General Instrument Corporation

Checkpoint Systems, Inc.

Douglas S Makofka

Christopher S Del Sordo

Christopher Poli

Ira S Lehrman

Lawrence D Vince

Jack M Birnbaum

Thomas F Bates, Iv

Dave Prezuhy

Eric J Sprunk

Reem Safadi

Richard G Wheeler

Burton S Abrams

Robert Charles Booth

Luke C Chang

Louis A Mastrocola

Von C Ertwine

Stephen J Casey

Thomas F Bates Iv

Joseph M Cannon

Calvin R Waples, Jr

Glen P Goffin, Ii

Ardie Bahraini

A Download Control Message instructs a set-top terminal in a cable television system to located and immediately begin downloading a code or other data object available over the cable system. The Download Control Message specifies, for example, the size, name, version and location (URL or transport stream and PID) of the object to be acquired by the set-top terminal. The terminal accordingly can begin immediate acquisition of the object. An address or other characteristic associated with the Download Control Message allows the system operator to target the Message to a particular set-top terminal or group of terminals.

Method and system for directing the download of software and firmware objects over a network such as a cable television system

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for providing decentralized load sharing, e.g., providing a protocol that can be used to address load balancing without the need of a central proxy device. Specifically, in one embodiment, the present invention addresses the decentralized load sharing problem, by allowing a group of servers to detect when more than one server attempts to process the same 'work request' from a client. To address the potential conflict, each server will implement a back-off strategy for negotiating which server will actually process the work request.

Method and apparatus for providing decentralized load distribution

A method of securing information. The method comprises: obtaining a path to the information; and performing a security check regarding the path.

Path sealed software object conditional access control

This method and system allow a subscriber to a cable television service to receiving a listing or menu of programming available for that subscriber's set-top terminal to upgrade or enhance the features available over the cable system. A Directory of Services (DoS) message is transmitted over the cable system to the subscriber's set-top terminal. The terminal can then display for the subscriber the menu of programming available. This display may include a price for downloading each programming object. The subscriber can then, using a remote control unit or a user input device on the terminal, direct the set-top terminal to acquire a listed programming object. The DoS message will provide information enabling the set-top terminal to download the indicated programming object from the cable system in response to the subscriber's input. The subscriber can then have immediate access to upgraded or enhanced programming, the purchase of which is billed to the subscriber's account.

Method and system of identifying software and firmware objects available for download over a network such as a cable television system

A method and system manages and controls the download of programming, i.e., code objects, to a set-top terminal connected to a cable television system so as to prevent disruptions to service that may arise if only some of the objects specified are successfully downloaded and might, therefore, function improperly or conflict with existing applications. When the message to download new or additional code objects lists two or more objects to be acquired, the set-top terminal will only enable and execute downloaded objects if all the listed objects are successfully acquired. If only some of the objects the terminal has been instructed to download are acquired, those downloaded objects may either be purged or stored in memory without being enabled and executed. The system operator may specify in the message instructing the terminal to acquire new objects, whether the listed objects must be implemented as a group or not at all. The system operator may similarly specify if objects from an incomplete download are to be purged from memory.

Method and system for downloading and managing the enablement of a list of code objects

A method and system identify programming code that is appropriate to the architecture and capabilities of a set-top terminal in a cable television system. The appropriate programming code is identified from among a variety of code objects being broadcast from the headend facility of the cable television system. A platform identifier stored in the set-top terminal is matched to a corresponding platform identifier in an entitlement management message or other download locator message that specifies where in the transport stream from the headend a particular code object can be acquired. By acquiring the object corresponding to the message bearing a matching platform identifier, the set-top terminal acquires programming code compatible with its attributes. Additionally, the cable television system can then optimally support a varied population of set-top terminals.

Method and system for identifying and downloading appropriate software or formware specific to a particular model of set-top box in a cable television system

An improved electronic article security system is employed for detecting the presence of a security tag within a detection zone. The system includes a transmitter for generating electromagnetic energy and, in the disclosed embodiment, a single antenna for emitting electromagnetic energy received from the transmitter to establish an electromagnetic field within the detection zone and for sensing disturbances within the electromagnetic field, including disturbances resulting from a security tag within the detection zone. A receiver is provided for processing signals from the antenna relating to sensed disturbances and for providing output signals. A data processing and control section analyzes the output signals from the receiver and determines whether a sensed disturbance within the electromagnetic field is caused by the presence of a security tag within the detection zone. The output signals from the receiver are analyzed in accordance with predetermined criteria and pattern recognition techniques based upon receiver output signals which would be expected if a security tag were present in the detection zone to establish a security tag probability percentage.

Electronic article security system with digital signal processing and

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Willow Grove, PA, United States of America

Douglas S Makofka