Message Rate Mixing for Conditional Access Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current conditional access systems experience increased bandwidth usage just prior to transition points between content streams due to the doubling of ECM messages, which reduces the overall bandwidth available for content consumption and impacts the user experience.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adjusting the insertion rate of security information, such as control words and ECM messages, to be delivered at variable rates, particularly reducing the rate by half during an overlap period just prior to a transition point, and dynamically mixing message insertion rates based on service type to maintain constant ECM bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of ECM messages is doubled just prior to transition points between content streams, then security information for the next content stream is delivered timely, but overall bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ECM message insertion rate variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the insertion rate based on the timing relative to transition points, using a higher rate during overlap periods and a lower rate during steady-state periods, thereby optimizing bandwidth utilization while ensuring timely security information delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing a cyclic pattern of message insertion rates that alternates between overlap periods (with higher insertion rates) and steady-state periods (with lower insertion rates). This periodic modulation of the insertion rate ensures security information is delivered timely during transitions while maintaining efficient bandwidth usage during stable content delivery
2Reliability
If ECM messages are transmitted at high rates during overlap periods, then security information is available for both current and next content streams, but bandwidth available for content consumption is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the message insertion rate based on the specific time period within the content stream cycle. During overlap periods, a higher insertion rate is applied locally to ensure security information availability, while during steady-state periods, a lower insertion rate is applied to maximize content consumption bandwidth, thereby optimizing resource allocation at different temporal locations
3Quantity of substance
If the message insertion rate is reduced during overlap periods, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but the timing of security information delivery may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by delivering security information for the next content stream in advance during the overlap period, before the actual transition occurs. This allows the system to reduce the insertion rate during the overlap period while still ensuring that security information is available timely, as it has been prepared and transmitted beforehand
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for controlling an amount and rate of security related information (e.g., content encryption or rights management information) being transmitted in a content stream to a user device. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method and related apparatuses for reducing bandwidth usage required when sending transitional security related information during a transition point of different content in a content stream.