Importance

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Abstract

A method of operating a pay per view (PPV) television system includes transmitting global data packets alternately encrypted with two different session keys. Subscriber terminals store three session keys, and automatically sequence through the session keys in an ateempt to decrypt the data packets. A program tag in the global data packet identifies a television program and a memory location in the subscriber authorization memory and may also include a tag identifying an upcoming program for which the subscriber may self-authorize his terminal by accessing the memory location identified by the PPV tag. The program tag is required to enable the subscriber terminal descrambling means to descramble the accompanying television program. Subscriber terminals are periodically polled by addressed data packets whereupon the contents of their authorization memories are sent to the cable heat-end for billing purposes. After successful polling, a new session key is downloaded to the subscriber in an addressed data packet. After polling of all subscribers, the memory location identified by the PPV tag is cleared by means of a global data packet encrypted in the new session key which only polled subscriber terminals have. An unpolled subscriber terminal needs to be polled before it receives the new session key.

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First Claim