Multimedia Content Redundant Transmission via Link Layer Encryption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Home-based multimedia communication systems face challenges in transporting multimedia content due to high bit error rates in premises communication networks, which hinder the support of Digital Rights Management (DRM) operations required for secure content delivery, especially when using protocols like DLNA.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method to transfer multimedia content by partially disabling link layer encryption and enabling content layer encryption, adjusting encryption operations based on the bit error rate of the premises communication network, and using multiple copies of data packets for video frames to ensure reliable delivery and DRM protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If link layer encryption is enabled for DRM protection, then security is improved, but transmission reliability deteriorates due to high bit error rates in premises networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the encryption operations into two distinct layers: link layer encryption (disabled) and content layer encryption (enabled). This segmentation allows the system to maintain DRM security through content layer encryption while avoiding the transmission reliability issues caused by link layer encryption in high bit error rate environments. The separation enables selective application of encryption based on the specific requirements of each layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the encryption parameters by adjusting which layer performs encryption operations. Instead of using link layer encryption (which fails in high BER environments), the system switches to content layer encryption, effectively changing the operational parameters to match the network conditions. This parameter change allows the system to maintain security while adapting to the premises network's high bit error rate characteristics.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If link layer encryption is used for DRM operations, then security is improved, but network compatibility deteriorates due to unsupported bit error rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces content layer encryption as an intermediary mechanism between the data and the network transmission. Instead of applying encryption at the link layer (which is incompatible with high BER networks), the content layer acts as an intermediary that provides DRM protection while being independent of the network's bit error rate characteristics. This intermediary approach enables compatibility with premises networks that have high bit error rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by disabling link layer encryption and enabling content layer encryption instead. Rather than following the standard protocol of encrypting at the link layer for DRM protection, the system reverses the encryption layer assignment. This inversion allows the system to achieve DRM security while maintaining compatibility with networks that cannot support link layer encryption due to high bit error rates.
3Reliability
If multiple copies of data packets are transmitted, then transmission reliability is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial redundancy by transmitting multiple copies of data packets only when necessary to overcome high bit error rates. Rather than always transmitting full redundancy, the system uses selective retransmission or duplicate packets to the extent needed to ensure reliable content layer decryption. This partial action approach provides sufficient reliability improvement without consuming excessive network bandwidth.
Data Source
AI summary
A premises based multimedia communication system includes a source device that produces multimedia content, a rendering device that presents the multimedia content, and a premises communication network coupling the source device to the rendering device. The source device receives data packets carrying the multimedia content from the remote content source via at least one remote delivery communication network and transmits at least two copies of the data packets carrying video frames of the multimedia content to the rendering device via the at least one premises communication network. The rendering device decodes video frames carried by first copies of the data packets. Upon an unsuccessful decoding of the video frames carried by the first copies of the data packets, the rendering device decoding video frames carried by second copies of the data packets and upon a successful decoding of the video frames carried by the first copies of the data packets, the rendering device discards video frames carried by second copies of the data packets.