Multimedia Unit Conditional Access Message Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing set-top-boxes are either unsuitable for processing conditional access messages required for descrambling audio/video content packets in Pay-TV environments or become temporarily unavailable if the security module, such as a smart card, is unavailable for renewal or other reasons.
Innovation Solution
A method and multimedia unit that manage the processing of digital broadcast transport streams by redirecting conditional access messages to either a server or a security module based on selection commands, ensuring authentication and validity of access rights, and securely obtaining control data for descrambling content packets, with the option to switch processing between the server and security module depending on availability and network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If set-top-boxes are provided with a security module for processing conditional access messages, then Pay-TV service access is enabled, but the system becomes dependent on the security module and becomes unavailable when the module is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary processing unit that can handle conditional access messages. The multimedia unit is configured to send conditional access messages to either a security module or a server based on availability, creating a mediator system that resolves the dependency issue while maintaining service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two processing paths (security module and server) based on real-time availability conditions. The multimedia unit can adaptively redirect conditional access message processing between these two options, making the system flexible and resilient to security module unavailability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If set-top-boxes are provided with IP-connection for internet access, then internet facilities are enabled, but the boxes are unsuitable for processing conditional access messages required for Pay-TV
Solution Approach 1:
The multimedia unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of handling both internet IP-connection services and Pay-TV conditional access processing. By integrating both capabilities into a single device and providing multiple processing options (security module and server), the system achieves universality across different service types.
3Reliability
If conditional access messages are always processed by the security module, then descrambling functionality is ensured, but the system becomes unavailable when the security module needs renewal or maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares alternative processing paths in advance by configuring the multimedia unit to recognize and utilize the server as a backup processing option. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the security module becomes unavailable, the system can immediately switch to the server without service interruption or renewal delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a cushioning mechanism by providing an alternative server-based processing path that compensates for potential security module failures. This prior cushioning ensures continuous service availability even when the primary security module requires renewal or maintenance, preventing service interruptions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing the processing of a digital broadcast transport stream by a multimedia unit identified by a personal identifier. The multimedia unit being connectable to a security module associated to the multimedia unit and/or a server through an IP-connection with a return path. The transport stream comprising scrambled content packets and conditional access messages that are necessary for descrambling the content packets. The method comprises: sending the conditional access messages from the multimedia unit to either the server or the security module; verifying the authentication of the multimedia unit and/or the validity of access rights allocated to the multimedia unit; if the authentication fails, preventing any further processing of the conditional access message; securely obtaining, at the multimedia unit, the control data corresponding to the conditional access messages; and descrambling the audio/video/data content packets using the control data at the multimedia unit.