Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to activate functionality in a set-top box 500. A feature authorization message is received in a set-top box 500. The feature authorization message comprises one or more rules to be evaluated (wherein each of the rules comprises one or more tests for a status of one or more conditional access module 502 attributes), one or more event requirements for rule evaluation, and one or more features that are dependent by the rule evaluation result (wherein each of the one or more features represents a set of one or more abilities of hardware and/or software of the set-top box 500). When one or more of the event requirements have been met, the one or more rules are evaluated to obtain a result. The ability to use the one or more features are then set based on the result.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to activate functionality in a set-top box. A feature authorization message is received in a set-top box. The feature authorization message comprises one or more rules to be evaluated (wherein each of the rules comprises one or more tests for a status of one or more conditional access module attributes), one or more event requirements for rule evaluation, and one or more features that are dependent by the rule evaluation result (wherein each of the one or more features represents a set of one or more abilities of hardware and/or software of the set-top box). When one or more of the event requirements have been met, the one or more rules are evaluated to obtain a result. The ability to use the one or more features are then set based on the result.

Abstract: A communication system 10 includes a head end 12. The head end communicates with a system gateway 26. A plurality of user devices 28 is coupled to the gateway 26. The gateway receives the plurality of first encrypted signals, decrypts the plurality of first encrypted signals to form unencrypted signals and encrypts the unencrypted signals with a second encryption to form a plurality of second encrypted signals and communicates the second encrypted signals to the plurality of user devices. The signals may also be super-encrypted signals. That is, rather than un-encrypting at the gateway, the first encrypted signals may be again encrypted.

Abstract: A communication system 10 including a host device 14 in communication with an external device 40 through a pair of interfaces 48/50. The external device has an application code image module 42 therein. The host device 14 includes an application execution area 66 and a resource application programming interface (API) 60. The host device 14 stores the application code image in the application execution area 66. The application code image controls a function in the host device 14 using the resource application interface. When the function is performed, the application code image may be removed from the host device 14.

Abstract: A system and method for providing callbacks includes a content processing system or head end and a user device generating a callback signal and communicating the callback signal to a head end or content processing system using an Internet protocol.

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. In summary, the present invention describes a system and method for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay. The method comprises the steps of accepting encrypted access control information and the program material encrypted according to a first encryption key, the access control information including a first encryption key and control data; decrypting the received access control information to produce the first encryption key; decrypting the program material using the first encryption key; re-encrypting the program material using according to a second encryption key; encrypting the second encryption key according to a third encryption key to produce a fourth encryption key; and providing the re-encrypted program material and a fourth encryption key for storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed. In summary, the present invention describes a system and method for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay. The method comprises the steps of accepting encrypted access control information and the program material encrypted according to a first encryption key, the access control information including a first encryption key and control data; decrypting the received access control information to produce the first encryption key; decrypting the program material using the first encryption key; re-encrypting the program material using according to a second encryption key; encrypting the second encryption key according to a third encryption key to produce a fourth encryption key; and providing the re-encrypted program material and a fourth encryption key for storage.

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: A processor includes non-volatile memory into which streamed application components may be pre-fetched from a slower storage medium in order to decrease stall times during execution of the application. Alternatively, the application components pre-fetched into the non-volatile memory may be from a traditionally-loaded application rather than a streamed application. The order in which components of the application are prefetched into the non-volatile memory may be based on load order hints. For at least one embodiment, the load order hints are derived from sever-side load ordering logic. For at least one other embodiment, the load order hints are provided by the application itself via a mechanism such as an application programming interface. For at least one other embodiment, the load order hints are generated by the client using profile data. Or, a combination of such approaches may be used. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

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: Broadcast systems for selectively delivering satellite video signals. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises an antenna for receiving the satellite video signals, a plurality of amplifiers, coupled to the antenna, each amplifier receiving and amplifying specific satellite video signals based on an originating satellite for each of the satellite video signals, a multiswitch, having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein at least some of the inputs are coupled to the plurality of amplifiers in a respective fashion, an interface, coupled to the multiswitch, and at least one receiver, coupled to the interface, each receiver being coupled to the interface on a common connection to the interface, wherein each receiver requests a specific satellite video signal by sending a shift-keyed signal to the interface.

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: In a data communication system such as a high capacity DBS system, dynamic mapping of broadcast resources is provided to exploit occasional redundancy in the program content of two or more input data streams, freeing at least one broadcast resource to carry alternate bitstreams, such as additional programs or existing programs at higher quality. Transmission maps defining the correspondence between input data streams and broadcast resources, and reception maps defining the correspondence between broadcast resources and output data streams, are updated as needed to dynamically modify broadcast resource mapping to increase effective utilization of available bandwidth. Beneficial n:n?y:m mapping in a high capacity consumer DBS entertainment system is provided. Apparatus and methods for efficiently generating, maintaining and updating allocation maps with reduced overhead requirements, are disclosed.

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 direct broadcast system having a high altitude communication device that transmits broadcast signals, which are received by an antenna, is provided. The system includes an outdoor unit (ODU) electrically coupled to the antenna. The ODU includes a low noise block converter (LNB) that receives and amplifies the broadcast signals. An ODU receiver is electrically coupled to the ODU and selects a desired frequency of the broadcast signals. Integrated receiver and decoders (IRD(s) are electrically coupled to the ODU receiver via a single distribution cable. The IRD(s) convert the broadcast signals into IRD output signals. Methods of performing the same are also provided, herein, including a transport select method and a service select method for receiving the broadcast signals. A direct broadcast system installation method and wireless communication between the ODU and the IRD(s) are also provided.

Abstract: In a data communication system such as a high capacity DBS system, dynamic mapping of broadcast resources is provided to exploit occasional redundancy in the program content of two or more input data streams, freeing at least one broadcast resource to carry alternate bitstreams, such as additional programs or existing programs at higher quality. Transmission maps defining the correspondence between input data streams and broadcast resources, and reception maps defining the correspondence between broadcast resources and output data streams, are updated as needed to dynamically modify broadcast resource mapping to increase effective utilization of available bandwidth. Beneficial n:n-y:m mapping in a high capacity consumer DBS entertainment system is provided. Apparatus and methods for efficiently generating, maintaining and updating allocation maps with reduced overhead requirements, are disclosed.

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: In a data communication system such as a high capacity DBS system, dynamic mapping of broadcast resources is provided to exploit occasional redundancy in the program content of two or more input data streams, freeing at least one broadcast resource to carry alternate bitstreams, such as additional programs or existing programs at higher quality. Transmission maps defining the correspondence between input data streams and broadcast resources, and reception maps defining the correspondence between broadcast resources and output data streams, are updated as needed to dynamically modify broadcast resource mapping to increase effective utilization of available bandwidth. Beneficial n:n-y:m mapping in a high capacity consumer DBS entertainment system is provided. Apparatus and methods for efficiently generating, maintaining and updating allocation maps with reduced overhead requirements, are disclosed.