Method and apparatus for encrypting data transmitted over a serial link

Abstract

A communication system including a transmitter, a receiver, and a serial link (for example, a TMDS-like link) in which video data (or other data) are encrypted, the encrypted data are transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver, and the transmitted data are decrypted in the receiver, a transmitter and a receiver for use in such systems, a cipher engine for use in such a transmitter or receiver, a method for operating such a transmitter or receiver to encrypt or decrypt data, and a method for authenticating a receiver prior to transmission of encrypted data to the receiver over a serial link. Each transmitter, receiver, and cipher engine is configured to implement a content protection protocol in a manner that implements at least one and preferably more than one of a class of attack prevention features disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments the invention is employed to encrypt data in accordance with the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (“HDCP”) protocol, or a modified version of the HDCP protocol.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention pertains to encryption of data (e.g., video data) to be transmitted over a serial link, and to decryption of encrypted data that has been transmitted over a serial link. Some embodiments of the invention are methods and apparatus for encrypting and decrypting data in accordance with an improved version of the conventional High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (“HDCP”) protocol. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] There are various, well-known serial links for transmitting video data and other data. One conventional serial link is known as a transition minimized differential signaling interface (“TMDS” link). This link is used primarily for high-speed transmission of video data from a set-top box to a television, and also for high-speed transmission of video data from a host processor (e.g., a personal computer) to a monitor. Among the characteristics of a TMDS link are the following: [0003] 1. video data are encoded and then t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a communication system that includes a transmitter, receiver, and a serial link (e.g. a TMDS-like link) for transmitting data between them. The system uses encryption and decryption techniques to protect the data during transmission. The invention also includes features to prevent unauthorized receivers from accessing the data, such as requiring the transmitter and receiver to compare distinctive values during the authentication procedure and abort the authentication if the values match. The system also includes a read-only memory to store the private keys and prevent them from being read if the memory is removed. The invention can be used in various communication systems, such as the HDCP protocol."

Problems solved by technology

However, many TMDS-like serial links do not transmit data having blanking intervals, and thus do not encode input data (for transmission) in response to a data enable signal.

A small number of keys can be pre-programmed for later use, but this is cumbersome and severely limits flexibility (and / or security).

Keys can be generated (e.g., in both a transmitter and a receiver) in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, with or without external “seeds,” but security will be compromised if the details of the algorithm become publicly known or are reverse-engineered.

Stream ciphers are fast and efficient, but also generally less secure.

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