Domain Manager for Secure AV Network Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media distribution systems face challenges in sharing audio and video signals across networks due to requirements for low latency and accurate time alignment, particularly in large-scale networks where existing plug-and-play systems are limited and may compromise features like access control and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a domain manager that configures and manages audio-video systems, enabling features like networked media distribution, fault-tolerant operation, and secure access control across multiple subnets without directly participating in media transmission, using a database, endpoint manager, and management modules for device registration, access control, and clock synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a plug-and-play system is used to simplify setup, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and loss of information (access control features) worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a domain manager as an intermediary component that handles complex configuration, device registration, and access control policies. This mediator allows end devices to remain simple while the domain manager performs the complex management tasks, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts complex management functions (access control, device registration, configuration) from the end devices and places them in a separate domain manager component. This extraction allows end devices to remain simple plug-and-play devices while the domain manager handles the complexity, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If end devices are made more complex to enable large scale network management, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The domain manager acts as an intermediary that provides large-scale network management capabilities without requiring complex logic in end devices. The domain manager handles device registration, configuration, and access control, allowing end devices to remain simple while the system as a whole gains adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex management functions are extracted from end devices and centralized in the domain manager. This extraction enables large-scale network management capabilities at the system level while keeping individual end devices simple and cost-effective.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized domain manager is introduced to manage large scale networks, then adaptability and management capability are improved, but device complexity (system architecture) worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network management system into two parts: simple end devices and a centralized domain manager. This segmentation allows the system to support large-scale networks through the domain manager while keeping end devices simple, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity.
4Ease of operation
If plug-and-play operation is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability (access control and security) worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The domain manager serves as an intermediary that automatically configures devices (maintaining ease of operation) while simultaneously implementing access control policies and security measures (improving reliability). The domain manager handles both automatic setup and security management, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A domain manager configured to manage and/or configure an audio-video (AV) system but not directly participate in networked media transmission or clock synchronization. The domain manager may include a database; an endpoint manager configured to communicate with the database, the endpoint manager being configured to setup and maintain secure connections to and from media devices and controllers; and at least one management module configured to communicate with the database and provide services to the media devices and controllers. In embodiments, the at least one management module may include at least one of a manager for managing credentials and grouping devices into domains, a device directory for managing device registrations and lookup, and an access controller for managing and/or evaluating access control policy.