Midstream Audio-Video Filtering Without Source Or Player Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional media content filtering methods require direct access to content sources and players, which is often impractical and necessitates adapting to various technologies and configurations, making it difficult to implement filtering independently of content providers.
Innovation Solution
A midstream filtering function is introduced within the communication path between a content source and a user's content player, allowing for user-controlled filtering of audio and video content without requiring access to the content source or player configurations, using a filtering device that can analyze and suppress or modify content packets based on user settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filtering is performed at content source or content player, then filtering function can be implemented, but direct access to content source and player configurations is required which is often impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a midstream filtering device as an intermediary component positioned between the content source and content player. This device intercepts content packets during transmission and applies filtering based on user-defined criteria without requiring direct access to the content source or player configurations. The intermediary device processes content packets by analyzing their structure, determining whether they contain objectionable content, and selectively blocking or allowing them to pass through to the content player.
2Reliability
If filtering is performed at content source or content player, then filtering can be applied, but modifications to adapt to various technologies and configurations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The midstream filtering device is designed with universal functionality that enables it to filter content across multiple communication protocols and device types without requiring specific adaptations to each technology. The device employs a standardized packet analysis mechanism that can identify and filter objectionable content regardless of the underlying content source or player technology. This universal approach allows the filtering function to operate independently of specific content provider technologies while maintaining effective filtering capability.
3Reliability
If filtering provider has direct access to content source and player, then filtering can be implemented, but agreements with providers are required which is not always possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filtering function from the content source and content player systems and implements it independently as a separate midstream device. This extraction eliminates the need for filtering providers to establish agreements with content providers or gain direct access to their systems. The midstream filtering device operates autonomously by intercepting content packets during transmission and applying filtering based on user-defined criteria, completely independent of the content source or player configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method for filtering streaming media content includes receiving at a filtering device one or more packets of a source data stream. The one or more packets are may be received from a content source remote from the filtering device. The source data stream may include one or more of an audio component and a video component. The method further includes determining whether to perform a filtering action on the one or more packets of the source data stream based at least in part on one or more user settings. The method further includes communicating to a media-playing device a filtered data stream generated at least in part by performing the filtering action on the one or more packets of the source data stream.