Content Protection Interface for Broadcast Access Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current content distribution models, such as the broadcasting and web models, face challenges in enabling interactivity and access to high-quality content due to content protection schemes, limiting the ability of third-party developers to create applications that integrate with broadcast content.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a computer program script to define permissions for content access, allowing third-party developers to create interactive applications by providing a permission framework that enables access to broadcast content while maintaining control over usage and distribution, using a hybrid model that combines the broadcasting and web models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If content protection schemes (e.g., encryption) are implemented in the broadcasting model, then content security and control are improved, but third-party application access and interactivity are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent securityVSAvoidthird-party application access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a content protection interface as an intermediary layer between the encrypted content delivery system and third-party applications. This interface includes components such as a content protection module, decryption module, and permission management system that mediate access to protected content, allowing third-party applications to interact with broadcast content securely without compromising the underlying encryption schemes like HDCP or CI-Plus

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If specialized hardware with narrow API is used in the broadcasting model, then content distribution control is improved, but application flexibility and developer accessibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent distribution controlVSAvoidapplication flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal content protection interface that can work across multiple platforms and application types. The interface design allows both traditional broadcast applications and third-party web-based applications to access protected content through standardized permission mechanisms, enabling the system to serve multiple functions while maintaining centralized control over content distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If open web model applications are used, then application variety and interactivity are improved, but access to high-quality broadcast content is blocked due to encryption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication varietyVSAvoidcontent access
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The content protection interface acts as a bridge that allows open web model applications to access high-quality broadcast content. The interface includes permission verification modules and decryption components that enable third-party developers to create interactive applications using standard web technologies while still accessing encrypted broadcast content through authorized channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If hybrid model is implemented to combine broadcasting and web models, then content access flexibility and interactivity are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent access flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the content protection functionality into distinct modular components including a content protection interface module, permission management module, decryption module, and logging module. This segmentation allows each component to be independently developed, maintained, and updated, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining the hybrid model's flexibility and functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2798554B1Method and system for content distribution
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 KONINK KPN NV
  • EP2798554B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2798554B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2798554B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and systems for enabling content distribution from a first device to a second device are disclosed. A first device is configured to receive content and computer program script from a content source. The computer program script enables a content owner to define permissions that control the use and access of the content. The computer program script or a derivation thereof is provided from the first device to a second device, wherein said second device is communicably connected to the first device. On the basis of the computer program script, a template is generated by the second device for presenting the content. The second device transmits a request for the content and the content is retrieved from the first device in accordance with the permissions.