OTT Communication Server for Isolated Device Content Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face limitations in delivering content to multiple output devices due to bandwidth constraints, high usage costs, and device isolation requirements, particularly in hospitality settings, where user devices struggle to discover and connect with available output devices on different sub-networks.
Innovation Solution
A communication server acts as a proxy device, enabling user devices to connect to a communication system, providing virtual clients that allow content to be delivered directly to output devices without passing through the user device, and managing digital rights using DRM bridges to translate content rights for different security domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device isolation is implemented to prevent user devices from discovering other devices, then security and network control are improved, but the ability of user devices to discover and connect to output devices is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication server as an intermediary that sits between user devices and output devices. The server receives connection requests from user devices, manages the device isolation policies, and facilitates connections to appropriate output devices without requiring direct peer-to-peer discovery. This mediator approach maintains security while enabling controlled connectivity.
2Productivity
If dedicated connections are established between user devices and output devices, then direct content delivery is improved, but bandwidth limitations and usage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication server provides multi-functional capabilities by serving multiple user devices and multiple output devices through a single infrastructure. Instead of requiring separate dedicated connections for each user-device pair, the server handles content delivery requests from multiple sources to multiple destinations, optimizing bandwidth utilization and reducing overall network resource consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple output devices are made available in the vicinity of the user device, then device selection flexibility is improved, but the complexity of selecting and using an appropriate output device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication server implements feedback mechanisms by providing information to user devices about available output devices, their status, and compatibility. The server monitors which output devices are available, their current state, and uses this feedback information to guide user device selections, simplifying the user experience while maintaining access to multiple devices.
4Reliability
If user devices are restricted from seeing other Wi-Fi devices, then network security is improved, but the ability to connect devices on different sub-networks is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The communication server acts as a gateway that bridges different network sub-networks while maintaining isolation policies. It receives requests from user devices on one sub-network, translates and routes them appropriately, and delivers content to output devices on different sub-networks, all without requiring the user devices to have direct visibility or access to other network segments.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for selecting and delivering content are provided. More particularly, content can be delivered to an output device from a user device through a device adaptor, such as an over-the-top (OTT) device. The OTT device or devices available to the user device are determined by a communication server. In particular, the OTT device or devices available to the user device are limited to those OTT devices associated with an output device in the user's room, or that the user is otherwise authorized to access.