Patent ID: 6526582
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
In a digital broadband network serviced by a telecommunication services provider, a method for allowing a first specific device at a physical drop to receive access to video and/or data services from a plurality of video/data service providers, wherein the video/data service providers normally communicate with the telecommunication services provider utilizing electronic messages having predetermined formats as defined in a communications protocol, the method comprising:transmitting an electronic message in a modified format determined by the telecommunication services provider, the electronic message containing information identifying the physical drop associated with the first specific device; storing the information at a location servicing the physical drop; and upon receiving a sign-on request from a requesting device that is requesting access to one of the video and data services, determining whether the requesting device is authorized to access the requested video or data service based on the stored information.