Abstract: In a digital television system, a receiver/decoder (or “set-top-box”) can download one or more of several applications which can be run by the receiver/decoder to provide interactivity with the user. The applications include: an Internet browser application which uses a PSTN connection to make Internet requests and the television signal path to receive Internet responses; a shopping application operable in an “impulse” mode and a “catalogue” mode; a banking application; a quiz application which runs in synchronization with a quiz television programme; a magazine browser application; and a weather or traffic application.

Abstract: A receiver/decoder for use in a digital satellite radio or television system includes a decoder and means to accommodate a credit or bank card carrying a microprocessor, and means to interact with said microprocessor when the credit or bank card is inserted into an operative position in said receiver/decoder in order to enable data carried by said credit or bank card to be read and data to be input to the microprocessor carried by said credit or bank card. A PIN number may be transmitted to the receiver/decoder in a secure fashion by means of a remote controller, which is also described. Applications of the invention include Pay-Per-View television, teleshopping and telebanking.

Abstract: A method of filtering a packet data stream as transmitted in a digital audiovisual transmission system characterized in that transport packet data is filtered at a first stage by a digital filter (42) according to the characteristics of the transport packet header, selected filtered data being then passed directly to a memory element (44) within the receiver/decoder. In a second aspect, the method comprises filtering a packet data stream characterized in that transport packet data is filtered at a first stage by a first digital filter (42) according to the characteristics of the transport packet header, selected filtered data from the payload corresponding to a continuous flux of data then being passed to a second digital filter (45) for a second stage of filtering.

Abstract: A device interface for use in a receiver/decoder for a broadcast digital television system in which received signals are passed through a receiver to the receiver/decoder and then to a television set. The receiver/decoder decodes a compressed MPEG-type signal, and is controlled by a remote controller handset, through an interface in the receiver/decoder. The operation of the receiver/decoder is controlled by a virtual machine (VM) which includes a run time engine (RTE). The receiver/decoder includes a plurality of interfaces to external units. The device interface enables an application run by the RTE to access an IEEE 1394 interface.

Abstract: In a digital television system, a receiver/decoder (or “set-top-box”) can download one or more of several applications which can be run by the receiver/decoder to provide interactivity with the user. The applications include: an Internet browser application which uses a PSTN connection to make Internet requests and the television signal path to receive Internet responses; a shopping application operable in an “impulse” mode and a “catalogue” mode; a banking application; a quiz application which runs in synchronization with a quiz television programme; a magazine browser application; and a weather or traffic application.

Abstract: A method of filtering a packet data stream as transmitted in a digital audiovisual transmission system characterized in that transport packet data is filtered at a first stage by a digital filter according to the characteristics of the transport packet header, selected filtered data being then passed directly to a memory element within the receiver/decoder. In a second aspect, the method comprises filtering a packet data stream characterized in that transport packet data is filtered at a first stage by a first digital filter according to the characteristics of the transport packet header, selected filtered data from the paload corresponding to a continuous flux of data then being passed to a second digital filter for a second stage of filtering.

Abstract: A method of filtering a packet data stream as transmitted in a digital audiovisual transmission system characterized in that transport packet data is filtered at a first stage by a digital filter (42) according to the characteristics of the transport packet header, selected filtered data being then passed directly to a memory element (44) within the receiver/decoder. In a second aspect, the method comprises filtering a packet data stream characterized in that transport packet data is filtered at a first stage by a first digital filter (42) according to the characteristics of the transport packet header, selected filtered data from the payload corresponding to a continuous flux of data then being passed to a second digital filter (45) for a second stage of filtering.