Abstract: A communication system and a family of methods for remote access to personal television service are disclosed. According to this invention, a remote personal TV service center provides centralized program guide information. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a digital video recorder which is connected to the personal TV service center via telephone modem or a network server. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a remote computer terminal or a personal digital assistant which is connected to a computer network. The user selects program events and programs the digital video recorder by using a graphical user interface installed in the front panel of the digital video recorder in case of local programming, or using a similar GUI which is incorporated into the Web pages presented to remote users by a Web server in case of remote programming. The media stream stored in one digital video recorder may be transferred to another digital video recorder.

Abstract: A multimedia mobile personalization system allows a user to record and play multimedia content on a set top box at a location other than his home using the user's preferences from his home DVR.

Abstract: A method and system for providing data anonymously is provided. The method involves receiving an encrypted operator match ID by a client device from a first entity, where the encrypted operator match ID is encrypted using a first encryption key; decrypting the encrypted operator match ID using a first decryption key, associated with the first encryption key, by the client device to obtain a decrypted operator match ID; encrypting the decrypted operator match ID using a second encryption key by the client device to obtain a re-encrypted operator match ID; and sending the client device usage information with the re-encrypted operator match ID by the client device to a second entity through an anonymous channel, where the second entity decrypts the re-encrypted operator match ID using a second decryption key, associated with the second encryption key, to obtain the operator match ID.

Abstract: In a conditional access system, a headend transmits content to one or more receivers in encrypted transport streams. The system provides a multi-layer security architecture, rendering the system resistant to key replay attacks; if one layer is circumvented, subsequent layers remain intact. A first layer prevents unencrypted keys from being recorded by shielding the unencrypted keys from users and encrypting the path from the receiver's conditional access module to the transport decryption module; a second layer prevents a key recorded on one receiver from being played back to the transport decryption module on a second receiver; a third layer prevents a user from decrypting transport streams without the encryption module by encrypting the stream a second time prior to being passed through any user-accessible memory or processor. Event tables are transmitted with the transport stream, either unencrypted for immediate use or encrypted, to prevent unauthorized use.

Abstract: A multimedia mobile personalization system provides a remote control that detects a user's electronic tag, e.g. an RFID tag. The remote control notifies a multimedia device of the user's identity. The multimedia devices tailors it operations to the user's preferences stored locally. Multimedia content such as broadcast or recorded television programs, music play lists, and the like could be sorted, displayed, or restricted, depending on the user identifier.

Abstract: A multimedia mobile personalization system provides a remote control that detects a user's electronic tag, e.g. an RFID tag. The remote control notifies a multimedia device of the user's identity. The multimedia devices tailors it operations to the user's preferences stored locally. Multimedia content such as broadcast or recorded television programs, music play lists, and the like could be sorted, displayed, or restricted, depending on the user identifier.

Abstract: A method for generating and maintaining hierarchical tags with community-based ratings is provided. Tags for media streams are organized into a hierarchical format. Users may select tags from the hierarchical tag database that describes a particular multimedia content. If the user is unable to locate a desired tag, the user may submit a new tag. Upon submission of the new tag, a librarian approves the tag before storing and placing the tag in the hierarchical tag database. Users are also able to rate the quality of the association between the tag and the multimedia content. If a tag is rated low, the tag may be removed from the hierarchical tag database. If the tag is rated highly, display of the tag in a list of tags becomes more prominent.

Abstract: In a conditional access system, a headend transmits content to one or more receivers in encrypted transport streams. The system provides a multi-layer security architecture, rendering the system resistant to key replay attacks; if one layer is circumvented, subsequent layers remain intact. A first layer prevents unencrypted keys from being recorded by shielding the unencrypted keys from users and encrypting the path from the receiver's conditional access module to the transport decryption module; a second layer prevents a key recorded on one receiver from being played back to the transport decryption module on a second receiver; a third layer prevents a user from decrypting transport streams without the encryption module by encrypting the stream a second time prior to being passed through any user-accessible memory or processor. Events tables are transmitted with the transport stream, either unencrypted for immediate use or encrypted, to prevent unauthorized use.

Abstract: A communication system and a family of methods for remote access to personal television service are disclosed. According to this invention, a remote personal TV service center provides centralized program guide information. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a digital video recorder which is connected to the personal TV service center via telephone modem or a network server. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a remote computer terminal or a personal digital assistant which is connected to a computer network. The user selects program events and programs the digital video recorder by using a graphical user interface installed in the front panel of the digital video recorder in case of local programming, or using a similar GUI which is incorporated into the Web pages presented to remote users by a Web server in case of remote programming. The media stream stored in one digital video recorder may be transferred to another digital video recorder.

Abstract: A cryptographically signed filesystem provides a central database resident on a server that contains database objects. The server creates startup software to be installed in a client system's read only memory. The startup software contains a hash value for a second stage loader. The server also creates software for a bootstrap loader object which typically contains the operating system for a client system and also the bootstrap loader's hash value and a digital signature that is unique to the server. A root filesystem object is also created containing operational code and data for the client system's functionality. A hash table file is stored in the bootstrap loader that contains the names of each file in the root filesystem along with their corresponding hash values. The startup software and objects created by the server are initially installed on a client device at the time of manufacture.

Abstract: An archer's hand support structure apparatus and method of use is disclosed to help stabilize an archer's hand during string draw and string release of an archer's bow. The archer's hand support structure apparatus includes a band of flexible material adapted to encase the archer's hand, the band having a first edge portion extending adjacent to an archer's distal hand portion and a second edge portion extending adjacent to an archer's proximal hand portion. The band also includes an aperture therethrough disposed substantially adjacent to the first edge portion for receiving a thumb of the archer's hand. Further included is a stiffener positioned adjacent to the band, the stiffener also extending lengthwise substantially from the band first edge portion to the band second edge portion and the band also includes structure for removably engaging the band from the archer's bow.

Abstract: A process for coupon generation, delivery, and validation over a personal TV service system is disclosed. A client issues electronic coupons to personal TV service customers via a personal TV service center which generates a coupon authentication number for each receiver. The coupon authentication number is known to the key server and the coupon authentication number database. It is also known to the receiver in encrypted form. The product serial number for each receiver acts as a public key, which is known to both the customer and the personal TV service center. A unique offer ID number is assigned to each coupon. When the receiver receives the coupon, it performs a hash operation on the offer ID number using the authentication ID number and takes first or last N digits of the hashed result as the coupon ID number. The customer may redeem the coupon by submitting the offer ID number, the receiver serial number, and the coupon ID number. Before the coupon is redeemed, it must be validated.

Abstract: A method for dynamically managing a digital recording system's bandwidth requirements, provides prioritized accesses to the recording system's hard drive according to a pre-defined policy which gives the first priority to the data streams being written to the disk, the second priority to the data streams being read from the disk, and the third priority to other accesses to the disk. The recording system's bandwidth efficiency may also be improved by optimizing allocation of the disk's storage space which is partitioned into lower bandwidth portions and higher bandwidth portions, where lower bandwidth data streams are stored in lower bandwidth portions and higher bandwidth data streams are stored in higher bandwidth portions.

Abstract: In a method for dynamically managing a digital recording system's bandwidth requirements, accesses to the recording system's hard drive are prioritized according to a pre-defined policy which gives the first priority to the data streams being written to the disk, the second priority to the data streams being read from the disk, and the third priority to other accesses to the disk. The recording system's bandwidth efficiency may also be improved by optimizing allocation of the disk's storage space which is partitioned into lower bandwidth portions and higher bandwidth portions, where lower bandwidth data streams are stored in lower bandwidth portions and higher bandwidth data streams are stored in higher bandwidth portions. The inner portions of the disk are lower bandwidth portions and thus data streams are recorded from the inner diameter outwards to the outer diameter of the disk. A recorded data stream may be migrated from a higher bandwidth portion to a lower bandwidth portion.

Abstract: In a conditional access system, a headend transmits content to one or more receivers in encrypted transport streams. The system provides a multi-layer security architecture, rendering the system resistant to key replay attacks; if one layer is circumvented, subsequent layers remain intact. A first layer prevents unencrypted keys from being recorded by shielding the unencrypted keys from users and encrypting the path from the receiver's conditional access module to the transport decryption module; a second layer prevents a key recorded on one receiver from being played back to the transport decryption module on a second receiver; a third layer prevents a user from decrypting transport streams without the encryption module by encrypting the stream a second time prior to being passed through any user-accessible memory or processor. Events tables are transmitted with the transport stream, either unencrypted for immediate use or encrypted, to prevent unauthorized use.

Abstract: A distributed database management system provides a central database resident on a server that contains database objects. Objects to be replicated are gathered together into distribution packages called “slices,” that are encrypted using a short-lived symmetric key and broken into a succession of short, numbered data packets before being transmitted to client devices. Data packets are captured by client devices and held in a staging area until all packets in the sequence are present and are then reassembled into the correct slice, which is then decrypted, or discarded when an error is detected in the data packet. The source version, reference count, and dependencies of the received object are verified before adding it to the database. The invention provides a reaper that periodically examines all objects in the database and, depending on the object type, examines various attributes and attribute values to decide if the object should be retained in the database.

Abstract: A communication system and a family of methods for remote access to personal television service are disclosed. According to this invention, a remote personal TV service center provides centralized program guide information. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a digital video recorder which is connected to the personal TV service center via telephone modem or a network server. A user may access to the personal TV service center through a remote computer terminal or a personal digital assistant which is connected to a computer network. The user selects program events and programs the digital video recorder by using a graphical user interface installed in the front panel of the digital video recorder in case of local programming, or using a similar GUI which is incorporated into the Web pages presented to remote users by a Web server in case of remote programming. The media stream stored in one digital video recorder may be transferred to another digital video recorder.

Abstract: A cryptographically signed filesystem provides a central database resident on a server that contains database objects. The server creates startup software to be installed in a client system's read only memory. The startup software contains a hash value for a second stage loader. The server also creates software for a bootstrap loader object which typically contains the operating system for a client system and also the bootstrap loader's hash value and a digital signature that is unique to the server. A root filesystem object is also created containing operational code and data for the client system's functionality. A hash table file is stored in the bootstrap loader that contains the names of each file in the root filesystem along with their corresponding hash values. The startup software and objects created by the server are initially installed on a client device at the time of manufacture.

Abstract: A software installation and recovery system provides an initial bootstrap sequence of instructions that initializes the low-level parameters of the client device, initializes the persistent storage system, loads a bootstrap loader from the persistent store into program memory, and passes execution to the bootstrap loader. A second stage boot loader locates the operating system in the persistent store, loads the operating system into program memory, and passes execution to the operating system which then performs necessary hardware and software initialization, loads the viewing object database code and other application software from the persistent store, and begins execution of the applications. The persistent store contains at least two partitions for each of the following: the second stage boot loader; the operating system kernel; and the application software.

Abstract: A process for coupon generation, delivery, and validation over a personal TV service system is disclosed. A client issues electronic coupons to personal TV service customers via a personal TV service center which generates a coupon authentication number for each receiver. The coupon authentication number is known to the key server and the coupon authentication number database. It is also known to the receiver in encrypted form. The product serial number for each receiver acts as a public key, which is known to both the customer and the personal TV service center. A unique offer ID number is assigned to each coupon. When the receiver receives the coupon, it performs a hash operation on the offer ID number using the authentication ID number and takes first or last N digits of the hashed result as the coupon ID number. The customer may redeem the coupon by submitting the offer ID number, the receiver serial number, and the coupon ID number. Before the coupon is redeemed, it must be validated.