Secure Digital Content Cue Point Insertion via Separate Data Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for inserting additional content into digital content streams are vulnerable to manipulation by malware, as cue points are not adequately protected, allowing unauthorized alteration or removal of additional content, and are limited in their ability to account for regional or user-specific factors, especially when applied to stored content.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting cue points outside the digital content stream, using a separate data connection to send a list of cue points from the transmitter to the receiver, where only a time code is embedded in the stream to indicate insertion points, ensuring secure and dynamic insertion of additional content even for stored digital content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cue points are embedded within the digital content stream, then the insertion of additional content is simplified and synchronized, but the system becomes vulnerable to manipulation by malware that can alter or remove cue points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of content insertionVSAvoidsecurity against manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates cue point data from the digital content stream by transmitting them through different data connections. The cue points are sent via a first data connection while the digital content travels through a second data connection, dividing the transmission paths to prevent simultaneous manipulation of both streams by malware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving device acts as an intermediary that reconstructs cue points from received data and matches them against stored cue point information. This intermediary process verifies the integrity of cue points before using them for content insertion, preventing malformed or malicious cue points from causing errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a separate data connection is used to transmit cue points, then security against manipulation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to managing multiple data connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against manipulationVSAvoidcomplexity of data connection management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving device utilizes existing multi-functional capabilities to handle different data types through separate connections. The device's ability to process both cue point data and digital content streams through different interfaces leverages universal communication protocols already present in modern receiving devices, minimizing additional complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If cue points are transmitted within the digital content stream, then the transmission process is simplified, but malware can manipulate cue points to prevent proper insertion of additional content or cause errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of transmission processVSAvoidmalware manipulation of cue points
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts cue point transmission from the digital content stream by sending them through a separate first data connection. This extraction removes the vulnerability where malware could simultaneously corrupt both the content and its synchronization markers, as they now travel through independent channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If additional content is inserted at the transmitter side, then the content is ready for playback, but the system cannot account for regional or user-specific factors that may require dynamic modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadiness of content for playbackVSAvoidability to account for regional factors
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables dynamic insertion of additional content at the receiving device based on real-time conditions such as regional location or user preferences. The receiving device determines whether to insert advertising content or other additional information based on stored criteria and current context, allowing the system to adapt to different regional and user-specific factors while maintaining playback readiness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2814256B1Method and apparatus for modifying a stream of digital content
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 MX1 GMBH
  • EP2814256B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2814256B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2814256B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for modifying a stream of digital content received via a first data connection (230) at a reproducing device (220, 500), the stream of digital content being related to at least one time code (250). The method comprises the following steps when reproducing the stream of digital content: (a) receiving at least one cue point (468) by the reproducing device (220, 500) via a second data connection (260, 690); and (b) modifying the stream of digital content by the reproducing device (220, 500) when the at least one time code (250) related to the stream of digital content matches the at least one cue point (468).