Patent ID: 6324267
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: H04H,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
In a cable delivery network for delivering digital data to a host location upon a subscriber initiated request, apparatus for authenticating that the subscriber is authorized to use said network, said apparatus comprising:a network manager including a database of authorized users and a validation agent, wherein the database includes an associated USERID and password for each of the authorized users and authorized identifying numbers for telephone dial up devices; andsaid host location including a telephone dial up device for the subscriber to log onto said network and connect to said network manager using identification information, wherein said identification information includes a subscriber USERID and a subscriber password, wherein said dial up device includes a cable data receiver for receiving the digital data, wherein said telephone dial up device is uniquely identified by an electronic identifying number, wherein said validation agent authorizes the subscriber to use said network in accordance with a comparison of said identification information to said users in said database, including a comparison of subscriber USERID and subscriber password to USERIDs and passwords stored in said database, and wherein said validation agent authorizes said dial up device to receive said digital data in accordance with a comparison of said electronic identifying number of said dial up device with said authorized identifying numbers stored in said database.