Key Management System for Secure Content Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Internet's insecurity hampers content providers' ability to realize compensation for distributed content, as existing security measures are inadequate and often intrusive, leading to unauthorized copying and privacy concerns.
Innovation Solution
A system with a client application that manages encryption keys to securely distribute content, allowing content providers to condition access and enforce policies, using server-side components and client devices to ensure encrypted content delivery and storage, with different access levels and terms for users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional security measures are applied to protect content, then content security is improved, but user convenience and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a key management system as an intermediary between content providers and users. This system uses public-key cryptography to enable secure content distribution without requiring users to manually manage security protocols. The key management server acts as a mediator that handles key generation, distribution, and revocation, thereby maintaining security while preserving user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to automatically receive and manage their own encryption keys through the key management system. Users can autonomously access encrypted content by retrieving their keys from the key management server without requiring manual security configuration or intervention from content providers, thus achieving both security and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If encryption is applied to protect content, then content protection is improved, but access control flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control through the key management system, which can issue, revoke, and update encryption keys in real-time based on user permissions and content access rights. The system dynamically adjusts which users receive which keys, allowing flexible content distribution policies while maintaining strong encryption protection. This enables content providers to grant or revoke access rights without re-encrypting the actual content.
3Reliability
If security applications are implemented to prevent unauthorized access, then content security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex security management functions into a separate key management server, isolating the cryptographic operations from the content delivery system. This modular approach allows the content distribution infrastructure to remain simple while the dedicated key management system handles all security operations. Users interact with a simplified interface that automatically manages the underlying cryptographic complexity.
4Reliability
If traditional DRM systems are used to protect content, then content piracy prevention is improved, but user privacy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements fine-grained control over information disclosure by allowing different levels of privacy protection for different users and content types. The key management system can selectively reveal minimal necessary information (such as basic user identification) while keeping sensitive personal data private. This localized approach to information disclosure maintains piracy prevention capabilities while respecting user privacy preferences.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for enabling content to be securely and conveniently distributed to authorized users are provided. More particularly, content is maintained in encrypted form on sending and receiving devices, and during transport. In addition, policies related to the use of, access to, and distribution of content can be enforced. Features are also provided for controlling the release of information related to users. The distribution and control of contents can be performed in association with a client application that presents content and that manages keys.