Patent ID: 7263187

Claim:
A Video On Demand (VOD) method, comprising: processing content to be delivered in a VOD method by selecting first portions of the content for encryption under a selective encryption system and selecting second portions of the content to remain unencrypted; storing the first portions; storing second portions; receiving a request for delivery of the content, and determining that the request is from a terminal having decryption capabilities associated with a first decryption method; after receiving the request for delivery of the content and determining that the request is from a terminal having decryption capabilities associated with the first decryption method, encrypting the first portions using a bulk encryption process compatible with the first decryption method to produce encrypted first portions; storing the encrypted first portions in a buffer; queuing the second portions for delivery to the terminal; and assembling a stream of selectively encrypted content from the encrypted first portions and the second portions.