Abstract: A system and method for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed. The method includes accepting a receiver ID associated with a receiver key stored in a memory of the receiver, determining a pairing key for encrypting communications between the conditional access module and the receiver, encrypting the pairing key with the receiver key, and transmitting a message comprising the encrypted pairing key to the receiver. The apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving a data stream transmitting a media program encrypted according to a media encryption key and an encrypted media encryption key and a conditional access module, communicatively coupleable with the receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a communication system includes a local area network, a first client device and a first server device in communication with the first client device through the local area network. The first server device communicates an audio-visual stream and remote user interface data to the first client device through the local area network. The first client device renders a display using the audio-video stream and the remote user interface. The first client device generates a key command and communicates the key command to the first server device in response to the remote user interface data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remote watermarking of a media program is disclosed. The method inserts a pattern of substituted second versions of media program portions that are invisible to the viewer, into reproduced copies of the media program. The method permits the watermarking of encrypted media programs.

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, apparatus, and article of manufacture limit unauthorized access to digital services. A hidden non-modifiable identification number is embedded into a nonvolatile memory component. The hidden number uniquely identifies a device containing the nonvolatile memory component and access to digital services is based on rights associated with the hidden number. Access to the nonvolatile memory is isolated such that access to the identification number is limited to a fixed state custom logic block. The custom logic block has hardware configured to use the hidden number and other information to provide an output that is a function of the hidden number and that can be used to confirm an identity of a device without revealing information that can be used to impersonate the 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 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 system and method for communicating content to users that includes a prioritizer and a listing module communicating the category and content identifier for a content to the prioritizer. The prioritizer associates a lifecycle having a plurality of lifecycle states with the category, assigns a first priority to the content in response to a first lifecycle state of the plurality of lifecycle states, changes the first lifecycle state to a second lifecycle state and changes the first priority to a second priority in response to changing the first lifecycle state to the second lifecycle state.

Abstract: Essential data elements, particularly entitlement control messages (ECMs), are inserted in a manner that reduces the overhead bit rate without effecting overall tuning time at the customer receiver or security in satellite, cable or other programming networks. ECMs are inserted into the transport stream by detecting random access points (RAPS) in the encoded programming and inserting the ECM packets in a window just ahead of the RAP.

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 device and method for multiple access cards to interface to at least one integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) and methods for using the device. The interface device of the present invention contains multiple access card readers and houses multiple access cards. The device can switch between access cards based on pre-configured software that rotates the cards according to various conditions. In another embodiment, the device can simultaneously operate all the cards. The device can select one card for the IRD based on responses acquired for the various conditions. In addition, the present invention allows monitoring access card authorizations and blackout states in multiple IRDs. A single access card can be applied to more than one IRD simultaneously, and the IRDs can be different versions. In addition, the present invention provides a satellite broadcast center with the capability of testing multiple access cards in real time either sequentially, or in parallel, through multiple IRDs.

Abstract: A communication system 100 includes a group of user devices 110, a first satellite 106 and a content delivery network 120 in communication with the group of user devices 110. The content delivery network 120 communicates encryption-decryption information to the plurality of user devices using the first satellite 106 and encrypts the content in response to the encryption-decryption information. The content delivery network 120 communicates the content to the plurality of user devices separately from the encryption-decryption information. The plurality of user devices 110 decrypts the content in response to the encryption-decryption information. A control word packet may also be used to convey security information to the user devices so that decryption may be performed.

Abstract: A communication system 10 and method of operating the same includes a website 40, a computing device 30 accessing the website 40 and selecting a content request from the website 40, a conditional access system 60 coupled to the website 40 generates a permission packet in response to the content request. A user device 22 receives the permission packet. In response to the permission packet, the user device 22 forms a connection to the user device 22 in response to the permission packet through a communication network 50.

Abstract: A communication system 100 includes a group of user devices, a first device separate from the group of user devices, a first satellite, a peer-to-peer network 130 in communication with the user devices and the satellite 106 and a content delivery network 120 in communication with the user devices. The content delivery network encrypts the content in response to a first encryption-decryption information and communicates the content to the plurality of user devices through a satellite. At each of the plurality of the group of user devices the content is encrypted in response to a second encryption-decryption information. A first user device communicates a content request to the group of user devices. At least one of the group of user devices communicates the content to the first user device through the peer-to-peer network. The first user device requests the encryption-decryption information from a content delivery network through a terrestrial network.

Abstract: A system and method for generating television recommendations includes a viewer tracking module that tracks viewer events to form a viewer tracking log. A recommendation module that determines a timeslot, generates a timeslot viewing profile based on the timeslot. The viewer tracking log corresponds to television programs watched previously at the user device during the timeslot. The recommendation module compares the timeslot viewing profile with available content for the timeslot and generates a content recommendation list.

Abstract: A communication system and method for operating the same includes a group of user devices and a content delivery network in communication with the group of user devices. The content delivery network selects a plurality user devices from the group of user devices, divides the content into a crucial portion and a non-crucial portions, and encrypts the crucial portions differently for each of the user devices in the group using conditional access encryption. The content delivery network communicates the non-crucial portions to the plurality of user devices, communicates the encrypted crucial portion to the plurality of user devices separately from the non-crucial. The plurality of user devices assembles the crucial portion and the non-crucial portions to form the content.

Abstract: A communication system includes a head end. The head end communicates with a system gateway. A plurality of user devices is coupled to the gateway. The gateway receives the plurality of first encrypted signals, decrypts the plurality of first encrypted signals to form unencrypted signals and encrypts the unencrypted signals with a second encryption to form a plurality of second encrypted signals and communicates the second encrypted signals to the plurality of user devices. The signals may also be super-encrypted signals. That is, rather than un-encrypting at the gateway, the first encrypted signals may be again encrypted.

Abstract: A communication system 100 includes a group of user devices 110, a satellite 106 and a content delivery network 120 in communication with the group of user devices 110. The content delivery network 120 selects a plurality of user devices 110 from the group of user devices 110, divides content into a crucial portion and non-crucial portions, communicates the non-crucial portions to the plurality of user devices using a peer-to-peer network until all non-critical portions are received. After communicating the non-crucial portions, the content delivery network 120 communicates the crucial portion to the plurality of user devices 110 through the satellite. The plurality of user devices assembles the crucial portion and the non-crucial portions to form the content. In addition, security information may be first transmitted through the satellite to the user devices so that a peer-to-peer network may be established. Thereafter, the non-crucial portion are exchanged through the peer-to-peer network.

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: 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 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 second encryption key is derived from metadata describing replay rights. In a further 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.