Storage Device Mutual Authentication for Digital Content Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital content protection methods are ineffective against pirate and illegal use, as digital distribution products such as videos and music can be easily copied or duplicated, leading to significant losses for copyright owners.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that employ mutual authentication between a storage device and a host to enable or disable access to encrypted digital content, using an encryption/decryption module to prohibit access if authentication fails, and utilizing multiple original and active license files to verify legitimacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If digital content is stored in a storage device, then the content is accessible and usable, but the content can be easily copied and illegally accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements mutual authentication between the storage device and host before allowing access to digital content. The authentication process verifies the legitimacy of both parties in advance, and only after successful authentication is the encryption/decryption module enabled to allow content access. This preliminary verification prevents unauthorized copying and illegal access before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state of the encryption/decryption module based on authentication results. When authentication succeeds, the module is enabled to decrypt and allow content access. When authentication fails, the module is disabled to prohibit access. This dynamic parameter change (enabled/disabled state) resolves the contradiction between accessibility and security.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an encryption/decryption module is used to protect digital content, then unauthorized access is prevented, but the host cannot read out the decrypted content even when legitimate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs mutual authentication as a preliminary action before enabling the encryption/decryption module. This ensures that only legitimate hosts can obtain the capability to read decrypted content. The authentication process verifies the host's legitimacy in advance, preventing the problem where legitimate users are blocked from accessing content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the storage device monitors authentication results and dynamically controls the encryption/decryption module's operational state. When authentication succeeds, the device provides feedback to enable the module for content reading. When authentication fails, the module remains disabled. This feedback loop ensures both security and legitimate access.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If mutual authentication is implemented between storage device and host, then pirate use is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements mutual authentication where both the storage device and host verify each other's legitimacy. This multi-functional approach serves multiple purposes: preventing pirate use, ensuring legitimate access, and dynamically controlling the encryption/decryption module. The single authentication mechanism addresses multiple security and access control requirements, reducing the need for separate complex systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for protecting digital content in a storage device from pirate and illegal use are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a method for protecting digital content stored in a storage device from illegally accessing by a host, comprises: exchanging data between the storage device and the host to achieve a mutual authentication between the storage device and the host; disabling an encryption/decryption module in the storage device to prohibit the host from reading out the digital content decrypted by the encryption/decryption module until the authentication of the storage device to the host passes; and disabling the host to prohibit the host from reading out the digital content decrypted by the encryption/decryption module if the authentication of the host to the storage device fails. Thereby, pirate and illegal use of the digital content stored in the storage device are effectively prevented or decreased.