1. Method comprising: receiving initial software code in an audio-video display device (12) having a licensable component that requires software code to function and having a processor (18) being able to execute code, the initial software code not including a critical piece of code (208) without which the initial software cannot be executed by the processor as the software code for the licensable component to function, wherein the initial software code has no executable capability whatsoever without the critical piece of code; receiving (146), responsive to a determination (144) that a license for the licensable component has been activated, the critical piece of code in cooperation with the initial software code in the audio-video display device to render fully capable software code for the licensable component; and using (210) the processor to execute the fully capable software code to thereby render the licensable component functional.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio-video display device is a TV.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial software code has an entry point (202) and an exit point (204), the critical piece of code (208) being copied into the initial software code between the entry point and the exit point to render the fully capable code.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial software code has a reduced executable capability (206) without the critical piece of code.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the initial software code includes a reduced capability module (206) and the reduced capability module is removed from operation when the critical piece of code is received.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein without the critical piece of code (208), the licensed function cannot be executed regardless of any security measures that may be lifted, because the critical piece of code must be present and executable within software code and until the license for the licensed function has been activated, the critical piece of code is missing from the initial software code as opposed to being present in the initial software code but merely disabled in some fashion.

7. TV (12) comprising: at least one licensable component (e.g., 54-56, etc.) for which a license has not been obtained prior to vending the TV; a processor (18) in the TV; the processor executing software code associated with the licensable component required for the licensable component to function only in the event that a critical piece of code (208) is present in the software code, the software code not being executable by the processor to render the licensable component functional in the event that the critical piece of code is not present in the software code even though the software code is accessible to the processor, wherein the initial software code has no executable capability whatsoever without the critical piece of code; and a communication interface (e.g., 24, 48) communicatively coupled to the processor and receiving the critical piece of code responsive to a determination that a license for the licensable component has been activated.

8. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is a terrestrial broadcast advanced television systems committee (ATSC) demodulator assembly (58).

9. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is a video decoder (62).

10. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is an audio decoder (64).

11. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is a digital rights management component (e.g., 40).

12. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is a web browser (26).

13. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is an electronic program guide (EPG) component.

We Claim:
1. Method comprising:
receiving initial software code in an audio-video display device (12) having a licensable component that requires software code to function and having a processor (18) being able to execute code, the initial software code not including a critical piece of code (208) without which the initial software cannot be executed by the processor as the software code for the licensable component to function, wherein the initial software code has no executable capability whatsoever without the critical piece of code;
receiving (146), responsive to a determination (144) that a license for the licensable component has been activated, the critical piece of code in cooperation with the initial software code in the audio-video display device to render fully capable software code for the licensable component; and
using (210) the processor to execute the fully capable software code to thereby render the licensable component functional.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio-video display device is a TV.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial software code has an entry point (202) and an exit point (204), the critical piece of code (208) being copied into the initial software code between the entry point and the exit point to render the fully capable code.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial software code has a reduced executable capability (206) without the critical piece of code.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the initial software code includes a reduced capability module (206) and the reduced capability module is removed from operation when the critical piece of code is received.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein without the critical piece of code (208), the licensed function cannot be executed regardless of any security measures that may be lifted, because the critical piece of code must be present and executable within software code and until the license for the licensed function has been activated, the critical piece of code is missing from the initial software code as opposed to being present in the initial software code but merely disabled in some fashion.
7. TV (12) comprising:
at least one licensable component (e.g., 54-56, etc.) for which a license has not been obtained
prior to vending the TV;
a processor (18) in the TV;
the processor executing software code associated with the licensable component required for the
licensable component to function only in the event that a critical piece of code (208) is present in
the software code, the software code not being executable by the processor to render the
licensable component functional in the event that the critical piece of code is not present in the
software code even though the software code is accessible to the processor, wherein the initial software code has no executable capability whatsoever without the critical piece of code; and a communication interface (e.g., 24, 48) communicatively coupled to the processor and receiving the critical piece of code responsive to a determination that a license for the licensable component has been activated.
8. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is a terrestrial broadcast advanced television systems committee (ATSC) demodulator assembly (58).
9. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is a video decoder (62).
10. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is an audio decoder (64).
11. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is a digital rights management component (e.g., 40).
12. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is a web browser (26).
13. The TV of claim 7, wherein the licensable component is an electronic program guide (EPG) component.