Flash Memory Usage Control via Certificate-Based Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current usage control technologies, such as AACS, inadequately address protection of copyrighted content stored on flash memory devices like USB memory cards, lacking sufficient stipulations for usage control and copyright protection compared to disc-based systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an information processing device and method that employs a memory card with a protected area and a general-purpose area, using certificates for access control, where a host certificate and server certificate determine access permissions, and a content usage sequence that activates appropriate playback programs based on content type to restrict unauthorized use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If AACS usage control configuration is applied to disc-based content, then copyright protection is improved, but it cannot be effectively applied to flash memory devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts the AACS usage control configuration by changing the parameter of storage medium type from disc-based to flash memory. It modifies the usage control rules to account for the different characteristics of flash memory devices, enabling the same copyright protection framework to be applied across different storage media types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal usage control configuration that can function across multiple storage media types. By designing the usage control rules to be medium-agnostic while incorporating device-specific identification mechanisms, the system achieves multi-functionality that works for both disc-based and flash memory devices.
2Productivity
If flash memory devices are used for content storage, then portability and capacity are improved, but usage control and copyright protection become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flash memory device into distinct functional areas: a protected area for storing usage control rules and copyright information, and a general-purpose area for content storage. This segmentation allows the device to maintain high storage capacity while dedicating specific regions to security and control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces usage control rules as an intermediary layer between the content and the playback device. These rules act as mediators that enforce copyright restrictions by controlling which devices can access and play back the content, thereby providing reliable usage control without affecting the underlying storage capacity.
3Reliability
If protected area is added to flash memory device, then copyright protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the usage control functionality with the existing flash memory device structure by integrating the protected area into the memory card's internal architecture. Rather than adding a separate external security module, the usage control rules are stored within the device itself, combining storage and security functions in a unified structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing system including a medium where a content to be played is stored; and a playing apparatus for playing a content stored in the medium; with the playing apparatus being configured to selectively activate a playing program according to a content type to be played, to obtain a device certificate correlated with the playing program from storage by executing the playing program, and to transmit the obtained device certificate to the medium; with the device certificate being a device certificate for content types in which content type information where the device certificate is available is recorded; and with the medium determining whether or not an encryption key with reading being requested from the playing apparatus is an encryption key for decrypting an encrypted content matching an available content type recorded in the device certificate, and permitting readout of the encryption key only in the case of matching.