Hierarchical Key Management for Secure Content Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current content security systems for limited distributions, such as new movies and award ceremony voting, face challenges in preventing unauthorized copying and distribution, as control over DVD disks and internet transmissions can be compromised, leading to unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a unique media key for each player based on a device key and class key, encrypts a title key using both the media key and media identification, and writes encrypted content, incorporating a smart card for authentication and conditional access, to provide secure content distribution and prevent unauthorized copying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If DVD disks and Internet transmissions are used for limited distribution, then content distribution efficiency is improved, but security control deteriorates leading to unauthorized copying
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption system segments the content protection into multiple layers: content encryption keys, title keys, and arbitration keys. Each layer provides a different level of protection and access control, allowing efficient distribution while maintaining security through hierarchical key management
Solution Approach 2:
Arbitration data acts as an intermediary between the encrypted content and the decryption process. This arbitration information contains authorization data that mediates access control, enabling the system to distribute content efficiently while maintaining security through controlled key release
2Reliability
If strong encryption is used to prevent unauthorized copying, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitration data structure serves multiple functions: it stores authorization information, enables decryption control, and provides a framework for different access levels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate security mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining strong security
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses variable parameter encryption where the effective security level and decryption permissions are dynamically changed through arbitration data. This allows the same encryption framework to adapt to different security requirements without increasing structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for securing a content is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating a media key by decrypting a media key block based on a device key unique to a particular player of a plurality of players, (B) modifying the media key by decryption based on a class key such that the media key is unique for each of a plurality of subscriber classes, (C) writing an encrypted title key in a media by encrypting a title key based on both the media key after modification and a media identification value unique to the media and (D) writing an encrypted content in the media by encrypting the content based on the title key.