DRM Playback Control with Backup Time Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content playback systems that use Digital Rights Management (DRM) techniques face issues when clock malfunctions occur, leading to inaccurate time information, which can result in users being unable to access content even when they have paid for it, causing inconvenience and dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A content playback apparatus that includes a license storage unit, a measurement unit, a determination unit, and a malfunction detection unit, which allows playback if a predetermined condition is met even when the time measurement reliability is low, enabling flexible determination of content usability and avoiding unnecessary restrictions on playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system prohibits playback when clock malfunction is detected, then content security is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the clock by introducing alternative time sources (GPS satellite, radio wave signal) when the original clock malfunctions. This allows the system to maintain accurate time measurement for DRM verification without permanently prohibiting playback, thus resolving the contradiction between security and convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary time measurement mechanisms (GPS receiver, radio wave signal receiver) that mediate between the malfunctioning clock and the DRM verification system. These intermediaries provide backup time information, allowing the system to verify content usage conditions even when the primary clock fails, thereby maintaining both security and user access.
2Reliability
If the system uses accurate time measurement for DRM verification, then content protection is improved, but system vulnerability to clock failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares backup time measurement methods in advance (GPS satellite positioning, radio wave signal reception) to cushion against potential clock failures. This prior cushioning ensures that when the primary clock malfunctions, the system can immediately switch to alternative time sources without compromising DRM verification or content protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The time measurement system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple time sources (internal clock, GPS satellite, radio wave signal) that can serve the same purpose of providing time information for DRM verification. This universality makes the system more robust against single-point failures while maintaining content protection.
Data Source
AI summary
When a secure counter malfunction detection unit 212 deters a malfunction in a secure counter 211, a content playability judgment unit 206 performs a content playability judgment based on information managed by a malfunctioning-state playback processing management unit 214. The malfunctioning-state playback processing management unit 214 stores a malfunctioning-state playback condition composed of information such as a playback count and a playback time. The content playability judgment unit 206 judges that content is playable when the malfunctioning-state playback condition is met, and a content playback unit 210 splays the content.