Adaptive License Distribution for Peak Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
During peak demand for Pay-Per-View events, digital pay television systems face challenges in efficiently generating and distributing licenses due to high computing resource requirements, leading to delayed access for users as servers become overwhelmed.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a singular, shared license that can be used by multiple users during peak periods, reducing the computational burden on servers and allowing immediate access while regular licenses are generated, with a transition back to regular licenses once server resources are available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regular licenses are generated for each user device during peak demand, then security and personalization are improved, but server computing resources are overwhelmed and access delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the licensing system into two distinct license types: regular licenses for normal operation and emergency licenses for peak demand. This segmentation allows the system to handle different operational conditions with appropriate license strategies, preventing server overload while maintaining security through the dual-license architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the emergency license mechanism and establishing threshold-based triggers before peak demand occurs. The system monitors server resource utilization in advance and automatically switches to emergency license distribution when thresholds are exceeded, eliminating the need for reactive problem-solving during overload conditions
2Productivity
If computing resources are increased to handle peak demand, then license generation speed is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the license distribution system adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on real-time server resource utilization, switching between regular and emergency license distribution. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain high productivity during peak demand without permanently increasing hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the licensing system by introducing threshold-based control mechanisms. When server resource utilization exceeds predefined thresholds, the system changes its parameter set from regular license generation to emergency license distribution, effectively adjusting system behavior through parameter modification rather than hardware changes
3Speed
If emergency licenses are distributed to multiple users, then access speed is improved, but license security and personalization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a hybrid licensing architecture. Emergency licenses serve as intermediaries that provide immediate access while the system continues to process regular license requests. This intermediary approach allows fast access during peak demand without completely abandoning the secure regular license system, maintaining a balance between speed and security
4Loss of energy
If server computing resources are reduced, then system cost is reduced, but the ability to handle peak demand deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the licensing system to automatically manage its own resource allocation through intelligent license distribution. The system monitors its own resource utilization and autonomously switches between operational modes, eliminating the need for external intervention or permanent over-provisioning of resources. This self-service capability allows the system to handle peak demand efficiently with optimized resource consumption
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for distributing multimedia licenses (LIR, LIS) through a server to a plurality of devices in a distribution system of a protected-access multimedia service by first protection (KT1). This method aims to: - verify that the computation resources used by the server do not exceed a maximum threshold, and if they do, generate, then send regular licenses (LIR) including the first protection (KT1) in response to requests from the devices, and if not, switch the server to a singular mode consisting of: - protecting access to the multimedia service by second protection (KT2), independent of the first protection (KT1), - generating and sending to the devices a singular licence (LIS) including the second protection (KT2), - verifying that the computation resources do not exceed the maximum threshold, and if they do, switching from the singular mode to a regular mode so as to protect access to the multimedia service using only said first protection (KT1).