DRM Packaging for Connected Devices Without Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

Service providers and device manufacturers face challenges in implementing digital rights management for content and services across connected devices, including smart cars and navigation systems, especially when devices have intermittent or no network connectivity, making it difficult to transfer and activate protected content seamlessly.

Innovation Solution

A system that provides digital rights management within a connected environment by packaging content and services into a DRM format based on device and user identification, allowing transmission and activation even without network connectivity, using a web-based companion portal to connect devices and enable access from companion mobile devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital rights management is implemented for content and services across connected devices, then content security is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of activation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a DRM server as an intermediary component that manages digital rights and content protection. The server receives activation requests from devices, validates DRM licenses, and coordinates with companion devices to enable seamless content access. This intermediary approach maintains content security while offloading complexity from individual devices to a centralized management system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If DRM protected content is transmitted to devices with intermittent connectivity, then accessibility is improved, but activation reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent accessibilityVSAvoidactivation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing device registration and DRM license validation before content transmission. Devices are pre-registered with the DRM server, and activation requests are validated in advance. This preliminary setup ensures that even when devices have intermittent connectivity, the activation process can proceed reliably using pre-established credentials and cached authentication data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The DRM server acts as an intermediary that coordinates activation between companion devices and target devices with intermittent connectivity. The server maintains authentication state and can validate activation requests even when direct device-to-device communication is unavailable, ensuring reliable content delivery across connectivity challenges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If content is packaged in DRM format based on device identification, then content protection is improved, but transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent protectionVSAvoidpackaging complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The DRM packaging system operates autonomously by automatically retrieving device identification information, selecting appropriate DRM formats, and encapsulating content without manual intervention. The system self-manages the entire packaging workflow from device authentication to content encryption, reducing operational complexity while maintaining robust content protection through automated format selection and license binding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3167398B1Method and apparatus for transmitting, activating, purchasing and accessing protected content and services from connected devices
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 HERE GLOBAL BV
  • EP3167398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3167398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3167398B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An approach is provided for providing digital rights management within a connected service and content ecosystem. The approach involves receiving a request for content for use at at least one device, wherein the request originates from at least one companion device. The approach also involves causing at least in part, a packaging of the content according to at least one digital rights management format based, at least in part, on identification information associated with at least one of: the at least one device; the at least one companion device; at least one user associated with the at least one device, the at least one companion device, or a combination thereof; and the content. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, a transmission of the packaged content, at least one link to the packaged content, or a combination thereof to the at least one device, the at least one companion device, or a combination thereof. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, an activation of the packaged content for use at the at least one device.