System and method for simultaneously authorizing multiple virtual channels
First Claim
1. A decoder for use in a multiservice communication system, said decoder comprising:
- storing means for storing access information for accessing a service component signal of a first selected virtual channel and a service component signal of a second selected virtual channel from a plurality of service component signals multiplexed in a sequence of frames;
demultiplexing means, responsive to the access information of the storing means, for demultiplexing the service component signal of the first selected virtual channel and for demultiplexing the service component signal of the second selected virtual channel from the plurality of service component signals multiplexed in the sequence of frames; and
an output for simultaneously outputting the demultiplexed service component signal of the first selected virtual channel and the demultiplexed service component signal of the second selected virtual channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A decoder in a multiservice communication system receives a plurality of services as data streams, including video, audio, teletext, and utility data, multiplexed in sequence of frames. Each service defines a virtual channel. Virtual channel packets contained in the multiplex include information for locating the data streams that compose the virtual channels and information for decrypting the data streams. Each virtual channel packet is transmitted in the multiplex each session of frames. When a user selects more than one virtual channel at a given time, the decoder extracts a virtual channel packet for a first selected virtual channel in a first session. The decoder can then provide the decrypted data streams for the first selected virtual channel to peripheral equipment. The decoder stores the information for locating and decrypting such data streams. In each succeeding session, the decoder extracts another selected virtual channel packet and provides the decrypted data streams for that selected virtual channel and for all previously authorized selected virtual channels. When a virtual channel packet for each selected virtual channel has been processed, the decoder repeats the cycle thereby providing the data streams for each selected virtual channel.
236 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A decoder for use in a multiservice communication system, said decoder comprising:
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storing means for storing access information for accessing a service component signal of a first selected virtual channel and a service component signal of a second selected virtual channel from a plurality of service component signals multiplexed in a sequence of frames; demultiplexing means, responsive to the access information of the storing means, for demultiplexing the service component signal of the first selected virtual channel and for demultiplexing the service component signal of the second selected virtual channel from the plurality of service component signals multiplexed in the sequence of frames; and an output for simultaneously outputting the demultiplexed service component signal of the first selected virtual channel and the demultiplexed service component signal of the second selected virtual channel.
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2. A decoder for use in a multiservice communication system, said decoder comprising:
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a receiver for receiving service component signals in a sequence of multiplexed frames, wherein the sequence is divided into a plurality of sessions, each session having a plurality of frames; a selector for selecting first and second virtual channels for simultaneous access, wherein each of the first and second virtual channels corresponds to one or more service component signals in the sequence of multiplexed frames; extracting means, responsive to said selector, for extracting from the received frames in alternate sessions first control information identifying service component signals of the first selected virtual channel and second control information identifying service component signals of the second selected virtual channel; a security element for receiving the extracted first control information and the extracted second control information, and for generating access information for the selected first and second virtual channels; demultiplexing means, responsive to the access information generated by said security element, for demultiplexing the service component signals corresponding to the selected first and second virtual channels from the received frames. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for authorizing multiple virtual channels simultaneously, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining access information for a first selected virtual channel in a first time period; storing the access information for the first selected virtual channel; determining access information for a second virtual channel in a second time period; providing the access information for the first selected virtual channel and for the second selected virtual channel to a demultiplexer in the second time period; extracting service component signals corresponding to both the first and second selected virtual channels from a multiplex of service component signals; and simultaneously outputting the extracted service component signals to user equipment. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A decoder for use in a multiservice communication system for communicating information in a sequence of multiplexed frames, the sequence of multiplexed frames including a plurality of service component signals and control information packets, each control information packet corresponding to a virtual channel of service and each virtual of channel of service being formed of one or more service component signals, wherein the sequence of multiplexed frames is divided into a plurality of sessions, each session including control information packets for each virtual channel of service supported by the multiservice communication system, said decoder comprising:
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a security element, responsive to a simultaneous selection of N virtual channels by a user, where N is an integer greater than one, for receiving the control information packets corresponding to the N selected virtual channel in successive sessions and for generating access information for each of the N selected virtual channels each session; and a demultiplexer, responsive to the access information, for demultiplexing the service component signals of the N selected virtual channels from the plurality of service component signals multiplexed in the sequence of frames. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification