DRM-Compliant Format Conversion for Mobile Playback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for converting MPEG2-TS format content from optical disks to MP4 format for mobile devices do not consider Digital Rights Management (DRM), leading to issues with playback and verification of correct conversion.

Innovation Solution

An information processing method that includes holding a device key, reading encrypted content and conversion control information, decoding the content, converting it to an export format, and generating playback right information based on a flag indicating compatibility, ensuring correct conversion and DRM compliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the file format is converted from MPEG2-TS to MP4 for mobile device compatibility, then adaptability to mobile devices is improved, but DRM protection and playback verification capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile device compatibilityVSAvoidDRM protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces conversion control information as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between format conversion and DRM protection. This metadata contains flags indicating playback compatibility and DRM status, allowing the system to maintain protection while enabling format conversion. The intermediary carries authorization information from the original MPEG2-TS content to the converted MP4 output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of conversion control information before executing the format conversion. By checking flags in the conversion control information beforehand, the system determines whether playback rights should be granted in the converted format, preventing unauthorized conversions before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If format conversion is performed without considering DRM, then conversion simplicity is improved, but playback verification accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion simplicityVSAvoidplayback verification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary reading and analysis of conversion control information containing flags before executing format conversion. This preliminary check determines playback compatibility and DRM status, ensuring accurate verification without complicating the conversion process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback from conversion control information flags to control the playback rights generation process. The system reads the flags, processes them through the conversion, and uses the flag information to determine whether to grant playback rights in the exported format, creating a closed-loop verification system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10419789B2Information processing method, information processor, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A method includes: holding a device key provided to an information processing terminal; reading an encrypted content and conversion control information from a recording medium; decoding the read encrypted content using the held device key to obtain a decoded content; converting the decoded content into an export format to obtain an export content; generating playback right information indicating that the information processing terminal can play back the converted export content according to the read conversion control information; and controlling whether the playback right information can be generated according to a first flag.