Protected Content Item Structure for DRM Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content protection and digital rights management (DRM) systems face limitations in enabling interoperability of protected content across multiple devices, particularly due to computational burdens on devices with limited processing power and storage, and limited control over device capabilities for content conversion between protection schemes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a protected content item structure using MPEG-21 IPMP Components, which allows for multiple content protection schemes and enables devices to download support for these schemes at any time, including references to locations for scheme retrieval, facilitating transcryption and rights mapping for seamless playback across various devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If content is encrypted with multiple content protection schemes to enable interoperability across devices, then compatibility and interoperability are improved, but device complexity and computational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content protection schemes into separate, identifiable components within the protected content item structure. Each protection scheme is stored as a distinct element with its own encryption data, allowing devices to selectively process only the schemes they support rather than handling all possible schemes uniformly, thereby reducing computational burden while maintaining interoperability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-encrypting content with multiple content protection schemes before distribution. The protected content item structure includes pre-organized references to locations where encryption algorithms and cryptographic material can be retrieved. This allows receiving devices to identify supported schemes in advance and prepare appropriate decryption capabilities, reducing real-time computational requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices perform transcryption and rights mapping to convert content between protection schemes, then content compatibility across devices is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-preparing multiple encrypted versions of the content with different protection schemes before the content is distributed to devices. The protected content item structure includes pre-organized metadata that identifies which protection schemes are applied and where the corresponding decryption information can be found. This eliminates the need for time-consuming transcryption operations at playback time, as devices can directly access the pre-encrypted content in their supported formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating multiple copies of the content encrypted with different content protection schemes within the same protected content item structure. Each copy is accompanied by references to the corresponding decryption algorithms and cryptographic material. This allows receiving devices to select and process only the copy in the protection scheme they support, avoiding the time-consuming process of converting between schemes while maintaining full compatibility.
3Reliability
If content distributors apply DRM schemes to control content access and prevent piracy, then content protection is improved, but device complexity and control over conversion capabilities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure - the protected content item - that mediates between the content distributor's DRM scheme and the receiving device's capabilities. This intermediary structure includes standardized fields for storing encryption data, algorithm references, and cryptographic material locations. It allows the distributor to maintain strong protection through their chosen DRM scheme while providing a controlled interface for conversion to other schemes supported by receiving devices, thereby maintaining distributor control over conversion capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the content protection parameters dynamically based on the receiving device's capabilities. The protected content item structure includes metadata that describes the applied protection schemes and allows selective extraction of encryption data based on device support. This enables the system to change which protection scheme is actively used for playback while maintaining the original DRM protection integrity, giving distributors control over conversion without weakening security.
Data Source
AI summary
Interoperability of protected content items between computing devices is facilitated by providing content items having a standard representation, and media players having support for the content item representations. The representation of the content item may be limited by a profile as to the elements it contains. The elements allowed in the content item may also be limited.