To be accessed on different media players, requested content must be delivered in a format that is supported by the requesting device. A dynamic content packager for encrypting and packaging requested content for different requesting devices at the time of consumption is disclosed.

There is provided an arrangement which is capable of reliably generating and transmitting viewing information with respect to contents received via a communication route other than terrestrial broadcasting waves. Contents in which a contents ID applicable to the generation of viewing information and viewing information-compatible data such as viewing information destination information or the like are recorded in an electronic watermark (WaterMark) or a sound data file are sent from a transmitting apparatus to a receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus acquires the contents ID and the viewing information destination information, etc. from the electronic watermark (WM) or the sound data file, generates viewing information using the acquired data, and sends the generated viewing information to a designated address.

A method for media subtitling is described, wherein subtitles and/or captions for media are first created on a web interface in a first language along with the appropriate synchronization information with respect to the media. The document content may be created via the web interface, or it may be created locally and uploaded to the interface. Subsequent to creation and/or upload of at least a portion of the subtitling, personnel in different locations (e.g., different terminals or different countries) then access the web interface, which includes the first language and the synchronization information, to create foreign/alternative subtitling.

A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. .[.At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc..]. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.

Described herein are systems and methods for hardware enforcement of hardware functionality in a television receiver. An activation message containing an activation code for a specific hardware component within the television receiver can be transmitted from a television service provider system to a television receiver having an associated smart card. The smart card can decrypt the activation message, security check the activation message, confirm the activation message is intended for the television receiver, encrypt the activation message with a local key, and transmit the activation message to a security processor on the television receiver. The security processor can decrypt the activation message, security check the activation message to ensure it is from the smart card and has not been tampered with, and enable the hardware component within the television receiver based on the activation code within the activation message.

Described herein are systems and methods for hardware enforcement of hardware functionality in a client television receiver. An activation message containing an activation code for a specific hardware component within the client television receiver can be transmitted from a television service provider system to a host television receiver having an associated smart card. The smart card can decrypt the activation message, identify the client television receiver as the destination of the activation message, security check the activation message, encrypt the activation message with a local key, and transmit the activation message to a security processor on the client television receiver. The security processor can decrypt the activation message, security check the activation message to ensure it is from the smart card and has not been tampered with, and enable the hardware component within the client television receiver based on the activation code within the activation message.

A multicast content delivery system can use both multicast and unicast streams to efficiently use available bandwidth to deliver content. Available multicast content can be identified to gateways serving consumption devices, and the gateways can receive requests for unicast content deliver, but honor the requests with multicast group sessions.

Methods and apparatus for control of data and content protection mechanisms across a network using a download delivery paradigm. In one embodiment, conditional access (CA), digital rights management (DRM), and trusted domain (TD) security policies are delivered, configured and enforced with respect to consumer premises equipment (CPE) within a cable television network. A trusted domain is established within the user's premises within which content access, distribution, and reproduction can be controlled remotely by the network operator. The content may be distributed to secure or non-secure output domains consistent with the security policies enforced by secure CA, DRM, and TD clients running within the trusted domain. Legacy and retail CPE models are also supported. A network security architecture comprising an authentication proxy (AP), provisioning system (MPS), and conditional access system (CAS) is also disclosed, which can interface with a trusted authority (TA) for cryptographic element management and CPE/user device authentication.

A method, receiver, and server enable content protection over broadcast channels. A method for receiving a media license includes receiving broadcast media data including at least a portion that is protected and requesting a message from a content decryption module (CDM) of the receiver. The method includes receiving a license signaling message including encrypted license data and identifying one or more hash codes in the license signaling message. Additionally, the method includes identifying the encrypted license data for the receiver based on a mapping between the one or more hash codes and a hash of the message from the CDM. A server for providing a media license sends, to a receiver or a group of receivers, a license signaling message including encrypted license data and a license message hash indicating a hash code used to identify the receiver or the group of receivers for the encrypted license data.

A system and method of delivering video on demand includes a web site for receiving customer requests for video content, locating the requested content on one of a plurality of distributed video servers, and arranging the located content to be distributed to the customer's set top box via a broadband connection.