Peer-to-Peer Kiosk Network for Content Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital download kiosks face high costs and inefficiencies due to the need for expensive high-bandwidth connections and local content servers to store a large range of multi-media content, with current systems requiring costly updates and maintenance of electro-mechanical components.
Innovation Solution
A digital download kiosk network that shares multi-media content between multiple kiosks using a peer-to-peer system, eliminating the need for local content servers and high-bandwidth connections by utilizing a remote authorization database and short-range wireless communication, allowing kiosks to automatically retrieve and manage content across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a local content server is deployed at each kiosk to store a large catalogue of movies, then customers can access a wide range of content, but the cost of real estate and infrastructure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple kiosk systems are merged into a networked peer-to-peer system where content storage is consolidated at centralized kiosks rather than replicated at every location. This allows the content catalogue to be shared across the network, providing wide content access without requiring each kiosk to have its own local server and storage infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal content sharing network where any kiosk can function both as a content consumer and a content provider. Centralized kiosks serve multiple functions: storing content, serving content to other kiosks, and participating in the peer-to-peer network. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated local content servers at each kiosk location.
2Speed
If high bandwidth communication lines are used to connect kiosks to content servers, then content can be transferred quickly, but the communication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring every kiosk to have direct high-bandwidth access to central content servers, the system creates local copies of content at selected kiosk systems. These copied content files are then shared peer-to-peer across the network, providing fast content transfer to nearby kiosks without requiring expensive wide-area high-bandwidth communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary kiosk systems that act as local content repositories and distribution points. These intermediary kiosks store content locally and serve it to other kiosks in the network, mediating between central content sources and end-user kiosks. This eliminates the need for direct high-bandwidth connections between every kiosk and central servers.
3Ease of operation
If a service engineer visits each retail location to upload new content using portable hard disk drives, then content can be updated, but the process is costly, time-consuming, and prone to mechanical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The kiosk network implements automated self-service content update mechanisms. When new content is added to the network, it is automatically distributed peer-to-peer across all connected kiosks without requiring manual intervention from service engineers. The system autonomously manages content propagation, eliminating the time-consuming and error-prone manual update process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical media transfer (portable hard disk drives requiring manual handling and connection) with an electronic peer-to-peer data transmission system. Content is transferred digitally across the network using standard communication protocols, eliminating the mechanical components and associated failure modes of portable storage devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital download kiosk network is described. The network comprises: an authorization database including a digital rights management facility; a first digital download kiosk coupled to the authorization database to receive digital rights management data; and a second digital download kiosk coupled to the authorization database to receive digital rights management data, and coupled to the first digital download kiosk in a peer-to-peer manner to share multi-media content therebetween.