At step 235, microprocessor 21 completes its function by sending the correct information to accounting module 40.
[0025]
Finally, in step 240, end user node bus interface 34 receives the decryption key signal and sends it to end user node microprocessor 31. Thereby, the end user node 30 can transmit the desired information included in the information stream in the serial bus without interrupting the operation of the other end user nodes 30 to 30n in the local area pay-per-use system 10. Can be decoded. It should be noted that there may be many variations on other parts of the local area pay-per-use system 10 that determine some other embodiments of the present invention.
[0026]
As conceived from one embodiment of the present invention, the local area pay-per-use system 10 is used in a single home where a single bill is provided as shown in FIG. In this situation, the local area pay-per-use system 10 is used to provide basic cable television services. A line feed 61 carrying a cable television signal or a multimedia signal enters the source node 20 and the local area via the bus interface 25 and the serial bus 50 so that the end user nodes 30 to 30x receive the cable signal constantly. Distributed to the pay-per-use system 10; With this configuration, each end user node 30-30x can order pay-per-use functions separately and simultaneously for only one source node 20 for the entire home. Thus, the source node 20 replaces the entire set-top box used in conventional cable transmission systems and allows different end-user nodes 30 to 30n to use pay-per-use functions simultaneously. Together, it allows the accounting module 40 of the source node 20 to monitor billing status.
[0027]
In addition, because different home pay-per-use features are commercially available, this same configuration not only allows multiple pay-per-use features to be used, but also digital audio signals in MP3 format, Enables the ordering of personal computer functions, such as software downloads, and other related Internet functions. Similarly, as each function is ordered, the source node 20 sends the decryption key to the end-user node 30 to perform the pay-per-use function while monitoring billing and usage time in the accounting module 40. Is possible.
[0028]
In other embodiments of the present invention, the local area pay-per-use system 10 may be used in an apartment building as shown in FIG. 6, or in a number of other billing arrangements. This arrangement operates similarly, but in this case the source node 20 treats each end-user node 30 as a separate bill-to party and simply reports the use of each end-user node 30 to the accounting module 40. Here, each end-user node 30 may be located in a different apartment, but all end-user nodes 30 use the same source node 20 for requesting and accounting for a decryption key for a pay-per-use function. Can be used. This makes it very easy to set up a new user in the pay-per-use system. Such an arrangement is advantageous compared to the prior art, because it is not necessary to handle the entire set-top box for each user every time a resident moves in and out of the apartment, but simply adds a new resident to the end-user table 23. Is added, and an ID and a password for entering the end user node user interface 33 need only be given. These changes, along with some adjustments to the accounting module 40, can be made by the service provider via the line feed 60 without the user purchasing or borrowing a new set-top box. The number of end-user nodes 30 is limited only by the serial bus 50 protocol. Additional end-user nodes 30 can easily be provided by Plug and Play or other similar hardware recognition programs. The setting of the end user node 30 is automatically performed by the protocol of the serial bus 50.
[0029]
Another embodiment implemented by the present invention is a configuration in which each end user node 30 employs a number of end user nodes 30 to 30n used by any one of a number of different users. As described above, each user is considered a separate billing party, and the end-user nodes 30-30n operate simultaneously and perform various pay-per-use functions. Typically, this configuration is used when different members of the family want to monitor the usage of various devices in the family's pay-per-use system 10. At this time, a different ID and access code are assigned to each family member for the same pay-per-use device.
[0030]
It should be noted that the local area pay-per-use system 10 of the present application can operate without a decoding technique according to another embodiment of the present invention. For example, a signal stream via the serial bus 50 can be transmitted without being encoded. At this time, all program contents available in the signal stream are accessible by each user of the end user nodes 30 to 30n. In this configuration, use by each end-user node 30 is monitored when a user requests desired program content. In response, the desired program content is decoded by the end user node 30 without the decryption key. Then, all information contents are available to all end user nodes 30. The decoding operation is controlled only by the device. For example, MP3 players do not decode digital video signals, and digital video players do not decode MP3 signals.
[0031]
One of the advantages of the local area pay-per-use system 10 described above is that the source node 20 can be used in multiple end-user nodes 30 without having to provide each device with a separate set-top box. The ability to simultaneously manage and account for multiple pay-per-use functions. Whether this is in the form of several devices in a single home, one or two devices in many apartments, a large number of public ports in an Internet cafe or digital video arcade, Pay-per-use system 10 allows a single source node 20 to simultaneously control the specification and accounting of multiple pay-per-use functions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a local area pay-per-use system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary end-user database table according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary accounting module according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a basic operation of a local area pay-per-use system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a local area pay-per-use system in a single bill-to-home environment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a local area pay-per-use system in an apartment with multiple requestees according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (17)

At least one user node connected to each other via a local network, each configured to receive program content selectable from a menu of program content;
A source node connected to the at least one user node and configured to provide the plurality of selectable program content included in a signal stream transmitted to each of the user nodes;
An accounting module connected to the local area pay-per-use system and configured to monitor the use of the selectable program by each user node.
Local area pay-per-use system. The local area pay-per-use system according to claim 1, wherein the user node is one of a television, a personal computer, an MP3 format digital audio recorder, and a digital video arcade. 2. The local area pay-per-use of claim 1, further comprising a decryption key module configured to store a plurality of decryption keys corresponding to each of the program content included in the transmitted signal stream. ·system. The local area pay-per-use system according to claim 1, wherein the program content is a pay-per-view video signal. The local area pay-per-use system according to claim 1, further comprising an end-user table configured to store information about the end-user node. 6. The local area pay-per-use system according to claim 5, wherein the end user table further includes a memory map of an end user table information field storing the information on the end user node. The local area according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of end user table information fields include at least one of a name field, an ID field, a password field, a user type field, a memory map field, and a user preference field. Pay-per-use system. The local area pay-per-use system according to claim 1, wherein the accounting module is configured to monitor pay-per-use selectable program content for at least one of a plurality of subscription types. A serial bus, comprising a serial bus and a serial bus interface in the serial node and the end user node, wherein the serial bus is configured to carry the signal stream between the end user node and the source node. 1. The local area pay-per-use system according to 1. 10. The local area pay-per-use system according to claim 9, wherein the serial bus uses at least one of a serial bus protocol IEEE 1394 and a universal serial bus (USB). Further comprising a digital media storage device configured to store and provide the selectable program content to the source node for distribution of the local area pay-per-use system to the end-user node. Item 2. The local area pay-per-use system according to Item 1. A method for providing a local area pay-per-use system having a plurality of user nodes, source nodes, and an accounting module, comprising:
Transmitting a plurality of selectable program contents included in a signal stream to the user node;
Receiving a request signal for one of the plurality of selectable program contents from at least one of the plurality of end user nodes;
Distributing the decryption key to the end user node that issued the request;
Monitoring said pay-per-use transactions by said accounting module. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising encoding the selectable program content. The method of claim 12, further comprising responding to the request signal by transmitting a decryption key. Further comprising the step of including at least one of a pay-per-view video signal, a cable television signal, a personal computer download signal, an MP3 format digital audio signal, and a digital video arcade signal in the selectable program content; The method according to claim 12. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving the request signal by the source node via a serial bus interface. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing the map information for each end user node as an end user table memory.

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