Storage Apparatus Offline Content Decryption Key Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital content protection systems face challenges in allowing users to access and watch encrypted content on non-networked devices without the need for pre-paid cards or network access, which complicates user convenience and copyright protection.
Innovation Solution
A storage apparatus and terminal system that enables decryption and playback of encrypted content using a secure key management system, where encrypted content is stored on a tamper-resistant device with a user area and secure area, allowing authentication and key management without network access, and billing for usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encrypted content is stored on a storage apparatus with secure key management, then copyright protection is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to inability to access content on non-networked devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decryption key from network-dependent secure environments and stores it locally within the storage apparatus. The key is stored in a secure area of the storage device, allowing decryption to occur offline without network access, thus resolving the contradiction between copyright protection and user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a terminal apparatus as an intermediary that can access the storage apparatus and perform decryption operations. The terminal apparatus acts as a mediator between the encrypted content and the user, enabling content access on various devices while maintaining security through controlled key usage.
2Reliability
If decryption keys are stored securely in the storage apparatus, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to secure area requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage apparatus into distinct areas: a user area for storing encrypted content and a secure area for storing decryption keys. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high security for key storage while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and manageable.
3Ease of operation
If state information of keys is managed locally, then network access is eliminated, but key management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage apparatus is designed to autonomously manage key state information locally without requiring network access. The apparatus can independently validate usage conditions, track key states, and control decryption operations, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating network dependencies.
4Productivity
If authentication is performed locally without network access, then service availability is improved, but authentication security may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication where the terminal apparatus and storage apparatus establish trust relationships and validate usage conditions before decryption occurs. Authentication credentials and usage rules are pre-configured, allowing secure local authentication without real-time network verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A user can watch desired content among a plurality of encrypted contents recorded in a storage apparatus having a large capacity recording medium when the user wants to watch. Usage Pass (UP) necessary for watching content and encrypted content are recorded in a rental storage apparatus. The UP is in an invalid state when the storage apparatus is rented, and processing for validating the corresponding UP is executed between the storage apparatus and a host apparatus through which content is watched to thereby make content watchable. A history that processing for validating the UP is executed is recorded in the storage apparatus. A service provider bills a content use fee to the user based on the history of the storage apparatus.