METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTHORIZATION OF SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS AND FEATURES IN DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TERMINALS VIA A CENTRAL BILLING SYSTEM - Patent 1243136

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EP 1 243 136 A1

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(43)	Date of publication:
	25.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/39

(21)	Application number: 00973655.4

(22)	Date of filing: 19.10.2000

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: H04N 7/173, H04N 7/16

(86)	International application number:
	PCT/US0028/853

(87)	International publication number:
	WO 0103/1924 (03.05.2001 Gazette 2001/18)

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

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Priority:

22.10.1999 US 161230 P

(71)	Applicant: General Instrument Corporation
	Horsham,Pennsylvania 19044 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	BOOTH, Robert, Charles Jamison, PA 18929 (US)

(74)	Representative: Hoeger, Stellrecht & Partner
	Uhlandstrasse 14 c 70182 Stuttgart 70182 Stuttgart (DE)

(54)	METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTHORIZATION OF SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS AND FEATURES IN DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TERMINALS VIA A CENTRAL BILLING SYSTEM