Segmented Digital Rights Management Authentication and Decryption Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital rights management systems in mobile devices increase power consumption due to the need for extra processing, which shortens battery life in battery-powered devices.

Innovation Solution

A digital rights management system that includes an authentication module and a decryption module, where the authentication module powers down after retrieving authentication information, allowing the host processing circuit to be powered down, and a power management module that selectively powers up and down these components to reduce power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital rights management processing is implemented in mobile devices, then content protection capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent protection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The DRM processing system is segmented into two separate processors: a primary processor for general device functions and a secondary processor specifically for DRM-protected content processing. This segmentation allows the primary processor to be powered down during DRM operations, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining content protection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power management module implements periodic power cycling of the primary processor, powering it down during DRM content processing and powering it up only when needed for non-DRM operations. This periodic action reduces average power consumption while ensuring the primary processor is available when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If two separate processors are used in mobile devices, then functional separation is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional separationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power management module implements periodic power cycling of the primary processor, powering it down during DRM content processing and powering it up only when needed for non-DRM operations. This periodic action reduces average power consumption while ensuring the primary processor is available when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary processor is designed to autonomously handle DRM-protected content processing without requiring the primary processor to remain active. This self-service capability allows the secondary processor to independently manage power consumption for DRM operations, reducing the overall power burden on the mobile device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2294527B1Distributed digital rights management system and method
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 ATI TECHNOLOGIES ULC
  • EP2294527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2294527B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2294527B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A digital rights management system includes an authentication module and a decryption module. If desired, the modules can be implemented in separate integrated circuits. The authentication module retrieves authentication information for protected content and powers down after the authentication information is retrieved. The decryption module decrypts the protected content based on the authentication information while the authentication module is powered down.