Patent ID: 7864808

Claim:
A method of initializing a client session in a video multiplexer system, comprising: sending a client session setup request message for specific video program content from a client device to a session manager, said message including a client ID and an asset ID associated with said specific video program content; determining if the client device is authorized to receive the specific video program content by comparing an entitlement status for the requesting client device with an authorization tier ID associated with an authorization tier for the specific video program content; sending a session denial message to the requesting client device if the requesting client device is not authorized; and if the requesting client device is authorized, performing the further steps of: determining a virtual channel and associated virtual channel ID for providing the requested specific video content to the requesting client device; assigning a pre-existing encryption channel for the session if the pre-existing encryption channel is compatible with encryption requirements of the session, wherein the encryption requirements comprise a specific set of encryption parameters associated with the authorization tier for the specific video program content, other establishing a new encryption channel for the session; and sending an entitlement management message (EMM) for the session to the requesting client device; and sending a session confirmation message including the virtual channel ID to the requesting client device.