Controlled cryptoperiod timing to reduce decoder processing load

1. A method for controlling the transmission of real-time messages that are created by a plurality of encryptor devices, the method comprising the steps of:

repeatedly transmitting a common timebase signal to the plurality of encryptor devices, wherein the timebase signal establishes common pulse boundaries;

determining an available offset value to the common pulse boundaries for a plurality of services transmitted by one of the plurality of encryptor devices, where each service has a different offset value;

associating each determined offset value to each of the plurality of services; encrypting each of the plurality of services and transmitting real-time messages associated with the encrypted plurality of services; and

from each of the plurality of encryptor devices, transmitting the real-time messages associated with each of the encrypted plurality of services, wherein the real-time messages change at a time determined by the common pulse boundaries and the determined offset value.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the available offset value comprises randomly selecting an available offset between the common pulse boundaries.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the offset value step comprises determining a maximum gap between unavailable offset values between the common pulse boundaries.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the offset value step comprises:

dividing the common pulse boundaries into a plurality of time slots; and

assigning an available time slot between the common pulse boundaries to a service.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the offset value step comprises:

dividing the common pulse boundaries into a plurality of slots;

grouping a first plurality of slots into broadcasted slots and a second plurality of slots into on-demand slots; and

assigning an available slot from the first plurality of slots for a broadcasted service and an available slot from the second plurality of slots for an on-demand service.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the offset value step comprises:

dividing the common pulse boundaries into a plurality of slots;

grouping a first plurality of slots into broadcasted slots, a second plurality of slots into on-demand slots, and a third plurality of slots into unassigned slots; and

assigning an available slot from the first plurality of slots for a broadcasted service and an available slot from the second plurality of slots for an on-demand service.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of transmitting a global message indicating a start and duration of the unassigned slots.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of processing messages during the duration of the unassigned slots.

9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of dynamically changing the first, second, and third plurality of slots depending upon how many broadcasted and on-demand services are transmitted.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

receiving an encrypted service at a decoder device;

providing the encrypted service to one of a plurality of decryptors;

receiving a real-time message associated with the encrypted service;

providing the real-time message to a conditional access client;

determining a control word associated with the real-time message;

providing the control word to one of the plurality of decryptors; and

decrypting the encrypted service in accordance with the control word.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of encrypted services at a decoder device; and

receiving a plurality of real-time messages, each real-time message associated with one of the plurality of encrypted services, wherein each real-time message is received and processed according to each determined offset value within the common pulse boundaries.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of, within each common pulse boundary, receiving a new plurality of real-time messages associated with the received plurality of encrypted services.

13. A system for controlling the transmission of real-time messages, the system comprising:

a memory storage; and

a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is operative to:

using a plurality of encryptors, encrypt services and transmit real-time messages associated with the encrypted services;

synchronize, using a master clock, the plurality of encryptors and an offset assigner, having a common pulse with a duration, wherein the offset assigner determines an offset value within each common pulse duration for each service and transmits the offset value to an encryptor associated with the transmitted encrypted service; and

receive and filter, using a plurality of decoder devices, one or more encrypted services and the associated real-time messages, each decoder device comprising:

a conditional access system for receiving a real-time message associated with an encrypted service, and for providing a control word in order to decrypt the encrypted service wherein the conditional access system receives a new real-time message associated with the encrypted service at every determined offset value within the common pulse duration; and

at least one decryptor, each decryptor for receiving the encrypted service and for decrypting the encrypted service with the control word.

14. A system for controlling the transmission of real-time messages, the system comprising:

a memory storage; and

a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is operative to;

repeatedly transmit a common timebase signal to a plurality of encryptor devices, wherein the timebase signal establishes common pulse boundaries,

determine an available offset value to the common pulse boundaries for a plurality of services transmitted by one of the plurality of encryptor devices, where each service has a different offset value,

associate each determined offset value to each of the plurality of services, and

encrypt each of the plurality of services and transmit real-time messages associated with the encrypted plurality of services; and

from each of the plurality of encryptor devices, transmit the real-time messages associated with each of the encrypted plurality of services, wherein the real-time messages change at a time determined by the common pulse boundaries and the determined offset value.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the processing unit being operative to determine the available offset value comprises the processing unit being operative to randomly select an available offset between the common pulse boundaries.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the processing unit being operative to determine the offset value comprises the processing unit being operative to determine a maximum gap between unavailable offset values between the common pulse boundaries.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the processing unit being operative to determine the offset value comprises the processing unit being operative to:

divide the common pulse boundaries into a plurality of time slots; and

assign an available time slot between the common pulse boundaries to a service.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the processing unit being operative to determine the offset value comprises the processing unit being operative to:

divide the common pulse boundaries into a plurality of slots;

group a first plurality of slots into broadcasted slots and a second plurality of slots into on-demand slots; and

assign an available slot from the first plurality of slots for a broadcasted service and an available slot from the second plurality of slots for an on-demand service.

19. The system of claim 18 , further comprising the processing unit being operative to transmit a global message indicating a start and duration of the unassigned slots.

20. The system of claim 19 , further comprising the processing unit being operative to process messages during the duration of the unassigned slots.