Multi-license Media Playback Indexing for DRM Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital media distribution systems face challenges in delivering media content across multiple devices without the need for repeated downloads of digital assets and licenses, leading to inefficiencies in network bandwidth usage and playback time due to encryption and Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for playing multi-license media content that synchronizes various components of media content across devices by creating an index to associate licenses with their locations, allowing adaptive retrieval of licenses and digital assets from multiple sources, thereby enabling uninterrupted playback without the need for redundant downloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If licenses are retrieved for each media content playback, then Digital Rights Management protection is ensured, but network bandwidth consumption increases and playback time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating an index of licenses and their locations before actual media playback occurs. When media content is requested, the system can quickly locate existing licenses in the domain without needing to retrieve them in real-time, thus maintaining DRM protection while reducing playback delay
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of license information in an index structure that can be rapidly accessed. Instead of retrieving the actual license files during playback, the system copies and stores license location metadata, allowing fast lookup while the actual licenses remain securely stored at their original locations
2Adaptability or versatility
If digital assets are downloaded for each device playback, then content availability is ensured, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary license location information from the full license files and stores it in an index. When a device needs to play media content, it retrieves only the lightweight index entry rather than the complete license file, significantly reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining the ability to locate and use the actual licenses
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from storing only full license files to a two-dimensional structure: a compact index layer that stores license location metadata, and the original license files layer that remains unchanged. This dimensional change allows rapid location lookup without transferring large amounts of data over the network
3Device complexity
If licenses are stored centrally, then license management is simplified, but system reliability decreases due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the license storage architecture into two functional parts: a centralized index that stores license location metadata and distributed storage locations where actual license files reside. This segmentation allows simplified management through the centralized index while improving reliability by distributing the actual license files across multiple locations in the domain
Solution Approach 2:
The index structure acts as an intermediary between the media playback system and the actual license files. It simplifies license management by providing a centralized lookup mechanism while simultaneously improving reliability by decoupling the management layer from the storage layer, allowing the system to locate licenses even if individual storage locations become unavailable
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems described herein play multi-license media contents. A multi-license media content includes digital assets, at least one of which is encrypted and requires one or more licenses to be decrypted when being played. The digital assets may include a video digital asset, an audio digital asset, or a textual digital asset. The digital assets may be played by using licenses from multiple sources such that various components (e.g., a video component, an audio component, or a textual component) of a media content are synchronized. The media content may be played without downloading those licenses that already exist in the domain. Licenses may be retrieved adaptively when the licenses or the license segments required for playing the requested digital asset are incomplete. A related digital asset rather than the digital asset that is requested may be played thereby ensuring an uninterrupted media content delivery.