Hidden Patent Technologies in OTT Streaming

 

 Most people today subscribe to at least one OTT service. In fact, while TV viewing time continues to decline, the amount of time spent watching OTT services has steadily increased, reflecting a significant change in content consumption. According to one survey, 8 out of 10 people use OTT services, which shows that streaming has become a natural part of our daily lives.

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 Recently, many movies and series are released first—or even exclusively—on OTT platforms rather than on TV or in theaters. The main reasons OTT platforms have become the center of interaction between content consumers and providers include the ability to access high-quality content anywhere and the convenience of personalized recommendations tailored to individual preferences.

 But did you know that these convenient OTT services are actually “bundles of patents,” built upon countless patented technologies? Netflix, one of the most iconic OTT brands, is known as a “patent giant,” having filed around 2,000 patents worldwide. Today, let’s look at the patents that power OTT streaming and uncover the hidden technologies behind it.

“This is how everyone makes trailers these days.”

 Many OTT platforms now actively use trailers made from parts of the actual show when launching new content. In the past, making a trailer required people to manually find and edit specific scenes from the main program, which was a highly burdensome and inefficient process.

Netflix 'Trigger' official trailer
(source: Netflix official YouTube)

 Given the nature of OTT platforms, which must supply dozens or even hundreds of new titles each year, Netflix needed to streamline this process. They solved the problem by using machine learning algorithms and automation.

 They created a formula for trailer production, trained it through machine learning, and developed a system that automatically selects the most effective scenes from uploaded content to generate a trailer.

wipsglobal.com> Drawing editor
US12374372, 'Automatic trailer detection in multimedia content'

 The algorithm works by extracting and analyzing video shots, scoring their relative similarity, and then stitching the key shots into a trailer. By having machines do the work, Netflix drastically reduced the time and effort required, allowing resources to be used far more efficiently.

 In an era where OTT platforms churn out content at breakneck speed, automated trailer generation has become a powerful tool—both for meeting the constant demand for new content and for gaining a competitive edge.

“We read your mind with big data from your watch history.”

 At one point, the comment “YouTube Algorithm brought me here” became a viral meme. It humorously implied, “I don’t know why this video was recommended, but it’s fun, so okay.”

 

YouTube recommendation algorithm meme
(source: Reddit-r/PewdiepieSubmissions)

 YouTube gained a reputation for recommending strange but entertaining videos, and people turned its algorithm into a running joke. But behind these “mysterious recommendations” is Google’s carefully engineered system that identifies hidden preferences even users themselves didn’t realize they had.

 The key lies in a 2013 Google patent: “Video Recommendation Based on Co-Viewing Statistics”—a core technology behind today’s YouTube algorithm.

wipsglobal.com > AI summary
US 8868481, 'Video recommendation based on video co-occurrence statistics'

 The system analyzes the relationship between videos being watched and those on the recommendation list, while factoring in user behavior (such as which videos were clicked and how long they were watched) to create optimized recommendations.

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US 8868481, 'Video recommendation based on video co-occurrence statistics'

 So, even the strangest recommendations are not random—they are based on subtle connections to previously watched content or inferred preferences from viewing patterns with the assumption that I might like them. What once felt like bizarre coincidences turn out to be deliberate results of YouTube’s powerful data analysis.

“Hello, I’m Cinema-Grade Audio. I saved OTT!”

Dolby Laboratories, well-known for its video and audio codecs, has long set industry standards—so much so that its formats are treated like a “Bible” in the film industry.

Dolby Atmos logo
(source: Dolby)

 Among its flagship technologies is Dolby Atmos, an object-based surround sound system designed to deliver immersive audio. It enhances traditional surround sound by linking on-screen objects to exact sound positions in theaters.

Example of Dolby Atmos system application
(source: Dolby Professional)

 However, Atmos originally required installing numerous speakers around the entire 360° environment, with acoustic reflections taken into account—making it practical only for select large cinemas. Implementing it on PCs, smartphones, or home theaters seemed virtually impossible.

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EP 3434023, 'Near-Field rendering of immersive audio content in portable computers and devices'

 However, Dolby managed to virtualize this technology so that the Dolby Atmos experience could be reproduced even on everyday electronic devices with ordinary stereo speakers. As a result, Atmos technology has become widely adopted, and much of this success can be attributed to a patent Dolby filed in 2016.

 That patent is titled “Near-Field rendering of immersive audio content in portable computers and devices” (commonly referred to as Near-Field). This technology makes it possible to virtually reproduce Dolby Atmos through stereo speakers even without a full surround sound setup. In other words, by adjusting sound frequencies and levels, it creates a three-dimensional “virtual surround” effect using just stereo speakers.

 Thanks to this technology, users can now enjoy immersive sound even on smartphones and PCs, and today’s leading OTT platforms have also reaped its benefits. In order to enhance the quality of their content offerings, OTT services have actively adopted Dolby Atmos at the platform level. As a result, this innovation has dramatically reduced the gap in immersion between OTT and traditional media, ultimately becoming a groundbreaking technology that reshaped the entire market.

How far will OTT evolve as integrated content platforms?

2025 International Streaming Festival Poster
(source: Official Festival website)

 We’ve explored some of the key patented technologies behind OTT streaming. OTT services are rapidly expanding beyond movies and dramas into sports, e-sports, and more, dramatically reshaping how we consume content. With the upcoming International Streaming Festival drawing major public interest, OTT’s value will only continue to rise. No longer just video platforms, OTT services are becoming comprehensive content hubs. It will be exciting to see what new technologies they integrate next in their ongoing transformation.

“One Step Further Into the Unknown” – Lunar Exploration and Patents

 

 On July 20, 1969, with the successful landing of Apollo 11, humanity’s long-cherished dream of “traveling to the Moon” finally became reality. Thanks to the Apollo 11 astronauts, humankind became the first and only living beings from Earth to set foot on another celestial body. To honor this achievement, in 2021 the United Nations designated July 20 as International Moon Day at its General Assembly.

 Since humans first set foot on the Moon, the aerospace field has advanced tremendously. Today, with the ongoing Artemis Program—aimed at enabling crewed lunar exploration and establishing the Moon as a staging point for Mars missions—interest in the Moon and outer space has reached new heights. In this issue, we explore key patented technologies related to lunar exploration in celebration of International Moon Day.

Can orbiting the Moon be patented too? – NASA’s spacecraft trajectory patent

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US10696423, 'Method for transferring a spacecraft from geosynchronous transfer orbit to lunar orbit'

wipsglobal.com> Smartcloud
US10696423, 'Method for transferring a spacecraft from geosynchronous transfer orbit to lunar orbit'

 Because Earth’s orbit and the Moon’s surface orbit face each other, transferring a spacecraft from Earth to lunar orbit required enormous fuel and presented great difficulty. However, according to this NASA patent, calculating the optimal flight trajectory and velocity makes it possible to move a spacecraft into lunar orbit with minimal fuel. This technology has drawn increased attention since the announcement of the Lunar Gateway project, which aims to construct a space station in lunar orbit as a hub for crewed Mars exploration. By leveraging this patented method, more economical space exploration could become possible.

Korea’s lunar lander test system

 Extensive testing is required to verify whether a lunar lander can function properly, especially to determine if it can operate correctly under the Moon’s surface conditions and gravity. For this, facilities and test systems that replicate lunar gravity and surface environments are essential.

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KR10-2794347, 'Lunar gravity simulation system for lander performance test'

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KR10-2794347, 'Lunar gravity simulation system for lander performance test'

 This patent, announced by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, describes a system that simulates lunar gravity and environmental conditions for testing lander performance. It allows flexible configuration of landing parameters such as length and height in various directions. Moreover, the movable frame that suspends the lander model can be freely adjusted, enabling the lander to move in different directions. This makes it possible to test performance under a wide variety of scenarios. The fact that Korea can both build and validate its own lunar landers with homegrown technology is a point of great pride.

Mobility of the future won’t be limited to Earth – Hyundai Motor’s lunar rover

 In recent years, many automakers have sought to transform into “mobility companies” by developing a wide range of mobility solutions beyond traditional cars. Hyundai has also made headlines by filing patents related to future mobility—specifically, a vehicle designed for use on the Moon, often referred to as a lunar rover.

Hyundai Motor Group's hybrid vehicle for lunar exploration
(source: Hyundai Motor Group)

 According to Hyundai’s patent, this lunar rover features four wheels, each connected to a leg that moves independently. With joints incorporated into each leg, the rover can fold its front legs and extend its rear legs to climb slopes more stably. In terrains too difficult for wheel-based movement, it can walk using its legs, allowing it to traverse a wide range of harsh environments.

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US2024-0351710, 'Hybrid vehicle for use in lunar exploration'

wipsglobal.com> Drawing editor
US2024-0351710, 'Hybrid vehicle for use in lunar exploration'

 When crossing short rough patches, the rover mimics reptilian locomotion with a low stance, while for long-distance movement it imitates mammalian gaits. In other words, it adopts motion inspired by animal walking patterns. Most notably, it incorporates deep reinforcement learning, enabling the rover to autonomously determine and apply the most suitable walking style, travel speed, and movement direction for a given situation. This distinguishes it from previous lunar rovers and represents a significant leap forward.

Will Artemis’ dream be realized?

Artemis Program logo
(source: NASA, https://www.nasa.gov/gallery/artemis/ )

 

 Since Apollo 17’s mission in 1972, humanity has not set foot on the Moon for over 50 years. Against this backdrop, the execution of the Artemis Project holds great significance—not only as a “return to the Moon,” but also as the first step toward leaving humankind’s footprints on Mars. With a renewed technological race underway and the Moon once again in the spotlight, the world eagerly watches to see whether humanity can achieve another successful lunar mission.