IP Library Granted Patent US 9,674,224
Granted Patent B2
US 9,674,224 · App. 14/144,420 · Granted Jun 6, 2017

Apparatus and methods for provisioning in a download-enabled system

Inventors: Shrikant Apsangi (Fairfax, VA); Srinivas Guduru (Herndon, VA); Jason Kazimir Schnitzer (Boulder, CO); Jeffrey P. Markley (Superior, CO); John B. Carlucci (Boulder, CO); John G. Bevilacqua (Boulder, CO)
Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
H04L63/20H04L63/0428H04N7/17318H04N21/2541H04N21/4182H04N21/42684H04N21/4623H04N21/4627H04N21/4753H04N21/6118H04N21/63345H04N21/8355H04L63/08
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,674,224
App. No.
14/144,420
Granted
Jun 6, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatus and methods for provisioning of customer premise equipment (CPE) equipped with a secure microprocessor to receive e.g., digital video content by entering unique identification of the CPE at one or more servers located at the headend or other location of a content-based network. In one embodiment, the CPE comprises a download-enabled (e.g., DCAS) host with embedded cable modem and embedded set-top box functionality, and the provisioning includes enabling DOCSIS functionality of the CPE, assigning an IP address to the CPE and providing the CPE with a client image for the conditional access system chosen by the network operator. In one variant, the network operator can deactivate a provisioned device while connected to the network, as well when disconnected from the network. The network operator can also add, delete or replace conditional access client image in a provisioned device.

Claims (53)

1. Network apparatus disposed substantially at a first location of a content delivery network and configured to provision a security device at a second location of said network, said apparatus comprising:

a provisioning subsystem comprising both a cable modem and a video provisioning apparatus;

a conditional access apparatus in communication with said provisioning subsystem;

an authentication apparatus in communication with at least said conditional access apparatus; and

a personalization server (PS) apparatus in communication with said conditional access system,

wherein said provisioning apparatus is configured to maintain:

identifying information of said security device;

information regarding a topological context of said security device in said network; and

said software configuration of said security device;

wherein at least said authentication apparatus and said conditional access apparatus are configured to cooperate to transmit to said security device: (i) at least one cryptographic key, and (ii) an encrypted code configured to provide at least protection of content at said security device, and

wherein said PS apparatus is configured to select said at least one cryptographic key and said encrypted code based at least in part on a communication received from said security device.

2. The network apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first location comprises a cable system head-end, and said second location comprises a residence or business enterprise.

3. The network apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said first location comprises a hub within a broadcast switched architecture (BSA) network.

4. The network apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an interface to a trusted authority (TA), said TA configured to provide said at least one cryptographic key to said PS apparatus based at least in part on information contained in said communication from a client device to said network apparatus.

5. The network apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said authentication apparatus comprises software configured to authenticate a secure element based at least in part on said communication received from said secure element, said authentication comprising a condition precedent for a download of said at least one key and said encrypted code.

6. The network apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said encrypted code comprises a secure firmware configured to run on said secure element of a client device.

7. The network apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said network apparatus is further configured to transmit a second code to said client device, said second code comprising a conditional access (CA) client, said CA client configured to run on said secure element and to enforce at least one CA policy.

8. Network apparatus disposed substantially at a first node of a content delivery network and configured to deliver security information to a second node of said network, said apparatus comprising:

a content provisioning apparatus;

a security management apparatus in communication with said content provisioning apparatus;

an authentication apparatus in communication with at least said security management apparatus; and

a personalization server (PS) apparatus in communication with said security management system;

wherein said content provisioning apparatus, said security management apparatus, and said authentication apparatus are configured to cooperate to:

provision a client device coupled to said network;

establish an account associated with said client device;

authenticate a physically secure element of said client device; and

provide at least one secure software image to said secure element, said at least one secure image enabling at least in part access to content distributed over said network;

wherein at least said authentication apparatus and said security management apparatus are configured to cooperate to transmit to said second node said secure image, said secure image configured to manage at least one of (i) trusted domain (TD) policies or configuration, and/or (ii) digital rights management (DRM) policies or configuration, within said secure element of said client device disposed at said second node; and

wherein said PS apparatus is configured to select said secure image based at least in part on a communication received from said client device.

9. The network apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said first node comprises a cable system head-end, and said second node comprises a residence or business enterprise.

10. The network apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said apparatus is configured to deliver said secure image via a DOCSIS-compliant cable modem.

11. The network apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said apparatus is configured to deliver said secure image via an in-band downstream QAM.

12. The network apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said first node comprises a hub within a broadcast switched architecture (B S A) network.

13. The network apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said authentication apparatus comprises software configured to authenticate said secure element of said client device based at least in part on said communication received from said client device, said authentication being required before a download of said secure image.

14. The network apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said client device disposed at said second node comprises a premises content distribution apparatus for use with a plurality of media-capable devices, said content distribution apparatus comprising:

a first interface configured to receive media content from a first network;

a mass storage device in data communication with said first interface and configured to store at least a portion of said media content;

a coaxial cable interface configured to provide networking throughout at least a portion of said premises over coaxial cable present therein; and

a wireless access interface configured to support at least one wireless network substantially within said premises;

wherein said media content is accessible to users on both said coaxial cable network and said at least one wireless network.

15. Network security apparatus for use with a client-side security management apparatus in operative communication with a content delivery network, said client-side apparatus configured to maintain at least a portion of a trusted domain within a client device using at least a secure element, said network security apparatus comprising:

a content provisioning apparatus;

a conditional access apparatus in communication with said content provisioning apparatus;

an authentication apparatus in communication with at least said conditional access apparatus; and

a personalization server (PS) apparatus in communication with said conditional access system;

wherein said content provisioning apparatus is configured to maintain:

identifying information of said network security apparatus;

information regarding a topological context of said network security apparatus in said content delivery network; and

said software configuration of said network security apparatus;

wherein said authentication apparatus, said content provisioning apparatus, and said conditional access apparatus are configured to cooperate to transmit to said secure element of said client device: (i) at least one cryptographic key, and (ii) encrypted code configured to provide at least protection of said content at said client device, and

wherein said PS apparatus is configured to select said at least one cryptographic key and said encrypted code based at least in part on a communication received from said client device.

16. The network apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said PS apparatus is further configured to select a secure image based at least in part on a communication received from said security device, said secure image configured to manage at least one of (i) trusted domain (TD) policies or configuration, and/or (ii) digital rights management (DRM) policies or configuration, within said security device disposed at said second location.

17. The network apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said PS apparatus is further configured to select a secure image based at least in part on a communication received from said client device, said secure image configured to manage at least one of (i) trusted domain (TD) policies or configuration, and/or (ii) digital rights management (DRM) policies or configuration, within said secure element of said client device.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2018
From: BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET LLC
To: WELLS FARGO TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046630/0193 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2018
From: ADCAST NORTH CAROLINA CABLE ADVERTISING, LLC; ALABANZA LLC; AMERICA'S JOB EXCHANGE LLC; COAXIAL COMMUNICATIONS OF CENTRAL OHIO LLC; DUKENET COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC; DUKENET COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; ICI HOLDINGS, LLC; INSIGHT BLOCKER LLC; INSIGHT CAPITAL LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS MIDWEST, LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS OF CENTRAL OHIO, LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS OF KENTUCKY, L.P.; INSIGHT INTERACTIVE, LLC; INSIGHT KENTUCKY CAPITAL, LLC; INSIGHT KENTUCKY PARTNERS I, L.P.; INSIGHT KENTUCKY PARTNERS II, L.P.; INSIGHT MIDWEST HOLDINGS, LLC; INSIGHT MIDWEST, L.P.; INSIGHT PHONE OF INDIANA, LLC; INSIGHT PHONE OF KENTUCKY, LLC; INSIGHT PHONE OF OHIO, LLC; INTERACTIVE CABLE SERVICES, LLC; INTREPID ACQUISITION LLC; NAVISITE LLC; NEW WISCONSIN PROCUREMENT LLC; OCEANIC TIME WARNER CABLE LLC; PARITY ASSETS, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE BUSINESS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ALABAMA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ARIZONA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (COLORADO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (HAWAII), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (IDAHO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ILLINOIS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (INDIANA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (KANSAS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (KENTUCKY), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MAINE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MASSACHUSETTS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MICHIGAN), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MISSOURI), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEBRASKA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW HAMPSHIRE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW JERSEY), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW MEXICO) LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW YORK), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NORTH CAROLINA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (OHIO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (PENNSYLVANIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (SOUTH CAROLINA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (TENNESSEE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (TEXAS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (VIRGINIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WASHINGTON), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WEST VIRGINIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WISCONSIN), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNATIONAL LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET HOLDINGS III LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET HOLDINGS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE MEDIA LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE MIDWEST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE NEW YORK CITY LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE NORTHEAST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE PACIFIC WEST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SERVICES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SOUTHEAST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SPORTS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE TEXAS LLC; TWC ADMINISTRATION LLC; TWC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; TWC DIGITAL PHONE LLC; TWC MEDIA BLOCKER LLC; TWC NEWCO LLC; TWC NEWS AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING HOLDCO LLC; TWC NEWS AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING LLC; TWC REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORK I LLC; TWC SECURITY LLC; TWC SEE HOLDCO LLC; TWC WIRELESS LLC; TWC/CHARTER DALLAS CABLE ADVERTISING, LLC; TWCIS HOLDCO LLC; WISCONSIN PROCUREMENT HOLDCO LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (ALABAMA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (FLORIDA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (INDIANA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (MICHIGAN), LLC; BHN SPECTRUM INVESTMENTS, LLC; BHN HOME SECURITY SERVICES, LLC; AMERICAN CABLE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC; ATHENS CABLEVISION, LLC; AUSABLE CABLE TV, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND HOLDINGS, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF COLORADO, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF MONTANA, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF UTAH, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF WYOMING, LLC; BRESNAN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; BRESNAN DIGITAL SERVICES, LLC; BRESNAN MICROWAVE OF MONTANA, LLC; CABLE EQUITIES COLORADO, LLC; CABLE EQUITIES OF COLORADO MANAGEMENT LLC CC 10, LLC; CC FIBERLINK, LLC; CC MICHIGAN, LLC; CC SYSTEMS, LLC; CC V HOLDINGS, LLC; CC VI FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VI OPERATING COMPANY, LLC; CC VII FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VIII FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VIII HOLDINGS, LLC; CC VIII OPERATING, LLC; CC VIII, LLC; CCO FIBERLINK, LLC; CCO HOLDCO TRANSFERS VII, LLC; CCO LP, LLC; CCO NR HOLDINGS, LLC; CCO PURCHASING, LLC; CCO SOCAL I, LLC; CCO SOCAL II, LLC; CCO SOCAL VEHICLES, LLC; CCO TRANSFERS, LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (AL), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CO), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (GA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (IL), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (IN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (KY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (LA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MD), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MO), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MS), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NC), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NE), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NH), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NV), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (OH), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (OR), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (PA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (SC), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (TN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (TX), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (UT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (VA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (VT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WV), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (MI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (MN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (WI), LLC; CHARTER ADVERTISING OF SAINT LOUIS, LLC; CHARTER CABLE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC; CHARTER CABLE PARTNERS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT I, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT II, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OF CALIFORNIA, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING CAPITAL CORP.; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS PROPERTIES LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS V, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VENTURES, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VI, L.L.C.; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VII, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; CHARTER DISTRIBUTION, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - ALABAMA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - GEORGIA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - ILLINOIS, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MARYLAND II, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MICHIGAN, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MISSOURI, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - NEBRASKA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - PENNSYLVANIA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - TENNESSEE, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK AR-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CC VIII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CT-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK LA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK MA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK MS-CCVI, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NC-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NH-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NV-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NY-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK OH-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK OR-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK SC-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK TX-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK VA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK VT-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK WA-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER HELICON, LLC; CHARTER HOME SECURITY, LLC; CHARTER LEASING HOLDING COMPANY, LLC; CHARTER LEASING OF WISCONSIN, LLC; CHARTER RMG, LLC; CHARTER STORES FCN, LLC; CHARTER VIDEO ELECTRONICS, LLC; FALCON CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; FALCON CABLE MEDIA, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON CABLE SYSTEMS COMPANY II, L.P.; FALCON CABLEVISION, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON COMMUNITY CABLE, L.P.; FALCON COMMUNITY VENTURES I LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON FIRST CABLE OF THE SOUTHEAST, LLC; FALCON FIRST, LLC; FALCON TELECABLE, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS, L.P.; HELICON PARTNERS I, L.P.; HOMETOWN T.V., LLC; HPI ACQUISITION CO. LLC; INTERLINK COMMUNICATIONS PARTNERS, LLC; LONG BEACH, LLC; MARCUS CABLE ASSOCIATES, L.L.C.; MARCUS CABLE OF ALABAMA, L.L.C.; MARCUS CABLE, LLC; MIDWEST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; PEACHTREE CABLE TV, L.P.; PEACHTREE CABLE TV, LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (AL), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (CA), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (GA), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (NC), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (TN), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (VA), LLC; PLATTSBURGH CABLEVISION, LLC; RENAISSANCE MEDIA LLC; RIFKIN ACQUISITION PARTNERS, LLC; ROBIN MEDIA GROUP, LLC; SCOTTSBORO TV CABLE, LLC TENNESSEE, LLC; THE HELICON GROUP, L.P.; VISTA BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (AL), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (CA) LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (GA), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (NC), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (TN), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (VA), LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046567/0090 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2016
From: BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 038747/0507 →
Continuity (2)
Division 11657828 · Jan 24, 2007
Related Publication 20140189353A1 · Jul 3, 2014