Ocean Blue's CI+ Software Enhanced with New Features and Verified via SmarDTV Interop Test Kit

Bristol, UK-based digital TV software provider, Ocean Blue Software--which says it has been working closely with CI Plus LLP (formerly known as the CI+ Forum) since 2008 to contribute to the launch and testing of the CI+ standard, and has developed both a CI+ software stack and CI+ browser to v1.2 of the CI Plus LLP specification--says that it has incorporated various optional features into its Sunrise CI+ product that are detailed in the latest version of the CI+ spec. According to the company, these features include:

• Low Speed Communications, a resource that allows the CAM to use communication channels that are available on the host. This resource, the company says, can be used as part of a conditional access system or as an interaction channel.
• CA PVR, a resource that allows the receiver to record protected content and play it back at a later date.
• Specific Application Support (SAS), a resource that provides a communication channel between the application on the CI+ CAM and an MHP application on the receiver.

Ocean Blue says that its CI+ software stack has passed the conformance tests defined and implemented by the SmarDTV test kit, and has now been registered with CI Plus LLP via the Interim License Agreement issued by the Trust Centre. The SmarDTV test kit validates the CI+ CAM and host authentication processes, secure communication, transport stream decryption and copy protection information. It also tests the other parts of the specification, including software download, localization and "man-machine interface." "SmarDTV has been collaborating with Ocean Blue Software for the past 18 months and we are delighted that their CI+ software stack is interoperable with our CI+ modules," Conor Ryan, SmarDTV's VP of marketing, said in a prepared statement.

According to Ocean Blue, the SmarDTV CI+ test kit was run with the Ocean Blue CI+ software stack, fully integrated with Sunrise DVB and CI+ Browser components. All three software components can be supplied on their own for integration into third-party modules, or as a complete, turnkey CI+ solution, the company says. Ocean Blue Software developed what was billed as the world's first CI+ application last year, in conjunction with SmarDTV: the app delivered advanced graphic applications inside a CAM, to run on a CI+-enabled TV set or set-top box. The company bills its software components as mature, hardware-agnostic and complete with well-defined and documented API's, allowing manufacturers to port and validate software with minimal delay and cost. It plans to demo its CI+ software solutions, among other products, in its booth at the upcoming IBC show in Amsterdam (Hall 5, Booth A12).

In other Ocean Blue news: The company says that the digital TV Text-to-Speech technology that it has developed with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, STMicroelectronics and TW Electronics has been shortlisted as one of the top-10 most innovative products by the IABM Design Awards (note: for more on the solution, see the article published on itvt.com, August 10th). "This innovative talking chip set development could mean that millions of people with print impairments could still be able to enjoy watching TV, surfing channels and getting program information on-demand," Steve Tyler, the RNIB's head of innovation and disability access services, said in a prepared statement. "Talking technology breaks down barriers for millions of people who have problems reading text because of sight loss, color deficiency, learning impairments or language issues." The IABM Design Awards judging panel is scheduled to announce the five award-winning finalists on August 31st, and to announce the overall winner on September 12th at an Awards Reception at the IBC.