Media Service Mirroring via VLAN Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users with subscription accounts to media service providers are limited to accessing their content only on their home equipment or personal devices, preventing them from using paid-for streaming services on non-home media equipment in different environments, such as hotels or public venues.
Innovation Solution
A network system comprising a processor, memory, access point subsystem, and low-energy communication capabilities that allows users to wirelessly connect to media equipment in non-home environments, mirroring media services from their accounts onto local media players through a centrally managed network with virtual local area networks (VLANs) for secure and isolated access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users access media services only on home equipment, then security and account protection are maintained, but user flexibility and accessibility in non-home environments are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network access by creating separate VLANs for different users and devices. Each user's media service access is isolated in their own virtual network segment, allowing flexible access from multiple devices while maintaining security through network segmentation. The home equipment remains in the original network segment while non-home devices are assigned to temporary VLAN segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network device as an intermediary between the media service provider and user devices. This intermediary manages authentication, creates temporary VLANs, and controls access permissions. It acts as a mediator that enables secure access from non-home devices without exposing the core media service infrastructure directly to external devices.
2Ease of operation
If users connect to non-home media equipment, then service accessibility is improved, but network security and device isolation become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the network device automatically performs VLAN creation, device authentication, and network configuration when a user connects from a non-home device. The system autonomously manages the complexity of network setup without requiring user intervention, making the service accessible while handling the technical complexity in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring VLAN templates and access policies before users attempt to connect. When a user device connects, the system quickly activates a pre-prepared VLAN configuration rather than creating everything from scratch, reducing the time and complexity perceived by the user while maintaining secure network isolation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If media services are mirrored to multiple devices, then user convenience is enhanced, but network resource consumption and system load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of the media service environment for each user device through VLAN replication. Instead of duplicating physical hardware or running full service instances on each device, the system creates lightweight virtual network copies that provide the necessary service functionality. These virtual copies consume minimal network resources while providing full service access to multiple devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods here may be used to communicate wirelessly with a wireless user device, communicate with a media service provider by a network, communicate with a media equipment player, receive from the wireless user device, a request to access a media service by the media service provider, access media available by the media service provider and communicate the availability of the media to the wireless user device, and mirror playing of the media from the media service provider by the media equipment player.