Digital Content Security via Compressed Output Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for delivering digital content lack effective mechanisms to control whether scrambled compressed content can be used in a clear compressed format or only after decoding, leading to potential bypassing of content protection and conditional access schemes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of additional security features, including headend control and an additional decryption element, ensures that content can only be output in a clear uncompressed format after specific encryption and decryption processes, preventing the production of clear compressed output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional security features and headend control are implemented to prevent clear compressed output, then content protection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent protection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the content processing path into multiple controlled stages: encryption at headend, conditional decryption at receiver, and format control mechanisms. This segmentation allows independent control of each stage to prevent clear compressed output while maintaining manageable complexity in each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary control mechanism is introduced between the decryption and output stages that validates and controls the output format based on headend instructions. This intermediary layer ensures content protection reliability by blocking unauthorized clear compressed output without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If content is encrypted and additional decryption elements are added to control output format, then security against unauthorized transmission is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized transmission protectionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through automated format control where the receiver automatically adheres to headend instructions regarding output format. The conditional access mechanism autonomously prevents clear compressed output without requiring manual intervention, balancing security with operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by introducing format control flags and encryption states that automatically adjust the content processing behavior. These parameter changes enable the system to maintain ease of operation while enforcing security requirements through programmable control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If clear compressed output is allowed for legitimate uses, then adaptability of the system is improved, but the risk of bypassing content protection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput format adaptabilityVSAvoidcontent protection bypass risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by preemptively controlling the output format through headend instructions before any potential bypass attempt. The conditional access mechanism pre-establishes rules that prevent clear compressed output unless explicitly authorized, countering potential security threats before they can manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic adaptability where the allowed output format changes based on real-time authorization decisions from the headend. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to different legitimate use cases while maintaining security flexibility, permitting clear compressed output only when currently authorized by the content protection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8755523B2System for securing access to data streams

Publication Date: 2014.06.17 SYNAMEDIA LTD

AI summary

A method for protecting digital content is described. The method includes receiving compressed encrypted digital content, determining an output format based, at least in part, on all of the following: a user-requested output format; received control information; and a rule determining whether a clear compressed output format is allowedand producing output from the compressed digital content based on a result of the determining, wherein, if the rule does not allow clear compressed output format, the compressed encrypted digital content is provided in a form which prevents production of clear compressed output in the producing step. Related apparatus and methods are also described.