Secure Content Transcoder for Virtual Cinema Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cinema exhibitors face challenges in reaching remote or physically unable consumers due to the high cost of building new theaters and the limitations of conventional solutions in boosting attendance and ticket sales amidst competition from online streaming services.
Innovation Solution
A hardware-based system that enables the mirroring and transmission of movie theater content to offsite locations and devices, using an integrated media block and Secure Content Transcoder bonded for security, allowing virtual cinema experiences and targeted advertisements, thereby expanding the exhibitor's reach without physical expansions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new theaters are built to reach remote consumers, then audience reach is improved, but construction cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of the theater experience by transmitting encoded video signals to remote locations. Instead of building physical theaters everywhere, the system encodes theater content and transmits it to consumer devices, creating a virtual replica of the theatrical experience that reaches remote consumers without construction costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical theater construction with an electronic transmission system. The core function of delivering visual content is shifted from physical infrastructure (theaters) to electronic delivery (encoded signals transmitted over networks to consumer devices).
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional distribution methods are used, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but ability to reach physically unable consumers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates accessible copies of the theater experience that can be delivered to consumers who cannot physically attend. By encoding the visual signal and transmitting it to various devices, the system provides the same experience to consumers with physical limitations without requiring them to travel to physical theaters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the theater experience universally accessible by enabling delivery to multiple types of devices and locations. The encoded signal can be received on various consumer electronics, making the system adaptable to different consumer needs and physical capabilities, thereby achieving multi-functionality in content delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If content is transmitted to offsite locations, then audience reach is expanded, but content security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary encoding system that sits between the source content and the transmission channel. The encoder converts the visual signal into a protected format, and the system includes authentication mechanisms that verify receiving devices before allowing content delivery, thereby mediating the transmission process to reduce security risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the content by encoding it in a protected format during transmission. The encoded signal includes security features and authentication data that protect the content during offsite transmission, allowing expanded reach while maintaining security through parameter transformation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables cinema exhibitors to increase their audience reach and ticket sales by providing virtual theater experiences, enhancing customer convenience and maintaining existing business models, while ensuring secure and controlled content distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the media block and the transcoder bonded to one another in a security marriage based on a cryptographic certificate associated with at least the media block, the media block configured to: provide, to the transcoder via the data bridge, encrypted output generated from digital content and based on a first cryptographic key; the transcoder configured to: generate respective transcoded outputs associated with one or more tokens used for playback of the respective transcoded outputs at respective end-user devices, the respective transcoded outputs generated from the encrypted output decrypted using a second cryptographic key associated with the first cryptographic key
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods for distribution of digital content are provided. At least a security manager of a media block is located within a tamper-responsive enclosure, the security manager and/or the media block bonded to a transcoder in a security marriage based on a cryptographic certificate associated with at least the media block. The media block provides, to the transcoder via a data bridge, encrypted output generated from digital content and based on a first cryptographic key. The transcoder generates respective transcoded outputs associated with one or more tokens used for playback of the respective transcoded outputs at respective end-user devices, the respective transcoded outputs generated from the encrypted output decrypted using a second cryptographic key associated with the first cryptographic key. The respective transcoded outputs are output to the respective end-user devices associated with respective tokens.