Content Delivery Segmentation for Cost and Piracy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content providers face high costs and piracy risks with traditional streaming methods, as they must re-transmit content frequently, which can be expensive and may lead to unauthorized usage when content is stored on user devices.
Innovation Solution
Divide content files into two channels: a first channel for initial storage and a second channel for streaming, where the first channel contains payload blocks and additional data is encoded for local storage, and the second channel contains critical data for playback, allowing for cost-effective delivery and anti-piracy measures like digital watermarks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If content is delivered via streaming on-demand, then content can be consumed in real-time, but delivery costs increase and require higher bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The content is divided into two separate channels: a first channel containing payload blocks that can be stored locally, and a second channel containing overhead blocks with critical playback data. This segmentation allows the system to separate the bulk data storage from the critical control data, enabling cost-effective delivery by storing only essential overhead information in the streamed channel while allowing local storage of payload blocks.
2Loss of energy
If content is stored on end user devices for download, then re-transmission fees are reduced, but piracy and unauthorized usage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The critical playback control data (overhead blocks) is extracted from the main content and placed in a separate second channel that must be streamed on-demand. This extraction ensures that even if payload blocks are stored locally, the content cannot be played without authorization from the overhead channel, effectively preventing piracy while allowing local storage for cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The overhead channel acts as an intermediary control mechanism between the stored payload blocks and the playback function. It contains authorization data and control information that mediates whether the stored content can be accessed, providing a security layer that prevents unauthorized usage while allowing legitimate playback.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If complete content is transmitted for local storage, then playback can occur offline, but storage requirements and initial transmission costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting content into payload blocks (first channel) and overhead blocks (second channel), the system allows selective storage of only the larger payload blocks locally while keeping the smaller critical overhead blocks for streamed delivery. This enables offline playback capability with significantly reduced storage requirements and lower initial transmission costs compared to storing complete content.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If streaming is used to ensure content security, then piracy is reduced, but delivery costs and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential overhead control data into a separate streamed channel, while allowing the bulk payload content to be stored locally. This extraction maintains content security by ensuring critical playback control remains under remote control via streaming, while dramatically reducing bandwidth consumption and delivery costs compared to streaming the entire content.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for delivering content from content providers to end users using computer networks. Aspects of the invention enable content providers cost-effective content delivery using, for example, download and peer-to-peer mechanisms, while also allowing content providers the ability to control and restrict usage of the content and combat piracy. These and other aspects of the invention are discussed in more detail herein.