Abstract: A communication system 10 including a host device 14 in communication with an external device 40 through a pair of interfaces 48/50. The external device has an application code image module 42 therein. The host device 14 includes an application execution area 66 and a resource application programming interface (API) 60. The host device 14 stores the application code image in the application execution area 66. The application code image controls a function in the host device 14 using the resource application interface. When the function is performed, the application code image may be removed from the host device 14.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at broadcast headends in pay delivery systems are disclosed. An example method includes generating a broadcast signal, receiving an authorization request to download a program from a receiver station, determining an authorization for the download and sending the authorization to a point-to-point content delivery server.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at broadcast headends in pay delivery systems are disclosed. An example method includes generating a broadcast signal, receiving an authorization request to download a program from a receiver station, determining an authorization for the download and sending the authorization to a point-to-point content delivery server.

Abstract: A system includes a content processing system receiving row ad metadata for a row ad, communicating the row ad to a user device and communicating program guide information to a user device. The program guide information defines a plurality of rows. The user device populates a row from the plurality of rows in response to the metadata and displays the row ad and the program guide on a display associated with the user device.

Abstract: A system for delivering satellite signals to a plurality of display platforms. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a first transmission system for delivering the satellite signals to a first display platform via at least one satellite, and a second transmission system, coupled to the first transmission system, for delivering at least a portion of the satellite signals to at least one second display platform, the first transmission system and the second transmission system transmitting in a substantially simultaneous manner, wherein the second transmission system transmits a data stream formatted for compatibility with the at least one second display platform.

Abstract: A conditional access system generating a permission packet in response to the content request. The permission packet has information for a user device to access content through a connection of a content delivery network so that in response to the permission packet, a first connection from the content delivery network to the user device may be opened by the user device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at broadcast headends in pay delivery systems are disclosed. An example method includes generating a broadcast signal, receiving an authorization request to download a program from a receiver station, determining an authorization for the download and sending the authorization to a point-to-point content delivery server.

Abstract: A system and method includes a user device and a content processing system receiving content from a content provider, assigning a material identification to the content, receiving content information different than the content, associating the content information and the content and communicating the content information and material identification to the user device. The user device forms a menu from the content information and associated material identification, generates a menu selection from the menu, and communicates the material identification associated with the menu selection to the content processing system. The content processing system communicates the content corresponding to the menu selection to the user device.

Abstract: A communication system 10 and method of operating the same includes a website 40, a computing device 30 accessing the website 40 and selecting a content request from the website 40, a conditional access system 60 coupled to the website 40 generates a permission packet in response to the content request. A user device 22 receives the permission packet. In response to the permission packet, the user device 22 forms a connection to the user device 22 in response to the permission packet through a communication network 50.

Abstract: A system includes a user device and a content processing system establishing a provider homepage template and a plurality of content categories. The content processing system receives a first plurality of content and a first plurality of metadata from a first content provider, receives a first plurality of content categories corresponding to each of the respective first plurality of content. The content processing system receives a second plurality of content and a second plurality of metadata from a second content provider and receives a second plurality of content categories corresponding to each of the respective second plurality of content at a content processing system. The content processing system also receives homepage information for a first provider and communicates the first plurality of metadata, the second plurality of metadata, the first plurality of content categories and the second plurality of content categories to the user device.

Abstract: A communication system and method for operating the same includes a group of user devices and a content delivery network in communication with the group of user devices. The content delivery network selects a plurality user devices from the group of user devices, divides the content into a crucial portion and a non-crucial portions, and encrypts the crucial portions differently for each of the user devices in the group using conditional access encryption. The content delivery network communicates the non-crucial portions to the plurality of user devices, communicates the encrypted crucial portion to the plurality of user devices separately from the non-crucial. The plurality of user devices assembles the crucial portion and the non-crucial portions to form the content.

Abstract: A communication system 100 includes a group of user devices 110, a satellite 106 and a content delivery network 120 in communication with the group of user devices 110. The content delivery network 120 selects a plurality of user devices 110 from the group of user devices 110, divides content into a crucial portion and non-crucial portions, communicates the non-crucial portions to the plurality of user devices using a peer-to-peer network until all non-critical portions are received. After communicating the non-crucial portions, the content delivery network 120 communicates the crucial portion to the plurality of user devices 110 through the satellite. The plurality of user devices assembles the crucial portion and the non-crucial portions to form the content. In addition, security information may be first transmitted through the satellite to the user devices so that a peer-to-peer network may be established. Thereafter, the non-crucial portion are exchanged through the peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing requested content includes a content management system 12 and a device 14 such as a set top box that selects a selection corresponding to content in the content management system 12 and transmits a first material identification to the content management system. The content management system 12 transmits the content to the device with a second material identification associated therewith. The device 14 receives the content and the second material identification and compares the first material identification to the second material identification. When the second material identification corresponds to the content, the device continues downloading the content. When the second material identification does not correspond to the content, downloading of the file is discontinued. A content prefix may also be used alone or in combination with the material identification. The content is prevented from being transmitted if the content prefix does not correspond to the content type.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at content servers in pay delivery systems are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving an authorization for a program download, receiving a request to download the program from a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a broadcast signal, and transmitting the program to the receiver via point-to-point communication signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at receivers in pay delivery systems are disclosed. An example receiver station includes a receiver interface to receive a broadcast signal, and a controller to, for a selected program, generate an authorization request and a content request. The example receiver station also includes a network interface to transmit the authorization request, to transmit the content request to point-to-point content delivery server, and to receive the program from the point-to-point content delivery server.

Abstract: A communication system and method for operating the same includes a group of user devices and a content delivery network in communication with the group of user devices. The content delivery network selects a plurality user devices from the group of user devices, divides the content into a crucial portion and a non-crucial portions, and encrypts the crucial portions differently for each of the user devices in the group using conditional access encryption. The content delivery network communicates the non-crucial portions to the plurality of user devices, communicates the encrypted crucial portion to the plurality of user devices separately from the non-crucial. The plurality of user devices assembles the crucial portion and the non-crucial portions to form the content.

Abstract: A communication system 100 includes a group of user devices 110 and a content delivery network 120 in communication with the group of user devices 110. The content deliver network 120 selects a plurality user devices from the group of user devices 110, divides the content into a crucial portion and a non-crucial portions. The content delivery network 120 communicates the non-crucial portions to the plurality of user devices and communicates the crucial portion to the plurality of user devices separately from the non-crucial portions and at each of the plurality of user devices. The plurality of user devices 110 assembles the crucial portion and the non-crucial portions to form the content.

Abstract: A communication system 100 includes a plurality of user devices 110 and a content delivery network 120 that is in communication with the plurality of user devices 110. The content delivery network 120 communicates a participation signal to each of the plurality of communication devices. The content delivery network 120 communicates a secure authorization message signal to each of the plurality of user devices. The content delivery network 120 authenticates the participation signal for each of the plurality of user devices and, after authentication, communicates the content to the plurality of users.

Abstract: A communication system 10 including a host device 14 in communication with an external device 40 through a pair of interfaces 48/50. The external device has an application code image module 42 therein. The host device 14 includes an application execution area 66 and a resource application programming interface (API) 60. The host device 14 stores the application code image in the application execution area 66. The application code image controls a function in the host device 14 using the resource application interface. When the function is performed, the application code image may be removed from the host device 14.

Abstract: A communication system 10 includes a service provider 12 used to provide content to a user device 14. The user device 14 is coupled to a network. A service is selected at the user device. A welcome video is communicated from the service provider 12 to the user device 14. A confirmation signal is provided from the user device 14 to the service provider 12 in response to successfully receiving the welcome video. Access to the service is enabled at the service provider 12 in response to the confirmation signal.