Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a plurality of transport streams into a single transport stream for transmission to, e.g., a single frequency network via a satellite. Embodiments provide receiving a plurality of original, e.g., MPEG-compliant, data streams, where each original data stream has its own timing information, combining the plurality of original data streams into a single combined data stream which is also, e.g., MPEG compliant, modulating the single combined data stream for uplink to a satellite, receiving a downlink transmission from the satellite, where the downlink transmission includes the single combined data stream, de-combining the single combined data stream into the plurality of original data streams, and passing respective original data steams to, e.g., one or more DVB-T modulators for broadcast into a single frequency network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a plurality of transport streams into a single transport stream for transmission to, e.g., a single frequency network via a satellite. Embodiments provide receiving a plurality of original, e.g., MPEG-compliant, data streams, where each original data stream has its own timing information, combining the plurality of original data streams into a single combined data stream which is also, e.g., MPEG compliant, modulating the single combined data stream for uplink to a satellite, receiving a downlink transmission from the satellite, where the downlink transmission includes the single combined data stream, de-combining the single combined data stream into the plurality of original data streams, and passing respective original data steams to, e.g., one or more DVB-T modulators for broadcast into a single frequency network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a plurality of transport streams into a single transport stream for transmission to, e.g., a single frequency network via a satellite. Embodiments provide receiving a plurality of original, e.g., MPEG-compliant, data streams, where each original data stream has its own timing information, combining the plurality of original data streams into a single combined data stream which is also, e.g., MPEG compliant, modulating the single combined data stream for uplink to a satellite, receiving a downlink transmission from the satellite, where the downlink transmission includes the single combined data stream, de-combining the single combined data stream into the plurality of original data streams, and passing respective original data steams to, e.g., one or more DVB-T modulators for broadcast into a single frequency network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a plurality of transport streams into a single transport stream for transmission to, e.g., a single frequency network via a satellite. Embodiments provide receiving a plurality of original, e.g., MPEG-compliant, data streams, where each original data stream has its own timing information, combining the plurality of original data streams into a single combined data stream which is also, e.g., MPEG compliant, modulating the single combined data stream for uplink to a satellite, receiving a downlink transmission from the satellite, where the downlink transmission includes the single combined data stream, de-combining the single combined data stream into the plurality of original data streams, and passing respective original data steams to, e.g., one or more DVB-T modulators for broadcast into a single frequency network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a plurality of transport streams into a single transport stream for transmission to, e.g., a single frequency network via a satellite. Embodiments provide receiving a plurality of original, e.g., MPEG-compliant, data streams, where each original data stream has its own timing information, combining the plurality of original data streams into a single combined data stream which is also, e.g., MPEG compliant, modulating the single combined data stream for uplink to a satellite, receiving a downlink transmission from the satellite, where the downlink transmission includes the single combined data stream, de-combining the single combined data stream into the plurality of original data streams, and passing respective original data steams to, e.g., one or more DVB-T modulators for broadcast into a single frequency network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a plurality of transport streams into a single transport stream for transmission to, e.g., a single frequency network via a satellite. Embodiments provide receiving a plurality of original, e.g., MPEG-compliant, data streams, where each original data stream has its own timing information, combining the plurality of original data streams into a single combined data stream which is also, e.g., MPEG compliant, modulating the single combined data stream for uplink to a satellite, receiving a downlink transmission from the satellite, where the downlink transmission includes the single combined data stream, de-combining the single combined data stream into the plurality of original data streams, and passing respective original data steams to, e.g., one or more DVB-T modulators for broadcast into a single frequency network.

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 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: Methods and apparatus are described for uniquely encrypting a plurality services at a transmission site and for decrypting selected services at a reception site while reducing the amount of encryption related information that must be transmitted to the reception site for decryption purposes. A unique spreading function is generated at the transmission site for each service to be transmitted. A random quantity is then transmitted, and the random quantity is convolved with each spreading function to produce a unique encryption seed for each service. At least a portion of each service is then encrypted using the unique encryption seeds produced for each service. Only the random quantity is transmitted to the reception site along with the encrypted portions of each service. None of the unique encryption seeds are transmitted. At the reception site, the unique spreading functions generated at the transmission site for each service are regenerated.

Abstract: In a data transmission system comprising a plurality N of transmission sites and at least one reception site, a set of data at each transmission site is uniquely encrypted by (a) providing each transmission site with a broadcast key unique to that transmission site and a system key that is the same for all transmission sites, the system key comprising a plurality S of bits and each of the broadcast keys comprising a unique plurality B of bits, wherein B is less than S; (b) convolving in a predetermined manner at each transmission site the system key and the broadcast key unique to that transmission site to generate a unique data encryption key for that transmission site; (c) encrypting the set of data at each transmission site with the unique data encryption key generated at that site. The sets of data uniquely encrypted at each transmission site are then transmitted to the reception site.

Abstract: A method for transmitting information over a communication network between a population of remote terminals and a central location having a capacity of simultaneously communicating with a predetermined number of remote terminals in the population. A first time period is fixed during which every remote terminal may initiate one attempt to communicate with the central location over the communication network. Respective times within the first time period are established at which each of the remote terminals will initiate its attempt to communicate with the central location. A number of the remote terminals which successfully communicate with the central location to transmit information therebetween is monitored. The first time period is then decreased to a second time period if the number of remote terminals which successfully communicate with the central location is less than the capacity of the central location.

Abstract: A decoder for descrambling encoded satellite transmissions comprises an internal security module and a resplaceable 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.2) which is assigned to a given decoder. The decoder performs a first key decryption using the second secret serial number (SSN.sub.2) 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 use in a television system. The decoder includes a receiver for receiving a television signal having at least one channel. Each channel of the television signal includes video and audio components. A channel maps the channel received by the receiver to a plurality of virtual channels. A first virtual channel utilizes a first combination of video and audio components of the received channel and a second virtual channel utilizes a second combination of video and audio components of the same received channel different than the first combination. A selector allows a subscriber to select one of the virtual channels. Linked text pages may also be mapped to one or more of the virtual channels.