Decentralized Content Protection With Blockchain Key Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content protection systems rely on centralized servers, incurring high costs and compromising content safety due to the need for a centralized manager, while public blockchains lack security for large-sized content like moving images and high-definition still images.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized content protection system using a blockchain network with multiple computers and connection apparatuses that manage encrypted content decryption keys through a distributed network, ensuring only authorized users can access the content by encrypting and decrypting keys using public and secret keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized server system is used to manage content and authentication, then content access control can be implemented, but high costs and single point of failure risks are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized authentication function into distributed smart contracts deployed across multiple blockchain nodes. Each node independently validates content access requests, eliminating the single point of failure in centralized systems while maintaining authentication control. The content management system is divided into: (1) smart contracts for authentication logic, (2) distributed nodes for validation, and (3) users' devices for key management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer between content providers and users. The blockchain network acts as a neutral mediator that stores and validates authentication information without requiring a central authority. Smart contracts serve as automated intermediaries that execute authentication logic transparently, replacing the need for costly centralized server infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If content decryption keys are stored in a centralized server, then key management is simplified, but security vulnerabilities and access control risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content decryption key into multiple separate key fragments distributed across different blockchain nodes and users' devices. No single entity holds the complete decryption key, making it impossible to compromise content security by attacking a single point. The key management system is divided into: (1) key generation function distributed across nodes, (2) key fragments stored separately, and (3) reconstruction capability requiring multiple fragments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service key management where each user generates and manages their own secret keys and authentication credentials locally on their device. Users independently control their access rights without relying on centralized key distribution. The system provides self-service through: (1) local key generation, (2) autonomous authentication, and (3) personal access control management.
3Reliability
If large-sized content is stored on a public blockchain, then content integrity is ensured, but storage costs and network bandwidth consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments content into two distinct parts with different storage locations: (1) content metadata, authentication information, and decryption key fragments are stored on the blockchain to ensure integrity and access control, while (2) the actual large-sized content files are stored off-chain in distributed file systems or other storage infrastructure. This segmentation allows the system to maintain content integrity through blockchain verification without bearing the prohibitive cost of storing large files on-chain.
4Ease of operation
If a public blockchain is used for content access, then transparency and accessibility are improved, but content secrecy and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different parts of the system: the blockchain layer maintains transparency and accessibility for metadata and authentication logic, while the content delivery layer implements secrecy through encrypted content storage and selective key distribution. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of accessibility and secrecy by optimizing each layer for its specific requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces encrypted content storage and selective key distribution as intermediary mechanisms between the public blockchain and content access. The blockchain serves as a public intermediary for authentication, while encrypted content acts as a protected intermediary layer that only authorized users with appropriate key fragments can access. This intermediary encryption layer reconciles the contradiction between public accessibility and content secrecy.
Data Source
AI summary
An connection apparatus receives a purchase desire notification including a public key from another connection apparatus via a blockchain network and transmits an encrypted content key acquired by encrypting a content key using the public key to the other connection apparatus via the blockchain network. The other connection apparatus transmits the purchase desire notification to the one connection apparatus and transmits transmission source information representing a transfer destination of the content to the blockchain network. In addition, the other connection apparatus decrypts the encrypted content key from the one connection apparatus using the stored secret key. In a case in which the encrypted content key is received, the blockchain network changes an owner represented in owner management information to the transfer destination.