DESC:Introduction
QWIK entertainment platform is a versatile platform to provide VOD services over Cable and IP network for consumer as well as hospitality markets. QWIK platform integrates home grown MBOOST media streaming technology, which enables streaming of media content over different networks. QWIK platform is secured using Playready content protection from Microsoft. This platform is also authorized by Hollywood studios to play back studio content. The diagram below shows different components of QWIK platform.
A scematic Diagram of the invention is reproduced as FIG 1
The QWIK platform
Comprises of server components being Billing Servers and Disgital Asset Management Systems , contage storer, Mboost Streaming Server, IP to QAM Modulator and MBoost Enabled STB at the consumer premises as in FIG 2.
Brief Description of components
Billing Servers
These servers include business logic servers, subscriber management systems, authorization servers and remote monitoring servers. These servers enable customer database management, authorization and servicing of customers. The business model of the entire solution is also managed by these servers.
Digital Asset Management servers (DAM)
These servers enable packaging of any asset that goes into the system. Assets may be movies, catch-up shows, promos etc… These servers also do the encryption of the asset to make it secure.
MBOOST Streaming server
This server does the actual streaming of the content. This server implements the MBOOST technology. This is explained in detail in the later sections of this document. The Streamer machine is comprised of
1( (Intel Xeon CPU – E3 1245 – V3 @ 3.40Ghz
2. Intel DBS1200v3RPS Motherboard
3. 16GB RAM
4. Adaptec ASR-6405 RAID Card with Cable
5. Seagate NL-SAS 3TB HDD - 4 Nos. (Model - ST3000NM0023)
6. Broadcom 5709 Dual Port Gigabit Card – 1 Nos.
7. 500W SMPS
8. Chenbro Chassis with hot swappable HDD bays)

IP to QAM
This equipment modulates the data and makes it suitable to transfer over RF network. This is a standard off the shelf head-end equipment.
MBOOST STB
This is the consumer premises equipment which has MBOOST client implementation, which compliments the MBOOST server. This STB receives the stream, decrypts it and plays back. This STB is explained in detail in this document.
About this invention
This invention primarily pertains to the MBOOST technology the server and the STB, of the QWIK platform and content delivery and content authentication workflow.
Salient Features of QWIK Platform
1. Provides True Video on Demand streaming services over existing cable networks. No special infrastructure changes necessary.
2. No high speed internet required, using MBOOST Technology, data is pumped over RF network. This results in instant, continuous and uninterrupted viewing experience.
3. This platform can also adapt to IP network if RF network is unavailable.
4. This platform is Hollywood studios approved.
5. This platform is ready for live TV services integration with any operator.
6. This platform is also ready for IPTV services integration with any IPTV operator
7. This platform supports Moviebeam hospitality services
QWIK STB
QWIK STB is the costumer end equipment of QWIK platform. The salient features of QWIK STB is given below
Salient Features of QWIK STB
1. Full implementation of MBOOST technology to receive streaming over various networks
2. Playready Integrated with strong hardware root of trust, this enables playback of Hollywood studio content as well
3. It’s ready for integration with all major CAS vendors, for live TV integration.
4. Integrates Moviebeam hospitality software
5. Wi-Fi integrated for home networking
6. Plugs into any DVB-C network
7. Integrated Karaoke system which can be used with external mic
8. External USB connectivity for play back from external media and to support various internet dongles
9. FULL HD video support and Optical audio with AC3 Pass-through support for enhanced viewing
QWIK STB Technical specifications-S21
The following technical specification is that of our latest generation STB (S21). There is an older generation STB (s11), for which a comparison sheet is provided in the next section
Component Description Comment
Chipset ST273 1200+DMIPS, L2 Cache
Memory 512MB DDR3 DDR-3 running at 266MHz
Boot memory 16MB NOR Flash For Boot loader and kernel
Application memory 256MB NAND Flash For application code
In built storage 8GB eMMC chip/SD card There is an option of using a eMMC chip or SD card
Tuner 1x DVB-C tuner
HDMI 1x v1.4 Has integrated 5.1 PCM output
S/P DIF 1x port optical
MIC in 1 Mic in Jack
Ethernet 1x 10/100 port RJ45
USB 1x USB 2.0 port
Wi-Fi Inbuilt module This has Bluetooth combo
IR On board receiver 38KHz
Power LED Bi colour Red/Green Red During boot and Green when in operational mode
S11 and S21 comparison
Items S11 S21
CPU ST7167 ST273
CPU speed 350MHZ 550MHZ
Internal Storage 8GB 8GB
RAM 256MB 512MB
USB, LAN 1 port each 1 port each
OS Linux Linux
Application capability Basic hospitality application Basic hospitality application +
MBoost + Live services
streaming download speed 7Mbps sustained, 12 Mbps average 20Mbps sustained, ~40-60 Mbps average

MBOOST Technology Overview
Primary motivation to develop MBOOST technology is to provide instant Video on demand service over existing cable networks. In country like India broadband penetration is very less and while broadband is still very unreliable, there are challenges in using broadband for streaming video. Also India has started digitising its cable network and tier 1 and tier 2 cities are now fully digitized. This provided us an opportunity to utilize the huge bandwidth offered by cable network for video on demand services. Before going into details of the MBOOST streaming algorithms, we will first take a look at the deployment scenarios at cable operator network.
QWIK deployment at LCO
Cable networks in India can have either ring topology or star topology. QWIK deployment in both the scenarios is explained below.
Ring Topology
Fig 3 describes the deployment where there is Ring Topology. As shown in the fig 2, in ring topology there is a fibre ring which goes around and all the LCOs tap into the ring to receive the feed. In this arrangement, QWIK service is also injected into the ring from the QWIK head-end on pre-defined frequency bands. At the LCO head-end LCO receives these frequency bands and injects the service to last mile RF network. Optionally LCO can use a QAM to QAM RF modulator to change the frequencies of the QWIK service before inserting it into the last mile RF network.
Star Topology description
As shown in the FIG 4 every LCO is connected to the main MSO by dedicated fibre link. In this scenario QWIK service is combined with MSO services at the MSO head-end. QWIK services are distributed to the LCOs in the same way as MSO services are distributed. In this case as well LCO receive the MSO feed and inject it into the last mile RF network. Optionally LCO can use a QAM to QAM RF modulator to change the frequencies of the QWIK service before inserting it into the last mile RF network.
The Third option – Localized setup at LCO
There is another option apart from the above options mentioned. We can have a localized setup of MBOOST servers at the LCO head-end itself instead of a centralized setup.
Important Notes
1. QWIK servers and QWIK STBs are network topology agnostic.
2. QWIK servers and QWIK STBs are frequency agnostic. Because of this LCO has a flexibility to use any frequency and change to any frequency they want.
3. This shows QWIK platform is agile and highly versatile, as it supports various installation scenarios.
MBOOST Technology comprises Qwik servers, Fibre Network, LCO, Last Mile RF, STB, Smart Phone and internet cloud as per the Functional block diagram FIG 5.
Rental flow
1. User selects a content which they wants to see. This they can directly do from the STB or they can do it using a smart phone app.
2. This request hits the back-end servers over internet.
3. Billing servers authorize the request and forward a streaming request to MBOOST servers
4. MBOOST servers check for bandwidth availability and starts streaming
5. STB receives the encrypted stream and license and starts playing back.
MBOOST Server
MBOOST Server consists of 2 components, VOD Manager and streamer. Functionalities and algorithms used by both these components are described below
VOD Manager Functionality
1. This is the component which interacts with billing and gets the content which needs to be streamed
2. It creates Streamers. Each VOD manager can have “N” number of streamers, minimum is 1.
3. VOD manager assigns one stream as master and others as slaves
4. VOD manager also assigns each streamer an ID.
5. Master streamer carries all command channel as well as data, slaves have limited command channel and data.
6. VOD manager also assigns a streamer for the incoming request based on the algorithm described below
VOD Manager Algorithm
1. Initially VOD Manager creates master streamer and slave streamers and assigns maximum capacity per streamer.
2. When a request comes to VOD manager, VOD manager checks which streamer has highest available bandwidth and allocates that streamer to service the request
3. It then sends commands over master command channel. In the command it sends the streamer ID which is going to serve the current request. It also sends the UA number of the STB which did the request on this command channel.
Streamer
1. Streamer receives the streaming request from VOD manager and services the request
2. Streamer dynamically manages the bandwidth based on best effort policy.
3. Each streamer is highly configurable. It can be configured for minimum and maximum bitrate for each streaming instance and also configured for overall stream bitrate.
4. It also does a stat mux of TS, depending on incoming requests.

The Playready Authentication Flow is as set out in FIG 6
A rental request from a user on the STB player undergoes the following authentications:
1. STB sends a rental request to the billing server over a secure HTTPS link
2. The Billing system verifies entitlement and reverts with an appropriate response
3. STB request DRM Server for License(keys)
4. Once STB receives valid DRM response, it posts the logs and the movie is rented and playback initiated.
The Billing and Subscriber management system in conjunction with the Digital Asset Management system manage the business rules associated with each content type and entitlement is authorized based upon the same.
Content Delivery Architecture

1. Content Acquisition
QWIK has tie up with various national & international content providers i.e. Disney, Lions gate, Shemaroo, Unisys & many more. They have a multi-year contract with them across various content types. We also have tie up with almost all the entertainment channels for capturing their soaps & other TV shows

2. Content Processing
a. Encoding
Encode of all Qwik content is done in-house at our Content Processing Centre (CPC). CPC is equipped with powerful 12 encoding stations and 4 content QC stations. Qwik processes daily data of about 9-10 TB of raw catch-up TV shows media for encoding at our Content Processing Centre (CPC).

b. Encryption
Encryption of encoded video files are done through DCM (Digital Content Manager). DCM server also store metadata of video files for e.g. actor, director, genre and synopsis

c. Packaging
DCM (Digital Content Manager) securely encrypts all content media files and its metadata. Once encrypted, it is pushed onto NAS (Network Attached Storage) and to SMS head-end.

3. Content Delivery
a. VSAT
Content is delivered via VSAT to cable operators POP Head-End. From our CPC packaged content upload via private link to HECL Hyderabad Hub. Subsequently same is multicast to all Cable Operators POP via HECL satellite link. Daily 19-20 GB of encoded and encrypted content are distributed via satellite network to all Qwik cable operators POP’s. This entire content delivery and distribution process is completed, automated and managed by machines

Entitlement & Authorization Architecture

1. Entitlement
Content needs to be added in SMS to show on STB. Only content information is maintained by SMS, the actual video or audio is stored on storage devices at cable operators Pop Locations on NAS. SMS provides facility to change content status. NAS periodically sends available content details to SMS. SMS periodically compares the valid content and the details received from storage device and sends the details to the STB. This process insures the STB has received only valid content and the same is available on storage device for streaming at the cable operators Pop location.

2. Authorization
Whenever consumer starts playback of any content, Qwik STB sends unique id of that content (release id/rid) and UA Number to SMS Head-End. SMS validates the request and send decryption key back to Qwik STB in encrypted format, in parallel SMS Head-End sends command to corresponding MBoost VOD Manager to start streaming of content via cable RF network

Datacenter Architecture

1. Servers & Networking Devices
Qwik has setup captive private data centre for this service. Subscriber Management System (SMS) and all core head-end applications are hosted on DELL servers.

2. Datacentre hosting provider
Qwik datacentre is hosted/co-located in Netmagic Vikhroli IDC.
Cable operator structure with MBoost technology developed and used for delivery along with the security of content built around the whole architecture

1. MBoost POP HE structure
Mboost is the QWIK proprietary technology in which we have proprietary server which host all the content & metadata at Cable POP HE. When any consumer requests content for playback, the request is validated by Core HE SMS and the content playback command is sent to that respective POP server which in turn sends this content stream in IP format to H-QAM device. This device converts the IP to RF signal. This RF signal is then received via cable operator co-ax network on consumer STB

2. Content delivery via cable operator co-ax network
The QWIK RF signal feed which is an output from H-QAM device is delivered to all STB using the existing cable co-ax network on frequencies which cable provider do not use for broadcasting cable TV channels.

3. Content Security
All content in Qwik video library are secured and encrypted. This encryption is done at the starting point where we upload video file in DCM (digital Content Manager) server. For each video file encryption key is different and this encryption key is also in encrypted format whenever we are sending it through network or storing it into database. Hence we are securing content from all angles.

Head End Workflow

1. SMS Workflow
a. POP Uniqueness
Pop Locations are basically Local Cable Operators. Qwik provides its services via these Pop Locations which are managed in SMS. Content streaming is managed by the VOD Manager associated with the Pop Location. Multiple Subscribers are registered under a Pop Location. The content - on demand is streamed to the STB (Set-Top-Box) installed at the subscriber’s end via the registered VOD Manager.

b. Voucher Management
Voucher is required to activate the STB. These Vouchers are generated in the SMS. There are Subscription plans associated with the Pop Locations. Based on the subscription plan selected during installation and the voucher denomination, the validity period for the Subscription is calculated.
There are two different types of vouchers.
Trial Voucher: Trial Vouchers are valid for a specific period and can be used only once against a subscriber. After the trial validity period ends the subscriber needs to subscribe to continue using the services provided. Trial vouchers can be generated in bulk or against a specific subscriber. For the trial period subscribers registered using trial vouchers has access to all the services provided against an actual subscription.

Subscription Voucher: Subscription vouchers are generated for specific denominations in the SMS. A Subscriber can use more than one voucher at a time based on which the subscriber wallet (balance) will get reflected.

c. Consumer Management
The Subscriber - STB details are maintained in SMS. The subscriber can be
• Trial Subscriber: They are on trial period.
• Active - Unregistered Subscriber: They have subscribed to subscription vouchers, but the KYC documents are not received.
• Active - Registered subscriber: They have subscribed to subscription vouchers and the KYC documents have been received.
A Subscriber can have multiple STB’s installed at the premises each registered using different vouchers.
d. Content Creation
When new content is acquired it needs to be registered in SMS to make it available on the STB’s. Only Valid content are shown on the STB’s.

e. STB Management
The STB details are maintained in SMS. The STB needs to be activated for the subscriber to use the services provided. STBs are connected to SMS via internet and periodically communicate with its status to SMS. The SMS also sends required information about the content and other details to the STB. A request is made to the SMS when the subscriber chooses to view a Content, the SMS validates this request and sends response along with various details to the VOD Manager which then streams the content on the STB. The STB Specification is reproduced in Fig 7

f. Content Management
Content needs to be added in SMS to show on STB. Only content information is maintained by SMS, the actual video or audio is stored on storage devices at Pop Locations on NAS. SMS provides facility to change content status. NAS periodically sends available content details to SMS. SMS periodically compares the valid content and the details received from storage device and sends the details to the STB. This process insures the STB has received only valid content and the same is available on storage device for streaming at the Pop location.

2. SMS Core HE network flow with POP HE Fig 8.
This SMS HE is connected to each Cable POP HE via secure IPsec VPN tunnel using Sonic WALL NSA 2400 firewall. All the communication i.e. logs transfer, content request, acknowledgment, metadata updating is done via this tunnel. If the POP HE Internet is down the systems are automatically configured to fall back to VSAT for this communication

3. POP HE workflow with STB
At Each POP we have Mboost which is a QWIK proprietary technology in which we have proprietary server which host all the content & metadata at Cable POP HE. When any consumer requests content for playback, the request is validated by Core HE SMS and the content playback command is sent to that respective POP server which in turn sends this content stream in IP format to H-QAM device. This device converts the IP to RF signal. This RF signal is then received via cable operator co-ax network on consumer STB.

The communication between POP HE & SMS HE is done via secure IPsec VPN using Cisco IPsec enabled Router. If primary path i.e. internet is down, the traffic is automatically shifted via VSAT See fig 9
.
STB Activation is done @ consumer end & it is then identified uniquely in SMS HE. As soon as the activation is done, the content metadata is delivered to STB via co-ax network & within 25-30 minutes the STB is populated with almost 6000+ content. Depending on the selected package, the content is populated on STB. The metadata is generated from respective cable POP HE (Mboost storage server) and it traverses via cable co-ax network to reach the STB.

As soon as consumer rents the content the request is sent to SMS HE where validation & authorization happens. If validation is successful, the rental request is send to respective POP HE Mboost server which in turn will start streaming the content requested by consumer and the STB starts the content playback. This communication between STB, SMS HE & POP HE is done using ‘HTTPS’ & ‘IPsec VPN’ standards.
This whole process of requesting the content and starting the playback takes 8-10 seconds only
,CLAIMS:We Claim :

1 a system to deliver enhanced value added service over existing cable infrastructure comprising of
a software application ( explain) to be downloaded on to the set up box or smart phone of end user by means of which access to content can be obtained for downloading.
A backend connectivity over the Internet for processing requests to the servers
Server containing
VOD Manager. ......( explain)
Streamer being A smart streamer at the multi service operators end or local cable operators end for streaming the content to the end user
An Existing Cable Network
Connectivity means such as set up box or smart phone for access by an end user for verification of license rights and allowance for streaming of the program to the end user
and opting of the choice of programs
Means of payments if any

2 A method for delivering enhanced valued service over existing infrastructure by a service provider to an end user comprising of
Creation and storage in a back end server information of the users, list of content, payment details of users, user profiles, financials
Downloading of the software application on to the set up box or smart phone of the user
Selection of a content to be viewed by end user by means of the set up box or smart phone
Requesting for the selected content
Forwarding of the end user information to the back-end servers over the Internet
setting up and establishing communication between the back end served and end user set up box or smart phone
verification of the user profile, payment and content requested by user and authorising access
confirming access to the content by the user and forwarding streaming instructions to the server
Checking for bandwidth for purpose of streaming
On compliance whereof the Streaming of selected content is initiated to the user end

3 System as in claim 1 which has means to monitor and control the real time management of bandwidth for delivery of content via RF medium specifically by utilization of only forward channel unlike existing run of the mill duplex variation of same, there by imparting economical edge due to minimal usage of hardware resources.

4 System as in claim 1 uses only minimal bandwidth of internet whose means are provided on set top box via internal Wi-Fi card, external ports for USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth etc. exclusively for pushing the service request to seek value added services.

5 System as in claim 1 provide cost effective, content delivery to each member LCO which executed via Satellite to scalable, plurality of groups (multicast) due to its edge over intrinsic nonpeak hour usage rate of the bandwidth.

6 The method as in claim 2 providing value added service where the content being mounted in situ on VoD manager of LCO end, it thus bypasses the need of investment and cost towards maintaining a separate storage device at LCO level.

7 The method as in claim 2 which operates efficiently as it has inherent capability to simultaneously cater to multiple type of requests from multiple subscribers from geographically and time zone wise distinctly spread plurality of subscribers in real time.

8 The request in claim 7 which are processed in service processing server where as VoD server processes the catalogued copyrighted real time acquired content which can be entertainment, education. customized advertisement alike, data from both is synchronized via independent application and server embedded algorithm.

9 System as in claim incorporating Subscriber management system (SMS) comprising of embodiments e.g. tail end content consumer, content service provide e.g. LCO, actual playback content database, voucher management system for consumer's billing purpose application server on open source, firewall, MIS alike

10 Method as in claim 2 comprises of unique mapping matrix comprising of id of LCO and id of Set top matrix, which further takes care of routing of id of demanded value added services and correspondingly matching content with id and its delivery via smart streamer.

11 A system as in claim 1 wherein VoD Manager comprises of streamer machine with a processor, a memory device, data protection and performance card ( following specification pl. include in detail description of invention) optimal to memory & processing power required to process service requests. It is achieved so in so in technically efficient and economic manner. Although this part of hardware and software is implemented on LCO' send however its cost is borne by inventors making it economical for LCO.

12 System as in claim that can provide allied value added service to MSO

13 System as in claim 1 which enables individual copyrighted content creators or owner with its metadata to package his content thereby permitting its direct consumption by tail end subscriber without MSO or LCO.

14 A method & system as in claim 1 and 2 to assist authentic subscriber and his local cable service provider to map and manage their dynamic choice of multimedia, multi-dimension, multilingual content whereas the method comprises of real time updating the catalogued database of said category of electronic content. System functions on the embedded mboost hardware technology to cater the choice of request of multimedia content generated via application running or smart portable mobile device independent of its operating system or set top box, a data processing system to monitor, record, and modify information related to choice of content, where the processing system comprises of monitoring logic for checking a choice is set optimally and Logic to fill in any choice replacing over old choice depending on the configuration and configuration logic for allowing business parameters related to other logic elements to be tweaked.

15 System as in claim 1 & 14 to provide true Video on Demand (VoD) services using existing one way cable network infrastructure and using low bandwidth internet connectivity.System comprise of Unique MBOOST streaming server which receives content requested over internet and serves the request over cable network.
16 System as in claim 1, 14 comprises of Set top box which embeds MBOOST technology which can send request over internet and play the content which is received over existing cable network.
17 System as in claim 1, 14 has MBOOST embedded Application for portable and hand held devices (mobile and tablet) to send request to MBOOST server.
18 System as in claim 1, 14 has provision to push the customized advertisement to plurality of subscribers based on meta data of their choice of pattern of viewing catalogued content, place and time of viewing, language of content etc. Being relevant to subscriber’s taste, chances of it getting watched are brighter and thus created impact thereby serving objective of advertiser in effective manner.
19 Overall system as in claim 1, 14 enables its subscribers by resource conserving method to enjoy the flexibility viewing preferred choice of content without changing the set top box or even cable service provider does not have to change any component of cable end infrastructure.