Decryption Key Management for Media Content Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional media content distribution systems face inefficiencies and overhead costs due to the dynamic retrieval of individual decryption keys for encrypted media content, leading to delays and poor user experiences when switching between media content programs.
Innovation Solution
Distributing sets of decryption keys that include keys for temporally aligned media content programs, allowing access to new keys from local memory instead of remote retrieval, thereby reducing the need for dynamic key retrieval during program switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If decryption keys are dynamically retrieved on-the-fly from remote sources, then security and key management control are maintained, but switching delays and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by distributing sets of decryption keys in advance to media content access devices. Instead of retrieving keys dynamically when needed, the system pre-provides multiple keys corresponding to temporally aligned media content programs, allowing immediate switching without remote retrieval delays while maintaining security through authorized distribution
2Reliability
If individual decryption keys are retrieved dynamically for each media content program, then key security is maintained, but operational efficiency and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual decryption keys into consolidated sets that are distributed together. Each set contains multiple keys corresponding to different media content programs, allowing the access device to handle multiple programs with a single key distribution operation, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining security through controlled set distribution
3Adaptability or versatility
If decryption keys are distributed as individual keys, then precise key control is achieved, but system complexity and overhead costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the key distribution process into organized sets of decryption keys, where each set corresponds to specific temporally aligned media content programs. This segmentation allows precise control over which keys are distributed together while simplifying the overall system architecture by reducing the number of individual key management operations required
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary systems and methods for managing media content decryption keys in encrypted media content distribution systems and methods are described. An exemplary method includes a user device 1) accessing a set of decryption keys, 2) storing the set of decryption keys in local memory, 3) accessing an encrypted media content program, 4) switching from accessing the encrypted media content program to accessing another encrypted media content program, the another encrypted media content program temporally aligned with the encrypted media content program, 5) using a decryption key included in the set of decryption keys stored in the local memory to decrypt the encrypted media content program before the switching is performed, and 6) using another decryption key included in the set of decryption keys stored in the local memory to decrypt the another encrypted media content program after the switching is performed. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.