US5481609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for controlling access to broadcast transmissions
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1993-09-10
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Granted: 1996-01-02
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Expires: 2013-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling access to broadcast transmissions including a transmitter having a transmission encoder for scrambling the broadcast, a multiplicity of subscriber receivers, each having an identical receiving decoder, containing no secret cryptographic keys, for descrambling the broadcast and a plurality of selectable and portable executing apparatus each being operatively associatable with a receiving decoder at a partially different given time and each executing generally identical operations to generate a seed for use by the associated receiving decoder to enable the receiving decoder to descramble the broadcast.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Cohen
- 👤 Jonathan Hashkes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:26
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/409; G06Q20/4097; G06Q20/40975; H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for controlling access to broadcast transmissions comprising: a transmitter having a transmission scrambler for scrambling a broadcast and a satellite in geosynchronous orbit for relaying said broadcast; a security computer coupled to said transmitter; and a multiplicity of subscriber receivers, each comprising: a groundstation for receiving said broadcast relayed from said satellite and a receiving descrambler for descrambling said broadcast; and a selectable and portable memory means operatively associated with said receiving descrambler, wherein instructions transmitted by said security computer to said receiving descrambler enable said receiving descrambler to employ data stored in said memory means for generating a seed used by said receiving descrambler to descramble said broadcast.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for controlling access to broadcast transmissions comprising: a transmitter having a transmission scrambler for scrambling a broadcast and a satellite in geosynchronous orbit for relaying said broadcast; a security computer coupled to said transmitter; and a multiplicity of subscriber receivers, each comprising: a groundstation for receiving said broadcast relayed from said satellite and a receiving descrambler for descrambling said broadcast; and a selectable and portable memory means operatively associated with said receiving descrambler, wherein instructions transmitted by said security computer to said receiving descrambler enable said receiving descrambler to employ data stored in said memory means for generating a seed used by said receiving descrambler to descramble said broadcast.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1 and wherein said selectable and portable memory means contains information which indicates programming entitlements to said receiving descrambler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1 and wherein said receiving descrambler generates displayed messages originating from said broadcast transmissions.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for controlling access to broadcast transmissions, wherein scrambled programs are transmitted to a plurality of subscriber units, each including a receiver and a receiving descrambler which descrambles programs by using a smart card, the method comprising: providing a first smart card for enabling descrambling of programs for a first predetermined time period; transmitting a message from said first smart card to an electronic mailbox in said receiving descrambler when said first predetermined period lapses; storing said message in said electronic mailbox; providing a second smart card; applying said message stored in said electronic mailbox to enable operation of said second smart card for a second predetermined time period; and employing said second smart card for enabling descrambling of programs for said second predetermined time period.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for controlling access to broadcast transmissions, wherein scrambled programs are transmitted to a plurality of subscriber units, each including a receiver and a receiving descrambler which descrambles programs by using a smart card, the method comprising: providing a first smart card for enabling descrambling of programs for a first predetermined time period; transmitting a message from said first smart card to an electronic mailbox in said receiving descrambler when said first predetermined period lapses; storing said message in said electronic mailbox; providing a second smart card; applying said message stored in said electronic mailbox to enable operation of said second smart card for a second predetermined time period; and employing said second smart card for enabling descrambling of programs for said second predetermined time period.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-01 | 1999-07-03 | 2000-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-01 | 2003-07-03 | 2004-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-01 | 2007-07-03 | 2008-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |