Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for ransomware-aware file backup is implemented on a computing device and includes: backing up a target population of files from a target file location in a backup transaction, computing a backup delta score for the backup transaction, where the computing comprises comparing backup data from the backup transaction with backup data from a previous backup transaction, determining whether the computer backup delta score exceeds a pre-defined threshold, and upon the computed backup delta score exceeding the pre-defined threshold: determining that the backup transaction is indicative of a ransomware infection, and performing at least one counter-measure in response to the ransomware infection.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for ransomware-aware file backup is implemented on a computing device and includes: backing up a target population of files from a target file location in a backup transaction, computing a backup delta score for the backup transaction, where the computing comprises comparing backup data from the backup transaction with backup data from a previous backup transaction, determining whether the computer backup delta score exceeds a pre-defined threshold, and upon the computed backup delta score exceeding the pre-defined threshold: determining that the backup transaction is indicative of a ransomware infection, and performing at least one counter-measure in response to the ransomware infection.

Abstract: A system comprising a decoder to receive an encoded video stream including video frames including reference and non-reference frames, and decode the reference frames, a processor to receive a request from an end-user rendering device requiring a first reference frame as part of decoding the encoded video stream of the first channel from the middle of a group of pictures of the encoded video stream, wherein a second reference frame is a reference frame for the first reference frame in the received encoded video stream, an encoder to encode the decoded first reference frame yielding a re-encoded first reference frame so that decoding the re-encoded first reference frame is not dependent upon the second reference frame, and a transmitter to transmit the re-encoded first reference frame to the end-user rendering device. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A fast channel change (FFC) system including a tuner arrangement to receive at least one transport stream including an aggregated video service (AVS) and TV channels, each video frame of the AVS including some video data of each channel, a demultiplexer arrangement to demultiplex a first channel and the AVS, a FCC buffer to buffer the video frames of the AVS, a decoder arrangement to decode the first channel, a controller to instruct the decoder arrangement to switch from decoding the first channel to decoding the AVS from the FCC buffer, and a graphic engine to extract the video data of a second channel from the AVS yielding a full-screen video, and output the full-screen video to a display device, wherein the controller is operative to instruct the decoder arrangement to switch from decoding the AVS to decoding the second channel. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A device including a module to receive a stream including an insertion content item and first timecodes, a module to record the stream, a module to receive a live stream including a timeslot and second and third timecodes, a clock to provide a clock reading updated based on at least some of the third timecodes, a module to retrieve the recorded stream so that the insertion content item can be at least partially rendered during at least part of the timeslot, a module to calculate a desired timecode of the first timecodes from which to start rendering the recorded stream for output at real-time speed based one of the first timecodes, second timecodes, and third timecodes or the clock reading, and a module to render the recorded stream for output at real-time speed from the desired timecode. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A system for switching from a first (14) to a second (16) audio/video sequence, the second sequence (16) including a splice point time stamp (12), the system including a disk (18) to store the first sequence (14), a receiver to receive the second sequence as live audio/video, a demultiplexer arrangement (24) to demultiplex at least some of the first sequence (14) from the disk (18) and the second sequence (16) from the receiver, demultiplex the first sequence fast enough so that the demultiplexing of the second sequence (16) can commence a number of frames prior to the splice point time stamp (12), a buffer (28,30) to receive for storage from the demultiplexer arrangement (24), the demultiplexed audio/video of the first sequence (14) and at least part of the second sequence (16), and a decoder (34,36) to decode the demultiplexed audio/video stored in the buffer (28,30) including decoding the first sequence (14) and then the second sequence (16) from the splice point time stamp (12).

Abstract: A system comprising a decoder to receive an encoded video stream including video frames including reference and non-reference frames, and decode the reference frames, a processor to receive a request from an end-user rendering device requiring a first reference frame as part of decoding the encoded video stream of the first channel from the middle of a group of pictures of the encoded video stream, wherein a second reference frame is a reference frame for the first reference frame in the received encoded video stream, an encoder to encode the decoded first reference frame yielding a re-encoded first reference frame so that decoding the re-encoded first reference frame is not dependent upon the second reference frame, and a transmitter to transmit the re-encoded first reference frame to the end-user rendering device. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A fast channel change (FFC) system including a tuner arrangement to receive at least one transport stream including an aggregated video service (AVS) and TV channels, each video frame of the AVS including some video data of each channel, a demultiplexer arrangement to demultiplex a first channel and the AVS, a FCC buffer to buffer the video frames of the AVS, a decoder arrangement to decode the first channel, a controller to instruct the decoder arrangement to switch from decoding the first channel to decoding the AVS from the FCC buffer, and a graphic engine to extract the video data of a second channel from the AVS yielding a full-screen video, and output the full-screen video to a display device, wherein the controller is operative to instruct the decoder arrangement to switch from decoding the AVS to decoding the second channel. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A device including a module to receive a stream including an insertion content item and first timecodes, a module to record the stream, a module to receive a live stream including a timeslot and second and third timecodes, a clock to provide a clock reading updated based on at least some of the third timecodes, a module to retrieve the recorded stream so that the insertion content item can be at least partially rendered during at least part of the timeslot, a module to calculate a desired timecode of the first timecodes from which to start rendering the recorded stream for output at real-time speed based one of the first timecodes, second timecodes, and third timecodes or the clock reading, and a module to render the recorded stream for output at real-time speed from the desired timecode. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A system for switching from a first (14) to a second (16) audio/video sequence, the second sequence (16) including a splice point time stamp (12), the system including a disk (18) to store the first sequence (14), a receiver to receive the second sequence as live audio/video, a demultiplexer arrangement (24) to demultiplex at least some of the first sequence (14) from the disk (18) and the second sequence (16) from the receiver, demultiplex the first sequence fast enough so that the demultiplexing of the second sequence (16) can commence a number of frames prior to the splice point time stamp (12), a buffer (28,30) to receive for storage from the demultiplexer arrangement (24), the demultiplexed audio/video of the first sequence (14) and at least part of the second sequence (16), and a decoder (34,36) to decode the demultiplexed audio/video stored in the buffer (28,30) including decoding the first sequence (14) and then the second sequence (16) from the splice point time stamp (12).

Abstract: A method is described for trick mode playback, the method including selecting a key-frame in a recording substantially in the vicinity of a trick mode playback starting position, preparing a decryption key associated with a key period including the selected key-frame, sending the prepared decryption key to a descrambler, thereby enabling decryption of video beginning at the selected key-frame, sending a first number P seconds of decrypted video frames, starting at the selected key-frame, at a predetermined speed for a predetermined number of seconds, to a video decoder, in parallel to the sending P seconds of video frames, choosing at least a second video section to stream to the video decoder, sending a decryption key associated with the chosen second video section to the descrambler, and repeating the steps of selecting, preparing, sending the prepared decryption key, and sending a first number P seconds of decrypted video frames. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method is described for trick mode playback, the method including selecting a key-frame in a recording substantially in the vicinity of a trick mode playback starting position, preparing a decryption key associated with a key period including the selected key-frame, sending the prepared decryption key to a descrambler, thereby enabling decryption of video beginning at the selected key-frame, sending a first number P seconds of decrypted video frames, starting at the selected key-frame, at a predetermined speed for a predetermined number of seconds, to a video decoder, in parallel to the sending P seconds of video frames, choosing at least a second video section to stream to the video decoder, sending a decryption key associated with the chosen second video section to the descrambler, and repeating the steps of selecting, preparing, sending the prepared decryption key, and sending a first number P seconds of decrypted video frames. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method for providing keys for descrambling scrambled content, the scrambled content being divided into frames, the method including: identifying a plurality of frames to be descrambled; for each frame of the plurality of frames, identifying a key period associated with a key for descrambling the frame; and for at least one frame f of the plurality of frames, substituting a substitute frame g for the frame f, the substitute frame g being chosen in order to reduce a total number of key periods associated with keys for descrambling all of the plurality of frames. Related apparatus and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method for providing keys for descrambling scrambled content, the scrambled content being divided into frames, the method including: identifying a plurality of frames to be descrambled; for each frame of the plurality of frames, identifying a key period associated with a key for descrambling the frame; and for at least one frame f of the plurality of frames, substituting a substitute frame g for the frame f, the substitute frame g being chosen in order to reduce a total number of key periods associated with keys for descrambling all of the plurality of frames. Related apparatus and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method for providing keys for descrambling scrambled content, the scrambled content being divided into frames, the method including: identifying a plurality of frames to be descrambled; for each frame of the plurality of frames, identifying a key period associated with a key for descrambling the frame; and for at least one frame f of the plurality of frames, substituting a substitute frame g for the frame f, the substitute frame g being chosen in order to reduce a total number of key periods associated with keys for descrambling all of the plurality of frames. Related apparatus and methods are also provided.