DRM Content Access Mediation via Device Identity Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital rights management systems are inefficient in allowing consumers to access previously purchased media content across multiple devices without incurring high costs and network congestion, as they require frequent requests over leased lines and do not effectively manage digital rights.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that uses unique identifiers on mobile devices to authenticate digital rights holders, allowing content access while reducing network traffic by storing content on servers and enabling sharing between nearby devices when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If consumers access previously purchased media content across multiple devices using existing digital rights management systems, then content accessibility is improved, but network congestion and leased line expenses increase due to frequent requests
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by authenticating the mobile device once to obtain digital rights information, then uses this authenticated state for subsequent content access requests. The server pre- validates the device's right to access content, eliminating the need for repeated authentication negotiations and reducing network traffic for each content access event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a virtualization approach where the content delivery system creates a virtual representation of the content access rights. Instead of repeatedly transmitting actual content data over leased lines, the system uses digital rights information and device identifiers to enable content access, effectively copying the authorization state rather than the content itself, thereby reducing network congestion.
2Reliability
If digital rights management systems authenticate and manage content access for mobile devices, then digital rights protection is improved, but system complexity increases due to authentication and identifier management
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal device identifiers that serve multiple functions: device identification, authentication credentials, and content access authorization. The same identifier (IMSI, MEID, or ESN) is used across different network operations and content access scenarios, eliminating the need for separate authentication mechanisms and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable digital rights protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication process where the server acts as a mediator between the mobile device and the content delivery system. The server receives the device identifier, authenticates the digital rights holder identity, and returns authorization information, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing authentication logic and reducing direct complexity between devices and content sources.
3Ease of operation
If content is delivered frequently over leased lines to mobile devices, then content availability is improved, but leased line expenses and network congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses digital copies of authorization information instead of repeatedly transmitting content data over leased lines. The authenticated device receives authorization to access content, and subsequent content delivery uses this authorization state, reducing leased line usage to essential control signals rather than frequent content transfers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication and authorization before content delivery, establishing the device's right to access content in advance. This preliminary action enables content availability without requiring frequent leased line communications for each content access event, as the authorization state persists across multiple content requests.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer implemented methods and systems are provided for mediating access to content based on digital rights management. A request is received from a mobile device for a unit of content. A digital rights holder identity is identified for the mobile device by using a unique identifier for the mobile device. The unique identifier is an equipment identifier, an international mobile subscriber identity, a mobile subscriber identification number, or a mobile identification number. Whether the digital rights holder identity is associated with a right to receive the unit of content is determined. The unit of content is provided to the mobile device in response to a determination that the digital rights holder identity is associated with the right to receive the unit of content.