Playback Device Product Identifier for DRM Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital rights management (DRM) systems face challenges in reliably identifying and certifying consumer electronics products, particularly in ensuring that devices within a product line operate correctly and securely within the DRM system.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using a playback device with a processor and memory configured to store a product identifier associated with specific products and cryptographic information. This product identifier is communicated to a server to request and receive encrypted content, and it includes a product credential reference identifier generated using product tag data, which helps verify the device's authenticity and compliance with the DRM system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a DRM system uses a certification system to approve device models or product lines, then security and authorization are improved, but device complexity and identification reliability deteriorate due to difficulty in reliably identifying devices within a product line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the product identification into multiple distinct components: a product identifier that identifies the product line, and a device identifier that uniquely identifies the specific device. This segmentation allows the DRM system to certify product lines while maintaining simple, reliable identification at the device level, resolving the contradiction between security and identification complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to product identification by using a combination of product identifier and device identifier rather than relying on a single complex identifier. This dimensional approach simplifies the certification process while maintaining security, as the DRM system can approve product lines based on the product identifier while the device identifier provides unique device-level identification.
2Reliability
If a DRM system requires cryptographic keys for content playback, then content protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex registration and key management processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the playback device automatically generates and manages its own cryptographic keys and identifiers. The device autonomously performs registration by communicating its product and device identifiers to the DRM system, which automatically provisions the necessary cryptographic credentials. This eliminates complex manual key management processes while maintaining strong content protection.
3Reliability
If a DRM system certifies product lines through testing, then authorization reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming certification processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having product lines pre-certified at the product identifier level before individual devices need to be authorized. The DRM system maintains a database of pre-approved product identifiers with their associated cryptographic information. When a new device is introduced, it simply needs to present its product and device identifiers, and authorization is automatically granted if the product identifier is in the pre-certified database, dramatically speeding up the certification process while maintaining authorization reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for identifying consumer electronic products using a playback device with a product identifier in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a playback device includes a processor and memory configured to store a product identifier, where the product identifier is associated with a specific product and is associated with cryptographic information, wherein the processor is configured by a client application to request content from a server, communicate the product identifier to a server, and receive encrypted content accessible using cryptographic information including the cryptographic information associated with the product identifier.