Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering video program content with selective viewing capability. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a personal video recorder (PVR), which can be a portion of an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD), an access key, coupled to the PVR, and a storage medium containing the video program content, wherein the video program content is stored on the storage medium in an encrypted manner, the access key is used to access the program content on the storage medium, and the storage medium is removable from the PVR.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering video program content with selective viewing capability. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a personal video recorder (PVR), which can be a portion of an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD), an access key, coupled to the PVR, and a storage medium containing the video program content, wherein the video program content is stored on the storage medium in an encrypted manner, the access key is used to access the program content on the storage medium, and the storage medium is removable from the PVR.

Abstract: A system for receiving satellite signals for display on a monitor. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises an antenna, a server receiver, coupled to the antenna, and at least one client receiver, coupled to the server receiver, wherein the server receiver maintains a list of satellite video signals to be recorded by the server receiver, the satellite video signals including network recorded data and metadata associated with the network recorded data, and wherein the list can be accessed by the server receiver and the at least one client receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to a user device includes a head end that communicates metadata for a plurality of content including the content titles. The system also includes the user device that generates a screen display comprising the plurality of content titles from the metadata and generates a selection corresponding to a first content title from a user interface, the user device adds metadata for the first content title to a queue and displays the queue in a priority order on the screen display. The user device is tuned to receive content corresponding to the first content title and stores the content in a storage device.

Abstract: A system and method for registering a client device with a server device includes the server device having a display. The display displays a first identifier in response to entering a registration mode. A client device is in communication with the server device. The client device detects that the server device is in registration mode and communicates a second identifier to the client device. The server device compares the first identifier and the second identifier and, after comparing, registers the client device at the server device.

Abstract: A communication system includes a content repository 274 storing a content file and a video transport processing system 273 in communication with the content repository 274. The video transport processing system 273 receives a plurality of conditional access information, stores a relative time of arrival of each of the plurality of conditional access information and encrypts the content file using the plurality of conditional access information and the relative time of arrival to form an encrypted content file.

Abstract: A communication system 10 includes a head end 12. The head end communicates with a system gateway 26. A plurality of user devices 28 is coupled to the gateway 26 that includes a memory device 94 for storing content therein. The gateway 26 receives the plurality of first encrypted signals and stores the signals in the memory device 94. The storing in the memory device 94 may be performed after further encryption. One of the user devices 28 generates a request for content and communicates the request to the gateway 26. The gateway 26 communicates content corresponding to the request to the user device 28.

Abstract: A method and system for storing push content includes a user device having a memory and a viewer tracking module generating a viewed content history for content corresponding to viewed content at the user device. A recommendation recording module compares the viewed content history and push content and stores at least one push content at the user device in response comparing to form a recorded content push list. A display displays the recorded content push list corresponding to the content stored in the user device.

Abstract: A conditional access system generating a permission packet in response to the content request. The permission packet has information for a user device to access content through a connection of a content delivery network so that in response to the permission packet, a first connection from the content delivery network to the user device may be opened by the user device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at broadcast headends in pay delivery systems are disclosed. An example method includes generating a broadcast signal, receiving an authorization request to download a program from a receiver station, determining an authorization for the download and sending the authorization to a point-to-point content delivery server.

Abstract: A receiver and method for operating the same includes a memory storing purchase information therein and a communication module. A controller is in communication with the memory and the communication module. The controller determines whether an existing Internet connection is present at the communication module when the existing Internet connection is present and communicates purchase information to a service provider through the existing Internet connection. The controller determines whether a subscriber-initiated Internet connection has occurred within a mandatory callback time period, when purchase information has been communicated within the mandatory callback time period and advances the mandatory callback time period. The controller initiates the communication module to initiate a new Internet connection when there is no existing Internet connection present or no subscriber-initiated Internet connection has occurred within the mandatory callback time period.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for processing media content for display on a monitor. A home media center (HMC), that includes a server receiver, acts as a central location for recording, distribution, and scheduling of tasks and system resources. The HMC receives a client request from a first client receiver and a legacy request or informs the receiver that the request cannot be fulfilled. Different coding technologies are used to provide video, audio, and data services to the client receiver and the legacy receiver.

Abstract: A receiver and method for operating the same includes a memory storing purchase information therein and a communication module. A controller is in communication with the memory and the communication module. The controller determines whether an existing Internet connection is present at the communication module when the existing Internet connection is present and communicates purchase information to a service provider through the existing Internet connection. The controller determines whether a subscriber-initiated Internet connection has occurred within a mandatory callback time period, when purchase information has been communicated within the mandatory callback time period and advances the mandatory callback time period. The controller initiates the communication module to initiate a new Internet connection when there is no existing Internet connection present or no subscriber-initiated Internet connection has occurred within the mandatory callback time period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving a data stream comprising the program material encrypted according to a first (CW) encryption key, decrypting the program material; re-encrypting the program material according to a second encryption key, and storing the re-encrypted material in a media storage device. The program material is played back by retrieving the re-encrypted material from the media storage device and decrypting the re-encrypted program material. In one embodiment, the media storage device also stores the second encryption key which has been further encrypted by a key that is unique to the device used to receive the program material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for selectively displaying a video program are disclosed. A system for selectively displaying a video program in accordance with the present invention comprises a transmission station, including a server for attaching information to the video program, a plurality of satellites receiving at least an uplink signal which includes the information and the video program from the transmission station and producing a downlink signal based on the uplink signal, an antenna, the antenna receiving the downlink signal, and at least one receiver, coupled to the antenna, for receiving the downlink signal and interpreting the information in the downlink signal, wherein the at least one receiver selectively displays the video program based on at least the interpreted information.

Abstract: Secure content transfer systems and methods to operate the same are disclosed. An example system includes a content server to encrypt content according to an encryption key, and to transfer the encrypted content, the encryption key and a license to a client that supports a digital rights management technology. The example system further includes a broadcast system headend to determine the encryption key, wherein the broadcast system headend is physically separate from the content server, and a digital rights management license server to provide the license.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) to a telephone line via a coaxial cable used for delivering direct broadcast satellite signals to the IRD. One embodiment comprises a port coupler, coupled to a telephone line and to the coaxial cable, and a client unit, coupled between the port coupler and the IRD, wherein the port coupler connects the IRD to the direct broadcast satellite signals and connects the IRD to the phone line via the client unit, and at least satellite signals, satellite control signals, telephone data signals, and telephone system protocol signals travel on the coaxial cable between the client unit and the port coupler.

Abstract: Content delivery systems and methods to operate the same are disclosed. A disclosed example content delivery system comprises: a receiver station; a content server to transfer a file to a receiver via a point-to-point communication signal; and a transmission source that includes a computer readable medium to store the file containing pre-packetized content data and a controller to send the file containing the pre-packetized content data to a broadcast transmitter and to the content server.

Abstract: A system for receiving satellite signals for display on a monitor. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises an antenna, a server receiver, coupled to the antenna, and at least one client receiver, coupled to the server receiver, wherein the server receiver maintains a list of satellite video signals to be recorded by the server receiver, the satellite video signals including network recorded data and metadata associated with the network recorded data, and wherein the list can be accessed by the server receiver and the at least one client receiver.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for delivering purchase information comprising storing purchase information for a purchase of a user in a set top box. The set top box (STB) is configured to receive and display the broadcast signals through a tuner onto a display device. The STB establishes a connection to the Internet through a user initiated action (e.g., when the user accesses the Internet using the STB). A new transmission control/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) connection is obtained using the established user-initiated Internet connection without the user requesting the connection. A secure electronic connection is established with a server through the new TCP/IP connection. The purchase information is then transmitted from the STB through the secure electronic connection to the server.