Broadcast License Retrieval via Hash Mapping for DRM

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in enabling content protection over broadcast channels, particularly for receivers that receive broadcasted media data without a return channel, as they require license acquisition information to access encrypted content.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves broadcasting licenses to receivers using a license signaling message with a hash that identifies the target receiver, allowing them to access and decrypt protected media data without a return channel by mapping the hash to stored encrypted license data, using a broadcast license retriever and Content Decryption Module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If content is encrypted using CENC for DRM protection, then content security is improved, but receivers without return channels cannot acquire licenses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent securityVSAvoidlicense acquisition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding encrypted license data and hash codes directly into the broadcast content before transmission. Receivers can autonomously retrieve licenses by extracting the encrypted license data and decrypting it using their private keys, eliminating the need for return channels or interactive license acquisition processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If broadcast channels are used for content distribution, then coverage area is improved, but content protection becomes difficult without return channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidcontent protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces hash codes as intermediaries between the broadcast content and license verification. The hash codes, embedded in the broadcast content, serve as mediators that enable receivers to identify and retrieve their specific encrypted license data without requiring interactive communication or return channels, thus maintaining content protection over wide broadcast areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If encrypted license data is broadcast to all receivers, then license distribution is simplified, but data transmission volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelicense distributionVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by encrypting license data with individual receiver-specific keys, so that each receiver's license data is unique and only that specific receiver can decrypt it. This allows the broadcast to include encrypted license data for multiple receivers without requiring each receiver to process or store other receivers' license data, efficiently managing data transmission volume while simplifying license distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3308551B1Method and apparatus for enabling content protection over broadcast channels
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3308551B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3308551B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3308551B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A receiver for receiving a media license includes a communication unit configured to receive, from a server, a first message comprising broadcast media data comprising at least a portion that is protected and receive, from the server, a second message comprising encrypted license data and a controller configured to generate a request for a third message indicating the encrypted license data from a content decryption module (CDM) of the receiver, identify one or more hash codes in the second message, and identify the encrypted license data for the receiver based on a mapping between the one or more hash codes and a hash of the third message.