Software conditional access system for a media delivery network

Abstract

A method for purchasing a media service from a media delivery service provider includes sending a request to the media delivery service provider requesting the media service and authenticating a media distribution device by comparing a permanent virtual circuit established between the media distribution device and the media delivery service provider with a predetermined permanent virtual circuit defined and programmed by the media delivery service provider. Upon determining the media distribution device is successfully authenticated, the method includes downloading a software key from the media delivery service provider to the media distribution device and automatically deleting the software key after a predetermined amount of time. Upon determining the media distribution device is not successfully authenticated, the method includes downloading displayable data to the media distribution device from the media delivery service provider.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for purchasing a media service from a media delivery service provider, the method comprising:
 sending a request, by an application executing on a computer processor of a media distribution device, to the media delivery service provider requesting the media service;   authenticating, by the application, the media distribution device by comparing a permanent virtual circuit established between the media distribution device and the media delivery service provider with a predetermined permanent virtual circuit defined and programmed by the media delivery service provider;   upon determining the media distribution device is successfully authenticated, downloading a software key from the media delivery service provider to the media distribution device and automatically deleting the software key after a predetermined amount of time; and   upon determining the media distribution device is not successfully authenticated, downloading displayable data to the media distribution device from the media delivery service provider.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displayable data includes an instruction to contact a service representative of the media delivery service provider. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying information of the media distribution device; and   comparing the information to a customer record at the media delivery service provider;   determining whether the customer record indicates a customer associated with the customer record is in good standing; and   upon determining the customer is in good standing, permitting the media distribution device to purchase the media service.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein comparing the information to the customer record further includes matching a hardware serial number of the media distribution device with a registered hardware serial number of the customer record. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a predetermined physical communications path between the media distribution device and a communications component of the media delivery service provider. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a communications link utilizing a broadband connection with the media delivery service provider. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a communications link utilizing an asymmetric digital subscriber line with the media delivery service provider. 
     
     
         8 . A computer program product for purchasing a media service from a media delivery service provider, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium containing instructions that when executed by a processing circuit perform a method, the method includes:
 sending a request to the media delivery service provider for the media service;   authenticating a media distribution device by comparing a permanent virtual circuit established between the media distribution device and the media delivery service provider with a predetermined permanent virtual circuit defined and programmed by the media delivery service provider;   upon determining the media distribution device is successfully authenticated, downloading a software key from the media delivery service provider to the media distribution device and automatically deleting the software key after a predetermined amount of time; and   upon determining the media distribution device is not successfully authenticated, downloading displayable data to the media distribution device from the media delivery service provider.   
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the displayable data includes an instruction to contact a service representative of the media delivery service provider. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:
 identifying information of the media distribution device; and   comparing the information to a customer record at the media delivery service provider;   determining whether the customer record indicates a customer associated with the customer record is in good standing; and   upon determining the customer is in good standing, permitting the media distribution device to purchase the media service.   
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein comparing the information to the customer record further includes matching a hardware serial number of the media distribution device with a registered hardware serial number of the customer record. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a predetermined physical communications path between the media distribution device and a communications component of the media delivery service provider. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a communications link utilizing a broadband connection with the media delivery service provider. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the permanent virtual circuit comprises a communications link utilizing an asymmetric digital subscriber line with the media delivery service provider.