Broadcast Content Protection via RF and Internet Signal Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unauthorized re-transmission of broadcast signals by entities that do not pay retransmission fees, which undermines the revenue models of broadcasters.
Innovation Solution
Implementing radio frequency (RF) modulation and signaling to protect broadcast signals, allowing them to be sent over multiple communication paths such as the Internet, ensuring that protected content can only be fully received with both RF and Internet connections, thereby enabling Digital Rights Management (DRM) and controlled access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If broadcast signals are transmitted over multiple communication paths (RF and Internet), then content protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The content data is segmented into two distinct portions: one transmitted via RF broadcast signals and another via Internet Protocol packets. This segmentation ensures that neither portion alone can be used for unauthorized re-transmission, as both paths are required to reconstruct the complete content, thereby enhancing content protection while managing system complexity through modular transmission architecture
Solution Approach 2:
A set-top box acts as an intermediary device that receives both the RF broadcast signal and the Internet Protocol packets, combines them to reconstruct the complete content, and then outputs the protected content to the television. This intermediary manages the complexity of multi-path transmission by centralizing the combination process in a single device
2Reliability
If RF modulation and signaling are implemented to protect signals, then content security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The set-top box automatically performs the complex task of receiving both RF and Internet signals, combining them, and outputting protected content without requiring user intervention. The system self-manages the multi-path signal integration and content protection processes, making the enhanced security transparent to the end user while maintaining ease of operation
3Reliability
If content is split across multiple transmission paths, then unauthorized access is reduced, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The set-top box merges the RF broadcast signal portion and the Internet Protocol packet portion to reconstruct the complete original content signal. This combining process ensures that no information is lost, as both portions are essential components of the full content, while simultaneously preventing unauthorized access since neither portion alone is sufficient for complete content reconstruction or unauthorized re-transmission
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively protects broadcast content from unauthorized access and re-transmission by requiring users to have both RF and Internet connections to receive the full content, thereby safeguarding broadcasters' revenue streams.
Implementation Method 1
certain embodiments use radio frequency (RF) modulation and signaling to protect signals which can be sent over another communication path such as the Internet
Data Source
AI summary
An information providing system, reception apparatus, and methods thereof are provided for providing content data. The method for providing content includes generating the content data. A digital television pre-broadcast signal, including the content data, is generated. At least one portion of the digital television pre-broadcast signal is extracted. The at least one portion of the digital television pre-broadcast signal is packaged into one or more Internet Protocol (IP) data packets. A digital television broadcast signal, including the remainder of the digital television pre-broadcast signal, is generated. The one or more IP data packets is provided via a communication network. The digital television broadcast signal is provided on a predetermined radio frequency (RF) channel.