Abstract: Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at receivers in pay delivery systems are disclosed. An example receiver station includes a receiver interface to receive a broadcast signal, and a controller to, for a selected program, generate an authorization request and a content request. The example receiver station also includes a network interface to transmit the authorization request, to transmit the content request to point-to-point content delivery server, and to receive the program from the point-to-point content delivery server.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide content on demand in content broadcast systems are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a first portion of a program via broadcast signal and receiving a second portion of the program via an Internet protocol (IP) based signal. The example method may further comprise combining the first and the second portions and at least one of store the combined first and second portions in a file or playback the combined first and second portions.

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: 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: Methods and apparatus to conditionally authorize content delivery at content servers in pay delivery systems are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving an authorization for a program download, receiving a request to download the program from a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a broadcast signal, and transmitting the program to the receiver via point-to-point communication signal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to activate functionality in a set-top box. A feature authorization message is received in a set-top box. The feature authorization message comprises one or more rules to be evaluated (wherein each of the rules comprises one or more tests for a status of one or more conditional access module attributes), one or more event requirements for rule evaluation, and one or more features that are dependent by the rule evaluation result (wherein each of the one or more features represents a set of one or more abilities of hardware and/or software of the set-top box). When one or more of the event requirements have been met, the one or more rules are evaluated to obtain a result. The ability to use the one or more features are then set based on the result.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently delivering messages from a service provider to individual receiving devices in a unidirectional, multi-channel communications system that provides parallel distribution of information from the service provider to the receiving devices. The messages are transferred from the service provider to the receiving device only on an agreed-upon channel at an agreed-upon time, wherein each message is tagged with an address corresponding to the receiving device by the service provider and then transmitted by the service provider to the receiving device on the agreed-upon channel with the receiving device filtering the agreed-upon channel to detect the address and decode its messages. The agreed-upon channel and the agreed-upon time of message transfers are coordinated between the service provider and the receiving device prior to transferring the message from the service provider to the receiving device.

Abstract: Quasi on-demand programming is dynamically scheduled in a broadcast television network to improve customer service, enhance programming flexibility and increase the value proposition of the service provider. A Program Offer including a “delivery window” for each program and an initial Playlist for broadcasting regular, PPV and offered programming are created. Customer demand for individual programs in the offering is surveyed. This information is used to reoptimize the Playlist prior to broadcast and to update a “rolling” Program Offer to better manage network capacity and improve custom satisfaction.

Abstract: The present invention is a video on demand service enabled from a near video on demand service. A desired program is split into portions, or clips. The first clip is delivered a priori to the customer's DVR using a hidden channel and it is made available for purchase on demand. The remaining portion is broadcast regularly using the start time of the NVOD service, for as long as the program is available for VOD purchase. Upon purchase, the remaining portion is authorized for capture by the DVR. The clips are spliced together upon playback to form a complete program.