Patent ID: 8015267
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving, by a set top box, update code streamed to the set top box by a server on a predetermined channel; generating, by the set top box, a trigger to check whether the set top box is to invoke the update code that is streamed to the set top box by the server on the predetermined channel; receiving, by the set top box in response to the trigger, an m-bit update flag included in the update code, wherein the m-bit flag does not uniquely identify the set top box; accessing, by the set top box in response to the trigger, an n-bit unique hardware identifier assigned to the set top box; comparing, within the set top box, the m-bit update flag to a predetermined portion of the n-bit unique hardware identifier, wherein n is greater than m; determining, based on comparing the m-bit update flag to the predetermined portion of the n-bit unique hardware identifier, that the m-bit update flag matches the predetermined portion of the n-bit unique hardware identifier; selectively invoking, by the set top box, the first update code based on determining that the m-bit update flag matches the predetermined portion of the m-bit unique hardware identifier.