Encrypted Transport Stream Delivery via HLS Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to efficiently deliver encrypted transport streams via multiple network sources such as radio frequency (RF)/satellite and internet protocol (IP) while leveraging existing infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

Segmenting incoming encrypted transport streams into fixed-duration files consistent with the HTTP live streaming (HLS) protocol, generating HLS-compatible manifests, and embedding an enhanced HLS client in integrated receiver-decoders (IRDs) to reconstruct and decrypt the streams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If encrypted transport streams are delivered via satellite using traditional infrastructure, then content security and access control are maintained, but distribution cost and infrastructure complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent securityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the encrypted transport stream into fixed-duration chunks and wraps them in HLS-compatible segments. This segmentation allows the content to be delivered through standard IP-based CDN infrastructure rather than requiring dedicated satellite distribution systems, reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining security through the existing encryption framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal delivery mechanism that works across multiple platforms (satellite, cable, IPTV, internet streaming) by wrapping encrypted transport streams in HLS format. This multi-functionality allows the same encrypted content to be distributed through various infrastructure types without requiring separate systems for each platform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If alternative distribution mechanisms are used to reduce cost, then infrastructure cost decreases, but the ability to deliver encrypted transport streams via multiple network sources is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure costVSAvoidmulti-network delivery capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The HLS wrapper format serves as a universal container that enables encrypted transport streams to be delivered through multiple network sources including satellite, cable, and internet protocol networks. The standardized HLS format ensures compatibility across different distribution platforms while maintaining cost efficiency by leveraging existing infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary wrapping mechanism that translates encrypted transport streams into HLS-compatible segments. This intermediary layer enables compatibility between the encrypted content and various delivery networks without requiring changes to the underlying encryption or the delivery infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If encrypted transport streams are segmented into fixed-duration files for HLS compliance, then compatibility with existing HTTP streaming infrastructure is achieved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHLS infrastructure compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments encrypted transport streams into fixed-duration chunks that conform to HLS segment requirements. This segmentation enables compatibility with existing HTTP streaming infrastructure while managing processing complexity through automated chunking and wrapping operations that can be performed by standard streaming servers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmission mediums are used to deliver content, then distribution flexibility and reach are improved, but system complexity and integration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution flexibilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The HLS wrapper format provides a universal interface that enables the same encrypted content to be delivered through multiple transmission mediums (satellite, cable, internet) without requiring separate processing pipelines for each medium. This universality reduces system integration complexity by standardizing the delivery format across all platforms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240146982A1Delivery of encrypted multiplexes via hyper text transfer protocol

Publication Date: 2024.05.02 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

A method and system provide the ability to deliver media content. A packager receives an original encrypted transport stream, and segments the stream into multiple fixed-duration transport stream files (chunks). The packager further generates a manifest file that describes the chunks and is consistent with a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) live streaming (HLS) protocol. The manifest file and chunks are delivered to a content delivery network (CDN). An enhanced HLS client is embed in an integrated receiver decoder (IRD). The enhanced HLS client retrieves the manifest file and the chunks from the CDN, and reconstructs the original encrypted transport stream for use by a service provider network.