Patent ID: 6104860
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
Apparatus for selectively inhibiting a television receiving device from reproducing from a recording medium video programs which the apparatus is not authorized to reproduce, comprising:a memory for storing program information associated with programs that are reproducible by said television receiving device, said program information including authorization data indicating whether said apparatus is authorized to reproduce one or more of said associated programs;a control element for selecting a program to be reproduced from said recording medium; anda conditional access circuit for reading from said memory the authorization data associated with said selected program to determine if said apparatus is authorized to reproduce said selected program, said authorization data including authorization status information indicating whether said apparatus has a limited or complete authorization to reproduce said selected program, expiration date data representing the last date said apparatus with said limited authorization status is authorized to reproduce said selected program, and price data representing additional payment required to change the authorization status of said apparatus with said limited authorization status to said complete authorization status;wherein said conditional access circuit inhibits said television receiving device from reproducing said selected program if it is determined that said apparatus is not authorized to reproduce said selected program; andwherein said conditional access circuit permits reproduction of said selected program from said recording medium if it is determined that said apparatus is authorized to reproduce said selected program.