Encrypted Video Stream Ad Insertion via Encryption Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inserting advertisements into encrypted video streams is challenging due to encryption making it difficult to detect synchronization signals like I frames and match audio levels, which complicates the insertion process and disrupts the viewing experience.

Innovation Solution

Suspend encryption temporarily during ad insertion periods, allowing for the detection of I frames and synchronization with the video stream, and use signaling markers to enable ad insertion while maintaining encryption for the rest of the stream, ensuring seamless integration of ads without disrupting the DRM system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If encryption is applied to the entire video stream to protect DRM, then security is improved, but the ability to detect synchronization signals and insert advertisements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDRM securityVSAvoidsynchronization signal detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The video stream is segmented into encrypted portions and unencrypted portions. The encryption is suspended specifically during ad insertion timecodes, allowing synchronization signals to be detected in the unencrypted segments while maintaining encryption for the majority of the stream to preserve DRM security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the video stream have different encryption states. The ad insertion portion is left unencrypted to enable signal detection and ad insertion, while the remainder of the stream maintains encryption for security. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between security and detectability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If encryption is suspended during ad insertion, then ad insertion capability is improved, but DRM security coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvead insertion capabilityVSAvoidDRM security coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The video stream is divided into encrypted and unencrypted segments based on ad insertion timecodes. Only the specific time portions requiring ad insertion are unencrypted, allowing ad insertion capability while minimizing the impact on overall DRM security coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Encryption is periodically suspended at specific timecodes when advertisements are to be inserted, then resumed. This periodic suspension allows ad insertion capability at critical moments while maintaining encryption for the majority of the stream, preserving overall security coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the video stream is sent in encrypted form, then security is maintained, but the ability to match audio levels and synchronize ads deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity maintenanceVSAvoidaudio level matching precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The video stream is segmented such that audio synchronization signals are placed in unencrypted portions. This allows precise audio level matching and synchronization for ad insertion while the rest of the stream remains encrypted to maintain security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unencrypted portions are strategically placed at ad insertion timecodes where audio level matching is required. This local unencrypted region provides the necessary precision for audio synchronization without compromising overall stream security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If encryption is applied continuously, then DRM protection is strengthened, but ad insertion complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDRM protectionVSAvoidad insertion process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous encryption is segmented by introducing unencrypted intervals at ad insertion timecodes. This segmentation simplifies the ad insertion process by providing accessible windows for signal detection and ad placement, while the overall DRM protection remains intact for the encrypted portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7802277B2Inserting data objects into encrypted video streams

Publication Date: 2010.09.21 SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES LP

AI summary

In a particular embodiment a method is disclosed for inserting data objects into a video stream. The method encrypts a first portion of the video stream at a server, suspends encryption of a second portion of the video stream, and sends the first and second portions of the video stream to a client device for insertion of the object into the video stream. In another embodiment a system is disclosed for inserting data objects into a video stream. The system encrypts a first portion of the video stream at a server, suspends encryption of a second portion of the video stream, and sends the first and second portions of the video stream to a client device for insertion of the object into the video stream.