Capability Revocation in Content Consumption Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing the capability of devices to process and display content remotely are difficult to maintain and enforce, particularly in scenarios where devices have been compromised, as revocation lists are challenging to manage and enforce effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of capability verification information and decryption keys, where the revocation list is cryptographically bound with the decryption key, ensuring that devices can only access content if their capabilities have not been revoked, and the revocation list is up-to-date, thereby enabling granular control and enhanced enforcement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a revocation list is distributed to identify devices to be revoked, then device capability management is enabled, but the system becomes difficult to maintain and enforce

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice capability managementVSAvoidrevocation list maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the revocation list with the activation message into a single integrated structure. The revocation list is not distributed separately but is embedded within the activation message that the device receives anyway, eliminating the need for separate revocation list distribution and maintenance mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The revocation list is provided in advance within the activation message before the device attempts to access content. This preliminary provision of revocation information allows the device to perform capability verification before content decryption, preventing unauthorized access without requiring ongoing revocation list updates or separate verification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If revocation lists are used to control device capabilities, then content security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent securityVSAvoiddevice operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device autonomously performs capability verification by comparing its own capabilities against the revocation list provided in the activation message. The device independently determines whether it should access content based on the revocation information, without requiring external intervention or complex manual verification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The revocation list is provided in advance within the activation message before the device attempts to access content. This preliminary provision of revocation information allows the device to perform capability verification before content decryption, preventing unauthorized access without requiring ongoing revocation list updates or separate verification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If granular control of individual capabilities is implemented, then access control precision is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control precisionVSAvoidcapability verification system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments capabilities into distinct types (e.g., decryption capability, display capability, processing capability) and provides granular revocation control for each capability type. The revocation list can specify which particular capabilities are revoked for a device, allowing precise control over access rights at the capability level rather than treating all capabilities uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3718251B1Capability revocation in a content consumption device
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 NAGRAVISION SA
  • EP3718251B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3718251B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3718251B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Methods and content consumption devices are disclosed that enable a revocation list to be securely enforced and managed, in terms of enforcing version control and providing granular control of individual capabilities, for example. Aspects also relate to enhanced enforcement control of content consumption control information more generally, for example by enforcing version control of activation messages, and/or granular management of individual capabilities.