Content Distribution System Segmentation for Flexible Digital Rights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems lack flexibility in allowing content recipients to purchase or license subsets of related content, and they typically distribute content under a single set of digital rights criteria, failing to accommodate different content providers' requirements.
Innovation Solution
A content-distribution system that distinguishes between device-restricted and device-unrestricted content, providing cryptographic keys and verification parameters to enable flexible distribution and authentication, allowing users to access subsets of related content based on different digital rights criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing DRM systems distribute content under a single set of digital rights criteria, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different content providers' requirements is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments digital rights criteria into distinct types (device-restricted and device-unrestricted criteria) and associates each content piece with specific criteria identifiers. This allows the system to handle multiple digital rights frameworks without requiring a completely new system structure, as each content item can be independently configured with its applicable criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal DRM system that can operate under multiple digital rights criteria types simultaneously. The system uses a unified structure with flexible criterion associations, allowing the same infrastructure to serve both device-restricted and device-unrestricted content distribution models without requiring separate systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing DRM systems require purchase of complete content sets, then the licensing process is simple, but the flexibility for users to select subsets is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments related content into individually licensable units while maintaining their relational structure. Each content piece within a related set can be independently associated with licensing information, allowing users to select and license only the specific subsets they need rather than being forced to purchase complete sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic licensing where the system can adaptively present different licensing options based on user selection. The licensing process becomes flexible and configurable, allowing users to dynamically choose which content subsets to license from related sets, with the system adjusting the licensing terms accordingly.
3Reliability
If cryptographic keys are stored in media storage structures for device-restricted content, then content security is improved, but the risk of key exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments cryptographic protection by using different key management approaches for different content types. Device-restricted content uses embedded cryptographic keys in the media storage structure, while device-unrestricted content uses external verification parameters. This segmentation allows each content type to receive appropriate security measures without unnecessarily increasing exposure risk across all content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different security qualities to different content based on their distribution requirements. Device-restricted content receives stronger local security through embedded keys, while device-unrestricted content uses lighter verification mechanisms. This localized security approach ensures adequate protection where needed without unnecessarily increasing key exposure risk in other areas.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the invention provide a content-distribution system for distributing content under a variety of different basis. For instance, in some embodiments, the content-distribution system distributes device-restricted content and device-unrestricted content. Device-restricted content is content that can only be played on devices that the system associates with the particular user. Device-unrestricted content is content that can be played on any device without any restrictions. However, for at least one operation or service other than playback, device-unrestricted content has to be authenticated before this operation or service can be performed on the content. In some embodiments, the system facilitates this authentication by specifying a verification parameter for a piece of device-unrestricted content. The content-distribution system of some embodiments has a set of servers that supply (1) media storage structures that store content, (2) cryptographic keys that are needed to decrypt device-restricted content, and (3) verification parameters that are needed to verify device-unrestricted content. In some embodiments, the device that receives the media storage structure inserts the received cryptographic key or verification parameter in the received media storage structure. In some embodiments, the set of servers also supply cryptographic content keys for the device-unrestricted content. These keys are used to decrypt the content upon arrival, upon first playback, or at some other time. However, some embodiments do not store these cryptographic keys in the media storage structures for the device-unrestricted content.