Patent ID: 7631325

Claim:
A method of authorizing use of a network device, the method comprising: receiving, at a server of a network, an internet protocol (IP) address from the network device, wherein the received IP address indicates a location of the network device; receiving, at the server of the network, a device identification from the network device, wherein the device identification identifies a set top box coupled to the network device; retrieving information associated with an account based on the IP address; determining whether the IP address and the device identification are associated with a same account; allowing service to the network device after determining that the IP address and the device identification are associated with the same account; determining whether an order is pending for the account, after determining that the IP address and the device identification are not associated with the same account; determining whether a make and model of the set top box match an order for the account after determining that the order is pending for the account, wherein the make and model of the network device are determined at least partially based on the device identification received from the network device; blocking service to the set top box after determining that the make and model of the set top box do not match the order; and storing the device identification with the account and providing service to the set top box after determining that the make and model of the set top box match the order.