Abstract: The present invention concerns a system (10) and a process for authenticating a PIN code of a user in an interactive information system in order to run an application. It comprises input means (15) for PIN code entry, security manager means (13) for comparing the PIN code of the user upon a request for user authentication from the application, with a registered PIN code, and giving authorization to run said application if the PIN code of the user matches with the registered PIN code, and display means (17) for displaying any graphics including a PIN entry field. The request for user authentication is provided on the display means via the PIN entry field with the look and feel of said application. The system further comprises emitting means for entering crypted digits, the security manager means (13) being arranged to give authorisation to run the application after full entry of said crypted digits and if the PIN code of the user is identical to the registered PIN code.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A common communication language that can address all the applications running in a multitude of set top boxes (STBs) or client devices and application servers. The present invention, DATP protocol encapsulates a Meta language that provides a generic portable communication application programmer interface that requires light processor utilization and is well suited for a typical STB possessing limited processing power. DATP requires relatively few processing cycles compared to typical Internet communication protocols. DATP reduces the overhead of the communication protocol handler at the STB and makes the communication protocol handler common for all STBs applications. The preferred DATP protocol is portable for all STBs since it is written in a native language that interfaces with the underlying operating system of the STB. A SGW (SGW) performs as a DATP server. The SGW translates between DATP messages and standard communication protocols.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a variable compression factor to an incoming video stream in an STB. An increased amount of video may be stored within a PVR or disk on a STB by reducing the data storage requirements of incoming video based on available storage space and the type and size of the incoming video bit stream. Included are real time compression, or reduction in storage space requirements, by various data reduction methodologies including removing bits from the incoming video stream to reduce the amount of storage required to store the video stream. A background data reduction or compression technique is also provided wherein the incoming video stream is stored and data is reduced or further compressed at a later time to reduce data storage requirements.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for selecting and conveying ads in an interactive television system. An ad stream is conveyed concurrently with a broadcast programming stream in an interactive television system. The ad stream includes multiple streams of ads wherein each stream of ads includes multiple ads. An ad selector mechanism detects programming and ad requests. Requests may be indicated by a viewer, a received cue, or by an interactive application. Based on programming and ad selection data, a viewer profile is created which may be used to select targeted ads for display. In response to a detected request, the ad selector mechanism searches the ad stream for an ad to meet the request. An ad is selected according to a viewer profile or a particular viewer action. The selected ad may be used to meet the request by filling an unused avail or by providing further information to a viewer. A particular ad may appear in more than one of the multiple streams and at different start times.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for managing the presentation and regulation of E-Commerce, content and service providers access in an interactive television environment comprising interactions between a server, a client, and a service provider. Components are provided for managing and completing a purchase or delivery of an item offered by a service provider. A purchase transaction uses client information comprising partial client information from the client and a list of purchased items. Upon receiving partial information from the client, the server retrieves corresponding additional related information within its database and transmits this retrieved data from the server, along with the list of purchased items to complete the transaction. Business Agents are provided for logging the transaction, creating an electronic receipt, logging patches, logging error events, and viewer logging.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A common communication language that can address all the applications running in a multitude of set top boxes (STBs) or client devices and application servers. The present invention, DATP protocol encapsulates a Meta language that provides a generic portable communication application programmer interface that requires light processor utilization and is well suited for a typical STB possessing limited processing power. DATP requires relatively few processing cycles compared to typical Internet communication protocols. DATP reduces the overhead of the communication protocol handler at the STB and makes the communication protocol handler common for all STBs applications. The preferred DATP protocol is portable for all STBs since it is written in a native language that interfaces with the underlying operating system of the STB. A SGW (SGW) performs as a DATP server. The SGW translates between DATP messages and standard communication protocols.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for managing data in a distributed computing system. A television system is configured to convey audio/video/interactive data to receiving devices. Data conveyed to the receiving devices are structured as modules, with a main directory module indicating those modules which make up, or are used by, a particular application. Changes to data being conveyed to receiving devices are initially indicated by conveying delta directory modules to the receiving devices which identify updates to a corresponding main directory module. Changes indicated by a delta directory module are applied to the corresponding main directory module, which in turn may effect changes in the data used by the application. Delta directories may generally only include sufficient information to identify the changes and may be smaller than the corresponding main directory.

Abstract: A common communication language that can address all the applications running in a multitude of set top boxes (STBs) or client devices and application servers. The present invention, DATP protocol encapsulates a Meta language that provides a generic portable communication application programmer interface that requires light processor utilization and is well suited for a typical STB possessing limited processing power. DATP requires relatively few processing cycles compared to typical Internet communication protocols. DATP reduces the overhead of the communication protocol handler at the STB and makes the communication protocol handler common for all STBs applications. The preferred DATP protocol is portable for all STBs since it is written in a native language that interfaces with the underlying operating system of the STB. A SGW (SGW) performs as a DATP server. The SGW translates between DATP messages and standard communication protocols.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A method for playing back a program which includes one or more interactive applications. A program which is stored, either in the form of a data stream or as a set of files is played back from a storage device. When playback is started, applications which are detected are launched. Applications are detected in the playback of pushed content when they become available in the playback stream. Applications are detected in the playback of pulled content by comparing the validity ranges of the applications to a current playback index. When special playback modes are used, signals which affect the lifecycle of an application are detected and corresponding signals are generated to maintain the proper state of the application. During these special playback modes, these various notification signals may be conveyed to applications which are configured to operate during these modes.

Abstract: A method for playing back a program which includes one or more interactive applications. A program which is stored, either in the form of a data stream or as a set of files is played back from a storage device. When playback is started, applications which are detected are launched. Applications are detected in the playback of pushed content when they become available in the playback stream. Applications are detected in the playback of pulled content by comparing the validity ranges of the applications to a current playback index. When special playback modes are used, signals which affect the lifecycle of an application are detected and corresponding signals are generated to maintain the proper state of the application. During these special playback modes, these various notification signals may be conveyed to applications which are configured to operate during these modes.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an on-demand interactive magazine are disclosed. A method for processing a magazine generally comprises receiving a magazine and data associated with the magazine, receiving at least one broadcast, storing portions of the broadcasts, based on the data, and presenting the magazine to a user. In another embodiment, the method includes receiving broadcasts from a plurality of channels, and tuning to the channel on which a broadcast is to be received. The method also includes providing at least one hyperlink for selecting a stored broadcast portion. A system for providing an on-demand interactive magazine comprises a receiver operable to receive a magazine and data associated with the magazine, a receiver operable to receive at least one broadcast, a storage device, and a processor configured to use the data to store portions of the broadcasts and present the magazine to a viewer.

Abstract: In an interactive television system, an interactive television receiver can receives a carousel over a broadcast path. The broadcast server may run a carousel manager, and the carousel manager may formulate a broadcast policy to be used in constructing the carousel. The interactive television receiver may run a interface module that can process resource requests from an application program. The interface module may obtain a requested resource from the broadcast path or from a point-to-point path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method enable multicasting a reply to a request for a module to a plurality of receivers on an interactive television network. Requests for multiple modules are packaged into a single request to be transmitted to a broadcast service provider. A request is multicast to a plurality of receivers on the interactive television network and the response to the request is multicast to the plurality of receivers. A user device determines whether to request a module by accessing a list of modules to be multicast by the broadcast service provider within a specific time period. The user device determines whether to perform an action upon accessing a directory listing modules present in a carousel of a broadcast service provider.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for enabling the creation and/or control of interactive television content using declarative-like directives such as HTML, scripting languages, or other languages. A a centrally located proxy server is configured to receive, transcode and convey transcoded web based content to client devices. Upon detecting directives which indicate particular resources required for a presentation are prerequisites, the proxy server conveys signals to a client device that these particular resources are prerequisites. In response to receiving the conveyed signals, the client device may take actions to prefetch these resources. The client device is further configured to prohibit initiation of the presentation until the prerequisite resources are acquired.

Abstract: A common communication language that can address all the applications running in a multitude of set top boxes (STBs) or client devices and application servers. The present invention, DATP protocol encapsulates a meta language that provides a generic portable communication application programmer interface that requires light processor utilization and is well-suited for a typical STB possessing limited processing power. DATP requires relatively few processing cycles compared to typical Internet communication protocols. DATP reduces the overhead of the communication protocol handler at the STB and makes the communication protocol handler common for all STBs applications. The preferred DATP protocol is portable for all STBs since it is written in a native language that interfaces with the underlying operating system of the STB. A SGW (SGW) performs as a DATP server. The SGW translates between DATP messages and standard communication protocols.