Abstract: Uplink signaling for controlling a plurality of decoders at a remote site. An uplink has a control server for controlling a storage system of the decoders at the remote site. The control server of the uplink controls the storage system by injecting at least one global control stream multiplexed with a transport stream. The transport multiplexed with the global control stream is formed at the uplink for controlling the decoders simultaneously.

Abstract: Control system with global control stream for controlling a plurality of decoders. The control system simultaneously controls a plurality of decoders at a remote location by using a global control data stream. A global control stream is a collection of data used for global applications. There are currently three global data streams—disaster recovery, live event control, and storage control. The streams may exist on a shared or independent PID. A control server forms a transport stream and the global control stream is injected into the transport stream by the control server.

Abstract: A storage control system for a decoder. A decoder with a hardware platform for receiving and decoding coded data and a storage system for temporarily holding the decoded data from the hardware platform. A transport stream containing a global control data stream is used to manage the storage system. The global control data stream has an acquisition table (ACT) for providing a schedule of contents to be recorded, a playout control table (PCT) for providing a schedule of content that is to be played out by the decoder, and a content control table (CCT) for listing content that exists on the decoders.

Abstract: Uplink signaling for controlling a plurality of decoders at a remote site. An uplink has a control server for controlling a storage system of the decoders at the remote site. The control server of the uplink controls the storage system by injecting at least one global control stream multiplexed with a transport stream. The transport multiplexed with the global control stream is formed at the uplink for controlling the decoders simultaneously.

Abstract: Uplink signaling for controlling a plurality of decoders at a remote site. An uplink has a control server for controlling a storage system of the decoders at the remote site. The control server of the uplink controls the storage system by injecting at least one global control stream multiplexed with a transport stream. The transport multiplexed with the global control stream is formed at the uplink for controlling the decoders simultaneously.

Abstract: A teletext system provides teletext services and teletext support services in a multiservice communication system. Multiplexed data streams for a plurality of services, including teletext data, are transmitted in a sequence of frames between a transmitter location and a receiver location. Teletext information is transmitted in the format of a header packet and a data packet. The header packet contains information identifying the teletext information according to page number as well as other filter fields, such as language, time zone, etc. By appropriate selection of the values of the filter fields, the operator is afforded greater flexibility in providing a variety of classes of service and service support to subscribers. In addition, the system may be easily be reconfigured to support the addition of services or the cancellation of services.

Abstract: Authorization information, such as blackout and spotlight regions, circular blackout and spotlight regions, and tier pointers, may be transmitted from an encoder to a decoder in a plurality of sessions of data frames. By spreading the authorization information over a plurality of sessions, more space may be allocated for the provision of services. In addition, the authorization information may be framed by START and STOP fields so that the length of authorization information may be variable. Calculation of a circular blackout/spotlight region can be simplified by transmitting a distortion factor from the encoder to the decoder. Accordingly, complex calculations need not be performed at a microprocessor in the decoder.

Abstract: A decoder for descrambling encoded satellite transmissions comprises an internal security element and a replaceable security module. The program signal is scrambled with a key and then the key itself is twice-encrypted and multiplexed with the scrambled program signal. The key is first encrypted with a first secret serial number (SSN.sub.1) which is assigned to a given replaceable security module. The key is then encrypted with a second secret serial number (SSN.sub.0) which is assigned to a given decoder. The decoder performs a first key decryption using the second secret serial number (SSN.sub.0) stored within the decoder. The partially decrypted key is then further decrypted by the replaceable security module using the first secret serial number (SSN.sub.1) stored within the replaceable security module. The decoder then descrambles the program using the twice-decrypted key. The replaceable security module can be replaced, allowing the security system to be upgraded or changed following a system breach.

Abstract: A decoder for descrambling encoded satellite transmissions comprises an internal security element and a replaceable security module. The program signal is scrambled with a key and then the key itself is twice-encrypted and multiplexed with the scrambled program signal. The key is first encrypted with a first secret serial number (SSN1) which is assigned to a given replaceable security module. The key is then encrypted with a second secret serial number (SSN0) which is assigned to a given decoder. The decoder performs a first key decryption using the second secret serial number (SSN0) stored within the decoder. The partially decrypted key is then further decrypted by the replaceable security module using the first secret serial number (SSN1) stored within the replaceable security module. The decoder then descrambles the program using the twice-decrypted key. The replaceable security module can be replaced, allowing the security system to be upgraded or changed following a system breach.