Temporary Video Access via Cached MVPD Tokens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) fail to adequately handle authentication and authorization issues during high-demand events, leading to viewer access disruptions due to MVPD server overload.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a temporary access mechanism that grants viewers access to video content from programmers when MVPD authentication and authorization are unavailable, using predetermined rules to manage access based on programmer, channel, or device-specific criteria, ensuring continuous service during MVPD unavailability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the MVPD processes all authentication and authorization requests during high-demand events, then security and authorization control are maintained, but the system becomes overwhelmed and viewers experience long delays or complete access denial
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication with the MVPD before high-demand events, obtaining and caching authorization tokens in advance. When the MVPD becomes overwhelmed during events, the cached tokens enable continued access without requiring real-time MVPD processing, thus maintaining productivity while preserving reliability through pre-established security credentials
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a buffer mechanism by caching authentication tokens and implementing a queue system that can operate independently when the MVPD is unavailable. This cushioning allows the system to absorb MVPD unavailability and maintain service during high-demand periods, preventing complete system failure while security controls remain intact
2Reliability
If the MVPD servers handle extreme request volumes during large live events, then comprehensive authentication can be performed, but the servers become overwhelmed and many viewers cannot access videos at all
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication tokens are obtained and cached before high-demand events occur. This preliminary authentication action allows viewers to access content during events without requiring real-time MVPD server processing, eliminating access delays while maintaining authentication reliability through pre-verified credentials
Solution Approach 2:
A caching layer and queue system are introduced as intermediaries between the MVPD servers and viewers. These intermediaries store authentication tokens and manage request queues, allowing the system to decouple real-time MVPD processing from viewer access needs, thereby reducing loss of time while maintaining authentication accuracy
3Productivity
If temporary access is granted when MVPD is unavailable, then viewer access continuity is maintained, but security control and authorization verification are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication tokens are obtained in advance when the MVPD is available, establishing security credentials before temporary access is needed. These pre-verified tokens maintain security control during temporary access periods, allowing productivity to improve through continuous access while reliability is preserved through beforehand security verification
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms that track temporary access usage and validate tokens against cached credentials. This feedback system ensures that temporary access maintains security controls by verifying pre-established authorization, allowing productivity improvement through access continuity while preserving reliability through ongoing validation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for granting temporary access to videos from a programmer to viewers based on the viewers having subscriptions with a separate MVPD. An exemplary technique involves receiving a request for the programmer to provide a video to a viewer and accessing the MVPD to authenticate that the viewer has a subscription with the MVPD and confirm that the viewer is authorized to receive the video. The technique determines that the MVPD is not able to timely authenticate the viewer subscription or confirm that the viewer is authorized to receive the video. While waiting for the MVPD to respond, the viewer is granted temporary access to the video. When a subsequent response from the MVPD is received, the technique continues to grant access to the viewer to the video from the programmer or cuts off access of the viewer to the video from the programmer based on the response.