Abstract:
A satellite TV security system including a TV satellite operated by a satellite TV provider directed to a television set of a satellite TV subscriber that defends the satellite TV provider from illegal reception of TV signals from a TV satellite. An addressable integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) positioned in the TV set top box has an assigned identification number and a smart card positioned in the IRD has an assigned identification number. A security module is provided that is integrated with the IRD. Upon command of the satellite TV provider or automatically, the security module makes a periodic verification of a match of the two identification numbers. Lack of verification of a match triggers a signal from the security module to the IRD to stop transmitting TV signals to the subscriber television. As an alternative verification, the security module initiates periodic verifications of the operability of the telephone line connection between the satellite TV provider and the IRD of the subscriber. Lack of verification of the operability of the telephone line triggers a signal from the security module to the IRD to stop transmitting TV signals to the subscriber TV. The two systems of verification can be operated independently or simultaneously. The subscriber telephone number can be added as an assigned identification number, so that a three-way verification of identification numbers by the security module is required for continued transmission of TV signals to the subscriber television.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/516,790 entitled, “Satellite TV Security System” filed on Nov. 3, 2003. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to satellite TV communication systems and particularly to the transfer and receipt of data signals between satellite TV service providers and subscriber TV set top box receivers.  
       BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0003]     Satellite communications have been around since the early 1940&#39;s. More recently, satellite TV or digital satellite system (DSS) or digital broadcast satellite (DBS) systems started becoming available around the mid-1990s. Satellite TV systems provide TV viewing of audio and video signals and other programming to customers via the airway. Satellite TV systems include landline cable TV systems and land based telephone line systems, only the latter being the field of the present invention.  
         [0004]     Satellite TV systems use satellite audio and video signal distribution systems that generally include an earth station that compiles a number of individual audio and video programs into a broadband signal, modulates carrier frequency band with the broadband signal, and then transmits or uplinks the modulated signal to one or more geosynchronous satellites. The satellites amplify the received signals, shift the signals to different carrier frequency bands, and then transmit or downlink the frequency-shifted signals back down to earth.  
         [0005]     A problem with the type of satellite TV system that uses a landline based telephone connection is that although the telephone landline is necessary to communicate with the satellite TV service provider to update billing cycles, such a connection is not continually monitored and verified by the provider and is presently not required to be in place in order to view satellite TV programming. Each satellite TV set top box receiver is assigned a serial number identification code and accepts a modular smart card assigned its own unique identification number. A satellite TV hacker, or pirate, can steal satellite TV signals that contain the TV set top box receiver serial identification number and the smart card identification number, and can then use this data to create a duplicate false or cloned smart card that can be used to steal satellite TV programs. The TV pirate does not connect with the satellite TV provider by the telephone landline, and simply watches stolen satellite TV programs without detection by the satellite TV provider. The satellite TV provider is unable to detect this piracy for the reasons that the telephone landline connection is not verifiable even for legitimate satellite TV users, and also because no system exists that verifies a match between each TV set top box receiver serial number identification code and the modular smart card with its own unique identification number.  
         [0006]     During the transmission of digital broadcast, video, audio and related information data signals are digitally encoded into a packeted data bit stream using a number of algorithms. Conventional digital broadcast systems include a TV provider receiver station that receives and processes the transmitted packets of data. One type of receiver station is part of a “wireless digital television” system known commercially by the trade name DSS. The DSS system, which is utilized by the DIRECTV broadcast service, allows consumers to receive directly in their homes over 225 television channels broadcast from several powerful satellites. Other satellite TV service providers include Dish Network and Echostar. Present satellite TV systems are unidirectional and require inline aiming and alignment of the transmitting satellite with a small 18-inch receiving dish antenna. A satellite TV service provider downloads a scrambled signal to individual subscribers through the receiver dish and a LNB (Low Noise Block) located at each subscriber&#39;s residence. The signal from the LNB is then sent to a TV set top box receiver by way of a coaxial cable that decodes and descrambles the signal and allows the subscriber to view the authorized channels and programmed events. The TV set top box receiver is an electronic device designed to connect the TV with a satellite connection to provide video and audio to the TV (on top of which it normally sits) and is connected to other communication channels, such as telephone lines for billing information.  
         [0007]     The TV set top box receiver is also known in the art as an addressable integrated receiver/decoder (IRD), which will be the term most often used herein. Each IRD contains a serial number identification code, indicated herein as the IRD identification number, and accepts a modular smart card with its own unique smart card identification number. A smart card is a credit card sized card that contains a microprocessor, memory, and input/output (I/O) means for data storage and program storage. The IRD and smart card identification numbers are matched and married to each other at the time of setting up the new account. The matched ID numbers are obtained and documented during normal subscription setup and may be linked to a land based telephone number preferably with the same land base telephone line and phone number the TV set top box receiver is connected to during setup. In addition, although the land based telephone line is not needed for satellite TV reception, the landline has to be attached to the IRD in the initial setup process. The satellite TV service provider needs to gain access to the IRD to setup the subscriber&#39;s account and also to retrieve billing information. The smart card stores the subscriber&#39;s basic monthly programming channels, special tier programming, and any new Pay-Per-View (PPV) purchase information. The basic reason for the land based telephone line connection is to send the PPV billing information back to the satellite TV service provider for updated account information. The descrambler in the IRD does not “talk back” to the main satellite. The TV set top box receiver typically uses an automatic PPV ordering system called VIDEOPAL. PPV programs are ordered through the IRD and the information is stored in the smart card. With the IRD hooked to a telephone line, a remote control is used to place a call to the order center at least once a month and tell them what movies have been ordered. The subscriber&#39;s bill is adjusted accordingly. Logistically, the land based telephone line for business reasons is connected to allow the IRD to communicate with the satellite TV service provider. For operational performance, however, the land based telephone line is not necessary for satellite TV operation and signal reception. The telephone landline can be disconnected and the original authorized programming including PPV purchases can still function until the allowable credit amount stored in the smart card is exceeded. At which time, the subscriber will have to reconnect the land based telephone line back into the IRD again for a reset or clearing of the PPV billing information.  
         [0008]     There are some drawbacks to the way existing satellite TV communication systems are operated. The ability for the system to function without a direct feedback link between the satellite TV service provider and subscriber creates a security breach and allows hackers, or pirates in the case of satellite TV theft, an opportunity to steal and pirate satellite TV signals. Most subscriptions to the “generic” cable channels, which do not include premium or movie channels will cost between $240 to $480 a year above the cost of the initial hardware i.e. dish, receiver, etc. Some believe this is why satellite piracy has flourished. It is estimated that the Canadian broadcasting system alone is losing an estimated $400 million a year to satellite TV services pirating and more than likely the same numbers hold true for American based satellite TV systems as well. Piracy is illegal. If caught, a pirate or hacker can be fined or jailed. But this is a risk many TV pirates are willing to take.  
         [0009]     In the case of illegal interception of satellite TV broadcasts, TV pirates generally do not come in from the outside via the land based telephone line and steal the legitimate subscription code information to clone a card for the simple reason they would most likely be caught. A cloned smart access card is a copy of a smart card containing a valid subscription code. Cloning is the main method of pirating satellite TV signals. Satellite TV pirates create a clone card either from a personal legitimate subscription, or from a legitimate subscription of a third party, or even from a random choice of legitimate subscription numbers generated by a smart card reader program. A telephone line connection, either by physical landline based phone line hookups or connection through the use of power line carrier communication (PLC) type devices, or more rarely connection through the airwaves, is not required to receive and decode the satellite TV signals. In present satellite TV systems, there is no direct communication between the standard TV set top box receivers or IRDs and the satellite TV service providers for the reason that satellite TV signals are unidirectional. Therefore the TV pirates have the advantage and will take the opportunity to steal TV programs directly from satellite TV broadcast signals. TV pirates use the cloned access cards for themselves or sell them to other illegitimate users o pirate satellite TV signals.  
         [0010]     In addition, disconnection of a direct telephone line link disallows the satellite TV service provider active real-time access to the identification information provided on the receiver box and smart card. Lastly, frequent allowed disconnection of the telephone line connection between the IRD and the satellite TV service provider defeats the software present in the IRD by making it impossible the transmission of verification and authorization information and data on a repeated or random basis either actively or passively. It is apparent that the present satellite TV architecture therefore has an embedded flaw, because it does not require a telephone landline or other equivalent means of communications link to be connected at all times. Thus, when a user disconnects for any reason the telephone line to which the IRD is attached, the satellite TV service provider cannot properly track legitimate key subscription code data relating to the smart card and TV set top box receivers.  
         [0011]     In view of the present state of the art it is reasonable to project that the satellite TV service provider sends out a stream of data headers along with the broadcast programming embedded in the satellite TV signal. This main signal data stream contains legitimate smart card and IRD identification number pairs. In some cases, only legitimate smart card identification numbers would be required that would effectively cause the mismatched smart card and TV set top box receiver to stop working. In view of the present state of the art it is reasonable to project that this system works more efficiently for random subscriber generated numbers than for clones of legitimate subscriptions. Occasionally, legitimate subscribers may also lose their IRDs and/or smart cards authorizations when the satellite service provider sends out a global shutdown data stream signal or Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) on a regular basis.  
         [0012]     Expensive hardware including a new transceiver IRD modem and new LNB or new satellite TV dish could be installed to provide bi-directional communications directly back to the main satellite as in the case of DIRECWAY broadband satellite system for high-speed Internet access. The cost for the modem at the time of the preparation of this application was offered at a price of $579.98 with a service fee of $59.99 per month. This price does not include delivery and installation, and it does not include regular satellite TV broadcast signals from DIRECTV for example. As anyone can easily see, the cost of digital broadband satellite systems is beyond the reach of most households. In addition, because satellite communication systems rely on line of sight, and the fact that they are located over 22,000 miles from earth, they will produce some delay or “latency” during transmissions. They do not offer the speeds and reliability required for mission critical networks and virtual private networks (VPN) required for “twitch” games or online trading when compared to conventional hard-wired land based broadband data lines.  
         [0013]     It is desirable to have a method and system to prevent the illegal pirating of satellite TV signals, thereby lowering monthly service charges paid by legal satellite TV subscribers. Although bi-directional broadband digital services presently exist to some degree, they are expensive, slow, and unreliable. The present invention provides the most reliable and cost-effective means for maintaining a two-way constant and continuous link between the satellite TV service provider and an improved IRD using related hardware and software for a more secure satellite TV system.  
         [0014]     A variety of patents and publications on satellite communications, satellite TV and digital cable, and power line carrier systems exist. But none disclose a satellite security system that periodically searches to verify a match between the smart card identification number and the IRD identification number combined with a signal to terminate satellite TV service when a non-match is detected. Generally, these patents and publications do not disclose a means of verifying a constant and continuous telephone line connection feedback data link between the satellite TV service provider and individual subscriber IRDs. They do not disclose a means to constantly verify a permanent telephone line connection established between the TV set top box receiver and the satellite TV service provider, while either simultaneously or independently conduct verification and authentication checks relating to the IRD and the smart card with the results interlinked with the telephone line connection for transmission to the satellite TV provider with possible automatic termination of satellite TV service.  
         [0015]     Lastly, although a variety of power line carrier telephone voice and/or data communication systems have been developed and are used to facilitate telephonic voice and data communications in locations where little or no availability exists for dedicated telephone wires, and others have devices that are connected to existing power lines, none disclose a means of maintaining a constant and continuous bi-directional data link for use with a standard land based telephone line hookup or with a data communication telephone jack modem setup.  
         [0016]     The reader is referred to the following U.S. patent documents for general background material.  
         [0017]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,610 issued to Gammie et al on Aug. 17, 1993, discloses a security system with particular application to Pay Per View TV satellite programs that use signal scrambling techniques to prevent a pirate from reading or modifying the decryption process. FIG. 5 therein shows a prior art TV satellite link system that has a replaceable security module 514 that is mounted to the TV set as set forth on page 6, lines 18-68 and page 7, lines 1-2 therein. Although the replaceable security module has the advantage of providing a guarantee that network security is recoverable following a breach, it also has some disadvantages. All the security resides in replaceable security module 514 and decoder 506 itself is a generic unit. The key signal, which is generated by replaceable security module 514, is observable at its transfer point to decoder 506. The key can, however, be changed sufficiently often to ensure that it has no value to a potential pirate. The problem with this approach is that a given removable security module 514 will operate with any decoder 506, and that tampering with replaceable security module 514 does not involve damage to decoder 506. Consequently, if replaceable security module 514 were to be comprised, piracy would become widespread very rapidly.  
         [0018]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,610 further describes multiple key encryption systems as exemplified in prior art FIG. 11. This system has deficiencies of cost and of the difficulty of addressing all subscribers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,610 provides a replaceable security module 714 as shown in FIG. 7 that double encrypts key 718 using two different secret serial numbers assigned to a subscriber&#39;s TV decoder and also to the removable security module 714. External security module 714 can be replaced without any disruption in a subscriber&#39;s reception of authorized signals. The invention is able to twice encrypt the key prior to transmission first with a first secret serial number (SSN sub. 0) and again with a second secret serial number (SSN sub.1).  
         [0019]     The present invention bypasses the replaceable hardware and multiple encryption keys of Gammie. The present invention adds to the security systems as described by Patent &#39;610 or the prior art security systems described in Patent &#39;610.  
         [0020]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,668 discloses a method, apparatus, and article for identification and signature for a smart card and verification system used presently by DIRECTV systems and gives good information on their existing operating procedure.  
         [0021]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,844,620 and 6,374,404 and U.S. Publication numbers 20020100059, 20020129358, and 20020104093 all refer to digital cable type systems and are referenced for background information.  
         [0022]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,107,912, 6,243,571, 6,246,868, and 6,567,474 and U.S. Publication numbers 20020031226, 20020041228, and 20020080010 all refer to power line carrier communication (PLC) based systems and devices that the present invention may incorporate.  
         [0023]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,419 relates to Digital Satellite Systems and methods of delivering broadcast satellite TV signals to multiple dwellings.  
         [0024]     U.S. Publication 20020146125 discusses a common system for various broadcast service providers to share a common billing system.  
         [0025]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,308,280 and 6,323,909, and U.S. Publications 20010052856 and 20020059637 all disclose further details on satellite TV broadcast systems and the like.  
         [0026]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,473 teaches a satellite broadband system and method for asymmetric satellite communications for local area networks.  
         [0027]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,782 teaches a method and system of directing an antenna in a two-way satellite system. Although this patent discloses a two-way satellite broadband system for Internet connection via a satellite TV service provider to the same subscriber&#39;s satellite, it does not teach the benefit of a two-way connection between the TV set top box and the satellite TV service provider. Further detail shows the broadband connection from a special satellite dish is directed to a cable modem and finally to a local PC. A separate one-way connection exists from the same special satellite dish directly to the TV set top box receiver.  
         [0028]     The present invention provides a satellite TV security system that provides an improved IRD that includes a security module including hardware and/or software that can periodically verify that the smart card identification number and the IRD identification number match, and in the case of a non-match provides a termination of satellite TV service to the TV subscriber.  
         [0029]     The present invention also provides an improvement to existing satellite TV systems by requiring a permanent telephone line connection between the TV set top box receiver (IRD) and the satellite TV service provider.  
         [0030]     There are alternative embodiments of the present invention for maintaining a constant and continuous communications link between the satellite TV service provider and the improved IRD or TV set top box receivers of individual subscribers.  
         [0031]     One such alternative embodiment utilizes the known system of power line carrier communication (PLC) technology previously described with a land based telephone line imposed on the carrier frequency of standard power lines to transmit and receive information between the improved IRD receiver, which has the characteristic of a transceiver in the TV set top box and the satellite TV service provider. The use of power line communication (PLC) technology or analogous methods of imposing data over AC power lines are well known in the art. PLC data is transmitted on an existing AC power line simultaneously with the electrical AC line current already present for delivering electrical power. Using the AC power line as the medium for data communications is particularly convenient because a power line will always be present to provide AC power to the improved TV set top box IRD. A number of protocols including X-10, CEBus, Lonworks, and PowerPacket have been developed for PLC technology. The readily commercial availability of chip sets designed for PLC devices makes the AC power line a feasible medium for telephonic voice and data communications. PLC devices are used when rewiring the home, building, or other structures limit many homeowners from setting up or networking electronic devices, such as telephones and computers, in the home. PLC devices allow the homeowner to install electronic devices anywhere there is an electrical outlet without running new wires. It becomes especially convenient to use PLC telephone modem jacks to bring telephone line voice and data communications to any device via the power line that does not have a physical land based telephone line jack nearby.  
         [0032]     There is known in the art commercially available external devices, among many others, that transpose telephonic voice and data signals over the AC power line, thereby eliminating the need to physically attach a telephone line to a TV set top box IRD. These devices are readily available from companies such as Phonex Corporation located in Midvale, Utah. Phonex markets a Wireless Jack for Modems PN: PX-441 consisting of a base and extension set retailing at $99.99 a set. Additional extensions PN: PX-442 can be bought at $49.99 each. The external wireless jack device consists of two components, one serves as a PLC transmitter or base unit, and the second device serves as a PLC receiver or extension unit. A telephone line is attached to the PLC base or transmitter unit located somewhere remote from the TV set top receiver box. The PLC extension unit is located closer to the TV set top box IRD and a telephone line cable is connected from the output jack of the PLC extension unit to the input jack of the TV set top box IRD. This PLC phone line arrangement can be used in special cases where a telephone line to the existing TV set top box IRD may be cumbersome or not conveniently available. It should be noted that an internal PLC receiver extension unit can be incorporated in the electronic circuitry contained within the TV set top box IRD, thereby eliminating the need to have an external PLC receiver unit.  
         [0033]     Since there are many analogous commercial power line data receiver modules available from multiple vendors, the structures, circuitry and principles of which are well known in the art, they need not be described in detail here.  
         [0034]     Another embodiment of the present invention involves a landline telephone system that utilizes the transmission of data over power lines by the use of an array of cellular towers to transmit the data from the improved TV set top box IRD back to the satellite TV service provider via wireless cellular telephone line carriers. The use of wireless cell telephones and cellular towers can be used to tie directly into the improved TV set top box IRDs to act as the link between the improved TV set top box IRDs and the satellite TV service provider. If the cellular signal from the TV set top box IRD is not strong enough to reach the main satellite TV provider, cellular towers can be combined with separate repeaters or access points that can boost and relay the individual cellular signal from each subscriber&#39;s IRD to other cellular towers and so on until the return identification data information reaches the main satellite TV provider.  
         [0035]     The three known data transmission systems for establishing a telephone landline connection described herein allow for a constant and continuous connection between the individual subscriber nodes and the satellite TV provider. Once a permanent and constant telephone landline communications link has been established, the satellite TV service provider can send out digital data communication strings with legitimate subscription headers either in series or parallel format, or a combination of both formats for both legal smart card and IRD identification numbers. Only if the unique identification numbers of the improved TV set top box IRD and the smart card are verified and authenticated will the programming signal sent by the satellite TV provider by way of the main TV satellite be decoded by the IRD and thereupon the video and audio signals are transmitted to the TV for viewing.  
         [0036]     In all three data transmission systems described, the IRD and smart card identification numbers should be checked continuously, randomly, or alternatively as requested by the central satellite TV service provider. Such verification can be provided either by a satellite TV security modem software integrated within the electronics IRD or by special software at the satellite TV provider. Alternatively, the telephone landline connection can be likewise checked continuously, randomly or as requested by the central TV service provider either as a stand alone security system or in combination with the system of verification of the match of the smart card identification number and the IRD identification number. Finally, both systems of verification of smart card and IRD identification numbers and verification of the telephone landline can be combined to provide double security.  
         [0037]     If verification is not made or if a smart card duplication is found, then a signal flag will be set and that data string will either be resetted, disabled, or turned off and the improved IRD and smart card can be disabled. Any such condition indicates that possible pirating has been committed. The legitimate subscriber will have to contact the main satellite TV service provider to get a new account. Repeated incidences of duplication with the same subscriber may warrant further investigation. Smart cards can be cloned and IRDs serial numbers can be emulated, but when the codes or subscriptions of the smart card and TV set top box transceiver identification numbers are not verified as legitimate or show duplications, then the signal to that particular IRD and smart card pair will be terminated, or the IRD will be ordered by the satellite TV provider to terminate the decoding of the satellite TV signal.  
         [0038]     Existing satellite TV service providers can manufacture and supply smart addressable transceiver boxes and replace existing standard “dumb” receivers or IRDs with improved IRDs having satellite TV security modems. The cost of replacement and new systems should be significantly less than the millions of dollars lost by the pirating and illegal theft of satellite TV signals each year.  
         [0039]     A satellite TV security system in accordance with the present invention that is a substantial improvement over the prior art mentioned above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art from the following summary and detailed description of the invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a system to thwart the illegal pirating of satellite TV signals.  
         [0041]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and a system to examine, compare, and authenticate both a satellite TV smart card identification number and a satellite TV IRD identification number.  
         [0042]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a means for disabling the transmission of decoded TV signals from said IRD to the subscriber upon detection of the lack of verification of a match between the smart card identification number and the satellite TV IRD identification number.  
         [0043]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and a system to examine, compare, and authenticate a satellite TV smart card identification number, satellite TV IRD identification number, and a subscriber telephone number.  
         [0044]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a means for disabling the transmission of decoded TV signals from said IRD to the subscriber upon detection of the lack of verification of a match between the smart card identification number, the satellite TV IRD identification number, and the subscriber telephone number.  
         [0045]     Another object of this invention is to verify a standard land based telephone line connection to establish the constant and continuous communications link between a satellite TV user and a satellite TV provider along with an improved IRD including a satellite TV security module to enable the examination, comparison, and authentication of satellite TV smart card and satellite TV IRD identification numbers, and subscriber telephone numbers.  
         [0046]     Yet another object of this invention is to use a continuous telephone communications link utilizing power line communication (PLC) modem devices along with improved IRDs to verify a continuous and verifiable communications link.  
         [0047]     The present invention will be better understood and the objects and important features, other than those specifically set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following details and description, which when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, describes, illustrates, and shows preferred embodiments or modifications of the present invention and what is presently considered and believed to be the best mode of practice in the principles thereof.  
         [0048]     Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the improvements and advantages relating to satellite TV security systems upon reading the detailed description that follows in conjunction with the following drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0049]      FIG. 1  shows a security system for a satellite TV system including a satellite TV dish antenna, a satellite TV security modem integrally mounted within an integrated receiver/decoder unit (IRD) installed in a TV set top box, and a smart card operationally inserted into the IRD with an optional standard telephone landline connecting the satellite TV provider and the satellite TV subscriber that is used for billing and special program ordering purposes only;  
         [0050]      FIG. 2  shows a security system for a satellite TV system analogous to that shown in  FIG. 1  with a continuous telephone landline that is operationally verifiable connecting the satellite TV provider and the satellite TV subscriber;  
         [0051]      FIG. 3A  shows another embodiment of the satellite TV security system shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  that includes a telephone landline connection comprising an internal power line carrier communication (PLC) unit and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) with an alternative standard telephone landline and a telephone landline selector switch in the mode of activating the PLC unit;  
         [0052]      FIG. 3B  shows the embodiment of the satellite TV security system shown in  FIG. 3A  with the telephone landline selector switch in the mode of activating the standard telephone landline;  
         [0053]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the satellite TV security system with an alternative telephone connection comprising a cellular based telephone carrier line using cellular towers connecting the satellite TV provider and the satellite TV subscriber wirelessly by airway;  
         [0054]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart outline showing a procedure for a verification of a match between a smart card identification number and a subscriber IRD identification number, and also a verification of a telephone line connection between the satellite TV provider and the satellite TV subscriber with an automatic TV signal block, and  
         [0055]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart outline showing a procedure for a verification of a match between a smart card identification number, a subscriber IRD identification number, and a subscriber telephone number, and also a verification of a telephone line connection between the satellite TV provider and the satellite TV subscriber with an automatic TV signal block.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0056]     Reference is now made to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1-6  in which identical or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals throughout.  
         [0057]     A schematic view of a basic satellite TV security system  10  in  FIG. 1  shows an optional standard land based telephone line wire  12 A that connects a satellite TV set top box receiver, that is, an addressable integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) unit  14  positioned within a TV set top box  16  connected to a telephone pole connector  18  on a telephone pole  20 . TV set top box  16  is usually positioned on top of the TV set (not shown) of the satellite TV subscriber. Another standard landline based telephone wire  12 B connects a satellite TV service provider  22  to telephone pole connector  18 . Optional telephone wire  12 A is connected to a house telephone jack  24  from where a house telephone wire  12 C extends in operative connection to IRD  14 . Telephone wires  12 A,  12 B, and  12 C together comprise a standard telephone landline connection between satellite TV service provider  22  and IRD  14 . A subscriber telephone (T)  23  is operationally connected to house telephone jack  24 . Telephone (T)  23  has been assigned a subscriber telephone number (TN)  23 A that is accessibly contained in the provider&#39;s data bank.  
         [0058]     A power plug  26  is connected to a house socket (not shown) connected to the house AC power for providing AC power by power cord  28  to IRD  14 . A satellite TV signal reception system includes a satellite TV dish antenna  30  and an antenna wire  32  connected to IRD  14 . Satellite TV service provider  22  downlinks a scrambled or encoded one-way satellite TV signal to individual subscribers from a TV satellite (not shown) to satellite TV dish antenna  30 . A low noise block (LNB) (not shown) is located at each subscriber&#39;s residence usually in conjunction with the satellite TV dish antenna. The satellite TV signal is transmitted to IRD  14  where it is descrambled, or decoded using existing decryption key systems. The decoded satellite TV signal is then transmitted to the subscriber TV set for viewing.  
         [0059]     A smart access card  34  is mounted in operative relationship with IRD  14 . Smart card  34  has been assigned a smart card identification number that distinguishes it from all other smart cards. IRD  14  has also been assigned an IRD identification number that distinguishes it from all other IRDs. Satellite TV security system  10  may draw power from the main AC power supply through AC plug  26  and AC power cord  28  for IRD  14  as shown or may alternatively be self-powered.  
         [0060]     The standard telephone landline represented by telephone wires  12 A,  12 B, and  12 C is shown in dash line in  FIG. 1  to indicate that a constantly functioning telephone connection is not required for satellite TV system  10  in that only a telephone line connection is required for billing purposes from the satellite TV service provider  22  to the satellite TV subscriber. In addition, a telephone line is not required for the satellite TV satellite subscriber to order special events such as certain sports programming and Pay Per View. Instead, this can be done by means of a remote control operated by the subscriber.  
         [0061]     With the land based telephone wire  12 A optionally connected, satellite TV provider  22  cannot make an automatic command and periodic check or verification of a match between the smart card identification number and the IRD identification number. In this situation, the legitimate identification numbers can be downloaded from the TV satellite to TV dish antenna  30  and IRD  14  and further sending both IRD and smartcard identification numbers to a satellite TV security module  36 , which contains software that performs the security task of verifying the two identification numbers and examining them for the required match. Security module  36  includes the software not only for making a match but also more basically has the means to detect any lack of the required match. Security module  36  also has the software means for signaling IRD  14  to disable the transmission of decoded TV signals from IRD  14  to the subscriber TV upon detection of the lack of verification of the required match.  
         [0062]     If the smart card and IRD identification numbers do not verify, then an error message, such as by way of example, “YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT VALID. PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE” is displayed on the TV set screen and IRD  14  stops decoding the satellite TV signal. When this situation occurs, it may mean the legal subscriber&#39;s account has been temporarily suspended, but more than likely it will be an indication that smart access card  34  was cloned and was not used when IRD  14  was recorded during subscription activation. At this point, satellite TV signals to the TV set for viewing are terminated.  
         [0063]     In an alternative mode, satellite TV provider  22  can make an automatic command and periodic check or verification of a match between the smart card identification number, the IRD identification number, and the subscriber telephone number (TN)  23 A as a subscriber telephone identification number from the TV satellite to TV dish antenna  30  and IRD  14  by signaling all three identification numbers to an alternative satellite TV security module  36 A, which contains software that performs the security task of verifying the three identification numbers and examining them for the required match. Security module  36 A includes the software not only for making a match, but also more basically has the means to detect any lack of the required matches. Security module  36 A also has the software means for signaling IRD  14  to disable the transmission of decoded TV signals from IRD  14  to the subscriber TV upon detection of lack of verification of the required matches.  
         [0064]     If the smart card, IRD identification, and telephone identification numbers do not verify, then an error message, such as by way of example, “YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT VALID. PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE” is displayed on the TV set screen and IRD  14  stops decoding the satellite TV signal. When this situation occurs, it may mean the legal subscriber&#39;s account has been temporarily suspended, but more than likely it will be an indication that smart access card  34  was cloned and was not used when IRD  14  and subscriber telephone number (TN)  23 A were recorded during subscription activation. At this point, satellite TV signals are terminated.  
         [0065]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention. A satellite TV security system  38  is analogous in structure to satellite TV security system  10  shown in  FIG. 1  except that security system  38  shows the present invention used in conjunction with a standard land based telephone line that is required to be operative at all times. Security system  38  includes a telephone wire  40 A that connects a satellite TV set top box receiver, that is, an addressable integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) unit  42  positioned in a TV set top box  44 . Telephone wire  40 A is connected to a telephone pole connector  46  on a telephone pole  48 . Another standard land based telephone line wire  40 B connects a satellite TV service provider  50  to telephone pole connector  46 . Telephone wire  40 A is connected to a house telephone jack  52  from where a house telephone wire  40 C extends in operative connection to IRD  42 . Telephone wires  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C together comprise a standard telephone landline connection between satellite TV service provider  50  and IRD  42 . A subscriber telephone (T)  53  is operationally connected to house telephone jack  52 . Telephone (T)  53  has been assigned a subscriber telephone number (TN)  53 A that is accessibly contained in the provider&#39;s data bank.  
         [0066]     In the embodiment of satellite TV security system  38 , the standard telephone landline comprising telephone wires  40 A,  40 B and  40 C is required to be in operative connection at all times and is subject to periodic verification by a satellite TV service provider  50  wherein if the telephone landline at any time fails, the test of operative verification signals are transmitted to IRD  42  to terminate decoded TV signals to the subscriber TV.  
         [0067]     A power plug  54  is connected to a house socket (not shown) connected to the house AC power for providing AC power by power cord  56  to IRD  42 . A satellite TV dish antenna  58  includes a satellite TV antenna wire  60 . Digital broadcasts from satellite TV service provider  50  downlink a scrambled or encoded one way satellite TV signal to the satellite TV subscriber from a TV satellite (not shown) to satellite TV dish antenna  58  and satellite TV antenna wire  60  connected to IRD  42 . An LNB is located at each subscriber&#39;s residence usually in conjunction with satellite TV dish antenna  58 . The signal is transmitted to IRD  42  where it is descrambled or decoded using existing decryption key systems for eventual transmission to the subscriber TV set (not shown) for viewing.  
         [0068]     A smart access card  62  is mounted in operative relationship with IRD  42 . Smart card  62  has been assigned a smart card identification number that distinguishes it from all other smart cards. IRD  42  has also been assigned an IRD identification number that distinguishes it from all other IRDs. Satellite TV security system  38  may draw power from the main AC power supply through AC plug  54  and AC power cord  56  for IRD  42  as shown or may alternatively be self-powered.  
         [0069]     The standard telephone landline shown represented by telephone wires  40 A,  40 B, and  40 C is the continuous telephone connection shown in solid line required for the satellite TV security system shown in  FIG. 2 . Continuous encoded TV signals are transmitted from the TV satellite to satellite dish antenna  58  and then to IRD  42  where the encoded TV signals are decoded in accordance with existing decryption key systems. The decoded satellite TV signal is then transmitted to IRD  42  for eventual transmission to the subscriber TV set (not shown).  
         [0070]     Satellite TV provider  50  can now perform automatic commands and periodic checks or verification of the operability of the telephone line connection comprising telephone wires  40 A,  40 B and  40 C between satellite TV service provider  50  and IRD  42 . Security module  64  is positioned in TV set top box  44 , as is IRD  42 . If there is no operational connection, security module  54  thereupon transmits a termination signal to IRD  42 , which then stops decoding the satellite TV signal, and transmission of the decoded signal to the subscriber TV. In addition, an error message such as by way of example, “NO TELEPHONE LINE DETECTED. PLEASE CHECK CONNECTION” is displayed on the TV set screen of the TV subscriber.  
         [0071]     In accordance with the function of security module  64 , the software programmed therein loops and continues to check for a telephone line connection on a regular basis. The time interval between the periodic checks can vary.  
         [0072]     When a phone line connection is verified by security module  64 , the software of security module  64  can then additionally perform a backup verification of authenticity by reading the identification number of smart card  62  along with the identification number of IRD  42  and verifies a match there between or detects a lack of verification of a match. In the case of lack of verification of a match, security module  64  signals IRD  42  to terminate the transmission of the satellite TV signal to the TV set of the satellite TV subscriber.  
         [0073]     If the smart card and IRD identification numbers do not verify, then an error message, such as by way of example, “YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT VALID. PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE” is displayed on the TV set screen and IRD  42  stops decoding the satellite TV signal. When this situation occurs, it may mean the legal subscriber&#39;s account has been temporarily suspended, but more than likely, it will be a indication that smart access card  62  was cloned and was not used when IRD  42  was recorded during subscription activation. At this point, satellite TV signals are terminated.  
         [0074]     In an alternative mode satellite TV provider  50  makes an automatic command periodic check or verification of a match between the smart card identification number, the IRD identification number, and the subscriber telephone number (TN)  53 A as a subscriber telephone identification number from the TV satellite to TV dish antenna  58  and IRD  42  by signaling all three identification numbers to an alternative satellite TV security module  64 A, which contains software that performs the security task of decoding the three identification numbers and examining them for the required match. Security module  64 A includes the software not only for making a match but also more basically has the means to detect any lack of the required matches. Security module  64 A also has the software means for signaling IRD  42  to disable the transmission of decoded TV signals from IRD  42  to the subscriber TV upon detection of lack of verification of the required matches.  
         [0075]     If the smart card, IRD identification and telephone identification numbers do not verify, then an error message, such as by way of example, “YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT VALID. PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE” is displayed on the TV set screen and IRD  42  stops decoding the satellite TV signal. When this situation occurs, it may mean the legal subscriber&#39;s account has been temporarily suspended, but more than likely it will be an indication that smart access card  62  was cloned and was not used when IRD  42  and subscriber telephone number (TN)  53 A were recorded during subscription activation. At this point, satellite TV signals are terminated.  
         [0076]      FIG. 3A  shows satellite TV security system  66 , which is an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Satellite TV security system  66  is used in conjunction with a land based telephone line that includes a telephone wire  68 A that connects to a telephone pole connector  70  on a telephone pole  72  and another telephone wire  68 B that connects a satellite TV service provider  74  to telephone pole connector  70 . Telephone wire  68 A is connected to a house telephone jack  76  from where house telephone wire  68 C is in operative connection to a power line carrier communication (PLC) based system  78 . A subscriber telephone (T)  77  is operationally connected to house telephone jack  76 . Telephone (T)  77  has been assigned a subscriber telephone number (TN)  77 A that is accessibly contained in the provider&#39;s data bank.  
         [0077]     PLC system  78  includes a PLC transmitter base modem  80  and a PLC receiver extension modem  82 , which may be positioned externally or internally mounted inside TV set top box  84 . PLC base modem  80  includes a base PLC plug  86  with a plug power cord  88  connected to a nearby house wall socket  90  that is connected to a house AC power line  92 . PLC extension modem  82  is mounted in TV set top box  84  and includes an extension PLC plug  94  with a plug power cord  96  connected to a convenient house wall socket  98  that is also connected to house AC power line  92 .  
         [0078]     An IRD  100  mounted in TV set top box  84  is connected by a plug  102  with a power cord  104  mounted to a house wall socket (not shown) that is connected to a house AC power line so as to power IRD  100 . Satellite TV security system  66  may draw power from the main AC power supply for IRD  100  as shown or may alternatively be self-powered. AC power plug  102  may be integrally combined with PLC plug  94  and power cord  96  to minimize hardware. Internal wiring in TV set top box  84  distributes the power and data line signals accordingly.  
         [0079]     A satellite security module  106  is located in TV set top box  84 . Security module  106  is integrated with IRD  100 . A switch  108  positioned in TV set top box  84  is accessible for operation from outside of TV set top box  84  to be operated to selectively connect security module  106  and IRD  100  either to PLC extension modem  82  and thus to PLC system  78  or on the other hand to a backup telephone wire  110  (shown in dash line) that is connected to house telephone jack  76 . Switch  108  is shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  positioned to be selectively operated to connect to either telephone wire  110  or to telephone wire  114  in TV set top box  84 . Telephone wire  114  is connected to PLC extension modem  82  and thus to PLC telephone line system  78 . Telephone wire  112  is connected to security module  106  and to IRD  100 .  
         [0080]     Switch  108  can be optionally operated so as to connect telephone wire  112  to backup telephone wire  110  external to TV set top box  84  and to house telephone jack  76  or to telephone wire  114  internal to TV set top box  84  and then to house telephone jack  76 .  FIG. 3A  shows switch  108  connected to telephone wire  114  so as to activate PLC system  78 . Backup landline wire  110  is shown bypassed in  FIG. 3A  and as such is shown in dashed line indicating that backup line  110  is in an inactive mode. When switch  108  is operated to as to activate backup telephone wire  110  as shown in  FIG. 3B , PLC system  78  is bypassed and inactivated as shown in  FIG. 3B  where PLC system  78  is shown in dash line and backup telephone wire  110  is shown in solid line.  
         [0081]     A satellite TV dish antenna  116  connected to satellite TV wire  118  receives scrambled or encoded audio and video TV signals transmitted from a TV satellite (not shown) and sends them to IRD  100  for decoding in accordance with a decryption system. IRD  100  sends the decoded TV signals to the TV set (not shown) of the satellite TV subscriber for viewing.  
         [0082]     A smart access card  120  is mounted in operative relationship with IRD  100 . Smart card  120  has been assigned a smart card identification number that distinguishes it from all other smart cards. IRD  100  has also been assigned an IRD identification number that distinguishes it from all other IRDs.  
         [0083]     Satellite TV service provider  74  can make an automatic command and periodic check or verification of a match between the smart card identification number and the IRD identification number transmitted from the TV satellite to TV dish antenna  116  or directly from a data bank securely located at satellite TV service provider  74  and then sends both identification numbers to IRD  100  in particular to security module  106 , which performs the security task of decoding the two identification numbers and examining them for the required match. Security module  106  includes the software not only for making a match but also more basically has the means to detect any lack of the required match. Security module  106  also has the software means for signaling IRD  100  to disable the transmission of decoded TV signals from IRD  100  to the subscriber TV upon detection of the lack of verification of the required match to terminate decoded audio and video TV signals to the subscriber TV.  
         [0084]     Satellite TV provider  74  can also alternatively make an automatic command periodic check or verification of the operability of the telephone line connection comprising PLC system  78  and telephone wires  68 A,  68 B and  68 C between satellite TV service provider  74  and IRD  100 .  
         [0085]     IRD  100  is activated by a signal transmitted by the TV satellite and immediately or shortly thereafter, security module  106  is activated to verify that the telephone line connection between the satellite TV provider  74  such as the billing center is operational. If there is no operational connection, an error message such as by way of example, “NO TELEPHONE LINE DETECTED. PLEASE CHECK CONNECTION” is displayed on the TV set screen of the TV subscriber and thereupon IRD  100  stops decoding the satellite TV signal. The software programmed in security module  106  loops back and continues to check for a telephone line connection on a regular basis. The time interval between the periodic checks can vary.  
         [0086]     The operational integrity of the telephone line connection can be initiated and accomplished in other ways. One such way is by security module  106  being self-activated by built-in electronic structures to verify the operational integrity of the telephone line at periodic intervals.  
         [0087]     The assigned identification numbers of smart card  120  and IRD  100  can be translated to telephone data transmittable by telephone landline to the software means at satellite TV provider  74  that verifies a match between them using a legitimate subscriber&#39;s pair of identification numbers. If the identification numbers of both smart card  120  and IRD  100  match updated subscription information, then both identification numbers are authenticated by the software of the satellite TV provider  74 . If such identification numbers do not match, a lack of verification termination signal is transmitted to the satellite TV to transmit a termination of TV service to IRD  100 . This causes IRD  100  to terminate the descrambling and decoding of the satellite TV signals to the TV set for viewing. Alternatively any lack of verification of a match at the software of satellite TV provider  74  can result in the transmission of a telephone signal back to security module  106  and then to IRD  100  for a signal to cease descrambling and decoding of the audio and video satellite TV signals.  
         [0088]     If the smart card and IRD identification numbers do not verify, then an error message, such as by way of example, “YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT VALID. PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE” is displayed on the TV set screen and IRD  100  stops decoding the satellite TV signal. When this situation occurs, it may mean the legal subscriber&#39;s account has been temporarily suspended, but more than likely it will be an indication that smart access card  120  was cloned and was not used when IRD  100  was recorded during subscription activation. At this point, satellite TV signals are terminated.  
         [0089]     In an alternative mode satellite TV provider  74  makes an automatic command and periodic check or verification of a match between the smart card identification number, the IRD identification number, and the subscriber telephone number (TN)  77 A as a subscriber telephone identification number from the TV satellite to TV dish antenna  116  and IRD  100  by signaling all three identification numbers to an alternative satellite TV security module  106 A, which contains software that performs the security task of verifying the three identification numbers and examining them for the required match. Security module  106 A includes the software not only for making a match, but also more basically has the means to detect any lack of the required matches. Security module  106 A also has the software means for signaling IRD  100  to disable the transmission of decoded TV signals from IRD  100  to the subscriber TV upon detection of the lack of verification of the required matches.  
         [0090]     If the smart card, IRD identification, and telephone identification numbers do not verify, then an error message, such as by way of example, “YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT VALID. PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE” is displayed on the TV set screen and IRD  100  stops decoding the satellite TV signal. When this situation occurs, it may mean the legal subscriber&#39;s account has been temporarily suspended, but more than likely it will be an indication that smart access card  120  was cloned and was not used when IRD  100  and subscriber telephone number (TN) A were recorded during subscription activation. At this point, satellite TV signals are terminated.  
         [0091]     Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 4  wherein is shown a satellite TV security system  122  that includes a telephone landline having airway transmission of telephone signals that includes for purposes of exposition spaced apart cellular telephone antennas  124 A,  124 B, and  124 C mounted on towers  126 A,  126 B and  126 C, respectively, each set upon ground  128 . A cellular telephone antenna  130  with a telephone wire  132  connects to satellite TV service provider  134 . Another cellular telephone antenna  136  with a telephone antenna wire  138  connects to an IRD  140  and to a security module  142  positioned in a TV set top box  144 . Cellular telephone airway telephone signals  146  are transmitted between cellular telephone antennas  130 ,  124 A,  124 B,  124 C and  136 . IRD  140  and a satellite TV security module  142  are positioned in a TV set top box  144  of a satellite TV subscriber. If cellular airway telephone signals  146  are not strong enough to maintain communication between satellite TV provider  134  and IRD  140 , cellular antennas  124 A,  124 B, and  124 C are combined with separate repeaters or access points that boosts and relay each individual cellular signal between IRD  140  and other cellular antennas and satellite TV provider  134 .  
         [0092]     IRD  140  is connected to a house AC power line by an AC power cord  148  and a plug  150  mounted into a house wall socket (not shown). Satellite TV security system  122  may draw power from the main AC power supply for IRD  140  as shown or may alternatively be self-powered. A modular smart card  152  is mounted in operative connection to IRD  140 .  
         [0093]     A satellite TV dish antenna  154  with a satellite TV wire  156  receives scrambled or encoded audio and video TV signals transmitted from a TV satellite (not shown) and sends them to IRD  140  for decoding in accordance with a decryption system. IRD  140  sends the decoded TV signals to the TV set (not shown) of the satellite TV subscriber for viewing. A telephone jack  158  is connected to telephone antenna wire  138  and a subscriber telephone (T)  160  is operationally connected to telephone antenna wire  156 . Telephone (T)  160  has been assigned a subscriber telephone number (TN)  160 A that is accessibly contained in the provider data bank.  
         [0094]     Smart access card  152  is mounted in operative relationship with IRD  140 . Smart card  152  has been assigned a smart card identification number that distinguishes it from all other smart cards. IRD  142  has also been assigned an IRD identification number that distinguishes it from all other IRDs.  
         [0095]     Satellite TV service provider  134  can make an automatic command and periodic check or verification of a match between the smart card identification number and the IRD identification number transmitted from the TV satellite to TV dish antenna  154  by sending both identification numbers to TV dish antenna  154  and from there to IRD  140  in particular to security module  142 , which performs the security task of decoding the two identification numbers and examining them for the required match.  
         [0096]     Security module  142  includes the software not only for making a match but also more basically has the means to detect any lack of the required match. Security module  142  also has the software means for disabling the transmission of decoded TV signals from IRD  140  to the subscriber TV upon detection of lack of verification of the required match by a signal sent to IRD  140  to terminate decoded audio and video TV signals to the subscriber TV.  
         [0097]     As a second security check, satellite TV provider  134  can make an automatic command and periodic check or verification of the operability of the airway signal telephone line connection comprising the cellular telephone airway signals  146  between satellite TV service provider  134  and IRD  140 .  
         [0098]     IRD  140  is activated by a signal transmitted by the TV satellite or satellite TV provider  134  and immediately or shortly thereafter sends a signal to security module  142  to check that the telephone line connection between the satellite TV provider  134  at a location such as the billing center is operational. If there is no operational connection, security module  142  can initiate an error message to IRD  140  that a message such as by way of example, “NO TELEPHONE LINE DETECTED. PLEASE CHECK CONNECTION” is displayed on the TV set screen of the TV subscriber and thereupon IRD  140  stops decoding the satellite TV signal. The software programmed in security module  142  loops back and continues to check for a telephone line connection on a regular basis. The time interval between the periodic checks can vary.  
         [0099]     The assigned identification numbers of smart card  152  and IRD  140  can be alternatively matched by the numbers being transmitted by telephone airway signals  146  to satellite TV provider  134 , which has software means which verifies a match between them by comparison with a legitimate subscriber&#39;s pair of ID numbers. If the identification numbers of both smart card  152  and IRD  140  do not match, a lack of verification termination signal can be transmitted to the TV satellite to terminate TV service to IRD  140 .  
         [0100]     If the smart card and IRD identification numbers do not verify, then an error message, such as by way of example, “YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT VALID. PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE” is displayed on the TV set screen and IRD  140  stops decoding the satellite TV signal. When this situation occurs, it may mean the legal subscriber&#39;s account has been temporarily suspended, but more than likely, it will be a indication that smart access card  152  was cloned and was not used when IRD  140  was recorded during subscription activation.  
         [0101]     In an alternative mode, satellite TV provider  134  makes an automatic command and periodic check or verification of a match between the smart card identification number, the IRD identification number, and the subscriber telephone number (TN)  160 A as a subscriber telephone identification number from the TV satellite to TV dish antenna  154  and IRD  140  by sending all three identification numbers to an alternative satellite TV security module  142 A, which contains software that performs the security task of verifying the three identification numbers and examining them for the required match. Security module  142 A includes the software not only for making a match, but also more basically has the means to detect any lack of the required matches. Security module  142 A also has the software means for signaling IRD  140  to disable the transmission of decoded TV signals from IRD  140  to the subscriber TV upon detection of lack of verification of the required matches.  
         [0102]     If the smart card, IRD identification, and telephone identification numbers do not verify, then an error message, such as by way of example, “YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT VALID. PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE” is displayed on the TV set screen and IRD  140  stops decoding the satellite TV signal. When this situation occurs, it may mean the legal subscriber&#39;s account has been temporarily suspended, but more than likely it will be an indication that smart access card  152  was cloned and was not used when IRD  140  and subscriber telephone number (TN)  160 A were recorded during subscription activation. At this point, satellite TV signals are terminated.  
         [0103]      FIG. 5  basically outlines a software program to ensure that a telephone line connection is active at all times in order for TV viewing and that the assigned identification number of the smart card and the assigned identification number of the IRD match. The procedure calls for additional error checking steps to be added to the software code embedded within the IRD and smart card electronics hardware. As seen in  FIG. 5 , the IRD is powered on and immediately or shortly thereafter, the IRD checks for a telephone line connection to the satellite TV provider or billing center. If there is no connection, an error message like, “NO PHONE LINE DETECTED. PLEASE CHECK CONNECTION” is displayed on the TV set screen and the IRD stops decoding the satellite TV signal. The software loops back and continues to check for a phone line connection on a regular basis.  FIG. 5  also outlines a software program to ensure that a match of the identification numbers of the smart card with the data of the IRD is authenticated. If no authentification of a match is made, an error message such as, “YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT VALID. PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE” is displayed on the TV set screen and the IRD stops decoding the satellite TV signal. The software loops back and continues to verify the identification numbers on a regular basis.  
         [0104]      FIG. 6  basically outlines a software program to ensure that a telephone line connection to a location of the satellite TV provider such as a billing center is active at all times in order for TV viewing. In addition the software program ensures that the assigned identification number of the smart card, the assigned identification number of the IRD, and the assigned subscriber telephone number match with the data in the IRD. The procedure calls for additional error checking steps to be added to the software code embedded within the IRD and smart card electronics hardware. As seen in  FIG. 6 , the IRD is powered on. Immediately or shortly thereafter, the IRD checks for a telephone line connection to the satellite TV provider. If there is no connection, an error message like, “NO PHONE LINE DETECTED. PLEASE CHECK CONNECTION” is displayed on the TV set screen and the IRD stops decoding the satellite TV signal. The software loops back and continues to check for a phone line connection on a regular basis.  FIG. 6  also outlines a software program to ensure that a three-way match between the identification numbers of the smart card, the IRD, and also the assigned subscriber telephone number is authenticated. If no authentifications of a three way match is made, an error message such as “YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT VALID. PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE” is displayed on the TV set screen and the IRD stops decoding the satellite TV signal. The software loops back and continues to verify the three identification numbers on a regular basis.  
         [0105]     It can be summarized that the legitimate matched identification numbers are stored in a secured satellite TV service provider location and can be downloaded to the TV set top box via a physical phone line connection or downloaded from the TV satellite. The verification of the three identification numbers is automatically performed by the security module or on demand by the satellite TV service provider. In the event authentication is not verified, the security module will communicate to the IRD to stop decoding the satellite TV signal and display an error message, or the satellite TV service provider can send a signal block command directly to the unmatched TV set top box. Various methods of establishing a phone connection communications link between the satellite TV service provider and satellite TV subscriber is presented, but there may be other ways to achieve the benefits of the present invention by others skilled in the art, but the same end results will be achieved.  
         [0106]     Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will, of course, be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the form, details, and arrangements of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.