Single Container File Supporting Multiple DRM Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital rights management (DRM) systems require multiple versions of content to be encrypted for different DRM systems, leading to inefficiencies in content distribution and decryption, as devices supporting one DRM system cannot decrypt content encrypted for another.

Innovation Solution

A single container file is created with multiple DRM protection systems using a shared encryption algorithm and key information, allowing devices to decrypt the content using any of the applied protection systems without creating additional copies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of content are created for different DRM systems, then devices supporting different DRM systems can decrypt the content, but the content distribution complexity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility across DRM systemsVSAvoidcontent distribution complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple DRM protection systems into a single content file by embedding multiple encryption layers and associated metadata within one file structure. This allows a single file to contain content protected by different DRM systems simultaneously, eliminating the need to create and distribute separate encrypted versions for each DRM system while maintaining compatibility across devices supporting different DRM standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The content file is designed with universal compatibility by incorporating multiple DRM protection systems and encryption schemes within a single file. The file structure includes multiple encryption layers, key management information, and metadata that enable devices supporting different DRM systems to decrypt and access the content using their respective DRM capabilities, making the file universally accessible across diverse device ecosystems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple versions of content are created for different DRM systems, then each DRM system can protect the content independently, but the storage space and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDRM protection reliabilityVSAvoidcontent file size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested encryption structure where multiple DRM protection layers are embedded within a single content file. Each DRM system's encryption and protection mechanisms are nested within the same file container, with each layer containing its own encryption keys and metadata. This nested approach maintains independent DRM protection for each system while avoiding the need to create separate full copies of the content for each DRM system, thereby reducing overall storage requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple DRM protection systems are merged into a single integrated file structure that contains the content and all necessary encryption layers. By combining multiple protection systems into one file rather than creating separate files for each system, the patent reduces the total quantity of content data that needs to be stored and distributed, while maintaining the reliability of each individual DRM system through their respective encryption layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If content is encrypted for one DRM system, then the content is protected according to that system's security model, but devices supporting other DRM systems cannot decrypt the content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent securityVSAvoiddevice compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary file structure that acts as a container for multiple DRM protection systems. This intermediary structure includes multiple encryption layers and metadata that mediate between different DRM systems and the content, allowing devices with different DRM capabilities to access the content through their respective DRM interfaces while maintaining the security integrity of each DRM system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10229248B2Multiple content protection systems in a file

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Supporting a plurality of content protection systems in a single container file. The protection systems share an encryption method which is accessible from a sample encryption box in the file. Each of the protection systems stores, in a protection system header box, information for decrypting the content in accordance with the corresponding protection system. In some embodiments, separate protection system header boxes in the file correspond to each of the protection systems. By using the common encryption method and sharing encryption expressions across the protection systems, the multiple content protection systems are supported in the file without creating additional copies of the content. In some embodiments, aspects of the disclosure extend the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) base media file format to support multiple digital rights management (DRM) systems in the single container file.