Media Renderer Authentication in Home Area Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of home area networks, the current DLNA authentication technology only supports a 2-box scenario where a control point and media renderer are in the same device, leading to uncertainty and potential incompatibility when trying to play media content on separate media renderers, as only the control point is authenticated, not the renderers themselves.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to authenticate media renderers within a home area network by sending a control command to request authentication with an authentication server, determining a list of media content playable by authenticated renderers, and displaying this list to the user, allowing selection and playback of target media content on authorized and capable renderers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If DLNA authentication technology is used in a 2-box scenario where control point and media renderer are in the same device, then authentication can be performed, but the solution does not work for 3-box scenarios where control point and media renderer are separate devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication process into distinct phases: control point authentication with the authentication server, followed by separate media renderer authentication. This segmentation allows the system to handle both 2-box and 3-box scenarios by treating the control point and media renderer as independent entities that can be authenticated separately, resolving the compatibility issue between different deployment scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication server that mediates between the control point and media renderers. This intermediary receives authentication requests from the control point, verifies credentials, and then enables the control point to discover and control authenticated media renderers. This mediator approach allows seamless operation in both 2-box and 3-box scenarios without requiring changes to the underlying authentication mechanism
2Ease of operation
If control point is authenticated with authentication server, then control point can access content, but media renderers are not authenticated and user cannot determine which renderers are authorized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the authentication server provides authorization information back to the control point after successful authentication. The control point then uses this information to query and display to the user which media renderers are authorized. This feedback loop ensures that users have complete information about renderer authorization status before selecting content, eliminating the information loss problem
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary authentication of media renderers before content selection. The control point authenticates with the authentication server first, receives authorization tokens, and then uses these tokens to pre-determine which renderers are authorized. This preliminary action ensures that authorization information is available in advance, allowing users to make informed content selection decisions without experiencing information loss
3Adaptability or versatility
If unauthenticated media renderers are allowed to play content, then more devices can play content, but unauthorized or incapable renderers may fail to play the content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary authentication and capability verification of media renderers before allowing content playback. The control point authenticates with the authentication server and receives authorization information that identifies which renderers are permitted to play content. This preliminary action ensures that only authorized and capable renderers are included in the list of available devices, maintaining both adaptability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication server acts as an intermediary that verifies both the authorization status and capability of media renderers. It receives authentication requests from the control point, validates credentials, and provides a definitive list of authorized renderers. This intermediary verification process ensures that only renderers that are both authorized and capable are allowed to play content, preventing playback failures while maintaining broad device compatibility
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for processing media content, a control point, a media server, and a media renderer. The method includes: sending a control command to a media renderer in a home area network, where the control command is used to instruct the media renderer in the home area network to request authentication with an authentication server; determining a first content list, where the first content list includes media content items that can be played by media renderers authenticated by the authentication server; displaying the first content list to a user; and sending, according to target media content that the user selects to play from the first content list and a target media renderer that the user selects for playing the target media content, a uniform resource identifier of the target media content to the target media renderer, so that the target media renderer acquires and plays the target media content. With the method for processing media content, the control point, the media server, and the media renderer according to embodiments of the present invention, media content selected by a user can be played by an authenticated media renderer.