Copy protection system
AssigneeSmarDTV SA
InventorsDavid John Michael Robinson, John Paul Robinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of modifying the output of an output device is provided. A first code, associated with a first recipient party, is received and used to generate, within the output device, a second code, the second code containing encoded data identifying the first recipient party and instructions for activating an additional functionality of the output device. The additional functionality is activated in accordance with the instructions contained in the second code. The output of the output device is modified according to data encoded in the second code, to encode a third code in the output of the output device, the third code including an ID code associated with the first recipient party.
Claims31
A method of modifying the output of an output device, the method comprising:
- retrieving a first code, associated with a first recipient party;
- generating within the output device, using the first code, a second code, the second code containing encoded data identifying the first recipient party and a direction to activate an additional functionality of the output device;
- activating the additional functionality in accordance with the direction contained in the second code by unlocking existing instructions in the output device that implement the additional functionality in the output device;
- and
- modifying an output of the output device according to the data encoded in the second code, to encode a third code in the output of the output device, the third code including an ID code associated with the first recipient party.
An output device comprising;
- a memory for storing a first code associated with a first recipient party;
- a secure activation module circuit, coupled to the memory, configured to generate a second code using the first code, the second code containing encoded data identifying the first recipient party and a direction for activating an additional functionality of the output device;
- a modification module configured to implement the direction to activate the additional functionality and further arranged to modify the output of the output device, according to data encoded in the second code, by unlocking existing instructions in the output device that implement the additional functionality in the output device, to encode a third code in the output of the output device, the third code including an ID code associated with the first recipient party;
- and
- an output.
An integrated circuit for use in an output device, the integrated circuit comprising:
- a secure activation module circuit configured to receive a first code associated with a first recipient party and to use the first code to generate a second code, the second code containing encoded data identifying the first recipient party and a direction for activating an additional functionality of the output device;
- and
- a modification module circuit configured to implement the direction to activate the additional functionality and further arranged to modify the output of the output device, according to data encoded in the second code, by unlocking existing instructions in the output device that implement the additional functionality in the output device, so as to encode a third code in the output of the output device, the third code including an ID code associated with the first recipient party.
A method of modifying the output of an output device, the method comprising:
- retrieving a first code, associated with a first recipient party;
- generating within the output device, using the first code, a second code, the second code containing encoded data identifying the first recipient party and a direction to activate an additional functionality of the output device, the direction for activating the additional functionality in the second code comprising appropriate instructions for implementing the additional functionality in the output device;
- activating the additional functionality in accordance with the direction contained in the second code;
- and
- modifying an output of the output device according to the data encoded in the second code, to encode a third code in the output of the output device, the third code including an ID code associated with the first recipient party.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.