Media Segment Name Mapping for Cross-Device Content Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems are device and browser specific, lacking a universal solution, and are vulnerable to exploitation, compromising the security of IP video streaming content.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the mapping of original file segment names to modified names and the exchange of file segments between network locations to enhance content protection, compatible with various device and browser types, even when DRM protection is compromised.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If DRM systems are used to protect video content, then content security is improved, but device compatibility deteriorates because specific DRM must be used for specific devices and browsers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent securityVSAvoiddevice compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The video content is divided into multiple segments that are encrypted and protected individually. Each segment can be independently managed and protected, allowing different encryption schemes to be applied to different segments, thereby achieving both security and compatibility across diverse devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary system is introduced between the content source and the playback device that handles the complex DRM licensing and key management. This intermediary translates between different DRM formats and protocols, enabling universal compatibility while maintaining strong security protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional DRM protection is applied to video segments, then content security is improved, but vulnerability to exploitation increases as bad actors find ways to reverse engineer and exploit vulnerabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent securityVSAvoidvulnerability to exploitation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary protective measures by encrypting video segments with multiple layers of encryption before delivery. The encryption keys are dynamically generated and invalidated after use, preventing reverse engineering and exploitation even if one layer is compromised

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation and licensing checks before delivering encrypted segments to playback devices. This preliminary action ensures that only authorized devices with proper licensing can access the content, reducing the attack surface for potential exploits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12489959B2Enhanced content protection for media segments

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 CHARTER COMM OPERATING LLC

AI summary

Obtain, at a first network location, a first file specifying a first plurality of file segments, having a first plurality of original file segment names, to be obtained from a second network location. At the first network location, map each of the first plurality of original file segment names to a first plurality of modified file segment names. Send, from the first network location to the second network location, requests for each of the first plurality of modified file segment names. Obtain, at the first network location from the second network location, the first plurality of file segments, corresponding to the first plurality of original file segment names, based on the requests for each of the first plurality of modified file segment names and the mapping.