Abstract: In some embodiments, devices, systems, and methods are provided herein useful to control the communication between irrigation system components. In some embodiments, an irrigation system comprises an irrigation system component comprising or connected to a satellite transceiver configured to transmit communications to one or more irrigation control devices and/or receive communications from the one or more irrigation control devices via one or more communication satellites, wherein the irrigation system component comprises at least one of a water emitter, a valve actuator, a valve, a decoder, a pump, a power control device, and a sensor.

Abstract: A content downloader system including a display for displaying a user interface enabling a user to select content to be downloaded and initiate downloading; a set-top-box coupled to the display for providing the user interface and for receiving an Indication of the content to be downloaded; and a content downloader coupled to and separate from the set-top-box, the content downloader for receiving the content. The content downloader has at least one memory component for storing content, at least one input/output connection for communicating to electronic devices, optionally including a removable memory card and optionally including an encryption/decryption unit. The content downloader may have an identification whereby its identity is authenticated by the content provider.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method carried out in a digital television receiver device incapable of full two way communications, of receiving switched digital television programs involves storing a virtual channel table in the digital television receiver device, the virtual channel table having entries for each available channel and having a channel type indicator that identifies switched digital channels; receiving a command indicative of selection of a switched digital channel having the switched digital channel type indicator in the stored virtual channel table; sending a request from the television receiver device for the switched digital channel; responsive to the request, receiving a response that either grants the request or denies the request; and if the response grants the request, receiving an updated virtual channel table having updated table entries. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A content downloader system including a display for displaying a user interface enabling a user to select content to be downloaded and initiate downloading; a set-top-box coupled to the display for providing the user interface and for receiving an Indication of the content to be downloaded; and a content downloader coupled to and separate from the set-top-box, the content downloader for receiving the content. The content downloader has at least one memory component for storing content, at least one input/output connection for communicating to electronic devices, optionally including a removable memory card and optionally including an encryption/decryption unit. The content downloader may have an identification whereby its identity is authenticated by the content provider.

Abstract: A method of segregating a hybrid fiber cable network involves assigning a packet identifier (PID) to each of a plurality of hubs on the hybrid fiber cable network; assigning a distinct decryption method to each of the plurality of hubs, so that each of the plurality of hubs is identifiable by its associated decryption method and PID; generating selectively multiple encrypted content for transmission to the hubs, where content encrypted for use by each hub is identified by the hub's assigned PID; and transmitting the selectively multiple encrypted content over the hybrid fiber cable network to the plurality of hubs. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A content downloader system including a display for displaying a user interface enabling a user to select content to be downloaded and initiate downloading; a set-top-box coupled to the display for providing the user interface and for receiving an indication of the content to be downloaded; and a content downloader coupled to and separate from the set-top-box, the content downloader for receiving the content. The content downloader has at least one memory component for storing content, at least one input/output connection for communicating to electronic devices, optionally including a removable memory card and optionally including an encryption/decryption unit. The content downloader may have an identification whereby its identity is authenticated by the content provider.

Abstract: A method of processing a boot sequence for a processor forming a part of a module apparatus involves interrogating a host television device to determine if the host television device requires use of an application execution engine residing on the module apparatus; receiving a reply to the interrogation; and responsive to the reply, establishing a mode of operation wherein the application execution engine is used to execute application code for the host television device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A partial multiple encryption device consistent with certain embodiments has an input adapted to receive a unencrypted video signal. An encryption arrangement produces a partially multiple encrypted video signal from the unencrypted video signal. An output is adapted to provide the partially multiple encrypted video signal. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of processing a boot sequence for a processor forming a part of a module apparatus involves interrogating a host television device to determine if the host television device requires use of an application execution engine residing on the module apparatus; receiving a reply to the interrogation; and responsive to the reply, establishing a mode of operation wherein the application execution engine is used to execute application code for the host television device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A partial multiple encryption device consistent with certain embodiments has an input adapted to receive a unencrypted video signal. An encryption arrangement produces a partially multiple encrypted video signal from the unencrypted video signal. An output is adapted to provide the partially multiple encrypted video signal. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Multiple segment identifiers associated with a single item of content and substitute content associated therewith can be utilized as a mechanism to provide content substitution using multiple content formats by utilizing a segment routing state machine. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of content substitution involves receiving an ordered stream of packets containing content marked by a first packet identifier (PID) and one or more substitute content portions marked by one or more secondary PIDs, where the number and placement of packets marked by secondary PIDs ahead of packets marked by the first PID in the stream is retained during transmission of the ordered stream of packets; the ordered stream of packets have an odd or even number of packets with the PIDs after a packet with a first PID; initiating processing for display or storage of content contained in packets having the first PID; initiating processing for display or storage of content contained in packets having a selected secondary PID that meets a substitution criterion; and either deleting or processing the content having the first PID depending upon a number of received intervening packets having secondary PIDs that reside between the packets having the first PID and the packets having the selected secondary PID that

Abstract: A television set-top box has a receiver receiving a digital television signal comprising: a plurality of unencrypted packets and a plurality of encrypted packets, where the encrypted packets carry data describing an active region of a video frame. A decrypter decrypts the encrypted packets. A decoder decrypted packets to produce a signal suitable for play on a television set. This abstract is not to be considered limiting since other embodiments can include more, fewer or different features than those described in this abstract.

Abstract: A content downloader system including a display for displaying a user interface enabling a user to select content to be downloaded and initiate downloading; a set-top-box coupled to the display for providing the user interface and for receiving an indication of the content to be downloaded; and a content downloader coupled to and separate from the set-top-box, the content downloader for receiving the content. The content downloader has at least one memory component for storing content, at least one input/output connection for communicating to electronic devices, optionally including a removable memory card and optionally including an encryption/decryption unit. The content downloader may have an identification whereby its identity is authenticated by the content provider.

Abstract: A cable television method for a cable television network involves sending a polling message to a modem forming a part of a television set top box from a cable television headend via a cable television cable connection to the set top box; wherein the polling message instructs the cable television set top box to report a currently tuned channel of the television set top box; receiving a response message from the cable television set top box transmitted by the modem and containing the currently tuned channel of the television set top box; and compiling the currently tuned channel information from a plurality of set top boxes received in response messages to determine actual program viewing statistics for a television time slot during which the polling responses were sent. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A partial multiple encryption device consistent with certain embodiments has an input adapted to receive a unencrypted video signal. An encryption arrangement produces a partially multiple encrypted video signal from the unencrypted video signal. An output is adapted to provide the partially multiple encrypted video signal. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Multiple segment identifiers associated with a single item of content and substitute content associated therewith can be utilized as a mechanism to provide content substitution using multiple content formats by utilizing a segment routing state machine. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A cable television diagnostic method for a cable television network sends a polling message to a plurality of television set top boxes from a cable television headend; wherein the polling message instructs the cable television set top boxes to obtain at least one operational parameter of each of the television set top boxes; receiving a plurality of response messages from the cable television set top boxes, each containing the at least one operational parameter; determining that one of the operational parameters is outside of a specified range of values; and aggregating the operational parameters of the plurality of set top boxes to determine if the same operational parameter is outside the range of specified values for more than the one of the television set top boxes.

Abstract: An interface adapter device consistent with certain embodiments has a first electrical connector adapted to connect to a conditional access service card to receive encrypted television signals therefrom. A second electrical connector is adapted to connect to a television receiver device in order to provide the encrypted television signals to the television receiver device. An interface circuit receives the encrypted television signals from the first electrical connector and adapts the signals for transmission to a television receiver device over the second electrical connector. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method carried out in a digital television receiver device incapable of full two way communications, of receiving switched digital television programs involves storing a virtual channel table in the digital television receiver device, the virtual channel table having entries for each available channel and having a channel type indicator that identifies switched digital channels; receiving a command indicative of selection of a switched digital channel having the switched digital channel type indicator in the stored virtual channel table; sending a request from the television receiver device for the switched digital channel; responsive to the request, receiving a response that either grants the request or denies the request; and if the response grants the request, receiving an updated virtual channel table having updated table entries. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.