Abstract: In a conditional access network a provider distributes valuable contents such as digital TV over the network and end-users are allowed to access such valuable contents in function of individual access rights defined by a user license. The valuable contents are made available to the end-users, by way of a plurality of different conditional access systems, each end-user is provided with a generic conditional access component having a basic functionality common to all conditional access systems, and particular conditional access systems are selectively enabled on each conditional access component subject to a successful verification of a corresponding license.

Abstract: A conditional access system for multimedia data is disclosed that offers acceptable security at drastically reduced requirements on hardware performance. A selectively encrypted transport stream is formed from a clear transport stream by detecting particular data packets within the clear transport stream, removing and encrypting the particular data packets with an event encryption key, and inserting the encrypted data packets into the remaining clear transport stream at insertion positions corresponding to the original positions of the particular data packets in the clear transport stream. For specific embodiments that include decryption circuitry inside a user smart card, the level of security of such system is even higher than that of conventional ones.

Abstract: A conditional access system is provided wherein digitized data are received in successive data packets at least some of which are scrambled. The digitized data contain content data and access control data. The system has a module with descrambler circuitry and a security device such as a smart card adapted to be coupled to the module to provide descrambling control data to the module as derived from the access control data. Selected ones of the data packets are encrypted in addition to being scrambled, and the access control data include decryption control data.

Abstract: Conditional access methods and apparatus are provided for use with digital television receivers and other digital broadband receivers. The methods and apparatus are capable of handling several different digital signal transmission protocols in an automatic and flexible manner. An input unit is provided for analyzing and tagging incoming data bytes so that further processing operations are less dependent on the transmission format being received. A cipher handling unit is provided for adapting in real time the scrambling and descrambling performances to match the requirements of the transmission network and the receiving apparatus. A filtering mechanism is provided for filtering and handling multiple asynchronous data streams in a parallel manner.

Abstract: In a conditional access network a provider distributes valuable contents such as digital TV over the network and end-users are allowed to access such valuable contents in function of individual access rights defined by a user license. The valuable contents are made available to the end-users by way of a plurality of different conditional access systems, each end-user is provided with a generic conditional access component having a basic functionality common to all conditional access systems, and particular conditional access systems are selectively enabled on each conditional access component subject to a successful verification of a corresponding license.

Abstract: A conditional access system for multimedia data is disclosed that offers acceptable security at drastically reduced requirements on hardware performance. A selectively encrypted transport stream is formed from a clear transport stream by detecting particular data packets within the clear transport stream, removing and encrypting the particular data packets with an event encryption key, and inserting the encrypted data packets into the remaining clear transport stream at insertion positions corresponding to the original positions of the particular data packets in the clear transport stream. For specific embodiments that include decryption circuitry inside a user smart card, the level of security of such system is even higher than that of conventional ones.

Abstract: A conditional access system is provided wherein digitized data are received in successive data packets at least some of which are scrambled. The digitized data contain content data and access control data. The system has a module with descrambler circuitry and a security device such as a smart card adapted to be coupled to the module to provide descrambling control data to the module as derived from the access control data. Selected ones of the data packets are encrypted in addition to being scrambled, and the access control data include decryption control data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a module for secure transmission of data in a computer network. The module comprises a bidirectional interface to a computer connected to the network. the module being able to interchange packets, commands and messages with the computer via the interface. In addition, the module includes an interface to a smart card in which an identification is stored.

Abstract: Conditional access methods and apparatus are provided for use with digital television receivers and other digital broadband receivers. The methods and apparatus are capable of handling several different digital signal transmission protocols in an automatic and flexible manner. An input unit is provided for analyzing and tagging incoming data bytes so that further processing operations are less dependent on the transmission format being received. A cipher handling unit is provided for adapting in real time the scrambling and descrambling performances to match the requirements of the transmission network and the receiving apparatus. A filtering mechanism is provided for filtering and handling multiple asynchronous data streams in a parallel manner. A private recording mechanism is provided for making a private copy of selected incoming signals.

Abstract: A remote electronic purse payment system for use in a content provider/subscriber environment is provided. Prior to an entitlement of a subscriber to receive and/or unscramble a particular content, and at the subscriber's discretion, a corresponding amount is debited on an electronic purse card (16) and corresponding transaction data are temporarily stored in a protected local storage within a CAM module (14) associated with the subscriber. The stored transaction data are protected against unauthorized access and cannot be withheld from authorized collection by the content provider. Entitlement to receive and/or unscramble the particular content is enabled locally within the CAM module (14). Deferred financial transactions are performed on demand of the content provider and over a remote communication channel to collect transaction data stored in the protected local storage.

Abstract: A process for automatically measuring the unit of time (ETU=Elementary Time Unit) for communication peripherals dedicated to smart cards during a dialogue between a reader and the smart card, so as to configure the reading device. This process consists in taking account of the descending front of the start bit, taking account of the ascending front of the start bit, and measuring the time between the descending and ascending fronts, which permits the automatic calibration of the communication processor.

Abstract: An electronic smart card adapted to be inserted into a PCMCIA interface or other smart card reader and an interface adapted to be plugged into a card reader and including at least one recess whose dimensions permit only a partial insertion of the smart card, where that portion of the smart card which cannot be inserted into the PCMCIA interface or the like includes at least one recognition device.

Abstract: A protection system for protecting valuables, such as, for example, drugs, banknotes, checks, bank cards or securities, that are contained in a physically impregnable storage container or box, in which the contents of the storage box are destroyed upon the detection of an attempted unauthorized access to the storage box. The storage box includes an internal management system that controls transitions between a plurality of operating modes in accordance with particular events, the validity of the transitions being authenticated and verified. If the contents of the storage box are destroyed, data stored in a memory of the internal management system is also erased, so as to prevent the unauthorized extraction of the data, which could possibly be used to gain access to other portions of the protection system.

Abstract: An apparatus for verifying the integrity of a wall automatically sets off an intervention in the case of an act committed against the wall. A capacitive sensor is formed on the external or internal surface of the wall and consists of a thin planar condenser matching the shape of the wall. An oscillator having variable frequency has its control input connected to a plate of the condenser, the other plate being connected to ground, and a circuit detects the variation of frequency of the output signal of the oscillator resulting from a variation of condenser capacitance.