Patent ID: 6163272
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: G06F,G07C,H04N

Abstract:
A method of assigning personal identification numbers to set top terminals within an interactive video on demand system, said interactive video on demand system comprising an information server including a memory and coupled to a plurality of set top terminals via a communications network, said interactive video on demand system providing video streams to said set top terminals via said communications network, said method comprising the steps of:assigning, in response to subscriber interaction, one of a restricted and unrestricted level of video stream access for a set top terminal associated with said interacting subscriber;storing, in said information server memory, indicia of said assigned video stream access level for said set top terminal associated with said interacting subscriber, said unrestricted level of video stream access being associated with the set top terminal of an interacting subscriber entitled to immediately receive any unrestricted video stream upon request, said restricted level of information access being associated with the set top terminal of an interacting subscriber entitled to immediately receive a restricted portion of said unrestricted video streams upon request; andassigning, in the case of said set top terminal associated with said interacting subscriber having a restricted level of information access, a restricted personal identification number (PIN) to said set top terminal associated with said interacting subscriber and defining parameters that provide defined access to said interactive information distribution system.