Portable Client Device Content Protection via Decryption Key Destruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content protection methods fail to effectively control the spatial and temporal access to encrypted audio and visual content, particularly in multi-cast networks, where unauthorized users can access content beyond intended areas and times.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a portable client device that receives and stores encrypted content and decryption keys, with the decryption key being destroyed when the device is out of range of a wireless network or upon a predetermined event, ensuring that the content can only be accessed within a controlled spatial area and time, using a network interface, storage device, and decryption key destroying mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If content is encrypted and decryption keys are distributed to client devices, then authorized users can access content, but unauthorized users may also obtain and retain decryption keys enabling them to access content beyond intended areas and times
Solution Approach 1:
The decryption key is made dynamic rather than static. The key is automatically destroyed when the client device moves outside the designated spatial area or when the predetermined time expires. This dynamic destruction mechanism ensures that even if unauthorized users obtain the key initially, they cannot use it beyond the authorized spatiotemporal boundaries, thus resolving the contradiction between providing access to authorized users and preventing unauthorized access.
2Ease of operation
If decryption keys are stored permanently in client devices, then users can access content at any time, but content providers lose control over when and where content is viewed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing predetermined destruction conditions before content access occurs. These conditions include spatial boundaries (geofencing) and temporal limits (expiration times). When these pre-set conditions are met, the decryption key is automatically destroyed, ensuring that content access is automatically revoked without requiring ongoing monitoring or intervention, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliable access control.
3Productivity
If content is made available on a network for multiple devices, then content distribution is efficient, but controlling which devices can access content becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where client devices continuously report their location and status to the content management system. The system monitors whether devices remain within authorized spatial boundaries and whether predetermined time conditions are met. Based on this feedback, the system automatically triggers decryption key destruction when conditions are violated, enabling efficient content distribution while maintaining simple yet effective access control through automated monitoring and response.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a content protection method and apparatus. The content protection method and apparatus further improves such related schemes by facilitating spatial as well as temporal management of content. This is achieved by storing encrypted content and a corresponding decryption key and destroying the decryption key when suitable. In order to further facilitate the content protection, the decryption key may be received periodically, which allows for a large number of people to connect to the network at different times.