Playback Authorization Server for Region Code Exceptions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The region code system on DVDs restricts playback to specific geographic regions, causing issues for users who collect movies from different areas, such as Japan and the U.S.A., where image quality and interactive features may differ, leading to a decrease in the value of their collections when trying to play them on incompatible playback apparatuses in their home country.
Innovation Solution
A playback apparatus that includes a judging unit to match disc region codes with apparatus region codes, allowing playback only when authorized by the content owner, using a playback authorization server to manage exceptions based on content identifiers, distribution company information, and release dates, ensuring compliance with regional restrictions and maintaining the value of collected content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the region code system is strictly enforced to protect distribution company interests and regional release periods, then distribution control is improved, but user ability to playback collected content is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic region code verification by introducing a playback authorization server that can temporarily override regional restrictions. The system transitions from static region code matching to dynamic authorization based on predetermined conditions, allowing the playback apparatus to adapt its region code enforcement behavior based on received authorization information.
Solution Approach 2:
The playback authorization server acts as an intermediary between the content owner and the playback apparatus. It receives authorization requests, evaluates them against predetermined conditions (content identifier, apparatus region code, distribution company information, release date), and returns authorization decisions that mediate between strict region code enforcement and user playback needs.
2Ease of operation
If the region code system is abolished to allow free playback of collected content, then user convenience is improved, but distribution company interests and release period control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely abolishing the region code system, the patent applies partial action by allowing region code mismatches only under specific conditions determined by the playback authorization server. The system maintains region code enforcement for general cases while providing exceptions for authorized content, achieving partial relaxation that balances convenience with control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of region code matching from a binary strict match to a conditional match based on multiple parameters including content identifier, apparatus region code, distribution company information, and release date. This multi-parameter evaluation allows flexible control that adapts to different scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If exceptional playback authorization is implemented for region-mismatched content, then collection value is maintained, but system complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The complex authorization logic is extracted from the playback apparatus and placed in the playback authorization server. The playback apparatus only needs to communicate authorization requests and receive decisions, while the server handles the complex evaluation of predetermined conditions including content identifier matching, region code verification, distribution company information checking, and release date validation.
Data Source
AI summary
A playback apparatus judges whether a region code assigned to a BD-ROM matches a region code assigned to the playback apparatus. When the judgment result is in the affirmative, the playback apparatus plays back the content recorded on the optical disc. When the judgment result is in the negative, the playback apparatus does not play back the content, except when an exceptional playback is authorized. The exceptional playback is authorized when a combination of the content identifier of the content to be played back and the apparatus region code satisfies a predetermined condition defined by an owner of the rights of the content.