Secure Content Distribution via Hardware-Isolated Decryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing distribution of digitized content, such as DVDs, incurs substantial costs for providers due to warehousing and piracy concerns, as content providers are reluctant to store content in centralized databases for fear of unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A secure digital content distribution system that uses double encryption (AES and FDE) with a hardware-based encryption engine isolated from the host processor, where the decryption keys are remote and unknown to the distribution server, ensuring secure retrieval and burning of content upon user request.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If content is stored in a centralized database for easy retrieval and distribution, then distribution efficiency is improved, but security risks increase due to piracy and unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the encryption process into two distinct stages: first encryption when content is stored in the database, and second encryption when content is retrieved for distribution. This segmentation allows the database to store only encrypted content without requiring the decryption keys, thereby maintaining security while enabling efficient retrieval and distribution operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary encryption layer where content is encrypted with a first key for database storage and then encrypted again with a second key for distribution. This intermediary double-encryption mechanism allows the system to maintain both security (by keeping keys separate) and distribution efficiency (by enabling key-based access control).
2Reliability
If content is encrypted with remote unknown keys to enhance security, then piracy protection is improved, but decryption complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separate encryption keys for different purposes: a first encryption key for securing content in the database and a second encryption key for securing content during distribution. This copying of encryption functions to different stages simplifies the decryption process at the consumer end, as only the second key needs to be managed for playback, while the first key remains securely stored remotely.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical DVDs are warehoused to satisfy consumer needs, then content availability is improved, but storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces physical DVD warehousing with a digital copying approach where content is stored as encrypted digital copies in a database. This allows unlimited consumers to access the same content simultaneously without requiring physical duplication, dramatically reducing storage requirements while maintaining content availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical physical DVD warehousing system with a digital encryption-based system. Instead of storing physical discs that must be manually handled and inventoried, the system uses encrypted digital storage with key-based access control, eliminating the need for physical storage infrastructure while improving content availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A user selection of one or more of a plurality of content is received. The selected content is encrypted by a first encryption key that is remote and unknown to the distribution server. Payment information associated with the user selection is also received and verified. The selected content from is retrieved from a remote database. The first encryption key corresponding to the selected content to decrypt the encrypted content corresponding to the user selection is obtained. Decryption is performed by a hardware-based engine of the distribution server that is isolated from a host processor of the distribution server. The content corresponding to the user selection is encrypted according to a second encryption key that is known to the distribution server.