Hierarchical Key Derivation for Unauthorized Copy Source Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for controlling access to content struggle to balance widespread distribution with preventing unauthorized copying, particularly in identifying the source of unauthorized copies, and face challenges in securing shared secret credentials in distributed computing environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a key generation and management system that uses Hash Message Authentication Code (HMAC) algorithms and multiple authority key derivation techniques to authenticate requests, derive keys from shared secret credentials, and distribute keys hierarchically, allowing for secure access and identification of unauthorized content sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional access control techniques are used to distribute content widely, then content accessibility is improved, but the ability to identify unauthorized copy sources deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the secret credential into multiple key components (first key, second key, third key) that are distributed to different devices. Each device receives a unique combination of key components, allowing individual identification while maintaining secure access control. This segmentation enables both widespread distribution and source identification of unauthorized copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by giving each device a unique local key component derived from the segmented credential. Each device's key material is locally specific and different from other devices, enabling identification of the specific device that created an unauthorized copy while all devices can access the content.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shared secret credentials are distributed to multiple devices, then access control scalability is improved, but security against credential compromise deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The secret credential is segmented into multiple key components that are separately distributed to different devices. This segmentation allows scalable distribution to many devices while maintaining security, because compromising one device's key components does not expose the complete credential needed to access all content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic key derivation where key components are derived on-demand using HMAC functions with device-specific parameters. The key material is not statically stored but dynamically generated, enhancing security against compromise while enabling scalable access control.
3Productivity
If hierarchical key distribution is implemented, then key management efficiency is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hierarchical key distribution system segments the credential into multiple levels (first key, second key, third key) where each level serves a specific function. This segmentation improves key management efficiency by allowing selective distribution and derivation while the modular structure helps manage system complexity through clear separation of concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-segmenting the secret credential into key components and establishing the hierarchical key derivation structure in advance. This preliminary setup enables efficient on-demand key generation and distribution without complex real-time computations, improving productivity while managing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for authentication generate keys from secret credentials shared between authenticating parties and authenticators. Generation of the keys may involve utilizing specialized information in the form of parameters that are used to specialize keys. Keys and/or information derived from keys held by multiple authorities may be used to generate other keys such that signatures requiring such keys and/or information can be verified without access to the keys. Keys may also be derived to form a hierarchy of keys that are distributed such that a key holder's ability to decrypt data depends on the key's position in the hierarchy relative to the position of a key used to encrypt the data. Key hierarchies may also be used to distribute key sets to content processing devices to enable the devices to decrypt content such that sources or potential sources of unauthorized content are identifiable from the decrypted content.