Method for playing digital content through NFC authentication

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a method for authenticating playback rights of digital content, through tagging of an NFC card, in a local electronic device which has downloaded and stored content from a remote server, and is characterized by providing a new encryption method that enhances the security of authentication through NFC tagging.

Description

How to play digital content using NFC authentication

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0174226, filed December 5, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for authenticating authority using an NFC card, and more preferably, to a method for authenticating authority to play digital content by tagging an NFC card in a local electronic device that has downloaded and stored content from a remote server.

[0003] As mobile terminals such as personal computers, laptops, cell phones, and smartphones, and fixed electronic devices such as TVs, have become more diverse in their functions, they are being implemented in the form of multimedia players with complex functions such as taking pictures or videos, playing music or video files, playing games, and receiving broadcasts.

[0004] To support and enhance the functionality of electronic devices, improvements to their structural and / or software components may be considered. As recent electronic devices offer complex and diverse functions, their menu structures are also becoming increasingly complex.

[0005] Additionally, various applications utilizing Near Field Communication (NFC) technology are recently being commercialized. Representative NFC-based applications include mobile finance, various authentication services, information exchange between devices, various information provision services, and personalized advertising services.

[0006] NFC technology is a very short-range contactless data transfer technology related to RFID (radio frequency identification), and can be used to communicate with devices located within a distance of 10 cm (preferably within 4 cm).

[0007] NFC uses a center frequency of 13.56 MHz and can provide transmission speeds of 106, 212, and 424 kbps. NFC can be compatible with various contactless communication protocols. For example, NFC can be compatible with protocols defined in ISO 14443 types A, B, and F, and ISO 18092. An electronic device adopting NFC technology can communicate with another electronic device adopting NFC technology through at least one of reader mode, card emulation mode, and peer-to-peer mode, for example.

[0008] Meanwhile, content previously stored and distributed on CDs and DVDs has diversified into downloadable MP3 or MP4 files, and is now streamed from media servers. However, downloading presents a cumbersome and complex problem: storing and managing numerous files for each album or piece of content on a specific storage medium. Furthermore, the files are easily lost if lost. Even when content is streamed via a computer or network, the user must visit the relevant website, log in, search for the content, and pay for it, which is a cumbersome and inconvenient process.

[0009] Patent Document 1 (Korean Patent Publication No. 2011-0032523) introduces a device and method for providing a streaming service with content sharing functionality. Specifically, it proposes a device and method for sharing content between set-top boxes when providing a multimedia content streaming service via wired or wireless networks. However, Patent Document 1 suffers from a critical drawback: content can only be played in the location where the set-top box is installed.

[0010] Accordingly, unlike existing CD and DVD media or download files, the content itself is not stored in the user's possession, but rather is played directly online from content data stored on the network, allowing the content to be played easily and simply as if the user were storing and using the corresponding media CD album or DVD, and methods are being studied to enable the content to be played easily anywhere through the NFC card method so that it is not restricted by location.

[0011] Patent Document 2 (Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1541300) provides a method for easily and simply playing content while preventing content duplication by contacting an NFC card issued upon content purchase to a content player to request content, authenticating the NFC card (NFC ID and authentication key) from a content server, and receiving and outputting the content from the content server.

[0012] Patent Document 3 (Korean Patent Publication No. 2013-0131090) relates to a method for providing content to a connected electronic device based on information stored in an NFC tag, comprising the steps of: storing identification information of an NFC (Near Field Communication) card for providing digital content, identification information of an electronic device, and content in a database; receiving, through a user interface provided on an electronic device tagged to an NFC card, a network address in which selected content is stored, identification information of the NFC card, and identification information of the electronic device, from the electronic device tagged to the NFC card through a communication unit; performing authentication on the received identification information of the NFC card and the identification information of the electronic device; and searching for content stored at the received network address in the database, and providing the searched content to the electronic device through the communication unit.

[0013] Patent Documents 2 and 3 above relate to a method for downloading or streaming audio from a remote content server using an NFC card and a client-side electronic device tagged to the NFC card. In this case, the NFC card is used as an authentication means to verify legitimate authority to download or stream audio.

[0014] In relation to the authentication function of such NFC cards, Patent Document 4 (Korean Patent Publication No. 2018-0039450) provides a user authentication method that uses the NFC function to conveniently perform user authentication without the user having to directly input user authentication information. That is, the user authentication method of Patent Document 4 includes the steps of: bringing an IC chip card having user authentication information stored therein into NFC contact; determining whether the user authentication information recorded in the IC chip card matches the authentication information registered in the mobile communication service provider's server; and, if it is determined in the determining step that the user authentication information recorded in the IC chip card matches the authentication information registered in the mobile communication service provider's server, authenticating the user of the IC chip card as the user.

[0015] The above patent documents 2 and 3 disclose an uploading authentication method in which the NFC ID and authentication key of an NFC card are matched with a user or electronic device having the right to play digital content and registered on a remote server in order to authenticate the right to play digital content stored in a remote database.

[0016] In this regard, the inventors of the present invention developed a new download authentication method that transmits an authentication key for playback authority of digital content downloaded to a local electronic device from a server to an NFC card and registers the authentication key.

[0017] With existing upload authentication methods, anyone possessing an NFC card containing an authentication key could freely access content stored remotely. However, with the download authentication method of the present invention, only those possessing a valid NFC card and a valid client electronic device can play the content.

[0018] Therefore, the downloading authentication method of the present invention is advantageous in fundamentally preventing unfair content-piggybacking activities such as copying or illegal transfer of individual digital content, or unfair use by unauthorized third parties, compared to the existing uploading authentication method.

[0019] The first technical task of the present invention is to provide a new method for authenticating the right to play digital content on a local electronic device from which the digital content has been downloaded.

[0020] In addition, the present invention has as its second technical task a method for authenticating the right to play digital content using an NFC card.

[0021] In addition, the present invention has as its third technical task a novel encryption method for enhancing the security of authorization authentication through NFC tagging.

[0022] In order to achieve the above-described object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a digital content playback method through NFC authentication, which is performed in a system including an NFC card, a content playback device connected to the NFC card through NFC communication, and a content provision server connected to the content playback device through a wired or wireless communication network, the digital content playback method comprising: a first step in which the content playback device requests the download of an app (APP) which is a dedicated application for content authority authentication while providing a device ID, which is unique identification information of the device, to the content provision server; a second step in which the content provision server transmits the app (APP) and the app ID, which is unique identification information of the app, to the content playback device, and stores a server-side "device ID-app ID" in which the device ID and the app ID are matched; a third step in which the content playback device installs the downloaded app (APP), matches the app ID to the device ID, and stores a client-side "device ID-app ID"; A fourth step in which the APP requests a download of specific digital content by transmitting a public key for asymmetric key encryption and the client-side "device ID-app ID" to the content providing server; a fifth step in which the content providing server compares the client-side "device ID-app ID" with the server-side "device ID-app ID"; a sixth step in which, if the client-side "device ID-app ID" and the server-side "device ID-app ID" match each other, the content ID, which is unique identification information of the digital content, is matched to the server-side "device ID-app ID" to generate an authentication key composed of "device ID-app ID-content ID"; a seventh step in which the authentication key composed of the "device ID-app ID-content ID" is encrypted using the public key to generate an encryption authentication key; an eighth step in which the encryption authentication key and the digital content are transmitted to the content playback device;A ninth step of storing the encryption authentication key and the digital content in the content playback device, decrypting the encryption authentication key using a secret key to generate a first decryption authentication key, and storing the first decryption authentication key so as to match the digital content; a tenth step of transmitting the encryption authentication key to the NFC card using NFC communication and recording it in an NFC tag; an eleventh step of reading the encryption authentication key from the NFC tag by NFC tagging the NFC card to the content playback device; a twelfth step of decrypting the encryption authentication key read from the NFC tag using the secret key to generate a second decryption authentication key; and a thirteenth step of playing the digital content that matches the first decryption authentication key when the first decryption authentication key and the second decryption authentication key match each other; The fourth step is characterized by including a step 4-1 of requesting a list of downloadable digital contents from the content providing server through the app of the content playback device; a step 4-2 of outputting the list of digital contents through the interface of the app; and a step 4-3 of providing the client-side "device ID-app ID" and a public key for asymmetric key encryption together with download request information of specific digital contents selected from the list of digital contents to the content providing server.

[0023] As another second aspect of the present invention, a method for playing back digital content through NFC authentication is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the content playing device is a mobile communication terminal capable of short-range wireless communication with an NFC card and long-range wireless communication with the content providing server, and capable of playing back the digital content.

[0024] A method for playing digital content through NFC authentication as another third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth step of the second aspect, if the client-side "device ID-app ID" and the server-side "device ID-app ID" do not match each other, an "authentication failure" is responded to the content playing device.

[0025] A method for playing digital content through NFC authentication as another fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the third aspect, in the 13th step, if the first decryption authentication key and the second decryption authentication key do not match each other, “authentication failure” is output through the interface of the app.

[0026] According to the present invention, a user can play digital content simply by tagging an NFC card (10) storing an encryption authentication key of a specific digital content to a content playback device (100), so the NFC card can be used like a digital album.

[0027] In addition, the present invention allows you to freely play desired digital content anytime, anywhere where NFC communication is possible.

[0028] In addition, the present invention can prevent hacking of authentication keys by third parties because it exchanges encrypted authentication keys in short-range NFC communication between a content player (100) and an NFC card (10) and in long-range wireless communication between a content player (100) and a content provision server (300). In addition, it is possible to prevent unauthorized duplication of digital content through hacking of authentication keys.

[0029] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a content rights authentication system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a state in which a content playback device (100) and an NFC card (10) according to the present invention are connected via NFC communication.

[0032] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of a content playback device (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of a content provision server (300) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flow charts of a digital content playback process through NFC authentication according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] The present invention relates to a method for playing digital content through NFC authentication performed in a system including an NFC card, a content playback device connected to the NFC card through NFC communication, and a content provision server connected to the content playback device through a wired or wireless communication network.

[0036] A method for playing digital content through NFC authentication according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first step in which the content playback device provides a device ID, which is unique identification information of the device, to the content providing server and requests the download of an app (APP), which is a dedicated application for content authority authentication; a second step in which the content providing server transmits the app (APP) and an app ID, which is unique identification information of the app, to the content playback device and stores a server-side "device ID-app ID" in which the device ID and the app ID are matched; a third step in which the content playback device installs the downloaded app (APP) and stores a client-side "device ID-app ID" by matching the app ID to the device ID; a fourth step in which the app (APP) transmits a public key for asymmetric key encryption and the client-side "device ID-app ID" to the content providing server and requests the download of specific digital content; a fifth step in which the content providing server compares the client-side "device ID-app ID" with the server-side "device ID-app ID"; A sixth step of generating an authentication key composed of "device ID-app ID-content ID" by matching the content ID, which is the unique identification information of the digital content, to the server-side "device ID-app ID" when the client-side "device ID-app ID" and the server-side "device ID-app ID" match each other; a seventh step of generating an encryption authentication key by encrypting the authentication key composed of the "device ID-app ID-content ID" using the public key; an eighth step of transmitting the encryption authentication key and the digital content to the content playback device; a ninth step of storing the encryption authentication key and the digital content in the content playback device, decrypting the encryption authentication key using a secret key to generate a first decryption authentication key, and storing the first decryption authentication key so as to match the digital content;A method for transmitting the encrypted authentication key to the NFC card using NFC communication and recording it in an NFC tag, comprising: a 10th step of transmitting the encrypted authentication key to the NFC card using NFC communication and recording it in an NFC tag; an 11th step of reading the encrypted authentication key from the NFC tag by NFC tagging the NFC card to the content playback device; a 12th step of decrypting the encrypted authentication key read from the NFC tag using the secret key to generate a second decryption authentication key; and a 13th step of playing the digital content that matches the first decryption authentication key when the first decryption authentication key and the second decryption authentication key match each other; the 4th step further comprises: a 4-1 step of requesting a list of downloadable digital contents from the content providing server through the APP of the content playback device; and a 4-2 step of outputting the list of digital contents through an interface of the APP. And it is characterized by including a step 4-3 of providing the client-side “device ID-app ID” and a public key for asymmetric key encryption to the content providing server along with download request information of a specific digital content selected from the digital content list.;

[0037] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated and described in detail in the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0038] When it is said that a component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there may also be other components in between.

[0039] On the other hand, when it is said that a component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0040] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" indicate the presence of a feature, number, process, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, processes, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be construed in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0042] The terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that an inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term to best explain his or her invention, the terms and words should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used have meanings commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the following description and accompanying drawings, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention are omitted. The drawings introduced below are provided as examples to ensure that the spirit of the present invention can be sufficiently conveyed to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the drawings presented below and may be embodied in other forms. Furthermore, like reference numerals represent like elements throughout the specification. It should be noted that like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to represent like elements wherever possible.

[0043] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The attached drawings are not drawn to scale, and like reference numbers in each drawing indicate like components.

[0044] Content Rights Authentication System

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a content rights authentication system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a content authority authentication system according to the present invention includes an NFC card (10), a content playback device (100) connected to the NFC card (10) via NFC communication, a content provision server (300) connected to the content playback device (100) via a wired or wireless communication network (200), and a database (400).

[0047] Figure 2 shows a state in which a content playback device (100) and an NFC card (10) according to the present invention are connected via NFC communication.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, the NFC card (10) includes an NFC tag (12) that stores an encryption authentication key for playing digital content stored in the content player (100). The NFC tag (12) may store unique identification information (e.g., NFC ID) of the NFC card (10) and a unique encryption authentication key for authenticating authority to play the digital content.

[0049] The above digital content may include any digital content, such as at least one image file, video file, or audio file.

[0050] The NFC card (10) may be made of plastic, paper, fiber, or metal, with the NFC tag (12) built in. However, the material of the body of the NFC card (10) according to the present invention is not limited to the examples described above.

[0051] The NFC card (10) can form an NFC communication link with the content playback device (100) when the content playback device (100) is located within an effective NFC communication distance, i.e., when NFC tagging with the content playback device (100) is performed, and transmit information stored in the NFC tag (12) (i.e., NFC ID and encrypted authentication key) to the content playback device (100).

[0052] The above content playback device (100) is an electronic device that connects to the content provision server (300) via a wired or wireless communication network (200) to purchase specific digital content, downloads and stores the purchased digital content, and authenticates the right to play the digital content based on information (i.e., NFC ID and encrypted authentication key) received through an NFC communication link formed based on NFC tagging of the NFC card (10) and then plays the digital content.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the content playback device (100) may be a mobile communication terminal such as a smart phone, or may be a stationary electronic device capable of communication such as a TV or audio device. In the present invention, it is preferable that the content playback device (100) be a mobile communication terminal such as a smart phone.

[0054] The above mobile communication terminals may include not only smart phones, but also tablet PCs, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), PMPs (Portable Multimedia Players), navigation systems, etc.

[0055] In addition, the fixed electronic devices may include not only TVs, but also PC monitors, digital audio devices, digital signage devices, etc. In cases where the fixed electronic devices cannot independently access the content provision server (300) via the Internet, they may access the content provision server (300) using a set-top box (not shown).

[0056] However, the scope of the content playback device (100) according to the present invention is not limited to the examples described above.

[0057] The above content playback device (100) includes an NFC communication module (114A) for connecting the NFC card (10) and NFC communication, and an app (114B) which is a dedicated application for downloading and storing digital content through communication with the content provision server (300) and playing back the stored digital content. Of course, the content playback device (100) may include various other video and / or audio players for playing back the digital content.

[0058] The above content provision server (300) can provide digital content corresponding to the information received through the content playback device (100) and authentication information for generating the encryption authentication key based on the information received through the content playback device (100). The above database (400) stores and manages a plurality of digital contents provided to the content playback device (100), a list thereof, membership registration information, etc.

[0059] The above communication network (200) may include any one or more of networks such as a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a broadband network (BBN), and the Internet. In addition, the communication network (200) may include any one or more of network topologies including, but not limited to, a bus network, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network, a star-bus network, a tree, or a hierarchical network.

[0060] <Content Player (100)>

[0061] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of a content player (100) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The content player (100) of Figure 3 represents a mobile communication terminal as a representative example.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, the content player (100) may include a wireless communication unit (110), an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit (120), a user input unit (130), a sensing unit (140), an output unit (150), a storage unit (160), an APP (114B), an interface unit (170), a control unit (180), and a power supply unit (190). The components of the content player (100) illustrated in FIG. 3 are not essential, and thus the content player (100) may have more or fewer components.

[0063] Below, we will look at the above components in turn.

[0064] The wireless communication unit (110) may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the content player (100) and the content provision server (300) or between the content player (100) and the NFC card (10). For example, the wireless communication unit (110) may include a broadcast reception module (111), a mobile communication module (112), a wireless Internet module (113), a short-range communication module (114), and a location information module (115).

[0065] The above broadcast reception module (111) receives broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information from an external server through a broadcast channel. The above broadcast reception module (111) receives broadcast signals using various broadcasting systems, and in particular, can receive digital broadcast signals using digital broadcasting systems such as DMB-T (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial), DMB-S (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite), MediaFLO (Media Forward Link Only), DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld), and ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial).

[0066] The above mobile communication module (112) transmits and receives wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signals may include various types of data according to the transmission and reception of voice call signals, video call call signals, or text / multimedia messages. The content playback device (100) may connect to the content provision server (300) through the mobile communication module (112).

[0067] The above wireless Internet module (113) refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and the wireless Internet module (113) can be built into or externally installed in the content player (100). Wireless Internet technologies that can be used include WLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access), and LTE (Long Term Evolution). The content player (100) can connect to the content provision server (300) through the wireless Internet module (113).

[0068] The above-mentioned short-range communication module (114) refers to a module for short-range communication. Bluetooth, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), infrared communication (IrDA, infrared Data Association), UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, etc. can be used as short-range communication technologies. The short-range communication module (114) is used to form an NFC link with a tagged NFC card (10), and can receive an NFC ID and an encrypted authentication key from the NFC tag (12) of the NFC card (10) through the NFC link.

[0069] The above location information module (115) is a module for confirming or obtaining the location of the content playback device (100). The above location information module (115) can obtain location information using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

[0070] The above A / V (Audio / Video) input unit (120) is for inputting audio signals or video signals, and may include a camera (121) and a microphone (122), etc. The camera (121) processes image frames, such as still images or moving images, obtained by an image sensor in video call mode or shooting mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on the display unit (151).

[0071] The user input unit (130) generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit (130) may be composed of a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (static / capacitive), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.

[0072] The above sensing unit (140) detects the current state of the content player (100), such as the open / close state of the content player (100), the position of the content player (100), the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the content player (100), and the acceleration / deceleration of the content player (100), and generates a sensing signal to control the operation of the content player (100). In addition, it may also be responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit (190) supplies power, whether the interface unit (170) is connected to an external device, and the like.

[0073] The above output unit (150) is for generating output related to sight, hearing, or touch, etc., and may include a display unit (151), an audio output unit (152), an alarm unit (153), and a haptic module (154).

[0074] The above storage unit (160) can store a program for the operation of the control unit (180) and a program for playing digital content through NFC authentication according to the present invention, and can store input / output data (e.g., phone book, message, still image, video, audio file, etc.).

[0075] In particular, the storage unit (160) can temporarily or permanently store digital content downloaded from the content provision server (300) and an encrypted authentication key and a decrypted authentication key matching the digital content, and various identification information required for authentication to access the content provision server (300) and receive content can be stored. The various identification information may include NFC card (10) identification information (NFC ID), the content playback device (100) identification information (device ID), and the APP (114B) identification information (app ID). In addition, the storage unit (160) may store a public key and a private key, which are asymmetric keys for applying a public key encryption algorithm with the content provision server (300).

[0076] The above storage unit (160) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk.

[0077] The above APP (144B) is an application program that is downloaded and installed from a content provision server (300), receives digital content and an encrypted authentication key from the content provision server (300), and authenticates the right to play the digital content through an NFC link with the NFC card (10) to play the digital content.

[0078] The above interface unit (170) serves as a passageway for all external devices connected to the content player (100). The interface unit (170) receives data or power from an external device and transmits it to each component inside the content player (100) or allows data inside the content player (100) to be transmitted to an external device.

[0079] The above control unit (180) typically controls the overall operation of the content playback device (100). For example, it performs related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, etc. The control unit (180) may be equipped with a multimedia module (181) for multimedia playback. The multimedia module (181) may be implemented within the control unit (180) or may be implemented separately from the control unit (180). The control unit (180) may perform pattern recognition processing to recognize handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

[0080] In addition, the control unit (180) can control the APP (114B) to authenticate content playback authority based on information received from an NFC card (10) connected to an NFC communication link and output the authenticated digital content through the output unit (150).

[0081] The above power supply unit (190) receives external power and internal power under the control of the control unit (180) and supplies the power required for the operation of each component.

[0082] The various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device, for example, using software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

[0083] In terms of hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented using at least one of ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), DSPDs (digital signal processing devices), PLDs (programmable logic devices), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing functions. In some cases, such embodiments may be implemented by a control unit (180).

[0084] In a software implementation, embodiments, such as procedures or functions, may be implemented with separate software modules that perform at least one function or operation. The software code may be implemented by a software application written in a suitable programming language. Furthermore, the software code may be stored in a storage unit (160) and executed by a control unit (180).

[0085] <Content provision server (300)>

[0086] FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of a content provision server according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the content provision server (300) of the present invention may include a memory (370), at least one central processing unit (CPU; 360) connected thereto and capable of performing high-speed operations, an input device (340), and an output device (350).

[0087] Here, the input device (340) may be a device capable of recognizing a user's operation or touch, such as a mouse or a touch screen, but may also include a physical transducer, such as a microphone. The output device (350) refers to a display capable of displaying characters or images, such as a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or electronic ink (e-ink), but may also include a transducer, such as a speaker.

[0088] The above CPU (360) is a processor embedded in the content provision server (300) that performs the function of processing the overall operation. That is, it processes a process of processing a request from a content playback device (100) according to the present invention to provide digital content, and generating and providing an authentication key encrypted with a public key to authenticate legitimate authority to access and play the digital content.

[0089] The above CPU (360) may be composed of an ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit: 362) for performing calculations, a register (364) for temporary storage of data and instructions, and a controller (366) for controlling the operation of the content provision server (300).

[0090] The above memory (370) may include a high-speed main memory (372) in the form of a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), an auxiliary memory (374) such as a flash memory, and a device that stores data using an electric, magnetic, optical, or other storage medium. In addition, the main memory (372) may include a video display memory that displays an image through an output device (350). It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the memory (370) may have various forms as a product having various storage capabilities.

[0091] In addition, in the technical field of the present invention, the content provision server (300) may include various application programs including an OS (Operating System) and an APP (114B), which is a dedicated application for playing digital content through NFC authentication according to the present invention. The OS is a software set that controls the operation of the content provision server (300) and the designation of resources. The application program is a software set for performing tasks requested by a user by using computer resources available through the OS. The OS and application program will reside in the memory (370). According to the experience of a person skilled in the art having ordinary knowledge in the field of computer programming, unless otherwise described, the present invention will be described according to the operations performed by the content provision server (300) and the representation symbols for the operations. These operations will be computer-based and will be performed by the OS or an appropriate application program. Additionally, these operations and functions include the processing of electrical signals such as data bits that cause conversion or blocking of electrical signals by the CPU (360), and the management of data bit signals stored in the memory (370) as well as changing the operation of the content provision server (300). The memory area where the data bit signals are managed is a physical area having electrical, magnetic, or optical properties corresponding to the data bits.

[0092] The diagram illustrated in FIG. 4 is merely an illustration of exemplary computing devices that may be used in connection with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Categories such as "workstation," "server," "laptop," and the like are all considered within the scope of FIG. 4 and are referred to as "computing devices," and therefore no distinction is made between them.

[0093] Computing devices typically include various computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computing device, and includes volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer-readable media can include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROMs, digital versatile disks (DVDs) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium used to store the desired information and that the computing device can access. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0094] A content provision server (300) having such a hardware configuration includes functional modules for implementing the "digital content playback process through NFC authentication" illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. These functional modules may be software modules that execute the process illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, or dedicated hardware chips that execute the corresponding functions.

[0095] <NFC 인증을 통한 디지털 콘텐츠 재생과정>

[0096] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flow charts of a digital content playback process through NFC authentication according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the content playback device (100) of the present invention connects to the content provision server (300) via the communication network (200) (S102). At this time, if necessary, a membership registration process is performed according to the guidance of the content provision server (300). During the membership registration process, a user ID and password may be issued and registered for user authentication.

[0098] The content playback device (100) provides the device ID (unique identification information of the device) to the content provision server (300) and at the same time requests the download of an APP, which is a dedicated application for executing the "digital content playback process through NFC authentication" according to the present invention (S104). The content provision server (300) downloads the APP for the content playback device (100) and the APP ID of the APP to the content playback device (100). At this time, the content provision server (300) matches the device ID and the APP ID and stores them (S110).

[0099] The content playback device (100) that has downloaded the APP and APP ID from the content provision server (300) installs the APP and stores the APP ID (S120).

[0100] A user who wishes to download desired digital content from the content provision server (300) executes the APP (114B) of the content playback device (100) and then requests a list of downloadable digital content from the content provision server (300) (S130).

[0101] The content provision server (300) outputs the digital content list on the user interface of the APP (114B) in response to the request for the digital content list (S140).

[0102] The user selects digital content to be downloaded to the content player (100) by referring to the digital content list displayed on the user interface (S145).

[0103] The APP (114B) of the content player (100) requests the download of digital content selected by the user from the content providing server (300) (S150). At this time, when requesting the download of the digital content, the APP (114B) provides the device ID (unique identification information of the device) of the content player (100) and the app ID to the content providing server (300). In addition, the APP (114B) provides the content providing server (300) with a public key for asymmetric key encryption according to a public key encryption method.

[0104] Meanwhile, if the download of the above digital content is paid, a payment procedure may be performed in addition to the normal purchase order procedure.

[0105] When downloading the above digital content, the device ID and the app ID provided are compared to see if they match the “device ID and APP ID” stored in the content provision server (300) (S160).

[0106] At this time, if the uploaded “device ID-app ID” and the stored “device ID-app ID” do not match, “authentication failure” is responded (S165).

[0107] On the other hand, if the uploaded "device ID-app ID" and the stored "device ID-app ID" match, the "content ID (unique identification information of the content)" of the downloaded digital content is matched to the "device ID-app ID" to generate an authentication key consisting of "device ID-app ID-content ID" (S170).

[0108] Then, the authentication key generated in this manner is encrypted using the public key to generate an encrypted authentication key (S180).

[0109] The content provision server (300) downloads the digital content along with the encryption authentication key to the content playback device (100) (S190).

[0110] The APP (114B) of the content playback device (100) stores the encrypted authentication key and the digital content downloaded from the content provision server (300) (S200).

[0111] Then, the encrypted authentication key is decrypted using the private key for the public key, and the authentication key consisting of the “device ID-app ID-content ID” is restored and stored to match the digital content (S210).

[0112] The APP (114B) of the content playback device (100) records the encrypted authentication key in the NFC tag (12) by transmitting it to the NFC card (10) using NFC communication (S220).

[0113] Through this process, an encrypted authentication key for playing specific digital content is stored in the NFC tag (12) of the NFC card (10), and the specific digital content and a decrypted authentication key for playing the digital content are stored in the content playback device (100).

[0114] In this state, a user who wishes to play the specific digital content places the NFC card (10) within a distance where NFC communication is possible with the content playback device (100) (S230). That is, the NFC card (10) is tagged to the content playback device (100).

[0115] The NFC communication module (114A) of the content playback device (100) reads the NFC ID and the encrypted authentication key stored in the NFC tag (12) of the NFC card (10) (S240).

[0116] The APP (114B) of the content playback device (100) decrypts the encrypted authentication key using the secret key (S260), and compares the decrypted authentication key (device ID-app ID-content ID) with the stored authentication key (device ID-app ID-content ID). If they match (S270), the digital content stored to match the authentication key is played (S280). On the other hand, if the authentication key (device ID-app ID-content ID) decrypted in S270 and the stored authentication key (device ID-app ID-content ID) do not match each other, “authentication failure” is output through the interface of the APP (114B).

[0117] Accordingly, a user can play digital content simply by tagging an NFC card (10) storing an encryption authentication key for a specific digital content to a content playback device (100). In other words, an NFC card storing an encryption authentication key for a specific digital content grants the user a function similar to a digital album.

[0118] Therefore, the present invention allows users to freely play desired digital content anytime, anywhere, even offline, as long as NFC communication is available. However, prior art technologies (Patent Documents 2 and 3) store digital content on a remote server, making digital content playback only possible under conditions where both NFC communication and long-distance wired and wireless communication are simultaneously possible.

[0119] In addition, the present invention can prevent hacking of authentication keys by third parties because it exchanges encrypted authentication keys in short-range NFC communication between a content player (100) and an NFC card (10) and in long-range wireless communication between a content player (100) and a content provision server (300). In addition, it is possible to prevent unauthorized duplication of digital content through hacking of authentication keys.

[0120] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0121] The present invention relates to providing a service for playing digital content using an IT device capable of NFC communication and an NFC card.

Claims

1. A method for playing digital content through NFC authentication performed in a system including an NFC card, a content player connected to the NFC card through NFC communication, and a content provision server connected to the content player through a wired or wireless communication network. A first step in which the content playback device requests the download of an APP, which is a dedicated application for content authority authentication, while providing the device ID, which is unique identification information of the device, to the content provision server; A second step in which the content providing server transmits the APP and the APP ID, which is the unique identification information of the APP, to the content playback device and stores a server-side “device ID-APP ID” in which the device ID and the APP ID are matched; A third step in which the content playback device installs the downloaded app (APP) and matches the app ID to the device ID to store the client-side “device ID-app ID”; A fourth step in which the above APP requests download of specific digital content by transmitting a public key for asymmetric key encryption and the client-side “device ID-app ID” to the content providing server; A fifth step in which the content providing server compares the client-side “device ID-app ID” with the server-side “device ID-app ID”; A sixth step of generating an authentication key consisting of “device ID-app ID-content ID” by matching the content ID, which is a unique identification information of the digital content, to the server-side “device ID-app ID” when the client-side “device ID-app ID” and the server-side “device ID-app ID” match each other; A seventh step of generating an encrypted authentication key by encrypting the authentication key consisting of the above “device ID-app ID-content ID” using the above public key; An 8th step of transmitting the above encryption authentication key and the above digital content to the content playback device; A ninth step of storing the encryption authentication key and the digital content in the content playback device, decrypting the encryption authentication key using a secret key to generate a first decryption authentication key, and storing the first decryption authentication key so as to match the digital content; A 10th step of transmitting the above-mentioned encrypted authentication key to the NFC card using NFC communication and recording it in an NFC tag; An 11th step of reading the encrypted authentication key from the NFC tag by NFC tagging the NFC card to the content playback device; Step 12 of decrypting the encrypted authentication key read from the NFC tag using the secret key to generate a second decryption authentication key; and A 13th step of playing back the digital content matching the first decryption authentication key when the first decryption authentication key and the second decryption authentication key match each other; The fourth step above is again Step 4-1 of requesting a list of downloadable digital contents from the content providing server through the APP of the content playback device; Step 4-2 of outputting the above digital content list through the interface of the above app; and A method for playing back digital content through NFC authentication, characterized by including a step 4-3 of providing the client-side “device ID-app ID” and a public key for asymmetric key encryption to the content providing server, together with download request information for specific digital content selected from the digital content list.

2. In paragraph 1, A method for playing digital content through NFC authentication, characterized in that the content player is a mobile terminal capable of short-range wireless communication with an NFC card and long-range wireless communication with the content provision server, and capable of playing the digital content.

3. In the second paragraph, in the fifth step, A method for playing digital content through NFC authentication, characterized in that if the client-side "device ID-app ID" and the server-side "device ID-app ID" do not match each other, "authentication failure" is responded to the content playback device.

4. In the third paragraph, in the 13th step, A method for playing back digital content through NFC authentication, characterized in that if the first decryption authentication key and the second decryption authentication key do not match each other, “authentication failure” is output through the interface of the app.

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