Abstract: A television demonstration method involves providing a television display and a camera; at a computer processor, receiving a video image from the camera, the computer processor capturing the video image from the camera to determine if the viewer makes a predetermined gesture; and retrieving and playing a specified video segment on the display associated with the gesture in response to determining that the viewer has made the predetermined gesture. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Generation of secret keys is carried out in a smartcard for use by a receiver device's main processor, or alternatively, decryption processing for selectively encrypted content is carried out in the smartcard itself in order to thwart hacking and pirating of protected video content. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of descrambling digital multimedia content starts by sending an out-of-band request for encrypted control data to a headend. A descrambler integrated circuit may then receive digital program data in a scrambled, format and the encrypted control data. The encrypted control data may then be decrypted entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit using a multiple-step decryption process starting with a unique key permanently stored in the descrambler integrate circuit and using the partial decryption of control data from the previous decryption step to generate a key to decrypt subsequent encrypted control data. The scrambled digital program data may then be descrambled in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control data from the last decryption step. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A DRM packager has a programmed processor for receipt of licensing information including a plurality of encryption keys for a corresponding plurality of DRM encryption algorithms and for receipt of content from a content provider. An encrypter encrypts the content under each of the plurality of DRM algorithms to produce multiple DRM selectively encrypted content, where the multiple DRM selectively encrypted content has segments of the specified content that are unencrypted, and selected segments of the content which are duplicated to produce one copy of the selected content for each of the DRM algorithms with each duplicate copy of the selected segments encrypted under a different one of the DRM algorithms, and where the unencrypted segments of content are assembled together with each of the DRM encrypted duplicate selected segments to produce a single unified content assembly that can be played on any of the player devices.

Abstract: A digital television receiver device supporting two or more different conditional access systems has a content receiver that obtains an encrypted content stream and a processor. A content stream decrypter decrypts an encrypted content stream for conditional access or copy protection from at least one of the following interfaces: an interface to a CableCARD, an interface to a Common Interface Module consumer replaceable module for use with conditional access key management and content stream conditional access decryption and content stream copy protection re-encryption, and at least one of the following interfaces: an interface to a USB2 compatible consumer replaceable module, an interface to an enhanced SIM consumer replaceable card. Other variations are disclosed. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Multiple segment identifiers associated with a single item of content and substitute content associated therewith can be utilized as a mechanism to provide content substitution using multiple content formats by utilizing a segment routing state machine. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An automated method of attaching metadata to a segment of content using a programmed processor consistent with certain embodiments involves retrieving metadata relating to the segment of content; rendering the metadata as visually perceptible text in one or more frames of video; appending the one or more frames of video to the video as the first one or more frames of the video to produce metadata enhanced video; and storing or transmitting the metadata enhanced video. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprises a data storage unit and a data processing unit. The data storage unit is adapted to store a plurality of advertisements. Coupled to the data storage unit, the data processing unit is adapted to detect an operation that alters playback of an advertisement being part of downloaded digital content, and in response to detecting the operation, to select one of the stored advertisements. The selection is based on heuristic information that is maintained for each of the plurality of stored advertisements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for altering a presentation of broadcast content. More specifically, embodiments provide an accurate and efficient mechanism for suppressing advertisements by using downloaded templates to identify advertisements before suppression for a duration indicated by information downloaded about the advertisement, where the suppression is effectuated by controlling a display or set-top box using remote-control functionality. In one embodiment, a digital signal comprising broadcast content is accessed. A plurality of templates are received and stored, wherein each template represents a known portion of the broadcast content. The digital signal is then compared against a portion of the plurality of stored templates. Upon a match, a control signal operable to alter a component of a presentation of the known portion of the broadcast content is generated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of descrambling digital multimedia content starts by sending an out-of-band request for encrypted control data to a headend. A descrambler integrated circuit may then receive digital program data in a scrambled format and the encrypted control data. The encrypted control data may then be decrypted entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit using a multiple-step decryption process starting with a unique key permanently stored in the descrambler integrate circuit and using the partial decryption of control data from the previous decryption step to generate a key to decrypt subsequent encrypted control data. The scrambled digital program data may then be descrambled in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control data from the last decryption step. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of descrambling digital multimedia content starts by sending an out-of-band request for encrypted control data to a headend. A descrambler integrated circuit may then receive digital program data in a scrambled, format and the encrypted control data. The encrypted control data may then be decrypted entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit using a multiple-step decryption process starting with a unique key permanently stored in the descrambler integrate circuit and using the partial decryption of control data from the previous decryption step to generate a key to decrypt subsequent encrypted control data. The scrambled digital program data may then be descrambled in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control data from the last decryption step. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: In certain implementations consistent with the present invention, a method of detecting text in a television video display table involves saving a frame of video to a memory device; determining that the frame of video contains a table having cells containing text; storing a working copy of the frame of video to a memory; isolating text in the table by: removing any table boundaries from the image; removing any cell boundaries from the image; determining if the image has three dimensional or shadow attributes and removing any three dimensional or shadow attributes identified; thereby producing text isolated against a contrasting color background; and processing the isolated text using an optical character recognition (OCR) engine to extract the text as data. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A content downloader system including a display for displaying a user interface enabling a user to select content to be downloaded and initiate downloading; a set-top-box coupled to the display for providing the user interface and for receiving an Indication of the content to be downloaded; and a content downloader coupled to and separate from the set-top-box, the content downloader for receiving the content. The content downloader has at least one memory component for storing content, at least one input/output connection for communicating to electronic devices, optionally including a removable memory card and optionally including an encryption/decryption unit. The content downloader may have an identification whereby its identity is authenticated by the content provider.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying the player that leaked content encryption keys by loading a set of player keys into individual content players and determining the number of encryptions and the number of encryption keys to use in multiple encrypting critical content. The method produces copies of critical data content packets, each copy of which is separately encrypted using any one of a set of encryption keys that are related to one another through a mathematical algorithm. The related set of encryption keys and data describing key relationship and content player identity are transmitted to a previously determined license management agency. The transmitted encrypted content is written to a receiving device or file, or streamed to an individual player for non-synchronous playback. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying the player that leaked content encryption keys by loading a set of player keys into individual content players and determining the number of encryptions and the number of encryption keys to use in multiple encrypting critical content. The method produces copies of critical data content packets, each copy of which is separately encrypted using any one of a set of encryption keys that are related to one another through a mathematical algorithm. The related set of encryption keys and data describing key relationship and content player identity are transmitted to a previously determined license management agency. The transmitted encrypted content is written to a receiving device or file, or streamed to an individual player for non-synchronous playback. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A request to render content associated with a first super distributed content file is detected by a content rendering device. At least one portion of the content associated with the first super distributed content file is determined to be missing from the first super distributed content file. A second file including the at least one portion of the content missing from the first super distributed content file is obtained from a server. The at least one portion of the content of the second file includes partial encrypted portions of the content associated with an encryption system of the content rendering device. A content output stream including decrypted partial encrypted portions of the content of the second file and the content associated with the first super distributed content file is generated. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a device involves establishing a local connection between a local target device and a local source device; at the source device, obtaining credentials of the target device via the local connection; at the source device, sending the credentials to a cloud authentication server via a secure communication channel; at the cloud authentication server, checking the credentials of the target device against a database of known good devices; at the source device, receiving a message from the cloud authentication server via the secure communication channel, said message indicating that the target device is authenticated; and delivering content from the source device to the target device on the condition that the target device is authenticated. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a portable adapter for an electronic device charger is described. Such an adapter comprises a plug, a receptacle and a socket device wherein the adapter is configured to connect to one of a plurality of standardized connectors such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB). Herein, the socket device includes a plurality of contacts such that none of the plurality of contacts allow for the transfer of data and at least one of the first plurality of contacts is configured for a transfer of power allowing the electronic device to obtain an electrical charge while preventing the transfer of data between the electronic device and the electronic device charger.

Abstract: A number of encryption system types utilized by subscriber terminal devices currently requesting tuning to a particular switched digital video (SDV) content selection is determined in response to each change in a number of the subscriber terminals requesting tuning to the particular SDV content selection. SDV content associated with the particular SDV content selection is encrypted as either encrypted SDV content or multiply partially encrypted SDV content based upon the determined number of encryption system types beginning from a current play location indicated for the SDV content selection within an electronic program guide (EPG). Either the encrypted SDV content or the multiply partially encrypted SDV content is distributed as part of an outgoing SDV content stream to the subscriber terminals currently requesting tuning to the particular SDV content selection.

Abstract: A content downloader system including a display for displaying a user interface enabling a user to select content to be downloaded and initiate downloading; a set-top-box coupled to the display for providing the user interface and for receiving an Indication of the content to be downloaded; and a content downloader coupled to and separate from the set-top-box, the content downloader for receiving the content. The content downloader has at least one memory component for storing content, at least one input/output connection for communicating to electronic devices, optionally including a removable memory card and optionally including an encryption/decryption unit. The content downloader may have an identification whereby its identity is authenticated by the content provider.