Method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a signal decoder in a broadcasting system
First Claim
1. Method for controlling the operation of a signal decoder in a broadcasting system, including the steps of generating a broadcast signal, generating an information table, adding said information table to said signal, generating an encrypted signature from the information in the information table and adding said signature to said signal, wherein said step of generating a broadcast signal includes generating a digital transport stream as a multiplex of a plurality of signal sources, wherein said information table includes identification and control data for the decoder wherein said digital transport stream includes a pay load part, broadcasting said signal with said signature, receiving said signal in said decoder, decrypting said signature, comparing the decrypted signature with information in the information table used as verification value and, if a match occurs, allowing the further operation of said decoder, and, if a match does not occur, disallowing further operation of said decoder.
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Abstract
In a method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a signal decoder in a broadcasting system, a broadcast signal and an encrypted signature are generated and the signature is added to the signal. The signal together with the signature is broadcasted and received in the decoder, where the signature is decrypted and compared with a verification value. If a match occurs, further operation of the decoder is allowed. If a match does not occur, further operation of the decoder is disallowed.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. Method for controlling the operation of a signal decoder in a broadcasting system, including the steps of generating a broadcast signal, generating an information table, adding said information table to said signal, generating an encrypted signature from the information in the information table and adding said signature to said signal, wherein said step of generating a broadcast signal includes generating a digital transport stream as a multiplex of a plurality of signal sources, wherein said information table includes identification and control data for the decoder wherein said digital transport stream includes a pay load part, broadcasting said signal with said signature, receiving said signal in said decoder, decrypting said signature, comparing the decrypted signature with information in the information table used as verification value and, if a match occurs, allowing the further operation of said decoder, and, if a match does not occur, disallowing further operation of said decoder.
- 4. Method for controlling the operation of a signal decoder in a broadcasting system, including the steps of generating a broadcast signal, generating a first information table from data in said signal, generating an encrypted signature from information in said first information table and adding said signature to said signal, wherein said step of generating a broadcast signal includes generating a digital transport stream as a multiplex of a plurality of signal sources, wherein said digital transport stream includes a pay load part, broadcasting said signal with said signature, receiving said signal in said decoder, generating a second information table in the signal decoder in the same manner as said first information table from data of said received signal decrypting said signature, comparing the decrypted signature with information in the second information table used as verification value and, if a match occurs, allowing the further operation of said decoder, and, if a match does not occur, disallowing further operation of said decoder.
- 7. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a signal decoder in a broadcasting system, comprising means for receiving a broadcast signal with an encrypted signature, means for decrypting said signature, means for comparing the decrypted signature with a verification value, and means for allowing or disallowing normal operation of said decoder in dependence on the result of this comparison being a match or a mismatch, respectively, wherein said signal includes an information table containing identification and control data, said apparatus further comprising means for storing said information table in said memory, means for using said information table to operate the decoder and means for creating said verification value from information in said information table.
- 12. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a signal decoder in a broadcasting system, comprising means for receiving a broadcast signal with an encrypted signature, means for decrypting said signature, means for comparing the decrypted signature with a verification value, and means for allowing or disallowing normal operation of said decoder in dependence on the result of this comparison being a match or a mismatch, respectively, said apparatus further comprising means for creating a second information table from data of said broadcast signal, and means for creating said verification value from information in said second information table.
Specification