Multi-Protocol Audiovisual Stream Protection System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security mechanisms for audiovisual data transmission are protocol-specific, limiting the choice of hardware devices for end-users and preventing modification or insertion of marks in the distribution chain, as they require protection systems tailored to specific transport protocols.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that generate a protected audiovisual stream with modified transport packets and a complementary stream, allowing reconstruction across multiple transport protocols, enabling secure distribution and de-protection on devices supporting any protocol, and allowing flexibility in distribution infrastructure changes without re-applying initial protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protocol-specific security mechanisms are used to protect content transmission, then content security is improved, but device compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent securityVSAvoiddevice compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The security mechanism is segmented into two independent parts: a protocol-agnostic encryption layer that can be applied to any transport protocol, and protocol-specific adaptation layers that handle protocol-specific requirements. This allows the core security function to work across multiple protocols while maintaining protocol-specific optimizations where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The encryption module is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple transport protocols (UDP, RTP, MPEG-2 TS, etc.) through a unified interface. The system provides multi-protocol support by implementing a common security framework that can adapt to different protocol requirements without requiring separate security implementations for each protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a specific protection system is chosen at the headend, then content security is improved, but flexibility in distribution infrastructure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent securityVSAvoiddistribution flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the headend to choose from multiple encryption algorithms and parameters based on the specific distribution scenario. The system can dynamically adjust security parameters, select appropriate protocols, and adapt to different distribution infrastructures (satellite, cable, IP networks) without requiring a complete reconfiguration of the protection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing of security parameters such as encryption algorithm selection, key management parameters, and protocol-specific settings without altering the core protection architecture. This enables the same protection system to be configured for different distribution scenarios by simply changing parameters rather than redesigning the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If strong protocol-specific protection is applied, then content security is improved, but ability to modify or mark streams in distribution chain deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent securityVSAvoidstream modification capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary security layer that sits between the content source and the distribution infrastructure. This intermediary layer provides security protection while maintaining transparency for downstream operations. Distribution nodes can insert marks, modify streams, and perform quality assurance operations on the protected content without needing to decrypt it, as the security layer is designed to be transparent to these operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2366250B1Method and apparatus for secure distribution of audiovisual data encapsulated according to a plurality of transport protocols
Publication Date: 2013.10.02 NAGRA FRANCE SAS
  • EP2366250B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2366250B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2366250B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a system and a method for secure distributing of audiovisual data encapsulated according to a plurality transport protocols to various devices connected to a network. The system and the method are provided for secure distribution of an audiovisual stream constituted by a set of transport packets encapsulated according to a plurality of transport protocols suitable to be transmitted to a user device compatible with one of the said transport protocols, the method comprising the steps of: - generating a protected audio visual stream from the original stream, the said principal audio visual comprising a set of modified transport packets that are different from the corresponding original transport packets at modification positions; - generating a complementary stream of any format comprising digital information suitable to allow reconstruction of the original audiovisual stream from the said principal stream, - reconstituting the on the said receiving de vice the original audiovisual stream from the protected stream as function of the said complementary stream - the said complementary stream comprises the said modification positions and - the said modification position s are generated according to each transport protocol of the said transport protocols.