User-Device Content Blackout Control via Persistent Node Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional approaches for managing content blackouts in packet-switched networks require integration with multiple systems, including transcoders and packagers, leading to inefficiencies and high costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where user devices manage blackout restrictions independently by establishing persistent connections with blackout nodes using the websocket protocol, allowing them to retrieve and apply blackout conditions based on user device information, and switch to alternative content if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional approaches insert blackout cues into manifests and process them through multiple systems, then content blackout restrictions can be enforced, but integration complexity and system costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the blackout restriction enforcement function from the complex manifest processing system and relocates it to the user device. The user device independently retrieves blackout conditions from a server and enforces them locally, eliminating the need for integration with transcoders, packagers, and other intermediate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The user device performs self-service by autonomously managing its own blackout restrictions. It retrieves blackout conditions, compares them against user device information (location, account details), and enforces restrictions without requiring external system intervention or complex integration with content delivery infrastructure.
2Reliability
If conventional approaches integrate with multiple systems including transcoders and packagers, then blackout restrictions can be managed, but processing costs and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the blackout management function from the content processing pipeline and places it at the user device. This eliminates the need for costly integration with transcoders, packagers, and other content delivery systems, reducing processing overhead while maintaining restriction enforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a simplified intermediary - a blackout information server that provides blackout conditions to user devices. This mediator replaces the complex multi-system integration with a single, straightforward data retrieval operation, significantly improving processing efficiency.
3Device complexity
If user devices independently manage blackout restrictions by establishing persistent connections with blackout nodes, then integration complexity is reduced, but network connection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic connection management where user devices establish persistent connections to blackout nodes when needed and can fall back to alternative content delivery methods when connections are unavailable. The system adapts its operation based on network conditions while maintaining the simplified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares for potential connection failures by implementing fallback mechanisms. If the persistent connection to the blackout node is lost or unavailable, the system can alternatively retrieve blackout conditions through standard HTTP requests or use cached information, ensuring continuous operation despite network issues.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described for managing blackout restrictions. A user device may retrieve a blackout condition from a blackout device. The blackout device may be a node in plurality of blackout nodes. Each of the blackout nodes may store blackout conditions for different corresponding content. The user device may retrieve the blackout condition from a blackout device associated with content in response to a request for the content. The user device may determine whether information associated with the user device satisfies the blackout condition. If the information satisfies the blackout condition, the requested content may be blocked. Alternative content may be output instead of the requested content.