Abstract: A system and method for processing user programming request are described. A request entered by a user is detected. An entry for a time period based user spending limit is provided, in respond to the entered user request. The time period based user spending limit entry is received by the system and system tracks the user spending during the time period. In another embodiment, more than one spending limit, corresponding to different time periods, may be entered.

Abstract: A system for delivering digital content to user devices. The system includes a content delivery server for establishing respective sessions with the user devices and for delivering streams of content to the user devices during the sessions according to a streaming protocol. An asset server is communicatively coupled to the content delivery server through an asset protocol for maintaining an asset scheduling table including asset entries, each asset entry including an asset identifier identifying a given asset in association with a starting time parameter, user identifiers identifying at least one target user device, and a set of session identifiers each identifying a session established with a target user device identified by the user identifiers.

Abstract: An approach is provided for enabling direct user interaction with specific items of content as presented by a content delivery system. Content is presented via a set-top box concurrently with a widget, indicating one or more items specified in content. User input relating to selection of one of the items is received. An interactive platform, in response to the input, generates a request specifying the selected item for purchase.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with provisioning an internet protocol (IP) multimedia core network subsystem (IMS) are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes logic for provisioning an IMS charging database with charging data and logic for provisioning an IMS user database with user data. The exemplary system embodiment may also include logic for provisioning an IMS call session control function (CSCF) logic with data that relates a user to charging information based, at least in part, on a charging class of service (COS) identifier.

Abstract: A user's set top box (STB), or other client, executes a shell and has an application program interface (API) by which certain features of the client can be controlled. The client is in communication with a walled garden proxy server (WGPS), which controls access to a walled garden. The walled garden contains links to one or more servers providing network-based services. The client sends a request to the WGPS to access a service provided by a site in the garden. To provide the service, the site sends the client a message containing code calling a function in the API. The WGPS traps the message from the site and looks up the site in a table to determine the access control list (ACL) for the site. The ACL is a bit-map that specifies which functions of the client's API can be invoked by code from the site. The WGPS includes the ACL in the header of the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) message to the client. The shell receives the message and extracts the ACL.

Abstract: A communication apparatus, a communication system, and a method of same enabling control of a mode of output of additional information such as advertisements on a user side. A program signal and an additional signal are separated from a broadcast signal received by a receiver by a filter. The program signal is stored in a program signal use memory, while the additional signal is stored in an additional signal use memory. When there is an instruction by the user for output of the additional information, a display signal is generated by using the program signal and the additional signal read from the memories, while only the program signal is read from the memory for generation of the display signal in other cases.

Abstract: A method includes receiving purchase data at one or more computing devices associated with a media service provider. The purchase data includes information descriptive of a particular purchase made by a subscriber of the media service provider from a seller, where the seller is independent from the media service provider. The method also includes selecting media content available from the media service provider based on the purchase data. At least a portion of the selected media content is sent to a device associated with the subscriber.

Abstract: A method includes, providing a television, a reading device, an input device, and a printer. The reading device is connected to receive a digital signal transmitted by a television signal provider. The reading device is connected to provide a first output signal to the television and a second output signal to the printer under control of the input device. The method includes receiving a digital signal with the reading device wherein the digital signal is transmitted by the television signal provider. It also includes sending the first output signal from the reading device to the television for display to a viewer. If the viewer uses the input device to choose to print, it also includes printing information provided in the second output signal.

Abstract: A call-ordering system and method enables convenient ordering in a call center transaction from a mobile phone. User profiles with identification data and a mobile phone number are matched to advertiser offers. Text messages are sent to the mobile phone numbers for matched users with a direct inward dialed (DID) number for response. Upon receiving an incoming call to the DID number from a responding user, an OfferRouter uses the caller and DID numbers to retrieve identification data for the user and offer data for the advertiser offer. The incoming call is then routed to a call center associated with the advertiser offer and the retrieved data are pushed to the call center's terminal system for pre-filling a transaction record for the offered item.

Abstract: A method is provided of using a telephone device to view full content on a nearby display screen which is not physically connected to the telephone device. The telephone device includes a display screen, a button which facilitates communication of the full content between the telephone device and a local control device connected to the nearby display screen, and a wireless transmitter. The full content is stored in the telephone device. Only a portion of the full content is displayed on the display screen of the telephone device. The full content is communicated from the telephone device to the local control device via a signal sent by the wireless transmitter upon selection of the button. The local control device receives the signal and provides the full content to the nearby display screen for display thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a target image detecting apparatus and a method thereof. According to the present invention, the target video detecting apparatus calculates a video index for each frame of an input broadcasting signal, and compares a video index of an advertisement signal to be detected with the calculated video index of each frame of the broadcasting signal. In addition, the target video detecting apparatus detects a predetermined sequence of frames having video indexes that match a sequence of video indexes of the advertisement signal from the broadcasting signal. In addition, the target video detecting apparatus compares video indexes from a start frame of the detected plurality of frames and the corresponding frame of the advertisement signal in order to detect an advertisement signal from the broadcasting signal.

Abstract: [PROBLEM] To provide an information recording/reproducing apparatus, an information recording/reproducing method, an information recording/reproducing program and a record medium, secure contents are reproduced with a mobile device so that a check-out can be made on memory card of a small capacity thereby to prevent an authorized copy of the secure contents. [SOLVING MEANS] The information recording/reproducing apparatus creates a title key, encrypts the contents in accordance with a title key; stores the encrypted contents, stores navigation information on the reproduction of the contents containing the title key, encrypts the title key in accordance with the medium ID of an external medium, outputs the encrypted title key and an externally connecting method to the external medium, and transmits the encrypted contents stored, to the outside in case a request for the contents is received from the outside.

Abstract: A system and method for billing for interactive television (ITV) includes recording the content accessed by a consumer and the time of access to render an access record. The access record for each interaction with the ITV is stored in a consumer database. When it is time to bill the consumer for a period of usage of the ITV system, the access record for each interaction with the ITV system is retrieved from the consumer database. Access records which do not contain billable content are discarded and a billing list of access records that contain billable content is constructed. Accordingly, each consumer is billed based on his or her respective billing list.

Abstract: A system for communicating multimedia information in a communication network includes at least a first communication device deployed in a first geographic location and coupled to the communication network, and a card carrying information related to one or more user-defined selections of information content. When the card is communicatively coupled to the first communication device, the card allows the first communication device to access at least a first portion of the one or more user-defined selections of information content. The first portion is located at a second communication device deployed at the first geographic location. The card also allows the first communication device to access at least a second portion of the one or more user-defined selections of information content. The second portion is located at a third communications device deployed at a second geographic location and coupled to the communication network.

Abstract: The invention shows a method for connecting and sharing content over a plurality of devices, and over a plurality of networks public and private while respecting the content's Digital Rights by implementing a software layer (software alternately integrated into hardware component) that will assign a mac address and an ip address to each device and peripherals and where content can be assign to specific devices inside a network, and can be accessed directly, shared remotely, wireless, or physically connected. The software layer also integrates drivers, players, codec's that can be updated dynamically in order to keep them updated. This software layer can also “virtualizes” peripherals, devices or group of peripherals and devices into single addressable group of components that will act like one.

Abstract: A system and method for purchasing broadcast audio and/or video (audio/video) works. According to one embodiment, the system includes a data stream processor that receives a broadcast audio/video data stream and produces from the broadcast audio/video data stream a first audio/video output data stream and a second audio/video output data id stream, wherein the broadcast audio/video data stream contains information corresponding to an audio/video work and the first audio/video output stream is in a format that can be recognized and processed by conventional audio/video reproducing equipment; a storage device that stores data included in the second audio/video output data stream, wherein the data corresponds to the audio/video work; and a user interface that enables a user of the system to input to the system an indication that the user desires to purchase the audio/video work.

Abstract: An alternative system and method for charging to provide audio visual services typically made available by providers, namely DVR services, rDVR services, on-demand services, broadcast and switch video television services, and pay-per-view services, for example. A customer/user may be enabled to access certain services from a provider in exchange for viewing one or more commercials, advertisements, overlays, watermarks, logos, or the like, preferably in real time, before, during, or following viewing an audio visual work provided in accordance with the services.

Abstract: Prior to the execution of a program contained in a second chip card inserted in a terminal such as a mobile radio telephone terminal, in addition to a first chip card containing data and connected to a telecommunication network to which the terminal is linked, one of the cards is authenticated by the other, or the two cards are authenticated mutually. This double authentication ensures the authenticity of the program for its overall execution in the terminal and the origin of the second card, distributed through conventional channels, for the network operator.

Abstract: A controller receives an encrypted media stream (“EMS”) and an identifier indicative of a selected content key from a headend. The EMS is encrypted with an encryption key and can be decrypted with a corresponding decryption key which is determinable from the selected content key. The controller receives indexes and content keys from the headend prior to receiving the EMS. Each index respectively corresponds to an identifier with one index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key. The content keys correspond to the indexes with one content key corresponding to the index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key. The controller selects the index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key upon receiving the EMS, determines the selected content key from the selected index, determines the decryption key from the selected content key, and decrypts the EMS with the decryption key.

Abstract: Techniques for fragmenting a file or a collection of media data are disclosed. According one aspect of the techniques, a file pertaining to a title is fragmented into a header and several tails or segments. The header is a continuous portion of the file while the segments are respective parts of the remaining portion of the file. The header is seeded substantially in all boxes, and none, one or more of the segments are distributed in each of the boxes in service. When a title is ordered, the header is instantly played back while the segments, if not locally available, are continuously fetched respectively from other boxes that have the segments.

Abstract: To further correctly obtain related information about contents being received from a server. A communication apparatus 1 successively transmits request information that requests related information about contents being received via a network 30, at specified intervals (S1), receives related information corresponding to that request information (S2), temporarily stores (S3), displays it (S4), and performs contents updating processing. Here, if a direction to store the related information about the contents is entered, the communication apparatus 1 requests again request information for related information about contents, separately from the contents updating processing (S10). Then, the communication apparatus 1 receives related information corresponding to that request information (S11), and stores it (S13). This enables the latest related information to be further correctly obtained out of related information concerning contents, and obtaining related information before updating is reduced.

Abstract: A user's set top box (STB), or other client, executes a shell and has an application program interface (API) by which certain features of the client can be controlled. The client is in communication with a walled garden proxy server (WGPS), which controls access to a walled garden. The walled garden contains links to one or more servers providing network-based services. The client sends a request to the WGPS to access a service provided by a site in the garden. To provide the service, the site sends the client a message containing code calling a function in the API. The WGPS traps the message from the site and looks up the site in a table to determine the access control list (ACL) for the site. The ACL is a bit-map that specifies which functions of the client's API can be invoked by code from the site. The WGPS includes the ACL in the header of the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) message to the client. The shell receives the message and extracts the ACL.

Abstract: The present invention provides rich media presentations to a requesting device when required. Attributes of the requesting device are determined and used to create optimized code for the requesting device. The attributes may include information relating to the operating system of the requesting device; a media player; a bandwidth parameter; presence or absence of a firewall, permissions related to the requesting device, and the like. A virtual player is created that includes code to play media files. A presentation package is created that sets the presentation attributes for the multimedia experience. A media package is created that instructs the virtual player what multimedia content to play.

Abstract: A billing system comprising servers, routers, and processors programmed to provide reservation based prepaid billing is disclosed. The billing system is also programmed to concurrently process multiple billing events on a single, prepaid subscriber account.

Abstract: Provided is an access mediator system for mediating convergence services of communication and broadcasting using a non-communicative appliance. The access mediator system includes: a non-communicative appliance access interface unit performing an interface function so as to converge a non-communicative appliance comprising an interface supporting image and voice multimedia data but not including a communication function; a broadband convergence network access interface unit performing an interface function so as to access a broadband convergence network connected to various service provider servers via wire and wireless interfaces; and a main processor accessing a selected service provider server via the broadband convergence network access interface unit to mediate the selected service provider server and the non-communicative appliance.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable receiver devices to receive electronic coupons from mobile TV broadcast service providers. Coupon templates may be broadcasted to mobile devices. Coupon templates may be used to communicate with coupon managers to receive digitally signed coupons. Coupon managers may use received data to create digitally signed coupons for delivery to receiver devices via a unicast networks. Digitally signed coupons may also be broadcasted to receiver devices. A receiver device may verify received electronic coupons using the digital signature to identify those coupons intended for them. The electronic coupons may be redeemed at a point of sale. Merchants may locally verify coupons using their digital signature. Coupon digital signatures may be generated using a chain of X.509 certificates leading to a root X.509 coupon-signing authority to enable recipients to confirm that coupons originated from a trustworthy entity.

Abstract: If a plurality of menu items in a menu includes a particular menu item that leads to a content item that is to be promoted when displaying the menu, a promotion for the content item is displayed beside the menu items. An up command is provided to move a cursor position upward by one menu item in the menu. A down command is provided to move the cursor position downward by one menu item in the menu. A right command is provided to move the cursor position to the particular menu item from any other one of the menu items. When the cursor position is at the particular menu item, both the particular menu item and the promotion are displayed with a cursor-position-indicating visual characteristic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for real-time in-line encryption of data transmitted over a serial channel from a source device to a target device. An encryption unit includes logic configured to receive data packets including headers with control information and data on the channel, which may be a fiber channel bus, serial ATA, serial SCSI, USB or the like. The encryption unit encrypts the data and passes the control information to the target device along with the encrypted data. The encryption unit may filter, convert or reject predetermined commands or types of information in the header to prevent covert channel transmissions. There may be one or multiple source devices, e.g. host computers, and one or multiple target devices, e.g. storage systems, configured in a variety of network topologies. The encryption unit also decrypts data and remaps control information transmitted from the target device(s) to the source device(s).

Abstract: A method for validating access to a product by a security module associated with a user unit unidirectionally connected to a managing center MC transmitting management messages being generated following the receipt of a request for an access right to the product, said method comprises the steps of purchasing a product, determining a code representing the product, displaying said code on a display device, transmitting to the MC, a request comprising said code and an security module identifier, transmitting a right confirmation message addressed to the user unit associated with said security module, wherein, at purchasing of the product, a temporary right is registered in the security module, said temporary right being replaced by a definitive right by the right confirmation message received from the MC, said definitive right authorizing the access to the purchased product by debiting the value amount associated with said product.

Abstract: To further correctly obtain related information about contents being received from a server. A communication apparatus 1 successively transmits request information that requests related information about contents being received via a network 30, at specified intervals (S1), receives related information corresponding to that request information (S2), temporarily stores (S3), displays it (S4), and performs contents updating processing. Here, if a direction to store the related information about the contents is entered, the communication apparatus 1 requests again request information for related information about contents, separately from the contents updating processing (S10). Then, the communication apparatus 1 receives related information corresponding to that request information (S11), and stores it (S13). This enables the latest related information to be further correctly obtained out of related information concerning contents, and obtaining related information before updating is reduced.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect is advanced multimedia communications via OCAP using customer specific profiles resident in the STB for bill management. Aspects of the invention also relate to managing payment preferences, auto payment of bills or invoices, managing bill notification preferences, triggering a notification to be sent to one or more of an associated device and the STB upon receipt of a bill, analyzing an incoming bill with an intelligent agent and optionally initiating a communication to the vendor associated with a bill based on the analysis, acquiring additional information about the bill including an image of the bill and/or additional details, and forwarding invoice information to a destination associated with the STB.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable receiving on mobile devices credits, tokens or coupons from mobile TV broadcast service providers. Credits may be delivered via direct unicast messages such as SMS or e-mail, or via broadcast provisioning messages. Subscription response messages may be used to deliver credits to mobile devises which transmit a request for service. Broadcast service providers may push credits to mobile devices by transmitting a solicited pull message or a credit grant push message. Credits may be sent to mobile devices within a credit response message or a long term decryption key message. Credits may be used a purchase transaction, with the broadcast service provider controlling redemption of credits by sending an a long term decryption key message via a unicast network or a short term decryption key message via the broadcast network to cause mobile devices to decrement their stored credits.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for delivering purchase information comprising storing purchase information for a purchase of a user in a set top box. The set top box (STB) is configured to receive and display the broadcast signals through a tuner onto a display device. The STB establishes a connection to the Internet through a user initiated action (e.g., when the user accesses the Internet using the STB). A new transmission control/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) connection is obtained using the established user-initiated Internet connection without the user requesting the connection. A secure electronic connection is established with a server through the new TCP/IP connection. The purchase information is then transmitted from the STB through the secure electronic connection to the server.

Abstract: A digital broadcast system which, during the control of caching tables multiplexed into a transport stream, optimally updates the caching without wasting filter resources on changes such as updates to a higher version, addition, or disappearance of the tables. A digital broadcast apparatus broadcasts a transport stream into which an available table information table (ATT) is multiplexed. The ATT monitoring unit in the receiving apparatus regularly monitors an update in the ATT and generates an available table information list every time the ATT has been updated to a higher version. The cache controlling unit compares the available table information list with a cache information list, assigns a filter resource and updates the cache of the table when there is a table updated to a higher version or added, and clears the cache of the table when there is a table that has disappeared.

Abstract: A clock object is provides, which includes a clock time and a monotonic time that are readable by the electronic device. The monotonic time is incremented every read of the monotonic time from the clock object. The clock object can also include an indication of a level of trust of the clock time.

Abstract: A method/system for accounting for viewing/recording of programs via a client device may include: generating an account associated with a client device, the account including a balance; monitoring viewing/recording of programs via the client device; and deducting from the balance based on the viewing/recording of programs via the client device. A method/system for providing viewing/recording of programs via a client device may include: receiving a request to view/record a program via a client device; evaluating the request in view of an account associated with the client device; and allowing the program to be viewed/recorded via the client device based on the evaluation. A method of generating such an account may include: receiving a user request for an account associated with a client device; and setting an initial balance of the account based on the user request, the initial balance including an amount of viewing/recording of programs via the client device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a management method for conditional access data processing by at least three decoders associated to a subscriber. These decoders include activation/deactivation means for conditional access data processing and local communication means structured to allow communication between the subscribers' decoders. This method comprises a reception step, a determination step, and a comparison step. In addition conditional access data processing by said first decoder (STB) is deactivated if the latter has not received messages from the required number of different decoders. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a decoder that allows the implementation of the method according to the invention and characterized in that it includes local communication means (10) structured to transmit messages to other decoders and to receive messages originating from said other decoders, and processing means for messages received by said local communication means (10).

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to propose a method to prevent that the decryption of a keys file of a group of data stored in a storing unit (DB) of a decoder (STB), the latter comprising a security module (SM), allows many bad intentioned users to benefit illegally from this product. This method consists in extracting from an encrypted data flux the data to send towards the storing unit (DB) and to re-encrypt the data before transferring them to the storing unit (DB) by at least one specific key (K1, K2).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for decrypting a selected program. The system and method can receive at least one authorization message and at least one control message associated with a selected program. The system and method stores the at least one authorization message. The system and method transmits a first control signal if the at least one control message specifies a type of program that can be decrypted given the at least one authorization message and transmits a second control signal if the at least one control message specifies a type of program that can not be decrypted by the decryption device given the at least one authorization message.

Abstract: A system such as an Internet Juke Box, Kiosk, or Set Top Box connected to the network which is database driven and tied to an on line internet site where local artist and musicians can create a profile which will allow them to upload their media, being images, music and videos, and later go to an establishment that has this system and play it. The system will have the ability to expose local musicians to the masses and earn them money.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing packaged programming for use on electronic media players. In particular the present invention relates to providing entertainment programming packaged together with advertising, in downloadable form, for use on electronic media players. The service may be supported by subscription fees, by advertising fees, are a combination thereof. The service provider, in turn, uses a portion of the moneys generated for operating expenses and profit, as well as to pay pre-negotiated royalty fees to the copyright owners of the aforementioned programming.

Abstract: A user's set top box (STB), or other client, executes a shell and has an application program interface (API) by which certain features of the client can be controlled. The client is in communication with a walled garden proxy server (WGPS), which controls access to a walled garden. The walled garden contains links to one or more servers providing network-based services. The client sends a request to the WGPS to access a service provided by a site in the garden. To provide the service, the site sends the client a message containing code calling a function in the API. The WGPS traps the message from the site and looks up the site in a table to determine the access control list (ACL) for the site. The ACL is a bit-map that specifies which functions of the client's API can be invoked by code from the site. The WGPS includes the ACL in the header of the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) message to the client. The shell receives the message and extracts the ACL.

Abstract: A method of creating new content based on previously experienced content and content ratings, in which content attributes are obtained and analyzed against set-top box events collected as the content is experienced. Analysis includes determining effects of various content attributes on content ratings, content attribute order on content ratings, and determining a preferred content attribute set and content attribute presentation order. Also taught is a system and method of predicting future events given a proposed dataset, in which past events are monitored and correlated with a proposed dataset sharing at least one attribute with, and having a substantially similar structure to, the past events, and the results of the correlation are reported as a prediction of future events.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for updating security configurations of a plurality of servers from a centralized directory server. The system includes a centralized directory server and a plurality of servers that provide resources and store files for use by users of the system. Each file/resource associated with the servers includes a security parameter list identifying authorized users of the file/resource. The security parameter lists are updated from the centralized directory server by first inputting changes to the system security configuration in the directory server and then downloading these changes to the plurality of servers. The changes are used by the plurality of servers to update the security parameter lists associated with the files/resources of the server.

Abstract: A billing system comprising servers, routers, and processors programmed to provide reservation based prepaid billing is disclosed. The billing system is also programmed to concurrently process multiple billing events on a single, prepaid subscriber account.

Abstract: A TV music broadcasting program is distributed from a distribution apparatus through a ground station and a satellite, and a musical-piece program is also distributed through a plurality of audio channels. A subscriber looks for the desired musical piece from a musical-piece list displayed on the screen of a TV receiver and downloads it into a storage device. A pay-per-view method is employed in which accounting is performed in units of musical pieces. At downloading, a purchase record is stored in an IC card placed in a receiving apparatus and it is periodically sent to a customer management center. The customer management center calculates the viewing fee and issues a bill to the subscriber. A copyright management apparatus in the distribution apparatus obtains the purchase record of a musical piece from the customer management center to calculate a copyright fee to be paid to the copyright holder.

Abstract: A set top box (STB) includes a trusted transactional cache and associated transactional protocol and enables e-commerce transactions to be securely committed to a remote server extremely quickly and with little network overhead. The invention does away with the user concern of whether the transaction was successful. The STB operates equally well on robust private networks as on unpredictable Internet or wireless networks, and avoids upsetting users who would otherwise have to wait in front of a display screen for confirmation of completion of the transaction after a temporary communication failure with the central site. The method may advantageously be used to provide cost-effective micro-payments solutions. The STB may include a dual headed display capability in which data and video maybe be directed to separate displays. The STB may feature an embedded ticket printer, as well as an embedded barcode scanner.

Abstract: To compensate a failure in downloading of music piece data. For example, when a viewer instructs purchase of a music pieceC to an IRD at a timing t0 during the sixth transmission of music piece data, the music piece data to be transmitted for the seventh time immediately after the instruction is usually downloaded. When the downloading of the music piece data transmitted for the seventh time fails for some reason, downloading is re-executed on music piece data to be transmitted for the eighth time. The music piece data for the final transmission time in each of musical pieces is used for re-execution. Timing at which downloading of the music piece data transmitted for the time immediately preceding the final time can be instructed is set as purchase limit time by using elapsed time since program start time.

Abstract: A TV music broadcasting program is distributed from a distribution apparatus through a ground station and a satellite, and a musical-piece program is also distributed through a plurality of audio channels. A subscriber looks for the desired musical piece from a musical-piece list displayed on the screen of a TV receiver and downloads it into a storage device. A pay-per-view method is employed in which accounting is performed in units of musical pieces. At downloading, a purchase record is stored in an IC card placed in a receiving apparatus and it is periodically sent to a customer management center. The customer management center calculates the viewing fee and issues a bill to the subscriber. A copyright management apparatus in the distribution apparatus obtains the purchase record of a musical piece from the customer management center to calculate a copyright fee to be paid to the copyright holder.

Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to propose a method that allows the reduction of the bandwidth needs in a structure that implements an operating center and a plurality of user units, ensuring the availability for the final user, of a product amongst a vast choice and being able to be downloaded by said user in a short period of time. This aim is achieved by a system that implements at least one operating center that has a great number of products, a plurality of user units comprising security and storage means, characterized in that the link between at least one group of user units is of the bidirectional type and that the operating center comprises means for the transfer of a product that is stored in the storage means of a user unit to another user unit.