Segmented Variation Data for Illegal Copy Source Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for tracking the source of illegal copy content on digital media, such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs, face challenges due to increased data volume, limited playlist settings, and potential video interruptions during reproduction, making it difficult to accurately identify the source device.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an information processing device and method that uses content with segment areas containing variation data decryptable by different keys, where each item of variation data includes a 192-byte source packet or 6144-byte aligned unit, allowing for embedded digital watermarks and selection based on a variation data identifier to set a reproduction path, enabling reliable source analysis of illegal copy content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple items of variation data are recorded on the disc to enable source tracking, then the ability to identify the source device is improved, but the data volume recorded on the disc increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesource identification accuracyVSAvoiddata volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The video data is segmented into multiple items of variation data, where each item corresponds to a specific reproduction device type. Instead of recording all variation data for all devices, the system divides the content into segments that can be selectively reproduced based on the device's identification information, thereby reducing the total data volume while maintaining source tracking capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different items of variation data are embedded with different identification information tailored to specific reproduction device types. Each item of variation data has local quality characteristics (different encryption keys and identification data) that match specific device profiles, allowing efficient storage by only recording necessary variation items rather than all possible variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If items of variation data are arranged on the disc to accommodate jump reproduction, then video continuity is improved, but the data arrangement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo continuityVSAvoiddata arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary arrangement of items of variation data on the disc during the recording phase. The data is pre-organized in a specific sequence and structure that anticipates future reproduction needs, allowing the reproduction device to simply follow the predetermined arrangement without complex real-time decision-making, thus ensuring video continuity while keeping the reproduction process simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a limited number of playlists are used to control reproduction paths, then the device complexity is reduced, but the number of trackable source devices is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplaylist management complexityVSAvoidsource tracking granularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating separate playlists for each reproduction device (which would require up to 1024 playlists), the system changes the parameter approach by embedding unique identification information directly within each item of variation data. This allows the same playlist structure to handle an effectively unlimited number of devices, as the identification is carried in the data itself rather than in the playlist configuration, maintaining simple playlist management while achieving fine-grained source tracking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3188405B1Information processing device, information recording medium, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3188405B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1(2)
  • EP3188405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3188405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A configuration in which a reliable source of illegal copy content is analyzed using content in which a reproduction path can be set is realized. Content which has a segment area including a plurality of items of variation data which can be decrypted using different keys and in which a reproduction path corresponding to the selected variation data can be set is used. Each item of variation data is configured such that embedded information such as a digital watermark can be acquired from decrypted data. Each item of variation data includes a 192-byte source packet or a 6144-byte aligned unit. A reproduction device selects and reproduces one item of variation data f romeach segment area on the basis of a variation data identifier recorded in the variation data.