Multicast Channel Allocation for Live Content Tracing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fingerprinting technologies are not well adapted for live content distribution, particularly in IP multicasting, as they provide all differently watermarked versions to receivers, leading to inefficiencies in bandwidth usage and potential tracing issues.
Innovation Solution
The method involves allocating each version of a content portion to a unique multicast channel, ensuring each receiver accesses only one version, thereby distinguishing them through multicast channel groups and optionally using a fingerprinting scheme for complete identification, without the need for encryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all differently watermarked versions of content are provided to receivers, then content tracing capability is improved, but bandwidth usage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content distribution system by allocating different watermarked versions of content portions to different multicast channels. Each receiver is assigned a unique subset of these channels, creating a segmented distribution structure that enables efficient bandwidth utilization while maintaining tracing capability through the specific combination of channels each receiver accesses.
2Measurement precision
If multiple watermarked versions are distributed to each receiver, then content identification accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the distribution system by using multicast channel assignments as an additional identification layer. Instead of relying solely on watermarks embedded in content, the system uses the dimension of channel subset assignment to uniquely identify receivers, thereby maintaining identification accuracy while reducing the complexity of watermark management.
3Reliability
If encryption is used to protect content distribution, then security against malicious attacks is improved, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multicast channel assignment as an intermediary mechanism that provides security without requiring traditional encryption of the content itself. The channel assignment acts as a mediator that controls access to different watermarked versions, maintaining security while allowing efficient data transmission of the actual content.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described a method of distributing a first piece of content to multiple receivers. The first piece of content comprises a plurality of content portions. The method comprises: (a) for each of a plurality of selected content portion of the plurality of content portions, there being two or more versions of each said selected content portion,, allocating each version of that selected content portion to a respective multicast channel; and (b) providing each receiver with access to a respective group of the multicast channels, each receiver being identifiable at least in part by means of the respective group of multicast channels for that receiver. A corresponding multicast system and receiver are also described.