Distributed Playback Master Device Encryption Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media streaming systems face challenges in synchronization and security, particularly with encryption-based techniques, which can cause delays and require costly upgrades when new encryption standards are introduced, and may not provide adequate security against unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A distributed playback system with a master device that decrypts and re-encrypts media streams using different encryption standards, while maintaining a trusted environment for decryption and encryption processes, ensuring synchronization and security across client devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encryption-based techniques are introduced to improve security, then security level is improved, but synchronization between client devices and server output devices deteriorates due to decryption delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization by having client devices advance their playback timing based on pre-calculated compensation values that account for decryption delays. This allows clients to play back content in sync with the server without waiting for actual decryption to complete, effectively compensating for the time loss in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The server sends synchronization information including timing data and decryption delay compensation values to client devices. Clients use this feedback to adjust their playback timing dynamically, ensuring synchronized output despite the time required for decryption operations.
2Reliability
If new encryption standards are introduced to improve security, then security level is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to required hardware upgrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the encryption parameter by switching between different encryption standards (e.g., from AES-128 to AES-256 or from one DRM scheme to another) without changing the underlying hardware architecture. This allows security to be upgraded through software configuration rather than hardware replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The decryption architecture is designed to be universal and multi-functional, supporting multiple encryption standards through a single hardware platform. The system can adapt to different encryption schemes (AES, DRM, Widevine, etc.) using the same physical hardware, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware upgrades when encryption standards change.
3Reliability
If certified hardware and software are used to improve security, then security level is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to closed black box environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the decryption architecture into modular components that can be independently configured and operated. This allows different parts of the system to use different encryption standards and processing methods, providing flexibility while maintaining security. The segmented architecture enables selective application of security measures rather than requiring a completely closed black box environment.
Data Source
AI summary
There are disclosed distributed playback, DP, techniques. For examples a DP master device, may: establish a local connection with a plurality of DP client devices and for establishing a remote connection with a remote content provider, so as to receive a first encrypted media stream from the remote content provider; decrypt the first encrypted media stream to obtain a decrypted media stream; adding DP information, DPI, to the decrypted media stream; encrypting the decrypted media stream according to a second encryption standard to obtain a second encrypted stream; additionally encrypting the DPI in the second encrypted media stream or adding the DPI to the encrypted media stream in plaintext, transmitting an output media stream, which is the second encrypted media stream, to the plurality of DP client devices.