Systems and methods for authenticating and providing application access via a hotel management system are provided. A cloud management system (CMS) establishes a first connection with a hotel management system (HMS) of a hotel property and a second connection with a set top box (STB) of the hotel property. STB includes a plurality of applications accessible by a guest of the hotel property. The CMS receives, from the STB via the second connection, a request of a guest of the hotel property to purchase access to an application of the plurality of applications provided by the STB. The CMS transmits, to the HMS via the first connection a request for payment to an account of the guest at the hotel property. The CMS then transmits, responsive to receiving approval for payment from the HMS, an approval to purchase access to the application via the second connection to the STB.

The present invention describes a method to select an application on a first device having an NFC interface and comprising a plurality of applications using the NFC interface, said method comprising the steps of detecting a second device having a NFC interface via the NFC interface of the first device, obtaining via the NFC interface a message comprising a message type and a service identification, determining an application type based on the message type and the service identification, selecting at least one application among the plurality of applications matching the message type and the service identification, prompting a user of the first device to accept a communication between the second device and the selected application, in case of positive answer, notifying the selected application of the message type, establishing the communication between the selected application and the second device via the NFC interface.

A dongle is configured to connect to a set top box. The dongle includes a memory for storing data, such as callback data files, and a wireless communication module for forwarding the stored data to an access point, for delivery to a television service provider head end. The dongle can also receive information to be provided to the set top box. Authentication and authorization of the dongle ensure only authenticated and authorized devices can access the system. A communication technology is used that allows for a large coverage area and simultaneous communication with many set top boxes.

A dongle is configured to connect to a set top box. The dongle includes a memory for storing data, such as callback data files, and a wireless communication module for forwarding the stored data to an access point, for delivery to a television service provider head end. The dongle can also receive information to be provided to the set top box. Authentication and authorization of the dongle ensure only authenticated and authorized devices can access the system. A communication technology is used that allows for a large coverage area and simultaneous communication with many set top boxes.

The present invention describes a method to select an application on a first device having an NFC interface and comprising a plurality of applications using the NFC interface, said method comprising the steps of detecting a second device having a NFC interface via the NFC interface of the first device, obtaining via the NFC interface a message comprising a message type and a service identification, determining an application type based on the message type and the service identification, selecting at least one application among the plurality of applications matching the message type and the service identification, prompting a user of the first device to accept a communication between the second device and the selected application, in case of positive answer, notifying the selected application of the message type, establishing the communication between the selected application and the second device via the NFC interface.

The present invention describes a method to select an application on a first device having an NFC interface and comprising a plurality of applications using the NFC interface, said method comprising the steps of detecting a second device having a NFC interface via the NFC interface of the first device, obtaining via the NFC interface a message comprising a message type and a service identification, determining an application type based on the message type and the service identification, selecting at least one application among the plurality of applications matching the message type and the service identification, prompting a user of the first device to accept a communication between the second device and the selected application, in case of positive answer, notifying the selected application of the message type, establishing the communication between the selected application and the second device via the NFC interface.

A physical device, the possession of which may provide access to digital media content in a fashion similar to the possession of a DVD providing access to the media content stored thereupon on a suitable DVD player. The possession of the physical device grants access to digital content stored on a remote server using a suitable device such as e.g., a set-top box or media player having Internet connectivity. The physical device provides for convenient and possibly anonymous access to content stored on a remote server and has certain advantages over known techniques for storing rights to access the content.

A content platform that includes subscribable paid channels is provided. The content platform receives, via a user interface, a request of an end user to subscribe to a paid channel. The paid channel is one of a plurality of channels of the content platform and has dynamically changed content. The content platform requests, via the user interface, end user information that includes payment information of the end user. The content platform receives the end user information and creates a subscription to the paid channel for the end user based on the end user information. The content platform provides, via the user interface, access to the content of the paid channel to the end user at substantially the same time as creating the subscription for the end user.

A content platform that includes subscribable paid channels is provided. The content platform receives, via a user interface, a request of an end user to subscribe to a paid channel. The paid channel is one of a plurality of channels of the content platform and has dynamically changed content. The content platform requests, via the user interface, end user information that includes payment information of the end user. The content platform receives the end user information and creates a subscription to the paid channel for the end user based on the end user information. The content platform provides, via the user interface, access to the content of the paid channel to the end user at substantially the same time as creating the subscription for the end user.

A system and method is disclosed to transmit electronic information to a user of a step-top box. The system includes a database that stores user registration and product information data. A set-top box is also provided that communicates with a remote controller with a touch screen and a server broadcasts the product information data to a plurality of set-top boxes for display on touch screens of remote controller communicating with the set-top boxes, respectively, without the product information being designated for a specific user of one set-top box. The server also transmits updated product information data that replaces a portion of the original product information data. Furthermore, a processor compares data relating to a transaction request from a user of one set-top box with user registration data stored in the database to identify the user, and that generates customized transaction data that is transmitted to the identified user.