Segmented Media Asset Transfer for Protected Content

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for transferring copy-protected media assets between devices face challenges such as delayed usability of content during transfer, leading to issues like 'watch as you transfer' and inefficient resumption of interrupted transfers, particularly with mobile devices experiencing network disconnections.

Innovation Solution

The method involves segmenting media assets into smaller chunks, allowing each segment to become usable upon completion of transfer and enabling incremental commitment, which allows for 'play while transfer' and efficient resumption of transfers by identifying the specific segment for retransmission upon network reconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire media asset is transferred before making it usable (commit phase), then copy protection is maintained, but the content cannot be played during or immediately after transfer initiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecopy protection integrityVSAvoidcontent usability delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The media asset is divided into multiple segments, allowing the transfer and commitment process to occur incrementally. Each segment can be transferred and made usable independently, enabling playback during ongoing transfer while maintaining copy protection through progressive commitment phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the entire asset transfer is treated as a single unit, then copy protection is ensured, but interrupted transfers require retransmission of the entire asset

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecopy protection enforcementVSAvoidretransmission overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the media asset into smaller units, the system enables selective retransmission of only the interrupted segment rather than the entire asset. Each segment maintains its own transfer state and commitment status, allowing efficient resumption after network interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer process is prepared with pre-established segment boundaries and state tracking mechanisms before transfer begins. This preliminary structuring enables the system to quickly identify and resume from the specific point of interruption without retransmitting completed segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If segment-level transfer and commitment is implemented, then interrupted transfers can be resumed efficiently, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer resumption efficiencyVSAvoidsegment management overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each media segment is equipped with self-identifying metadata including segment identifiers, transfer state information, and commitment status. This self-service capability allows the system to automatically track and manage segment states without requiring complex external coordination, reducing overall system complexity while enabling efficient resumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10033707B2Method and apparatus for efficient interruptible transfer of protected media assets

Publication Date: 2018.07.24 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

A method and system is provided for efficient interruptible transfer of protected media assets. The method of asset transfer uses a segmented asset transfer paradigm which makes possible the implementation of such features as “watch as you transfer” and “offsetted resumption of interrupted transfers”. Implementation strategies of these features with support for segmented and contiguous media assets are also disclosed.