Dynamic Media Chunk Encryption for Streaming Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing media streaming technologies face challenges in flexibility and efficiency due to the need for extensive preprocessing, including chunking, indexing, and encryption of media files, which limits the ability to change encryption keys without re-encrypting all chunks, and requires significant resources for dynamic index file updates and chunk management.
Innovation Solution
The system dynamically encrypts media file chunks in real-time as they are requested, allowing for flexible encryption key management and reducing the need for pre-processing, by generating encryption keys on demand and using them to encrypt segments of media files for streaming over networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If media files are encrypted before streaming with traditional preprocessing methods, then security is improved, but flexibility to change encryption keys deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic encryption by generating encryption keys on-demand at the time of chunk retrieval rather than using static pre-generated keys. The system dynamically creates a unique encryption key for each chunk request, allowing flexible key management while maintaining security. This is achieved through a key generation module that receives requests and generates appropriate encryption keys in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary key generation setup by establishing a master key and key generation algorithm before streaming begins. This preliminary action enables the system to quickly generate specific encryption keys for each chunk without requiring extensive preprocessing of the media file itself, balancing advance preparation with runtime flexibility.
2Reliability
If extensive preprocessing is performed to prepare media for streaming including encryption, then media security is improved, but processing time and resource consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media file into multiple independent chunks that can be processed and encrypted individually on-demand. This segmentation allows the system to avoid preprocessing the entire media file, instead only encrypting and delivering the specific chunks that are requested. Each chunk is encrypted independently with its own key, reducing overall preprocessing time and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temporary, disposable encryption keys for each chunk that are generated on-demand and discarded after use. Rather than maintaining complex long-term encryption structures, the system creates lightweight temporary keys for each transmission, minimizing preprocessing overhead while ensuring security. These short-lived keys require minimal setup and cleanup time.
3Reliability
If chunks are encrypted before storage in traditional systems, then security is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service encryption where the encryption process is automatically triggered by chunk requests without requiring complex external key management infrastructure. The key generation module autonomously creates and applies encryption keys based on request parameters, eliminating the need for complex pre-configured encryption systems. The media server itself performs the encryption operation when needed, rather than relying on external security systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for encrypting a media file for streaming and/or downloading over a network are disclosed. These systems and methods may be part of a larger media servicing network that can be used to, among other things, process uploaded media content, provide it for streaming, and collect metric information regarding the streaming. The disclosed systems and methods provide for receiving requests for a media file or a chunk of a media file and responding to these requests by encrypting the requested chunks dynamically and providing the chunks to the requesting entity. These systems and methods, which can be utilized with a dynamic chunk generation and dynamic index file generation, enable a high degree of flexibility in streaming chunked media files and preclude the need to encrypt the chunks prior to streaming. The systems and methods may also be applied to encrypting files for continuous streaming protocols as well as for progressive download.