Abstract: A selective encryption encoder consistent with certain embodiments of the invention has vertical and/or horizontal stripes encrypted. In one embodiment, packets are examined in the digital video signal to identify a specified packet type, the specified packet type being both packets carrying intra-coded data representing a pattern of horizontal stripes across an image and packets carrying intra-coded data representing a pattern of vertical stripes across an image. The packets identified as being of the specified packet type are encrypted using a first encryption method to produce first encrypted packets. These first encrypted packets are then used to replace the unencrypted packets in the digital video signal to produce a partially encrypted video signal. The packets of the specified type can also be multiple encrypted and replaced in the data stream to produce a multiple encrypted video data stream.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method of partially dual encrypting a digital video signal involves examining unencrypted packets of data in the digital video signal to identify a specified packet type. The specified packet type includes packets occurring in a star pattern approximately situated at approximately a center of an image; encrypting packets identified as being of the specified packet type using a first encryption method to produce first encrypted packets; encrypting the packets identified as being of the specified packet type using a second encryption method to produce second encrypted packets; and replacing the unencrypted packets of the specified packet type with the first encrypted packets and the second encrypted packets in the digital video signal to produce a partially dual encrypted video signal. This abstract should not be considered limiting since embodiments consistent with the present invention may involve more, different or fewer elements.

Abstract: A method of processing digital content consistent with certain embodiments involves receiving a signal containing the digital content, wherein the digital content has a first encrypted sample of the digital content, the sample being encrypted under a first encryption method, a second encrypted sample of the digital content, the sample being encrypted under a second encryption method, and an unencrypted portion; and decrypting the first encrypted sample to produce a decrypted sample. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a digital stream, inclusive of an Internet Protocol (IP) datagram, is transmitted to a digital device. IP datagram comprises an IP header and a body segmented including a plurality of packets in an MPEG format such as MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 for example. The plurality of packets comprises (i) a first packet including a payload having content and a header that comprises a first packet identifier to indicate a type of the content contained in the payload of the first packet, and (ii) a second packet including a payload and a secondary packet identifier to indicate that its payload includes content duplicative of the content contained in the first packet. The second packet precedes the first packet in the digital stream. Upon detecting the presence of duplicative content, the duplicative content is recovered, but the content contained in the payload of the first packet is disregarded.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for scrambling and descrambling program data comprises the receipt of a mating key generator message including a manufacturer identifier. The mating key generator message is transmitted to a first remote source identified by the manufacturer identifier. In response, a mating key is received from the first remote source. Then, the mating key is supplied to a second remote source, the mating key being subsequently used to encrypt a service key used for scrambling program data.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for delivering a mating key to a smart card coupled to a decoding device with a built-in descrambler. The mating key is used by the smart card to encrypt the derived descrambling key for the specific decoder with descrambler. The corresponding mating key is a derivation calculated within the descrambler circuit using a unique value stored in the decoding device, and is of a message that comprises a unique predetermined value that identifies a manufacturer of the decoding device, the digital device targeted to receive the encrypted key data, and the service provider.

Abstract: A method for bandwidth sharing between first and second satellite television networks involves receiving a shared video data stream shared between the satellite television networks; receiving advertisement metadata forming a part of the shared video data stream, the advertisement meta-data containing identifying information that identifies the advertisement as being associated with one of the satellite television networks; determining which of the satellite television networks the advertisement is associated with by reading the identifying information; if the first satellite television network is identified as associated with the advertisement, then outputting the advertisement as a video signal; and if the second satellite television network is identified as associated with the advertisement, then identifying an advertisement that is possibly stored in an advertisement cache, retrieving the advertisement from the advertisement cache and outputting the stored advertisement as a video signal.

Abstract: A descrambler adapted as an integrated circuit (IC) according to one embodiment. The descrambler comprises a control word ladder logic to produce, among other data, a control word to descramble incoming scrambled content. The descrambler further comprises copy protection key ladder logic to recover a copy protection key for encrypting descrambled content before subsequent transmission to a digital device.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method for storing a normal scrambled digital program is provided. The method includes receiving a scrambled program, and receiving a plurality of access requirements. Each access requirement can descramble the scrambled program. The method also includes selecting at least one of the access requirements, and storing the scrambled program and the selected requirement.

Abstract: Multiple segment identifiers associated with a single item of content and substitute content associated therewith can be utilized as a mechanism to provide content substitution using multiple content formats by utilizing a segment routing state machine. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of processing a boot sequence for a processor forming a part of a module apparatus involves interrogating a host television device to determine if the host television device requires use of an application execution engine residing on the module apparatus; receiving a reply to the interrogation; and responsive to the reply, establishing a mode of operation wherein the application execution engine is used to execute application code for the host television device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of carrying out a search using a search engine consistent with certain embodiments involves extracting selected text from a video frame containing text by optical character recognition (OCR) processing of the selected text from the video frame; loading the text extracted from the OCR processing as a search string into a search engine; executing the search using the search engine operating on the search string; receiving search results from the search engine; and displaying the search results for viewing on a display. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method of detecting a scene change in a digital video signal involves examining a slice of the digital video signal; determining if the slice contains a greater amount of data than a threshold amount of data; and if the slice contains a greater amount of data than the threshold, determining that the slice forms a part of a scene change. This abstract should not be considered limiting since embodiments consistent with the present invention may involve more, different or fewer elements.

Abstract: A method of sharing keys among a plurality of conditional access (CA) vendors having differing CA systems used at a distribution headend involves receiving a CA Value contribution from each of the plurality of CA vendors at the headend; hashing the CA Values from each of the plurality of CA vendors together using a hashing function to produce an output control word; and at an encrypter at the headend, using the output control word as a content key, wherein the content key is used as an encryption key to encrypt content provided to a plurality of receivers that decrypt the content using any of the conditional access systems. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of operation of a personal video recorder (PVR) involves receiving and storing a plurality of commercial advertisements forming a part of a stream of program content at the PVR; receiving and storing metadata associated with the plurality of commercial advertisements at the PVR; storing an index to the one or more commercial advertisements at the PVR; ascertaining that the end of the stream of program content has been reached; as a result of the ascertaining, using the stored index to retrieve metadata associated with the one or more commercial advertisements; building a menu of commercial advertisements from the retrieved metadata for the advertisements; generating a signal that displays the menu to the user and provides the user with an option of viewing the commercials; if the user chooses not to view the commercials, ceasing to generate the signal that displays the menu; if the user chooses to view a commercial, then receiving a selection of a commercial advertisement that the user wishes to view

Abstract: A television receiver device consistent with certain embodiment is controlled by a remote controller has an infrared receiver that receives control signals from the remote controller. An infrared transmitter transmits signals from the television to the remote controller. A processor, upon receipt of a control signal from the remote controller sends a challenge signal to the remote controller in order to obtain a reply from the remote controller. Upon receipt of a reply to the challenge, the processor determines if the reply is correct and if so, executes the command associated with the control signal, wherein if the reply is incorrect, the command is not executed. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of obtaining metadata associated with an element of television programming involves instructing an access device to generate and communicate a signal to a control device suitable for driving a display, wherein the signal contains metadata suitable for rendering on a display device in a visual representation; receiving the signal and storing a representation of the video frame; processing the video frame using OCR to extract enough information to identify an element of television programming content from the video frame; processing the video frame to extract sufficient information to identify an element of television programming content from the video frame; and retrieving metadata associated with the identified element of television programming content from a television programming content source of metadata. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for content substitution, consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention involves receiving data representing content, the data having at least first and second packet identifiers (PIDs) associated with first and second portions of content. The content having the first PID is placed into a data stream. An initiation flag is received indicating initiation of a PID mapping operation. The content having the second PID is then mapped to the first PID and the mapped content is placed into the data stream. A termination flag is received indicating termination of the PID mapping operation at which point the process returns to placing content having the first PID into the data stream. The content substitution process can be used to replace advertisements, provide multiple plots, multiple endings, multiple views as well as other applications. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for content substitution, consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention involves receiving data representing content, the data having at least first and second packet identifiers (PIDs) associated with first and second portions of content. The content having the first PID is placed into a data stream. An initiation flag is received indicating initiation of a PID mapping operation. The content having the second PID is then mapped to the first PID and the mapped content is placed into the data stream. A termination flag is received indicating termination of the PID mapping operation at which point the process returns to placing content having the first PID into the data stream. The content substitution process can be used to replace advertisements, provide multiple plots, multiple endings, multiple views as well as other applications. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method for securing control words is provided. The method includes receiving scrambled digital content in a descrambler integrated circuit. The method further includes receiving an encrypted control word in the descrambler integrated circuit, decrypting the encrypted control word using a key stored in a register circuit of the descrambler integrated circuit, and descrambling the scrambled digital content in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control word.