Asset Distribution Server Proximity Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for distributing right-protected assets over networks lack effective mechanisms to ensure legal sharing and usage, particularly in scenarios where devices with varying capabilities and proximity are involved, leading to potential copyright and licensing violations.
Innovation Solution
A network architecture that includes a distribution server, session management server, context server, and content server, which enables context reporting, session establishment, and asset sharing while enforcing rights management through user and device identification, and proximity-based sharing controls, using XML formatted context reports and agent software on devices to facilitate secure and authorized sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional distribution methods are used for right-protected assets, then simplicity and ease of operation are maintained, but copyright and licensing violations occur due to lack of effective control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distribution server as an intermediary between content providers and end users. This server acts as a mediator that enforces rights management policies, controls asset distribution, and manages licensing agreements. The distribution server receives requests from client devices, verifies rights against stored licensing information, and selectively provides access to protected assets, thereby preventing copyright violations while maintaining a relatively simple client-side implementation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If right-protected assets are distributed without adaptation, then device compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases to handle various capabilities and proximity scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by adapting the distribution of right-protected assets based on specific device characteristics and contextual factors. The distribution server evaluates individual device capabilities (screen resolution, processing power, supported formats) and proximity information to selectively provide appropriately formatted and authorized versions of assets. This allows each device to receive content optimized for its specific capabilities without requiring all devices to handle every possible format or capability scenario.
3Reliability
If proximity-based sharing controls are implemented, then unauthorized use is prevented, but ease of operation decreases due to additional identification and verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing rights management policies and licensing agreements in the system before actual asset distribution occurs. The distribution server stores licensing information and authorization rules in advance, and client devices pre-register their capabilities and identities. When asset sharing is requested, the system simply needs to match the request against pre-configured policies and pre-verified device information, significantly reducing the operational complexity despite maintaining strong authorization control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes allowing a right-protected asset to be shared by a first device with a second device while they are within a determinable proximity of one another. Subsequent to the sharing, an option to acquire the right-protected asset is presented to the second device when the first device and the second device are not within the determinable proximity of one another.