Secure Streaming Portal for Media Data Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Content providers face challenges in securely delivering media data due to the limitations of conventional media players that cannot handle secure communication protocols, the resource-intensive nature of Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems, and the need for expensive secure communication channels or VPNs, which restrict accessibility and expose data to malicious interception.

Innovation Solution

A method for securely delivering media data involves authenticating a requestor and directing them to a secure streaming portal, where a configuration header with a decryption key is transmitted using secure communications, allowing the media data to be dynamically encrypted and streamed, enabling secure consumption even over insecure protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional media players are used to deliver media data, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but security and protection from malicious interception deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component that acts as a bridge between conventional media players and secure content delivery. This intermediary handles the secure communication protocols and encryption/decryption operations, allowing standard media players to access protected content without requiring them to natively support secure protocols. The intermediary translates between insecure player interfaces and secure delivery mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between ease of access and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems are deployed to secure media data, then security and protection from unauthorized access are improved, but device complexity and resource requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex DRM functionality from the media player itself and places it in a separate, dedicated component. This extraction removes the burden of complex security management from the media player, allowing it to remain simple and user-friendly while still providing protected content delivery. The extracted DRM component handles encryption, key management, and authentication independently, reducing overall system complexity in the player device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If expensive secure communication channels or VPNs are used to deliver media data, then security is improved, but cost and accessibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service security mechanism where the security infrastructure is built into the content delivery system itself rather than requiring external secure channels. The system automatically handles authentication, encryption, and secure transmission through integrated components, eliminating the need for users to maintain separate VPN connections or access expensive dedicated secure lines. Security becomes an inherent feature of the delivery mechanism rather than an external requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8429081B1Techniques for securely delivering media data
Publication Date: 2013.04.23 MICRO FOCUS SOFTWARE INC
  • US8429081B1 patent drawing
  • US8429081B1 patent drawing
  • US8429081B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques are provided for securely delivering media data. A requestor is directed to a secure streaming portal after being authenticated. A requesting application contacts the secure streaming portal and requests media data. A configuration header having a key for decrypting the media data is sent to the requesting application using secure communications. The media data is dynamically encrypted using the key and streamed to the requesting application. The requesting application uses the key and decrypts the encrypted media data for consumption.