MXPA00004040A - Downloading of applications in a digital decoder - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for downloading an executable application into a decoder (1) for a digital broadcast system, characterised in that the application is stored on a portable memory card introduced into a card reader (6, 7) in the decoder, the decoder reading and downloading the application from the card. Data may preferably be stored in the smartcard in a broadcast data format such as the MPEG format to permit the processing of such data in the same manner as the control unit (40) of the decoder processes data downloading by a broadcast transmission. The invention extends equally to a decoder and a memory card for use in such a method.

Description

DOWNLOADING APPLICATIONS IN A DIGITAL DECODER The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for downloading executable applications in a decoder used in a digital transmission system, for example as that used in a digital television system. The transmission of digital data is well known in the field of pay television systems, where mixed audiovisual information is sent, usually by satellite or satellite / cable link to a number of subscribers, each having a decoder or capable receiver / decoder to separate the transmitted program so that it is seen later. The terrestrial digital transmission systems are also known. Current systems have also used the transmission link to transmit other data, in addition to or as well as audiovisual data, such as computer programs or interactive applications to the decoder or to a connected personal computer. The same decoder unit can be provided by the system designer to a number of different service providers or transmission companies in a number of different countries. In such circumstances, some degree of testing or adaptation to the client of the decoding unit by the service provider will usually be necessary. Commonly, a test application is used to check the correct operation of the hardware elements of the decoder, for example to confirm that the tuner operates correctly, etc.

Commonly, the operation will be carried out by the service provider or distributor before the decoder is delivered to the consumer, for example, using a dedicated personal computer and a link in series or parallel to the decoder. An application provided by the system designer and running on the personal computer is used to adjust the operating parameters of the decoder. Depending on the complexity of the operation and the skills of the operator employed to carry out this task, the time needed to test the decoder can be considerable and can iase the actual cost of the finished item by a significant amount. Additionally, when installed in the field, a user may also wish to enter at his own convenience a number of applications that work with the decoder. Again, the user will have the problem of configuring and executing the decoder with an application loaded on a personal computer, etc. An object of the present invention is to reduce the time and complexity of this type of operation and to provide a simple means for introducing applications into the decoder. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for downloading an executable application in a decoder, characterized in that the application is stored in a portable memory card inserted in a card reader in the decoder, the decoder reads and downloads the application from the card . The use of a portable memory card allows a predetermined application to be introduced easily and simply into the decoder without the need, for example, to connect the decoder to a personal computer, to load a program into the personal computer, etc. The time necessary to carry out, for example, a test operation will be greatly reduced since an operator can load the application into the decoder by simply inserting the card into the decoder. Although portable memory cards are known in the field of decoder technology, their use to date has been restricted to the simple transfer of static data, for example, financial data from a credit card inserted in the decoder. , or to have decryption keys associated with transmissions. Until now, these cards have not been used to download executable applications. This is partly due to the perceived slowness of the data link associated with the use of a card slot, which has acted to discourage system designers from this solution. PCT WO93 / 0771 5 discloses a system in which the static data corresponding to the channel frequency information is kept in the memory of a smart card, the smart card is inserted in the television to tune the television to the correct channels . A similar system is disclosed in the patent De 434431 7 in which a smart card is inserted into a slot in a television remote control to control the tuner axis television. The document also does not disclose the download of an executable application in a decoder. As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the download of a test type application. The card can also be used to enter an application used to initially configure the decoder. Alternative uses can also be imagined, for example, in which cards having a promotional application such as a video game or the like, are distributed directly to the end user of the decoder. Increasingly, the decoder units incorporate more and more functions associated with general multimedia products and the use of a portable memory card provides a relatively simple means for a non-technical consumer to enter executable applications into the decoder. The term "portable memory card" includes any portable card that can be inserted into a corresponding card slot in the decoder. The card can include a microprocessor integrated circuit in addition to a simple memory element. The card can be activated via a connection to a power source located internally in the decoder reader slot or can include a battery power source. In one embodiment, the card can meet the necessary standards to allow reading in a PCMC AI reader in the decoder. However, preferably, the card is adapted to be read in a smart card reader in the decoder. This solution has a number of advantages in comparison, for example, with a PCMC IA card, notably due to the simplicity of the contacts formed in the card that reduces the production cost and the ubiquity of the smart card readers in the units decoders. The characteristics of smart cards and smart readers are well known and are defined, for example, in the international standards ISO 7816_1 (physical characteristics) ISO 7816_2 (placement and contact dimensions) and ISO 7816_3 (electrical signals and transmission protocols) . Unlike, for example, bank cards, smart cards associated with decoder units do not have to be fully inserted into the unit and can protrude a distance from the decoder. Consequently, although the width and thickness of the card for the inserted part of the card must correspond to the normalized values, the card may be longer than a standard credit card. This presents the possibility of introducing more and larger components into the card. Conveniently, the executable application stored on the card and downloaded to the decoder has a format according to a transmitted data format, such as an MPEG data format. In the case of application-type data that are kept in the payload of a transport package, the MPEG standard describes the organization of data in a series of tables, each table includes a table identification, etc. In one modality, the application data can be subdivided into a number of modules in the memory of the card, the modules are combined by the decoder to form the complete application. The advantages associated with the use of MPEG format data are considerable, since the decoder can handle and process said applications in the same way that it manages applications downloaded via the transmission link. In the case, for example, where the decoder includes a virtual machine to process data, the application can be written in an interpretative code, this code is interpreted and processed by the same logical units in the machine as those used to transmit MPEG applications. As will be understood, when the decoder is adapted to download digital transmissions in accordance with an alternative data format, the same advantages can be obtained by organizing the data on the card in this format. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, part of the application stored on the memory card is encrypted with one or more encryption keys. In particular, some or part of the data stored in the memory card can be encrypted and / or recorded with a private key, the decoder has access to the public key equivalent to decrypt and / or authenticate the origin of the application. In the case of non-authentication of the code, the decoder may refuse to download the code. Other configurations are possible, using two secret keys of u? symmetric algorithm, or a combination of encryption / parasitic information technique in addition to or in lieu of this registration process. The advantage of a memory card lies in the simplicity in which an application can be introduced to the decoder. In the same way, the use of a memory card could potentially produce a security problem allowing the installation of pirated applications in a decoder. The use of a registered code ensures the integrity of the applications in the decoder and avoids, for example, the introduction of a program "Trojan horse" or if my lar in the system. Preferably, the decoder has a plurality of smart card readers, to allow the reading of a smart card having the executable application together with another smart card, for example, a smart card having a decryption key. As mentioned above, a primary use of smart cards in the context of a decoder relates to the storage of decryption and encryption keys associated with that decoder. In the case where the executable code downloaded from the memory card is partially or totally encrypted, the decryption will probably be performed in relation to a public key stored in a subscription-type smart card. A multi-slot decoder allows interaction between the two cards. Other embodiments for a slot decoder are possible, for example, in which the application is downloaded from the first smart card and stored in a buffer before the first card is removed and the second card is inserted to verify the application, or in which an adapter is used to allow both cards to be inserted in parallel, etc. In one embodiment, the method may include the steps of downloading the application in the decoder, establishing one or more parameters associated with the application and saving the parameters in the memory card for later use. For example, in the case where the memory card is used as a vehicle for a test application developed by the systems designer, the application may include certain parameters, such as frequency of tuning, which are to be set by the operator. test. The first time the application is loaded into a decoder, the operator will have the option of selecting these parameters, for example, using the decoder's remote controller. Once established, the parameters can be stored on the card. Later, the test of the subsequent decoders will be carried out automatically in relation to these stored parameters. For security reasons, it is preferable that the application remains unchanged and only the newly established parameters are reloaded on the card. The application can be, for example, stored in a read-only memory or restricted access flash memory and the parameters can be loaded into a programmable read-only memory unit and electronically erasable on the memory card. Conveniently, the memory card includes a physical interruption means for selecting from a plurality of applications stored on the card that will be downloaded when the memory card is inserted into the decoder. For example, when the card is used as a vehicle for a number of configuration applications for a number of service providers, the card may include an interruption means DI L that an operator may set to select the configuration application associated with that. service provider. The present invention extends to a decoder for use in a method as described above, in particular, a decoder adapted to read transmitted format data (eg MPEG) input via a card reader in the decoder. The present invention also extends to a memory card for use in such a method, in particular, including an application stored in a transmission format on the card.

Although the description refers to "receivers / decoders" and "decoders", it will be understood that the present invention equally applies to embodiments having a receiver integrated with the decoder as a decoding unit operating in combination with a physically separate receiver. A decoder of this type can be like those used in any digital transmission system via satellite, terrestrial, cable, etc. and may include other multimedia-like capabilities or may be integrated with other devices such as a television or video recorder. Likewise, the term "executable application" covers applications written in any form of code (interpretive code, compiled code, native code, etc.) and capable of being executed by a microprocessor in the decoder. The term MPEG refers to the data transmission standards developed by the working group of the International Standards Organization "Group of Experts in Motion Picture Films" and in particular but not exclusively to the MPEG-2 standard developed for digital television applications and established in documents ISO 13818-1, ISO 13818-2, ISO 13818-3 and ISO 13818-4. In the context of the present patent application, the term includes all variants, modifications or developments of the MPEG formats applicable to the field of digital data transmission. Now, by way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a general view of the elements of a decoder; Figure 2 shows a memory card, adapted to be read in a card reader slot in the decoder of the Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a circuit diagram of the components of the card of Figure 2; and Figure 4 shows the architecture of the computer program of the decoder of Figure 1, with reference to Figure 1, the elements of a receiver / decoder 1 or box on the apparatus for use in a digital transmission system and adapted for use in the present invention will be described below. As will be understood, the elements of the physical equipment of this decoder are highly conventional and their implementation will be within the capabilities of those skilled in the art. As shown, the decoder 1 is equipped with several interfaces for receiving and transmitting data, in particular a M PEG 2 tuner and demultiplexer for receiving transmissions from MPEG transmitted, a serial interface 3, a parallel interface 4 and a modem channel 5 for sending and receiving data via the telephone network. In this embodiment, the decoder also includes a first and second smart card reader 6 and 7, the first reader 6 for accepting a smart subscription card containing decryption keys associated with the system and the second reader 7 for accepting bank cards and , in this case, a smart card that contains an application that will be downloaded. The decoder also includes a receiver 8 for receiving infrared control signals from a portable remote control 9 and a Peritel 10 output for sending audiovisual signals to a television 1 1 connected to the decoder. The processing of the digital signals received via the interfaces and the generation of digital output signals is handled by a central control unit 40. The architecture of the computer programs of the control unit within the decoder can take many forms. For example, it may be based on a virtual machine that interacts via an interface layer with a lower level operation system implanted in the hardware components of the decoder. In terms of the architecture of the physical equipment, the decoder will be equipped with a processor, memory elements, such as read-only memory, random access memory, flash memory, etc. as in known decoders. A particular implementation of an architecture of computer programs will now be described in relation to Figure 4. It will be seen that a layered architecture is used. The first layer 51 represents the operating system of the physical equipment of the receiver / decoder. This is a real-time operating system selected by the factory to control the hardware elements of the receiver / decoder. The real-time operating system has a relatively fast response time in order to correctly synchronize the operations of the physical equipment. A layer of the data processing system sits on top of the operating system of the physical equipment and comprises a half layer 52 and an application interface layer 53. Message events are passed between the operating system layer 51 and intermediate layer 52 in mediately above. The intermediate layer is written in a language such as C AN Y and comprises the elements of a virtual machine 54 and a number of interfaces 55 including a graphic interface 56, a flash memory interface / programmable read-only memory 57 , a protocol interface 58 and a device interface 59. The use of a virtual machine 54 allows independence between the applications of the upper level 66 that are usually provided by the system administrator or no or more operators, and a level operating system. lower 51, usually implemented by the manufacturer of the physical equipment of the decoder. The interfaces 60 provide the link between operations of the virtual machine and the lower level operating system 51 and also include a number of intermediate level application modules executed more easily at this level. The application interface layer (A PI) 53 comprises a number of high level packets 60-65, written in an object oriented interpretive language, such as Java. These packages provide an interface between the high-level applications generally created by the service provider (interactive program guide, phone purchases, Internet browser, etc.) and the system's virtual machine. The lower-level operating system is usually inserted into the hardware components of the decoder, although in some embodiments, the lower-level operating system may be downloaded. The application interface and intermediate layer packets can be downloaded into the random access memory or the flash memory of the decoder of a transmitter. Alternatively, some or all of the elements of the application interface or intermediate layer may be stored in the read-only memory or (if present) in the decoder's flash memory. As will be understood, the physical organization of the memory elements of the decoder are very different from the logical organization of the memory. Returning in detail to each layer, the inter-layer layer 55 above the virtual machine 54 will be described. As shown, it comprises four modules, a graphics module 56, a management module c (e memory files 57, a module protocol 58 and a device manager 59. Although the modules at this level are described as interface modules, their function is to provide a layer of "glue" for the implementation of the application interface packages and for the operation of the machine The graphical module 56 provides the creation and administration of graphical objects and asks the lower-level operating system to display basic graphical forms such as simple pixels, lines, rectangles, etc. Similarly, the module Memory file management 57 includes low-level read / write file commands associated with the memory components of the system. The protocol management module 58 defines a library of communications protocols that can be invoked on the communications path, for example, the TCP / I P layer of the decoder. The device manager 59 is slightly different from the other modules in this layer in that it provides the link or interface between the operating system of the physical equipment and the layers above, including the other modules in the interface layer and the virtual machine. The commands or event messages that are received / sent to the operating system of the physical machine of the virtual machine, for example, necessarily pass through the device manager for conversion in accordance with the interface specifications between the two levels. Referring now to the layer of the application interface 53, the packets in this layer are written in an object-oriented language such as Java. Each package defines a series of class libraries invoked during the operation of the system. Its class behavior will depend on the selected language, a simple inheritance class structure adheres in the case of Java. In the present system the following packages are installed. Language / Utility Pack 60. These packages define the classes required for the virtual machine to perform object manipulation. These class libraries are normally part of a standard library associated with the language oriented to the selected object. MH EG-5 Package 61. This package defines the classes associated with the manipulation of graphic objects in the television display. Said objects are different from audiovisual data and can form, for example, channel identifiers or text placed on displayed images. The definition of classes in this package must respect the standards of MH EG-5 defined by the standards ETS 300777-3 and ISO / ISE 13522-5 (and ISO / ISE 13533-6 in the case of a system implemented in Java ). Toolbox Package 62. This package contains the classes used for downloading and decompressing information as well as the classes associated with the administration of the file system and the memory in the receiver / decoder and the classes associated with the connection to the Internet, etc. Device Package 63. This package defines the classes required for the administration of peripherals attached to the receiver / decoder, as mentioned above and includes the modem, the smart card readers, the MPEG stream tuner, etc.

Ser Pack 64. This package defines the classes necessary for the implementation of the development of higher level interactive applications, such as the administration of credit card data, etc. DSMCC package - UU 65. This package implements the necessary protocols for communication between a client and a server for reading and searching data files. The implementation of this package must comply with ISO / I EC 13818-6 and the directives defined in the DApart 9. Finally, a number of high-level applications 66 are based on the upper part and communicate with the lower levels in the system via the application interface layer 53. In the present embodiment, the use of a virtual machine-type architecture means that the applications will be written in an interpretive language, such as Java. Other computer program systems for handling executable applications written in alternative types of code are possible, of course. As will be described below, applications can originate from a variety of sources and / or operators. In particular, in the present embodiment of the invention, executable applications are installed via a smart card interface. An application introduced in the decoder corresponds to a section of code introduced in the machine that allows the control, for example, of functions of higher level of the machine. These may include generating a graphic sequence on the television display screen in response to remote control command, or issuing a message via modem 5 to the server associated with the digital transmission system. The execution and maintenance of applications can be managed by an application administrator 67, installed in the application layer. Applications can be resident applications stored in the read-only memory or decoder flash memory or applications transmitted and downloaded via the MPEG 2 interface of the decoder. The applications may include program guide applications, games, interactive sers, television sales applications, as well as initiate applications to allow the decoder to operate immediately upon startup and applications to configure and test the decoder. The applications are stored in memory locations in the decoder and are represented as resource files comprising object description files, unit files, variable block files, instruction sequence files, application files, data files, etc. In the case of a transmission, a number of data stream types may be present, for example, a video data stream, an audio data stream, a text data stream, etc. In accordance with MPEG standards transported each transport packet is preceded by a packet identifier (PI D) of 13 bits, a packet identifier for each transport packet in the MPEG stream, a program map table (PMT) contains a list of the different streams for a particular ser or a "channel" and defines the content of each stream in accordance with the respective Packet Identifier. A packet identifier can alert the de to the presence of applications in the data stream, the package identifier is identified by the program map table. In an MPEG transport stream containing an application there may be three or more levels of packet structure. A first layer corresponds to the basic transport layer comprising a series of transport packets of fixed size. Additionally, the applications downloaded to the decoder via the transmission link are divided into modules, each module corresponding to one or more M PEG tables encapsulated in the transport packages mentioned above. For data transfer via serial and parallel ports, the modules are also divided into tables and sections, the size of the section depends on the channel used. A similar division is applied to downloaded MPEG tables using the smart card of the present modality. Finally, this division of an application into MPEG tables is independent of any structuring of the application data itself. For example, an application can be organized into a number of files configured on a data carousel in accordance with the DSM-CC protocol.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the structure of a smart card 12 adapted to load an executable application in the decoder will now be described. Figure 2 shows a plan view of the smart card, comprising a contact area 13, a read-only memory flash memory 14, an electronically erasable, programmable read-only memory 15, a microprocessor 16, a unit interrupt DIL 17 and a number of other discrete components. Unlike standard smart cards, the presence of additional memory elements 14, 15 allows an executable application of a significant size to be saved on the smart card. The memory card 2 has the width and thickness of a standardized standard smart card to allow its insertion into a smart card slot in the decoder. However, as you will see from Figure 2, the card is longer than a standard card to allow the incorporation of all the components described on its surface. In the context of its use in the initial configuration of the decoder, this increase in size may not be significant. For example, in alternative situations, where it is intended to provide the card to the eventual user of the decoder, some components such as DIL interrupt unit 17 and electronically erasable, programmable read-only memory can be omitted 15. The remaining components They can be miniaturized and the entire card can be designed to meet the standards of smart cards.

Referring now to Figure 3, the contacts 13 coupled in the smart card reader in the decoder can be divided by function of an energy supply line 18, which supplies the voltage card Vcc, a reset line 19 connected to the corresponding reset terminal 20 of the microprocessor, a clock line 21 connected to the clock terminal 22 of the microprocessor, and an input and output line 23 connected to the corresponding input and output terminals 24, 25 of the microprocessor. As shown, the connections are made via a series of operation amplifiers 26. The power supply is regulated by capacitor C4. The electronically erasable programmable read-only memory unit 15 is connected via lines 27, 28 to microprocessor 16, these lines are polarized by the power supply Vcc connected via resistors R 1 and R2. The electronically erasable, programmable read-only memory function will be discussed in more detail below in relation to the application of the configuration. The microprocessor 16 is connected by a series of lines 29 to corresponding terminals of the flash memory 14. The state of three of these lines 30, 31, 32 is determined by the interruption unit 17 connected via a series of diodes D 1, D2, D3 and polarized by the power supply Vcc connected by the resistors R3, R4, R5. By switching each of the ON or OFF switches, a binary control word 000, 001, 010, 01 1, etc. can be defined. As will be described, this binary word is used to determine the first block in the flash memory to be accessed after the insertion of the card and, therefore, the application to be loaded in the decoder. The card 12 is designed to be coupled to the credit card reader 7 of the decoder 1, the reader 6 is reserved for the subscription card associated with the transmission system which contains the necessary keys to, inter alia, decode mixed transmissions and verify the downloaded code. After the insertion, the reader reads the type of card inserted, by means of a simple greeting signal to the card. In case the reader identifies the card as a card of the type that contains the application code to load the machine, the decoder will have access to the first block of code in the flash memory 15 in the hexadecimal address corresponding to the binary message indicated by the interruption unit 17. In the case, for example, where the card is intended to be used in the test of the decoders for a number of service providers, a different application may be loaded that corresponds to the service provider in question or that corresponds to the functions that need to be tested. In addition or alternatively, a first value of the switches can be used to download the application provided with the card and a second I to download a different application and / or associated parameters established by the service provider (see below). The application code is downloaded from the card in a series of modules, the modules are then assembled to form a series of tables M P EG-2 (short form), as described above in relation to the transmitted data. The advantage of formatting data in accordance with the M P EG format is that the virtual machine in the central control unit of the decoder can directly process applications received in this format, in the same way that it processes applications received via the transmission link. As will be appreciated, this leads to considerable reductions in the time needed to process the application, etc. The format of the private MPEG sections in this case is as follows: table_identification 8 bits_syntaxis_indicator 1 private_primer bit (= 1) 1 reserved bit 2 bits long_private_section_time 12 bits table_identification_extension 1 6 bits reserved 2 bits number_version 5 bits current_indicator_next 1 bit number_ <; de_section 8 bits last section number 8 bits byte_de_primary_data not determined The decoder will access an application using the values of table_identification and table_identification_extension. Before storage on the card, the application code contained in the MPEG tables is encrypted to provide a digital signature. This signature is generated by the card provider using a private key of a public / private key algorithm, such as RSA, and known only to it. The decoder has access to a series of public keys in a subscription card inserted in the other card reader. In the case that the decoder confirms that the code originated from a known source, when verifying the digital signature, the application will be installed on the machine. The unverified code will be rejected by the decoder. In addition to checking the code, the decoder can also use the public key to decrypt the code before the operation. Additionally, encryption by a private / public algorithm can also be combined with a non-solid one-way information function, such as MD5. For example, a code section can be processed to provide a non-solid information value, this non-solid information value is subsequently encrypted by the private key to provide the digital signature. Other encryption techniques used in digital transmission systems may also be applied, for example, to encrypt the compliance code with one or more private keys known to the application card provider to prevent a third party from decrypting and using the saved application in the card. This encryption can be carried out in addition to and after the signing of the code. This encryption / decryption can be carried out, for example, using a symmetric algorithm. The use of a subscription card to preserve the necessary decryption keys generally requires that the decoder also be provided with a second smart card reader, since both cards will be used by the decoder during the download and verification steps. Alternative modalities can be considered, for example, in which the data is first downloaded from the application card to a buffer, the application card is removed and the card containing the decryption keys is inserted, etc. However, as will be appreciated, this is less convenient than the use of a decoder equipped with two or more smart card readers, particularly since one or the other card may need to be re-called at any time. The installation of a test application in the decoder will be described below. Commonly, a test application is used by a service provider to test the correct operation of the physical equipment layer. For example, the test application can control the tuner of the decoder to prove that the decoder can correctly receive data transmitted on a given channel frequency. The loaded application can be interactive to allow the operator to insert specific parameters into the decoder by, for example, the remote control apparatus. In the case of the tuning frequency, the operator can manually adjust the set frequency until the clearest reception is obtained. Once these parameters are known to a decoder, they will be the same for the rest of the series. Therefore, it is desirable that these and other parameter values can be memorized to avoid repeating the operation for each decoder. Accordingly, once defined by the operator in relation to a first decoder, these parameters are downloaded into the electronic programmable and erasable read only memory 15 of the card. After removing the card, the operator changes the value of the switches in the interruption unit 17 so that an application in a different direction in the flash memory will be accessed until its next insertion in a decoder. Then, when the card is reinserted into the next set of decoders, this new application will be loaded into the decoder. After execution, the application will indicate the presence of predetermined parameter values stored in the programmable read-only memory and electronically erasable and these values will be automatically loaded and fixed in the decoder. In the case of the tuner, for example, the application will automatically set the tuner to the frequency selected by the operator for the first decoder and the operator can then immediately determine whether the tuner operates correctly or not. In view of the relative difficulty in writing data to a flash memory unit (as opposed to an electronically erasable, programmable read-only memory) it is preferable, though not essential, that flash memory be used for applications that do not will change in the use and the programmable read-only memory and erasable electronically will be reserved for data downloaded on the card. Additionally, to increase the security of the system, the flash memory may be set in a read-only configuration by the microprocessor after the initial connection of the card and / or after receiving an unknown instruction. Of course, other combinations and configurations are possible using read-only memory devices, etc. Although the above embodiment has been discussed in connection with a smart card mode, other portable memory cards, such as PCMCIA cards, can be used if the decoder is capable of reading said cards.

Claims (18)

1. REVIVAL NAMES 1. A method for downloading an executable application in a decoder, characterized in that the application is stored in a portable memory card inserted in a card reader in the decoder, the decoder reads and downloads the application of the card.
2. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the card is adapted to be read in a smart card reader in the decoder.
3. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the executable application stored on the card and downloaded to the decoder is formatted in accordance with a transmitted data format.
4. 4. A method according to claim 3, in which the executable application stored on the card and downloaded to the decoder is configured in accordance with a data format M P EG.
5. 5. A method according to claim 4, the application is subdivided into a plurality of modules in the memory of the card, the decoder unloads and shapes the modules to form the complete application.
6. 6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, in which the application is written in an interpretative code.
7. 7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, in which some or part of the application stored on the memory card is encrypted with one or more encryption keys.
8. 8. A method according to any of the 5 previous claims, in which some or part of the data stored in the memory card has been encrypted and / or registered with a private key, the decoder has access to the key. eq uivalent public to decrypt and / or authenticate the origin of the application.
9. 9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the decoder is provided with a plurality of smart card readers, to allow the reading of a smart card having the executable application and another card. intelligent. I5
10. 1 0. A method according to any of the preceding claims, including the steps of downloading the application in the decoder, setting one or more parameters associated with the application and saving the parameters in the memory card for later use. 0
11. 1 1 A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the card includes a physical interruption means for selecting one of a plurality of applications stored on the card that will be downloaded after the insertion of the memory card. in the decoder.
12. 12. A decoder for use in the method according to any of the preceding claims.
13. 13. A decoder according to claim 12, adapted to read transmission format data input via a card reader in the decoder.
14. 14. A memory card for use in a method according to any of claims 1 to 11.
15. 15. A memory card according to claim 14, including an application stored in a transmission data format on the card.
16. 16. A method for downloading an executable application into a decoder substantially as described herein
17. 17. A decoder for use in a method according to any of claims 1 to 11 and substantially as described herein.
18. 18. A memory card for use in a method according to any of claims 1 to 11 and substantially as described herein.