Fropcorn

Entertainment on the Move

Building a content delivery solution providing high-quality entertainment to travelers, even in areas without Internet access

~200

Buses Equipped With Media Boxes

20K

Simultaneous Users Capacity

The Need for the Product

Back in 2014-15, connectivity challenges on intercity buses or trains meant data availability was either limited or quite expensive. Fropcorn sought to provide a solution similar to in-flight entertainment services with WiFi. Through Fropcorn, users could access pre-loaded content on custom-built media boxes by authenticating themselves and entering a coupon code — even in areas without the Internet.

The Challenges

CAW’s challenge was two-fold — designing both the hardware and software for the media boxes. Let’s take a look at the intricacies involved in each aspect:

WiFi Operation on Buses

The system needed to run on bus batteries, which use DC power.

Harsh Environment

Unlike flights, buses have limited space and can experience frequent jolts from acceleration or bumps. The system had to be rugged enough to withstand these harsh conditions.

Operating System (OS)

Most OSs are designed for a graceful shutdown. A hard shutdown, say due to power interruption, could cause the system to corrupt — a possibility for bus media systems. The OS chosen had to effectively handle abrupt power losses.

DRM (Digital Rights Management) Considerations

Most on-shelf DRM systems typically require an Internet connection for streaming. Fropcorn needed a DRM solution that allowed users to access protected content without the Internet.

The Solution

The CAW team devised the following solutions:

  • WiFi Operation on Buses

    CAW built custom hardware with an in-built WiFi router that could operate efficiently on DC power.

  • Harsh Environment

    The compact hardware used an SSD (Solid State Drive) instead of a disk-based system to adequately handle shocks and vibrations from bus travel.

  • Operating System

    A custom Linux distro was used, designed to be resilient against frequent power failures.

  • DRM Considerations

    A custom-built DRM with encryption ensured secure offline access to content.

Timelines

Expert craftsmanship, mapped to every stage of your business.

  • June 2014

    Windows App with DRM

  • January 2015

    Android App with DRM

  • March 2015

    Hardware Pilot

  • Oct 2015

    100+ Buses

The Outcome

Here’s how the media boxes operated, were deployed, and maintained:

Functionality

These media boxes were designed to operate independently without the need for an Internet connection. They allowed users to authenticate and enter a purchased coupon code to access pre-loaded content. Partnerships with media companies such as Yash Raj Films and Viacom ensured the availability of high-quality content.

Distribution & Management

The media boxes were deployed in around 200 buses and could support 20,000 simultaneous users. The service was also extended to airports, allowing travellers to download content on an app and watch it in-flight. On-ground teams periodically serviced the boxes and uploaded fresh encrypted content from secured hard drives using a custom-built Android app.

Tracking Metrics

When offline, the media boxes stored data locally. Whenever an Internet connection was available, the devices synced with a central command system that remotely monitored them. This allowed for tracking metrics such as sales, as well as the health and location of each box.