Abstract: A system and method for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed. The method includes accepting a receiver ID associated with a receiver key stored in a memory of the receiver, determining a pairing key for encrypting communications between the conditional access module and the receiver, encrypting the pairing key with the receiver key, and transmitting a message comprising the encrypted pairing key to the receiver. The apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving a data stream transmitting a media program encrypted according to a media encryption key and an encrypted media encryption key and a conditional access module, communicatively coupleable with the receiver.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for distributing digital content via a host receiver (e.g., direct-to-home satellite host receiver) are disclosed. The disclosed techniques include transmission of a host identifier and a client identifier from a host receiver and a client device to a satellite transmission station. The identifiers are used by the transmission station to lookup unique encryption keys associated with the host receiver and client device. The transmission station then transmits one or more encrypted keys to the host and/or client. In addition, the transmission station transmits encrypted content to the host. In turn, the host decrypts the content using one encryption key, re-encrypts the content using another encryption key, and passes the content along to the client device. By using the smart card, tuner, and/or storage device of the host receiver, the client device need not include a smart card, tuner, and/or storage device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securely and remotely enabling the playing of a media program encrypted by a content encryption key over the Internet is disclosed. A license encryption key and a content decryption key are separately and securely transmitted to the receiver. The license encryption key is stored in the CAM and later used to decrypt the content encryption key so that the media program may be recovered.

Abstract: A method apparatus for providing conditional access to media programs is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first conditional access module that is integral with a receiver; a second conditional access module that is removably communicatively coupleable with the receiver; and a conditional access kernel that controls the conditional access operations of the first conditional access module and the second conditional access module according to a control structure received by the receiver from a remote source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing conditional access to media programs is disclosed. An embodiment of the method comprises the steps of generating a validation message in at least one of the receiver stations, the validation message comprising an answer to a validation query; transmitting the validation message directly from the receiver to the satellite on an always-on backchannel communications link; and receiving the media programs from the satellite only if the validation message matches an expected validation message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving conditional access information (CAI) on one or more of a plurality of tuners while the user is selecting different channels is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving the CAI on a first tuner tuned to a first channel; identifying the first tuner as the tuner receiving the CAI; and commanding the second tuner to receive the CAI after receiving a command to retune the first tuner from the first channel to a second channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmission security is presented. A receiver communicatively coupleable to an identifiable conditional access module (CAM) to enable reception of the service uses an authenticator to control the operability of the receiver according to a comparison between the identified conditional access module and a list of conditional access modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving conditional access information (CAI) on one or more of a plurality of tuners receiving the CAI from a first tuner of the plurality of tuners is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining if the CAI is of a first type that is transmitted by all of a plurality of transponders or of a second type that is transmitted by fewer than all of the plurality of transponders; passing, to a conditional access module, only CAI from the first tuner and rejecting CAI from any other tuner if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by all transponders; and passing, to the conditional access module, all CAI from any of the plurality of tuners if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by fewer than all transponders.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention utilize a receiver as a terminal to enable commercial transactions to take place that may or may not be coupled with programming that is being broadcast and to provide customers with the option of having their pay-TV bills charged directly to a credit card. The pay-TV provider could allow the customer to activate their pay-TV systems, with the programming package of their choice, without having to call the pay-TV customer service. Utilizing the fact that receivers may have built in modems that are connected to phone lines, connections can be made through that phone line to initiate, transfer, and purchase services and merchandise. If the receiver can successfully establish a secure connection with the pay-TV service provider, vendor, or credit card provider and the billing information is successfully transferred, then the merchandise can be shipped or the appropriate signals can be sent to the receiver to activate the service that the customer has selected.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving access control information and the program material encrypted according to a first encryption key, the access control information including the first encryption key and control data; further encrypting the access control information and the encrypted program material according to a second encryption key; encrypting the second encryption key according to a third encryption key to produce a fourth encryption key; and storing the encrypted access control information and encrypted program material and the fourth encryption key.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving conditional access information (CAI) on one or more of a plurality of tuners receiving the CAI from a first tuner of the plurality of tuners is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining if the CAI is of a first type that is transmitted by all of a plurality of transponders or of a second type that is transmitted by fewer than all of the plurality of transponders; passing, to a conditional access module, only CAI from the first tuner and rejecting CAI from any other tuner if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by all transponders; and passing, to the conditional access module, all CAI from any of the plurality of tuners if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by fewer than all transponders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving conditional access information (CAI) on one or more of a plurality of tuners while the user is selecting different channels is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving the CAI on a first tuner tuned to a first channel; identifying the first tuner as the tuner receiving the CAI; and commanding the second tuner to receive the CAI after receiving a command to retune the first tuner from the first channel to a second channel.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed. The method includes accepting a receiver ID associated with a receiver key stored in a memory of the receiver, determining a pairing key for encrypting communications between the conditional access module and the receiver, encrypting the pairing key with the receiver key, and transmitting a message comprising the encrypted pairing key to the receiver. The apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving a data stream transmitting a media program encrypted according to a media encryption key and an encrypted media encryption key and a conditional access module, communicatively coupleable with the receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmission security is presented. A receiver communicatively coupleable to an identifiable conditional access module (CAM) to enable reception of the service uses an authenticator to control the operability of the receiver according to a comparison between the identified conditional access module and a list of conditional access modules.

Abstract: A computer based graphical user interface for facilitating the selection and display of transmitted audio, video and data includes a main menu state with a first multi-segment display having an active video/audio segment and a tuning segment. The active video segment displays a currently tuned program and the tuning segment includes an elongated graphic bar. The elongated graphic bar is dynamically sub-divided into a plurality of contiguous regions so that each of the regions uniquely corresponds to a program parsed from a multi-program data stream. The tuning segment also includes a graphic slider that overlays the graphic bar and that is movable along the length of the graphic bar so that the currently tuned program corresponds to the portion of the graphic bar underlying the current position of the graphic slider.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention utilize a receiver as a terminal to enable commercial transactions to take place that may or may not be coupled with programming that is being broadcast and to provide customers with the option of having their pay-TV bills charged directly to a credit card. The pay-TV provider could allow the customer to activate their pay-TV systems, with the programming package of their choice, without having to call the pay-TV customer service. Utilizing the fact that receivers may have built in modems that are connected to phone lines, connections can be made through that phone line to initiate, transfer, and purchase services and merchandise. If the receiver can successfully establish a secure connection with the pay-TV service provider, vendor, or credit card provider and the billing information is successfully transferred, then the merchandise can be shipped or the appropriate signals can be sent to the receiver to activate the service that the customer has selected.

Abstract: A video apparatus for receiving broadcast direct-to-home audiovisual program data is provided with a position generator disposed at a position which generates a position signal corresponding to the position, an antenna for receiving broadcast audiovisual program data, the antenna being positionable in a plurality of different orientations including an initial orientation, a decoder coupled to the antenna for decoding the program data and being adapted to be connected to e.g. a home video display for display of programming corresponding to the program data, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the antenna for automatically adjusting the initial orientation of the antenna based upon the position signal generated by the position generator. The antenna may be, for example, a satellite dish that is adapted to receive broadcast carriers from a broadcasting satellite. The adjustment mechanism may automatically orient the antenna based upon the relative qualities (e.g.