On-Demand Content Distribution via HDCP Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current copyright protection technologies, such as DTCP-IP and HDCP, face challenges in allowing copyrighted content to be transferred between devices, especially when the source device needs to stream content in response to a request from the sink device, and they are not designed for on-demand content distribution.
Innovation Solution
A content distribution method where a source device transmits metadata to a sink device, allowing the sink device to request and receive copyrighted content, with the source device encrypting and authenticating the content using a predetermined copyright protection technology like HDCP, enabling secure distribution across a communication network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DTCP-IP is used for copyright protection, then content can be protected during transmission, but content from different sources (digital television broadcasting, DVD) cannot be transferred between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the copyright protection system adaptable to multiple content sources and transmission methods. The source device detects the content source (digital television broadcasting, DVD, etc.) and automatically selects the appropriate copyright protection method (DTCP-IP for network transmission, HDCP for direct connection), enabling seamless transfer of copyrighted content from diverse sources to sink devices without requiring separate protection systems for each source type.
2Reliability
If HDCP is used for copyright protection, then content can be encrypted and protected, but the system cannot support sink device-triggered content requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the copyright protection mechanism flexible and adaptive to different operational modes. The source device dynamically switches between HDCP mode (for direct connection with strong encryption) and request-triggered mode (for on-demand distribution). When a sink device sends a content request, the source device establishes a temporary protected session, transfers the content, and then terminates the connection, enabling both secure protection and on-demand operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the content distribution process into distinct phases: content listing phase (where the source device provides a list of available content items), authentication phase (where the sink device proves its authorization), and content transfer phase (where encrypted content is delivered). This segmentation allows the system to maintain strong copyright protection while enabling on-demand requests, as each phase can be independently managed and controlled.
3Reliability
If content is encrypted for copyright protection, then illegal copying is prevented, but the encrypted content cannot be directly accessed or played
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing the sink device as a trusted mediator in the content delivery process. The sink device, which has been authenticated by the source device, receives the encrypted content and uses its own decryption capability to play the content locally. This intermediary approach allows the content to remain encrypted during transmission (protecting copyright) while enabling direct playback at the sink device without requiring further intervention from the source device.
Data Source
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Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided is a content distribution method which allows a source device to safely distribute copyrighted content to a sink device in response to a request from the sink device as a trigger. The content distribution method includes a list transmission step S11, a content request step S12, and a content transfer step S13. In S11, a source device (30) transmits metadata which includes a format identifier indicating that content is distributable under the specification of the HDCP and the URL of the content. In S12, a sink device (40a) makes a request for content identified by the URL after adding information necessary for authentication processing to the request. In S13, the source device (30) creates an encryption key by performing the authentication processing on the sink device (40a) in accordance with the information necessary for the authentication processing, encrypts the content using the encryption key, and transfers the encrypted content to the sink device (40a).