Abstract: A method for managing access to scrambled broadcast or transmitted events received from a variety of service providers (including broadcast television networks, cable television networks, digital satellite systems). Each service provider employs the same public key for descrambling the access information message thereby permitting a user to access events from various service providers without changing the smart card. The method may also be expanded to manage access to a scrambled package of broadcast events.

Abstract: A method for managing access to scrambled broadcast or transmitted events received from a variety of service providers (including broadcast television networks, cable television networks, digital satellite systems). Each service provider employs the same public key for descrambling the access information message thereby permitting a user to access events from various service providers without changing the smart card. The method may also be expanded to manage access to a scrambled package of broadcast events.

Abstract: A method for managing access to scrambled broadcast or transmitted events received from a variety of service providers (including broadcast television networks, cable television networks, digital satellite systems). Each service provider employs the same public key for descrambling the access information message thereby permitting a user to access events from various service providers without changing the smart card. The method may also be expanded to manage access to a scrambled package of broadcast events.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to the robust delivery of data. A transmitter (e.g. a server or RF broadcaster) passes parameters to a receiver and/or client enabling operation of a generalized buffer model within the receiver that regulates the proper decoding of the elementary stream. An exemplary transmitter system is configured to perform a method for specifying buffer control parameters and transmitting them within an MPEG-2 Transport Stream to a receiver. The receiver is configured to implement the generalized buffer model according to the parameters received within the stream.

Abstract: A device for reading or writing on optical recording media with disk type recognition capability has an optical scanning device and a focus regulating circuit. The object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which can reliably recognize in a short time the type of the recording medium inserted into the device. Another object of the invention is to provide a corresponding process. These objects are attained in that the disk type recognition capability includes a mirror signal generator, a threshold value generator, a counter and an evaluation unit. The process is based on the utilization of a mirror-signal value of the device for disk type recognition.

Abstract: A mobile communications system includes a plurality of mobile communications devices. A direct link communicates information between a communications network and a selected one of the plurality of mobile communications devices. A broadcast link simultaneously broadcasts information from the communications network intended to be receivable by the plurality of mobile communications devices.

Abstract: A program guide information data structure and processing system facilitates both decoding and selectable program guide generation by a decoder. A decoder acquires a directory of object files associated with program guide information items and a map for associating the object files (e.g. representing channel, program or control information or software) with the program guide information items. The decoder creates an image object from an object file and links the image object to a program guide information item. The decoder executes an application software object to form a special program guide for display and executes another application software object to command a device in processing a program listed in a program guide.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to the robust delivery of data. A transmitter (e.g. a server or RF broadcaster) passes parameters to a receiver and/or client enabling operation of a generalized buffer model within the receiver that regulates the proper decoding of the elementary stream. An exemplary transmitter system is configured to perform a method for specifying buffer control parameters and transmitting them within an MPEG-2 Transport Stream to a receiver. The receiver is configured to implement the generalized buffer model according to the parameters received within the stream.

Abstract: A supplemental television content application architecture, associated methods creating and executing a signed supplemental television content application, and media having instructions for executing associated the methods are described. The architecture includes a signature for a cluster of at least a portion of the application files detached from the application files, and a start file having either an expression or a link to an expression having a link to each signature. The architecture also includes a web page comprising at least a portion of the application files that is coded with an attached signature or a link to the signature.

Abstract: A protocol enables flexible formulation of application information data structures for television-based entertainment systems. The protocol may be a textual-based language such as markup language, including an extensible markup language. The application information data structure includes information that enables a client device to access and/or to activate one or more applications. The one or more applications may be software modules, files, images, text, executable programs, and so forth, including both bound and unbound applications. An application information data structure, or table, may be created at a headend of a television system and stored there in memory. The application information table may also be transmitted from the headend to a client device and stored in a memory of the client device. The client device is able to determine the existence of, and relevant parameters for utilizing, applications at the client device using the application information table.

Abstract: A mobile communications system includes a plurality of mobile communications devices. A direct link communicates information between a communications network and a selected one of the plurality of mobile communications devices. A broadcast link simultaneously broadcasts information from the communications network intended to be receivable by the plurality of mobile communications devices.

Abstract: Channel map information includes program map table information in packetized program information used in video processing and storage medium formats. In a digital video system for decoding an MPEG compatible datastream containing MPEG compatible program map table information, channel map information is identified and assembled. The channel map information identifies individual packetized datastreams that constitute a broadcast program. The channel map information associates a broadcast channel with packet identifiers used to identify individual packetized datastreams that constitute a program transmitted in the broadcast channel. The channel map information replicates information conveyed in the MPEG compatible program map table information.

Abstract: Packetized video program information used in video processing and storage medium formats includes program related text messages. A decoder decodes packetized video program information including program related text messages. The decoder determines a broadcast programming time segment associated with a desired program related text message and identifies program related text message data occurring in the determined broadcast programming time segment. The decoder acquires the identified program related text message data and formats the text message data for display.

Abstract: Program channels are allocated first and second identification numbers in packetized program information used in video processing and storage medium formats. Packetized program information is decoded to provide data content of a program. Channel map information in the packetized program information is identified. The channel map includes a first identification number for use in identifying a first broadcast sub-channel and the first identification number is associated with a first broadcast source. The channel map also includes a second identification number for use in identifying the first broadcast sub-channel from among a group of sub-channels associated with the first identification number. The identified information is assembled to form a channel map suitable for use in identifying a program transmitted on the first broadcast channel using the first and second identification numbers in conjunction.

Abstract: Packetized program information used in video processing and storage medium formats includes multiple text strings. A decoder decodes packetized program information containing multiple text strings associated with a program. The decoder determines from a first indicator in the packetized program information a type of coding and compression employed in encoding a first text string. The decoder decodes the first text string with a decoding function selected in accordance with the determined type of coding and assembles decoded text string elements to form an output text string.