Systems and methods for authorizing access to content for a television receiver

Abstract

Described herein are techniques for transferring content authorization information between television receivers. Authorization information for content and features associated with a television receiver is securely stored on a portable storage device. The portable storage device may be moved and connected to a different television receiver in order to transfer the authorization information to the different television receiver. The other television receiver accesses information on the portable storage device and allows the user to access the content and features that are authorized on the home television receiver.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A television receiver comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 transmit menu data to a first presentation device, wherein the menu data facilitates an output of a menu on the first presentation device, and wherein the menu includes a list of one or more software applications displayable by the first presentation device; 
 receive an input from the first presentation device, wherein the input includes a request from a user to access a selected software application on the list of one or more software applications; 
 determine, in response to the request from the user, that the television receiver is not authorized to access the selected software application, 
 access authorization data stored on a portable storage device in response to determining that the television receiver is not authorized to output the selected software application for use by the user, 
 identify that the selected software application is authorized for viewing on a second television receiver based on the accessed authorization data on the portable storage device, and 
 output the selected software application for presentation by a second presentation device connected to the second television receiver responsive to determining that the selected software application is authorized for viewing by the second television receiver. 
   
     
     
         3 . The television receiver of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to access audio content, video content, audio/video content, images, or e-books stored on the portable storage device. 
     
     
         4 . The television receiver of  claim 2 , wherein access of the authorization data occurs via a television distribution network. 
     
     
         5 . The television receiver of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to synchronize the authorization data with a second portable storage device received in the presentation device. 
     
     
         6 . The television receiver of  claim 5 , wherein synchronization occurs automatically when the second storage portable storage device is coupled with the presentation device. 
     
     
         7 . The television receiver of  claim 2 , wherein the authorization data comprises authorization data for premium content, but not basic subscriber channels. 
     
     
         8 . The television receiver of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to access authorization data stored on the television receiver in addition to accessing authorization data stored on the portable storage device. 
     
     
         9 . A television receiver comprising:
 a storage medium within the television receiver;   an input interface that receives a portable storage device, the portable storage device including authorization data for a software application authorized for access by a second television receiver; and   a processor configured to:
 transmit menu data to a first input interface, wherein the menu data facilitates an output of a menu on the first input interface, and wherein the menu includes a list of one or more software applications displayable by the first input interface; 
 receive an input from the first input interface, wherein the input includes a request from a user to access a selected software application on the list of one or more software applications; 
 determine, in response to the request from the user, that the television receiver is not authorized to access the selected software application, 
 access authorization data stored on a portable storage device in response to determining that the television receiver is not authorized to output the selected software application for use by the user, 
 identify that the selected software application is authorized for viewing on the second television receiver based on the accessed authorization data on the portable storage device, and 
 output the selected software application for presentation by a second input interface connected to the second television receiver responsive to determining that the selected software application is authorized for viewing by the second television receiver. 
   
     
     
         10 . The television receiver of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to access audio content, video content, audio/video content, images, or e-books stored on the portable storage device. 
     
     
         11 . The television receiver of  claim 9 , wherein access of the authorization data occurs via a television distribution network. 
     
     
         12 . The television receiver of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to synchronize the authorization data with a second portable storage device received in the input interface. 
     
     
         13 . The television receiver of  claim 12 , wherein synchronization occurs automatically when the second storage portable storage device is coupled with the input interface. 
     
     
         14 . The television receiver of  claim 9 , wherein the authorization data comprises authorization data for premium content, but not basic subscriber channels. 
     
     
         15 . The television receiver of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to access authorization data stored on the television receiver in addition to accessing authorization data stored on the portable storage device. 
     
     
         16 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 transmitting menu data to a first presentation device, wherein the menu data facilitates an output of a menu on the first presentation device, and wherein the menu includes a list of one or more software applications displayable by the first presentation device;   receiving an input from the first presentation device, wherein the input includes a request from a user to access a selected software application on the list of one or more software applications;   determining, in response to the request from the user, that the television receiver is not authorized to access the selected software application,   accessing authorization data stored on a portable storage device in response to determining that the television receiver is not authorized to output the selected software application for use by the user,   identifying that the selected software application is authorized for viewing on a second television receiver based on the accessed authorization data on the portable storage device, and   outputting the selected software application for presentation by a second presentation device connected to the second television receiver responsive to determining that the selected software application is authorized for viewing by the second television receiver.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising accessing audio content, video content, audio/video content, images, or e-books stored on the portable storage device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein access of the authorization data occurs via a television distribution network. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising synchronizing the authorization data with a second portable storage device received in the presentation device, wherein the synchronization occurs automatically when the second storage portable storage device is coupled with the presentation device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the authorization data comprises authorization data for premium content, but not basic subscriber channels. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising accessing authorization data stored on the television receiver in addition to accessing authorization data stored on the portable storage device.