Handheld Wireless Device Ad Hoc Network for Secure Media Rendering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communication devices face limitations in securely rendering electronic media content across varying network environments due to physical constraints and power limitations, especially when trying to access and play protected media content on remote devices without violating digital rights management agreements.

Innovation Solution

A system and method enabling a dynamic and secure ad hoc network configuration using a handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) that establishes connections between local and remote networks, allowing secure transfer and rendering of electronic media content by utilizing a combination of personal area networks (PAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), and wide area networks (WAN), with capabilities for data encryption, authentication, and format adaptation to ensure compliance with digital rights management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wireless communication devices use standard WPAN or WLAN technologies, then connectivity and service area are provided, but security and digital rights management compliance are insufficient for rendering protected media content on remote devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity and DRM complianceVSAvoidability to render protected content across varying network environments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portable media player as an intermediary device between the media source and remote rendering devices. This intermediary establishes secure ad hoc networks, manages DRM credentials, and coordinates content transfer across multiple network technologies (WPAN, WLAN, cellular), thereby enabling secure rendering of protected content in varying network environments without requiring the source or destination devices to directly communicate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable media player performs multiple functions: it acts as a wireless router, DRM credential manager, content renderer, and network coordinator across different wireless technologies. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle the complex tasks of secure content protection and adaptive network management, resolving the contradiction between security requirements and adaptability to various network environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wireless networks support mobile devices with growing complexity and capability, then functionality and performance are improved, but physical limitations and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality and capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex task of secure media rendering across multiple devices and network layers. The portable media player handles DRM management and secure content transfer, while local devices handle rendering. This segmentation allows mobile devices to offload power-intensive tasks to other devices in the ad hoc network, reducing their power consumption while maintaining high functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If devices establish direct connections for media rendering, then simplicity and speed are improved, but security and DRM compliance become difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity and speedVSAvoidsecurity and DRM compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The portable media player serves as a secure intermediary that mediates all content transfers. It authenticates devices, manages DRM credentials, and securely transfers content through encrypted channels. This intermediary approach maintains security and DRM compliance while keeping the operation simple for end users, who only need to initiate playback without managing complex security protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9123273B2Method and system for enabling rendering of electronic media content via a secure ad hoc network configuration utilizing a handheld wireless communication device

Publication Date: 2015.09.01 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

A handheld wireless communication device (HWCD) establishes an ad hoc network comprising interconnected networks for a user. The HWCD gains access to content on a first device and controls communication of the content from the first device via the HWCD to a second device. The HWCD enables the second device to consume the content. The content may be streamed from the first device via the HWCD to the second device. The first device is a service provider network device or other network device. The access may be authenticated and/or secure. Secure access to the content is extended from the first device to the second device. The ad hoc network is configured and/or reconfigured until communication is complete. The HWCD comprises multiple wireless interfaces. The ad hoc network comprises a PAN, WLAN, WAN and/or cellular network. The HWCD may hand-off among base stations during communication of the content.