Abstract: A system and method for scrambling and selectively descrambling television signals that are transmitted to subscribers' descramblers in a subscription television system. A working key signal is generated by processing an "initialization vector" signal in accordance with the DES algorithm upon the algorithm being keyed by either a common category key signal or some other key signal. A unique encryption keystream is generated by processing the initialization vector signal in accordance with the DES algorithm upon the algorithm being keyed by the working key signal. A television signal is scrambled in accordance with the unique encryption keystream to provide a scrambled television signal.

Abstract: In the scrambling system, an analog audio signal is converted into a digital signal to provide a sequence of digital signal samples corresponding to the analog audio signal. Each digital signal sample is compressed to provide compressed signal samples having a sign bit, three exponent bits and seven mantissa bits. Each bit of each compressed signal sample is exclusive-OR'd with a unique keystream to thereby scramble the audio signal. A Hamming code generator generates code bits for correcting singular errors in a combination of the sign bit, the exponent bits and the code bits; and a parity bit generator generates a parity bit for detecting double errors in a combination of the sign bit, the exponent bits and the code bits and for further detecting an error in the most significant mantissa bit and/or the parity bit.

Abstract: Systems for scrambling and descrambling video information lines. The scrambling system includes a memory; a storage system for sequentially storing groups of four video information lines in the memory; and a retrieval means for forming groups of four scrambled video information lines by retrieving the stored video information from the memory in a sequence different from the sequence within the stored group in which the information was stored.

Abstract: A self-shifting last-in-first-out stack for a data processing system, including a plurality of parallel linear arrays of data storage cells interconnected for enabling stored data to be shifted to or from an adjacent cell within the same array. The parallel (n)th cells from the top of the stack in the respective arrays define the (n)th word level in the stack.

Abstract: A distributed digital exchange for completing a communications link between a selected originating channel and one or more selected destination channels.