Segment Boundary Obfuscation via Decoy Markers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Devices supporting programming events, such as DVRs, face challenges in accurately identifying segment boundaries to manipulate content, which affects user experience and revenue generation for advertisers, as existing boundary markers can be exploited to skip or replace advertisements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating decoy messages within segments to obfuscate boundary markers, using encryption and offset messages to confuse unauthorized devices and ensure accurate segment identification, allowing only authorized devices to correctly interpret segment boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If boundary markers are made clearly identifiable in the transport stream, then devices can accurately identify segment boundaries for content manipulation, but unauthorized devices can exploit these markers to skip or replace advertisements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary encryption layer between the boundary markers and the device that needs to access them. The boundary markers are encrypted using a conditional access system, so that only authorized devices with the proper decryption keys can identify the segment boundaries. This mediator (encryption system) allows accurate boundary identification for authorized devices while preventing unauthorized devices from exploiting the markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of the boundary markers from plaintext to encrypted form. By transforming the boundary marker data through encryption, the markers remain intact and functional for authorized devices that possess the decryption capability, while becoming unintelligible and useless to unauthorized devices. This parameter change (from visible to hidden through encryption) resolves the contradiction between identifiability and security.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If encryption is applied to boundary markers to prevent unauthorized access, then security against content manipulation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional decryption requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal encryption system that serves multiple functions simultaneously. The same encryption infrastructure protects not only boundary markers but also other conditional access content in the transport stream. This multi-functionality amortizes the complexity cost across multiple security functions, making the added device complexity more justifiable as it provides comprehensive security rather than just boundary marker protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If decoy messages are inserted within segments to obfuscate boundary markers, then unauthorized device detection capability is improved, but the transport stream complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of unauthorized devices attempting to identify boundaries into a benefit by using their failure to properly identify boundaries as a detection mechanism. Unauthorized devices that cannot decrypt the boundary markers will fail to correctly identify segment boundaries, and this failure can be detected by the service provider. The harmful attempt at boundary identification becomes a useful security verification mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for obfuscating segment boundary markers, such as but not limited to obfuscating boundary markers used to identify beginning and/or ending boundaries of a sequence of segments forming a programming event. The obfuscation may be achieved by embedding decoy and offset boundary markers within the sequence of segments.