Adaptive Bitrate Watermarking via Client-Specific Segment Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Video piracy is increasingly prevalent in online redistribution of Over-The-Top (OTT) Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) content, necessitating an effective method to identify and mitigate illicit content sharing.
Innovation Solution
A watermarking process is implemented for OTT ABR content, where multiple watermarked variants of media segments are created, and a client device identifier is used to select an appropriate watermark variant, embedding an imperceptible signal that allows content providers to forensically identify the content-sharing source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional watermarking is used for ABR content, then content ownership can be identified, but the watermark may be detected by pirates and used to strip or bypass the watermark
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the watermark adaptive to different bitrate representations dynamically. Instead of using a static watermark across all ABR representations, the system generates different watermark embeddings for different bitrate versions (e.g., 720p at 2.5Mbps, 1080p at 5Mbps) based on the specific representation being delivered. This dynamic adaptation prevents pirates from using a single detection method across all representations while maintaining reliable ownership identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by embedding watermarks with different characteristics in different bitrate representations. Each representation (different resolution, bitrate, or codec) receives a customized watermark embedding that is optimized for that specific representation's properties. This ensures that watermarks remain reliable and undetectable across diverse representations, as each is tailored to its local characteristics rather than using a uniform approach.
2Reliability
If multiple watermarked variants are created for different bitrate representations, then watermark reliability across representations is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a unified watermarking system that handles multiple ABR representations through a single adaptive process. Instead of maintaining separate watermarking systems for each representation, the system uses a universal watermark embedding approach that adapts to any representation based on its characteristics (resolution, bitrate, codec). This single system serves multiple functions: watermarking different resolutions, bitrates, and codecs, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining consistency across all representations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying watermark embedding parameters based on the specific ABR representation being processed. The system adjusts watermark strength, frequency, or temporal distribution parameters according to the representation's properties (e.g., higher bitrate representations may tolerate stronger watermarks, while lower bitrate representations use more subtle embeddings). This parameter adaptation ensures reliable watermarking across diverse representations without requiring completely separate systems for each case.
3Measurement precision
If client-specific watermarks are embedded to enable precise piracy tracing, then forensic identification capability is improved, but content delivery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the watermarking process into distinct segments corresponding to different ABR representations and client devices. Each client device receives a specific watermark embedding in the representation it requests, identified by client-specific parameters (device ID, user ID, or session ID). This segmentation allows precise tracing of piracy sources while managing complexity through modular processing - each representation-segment is watermarked independently with the appropriate client identifier, rather than requiring a monolithic complex system.
Data Source
AI summary
A watermark in Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) content may be provided. First, a cache miss may be determined in response to receiving a request that includes an address that points to a fake media segment. Next, in response to determining the cache miss, a pull request may be sent to an origin server. The pull request may include an identifier corresponding to a client device. Then, in response to sending the pull request, a redirect response may be received from the origin server. The redirect response may include an address of a real media segment with an embedded watermark.