Supplying omitted critical code portion to activate licensable component in audio video device

Abstract

An audio-video display device includes a licensable component requiring software code to execute a licensable function. The device is vended with the software code but without the critical piece of code. Upon determining that a license for the licensable function has been activated, the critical piece of code is downloaded to the device to enable execution of the licensed function.

1 . Method comprising:
 receiving initial software code in an audio-video display device having a processor being able to execute code, the initial software code not including a critical piece of code without which the initial software cannot be executed by the processor to undertake a licensed function;   receiving, responsive to a determination that a license for the licensed function has been activated, the critical piece of code in cooperation with the initial software code in the audio-video display device to render a fully capable code; and   using the processor to execute the fully capable code to thereby undertake the licensed function on the audio-video display device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the audio-video display device is a TV. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initial software code has an entry point and an exit point, the critical piece of code being copied into the initial software code between the entry point and the exit point to render the filly capable code. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initial software code has no executable capability whatsoever without the critical piece of code. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initial software code has a reduced executable capability without the critical piece of code. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the initial software code includes a reduced capability module and the reduced capability module is removed from operation when the critical piece of code is received. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein without the critical piece of code, the licensed function cannot be executed regardless of any security measures that may be lifted, because the critical piece of code must be present and executable within software code and until the license for the licensed function has been activated, the critical piece of code is missing from the initial software code as opposed to being present in the initial software code but merely disabled in some fashion. 
     
     
         8 . TV comprising:
 at least one licensable component for which a license has not been obtained prior to vending the TV;   a processor in the TV;   the processor executing software code associated with the licensable component to provide a licensed function only in the event that a critical piece of code is present in the software code, the software code not being executable by the processor to provide the licensed function in the event that the critical piece of code is not present in the software code even though the software code is accessible to the processor; and   a communication interface communicatively coupled to the processor and receiving the critical piece of code responsive to a determination that a license for the licensed function and/or for the licensable component has been activated.   
     
     
         9 . The TV of  claim 8 , wherein the licensable component is a terrestrial broadcast advanced television systems committee (ATSC) demodulator assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The TV of  claim 8 , wherein the licensable component is a video decoder. 
     
     
         11 . The TV of  claim 8 , wherein the licensable component is an audio decoder. 
     
     
         12 . The TV of  claim 8 ; wherein the licensable component is a digital rights management component. 
     
     
         13 . The TV of  claim 8 , wherein the licensable component is a web browser. 
     
     
         14 . The TV of  claim 8 , wherein the licensable component is an electronic program guide (EPG) component. 
     
     
         15 . Method comprising:
 responsive to a determination that a license for a licensed function has been activated, providing to an audio-video display device a critical piece of code to initial software code in the audio-video display device to render a fully capable code executable to undertake the licensed function, the initial software code not including, at time of vending the audio-video display device, the critical piece of code, and without the critical piece of code the initial software cannot be executed by a processor in the audio-video display device to undertake the licensed function; and   indicating to the audio-video display device that the licensed function is available on the audio-video display device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the audio-video display device is a TV. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the initial software code has an entry point and an exit point, the critical piece of code being copied into the initial software code between the entry point and the exit point to render the fully capable code. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the initial software code has no executable capability whatsoever without the critical piece of code. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the initial software code has a reduced executable capability without the critical piece of code. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the initial software code includes a reduced capability module and the reduced capability module is removed from operation when the critical piece of code is received.