Abstract: A method for delivering encrypted content to a subscriber terminal on-demand through a communication network is provided. The method begins when SRM receives a request for content from the subscriber terminal. In response to the request, the SRM directs a video server to transmit the content as an unencrypted transport stream to an encryptor. The packets in the unencrypted transport stream include a header with a destination address associated with the subscriber terminal. The encryptor encrypts the content in the unencrypted transport stream to generate an encrypted transport stream. The encryptor also inserts in the packet headers of the packets in the encrypted transport stream the destination address associated with the subscriber terminal obtained from the packet headers in the unencrypted transport stream. Finally, the encrypted transport stream is transmitted to the subscriber terminal over the communication network.

Abstract: In a video on demand (VOD) system, methods and apparatus are provided for seamlessly switching back and forth between two pre-encrypted files having changing encryption keys Such switching back and forth may be required when a VOD server stores both a “normal” copy of a movie and a “special” copy such as a “trick-play” version for, e g, fast forward and rewind effects Instead of using keys with changing parities in both streams, the special stream is encrypted with keys using the same parity (even or odd), while the normal stream is encrypted with one dynamic key (odd or even) and one fixed key (even or odd). Other special streams, such as scene branch streams and alternate angle streams can also be accommodated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing seamless failover to a redundant stream at an edge device is disclosed. A plurality of identical streams are received via a plurality of paths at a plurality of synchronization buffers. Each synchronization buffer receives one of the plurality of identical streams from a corresponding path of the plurality of paths. The plurality of streams are synchronized. A composite stream is generated from the plurality of identical streams according to a packet selection process.

Abstract: A system (10), method (90) and apparatus (14) are provided for provisioning a multicast stream, such as an IP multicast stream, in a network. The system includes a first tier (12), such as a national backbone, with a first Multicast Address Discovery (MCAD) directory (34), and at least one second tier having a headend, such as a regional headend (14), with a second MCAD directory (36, 38). The system (10) includes a tiered MCAD directory network that allows the assignment of multicast addresses to multicast streams received from an upper tier MCAD directory. The tiered MCAD directory structure allows for requesting and storing stream descriptors and delivering stream descriptors on-demand to MCAD-enabled devices throughout the system. The system (10) also allows for stream provisioning maintenance and validation at lower tier headends via MCAD-enabled device queries or re-queries of upper tier MCAD directories.

Abstract: A method for enabling at least one of a plurality of user devices to provide a service flow is described. In one example, a code is transmitted to a home identification device (HID) to be combined with an HID identification number. The combined response, which is comprised of the code and the HID identification number, is then transmitted from the HID and received by the user device(s). If the combined response is equivalent to at least one predetermined match key, which is stored in the user device(s), that user device(s) provides the service flow to a respective television(s).

Abstract: This method and system allow a subscriber to a cable television service to receiving a listing or menu of programming available for that subscriber's set-top terminal to upgrade or enhance the features available over the cable system. A Directory of Services (DoS) message is transmitted over the cable system to the subscriber's set-top terminal. The terminal can then display for the subscriber the menu of programming available. This display may include a price for downloading each programming object. The subscriber can then, using a remote control unit or a user input device on the terminal, direct the set-top terminal to acquire a listed programming object. The DoS message will provide information enabling the set-top terminal to download the indicated programming object from the cable system in response to the subscriber's input. The subscriber can then have immediate access to upgraded or enhanced programming, the purchase of which is billed to the subscriber's account.

Abstract: An enlargement feature of a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. When a portion of a digital image displayed in the GUI is selected for enlargement, an enlarged version of the selected portion is displayed adjacent to the remaining portion of the original image that was not selected for enlargement. The digital image may include a plurality of image portions (e.g., individual display windows) selectable for enlargement, such as those found in a CATV electronic programming guide (EPG). In one embodiment, hidden supplemental data corresponding to the selected portion is only revealed in the enlarged version of the selected portion, so that it can be more easily viewed. In another embodiment, an enlargement feature application program is downloaded to a local device that controls the GUI, in response to a subscriber accepting an offer presented by a service provider.

Abstract: A personal versatile recorder can be connected to, or integrated in, a cable television set-top terminal. The personal versatile recorder includes a central processing unit and a hard drive for mass data storage. Preferably, the personal versatile recorder has a tuner or tuners for receiving one or more transport streams from the cable system as well as analog or digital audiovisual programming. The data transport stream may encompass internet multimedia web content and associated applications to he utilized by the personal versatile recorder, Under instructions of the viewer or the agent application the central processing unit controls and facilitates various functions such as encoding, transcoding, decoding, caching, storing, playback and retrieval of any type of data or data file on the hard drive including compressed audiovisual programming content, streamed multimedia cached content, picture files, video files, audio files, HTML files, etc. for a variety of applications as described.

Abstract: A communications system (10) for processing video signals in a video-on-demand service employs centralized transcoding in a way that a relatively small amount of transcoding equipment (15) is required, as opposed to transcoding every transport stream. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not require transitions from non-transcoded sessions to transcoded sessions. According to one aspect of the present invention, bandwidth is reserved at the node groups (14a-c) for transcoded services, and transcoding is initiated before the node group (14a-c) exceeds its assigned bandwidth. This method provides the opportunity to add additional transcoded services and start decreasing bandwidth allocations to individual channels or services without interrupting existing sessions.

Abstract: An exemplary content delivery system for delivering pre-encrypted content to a first subscriber terminal includes an off line encryption system configured to generate the pre-encrypted content using a control word, a caching system configured to store the pre-encrypted content and transmit the pre-encrypted content to the first subscriber terminal, a first conditional access system configured to allow a number of subscriber terminals to decrypt the pre-encrypted content, a second conditional access system configured to allow the first subscriber terminal to decrypt the pre-encrypted content, and a first encryption renewal system associated with the first conditional access system. The first encryption renewal system is configured to authorize the second conditional access system to allow the first subscriber terminal to decrypt the pre-encrypted content.

Abstract: A method and system identify programming code that is appropriate to the architecture and capabilities of a set-top terminal in a cable television system. The appropriate programming code is identified from among a variety of code objects being broadcast from the headend facility of the cable television system. A platform identifier stored in the set-top terminal is matched to a corresponding platform identifier in an entitlement management message or other download locator message that specifies where in the transport stream from the headend a particular code object can be acquired. By acquiring the object corresponding to the message bearing a matching platform identifier, the set-top terminal acquires programming code compatible with its attributes. Additionally, the cable television system can then optimally support a varied population of set-top terminals.

Abstract: A method for providing authentication, authorization and access control of software object residing in digital set-top terminals creates a fingerprint (“signature”) for each software object, associates each fingerprint with a service tier, encodes each association and creates an association table containing the information and downloads the association table to the digital set-top terminal. In addition, the method utilizes an entitlement management message, sent to each set-top terminal, indicating what software objects the set-top terminal may utilize, and provides a system routine at the digital set-top terminal that is invoked whenever software object is about to be utilized. The entitlement management message contains the access rights given to a particular set-top terminal, which must match the software object's access requirements for the software object to be utilized.

Abstract: A device which eliminates all RF ingress noise from entering the CATV network in the upstream communication path includes a shunt filter, a detector and a filter with a bandwidth equal to the bandwidth of the upstream communication path. The device monitors signals transmitted in the upstream bandwidth and detects when a valid upstream communication is being transmitted. Upon detection of this valid signal, the shunt filter is switched out of the upstream communication path to allow the valid transmission to be sent. When the end of the valid transmission is detected and a predetermined delay has lapsed, the shunt filter is switched to block all upstream transmissions in the upstream communication bandwidth.