Patent ID: 6381747
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method of providing copy protection of signal material transmitted via digital delivery networks to a consumer's set-top box, to prevent copying and/or subsequent viewing of a recorded copy of the signal material, comprising:supplying copy protection controls indicative of desired copy protection for the signal material; storing a copy protection configuration corresponding to the desired copy protection in the set-top box; transmitting commands derived from and in response to the copy protection controls which activate the copy protection configuration for the signal material; and applying the copy protection configuration to the signal material in response to the commands to prevent the subsequent viewing of the recorded copy of the copy protected signal material while allowing viewing of the original signal material as via a television set; wherein the step of supplying includes; establishing requirements for activating and controlling a process which enables the application of said copy protection configuration and which reports the corresponding usage thereof; and providing copy protection control software in response to the requirements, which software provides said copy protection controls to activate and control the application of the copy protection configuration and the usage reports.