Dynamic Content Usage Condition Modification in Broadcast Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content distribution systems struggle to dynamically modify content usage conditions during one-way communication, limiting the ability of content service providers and consumers to adapt usage rules without requiring two-way communication, which is often impractical or expensive.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that encrypts content with a title key and transmits it along with a message authentication code (MAC) and a key management block, allowing recipients to modify content usage conditions by decrypting and re-encrypting the combination, enabling flexible modification and re-transmission of content usage conditions within the distribution chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If content usage conditions are defined at the origin of distribution, then content protection is simplified, but adaptability to modify conditions during distribution is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic modification of content usage conditions by allowing intermediate nodes in the distribution chain to change conditions before re-distributing content. The system maintains a mutable usage condition structure that can be updated at any point during broadcast distribution, transforming static origin-defined conditions into dynamic adaptable conditions without compromising protection simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the content distribution system into multiple independent nodes (content origin, intermediate nodes, end users) where each node can independently modify usage conditions. This segmentation allows flexible modification at any point in the chain while maintaining overall system protection through distributed condition management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two-way communication is used for content distribution, then usage conditions can be dynamically modified, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service modification where intermediate nodes autonomously modify usage conditions without requiring external authorization or two-way communication. Each node can independently change conditions based on local needs, and the system maintains integrity through cryptographic signatures and key management blocks, eliminating complex communication requirements while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements unidirectional dynamic modification where usage conditions can be changed at any point in the broadcast chain without requiring feedback communication. The dynamic nature is achieved through mutable condition structures that propagate changes downstream, maintaining adaptability while avoiding two-way communication complexity.
3Reliability
If content usage conditions are embedded in content, then illegal copying is prevented, but flexibility to modify conditions for different scenarios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments content protection into separate modular components: usage conditions, cryptographic keys, and content data. This segmentation allows conditions to be embedded with content for protection while enabling independent modification of conditions at different distribution points, achieving both reliability and flexibility through separated but integrated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in usage conditions without changing the fundamental content structure. Conditions can be modified (e.g., copy limits, distribution rights) while the content itself remains intact, allowing flexible adaptation to different scenarios while maintaining strong protection through cryptographic binding of conditions to content.
4Ease of operation
If a key management block is used for broadcast encryption, then one-way communication is enabled, but capability to modify conditions during distribution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the key management block multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a cryptographic key container and as a vehicle for condition modification. The KMB structure is enhanced to include mutable condition fields that can be updated at any point in the distribution chain, allowing one-way communication to simultaneously enable both secure key distribution and dynamic condition modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic mutability to the traditionally static key management block, allowing conditions within the KMB to be modified at any point during broadcast distribution. This dynamic KMB structure maintains one-way communication capability while enabling flexible condition changes, as modifications are propagated downstream without requiring return communication.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method, system and program product for modifying content usage conditions during broadcast content distribution. Specifically, the present invention allows protected (e.g., encrypted, secured, etc.) content to be received along with content usage conditions, an encrypted combination of the content usage conditions and a title key (e.g., a MAC), and a key management block. Using the key management block, a key encrypting key can be determined for decrypting the combination. Once the combination is decrypted, the content usage conditions can be modified (e.g., edited, added to, etc.).