Content Distribution System Offline Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing content management systems fail to ensure protection of original content provided by providers when a content-using device is not connected to the content management server, leading to an imbalance between content usage and provider rights.

Innovation Solution

A content distribution system that includes a content management server and a content-using device, equipped with connection detection units and control units, which manage content usage based on connection status, setting validity periods and controlling content access accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the content management server sends copy deletion commands to content-using devices, then content protection is improved, but the system complexity increases due to connection status management and alternative control methods for offline devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent protectionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts content control methods based on connection status. When connected, the server sends deletion commands; when disconnected, the system uses validity period-based automatic control. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining protection reliability across varying system states without requiring complex real-time communication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Offline content-using devices autonomously control content usage based on pre-stored validity periods without requiring server communication. The device self-determines when content should be deleted based on the validity period information received earlier, eliminating the need for continuous server interaction and reducing system complexity while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the content management server waits for connection establishment before sending deletion commands, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time increases due to repeated connection attempts and delayed content deletion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserver operation simplicityVSAvoiddeletion processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by sending validity period information to devices before disconnection occurs. This allows the device to autonomously manage content deletion timing without waiting for server commands, eliminating repeated connection attempts and reducing time loss while keeping server operations simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes feedback mechanisms where devices report connection status changes to the server. This enables the server to send deletion commands at appropriate times without continuously waiting for connection, reducing time loss while maintaining operational simplicity through event-driven communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the content-using device continuously checks connection status with the content management server, then the reliability of content protection is improved, but the use of energy increases due to continuous communication attempts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent protection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous checking, the system uses periodic or event-driven status checks. The device checks connection status when necessary (e.g., before content access, when validity period expires) rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining protection reliability through strategic monitoring points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device autonomously manages content protection by using validity period information stored locally, eliminating the need for continuous server communication to verify protection status. The device self-determines when content should be accessed or deleted based on pre-stored information, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9419864B2Content distribution system, content management server, content-using device, and control method

Publication Date: 2016.08.16 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A content management server comprises: a first connection detection unit that detects whether or not the content management server is connected with the content-using device; a content management unit that manages the content according to a result of the detection by the first connection detection unit and holds information on how the content-using device controls the use of the content. A content-using device comprises: a second connection detection unit that detects whether or not the content-using device is connected with the content management server; a second selection unit that specifies a method for controlling the use of the content according to a result of the detection by the second connection detection unit; and a content control unit that controls the use of the content according to the method specified by the second selection unit.