Method and apparatus for distributed conditional access control on a serial communication network

A communication network comprising:

• a) signal reception means for receiving information from a service provider and coupled to a serial communication network, said signal reception means comprising:
• a1) first tuning means for generating a first digital signal encoded under a first encryption format;
• a2) second tuning means for generating out-of-band (OOB) data, wherein said first digital signal and said OOB data are transmitted on said serial communication network;
• and
• b) first control means coupled to said serial communication network to receive said first digital signal and said OOB data, said first control means for generating a first decrypted digital signal (DDS) based on said OOB data and said first encryption format, said first control means also for transmitting said first DDS over said serial communication network.

In a digital broadcasting environment, a method for implementing distributed conditional access (CA) over a serial communication network, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving information from a service provider using a receiver coupled to said serial communication network, said information being broadcasted in two different frequencies;
• b) generating a first digital signal encoded under a first encryption format and out-of-band (OOB) data from said information using said receiver;
• c) transmitting said first digital signal and said OOB data from said receiver over said serial communication network to a first control device, said first control device being a different network node than said receiver;
• d) generating a first decrypted digital signal (DDS) from said first digital signal and said OOB data using said first control device, such that said first DDS is not encrypted under said first encryption format;
• and
• e) transmitting said first DDS over said serial communication network to a first media device for rendering thereon.

A communication network comprising:

• a) a first receiver decoder device configured to receive information from a service provider and coupled to a serial communication network, said first receiver decoder device also configured to generate a first digital signal encoded under a first encryption format;
• b) a second receiver decoder device configured to receive information from a service provider and coupled to a serial communication network, said second receiver decoder device also configured to generate out-of-band (OOB) data, wherein said first digital signal and said OOB data are transmitted on said serial communication network;
• and
• c) a first conditional access (CA) unit coupled to said serial communication network configured to receive said first digital signal and said OOB data, said first CA unit configured to generate a first decrypted digital signal (DDS) based on said OOB data and said first encryption format, said first CA unit also configured to transmit said first DDS over said serial communication network.