Abstract: A CATV system including a CATV network, a multiplicity of subscriber units, apparatus for transmitting over said CATV network encrypted information individually addressed to a subscriber unit and apparatus associated with each of said multiplicity of subscriber units for decoding the encrypted information addressed thereto.

Abstract: A method for downloading a document via a communications medium operatively associated with a communications interface, the method including receiving the document from the communications medium, placing an information storage smart card in removable operative association with the communications interface, and conditionally transmitting the document from the communications interface to the information storage smart card and storing the document in the information storage smart card. Other related methods and apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A method for downloading a document via a communications medium operatively associated with a communications interface, the method including receiving the document from the communications medium, placing an information storage smart card in removable operative association with the communications interface, and conditionally transmitting the document from the communications interface to the information storage smart card and storing the document in the information storage smart card. Other related methods and apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A television receiver assembly including a multi-channel television signal decoder coupled to a source of incoming television signals, a multi-channel television display coupled to the decoder for displaying received decoded television signals, a channel changing device operative to change the channel decoded by the decoder and displayed by the display, the channel changing device being inoperative to display received decoded television signals during a channel changing interval, and an interval message provider operative to display at least one predetermined information message during the channel changing interval.

Abstract: A data access system is provided including a processor, an IC card reader and writer coupled to the processor and including an IC card receptacle, and an IC card which is insertable into the IC card receptacle and which has a memory which includes video data to be accessed by the processor. The processor includes security level data determining the level of encryption of said video data.In another embodiment of the invention, one IC card with two separate integrated circuits embodied within is provided, each of the separate integrated circuits being separately accessible by an IC card reader and writer.

Abstract: An integrated telephone and cable network comprising a telephone network including at least one directing center and first network cabling connecting a directing center to a multiplicity of subscribers, a cable network including at least one headend and second network cabling connecting a headend to the multiplicity of subscribers, a subscriber telephone facility including first subscriber cabling and at least one telephone appliance, a subscriber cable facility including second subscriber cabling and at least one cable appliance, and a subscriber interface unit interfacing between the subscriber telephone facility and the subscriber cable facility and the first and second network cabling whereby communication is enabled between the first subscriber cabling and the second network cabling and between the second subscriber cabling and the first network cabling.

Abstract: A CATV system including a CATV network and apparatus for transmitting over the CATV network information to a multiplicity of subscriber units, each including a CATV decoder and an IC card reader and writer coupled to the CATV decoder, the IC card reader and writer includes two separate IC card receptacles, such that IC cards inserted into the two separate IC card receptacles are separately accessed by the IC card reader and writer.

Abstract: A pay television gaming system including a pay television network having a multiplicity of subscriber units each including a television, receiving apparatus for receiving gaming inputs from the multiplicity of subscriber units, transmitting apparatus for transmitting to the multiplicity of subscriber units information relating to gaming results and accounting apparatus for settling gaming debts and winnings via the pay television network. Other services, such as shopping may be provided.

Abstract: A hacking prevention system and method wherein the descrambler receives a data stream including a series of authorization packets and a series of corresponding offset values. A random number is generated in the descrambler. Using this random number, a key is calculated, which corresponds to the authorization packet corresponding to the generated random number. This generated key and the offset value, which corresponds to the generated random number, are used to calculate the descrambling key.

Abstract: A CATV system including a CATV network, a multiplicity of subscriber units, apparatus for transmitting over said CATV network encrypted information individually addressed to a subscriber unit and apparatus associated with each of said multiplicity of subscriber units for decoding the encrypted information addressed thereto.