Abstract: The present invention allows the combination and adaptation of a broadcast data reception system with a Conditional Access System which may be embedded in the receiving device, such as a television, or can be provided as a module which is connected to the receiving device and which allows service provider controlled, typically cloud based, interactivity via the same CAS with different Multi Channel video programming distributors (MVPD) service providers.

Abstract: The present invention allows the combination and adaptation of a broadcast data reception system with a Conditional Access System which may be embedded in the receiving device, such as a television, or can be provided as a module which is connected to the receiving device and which allows service provider controlled, typically cloud based, interactivity via the same CAS with different Multi Channel video programming distributors (MVPD) service providers.

Abstract: A multimedia content distribution method including a) storing an item of a multimedia content, b) firstly transcoding the content for playback on a first multimedia device, c) generating a content ID of the firstly transcoded content, d) storing the content ID of the firstly transcoded content in association with the stored content, e) accessing the stored content using the content ID of the firstly transcoded content, and f) secondly transcoding the stored content for playback on a second multimedia device.

Abstract: A method for protecting digital content is described. The method includes receiving compressed encrypted digital content, determining an output format based, at least in part, on all of the following: a user-requested output format; received control information; and a rule determining whether a clear compressed output format is allowedand producing output from the compressed digital content based on a result of the determining, wherein, if the rule does not allow clear compressed output format, the compressed encrypted digital content is provided in a form which prevents production of clear compressed output in the producing step. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A digital rights management system including a controlled content disk to store content in an encrypted format, and a processor to run a plurality of applications and a secure device driver thereon, the processor being operationally associated with the controlled content disk, the applications being unable to decrypt content from the encrypted format, the secure device driver having a receiving module to receive a request from one of the applications to access the content, a validation module to validate the request based upon a recognized access pattern to the content by the one application, and a transport module to transfer the content from the controlled content disk to the one application, contingent upon a positive result of the validating of the validation module. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: An interactive multi-channel game method is described. The method includes providing a first representation of a game element associated with a first channel of a multi-channel system, replacing the first representation with a second representation of the game element associated with a second channel of the multi-channel system, providing a clue associated with the second channel, and receiving a user input representing a user's response to the clue. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protecting digital content, in which an output format for received compressed encrypted digital content is determined based, at least in part, on a rule determining whether clear compressed output format is allowed. When the clear compressed output format is not allowed, the content is received in a form in which it has been encrypted by at least two different encryption methods, and processing of the content comprises a combination of decrypting in accordance with one of the encryption methods and decompression in an atomic operation.

Abstract: A system and a method for secure transmission of protected content to a subscriber, without requiring a smart card or other renewable security element to be in physical proximity of the recipient module of the subscriber, such as a set-top box for example. Therefore, the renewable security element may optionally be protected and controlled by the transmitter of the protected content, such as by the broadcaster for example.

Abstract: An interactive multi-channel game method is described. The method includes providing a first representation of a game element associated with a first channel of a multi-channel system, replacing the first representation with a second representation of the game element associated with a second channel of the multi-channel system, providing a clue associated with the second channel, and receiving a user input representing a user's response to the clue. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A digital rights management system (FIG. 1) for a mobile telephone (10), including a controlled content disk (16) to store content in an encrypted format, and a mobile telephone processor (18) to run a plurality of mobile telephone applications (36, 38, 40) and a secure device driver (22) thereon, the mobile telephone processor (18) being operationally associated with the controlled content disk (16), the mobile telephone applications (36, 38, 40) being unable to decrypt content from the encrypted format, the secure device driver (22) having a receiving module (24) to receive a request from one of the mobile telephone applications (36, 38, 40) to access the content, a validation module (26) to validate the request, and a transport module (28) to substantially directly transfer the content to the one mobile telephone application, contingent upon a positive result of the validating of the validation module (26). Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A broadcasting system including a transmitter operative to transmit a signal in a first transmission format, a receiver operative to receive the signal, a reformatter operative to reformat the received signal into a second transmission format, and a set-top box (STB) operative to decode the second-transmission-formatted signal.

Abstract: A system and method for extending a broadcast game into a viewer-played game, including a) providing a broadcast game to a viewer, b) receiving an instruction from the viewer during the broadcast to provide a simulation of the broadcast game, and c) providing a viewer-played game to the viewer, where the viewer-played game provides interactive game play within the simulation.

Abstract: A method for protecting digital content is described. The method includes receiving compressed encrypted digital content (810), determining an output format based, at least in part, on all of the following: a user-requested output format; received control information; and a rule determining whether a clear compressed output format is allowed (820); and producing output from the compressed digital content (830) based on a result of the determining (820), wherein, if the rule does not allow clear compressed output format, the compressed encrypted digital content is provided in a form which prevents production of clear compressed output in the producing step. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: An interactive multi-channel game method is described. The method includes providing a first representation of a game element associated with a first channel of a multi-channel system, replacing the first representation with a second representation of the game element associated with a second channel of the multi-channel system, providing a clue associated with the second channel, and receiving a user input representing a user's response to the clue. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A multimedia content distribution method including a) storing an item of a multimedia content, b) firstly transcoding the content for playback on a first multimedia device, c) generating a content ID of the firstly transcoded content, d) storing the content ID of the firstly transcoded content in association with the stored content, e) accessing the stored content using the content ID of the firstly transcoded content, and f) secondly transcoding the stored content for playback on a second multimedia device.

Abstract: An interactive multi-channel game method is described. The method includes providing a first representation of a game element associated with a first channel of a multi-channel system, replacing the first representation with a second representation of the game element associated with a second channel of the multi-channel system, providing a clue associated with the second channel, and receiving a user input representing a user's response to the clue. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A system and a method for secure transmission of protected content to a subscriber, without requiring a smart card or other renewable security element to be in physical proximity of the recipient module of the subscriber, such as a set-top box for example. Therefore, the renewable security element may optionally be protected and controlled by the transmitter of the protected content, such as by the broadcaster for example.

Abstract: A broadcasting system including a transmitter operative to transmit a signal in a first transmission format, a receiver operative to receive the signal, a reformatter operative to reformat the received signal into a second transmission format, and a set-top box (STB) operative to decode the second-transmission-formatted signal.

Abstract: In an environment including a television (110) hand held by a use (115) an including at least one directional control (130), a method for acquisition of goods or services including selecting goods or services by employing only the at least one direction control (130), and completing a transaction for selected goods or services by employing only the at least one direction control (130) and other related methods as disclosed.