IP Library Granted Patent US 10,298,981
Granted Patent B2
US 10,298,981 · App. 15/421,059 · Granted May 21, 2019

Systems and methods for controlling purchasing and/or reauthorization to access content using quick response codes and text messages

Inventors: Christopher Yang (Temple City, CA); Woei-Shyang Yee (Irvine, CA); Wesley Huie (Riverside, CA); Gerard V. Talatinian (Foothill Ranch, CA); Johnny Shum (Manhattan Beach, CA)
Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
H04N21/25816G06K7/1095G06K7/1417G06K19/14H04N21/2223H04N21/2396H04N21/2541H04N21/2543H04N21/25866H04N21/25875H04N21/4126H04N21/4143H04N21/41407H04N21/4223H04N21/4623H04N21/4627H04N21/475H04N21/4722H04N21/4882H04N21/6334H04N21/6581
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,298,981
App. No.
15/421,059
Granted
May 21, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mobile device including a content module, an imaging module, and an interface. The content module is configured to attempt to access content including transmitting a content request signal from the mobile device to a user receiving device. The imaging module is configured to acquire an image of at least a portion of a screen shown on a display connected to the user receiving device. The interface is configured to transmit the image or information pertaining to the image to the user receiving device, a head end or a content provider to cause the user receiving device or the mobile device to receive an authorization signal for access to the content.

Claims (26)

1. A system comprising:

a user receiving device associated with an account;

a mobile device comprising:

a content module configured to attempt to access content including transmitting a content request signal to the user receiving device;

an imaging module configured to acquire an image of a text message displayed on at least a portion of a screen shown on a display connected to the user receiving device, said image is based on the content request signal;

an interface configured to transmit the image to a head end, through a network;

said user receiving device directly receiving an authorization signal from the head end through the network, said authorization signal generated at the head end in response to the image and displaying content on the screen in response to the authorization signal; and

a purchasing server billing the account in response to the image and the authorization signal.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an authorization module configured to receive an authorization confirmation for the content based on the transmission of the image to the head end.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user receiving device further comprises a control module configured to display the content based on the authorization signal.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the image comprises a quick response code or a bar code; and

the interface is configured to transmit the quick response code, the bar code or information embedded in the quick response code to the head end to cause the user receiving device to receive the authorization signal for access to the content.

5. A method of operating a system, the method comprising:

attempting to access content including transmitting a content request signal to the user receiving device;

acquiring, by a mobile device, an image of a text message displayed on at least a portion of a screen shown on a display connected to a user receiving device, said image based on the content request signal;

transmitting the image to a head end;

generating an authorization signal at the head end in response to the image;

billing an account associated with the user receiving device in response to the image and the authorization signal;

communicating, by the head end, the authorization signal for access to content directly to the user receiving device through a network;

receiving the authorization signal from the head end at the user receiving device directly through the network; and

displaying the content on the screen in response to the authorization signal.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising receiving an authorization confirmation for the content based on the transmission of the image to the head end.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising displaying the content based on the authorization signal.

8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising transmitting a quick response code or information embedded in the quick response code to the head end to cause the user receiving device or the mobile device to receive the authorization signal for access to the content, wherein the image comprises the quick response code.

9. The method of claim 5 , further comprising transmitting a text message or information associated with the text message to the head end to cause the user receiving device to receive the authorization signal for access to the content, wherein the image comprises the text message.

Assignments (6)
SUCCESSION OF AGENCY IN PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS Recorded Oct 3, 2025
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH (AS SUCCESSOR TO CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH)
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
Reel/Frame 072994/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 25, 2024
From: DIRECTV, LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066371/0690 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 5, 2021
From: DIRECTV, LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058220/0531 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 3, 2021
From: DIRECTV, LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 057695/0084 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2021
From: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
To: DIRECTV, LLC
Reel/Frame 057021/0221 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2017
From: YANG, CHRISTOPHER; YEE, WOEI-SHYANG; HUIE, WESLEY W.; TALATINIAN, GERARD V.; SHUM, JOHNNY
To: THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 044016/0111 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 14587930 · Dec 31, 2014
Related Publication 20170142460A1 · May 18, 2017