Sensor DRM Engine Encrypting User Content Before CPU Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer ecosystems lack effective mechanisms to ensure privacy and secure tracking of user-generated content, particularly in social networks and cloud services, as raw data captured by sensors can be vulnerable to hacking during processing.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a digital rights management (DRM) service to encrypt user-generated content with a unique user identification (UID), allowing users to control access and impose license conditions, including password protection and expiration dates, while embedding DRM engines within sensors to encrypt data before it reaches the CPU bus, thereby reducing hacking risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sensors pass captured data to CPU for storage and processing, then data processing capability is improved, but security deteriorates due to vulnerability to hacking during data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by encrypting sensor data before it is transmitted to the CPU bus. The DRM engine encrypts captured images or video frames at the source, so that even if hackers intercept the data during transmission, they cannot access the raw content. This pre-encryption eliminates the security vulnerability while maintaining the data processing workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary by implementing a DRM engine as a mediator between the sensor and the CPU. This intermediary component handles the encryption and decryption operations, allowing secure data transmission without compromising the processing capability. The DRM engine acts as a security layer that protects data while enabling normal CPU processing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If DRM encryption is implemented for user-generated content, then privacy and security are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the DRM engine directly into the sensor device. Instead of adding a separate complex encryption system, the DRM functionality is combined with the existing sensor architecture. This integration simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for additional standalone encryption hardware or software layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the sensor to perform encryption operations autonomously using its own onboard DRM engine. The sensor encrypts its captured data independently before transmission, without requiring constant intervention from external security systems. This self-encrypting capability reduces system complexity by distributing security functions throughout the system rather than centralizing them.
3Ease of operation
If user-generated content is shared with friends in a sharing domain, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a DRM service that provides feedback to both content owners and viewers. The service tracks who views the content, when they view it, and whether they have the proper decryption keys. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain ease of sharing while preventing unauthorized access by verifying credentials before allowing content decryption and viewing.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for securely sharing user-generated content using DRM principles, and for tracking statistics of content viewing. In this way, a user can generate protected content that can still be shared among friends on, e.g., a social network.