Dynamically shifting control word

• US 7,397,918 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2001
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Synamedia Limited
• Original Assignee: NDS Limited (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wald, Stephanie, Patinkin, Akiva, Poupko, Avraham
• Primary Examiner(s): Moise; Emmanuel L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fields; Courtney D
• Application Number:
  US10/181,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20030091188A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,610 Days
• Field of Search: 380/282, 380/227, 380/231, 380/285, 380/200, 726/28, 726/29, 726/30, 713/181
• US Class Current: 380/200
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234318 by decomposing into objects, e.g. MPEG-4 objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25883 being end-user demographical data, e.g. age, family status or address arrangements for identifying locations of users in broadcast systems H04H60/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26606 for generating or managing entitlement messages, e.g. Entitlement Control Message [ECM] or Entitlement Management Message [EMM] arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services H04H60/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4181 for conditional access
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58

Abstract

A method for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object. The method includes providing a control word packet (CWP), generating a first control word (CW) from the CWP, providing a second CW generation input and producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following the first CW and the second CW generation input. Control word generating apparatus for generating a plurality of control words is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the method comprising:

receiving a control word packet (CWP) at a user device;

generating a first control word (CW) from the CWP;

accepting a user input to the user device, the user input comprising an input for generating a second CW; and

producing a second CW at the user device based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and the input for generating the second CW.

2. The method according to claim 1 and wherein each control word controls access to a plurality of objects.

3. The method according to claim 1 and also comprising:

utilizing the first CW to control access to a first object; and

utilizing the second CW to control access to a second object.

4. The method according to claim 1 and also comprising:

providing an input for generating a third CW; and

producing a third CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the second CW and the input for generating a third CW.

5. The method according to claim 4 and wherein the input for generating the third CW comprises a user input.

6. The method according to claim 4 and wherein the input for generating the third CW comprises a user characteristic input associated with a user.

7. The method according to claim 6 and wherein the user characteristic input comprises at least one of the following:

an indication of a geographic region associated with the user;

an indication of urban/rural dwelling associated with the user;

an indication of a preference associated with the user;

an indication of an age category associated with the user;

an indication of an age associated with the user;

an indication of a gender associated with the user; and

an indication of an ethnic identity associated with the user.

8. The method according to claim 3 and also comprising:

receiving a data stream,

wherein the first object and the second object are comprised in the data stream.

9. The method according to claim 8 and wherein the data stream comprises a broadcast data stream.

10. The method according to claim 8 and wherein the data stream comprises an MPEG data stream.

11. The method according to claim 10 and wherein the MPEG data stream comprises an MPEG-4 data stream.

12. The method according to claim 1 and wherein each of the first object and the second object comprises a display object.

13. The method according to claim 12 and wherein the display object comprises a visual display object.

14. The method according to claim 12 and wherein each of the first object and the second object comprises an accumulative display object.

15. The method according to claim 12 and wherein each of the first object and the second object comprises an exclusive display object.

16. The method according to claim 1 and wherein each object comprises a scrambled object, and each CW comprises a key for descrambling the scrambled object associated therewith.

17. The method according to claim 16 and wherein each control word controls access to a plurality of objects.

18. A method for generating a second control word from a first control word, the first control word controlling access to a first object and the second control word controlling access to a second object, the method comprising:

providing a first control word (CW) at a user device;

accepting a user input to the user device, the user input comprising an input for generating a second CW; and

producing a second CW at the user device based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and the input for generating the second CW.

19. The method according to claim 18 and wherein each control word controls access to a plurality of objects.

20. The method according to claim 18 and wherein the second CW generation input comprises a user characteristic input associated with a user.

21. The method according to claim 20 and wherein the user characteristic input comprises at least one of the following:

an indication of a geographic region associated with the user;

an indication of urban/rural dwelling associated with the user;

an indication of a preference associated with the user;

an indication of an age category associated with the user;

an indication of an age associated with the user;

an indication of a gender associated with the user; and

an indication of an ethnic identity associated with the user.

22. The method according to claim 18 and also comprising:

receiving a data stream, wherein the first object and the second object are comprised in the data stream.

23. The method according to claim 22 and wherein the data stream comprises a broadcast data stream.

24. The method according to claim 22 and wherein the data stream comprises an MPEG data stream.

25. The method according to claim 24 and wherein the MPEG data stream comprises an MPEG-4 data stream.

26. The method according to claim 18 and wherein each of the first object and the second object comprises a display object.

27. The method according to claim 26 and wherein the display object comprises a visual display object.

28. The method according to claim 26 and wherein each of the first object and the second object comprises an accumulative display object.

29. The method according to claim 26 and wherein each of the first object and the second object comprises an exclusive display object.

30. The method according to claim 18 and wherein each object comprises a scrambled object, and each CW comprises a key for descrambling the scrambled object associated therewith.

31. The method according to claim 30 and wherein each control word controls access to a plurality of objects.

32. A method for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the method comprising:

receiving a control word packet (CWP) at a user device;

generating a first control word (CW) from the CWP;

accepting a user input to the user device, the user input comprising an input for generating a second CW;

producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and the input for generating the second CW;

utilizing the first CW to control access to a first object;

utilizing the second CW to control access to a second object;

providing an input for generating a third CW;

producing a third CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the second CW and the input for generating the third CW; and

utilizing the third CW to control access to a third object.

33. The method according to claim 32 and wherein each control word controls access to a plurality of objects.

34. The method according to claim 32 and wherein the input for generating the third CW comprises a user input.

35. The method according to claim 32 and also comprising:

displaying at least the second object and the third object.

36. The method according to claim 35 and wherein said displaying includes displaying the first object.

37. The method according to claim 32 and also including:

providing an event associated with the first object, the second object, and the third object; and

determining a price for the event.

38. The method according to claim 37 and wherein the price is based, at least in part, on at least one of the input for generating the second CW and the input for generating the third CW.

39. The method according to claim 32 and wherein each object comprises a scrambled object, and each CW comprises a key for descrambling the scrambled object associated therewith.

40. The method according to claim 39 and wherein each control word controls access to a plurality of objects.

41. A method for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the method comprising:

receiving a first control word (CW) at a user device;

accepting a user input to the user device, the user input comprising an input for generating a second CW;

producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and the input for generating the second CW;

utilizing the first CW to control access to a first object;

utilizing the second CW to control access to a second object;

providing an input for generating a third CW;

producing a third CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the second CW and input for generating the third CW; and

utilizing the third CW to control access to a third object.

42. The method according to claim 41 and wherein each control word controls access to a plurality of objects.

43. The method according to claim 41 and wherein the input for generating the third CW comprises a user input.

44. The method according to claim 41 and also comprising:

displaying at least the second object and the third object.

45. The method according to claim 44 and wherein said displaying includes displaying the first object.

46. The method according to claim 41 and also including:

providing an event associated with the first object, the second object, and the third object; and

determining a price for the event.

47. The method according to claim 46 and wherein the price is based, at least in part, on at least one of the input for generating the second CW and the input for generating the third CW.

48. The method according to claim 41 and wherein each object comprises a scrambled object, and each CW comprises a key for descrambling the scrambled object associated therewith.

49. The method according to claim 48 and wherein each control word controls access to a plurality of objects.

50. Control word generating apparatus for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the control word generating apparatus comprising:

a control word generator for generating a first control word (CW) from a control word packet (CWP); and

a control word processor for producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and a user input comprising an input for generating a second CW.

51. The apparatus according to claim 50 and also comprising a security subsystem, and

wherein the security subsystem comprises at least one of the following:

the control word generator; and

the control word processor.

52. The apparatus according to claim 51 and wherein the security subsystem comprises a removable security element, and

the removable security element comprises at least one of the following:

the control word generator; and

the control word processor.

53. The apparatus according to claim 52 and wherein the removable security element comprises a smart card.

54. Control word generating apparatus for generating a second control word from a first control word, the first control word controlling access to a first object and the second control word controlling access to a second object, the control word generating apparatus comprising:

a control word processor for producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

a first CW and a user input comprising an input for generating a second CW.

55. The apparatus according to claim 54 and also comprising a security subsystem, and

wherein the security subsystem comprises the control word processor.

56. The apparatus according to claim 55 and wherein the security subsystem comprises a removable security element, and

the removable security element comprises the control word processor.

57. Control word generating apparatus for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the control word generating apparatus comprising:

a control word generator for generating a first control word (CW) from a control word packet (CWP);

a control word processor for producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and a user input comprising an input for generating a second CW; and

an object access controller for utilizing the first CW to control access to a first object and the second CW to control access to a second object,

wherein the control word processor is operative to produce a third CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the second CW and an input for generating a third CW, and

the object access controller is operative to utilize the third CW to control access to a third object.

58. The apparatus according to claim 57 and also comprising a security subsystem, and

wherein the security subsystem comprises at least one of the following:

the control word generator;

the control word processor; and

the object access controller.

59. The apparatus according to claim 58 and wherein the security subsystem comprises a removable security element, and

the removable security element comprises at least one of the following:

the control word generator;

the control word processor; and

the object access controller.

60. The apparatus according to claim 59 and wherein the removable security element comprises a smart card.

61. Control word generating apparatus for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the control word generating apparatus comprising:

a control word processor for producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

a first CW and a user input comprising an input for generating a second CW; and

an object access controller for utilizing the first CW to control access to a first object and the second CW to control access to a second object,

wherein the control word processor is operative to produce a third CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the second CW and an input for generating a third CW, and

the object access controller is operative to utilize the third CW to control access to a third object.

62. The apparatus according to claim 61 and also comprising a security subsystem, and

wherein the security subsystem comprises at least one of the following:

the control word processor; and

the object access controller.

63. The apparatus according to claim 62 and wherein the security subsystem comprises a removable security element, and

the removable security element comprises at least one of the following:

the control word processor; and

the object access controller.

64. The apparatus according to claim 63 and wherein the removable security element comprises a smart card.

65. Control word generating apparatus for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the control word generating apparatus comprising:

control word generating means for generating a first control word (CW) from a control word packet (CWP); and

control word processing means for producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and a user input comprising an input for generating a second CW.

66. Control word generating apparatus for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the control word generating apparatus comprising:

control word generating means for generating a first control word (CW) from a control word packet (CWP);

control word processing means for producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and a user input comprising an input for generating a second CW; and

object access controlling means for utilizing the first CW to control access to a first object and the second CW to control access to a second object,

wherein the control word processing means is operative to produce a third CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the second CW and an input for generating a third CW, and

the object access controlling means is operative to utilize the third CW to control access to a third object.

67. Control word generating apparatus for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the control word generating apparatus comprising:

control word processing means for producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

a first CW and a user input comprising an input for generating a second CW; and

object access controlling means for utilizing the first CW to control access to a first object and the second CW to control access to a second object,

wherein the control word processing means is operative to produce a third CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the second CW and an input for generating a third CW, and

the object access controlling means is operative to utilize the third CW to control access to a third object.

68. A method for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the method comprising:

providing a control word packet (CWP);

generating a first control word (CW) from the CWP;

providing a second CW generation input;

producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and the second CW generation input;

providing a third CW generation input; and

producing a third CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the second CW and the third CW generation input,

wherein the third CW generation input comprises a user characteristic input associated with a user.

69. The method according to claim 68 and wherein the user characteristic input comprises at least one of the following:

an indication of a geographic region associated with the user;

an indication of urban/rural dwelling associated with the user;

an indication of a preference associated with the user;

an indication of an age category associated with the user;

an indication of an age associated with the user;

an indication of a gender associated with the user; and

an indication of an ethnic identity associated with the user.

70. A method for generating a second control word from a first control word, the first control word controlling access to a first object and the second control word controlling access to a second object, the method comprising:

providing a first control word (CW);

providing a second CW generation input; and

producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and the second CW generation input,

wherein the second CW generation input comprises a user characteristic input associated with a user.

71. The method according to claim 70 and wherein the user characteristic input comprises at least one of the following:

an indication of a geographic region associated with the user;

an indication of urban/rural dwelling associated with the user;

an indication of a preference associated with the user;

an indication of an age category associated with the user;

an indication of an age associated with the user;

an indication of a gender associated with the user; and

an indication of an ethnic identity associated with the user.

72. A method for generating a plurality of control words, each control word controlling access to an object, the method comprising:

providing a first control word (CW);

providing a second CW generation input;

producing a second CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the first CW and the second CW generation input;

utilizing the first CW to control access to a first object;

utilizing the second CW to control access to a second object;

providing a third CW generation input;

producing a third CW based, at least in part, on both of the following;

the second CW and the third CW generation input;

utilizing the third CW to control access to a third object;

providing an event associated with the first object, the second object, and the third object; and

determining a price for the event.