General Instrument Corporation

Donald Tavoletti

Jack M Birnbaum

Chris Del Sordo

Robert Charles Booth

Jeffrey T Davis

Michael Difiglia

Thomas F Bates

Mark A Erinoff

A system for security and authorization processing in digital terminals. The processing load of a security processor ( ) at the terminal ( ) is reduced by configuring a multiple applications manager (MAM) ( ) to determine if frequently-transmitted application data should be downloaded. The security processor is used by the MAM to build a local virtual application table ( ) that indicates which applications are authorized for downloading. The security processor configures the terminal with an authorization state so that it knows which applications it is authorized to download, i.e., the applications ( ) whose required authorization state correlate with the terminal's configured authorization state. The security processor is accessed when the terminals authorization state changes, or when a required authorization state of an application changes. These events are typically relatively infrequent.

Object and feature authorization for digital communication terminals

A method and apparatus for providing abstraction layers in the hierarchical structure of a set-top terminal to enable the set-top's firmware to be compatible with different operating systems. An operating system (OS) kernel interface is provided using a first OS abstraction layer that is OS-independent, and a second abstraction layer that is OS-dependent. The interface enables the terminal's firmware to access the kernel's set of functions independently of the OS. The abstraction layers provide an interface for kernel functions for the following kernel constructs: Timers, Threads, Memory, Synchronization and Messaging. The invention benefits terminal manufacturers and developers as well as network operators by allowing set-top firmware to run without modifications due to a change in the set-top's OS.

Kernel abstraction layer for digital television set-top box firmware

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Warrington, PA, United States of America

Donald Tavoletti