WO2004075551A1 - System and method for providing secure video broadcasting services - Google Patents

System and method for providing secure video broadcasting services Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004075551A1
WO2004075551A1 PCT/SG2003/000047 SG0300047W WO2004075551A1 WO 2004075551 A1 WO2004075551 A1 WO 2004075551A1 SG 0300047 W SG0300047 W SG 0300047W WO 2004075551 A1 WO2004075551 A1 WO 2004075551A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
video
server
broadcasting services
providing secure
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SG2003/000047
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Velayuthan Rajendran
Farid Ridhwan Muhammad
Original Assignee
Alif R & D Sdn Bhd
Pintas Pte Ltd
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 Alif R & D Sdn Bhd, Pintas Pte Ltd filed Critical Alif R & D Sdn Bhd
Priority to AU2003214784A priority Critical patent/AU2003214784A1/en
Publication of WO2004075551A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004075551A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/21—Server components or server architectures
    • H04N21/218—Source of audio or video content, e.g. local disk arrays
    • H04N21/2181—Source of audio or video content, e.g. local disk arrays comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers
    • 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]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/231—Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion
    • H04N21/23106—Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion involving caching operations
    • 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]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/234—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams, manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs
    • H04N21/2347—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams, manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving video stream encryption
    • 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]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/254—Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server
    • H04N21/2543—Billing, e.g. for subscription services
    • H04N21/2547—Third Party Billing, e.g. billing of advertiser
    • 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]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25866—Management of end-user data
    • H04N21/25875—Management of end-user data involving end-user authentication
    • 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
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/426—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • H04N21/42661—Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof for reading from or writing on a magnetic storage medium, e.g. hard disk drive
    • 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
    • H04N21/44—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
    • H04N21/4405—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving video stream decryption
    • 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
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4623—Processing of entitlement messages, e.g. ECM [Entitlement Control Message] or EMM [Entitlement Management Message]
    • 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
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/47211—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for requesting pay-per-view content
    • 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
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
    • H04N21/4821—End-user interface for program selection using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
    • 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]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
    • H04N21/6156—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network
    • H04N21/6187—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
    • 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]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/63—Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
    • H04N21/633—Control signals issued by server directed to the network components or client
    • H04N21/6332—Control signals issued by server directed to the network components or client directed to client
    • H04N21/6334—Control signals issued by server directed to the network components or client directed to client for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key
    • H04N21/63345—Control signals issued by server directed to the network components or client directed to client for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key by transmitting keys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/167—Systems rendering the television signal unintelligible and subsequently intelligible
    • H04N7/1675—Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the video on demand system, more particularly to the system and method of providing video distribution services which is more efficient and secure according to the demand from a user.
  • VOD Video On Demand
  • ADSL asymmetrical digital subscriber line network
  • DSL broadband cable and telephone digital subscribe line
  • Present offerings of the video on demand services are post paid and bills arrive at the end of the month. Users would prefer to have the control benefits of prepaid. It is preferred to be able to charge the price of the service beforehand, so that the operator will avoid any credit losses of unpaid bills. The users may also prefer this mode of payment in favour of not being surprised by huge amount of bill by end of the month.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a system and method for a secure delivery of video programs to users for home viewing.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a card with only identification codes stored in it and not the account balance to avoid phone card fraud and line tapping fraud.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide a central computer system to maintain and manage the user information and amount credit of the user at one centralized location.
  • Still another object of the invention is to protect against unauthorized copying of the video program for illegal gain at the user's residence.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a system which is convenient for user to use.
  • Yet further object of the invention is to provide a system which is applicable for both prepaid and postpaid use.
  • Still further object of the invention is to provide an effective distribution system and method where video programs can be delivered at low cost to homes.
  • a system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services comprising a video server for storing, administrating and supplying video programs; a telephony server for providing the interface for a telephone network with said video server; a video content player located remotely at user premises for receiving transmission of video program from said video server, whereby said video content player includes a built-in modem for establishing communications with said video server and said telephony server over said telephone network; characterized in that said video server being programmed to perform the functions of matching authentications and to overlay information in content of the selected video programs to be downloaded.
  • said system further comprising a support server for managing and controlling overall system activity by keeping track of all information, where user's particulars and identification are added and stored at video server during the registration to become an authorized user.
  • a support server for managing and controlling overall system activity by keeping track of all information, where user's particulars and identification are added and stored at video server during the registration to become an authorized user.
  • said video content player is associated with a video display unit as a video output to display the downloaded video movie programs.
  • said video content player further comprising a first card reader means which is responsive to the phone chip card; a second card reader means which is responsive to the conditional access chip card for restricting selection of video programs to be downloaded by particular users; and a hard disk drive to store said downloaded video programs.
  • said system further comprising a telephone apparatus with a chip card reader and means to display text messages for providing user with the convenience and control capability of residential prepaid telephony.
  • said overlay information are the user name, address, caller identification, date and time stamp which will be displayed in the content of said video program to prevent piracy of said video program once it has been downloaded at user premises.
  • Preferably said system and method is applicable for both prepaid and postpaid use.
  • said system further comprising cache servers which are located at local exchange, not only to serve its users by getting information more quickly but also reduces server or bandwidth congestion.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the overall system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services.
  • the system of the present invention comprises of a video server (15) for storing, administrating and supplying video programs; a support server (14) associated with the video server (15) for managing and controlling overall system activity by keeping track of all information; a telephony server (13) which provides the interface for Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN) with the support server (14) for managing signaling interface, controlling and coordinating all call made through the system; a telephone apparatus (11) with a chip card reader and means to display text messages for providing the user with the convenience and control capability of residential prepaid telephony; a video content player (12) located remotely from the video server (15) for receiving transmission from the video server (15) via the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem and storing said downloaded video movie programs on hard disk; and a video display unit (10) or a television set as a video output associated with the video content player (12) to display the downloaded video movie programs.
  • Video programs might be in the form of television shows, movies
  • a person who desires to subscribe to this system is required to first register for the services as an authorized user, whereupon the user's particulars and identification are added and stored at the video server (15).
  • user Upon registration, user is provided with the telephone apparatus (11) and the video content player (12) at user residence.
  • the user name, residence phone number, address and the serial number of the hard disk drive of the video content player (12) are registered and activated at the video server (15).
  • the video content player (12) includes a built-in DSL modem for broadband Internet access and two card reader means (not shown), where the first card reader means is responsive to the phone chip card for billing and the second card reader means is responsive to the conditional access chip card for restricting selection of video programs by particular users for identification.
  • the telephone apparatus is for use in user premises.
  • the said apparatus is basically a conventional telephone with basic functions such as handset voice communication, ringer to alert the user of incoming calls, keypad and said apparatus characterized in that it consists of a LCD display device for displaying messages from the server and displaying user key entries while dialing; and a chip card (16) receiving means for reading the data on the chip card (16) and sends it to the server for verification. After registration, the user is able to make prepaid telephone calls.
  • the telephony server (13) In use, when the user lifts the telephone apparatus (11) handset, the telephony server (13) will detect the telephone apparatus (11) being in off-hook state and sends a signal to the telephone apparatus, causing the telephone apparatus to enter the data state whereby the telephony server (13) will send a message requesting the phone chip card to be inserted into the chip card reader of the telephone apparatus. The telephone apparatus will send the individual code to the telephony server (13) to ensure sufficient account balance before sending signal to request the user to dial number to desired destination. The telephony server (13) tracks the cost of the call and decreases the balance in the account accordingly until either the call terminates or the remaining balance in the account expires.
  • the support server (14) which is a processor and operational platform performs the functions of managing and controlling the overall system. It has four sub-systems which are the realtime billing system, tariff system, smart card system and management system for monitoring and administrating phone card fraud.
  • the registered user is also able to buy any video movies provided by the system.
  • the user has an integrated circuit phone card (16) which is compatibly interfaced to the first card reader means of the video content player (12) and the card reader means of the telephone apparatus (11).
  • the user inserts the chip card (16) to the first card reader means which is connected to the video content player (12) residing at his own home.
  • the support server (14) receives data on the chip card (16) from the support server (14) via the hotline connection.
  • the received data is processed with the stored data at support server (14).
  • the support server then transfers the caller identification and available balance to the video server (15).
  • the video content player (12) is then activated by using a remote controller and a text message showing the available balance of his account is displayed on the main menu of the video display unit (10). From the movie selection screen the user then browses the list of the video movies. After the user selects a particular movie, the user is prompted to choose either fast premium priced download or overnight priced download.
  • the video content player (12) generates an order for that particular selected movie.
  • the video server (15) will send a signal to enable the serial number reading means of the video content player (12).
  • the video server (15) will interrogate with the video content player (12) to request the serial number of the hard disk drive of the video content player (12).
  • the video content player (12) sends the data to the video server (15) and authenticates with the caller identification from the support server (14).
  • the serial number and the caller identification are evaluated and determined if the chip card (16) and its owner entitled to request the service and if there is still sufficient money for paying said service.
  • the selected video program, its download price and other purchasing information will be displayed on the screen of the video display unit (10). User is given the opportunity to confirm or deny the order request.
  • the video server (15) has software to overlay user name, user's residence address and caller identification at selected locations, whereby the overlay can be static or dynamic. Upon confirmation, the video server (15) immediately sends the selected video program to the video content player (12) with said name, address and caller identification information embedded in content of said selected video program.
  • the user name, residence address and caller identification will be displayed on top left corner and/or running along bottom of the screen of the video display unit (10).
  • the date and time stamp will also be sent periodically (for example "Licensed to 'user name' at 'line no' at 'time' on 'date').
  • the name and caller identification overlay with the date and time stamp are recorded over the video content, it will significantly discourage copying or piracy.
  • the overlay cannot be removed without significantly degrading the quality of the video content.
  • the security is increased as the overlay and the authentication are done at a centralized server system and transmitted at the beginning of the movie and on a random basis during video program.
  • the video program Upon reception at the video content player (12), the video program is stored in the hard disk drive (not shown) where it is available for viewing by the authorized user at any time.
  • the stored video program has an indefinite residence time on the hard disk drive.
  • User has the option of recording said video program on compact disk. The user is licensed to watch this video program at his or her residence. After the video content has been downloaded, the server will decrease the balance in the user account accordingly.
  • the present invention further includes cache servers (not shown) which are located at local exchange, not only to serve its users by getting information more quickly but also reduces server or bandwidth congestion.
  • the cache server is to eliminate repeated transmissions of commonly requested content and adding speed at different local sites.
  • the cache server will requests the said video program from the video server (15), whereby a copy of the said video program is stored at the said cache server. Should a second user request the same video program at the same area, the availability of content at said cache server will reduce the bandwidth congestion of the overall network.
  • the present invention is applicable for postpaid use.
  • the system further comprising a billing server operable to bill the registered user of the system by recording at the billing server the charges levied for downloading a video program and bill at the end of the month.
  • the service provider is able to add advertisement to the video program to increase revenue or offering movies with advertisement at a discount.

Abstract

A system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services comprising a video server (15) for storing, administrating and supplying video programs; a telephony server (13) for providing the interface for a telephone network with said video server (15); a video content player (12) located remotely at user premises for receiving transmission of video program from said video server (15), whereby said video content player (12) includes a built-in modem for establishing communications with said video server (15) and said telephony server (13) over said telephone network; characterized in that said video server (15) being programmed to perform the functions of matching authentications and to overlay information in content of the selected video programs to be downloaded.

Description

System and Method for Providing Secure Video Broadcasting Services
Field of Invention
This invention relates to the video on demand system, more particularly to the system and method of providing video distribution services which is more efficient and secure according to the demand from a user.
Background of the Invention
This is a continuation-in-part of a pending Malaysian Patent application entitled Method and Apparatus for Providing Prepaid Telephone Service, filed on 12 March 2002, patent application number PI20020889 which is hereby incorporated as reference.
Video On Demand (VOD) systems are lαiown in the prior art and commonly supplied to viewers in many different methods. Recently, the system is on development of ultra high speed communication networks, such as the optical communication network and the asymmetrical digital subscriber line network (ADSL). The trend in film and television now will be towards video on demand (VOD) via broadband cable and telephone digital subscribe line (DSL).
Current video on demand services are limited due to movie producers or distribution houses concerns on the risk of video piracy. Without a secure protection on the video on demand system, the video programs can be illicitly copied and redistributed for illegal gain.
Present offerings of the video on demand services are post paid and bills arrive at the end of the month. Users would prefer to have the control benefits of prepaid. It is preferred to be able to charge the price of the service beforehand, so that the operator will avoid any credit losses of unpaid bills. The users may also prefer this mode of payment in favour of not being surprised by huge amount of bill by end of the month.
Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a system and method for a secure delivery of video programs to users for home viewing. Another object of the invention is to provide a card with only identification codes stored in it and not the account balance to avoid phone card fraud and line tapping fraud.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a central computer system to maintain and manage the user information and amount credit of the user at one centralized location.
Still another object of the invention is to protect against unauthorized copying of the video program for illegal gain at the user's residence.
Furthermore the object of the invention is to provide a system which is convenient for user to use.
Yet further object of the invention is to provide a system which is applicable for both prepaid and postpaid use.
Still further object of the invention is to provide an effective distribution system and method where video programs can be delivered at low cost to homes.
Summary of the Invention
A system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services comprising a video server for storing, administrating and supplying video programs; a telephony server for providing the interface for a telephone network with said video server; a video content player located remotely at user premises for receiving transmission of video program from said video server, whereby said video content player includes a built-in modem for establishing communications with said video server and said telephony server over said telephone network; characterized in that said video server being programmed to perform the functions of matching authentications and to overlay information in content of the selected video programs to be downloaded.
Preferably said system further comprising a support server for managing and controlling overall system activity by keeping track of all information, where user's particulars and identification are added and stored at video server during the registration to become an authorized user. Preferably said video content player is associated with a video display unit as a video output to display the downloaded video movie programs.
Preferably said video content player further comprising a first card reader means which is responsive to the phone chip card; a second card reader means which is responsive to the conditional access chip card for restricting selection of video programs to be downloaded by particular users; and a hard disk drive to store said downloaded video programs.
Preferably said system further comprising a telephone apparatus with a chip card reader and means to display text messages for providing user with the convenience and control capability of residential prepaid telephony.
Preferably said overlay information are the user name, address, caller identification, date and time stamp which will be displayed in the content of said video program to prevent piracy of said video program once it has been downloaded at user premises.
Preferably said system and method is applicable for both prepaid and postpaid use.
Preferably said system further comprising cache servers which are located at local exchange, not only to serve its users by getting information more quickly but also reduces server or bandwidth congestion.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 illustrates the overall system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be set forth in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates the system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services. The system of the present invention comprises of a video server (15) for storing, administrating and supplying video programs; a support server (14) associated with the video server (15) for managing and controlling overall system activity by keeping track of all information; a telephony server (13) which provides the interface for Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN) with the support server (14) for managing signaling interface, controlling and coordinating all call made through the system; a telephone apparatus (11) with a chip card reader and means to display text messages for providing the user with the convenience and control capability of residential prepaid telephony; a video content player (12) located remotely from the video server (15) for receiving transmission from the video server (15) via the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem and storing said downloaded video movie programs on hard disk; and a video display unit (10) or a television set as a video output associated with the video content player (12) to display the downloaded video movie programs. Video programs might be in the form of television shows, movies, video games and the like.
A person who desires to subscribe to this system is required to first register for the services as an authorized user, whereupon the user's particulars and identification are added and stored at the video server (15). Upon registration, user is provided with the telephone apparatus (11) and the video content player (12) at user residence. The user name, residence phone number, address and the serial number of the hard disk drive of the video content player (12) are registered and activated at the video server (15).
The video content player (12) includes a built-in DSL modem for broadband Internet access and two card reader means (not shown), where the first card reader means is responsive to the phone chip card for billing and the second card reader means is responsive to the conditional access chip card for restricting selection of video programs by particular users for identification.
The telephone apparatus according to the present invention is for use in user premises. The said apparatus is basically a conventional telephone with basic functions such as handset voice communication, ringer to alert the user of incoming calls, keypad and said apparatus characterized in that it consists of a LCD display device for displaying messages from the server and displaying user key entries while dialing; and a chip card (16) receiving means for reading the data on the chip card (16) and sends it to the server for verification. After registration, the user is able to make prepaid telephone calls. In use, when the user lifts the telephone apparatus (11) handset, the telephony server (13) will detect the telephone apparatus (11) being in off-hook state and sends a signal to the telephone apparatus, causing the telephone apparatus to enter the data state whereby the telephony server (13) will send a message requesting the phone chip card to be inserted into the chip card reader of the telephone apparatus. The telephone apparatus will send the individual code to the telephony server (13) to ensure sufficient account balance before sending signal to request the user to dial number to desired destination. The telephony server (13) tracks the cost of the call and decreases the balance in the account accordingly until either the call terminates or the remaining balance in the account expires.
The support server (14) which is a processor and operational platform performs the functions of managing and controlling the overall system. It has four sub-systems which are the realtime billing system, tariff system, smart card system and management system for monitoring and administrating phone card fraud.
The registered user is also able to buy any video movies provided by the system. The user has an integrated circuit phone card (16) which is compatibly interfaced to the first card reader means of the video content player (12) and the card reader means of the telephone apparatus (11). To make an access to the system to buy a video program from the video server (15), the user inserts the chip card (16) to the first card reader means which is connected to the video content player (12) residing at his own home. Once the chip card (16) is inserted, data on the chip card (16) is read and sent to the support server (14) via the hotline connection. At the support server (14) the received data is processed with the stored data at support server (14). The support server then transfers the caller identification and available balance to the video server (15). The video content player (12) is then activated by using a remote controller and a text message showing the available balance of his account is displayed on the main menu of the video display unit (10). From the movie selection screen the user then browses the list of the video movies. After the user selects a particular movie, the user is prompted to choose either fast premium priced download or overnight priced download.
Once the type of download is selected, the video content player (12) generates an order for that particular selected movie. The video server (15) will send a signal to enable the serial number reading means of the video content player (12). After the reception of the signal, the video server (15) will interrogate with the video content player (12) to request the serial number of the hard disk drive of the video content player (12). The video content player (12) sends the data to the video server (15) and authenticates with the caller identification from the support server (14). The serial number and the caller identification are evaluated and determined if the chip card (16) and its owner entitled to request the service and if there is still sufficient money for paying said service. The selected video program, its download price and other purchasing information will be displayed on the screen of the video display unit (10). User is given the opportunity to confirm or deny the order request.
The video server (15) has software to overlay user name, user's residence address and caller identification at selected locations, whereby the overlay can be static or dynamic. Upon confirmation, the video server (15) immediately sends the selected video program to the video content player (12) with said name, address and caller identification information embedded in content of said selected video program. The user name, residence address and caller identification will be displayed on top left corner and/or running along bottom of the screen of the video display unit (10). The date and time stamp will also be sent periodically (for example "Licensed to 'user name' at 'line no' at 'time' on 'date'). As the name and caller identification overlay with the date and time stamp are recorded over the video content, it will significantly discourage copying or piracy. The overlay cannot be removed without significantly degrading the quality of the video content. The security is increased as the overlay and the authentication are done at a centralized server system and transmitted at the beginning of the movie and on a random basis during video program.
Upon reception at the video content player (12), the video program is stored in the hard disk drive (not shown) where it is available for viewing by the authorized user at any time. The stored video program has an indefinite residence time on the hard disk drive. User has the option of recording said video program on compact disk. The user is licensed to watch this video program at his or her residence. After the video content has been downloaded, the server will decrease the balance in the user account accordingly.
The present invention further includes cache servers (not shown) which are located at local exchange, not only to serve its users by getting information more quickly but also reduces server or bandwidth congestion. The cache server is to eliminate repeated transmissions of commonly requested content and adding speed at different local sites. When an authorized user requests a video program, the cache server will requests the said video program from the video server (15), whereby a copy of the said video program is stored at the said cache server. Should a second user request the same video program at the same area, the availability of content at said cache server will reduce the bandwidth congestion of the overall network.
In another embodiment, the present invention is applicable for postpaid use. The system further comprising a billing server operable to bill the registered user of the system by recording at the billing server the charges levied for downloading a video program and bill at the end of the month. The service provider is able to add advertisement to the video program to increase revenue or offering movies with advertisement at a discount.
It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms and is not limited to the sole embodiment described above. However, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts such as those which readily occur to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims which are appended thereto.

Claims

Claims
1. A system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services comprising: a video server for storing, administrating and supplying video programs; and a video content player located remotely at user premises for receiving transmission of video program from said video server, whereby said video content player includes a built-in modem for establishing communications with said video server and said telephony server over said' telephone network; characterized in that said video server being programmed to perform the functions of matching authentications and to overlay information in content of the selected video programs to be downloaded.
2. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said video content player further comprising a first card reader means which is responsive to the phone chip card for billing; a second card reader means which is responsive to the conditional access chip card for restricting selection of video programs to be downloaded by particular users for identification; and a hard disk drive to store said downloaded video programs.
3. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in any claim 1 to 2, wherein said video content player is associated with a video display unit as a video output to display the downloaded video movie programs.
4. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in claim 2, wherein said hard disk drive having an unique serial number which is registered and activated at the video server during registration and is used for said authentication when a downloading of a selected video program is requested
5. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system and method further comprising a telephony server for providing the interface for a telephone network with said video server.
6. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in claim 5, wherein said telephony server in communication with said video server is through a support server for managing and controlling overall system activity by keeping track of all information, where user's particulars and identification are added and stored at said video server during the registration to become an authorized user.
7. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in claim 6, wherein said support server is a processor and operational platform having four subsystems which are the real-time billing system, tariff system, smart card system and management system for monitoring and administrating phone card fraud.
8. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in any claim 1 to 7, wherein said system further comprising a telephone apparatus with a chip card reader and means to display text messages for providing user with the convenience and control capability of residential prepaid telephony.
9. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in claim 8, wherein said telephone apparatus is basically a conventional telephone with basic functions such as handset, voice communication, ringer to alert the user of incoming calls and keypad.
10. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in any claim 1 to 9, wherein said user is provided with an integrated circuit card which is compatibly interfaced to the first card reader means of said video content player and the card reader means of said telephone apparatus.
11. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in any claim 1 to 10, wherein said video server will send a signal to enable the serial number reading means of the video content player and interrogate with said video content player to request the serial number of the hard disk drive for verification as soon as said video content player has been connected to the network.
12. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in any claim 1 to 11, wherein said user is prompt to choose either fast premium priced download or economy priced download once the particular video program is selected.
13. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in any claim 1 to 12, wherein said video server upon receiving the caller identification from said support server or local exchange, matching serial number of the hard disk drive of the video content player and/or one or both chip card data to determine sufficient credit and/or identity of recipient, then sends the selected video program to said video content player.
14. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in claim 1, wherein said overlay information are the user name, address, caller identification, date and time stamp which will be displayed in the content of said video program to prevent piracy of said video program once it has been downloaded at user premises.
15. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in claim 14, wherein said overlay can be static or dynamic and cannot be removed without significantly degrading the quality of the video content and said overlay will be transmitted at the beginning of the movie and on a random basis during video program.
16. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in any claim 1 to 15, wherein said system and method is applicable for both prepaid and postpaid use.
17. The system and method for providing secure video broadcasting services as claimed in any claim 1 to 16, wherein said system further comprising cache severs which are located at local exchange, not only to serve its users by getting information more quickly but also reduces server or bandwidth congestion.
PCT/SG2003/000047 2003-02-21 2003-03-10 System and method for providing secure video broadcasting services WO2004075551A1 (en)

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Citations (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996031982A1 (en) * 1995-04-03 1996-10-10 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Information terminal having reconfigurable memory
US5696815A (en) * 1995-05-01 1997-12-09 Bell Communications Research, Inc. Method and apparatus for delivering caller identification information and services
US5822676A (en) * 1995-12-14 1998-10-13 Time Warner Entertainment Co. L.P. Digital serialization of program events
WO2001052543A1 (en) * 2000-01-14 2001-07-19 Diva Systems Corporation Conditional access and security for video on-demand systems

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996031982A1 (en) * 1995-04-03 1996-10-10 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Information terminal having reconfigurable memory
US5696815A (en) * 1995-05-01 1997-12-09 Bell Communications Research, Inc. Method and apparatus for delivering caller identification information and services
US5822676A (en) * 1995-12-14 1998-10-13 Time Warner Entertainment Co. L.P. Digital serialization of program events
WO2001052543A1 (en) * 2000-01-14 2001-07-19 Diva Systems Corporation Conditional access and security for video on-demand systems

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