Abstract: A computer system that contains a boot signature checker is disclosed. In one example, the boot signature checker monitors the bus connecting the processor with the memory and provides a boot signature that is a function of the signal sequence detected on the bus. If an unauthorized user tampers with the operating system within the memory as when attempting to gain unauthorized access to presentable content such as television programming, the boot signature checker will in all probability produce a different boot signature than expected. The decrypter will respond to this different boot signature by, for example, deactivating thereby potentially preventing an unauthorized user from gaining access to presentable content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for incrementally updating a first image in flash memory of a device by downloading a differences file that identifies differences between the first image and a second image and applying the differences file to the first image to create the second image in the flash memory. The updating is performed incrementally by writing portions of the second image to the flash memory, each portion being of a standard block size acceptable for writing to the flash memory.

Abstract: Described herein is a technology facilitating electronic commerce. One implementation, described herein, is a standardized purchasing system for purchasing premium services over a broadcast feed from premium service providers. This implementation offers a standardized technique facilitating electronic commerce purchases. It employs a standardized offer-terms format that contains the information for creation of an official offer to a user. With one of the implementations, described here, changing or adding premium service providers does not necessitate any changes to the one or more components of the Integrated Receiver/Decoders (IRD) devices so as to effectuate purchases of premiums services from such premium service providers. That is because purchases are handled in a standardized manner using a standardized offer-terms format. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: A multimedia system is described that is capable of presenting multimedia segments including television broadcasts, radio broadcasts, stored video information, stored audio information, and Web pages. The multimedia system includes a conditional access manager which is a common interface between the multimedia system and a number of conditional access providers even if the conditional access providers follow different interface standards. In order to access a multimedia segment such as a television program, a radio program, or Web page, the multimedia system receives a request to access the multimedia segment. While accessing the multimedia segment, each of the conditional access providers is notified of the request through the conditional access manager. Each conditional access provider then determines whether permission to access the multimedia segment should be denied, or whether the conditional access provider does not know of any reason why permission to access the multimedia segment should be denied.

Abstract: A multimedia system is described that is capable of recognizing and performing functions based on an) number of rating systems such as the MPAA rating system or the U.S. television rating system. Specifically, the multimedia system stores a data structure representing information regarding each of the ratings in each of the rating systems. Once the rating of a multimedia program is determined, the multimedia system can use this information to perform functions such as providing to the user the information for education purposes, or such as blocking the program.

Abstract: A computer system that contains a boot signature checker is disclosed. In one example, the boot signature checker monitors the bus connecting the processor with the memory and provides a boot signature that is a function of the signal sequence detected on the bus. If an unauthorized user tampers with the operating system within the memory as when attempting to gain unauthorized access to presentable content such as television programming, the boot signature checker will in all probability produce a different boot signature than expected. The decrypter will respond to this different boot signature by, for example, deactivating thereby potentially preventing an unauthorized user from gaining access to presentable content.

Abstract: A non-volatile flash store memory system for storing persistent data with low overhead. The flash store comprises an active flash memory sector and one or more non-active backup sectors. Each memory sector includes a header to indicate the status of the sector and multiple data records, each with their own headers. The data records are organized by key identifiers in combination with offset values to create a linked-list file structure. New records in the active sector can be sequentially added, while existing records can be marked as deleted if it is desired to remove them. Extra memory space can be recaptured by performing a compacting sequence, in which the active records are copied from the active sector to a backup sector, while skipping those records that are marked as deleted. Upon successful completion of the copying process the backup sector becomes the new active sector, and the former active sector is marked as inactive.

Abstract: Systems and methods for incrementally updating a first image in flash memory of a device by downloading a differences file that identifies differences between the first image and a second image and applying the differences file to the first image to create the second image in the flash memory. The updating is performed incrementally by writing portions of the second image to the flash memory, each portion being of a standard block size acceptable for writing to the flash memory.

Abstract: A method and device for producing audio control parameters from symbolic representations of desired sounds includes presenting symbols to multiple input windows of a learning machine, where the multiple input windows comprise a lowest window, a higher window, and possibly additional higher windows. The symbols presented to the lowest window represent audio information having a low level of abstraction (e.g., phonemes), and the symbols presented to the higher window represent audio information having a higher level of abstraction (e.g., words or phrases). The learning machine generates parameter contours and temporal scaling parameters from the symbols presented to the multiple input windows. The parameter contours are then temporally scaled in accordance with the temporal scaling parameters to produce the audio control parameters. The techniques can be used for text-to-speech, for music synthesis, and numerous other applications.