Portable DRM Device for Secure Digital Content Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital rights management (DRM) systems face challenges in allowing users to transfer licensed digital content while preventing unauthorized copying and use, limiting the versatility of digital appliances that can access the content, and not fully addressing the need for content providers to share in resale revenue.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a DRM device that allows content and license transfer between users, with the license in the seller's device terminating or limiting access, and using a central authority or direct transaction to manage and modify licenses, ensuring secure and controlled access while enabling content portability across various digital appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DRM systems use cryptographic methods and keys to protect digital content, then unauthorized copying and distribution is prevented, but the ability to transfer licensed content between users is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a licensing authority as an intermediary that manages the transfer of digital content between users. The licensing authority issues licenses to DRM devices, enabling controlled transfer while maintaining security. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing a structured system that allows legitimate transfers without compromising cryptographic protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the DRM system into distinct components: content, licenses, DRM devices, and licensing authority. This segmentation allows the content to remain protected while licenses can be transferred independently. The separation enables transfer of usage rights without transferring the protected content itself, resolving the contradiction between protection and transferability.
2Ease of operation
If cryptographic keys and algorithms are stored within the digital appliance or content file, then content access is enabled, but the system becomes vulnerable to hacking and key extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cryptographic keys from the digital appliance and content files, storing them instead in dedicated DRM devices. This extraction removes the vulnerability source (keys accessible within the appliance) while maintaining content access capability through the secured DRM device interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses DRM devices as secure copies that hold the cryptographic keys. Instead of storing keys directly in the vulnerable appliance, the system creates a separate secure copy in the DRM device that can provide keys on demand without exposing them to hacking attempts.
3Reliability
If digital content is tied to specific software applications and devices, then content security is maintained, but the versatility of digital appliances that can access the content is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal DRM devices that can work across multiple types of digital appliances. The DRM device serves as a universal interface that can provide protected content to various devices (televisions, computers, mobile devices) without compromising security. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by decoupling content security from specific device types.
4Adaptability or versatility
If licenses allow transfer of digital content between users, then content portability is improved, but the risk of unauthorized use and copying increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the licensing authority monitors and controls license transfers. The system provides feedback by validating transfer requests, issuing new licenses to the receiving DRM device, and revoking or limiting the original license. This controlled feedback loop enables portability while preventing unauthorized copying through continuous verification.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for reselling digital data content, such as books, other types of documents, music, video, software and games. Such data are stored in a small portable digital rights management (DRM) device, such as a non-volatile memory card or flash drive, along with a license that defines the extent of the use permitted of the data. The content and license data are processed by a microprocessor that is included in the memory card or flash drive, including modification of the license in response to the data content being resold and transferred to another memory card or flash drive. The process is a digital version of selling a book, CD, DVD or the like in a second-hand market.