WO2011053238A1 - Method and digital television system - Google Patents

Method and digital television system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011053238A1
WO2011053238A1 PCT/SE2010/051176 SE2010051176W WO2011053238A1 WO 2011053238 A1 WO2011053238 A1 WO 2011053238A1 SE 2010051176 W SE2010051176 W SE 2010051176W WO 2011053238 A1 WO2011053238 A1 WO 2011053238A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
services
subscriber
digital television
list
service provider
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2010/051176
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Per GÖRANSSON
Original Assignee
Cryptoguard Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cryptoguard Ab filed Critical Cryptoguard Ab
Priority to EP10827245A priority Critical patent/EP2494787A4/en
Publication of WO2011053238A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011053238A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
    • H04N7/163—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing by receiver means only
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/418—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access
    • H04N21/4181—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access for conditional access
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • H04N21/43607—Interfacing a plurality of external cards, e.g. through a DVB Common Interface [DVB-CI]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method, a digital television system and a smart card, in particular it relates to a method, a digital television system and a smart card for providing access to services provided by different service providers.
  • Digital television often called digital-TV (DTV) is television where digital modulation and digital compression are used for transmitting sound and picture.
  • DTV digital-TV
  • other services may also be provided, for instance subtitles, radio programmes, high-speed Internet, telephony, and similar non-television services.
  • a digital television network is a network for providing television and other services to consumers via digital signals transmitted to televisions through for instance fixed optical fibres, coaxial cables, satellites signals or radio waves.
  • radio waves are transmitted over-the-air, which requires an antenna.
  • Different digital television networks however use different access technologies in order to provide access to the different services that the different subscribers are allowed to use in the respective digital television networks.
  • One digital television network may use one type of set top box in order for the subscriber to be able to use the services that is offered while other digital television networks may require other types of set top boxes in order to control which services that a subscriber is allowed to use.
  • a further problem with digital television networks offered today is thus that a subscriber requires different hardware for being able use services offered in different digital television networks.
  • the idea of the present invention is to allow subscribers to be connected to single digital television network but still gain access to services provided by several service providers. This makes it possible for the subscriber to use more services, since different service providers provide different lists of services.
  • the present invention also utilizes the idea that by moving parts of the access system from the digital television network to the service providers it is possible to provide access, to a subscriber in a digital television network, to services provided by several service providers.
  • a method in a digital television system for providing access, to a subscriber in a digital television network , to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider, the method comprising;
  • a digital television system for providing access, to a subscriber in a digital television network, to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider, the system comprising: a first receiver at a first service provider for receiving a first request comprising a first list of services provided by said first service provider that the subscriber desires to use, a card number associated with the subscriber and a digital television network identity associated with the subscriber; a second receiver at the second service provider for receiving a second request comprising a second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber desires to use, the card number associated with the subscriber and the digital television network identity; first creating means at the first service provider for creating a first message comprising the first list of services, the digital television network identity and the card number; a transmitter at the first service provider for transmitting the first message to the digital television network associated with the subscriber; second creating means at the second service provider for creating a second message comprising the second list of services, the network identity and the card number; a
  • a method for enabling a smart card in a decoder associated with a subscriber in a digital television network to provide access, for the subscriber associated with the smart card, to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider comprising; receiving in the smart card at least a first message comprising a first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card is authorized to access; receiving in the smart card at least a second message comprising a second list of services provided by said second service provider that said subscriber is authorized to access; removing any duplicates of services in the first and second list of services to obtain a third list of services; storing the third list of services on said smart card; and providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber.
  • a smart card associated with a subscriber in a decoder in a digital television network for providing access, for a subscriber associated with the smart card, to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider
  • the smart card comprises: receiving means for receiving, at least a first message comprising a first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card is authorized to access and a second message comprising a second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber is authorized to access; removing means for removing any duplicates of services in the first and second list to obtain a third list of services; and
  • a decoder associated with a subscriber in a digital television network for providing access, for a subscriber associated with the decoder, to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider
  • the decoder comprises: receiving means for receiving, at least a first message comprising a first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the decoder is authorized to access and a second message comprising a second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber is authorized to access; removing means for removing any duplicates of services in the first and second list to obtain a third list of services; and storing means for storing the third list of services on the smart card; and providing means for providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a digital television system according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a smart card according to embodiments of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a method according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a method according to embodiments of the present invention
  • the present invention sets forth methods and arrangements for providing access, to a subscriber in a digital television network, to services provided by different service providers.
  • TV-channel is used as example of a service. It should however be noted that the following exemplary embodiments are not limited to TV-channels, other services that the service providers may provide are for instance high speed Internet, telephony, radio etc.
  • one aspect of the present invention relates to a digital television system 13 for providing access, to a subscriber (not shown) in a digital television system 13, to TV-channels provided by several service providers 5, 6, 7, 8.
  • each subscriber is associated with a decoder or a set top box 1 , which is connected to the digital television network 10.
  • Each decoder 1 receives digital signals from the digital television network 10.
  • Each decoder or set top box 1 is connected to a TV or other device 1 1 for displaying the services provided by the digital television network 10.
  • the digital television network may be a DVB network, Digital Video Broadcasting, but the digital television network 10 may also be other types of networks.
  • the digital television system 13 it is possible for subscribers to watch TV-channels provided by several service providers 5, 6, 7, 8. Only four service providers 5, 6, 7, 8 are shown in Figure 1 but there may be more or fever service providers.
  • the subscriber desires to watch TV-channels from a first service provider 5 and TV-channels from a second service provider 6 the subscriber makes a first request to the first service provider 5 and a second request to the second service provider 6.
  • the subscriber may make the first request and the second request to the first service provider and the second service provider via an Internet connection 14 using a computer 9.
  • the subscriber may also use other devices than a computer 9 to make the requests to the service providers 5, 6, 7, 8.
  • the subscriber may for instance make the requests using a mobile phone (not shown) with Internet capability or call the service providers 5, 6, 7, 8.
  • Each service provider 5, 6 has a receiver 15, 16 respectively for receiving requests for TV-channels from different from different subscribers.
  • the first service provider 5 comprises a first receiver 15 for receiving the first request from the subscriber and the second service provider 6 comprises a second receiver 16 for receiving the second request from the subscriber.
  • the first request comprises a first list of channels provided by the first service provider 5 that the subscriber desires to watch, a card number associated with the subscriber and a digital television network identity associated with the subscriber.
  • the digital television network identity will be the digital television network identity of the digital television network 10.
  • the second request comprises a second list of channels provided by the second service provider 6 that the subscriber desires to watch, the card number associated with the subscriber and the digital television network identity associated with the subscriber.
  • the first service provider 5 comprises creating means 17 for creating a first message comprising the first list of channels, the digital television network identity and the card number.
  • the first message be a EMM, Entitlement Management Message and the creating means an EMMG, Entitlement Management Message Generator.
  • the second service provider 6 comprises creating means 18, for creating a second message that comprise the second list of services, the network identity and the card number.
  • the digital television network 10 is a DVB network
  • the second message may be an EMM, Entitlement Management Message and the creating means a EMMG, Entitlement Management Message Generator.
  • the first and the second service providers 5, 6 also comprises a transmitter 19, 20 for transmitting the first and the second messages respectively, to the digital television network 10.
  • the first message is transmitted by a transmitter 19 at the first service provider 5 from the first service provider 5 to the digital television network 10 associated with the subscriber.
  • the second message is transmitted from the second service provider 6 to the digital television network 10 using a transmitter 20.
  • the first and the second messages are received by a server 4 in the digital television network.
  • the first and the second messages are transmitted from the server 4 through the digital television network 10 to the decoder 1 associated with the subscriber.
  • the invention is the first and the second messages received by a receiver 21 in the decoder 1.
  • removing means 23 for removing any duplicates of the first and second list of channels to obtain a third list of channels.
  • the decoder 1 also comprises a memory 24 for storing the third list of channels.
  • providing means 25 for providing access for the subscriber to the third list of channels.
  • the receiver 21 the removing means 23, the memory 24 and the providing means 25 are provided in a smart card 22 in the decoder 1 instead of in the decoder 1.
  • another aspect of the present invention relates to the smart card 22 associated with the subscriber in the decoder 1 in the digital television network 10 for providing access, for the subscriber associated with the smart card 22, to services provided by at least the first and the second service provider.
  • the digital television network, in which the smart card 22 is used may according to exemplary embodiments of the invention be a DVB network.
  • the smart card 22 comprises receiving means 21 for receiving, at least the first message comprising the first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card is authorized to watch and the second message comprising the second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber is authorized to watch.
  • the first and the second messages be a first EMM and a second second EMM.
  • the smart card 22 comprises removing means 23, connected to the receiving means 21.
  • the removing means 23 receives the first and the second messages from the receiving mean 21.
  • the removing means 23 removes any duplicates of services in the first and the second list to obtain the third list of services.
  • An advantage by removing and duplicates of channels from the first and second lists of channels is that the third list then requires less memory space in the memory 24.
  • Different service providers 5, 6, 7, 8 often provide different channel packages which each comprises different lists of channels respectively. It is often the case that the different channel packages from the different service providers contains duplicate channels.
  • the smart card 22 comprises storing means 24 connected to the removing means 21.
  • the storing means 24 receives the third list of services from the removing means 23.
  • the storing means 24 stores the third list of services on the smart card 22.
  • the smart card 22 also comprises providing means 25, connected to the storing means 24, for providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber.
  • Figure 3 shows a flow diagram for a method in the digital television system for providing access, to the subscriber in the digital television network, to services provided by at least the first and the second service provider, in accordance with previously described embodiments of the present invention.
  • the method comprises: receiving 201 at the first service 5 provider the first request comprising the first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber desires to use, the card number for the smart card associated with the subscriber and the digital television network identity associated with the subscriber;
  • FIG 4 there is illustrated a flowchart of a method for enabling the smart card 22 in the decoder 1 associated with the subscriber in the digital television network 10 to provide access, for the subscriber associated with the smart card 22, to services provided by at least the first and the second service provider, in accordance with previously described embodiments of the present invention.
  • the steps of the method comprise:
  • Step 400 receiving in the receiving means 21 in the smart card 22 at least the first message comprising the first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card (22) is authorized to watch;
  • Step 401 receiving in the receiving means 21 in the smart card 22 at least the second message comprising the second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card 22 is authorized to watch;
  • Step 402 removing any duplicates of the first and second list of services to obtain the third list of services
  • Step 403 storing the third list of services on the smart card.
  • Step 404 providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber.
  • the digital television network may according to exemplary embodiments of the invention be a DVB-network and the first and the second messages EMM messages.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, a digital television system, a smart card and a decoder for providing access, to a subscriber in a digital television network, to services provided by several service providers.

Description

METHOD AND A DIGITAL TELEVISION SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method, a digital television system and a smart card, in particular it relates to a method, a digital television system and a smart card for providing access to services provided by different service providers.
BACKGROUND
Digital television, often called digital-TV (DTV) is television where digital modulation and digital compression are used for transmitting sound and picture. In DTV other services may also be provided, for instance subtitles, radio programmes, high-speed Internet, telephony, and similar non-television services.
A digital television network is a network for providing television and other services to consumers via digital signals transmitted to televisions through for instance fixed optical fibres, coaxial cables, satellites signals or radio waves. In traditional television broadcasting radio waves are transmitted over-the-air, which requires an antenna.
The development of digital television networks has over the past years been very rapid and today's digital television networks provide many different services to different subscribers in the digital television network. Today there are also many different digital television networks available that each offer different lists of services to subscribers. Even if there are many different digital television networks available today each offering many different services respectively, subscribers are often limited to the list of services that are offered in one digital television network. This is because there is often only one digital television network available in a place where the subscriber lives. One problem with digital television networks is thus that they only provide a limited list of services to subscribers in the digital television network. In some houses or apartments there are however several digital television networks each offering different lists of services to subscribers. This means that it is possible for a person living in those houses to get services offered from different digital televisions networks.
Different digital television networks however use different access technologies in order to provide access to the different services that the different subscribers are allowed to use in the respective digital television networks. One digital television network may use one type of set top box in order for the subscriber to be able to use the services that is offered while other digital television networks may require other types of set top boxes in order to control which services that a subscriber is allowed to use.
A further problem with digital television networks offered today is thus that a subscriber requires different hardware for being able use services offered in different digital television networks.
SUMMARY
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved solution for providing access to services in a digital television network, where the services are provided by different service providers, which obviates at least some of the above mentioned problems.
It is often the case with today's digital television networks that the service provider owns the digital television network. Therefore the digital television network to which a subscriber is connected often only offers services from one services provider.
The idea of the present invention is to allow subscribers to be connected to single digital television network but still gain access to services provided by several service providers. This makes it possible for the subscriber to use more services, since different service providers provide different lists of services.
The present invention also utilizes the idea that by moving parts of the access system from the digital television network to the service providers it is possible to provide access, to a subscriber in a digital television network, to services provided by several service providers.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided, a method in a digital television system for providing access, to a subscriber in a digital television network , to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider, the method comprising;
receiving at a first service provider a first request comprising a first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber desires to use, a card number for a smart card associated with the subscriber and a digital television network identity associated with the subscriber; receiving at a second service provider a second request comprising a second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber desires to use, the card number and the digital television network identity; creating at the first service provider a first message comprising the first list of services, the digital television network identity and the card number; transmitting from the first service provider the first message to the digital television network associated with the subscriber; creating at the second service provider a second message comprising the second list of services, the network identity and the card number; transmitting from the second service provider the second message to the digital television network associated with the subscriber; receiving in the smart card associated with the subscriber, in a decoder associated with the subscriber, through the digital television network, the first message and the second message; removing any duplicates of services in the first and second list of services to obtain a third list of services; storing the third list of services on the smart card associated with the subscriber; and providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a digital television system for providing access, to a subscriber in a digital television network, to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider, the system comprising: a first receiver at a first service provider for receiving a first request comprising a first list of services provided by said first service provider that the subscriber desires to use, a card number associated with the subscriber and a digital television network identity associated with the subscriber; a second receiver at the second service provider for receiving a second request comprising a second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber desires to use, the card number associated with the subscriber and the digital television network identity; first creating means at the first service provider for creating a first message comprising the first list of services, the digital television network identity and the card number; a transmitter at the first service provider for transmitting the first message to the digital television network associated with the subscriber; second creating means at the second service provider for creating a second message comprising the second list of services, the network identity and the card number; a transmitter for transmitting from the second service provider the second message to the digital television network ; a receiver for receiving in the smart card associated with the subscriber, in a decoder associated with the subscriber, through the digital television network, the first message and the second message; removing means in the smart card for removing any duplicates of services in the first and the second list of services to obtain a third list of services; a memory in the smart card for storing the third list of services on the smart card; and providing means in the smart card for providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for enabling a smart card in a decoder associated with a subscriber in a digital television network to provide access, for the subscriber associated with the smart card, to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider the method comprising; receiving in the smart card at least a first message comprising a first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card is authorized to access; receiving in the smart card at least a second message comprising a second list of services provided by said second service provider that said subscriber is authorized to access; removing any duplicates of services in the first and second list of services to obtain a third list of services; storing the third list of services on said smart card; and providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a smart card associated with a subscriber in a decoder in a digital television network for providing access, for a subscriber associated with the smart card, to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider, wherein the smart card comprises: receiving means for receiving, at least a first message comprising a first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card is authorized to access and a second message comprising a second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber is authorized to access; removing means for removing any duplicates of services in the first and second list to obtain a third list of services; and
storing means for storing the third list of services on the smart card; and providing means for providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a decoder associated with a subscriber in a digital television network for providing access, for a subscriber associated with the decoder, to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider, wherein the decoder comprises: receiving means for receiving, at least a first message comprising a first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the decoder is authorized to access and a second message comprising a second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber is authorized to access; removing means for removing any duplicates of services in the first and second list to obtain a third list of services; and storing means for storing the third list of services on the smart card; and providing means for providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber. An advantage with embodiments of the present invention is that it is possible for a subscriber in a digital television network to use services provided by several different service providers. Yet another advantage of embodiments of the present invention is that it is possible for a subscriber in a digital television network access services from several service providers using only one type of access technology.
Further advantages with embodiments of the present invention are that less memory resources are required since duplicates of services from different services providers are removed from the list of services stored on the smart card.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 illustrates a digital television system according to embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 2 illustrates a smart card according to embodiments of the present invention
Fig. 3 illustrates a method according to embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 4 illustrates a method according to embodiments of the present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments list forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like reference signs refer to like elements.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The present invention sets forth methods and arrangements for providing access, to a subscriber in a digital television network, to services provided by different service providers.
In the following description of exemplary embodiments a TV-channel is used as example of a service. It should however be noted that the following exemplary embodiments are not limited to TV-channels, other services that the service providers may provide are for instance high speed Internet, telephony, radio etc.
Referring to Figure 1 , one aspect of the present invention relates to a digital television system 13 for providing access, to a subscriber (not shown) in a digital television system 13, to TV-channels provided by several service providers 5, 6, 7, 8. In the digital television system 13 each subscriber is associated with a decoder or a set top box 1 , which is connected to the digital television network 10. Each decoder 1 receives digital signals from the digital television network 10. Each decoder or set top box 1 is connected to a TV or other device 1 1 for displaying the services provided by the digital television network 10. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the digital television network may be a DVB network, Digital Video Broadcasting, but the digital television network 10 may also be other types of networks.
In the digital television system 13 according to the present invention it is possible for subscribers to watch TV-channels provided by several service providers 5, 6, 7, 8. Only four service providers 5, 6, 7, 8 are shown in Figure 1 but there may be more or fever service providers. If the subscriber desires to watch TV-channels from a first service provider 5 and TV-channels from a second service provider 6 the subscriber makes a first request to the first service provider 5 and a second request to the second service provider 6. The subscriber may make the first request and the second request to the first service provider and the second service provider via an Internet connection 14 using a computer 9. The subscriber may also use other devices than a computer 9 to make the requests to the service providers 5, 6, 7, 8. The subscriber may for instance make the requests using a mobile phone (not shown) with Internet capability or call the service providers 5, 6, 7, 8.
Each service provider 5, 6 has a receiver 15, 16 respectively for receiving requests for TV-channels from different from different subscribers. The first service provider 5 comprises a first receiver 15 for receiving the first request from the subscriber and the second service provider 6 comprises a second receiver 16 for receiving the second request from the subscriber. The first request comprises a first list of channels provided by the first service provider 5 that the subscriber desires to watch, a card number associated with the subscriber and a digital television network identity associated with the subscriber. In these exemplary embodiments the digital television network identity will be the digital television network identity of the digital television network 10. The second request comprises a second list of channels provided by the second service provider 6 that the subscriber desires to watch, the card number associated with the subscriber and the digital television network identity associated with the subscriber.
At the first and second service providers 5, 6 there are also creating means 17 and 18.
The first service provider 5 comprises creating means 17 for creating a first message comprising the first list of channels, the digital television network identity and the card number. In exemplary embodiments of the invention where the digital television network is a DVB network may the first message be a EMM, Entitlement Management Message and the creating means an EMMG, Entitlement Management Message Generator. The second service provider 6 comprises creating means 18, for creating a second message that comprise the second list of services, the network identity and the card number. In exemplary embodiments of the invention where the digital television network 10 is a DVB network the second message may be an EMM, Entitlement Management Message and the creating means a EMMG, Entitlement Management Message Generator.
The first and the second service providers 5, 6 also comprises a transmitter 19, 20 for transmitting the first and the second messages respectively, to the digital television network 10. The first message is transmitted by a transmitter 19 at the first service provider 5 from the first service provider 5 to the digital television network 10 associated with the subscriber. The second message is transmitted from the second service provider 6 to the digital television network 10 using a transmitter 20. The first and the second messages are received by a server 4 in the digital television network. The first and the second messages are transmitted from the server 4 through the digital television network 10 to the decoder 1 associated with the subscriber.
In exemplary embodiments of the invention is the first and the second messages received by a receiver 21 in the decoder 1. In the decoder 1 there are also removing means 23 for removing any duplicates of the first and second list of channels to obtain a third list of channels. The decoder 1 also comprises a memory 24 for storing the third list of channels. In the decoder 1 there are also providing means 25 for providing access for the subscriber to the third list of channels.
In other exemplary embodiments of the digital television system the receiver 21 , the removing means 23, the memory 24 and the providing means 25 are provided in a smart card 22 in the decoder 1 instead of in the decoder 1. These exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in relation to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.
Reffering to Figure 2, another aspect of the present invention relates to the smart card 22 associated with the subscriber in the decoder 1 in the digital television network 10 for providing access, for the subscriber associated with the smart card 22, to services provided by at least the first and the second service provider. The digital television network, in which the smart card 22 is used, may according to exemplary embodiments of the invention be a DVB network. The smart card 22 comprises receiving means 21 for receiving, at least the first message comprising the first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card is authorized to watch and the second message comprising the second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber is authorized to watch. In exemplary embodiments of the smart card 22 according to the present invention may the first and the second messages be a first EMM and a second second EMM. Further, the smart card 22 comprises removing means 23, connected to the receiving means 21. The removing means 23 receives the first and the second messages from the receiving mean 21. The removing means 23 removes any duplicates of services in the first and the second list to obtain the third list of services. An advantage by removing and duplicates of channels from the first and second lists of channels is that the third list then requires less memory space in the memory 24. Different service providers 5, 6, 7, 8 often provide different channel packages which each comprises different lists of channels respectively. It is often the case that the different channel packages from the different service providers contains duplicate channels. If the subscriber orders several channels packages from many service providers there may therefore be many duplicate channels among the channels offered in the different channel packages. This would then require a larger amount of memory space in the memory 24 than if duplicate services were not removed. It is therefore an advantage to remove duplicate channels from the channel lists received in the smart card 22. Yet further, the smart card 22 comprises storing means 24 connected to the removing means 21. The storing means 24 receives the third list of services from the removing means 23. The storing means 24 stores the third list of services on the smart card 22. As shown, the smart card 22 also comprises providing means 25, connected to the storing means 24, for providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber.
Figure 3 shows a flow diagram for a method in the digital television system for providing access, to the subscriber in the digital television network, to services provided by at least the first and the second service provider, in accordance with previously described embodiments of the present invention. As shown in figure 2, the method comprises: receiving 201 at the first service 5 provider the first request comprising the first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber desires to use, the card number for the smart card associated with the subscriber and the digital television network identity associated with the subscriber;
receiving 202 at the second service 6 provider the second request comprising the second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber desires to use, the card number and the digital television network identity;
creating 203 at the first service provider 5 the first message comprising the first list of services, the digital television network identity and the card number; transmitting 204 from the first service provider 5 the first message to the to the server 4 in the digital television network 10 associated with the subscriber; creating 205 at the second service provider 6 the second message comprising the second list of services, the network identity and the card number;
transmitting 206 from the second service provider 6 the second message to the server 4 in the digital television network 10 associated with the subscriber; transmitting 207 from the server 4 the first and the second messages to the smart card 22 in the digital television network 10 associated with the subscriber;
receiving (not shown) in the smart card 22, associated with the subscriber, in the decoder 1 through the digital television network 10, the first message and the second message;
removing 208 any duplicates of services in the first and the second list of services to obtain the third list of services;
storing 209 the third list of services on the smart card associated with the subscriber; and
providing 210 access to the third list of services for the subscriber. Referring to figure 4 there is illustrated a flowchart of a method for enabling the smart card 22 in the decoder 1 associated with the subscriber in the digital television network 10 to provide access, for the subscriber associated with the smart card 22, to services provided by at least the first and the second service provider, in accordance with previously described embodiments of the present invention. As shown in figure 4, the steps of the method comprise:
Step 400: receiving in the receiving means 21 in the smart card 22 at least the first message comprising the first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card (22) is authorized to watch;
Step 401 : receiving in the receiving means 21 in the smart card 22 at least the second message comprising the second list of services provided by the second service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card 22 is authorized to watch;
Step 402: removing any duplicates of the first and second list of services to obtain the third list of services;
Step 403: storing the third list of services on the smart card; and
Step 404: providing access to the third list of services for the subscriber.
As previously described, the digital television network may according to exemplary embodiments of the invention be a DVB-network and the first and the second messages EMM messages.
Means mentioned in the present description can be software means, hardware means or a combination of both. The described subject matter is of course not limited to the above described and in the drawings shown embodiments, but can be modified within the scope of the enclosed claims.

Claims

A method in a digital television system (13) for providing access, to a subscriber in a digital television network (10), to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider, wherein said services provided by at least said first and said second service provider are provided through said digital television network (10), the method comprising;
receiving (201) at a first service provider (5) a first request comprising a first list of services provided by said first service provider that the subscriber desires to use, a card number for a smart card associated with said subscriber and a digital television network identity associated with said subscriber;
receiving (202) at a second service provider (6) a second request comprising a second list of services provided by said second service provider that the subscriber desires to use, said card number and said digital television network identity;
creating (203) at said first service provider (5) a first message comprising said first list of services, said digital television network identity and said card number;
transmitting (204) from said first service provider said first message to said digital television network associated with said subscriber;
creating (205) at said second service provider (6) a second message comprising said second list of services, said network identity and said card number;
transmitting (206) from said second service provider said second message to said digital television network associated with said subscriber; receiving in the smart card associated with said subscriber, in a decoder associated with said subscriber, through the digital television network, said first message and the second message;
removing (208) any duplicates of services in said first and second list of services to obtain a third list of services;
storing (209) said third list of services on said smart card associated with said subscriber; and
providing (210) access to said third list of services for said subscriber, wherein said services provided by at least said first and said second service provider are provided through said digital television network (10).
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said digital television network is a DVB, Digital Video Broadcasting, network.
A method according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein said first message is a first EMM, Entitlement Management Message, and said second message is a second EMM.
4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein in said step of creating at said first service provider said first message are created in a first EMMG, Entitlement Management Message Generator, and wherein said step of creating at the second service provider said second message are created in a second EMMG, Entitlement Management Message Generator.
5. A digital television system (13) for providing access, to a subscriber in a digital television network (10), to services provided by at least a first (5) and a second service provider (6), wherein said services provided by at least said first and said second service provider are provided through said digital television network (10), the system comprising:
- a first receiver (15) at a first service provider (5) for receiving a first request comprising a first list of services provided by said first service provider (5) that the subscriber desires to use, a card number associated with said subscriber and a digital television network identity associated with said subscriber;
- a second receiver (16) at said second service provider (6) for receiving a second request comprising a second list of services provided by said second service provider that the subscriber desires to use, said card number associated with said subscriber and said digital television network identity;
- first creating means (17) at said first service provider (5) for creating a first message comprising said first list of services, said digital television network identity and said card number;
- a transmitter (19) at said first service provider (5) for transmitting said first message to said digital television network (10) associated with said subscriber;
- second creating means (18) at said second service (6) provider for creating a second message comprising said second list of services, said network identity and said card number;
- a transmitter (20) for transmitting from said second service provider (6) said second message to said digital television network (10);
- a receiver (21) for receiving in the smart card (22) associated with said subscriber, in a decoder (1) associated with said subscriber, through the digital television network (10), said first message and the second message;
- removing means (23) in the smart card (22) for removing any duplicates of services in said first and second list of services to obtain a third list of services;
- a memory (24) in the smart card (22) for storing said third list of services on said smart card (22); and providing means (25) in the smart card (22) for providing access to said third list of services for said subscriber, wherein said services provided by at least said first and said second service provider are provided through said digital television network (10).
6. A digital television system (13) according to claim 5, wherein said digital television network (10) is a DVB, Digital Video Broadcasting, network.
7. A digital television system (13) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein said first message is a first EMM, Entitlement Management Message, and said second message is a second EMM.
8. A digital television system (13) according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein said first creating means are a first EMMG, Entitlement Management Message Generator, and said second creating means are a second EMMG, Entitlement Management Message Generator.
9. A method for enabling a smart card (22) in a decoder (1) associated with a subscriber in a digital television network (10) to provide access, for said subscriber associated with said subscriber, to services provided by at least a first and a second service provider, wherein said services provided by at least said first and said second service provider are provided through said digital television network (10), the method comprising;
receiving in said smart card (22) at least a first message comprising a first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card (22) is authorized to access; - receiving in said smart card (22) at least a second message comprising a second list of services provided by said second service provider that said subscriber is authorized to access;
removing any duplicates of said first and second list of services to obtain a third list of services; storing said third list of services on said smart card; and
providing access to said third list of services for said subscriber, wherein said services provided by at least said first and said second service provider are provided through said digital television network (10).
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said digital television network (10) is a DVB, Digital Video Broadcasting, network.
1 1. A method according to any of claims 9 to 10, wherein said first message is a first EMM, Entitlement Management Message, and said second message is a second EMM.
12. A smart card (22) associated with a subscriber in a decoder (1) in a digital television network (10) for providing access, for a subscriber associated with the smart card (22), to services provided by at least a first (5) and a second service provider (6), wherein said services provided by at least said first and said second service provider are provided through said digital television network (10), wherein the smart card (22) comprises:
-receiving means (21) for receiving, at least a first message comprising a first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the smart card (22) is authorized to access and a second message comprising a second list of services provided by said second service provider that said subscriber is authorized to access;
- removing means (23) for removing any duplicates of services in said first and second list to obtain a third list of services; and
- storing means (24) for storing said third list of services on said smart card; and providing means (25) for providing access to said third list of services for said subscriber, wherein said services provided by at least said first and said 1 ί second service provider are provided through said digital television network (10).
13. A smart card according to claim 12, wherein said digital television network (10) is a DVB, Digital Video Broadcasting, network.
14. A smart card (22) according to any of claims 12 to 13, wherein said first message is a first EMM, Entitlement Management Message, and said second message is a second EMM.
15. A decoder (1) associated with a subscriber in a digital television network (10) for providing access, for a subscriber associated with the decoder (1), to services provided by at least a first (5) and a second service provider (6), wherein said services provided by at least said first and said second service provider are provided through said digital television network (10), wherein the decoder (1) comprises:
-receiving means (21) for receiving, at least a first message comprising a first list of services provided by the first service provider that the subscriber associated with the decoder (1) is authorized to watch and a second message comprising a second list of services provided by said second service provider that said subscriber is authorized to watch;
- removing means (23) for removing any duplicates of services in said first and second list to obtain a third list of services; and
- storing means (24) for storing said third list of services on said smart card; and providing means (25) for providing access to said third list of services for said subscriber, wherein said services provided by at least said first and said second service provider are provided through said digital television network (10).
16. A decoder according to claim 15, wherein said digital television network (10) is a DVB, Digital Video Broadcasting, network.
17. A decoder (1) according to any of claims 15 to 16, wherein said first messa; is a first EMM, Entitlement Management Message, and said second message a second EMM.
PCT/SE2010/051176 2009-10-29 2010-10-29 Method and digital television system WO2011053238A1 (en)

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