Abstract: A communication system 100 includes a group of user devices 110 and a content delivery network 120 in communication with the group of user devices 110. The content deliver network 120 selects a plurality user devices from the group of user devices 110, divides the content into a crucial portion and a non-crucial portions. The content delivery network 120 communicates the non-crucial portions to the plurality of user devices and communicates the crucial portion to the plurality of user devices separately from the non-crucial portions and at each of the plurality of user devices. The plurality of user devices 110 assembles the crucial portion and the non-crucial portions to form the content.

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: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for limiting unauthorized access to digital services. A protected nonvolatile memory component is configured. The protected nonvolatile memory component is used to contain state information to provide desired functionality and enforce one or more security policies for accessing the digital services. Additionally, the protected nonvolatile memory component and a microprocessor's nonvolatile memory component share a programming charge pump and programming control. Access to the nonvolatile memory component is then controlled through a fixed state custom logic block.

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: Methods and an apparatus for distributing digital content via a host receiver (e.g., direct-to-home satellite host receiver) are disclosed. The disclosed techniques include transmission of a host identifier and a client identifier from a host receiver and a client device to a satellite transmission station. The identifiers are used by the transmission station to lookup unique encryption keys associated with the host receiver and client device. The transmission station then transmits one or more encrypted keys to the host and/or client. In addition, the transmission station transmits encrypted content to the host. In turn, the host decrypts the content using one encryption key, re-encrypts the content using another encryption key, and passes the content along to the client device. By using the smart card, tuner, and/or storage device of the host receiver, the client device need not include a smart card, tuner, and/or storage device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving conditional access information (CAI) on one or more of a plurality of tuners while the user is selecting different channels is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving the CAI on a first tuner tuned to a first channel; identifying the first tuner as the tuner receiving the CAI; and commanding the second tuner to receive the CAI after receiving a command to retune the first tuner from the first channel to a second channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmission security is presented. A receiver communicatively coupleable to an identifiable conditional access module (CAM) to enable reception of the service uses an authenticator to control the operability of the receiver according to a comparison between the identified conditional access module and a list of conditional access modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving conditional access information (CAI) on one or more of a plurality of tuners receiving the CAI from a first tuner of the plurality of tuners is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining if the CAI is of a first type that is transmitted by all of a plurality of transponders or of a second type that is transmitted by fewer than all of the plurality of transponders; passing, to a conditional access module, only CAI from the first tuner and rejecting CAI from any other tuner if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by all transponders; and passing, to the conditional access module, all CAI from any of the plurality of tuners if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by fewer than all transponders.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving access control information and the program material encrypted according to a first encryption key, the access control information including the first encryption key and control data; further encrypting the access control information and the encrypted program material according to a second encryption key; encrypting the second encryption key according to a third encryption key to produce a fourth encryption key; and storing the encrypted access control information and encrypted program material and the fourth encryption key.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving conditional access information (CAI) on one or more of a plurality of tuners while the user is selecting different channels is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving the CAI on a first tuner tuned to a first channel; identifying the first tuner as the tuner receiving the CAI; and commanding the second tuner to receive the CAI after receiving a command to retune the first tuner from the first channel to a second channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving conditional access information (CAI) on one or more of a plurality of tuners receiving the CAI from a first tuner of the plurality of tuners is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining if the CAI is of a first type that is transmitted by all of a plurality of transponders or of a second type that is transmitted by fewer than all of the plurality of transponders; passing, to a conditional access module, only CAI from the first tuner and rejecting CAI from any other tuner if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by all transponders; and passing, to the conditional access module, all CAI from any of the plurality of tuners if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by fewer than all transponders.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for limiting unauthorized access to digital services. A hidden non-modifiable identification number is embedded into a nonvolatile memory component. The nonvolatile memory component is used to contain state information to provide desired functionality and enforce one or more security policies for accessing the digital services. Also, the hidden number uniquely identifies a device containing the nonvolatile memory component and access to the digital services is based on access rights associated with the hidden number. Once embedded, access to the nonvolatile memory component is isolated such that access to the identification number is limited to a fixed state custom logic block, the nonvolatile memory component is protected from modification such that it is read only, and the nonvolatile memory component is not directly accessible via a system bus.

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: An apparatus and method for transmission security is presented. A receiver communicatively coupleable to an identifiable conditional access module (CAM) to enable reception of the service uses an authenticator to control the operability of the receiver according to a comparison between the identified conditional access module and a list of conditional access modules.

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, wherein the set top box is configured to receive broadcast signals through a tuner; and enable a presentation device connected to the set top box to display the broadcast signals; automatically obtaining a connection to the Internet or a data paging network using a communication module of the set top box without the user requesting the connection, wherein the communication module is different than the tuner; establishing a secure electronic connection with a server through the connection to the Internet or data paging network; and transmitting the purchase information from the set top box through the secure electronic connection to the server.

Abstract: In a broadcast system for transmitting a communication signal to a plurality of receiver units, each receiver unit having associated therewith respective authorization information identifying subsets of the communication signal the receiver unit is authorized to process, a method for controlling access to the communication signal includes the step of receiving a conditional instruction. The conditional instruction specifies a modification of the authorization information conditioned upon whether the receiver unit belongs to a receiver unit category. The method further includes the step of executing the conditional instruction to modify the authorization information conditioned upon whether the receiver unit belongs to the receiver unit category.