Encrypted Game Content via Physical Object Decryption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing game devices that use action figure toys for content implementation are vulnerable to hacking, allowing unauthorized access to content associated with toys not present on the reader, compromising copy protection.

Innovation Solution

Implementing encrypted content in games using physical objects where decryption keys are stored on these objects, allowing devices to decrypt and implement content only when the corresponding physical objects are present, using technologies like RFID, NFC, or Bluetooth for key retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If decryption keys are stored on physical objects and distributed with them, then content security is improved, but device complexity increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the decryption key from the game content by storing it on separate physical objects (toys, figures, or dongles). This segmentation ensures that even if the game content is compromised, the decryption keys remain protected on physical carriers that require physical possession to access, thereby improving content security while adding manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Physical objects serve as intermediaries between the user and the encrypted content. These objects contain decryption keys and must be physically present to decrypt and access specific game content. This intermediary layer adds security by requiring physical possession while managing complexity through standardized reader interfaces that handle the decryption process automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If encrypted content is implemented that requires physical objects for decryption, then unauthorized access prevention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized access preventionVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-distributing physical objects containing decryption keys to authorized users before they need to access the content. This preliminary distribution ensures that when users want to access game content, they already have the necessary keys, reducing friction. The reader automatically detects and uses these keys without requiring complex user configuration, maintaining ease of operation while preventing unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sets of encrypted content are stored on the device, then content versatility is improved, but loss of information increases due to hacking risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent versatilityVSAvoidcontent exposure to hacking
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments different sets of encrypted content and associates each with unique physical objects containing separate decryption keys. This segmentation allows the device to store multiple content sets without exposing all of them simultaneously - only content corresponding to present physical objects can be decrypted. This maintains content versatility while protecting against hacking by ensuring that compromising one content set does not expose others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides a secure multi-tiered protection mechanism, ensuring that encrypted content is revealed only when the associated physical objects are present, effectively preventing unauthorized access and enhancing content security.

Implementation Method 1

The presence of the action figure toys on the reader is typically made by detecting tags stored on the action figure toys using technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

detecting tags stored on the action figure toys using technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNFC (Near Field Communication): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2821115B1Implementing encrypted content in a game
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC
  • EP2821115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2821115B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2821115B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device, method, and an action figure toy for implementing encrypted content for implementation in a game are disclosed. The encrypted content may relate to physical objects, such as action figure toys corresponding movie characters and/or any other physical objects. Such content may be encrypted separately and distinctively during a development stage of the game. Decryption keys for decrypting the encrypted content may be stored on and distributed with corresponding physical objects. A set of encrypted content associated with such a physical object may be decrypted upon presence of the physical object detected by a reader configured to read information stored on the physical object and responsive to receiving the decryption key stored on the physical object. The decrypted content may be implemented in the game responsive to the presence of the physical object on the reader.