Sequential Content Browsing via Embedded Sharing Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional content distribution systems struggle to allow content items to be browsed in the intended order by the content producer or consumer, as encryption keys are typically shared in a way that limits access and does not facilitate sequential or privileged access to specific content items.
Innovation Solution
A content distribution system that generates and manages encryption and sharing keys to enable sequential access to content items, allowing users to browse items in the intended order by using a key generation and distribution mechanism that concatenates content items with sharing keys, enabling decryption and access based on previous items' completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encryption keys are shared using conventional superdistribution methods, then content security is improved, but content browsing flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The encryption key management is segmented into multiple sharing keys (first sharing key, second sharing key, etc.) where each key provides access to specific content items. This segmentation allows selective key distribution that maintains security while enabling flexible browsing paths, resolving the contradiction between security and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages key distribution based on browsing progress. When a user browses content in the intended order, subsequent sharing keys are made available. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt security constraints to actual usage patterns, maintaining security while enabling flexible browsing when conditions are met.
2Adaptability or versatility
If encryption keys are distributed to allow free browsing, then content browsing flexibility is improved, but content security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by embedding the first sharing key within the first encrypted content item before distribution. This preliminary inclusion of decryption capabilities allows users to freely browse the first item, while subsequent keys are released based on completion of previous items, balancing flexibility and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The sharing keys act as intermediaries between the encrypted content and full decryption capability. Rather than distributing master encryption keys freely, the system uses intermediate sharing keys that can be selectively distributed based on browsing progress, maintaining both security and flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If sharing keys are embedded in encrypted content items, then content browsing in intended order is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the sharing key with the encrypted content item by embedding the first sharing key within the first encrypted content item. This combination simplifies distribution (no separate key transmission needed) while enabling ordered browsing, though it does increase processing complexity for key extraction and management.
Data Source
AI summary
A content distribution/browsing system is disclosed. First to (m−1)th encrypted content items E(K1, C1∥K2,1), . . . , E(Km−1, Cm−1∥Km,1) contain second to m-th (next in order) sharing keys K2,1, . . . , Km,1, respectively. When desirous of browsing an (i+1)th content item Ci+1, the (i+1)th sharing key Ki+1,1 is acquired by browsing an immediately preceding i-th content item Ci.