Management Apparatus for Secure Content Duplication via Identifier Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional DVD or Blu-ray Discs cannot be easily copied for viewing on mobile terminals due to protection against unauthorized copying, which limits user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a management apparatus and a copying apparatus, where the management apparatus receives identifiers from the copying apparatus to determine permission for copying content from an original recording medium to a copy recording medium, ensuring secure copying while allowing user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If content is protected from unauthorized copying using encryption and copy protection mechanisms, then copyright protection is improved, but user convenience for viewing content on mobile terminals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecopyright protectionVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the copy protection mechanism into multiple components: original-medium identifier verification, permission information generation, and conditional copying approval. The management apparatus separates the protection logic from the copying process, allowing legitimate copies to be made while maintaining copyright protection through identifier matching and permission validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The management apparatus acts as an intermediary between the copying apparatus and the content protection system. It receives original-medium identifiers, verifies them against registered identifiers, and issues permission information that enables legitimate copying. This intermediary role resolves the contradiction by mediating between protection requirements and user copying needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If copy protection mechanisms are implemented to prevent unauthorized copying, then security against unauthorized copying is improved, but the ability to legally copy content for personal use deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized copying preventionVSAvoidlegal copying capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The copy protection system transitions from a static prohibition approach to a dynamic permission-based approach. The management apparatus dynamically evaluates original-medium identifiers against registered identifiers and adjusts copying permissions accordingly. This allows the system to adapt between preventing unauthorized copying and enabling legal copying based on real-time identifier verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of copy permission from a fixed state to a variable state determined by identifier matching. By comparing original-medium identifiers with registered identifiers, the system dynamically adjusts whether copying is permitted, thus resolving the contradiction between preventing unauthorized copying and enabling legal copying through parameter-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a management system with identifier verification is implemented, then copying security is improved, but system complexity increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The complex identifier verification and permission management logic is extracted from the copying apparatus and placed in a separate management apparatus. This extraction reduces the complexity of the copying device while maintaining security through centralized management. The management apparatus handles the verification of original-medium identifiers and generation of permission information, isolating the complex logic from the copying function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If permission information is transmitted for each copying operation, then copying control accuracy is improved, but communication overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecopying control accuracyVSAvoidpermission verification time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of original-medium identifiers in the management apparatus before copying operations occur. This preliminary action stores reference identifiers that can be quickly matched during copying operations, reducing the time required for permission verification while maintaining accurate control through pre-established identifier relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2541459B1Management device and duplication device
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2541459B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2541459B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2541459B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The management apparatus 105a manages copying of information from an original recording medium 101a to a copy recording medium 102a. The management apparatus 105a comprises: a transmission/reception unit 701a configured to receive an original-medium identifier from the copying apparatus 104a and to transmit permission information to the copying apparatus 104a, the original-medium identifier identifying the original recording medium, and the permission information indicating permission for the copying of the information; and a control unit 708a configured to determine whether to permit the copying of the information based on the received original-medium identifier and a registered original-medium identifier that identifies a registered original recording medium, and to allow the transmission/reception unit 701a to transmit the permission information when determining to permit the copying.