Home Network Content Access Control via Terminal Expiration Dates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current DTCP-IP systems allow continuous use of content by third-party terminals once registered, leading to unauthorized use beyond personal limits, as they do not effectively restrict access based on registration time and date for remote access.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication apparatus with a terminal registration section that manages expiration dates for terminal registrations, and a content provision section that restricts content access based on these dates, using a predetermined period to limit remote access and prevent continuous use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a terminal is registered in the home server for remote access, then the terminal can continuously use contents in the server, but third-party users can continue to use contents beyond personal use range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access convenienceVSAvoidunauthorized use by third parties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of terminals with the home server before remote access is granted. The registration process pre-establishes authentication credentials and usage parameters, including expiration dates, so that when remote access occurs, the terminal already has predefined restrictions in place rather than requiring real-time verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal registration system dynamically manages access rights by setting expiration dates and usage limits that automatically change over time. The system transitions from static permanent registration to dynamic time-limited registration, where access rights are automatically revoked after the specified period without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If registration limits are removed to allow flexible remote access, then more terminals can access contents, but unauthorized continuous use by unspecified users increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal access flexibilityVSAvoidcopyright protection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes key parameters of terminal registration including expiration dates, usage counts, and time windows. By modifying these parameters dynamically based on registration type and content usage policies, the system maintains flexibility for legitimate users while automatically enforcing restrictions that prevent unauthorized continuous use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If DTCP-IP standard registration is used without time limits, then remote access is simplified, but personal use range restrictions cannot be enforced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration system simplicityVSAvoidexcessive content use

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures time limits and usage restrictions during the terminal registration phase. Rather than adding complex real-time monitoring mechanisms, the restrictions are established in advance as part of the registration process, keeping the overall system simple while effectively preventing excessive use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9785756B2Restriction of use that exceeds a personal use range when transmitting a content accumulated at home via an external network

Publication Date: 2017.10.10 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A communication apparatus includes a tuner, a content storage, and a controller that acquires content from the tuner, for one of providing the content to a terminal or recording the content to the content storage, and registers the terminal, in association with a registration date, to a home network. The terminal requests the content from outside the home network. The controller provides the content to the registered terminal based on a request, from the registered terminal, for the content, where the providing of the content to the registered terminal is based on the request, before an expiration date, for the content. The expiration date is based on the registration date of the registered terminal. The providing of the content to the registered terminal is restricted based on the request, after the expiration date, for the content.