Secure Media Content Delivery with Revocable Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for securing pre-release media content, such as screener discs, are either costly, inconvenient, or compromise audiovisual quality, failing to effectively prevent unauthorized access and distribution while ensuring high-quality playback.

Innovation Solution

A secure content delivery system that uses a combination of encryption, authentication servers, and watermarks to control access, allowing secure distribution of protected audiovisual content through standard hardware, with revocable authorization codes and imperceptible watermarks for forensic tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If unique watermarks are applied to each screener disc for security tracking, then forensic tracking capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases prohibitively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforensic tracking capabilityVSAvoiddisc replication cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a single master disc that can be copied multiple times to create screener discs. The watermarking is applied digitally through software rather than physically during manufacturing, allowing unlimited copies from one master without additional manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical manufacturing processes with digital methods. Instead of applying unique physical watermarks during disc replication, the system uses digital watermarking software that can embed tracking information into copied discs without requiring specialized manufacturing equipment or processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If proprietary DRM playback equipment is used to prevent leaks, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device compatibility and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against unauthorized accessVSAvoidplayback equipment accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the screener discs compatible with standard, off-the-shelf DVD players and media playback devices. The security is implemented through software-based authorization codes that work with any device capable of reading the disc format, eliminating the need for proprietary hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary authorization code system that mediates between the secure content and standard playback devices. The authorization code acts as a key that enables standard devices to play protected content without requiring specialized hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If secure online delivery systems are used for content distribution, then access control is improved, but audiovisual quality and integration with home theatre systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoidaudiovisual quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-authorsizes the screener discs with authorization codes before distribution. This preliminary security measure is embedded in the disc itself, allowing access control to be enforced at the playback device level without requiring continuous online verification or specialized delivery infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2169578B1System and method for providing a secure content with revocable access
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC
  • EP2169578B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2169578B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2169578B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

There is provided a method for use by a media player to provide access to a media content. The method comprises receiving a request from a user for playing the media content, prompting a user for an authorization code, receiving the authorization code from the user, transmitting the authorization code to an authentication server over a network, receiving a valid authentication message from the authentication server over the network if the authorization code is confirmed to be valid, transmitting the valid authentication message to a content server over the network, retrieving the media content from the content server over the network, wherein the media content incorporates an identification information associating the media content with the user.