Patent ID: 7546618
Filing Date: 2009-06-09
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A conditional access device, comprising: a conditional access decryption unit operable to decrypt an incoming signal for use in a consumer electronics device in accordance with at least one previously received entitlement management message; an interface unit operable to receive a control signal including a message window from a headend control system via a receiver in the consumer electronics device, wherein the message window defines a time interval for expected reception of an entitlement management message; a timing unit operable to receive the message window from the interface unit, to assert an awake signal responsive to determining that the message window is active representing occurrence of the time interval, and to disable the awake signal responsive to determining that the message window is inactive representing expiration of the time interval; and a hardware control unit operable to send requests to the consumer electronics device to activate the receiver coupled to the headend control system in expectation of receiving the entitlement management message in response to the assertion of the awake signal, and to deactivate the receiver in response to disablement of the awake signal, the control unit is further operable to communicate the entitlement management message to the conditional access decryption unit.