Networked conditional access module

Abstract

A networked Conditional Access Module provided on an IEEE 1394 network, by defining a Conditional Access Module as a Conditional Access Subunit of the IEEE 1394 network, providing AV/C Conditional Access Commands to allow communication between the Conditional Access Subunit and other Subunits on the network, the Conditional Access Subunit including means to receive AV/C Conditional Access Commands over the IEEE 1394 network from another subunit, and means to transmit AV/C responses over the IEEE 1394 network in response to the received AV/C Conditional Access Commands.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A digital television signal receiver, comprising:
 a tuner for receiving a scrambled digital television signal;   an interface for outputting said scrambled digital television signal to a conditional access subunit attachable to said receiver and for inputting a local scrambled digital television signal from said conditional access subunit;   a local descrambler for descrambling said locally scrambled digital television signal received from said conditional access subunit; and   a demultiplexer for receiving and demultiplexing said local descrambled digital television signal.   
     
     
         30 . The digital television signal receiver according to  claim 29 , wherein said receiver is authenticated and allowed to locally descramble said local scrambled digital television signal only when it is descrambled that said receiver is authorized. 
     
     
         31 . The digital television signal receiver according to  claim 29 , further comprising:
 means for producing a partial transport stream wherein said interface outputs the partial transport stream to said conditional access subunit.   
     
     
         32 . A conditional access subunit attachable to a digital television signal receiver, comprising:
 an interface for inputting a scrambled digital television signal from said receiver;   a descrambler for descrambling said inputted scrambled digital television signal;   a local scrambler for locally scrambling said descrambled digital television signal and for outputting said locally scrambled digital television signal to said digital television signal receiver through said interface; and   an authenticator for authenticating said digital television signal receiver.   
     
     
         33 . The conditional access subunit according to  claim 32 ,
 wherein said local scrambler scrambles said descrambled digital television signal and allows to output said locally scrambled digital television signal only when it is determined said receiver is authorized.   
     
     
         34 . The conditional access subunit according to  claim 32 , wherein
 said interface is further configured to input a partial transport stream from said digital television receiver, wherein said descrambler descrambles said partial transport stream.   
     
     
         35 . A digital television signal receiving system, comprising:
 a tuner for receiving a scrambled digital television signal;   an interface for outputting said scrambled digital television signal to a conditional access subunit attachable to a digital television receiver and for inputting a local scrambled digital television signal from said conditional access subunit;   a local descrambler for descrambling said locally scrambled digital television signal received from said conditional access subunit; and   a demultiplexer for receiving and demultiplexing said local descrambled digital television signal; and   a conditional access subunit attachable to said digital television receiver, comprising:   an interface for inputting a scrambled digital television signal from said receiver;   a descrambler for descrambling said inputted scrambled digital television signal;   a local scrambler for locally scrambling said descrambled digital television signal and for outputting said locally scrambled digital television signal to said digital television signal receiver through said interface; and   an authenticator for authenticating the digital television signal receiver.   
     
     
         36 . A method of descrambling digital television signals, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a scrambled digital television signal by a receiver;   outputting said received scrambled digital television, signal to a conditional access subunit attachable to said receiver;   descrambling said scrambled digital television signal by said conditional access subunit;   locally scrambling said descrambled digital television signal by said conditional access subunit;   outputting the locally scrambled digital television signal from said conditional access subunit to said receiver;   locally descrambling said locally scrambled digital television signal received from said conditional access sub-unit by said receiver; and   demultiplexing said locally descrambled digital television signal.   
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , further comprising:
 authenticating the receiver; and   allowing the receiver to locally descramble said locally scrambled digital television signal only when it is determined that the receiver is authorized.   
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37  further comprising steps of:
 producing a partial transport stream by said receiver; 
 outputting said partial transport stream from said receiver to said conditional access subunit.