Network Device Descrambling Protected Content via Watermarking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia reception devices rely on costly hardware for secure content distribution, and existing solutions are limited in their ability to efficiently handle live streaming over Ethernet connections or IP protocols.
Innovation Solution
A network device, configured as a removable hardware dongle, connects to a router and provides a unique address for accessing and descrambling audio/video content streams, using a descrambler and watermark engine to ensure secure and personalized content delivery over IP networks, while avoiding the need for expensive hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If software based security is used to protect content, then deployment cost is reduced and distribution is simplified, but security level remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines software-based security with watermarking technology to create a hybrid protection system. The descrambler module handles decryption using software, while the watermark module embeds unique identifiers in the decrypted content, merging cost-effectiveness with enhanced traceability and security monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a watermark as an intermediary element that bridges software-based decryption and security protection. The watermark contains unique identifiers that enable tracking and identification of decrypted content, acting as a mediator between cost-effective software security and robust content protection requirements.
2Reliability
If watermarking is applied to all descrambled content, then content protection and traceability are improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies watermarking selectively rather than uniformly to all content. The system can choose to watermark only specific portions of decrypted content or apply watermarks at strategic points in the streaming process, reducing overall processing overhead while maintaining effective protection and traceability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a network device is used for descrambling content, then hardware cost is reduced, but device complexity increases due to multiple functional modules
Solution Approach 1:
The network device is designed with multi-functional modules that perform multiple tasks. The same device handles content reception, decryption, watermarking, and content distribution, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware for each function and thereby reducing overall hardware cost despite the increased functional complexity within a single device.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention aims to address the issue of deploying costly hardware by proposing a content protection layer with an easy distribution capability to clients. The aim is achieved by an network device for descrambling an access controlled audio/video content stream, said network device being configured to be connected to a network router comprises a memory to store a unique address UA specific to the network device,an network input / output interface,a descrambler to descramble the audio/video content stream, and a watermark engine configured to watermark the descrambled audio/video content streamby applying the unique address. A further object of the invention is a method to access scrambled audio/video content stream in a local or roaming mode by a multimedia reception device connected via an IP network to a network router having an IP port connected to the network device.