Unauthorized Device Detection via Portable Medium Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting unauthorized clone playback devices are inadequate, particularly for systems that do not perform position registration, as they rely on mobile terminal registration with base stations, making them unsuitable for content playback devices.

Innovation Solution

An unauthorized apparatus detection device that generates and updates verification values stored on playback devices, allowing for the detection of clones by matching verification values and registering unauthorized devices, thereby preventing unauthorized playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If verification values are updated and distributed to authorized devices, then unauthorized devices can be detected by comparing verification values, but the system complexity increases due to the need for verification value management and distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized device detection accuracyVSAvoidverification value management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portable medium as an intermediary carrier to transmit verification values between the verification value distribution device and content playback devices. This intermediary simplifies the distribution process by providing a direct, tangible transfer mechanism rather than requiring complex network-based verification value management systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The verification value is copied from the verification value distribution device to the portable medium, and then from the portable medium to the content playback device. This copying approach allows the verification value to be distributed to multiple authorized devices without requiring continuous network connectivity or complex centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If clone devices are detected by comparing verification values, then copyright protection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for verification value updates and comparisons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecopyright protection effectivenessVSAvoiddevice operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The verification value is pre-loaded onto the portable medium during manufacturing or initial setup. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to manually update or compare verification values during normal operation, as the verification process occurs automatically in the background when content is accessed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The content playback device automatically performs the verification value comparison with the portable medium without requiring user intervention. The device self-verifys its authorization status by comparing its stored verification value with the one on the portable medium, making the copyright protection process transparent to the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If verification values are stored on portable media, then unauthorized device detection is enabled without position registration, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for ensuring verification value integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem applicability to non-position-registered devicesVSAvoidverification value storage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The verification value is copied to the portable medium using standard data writing processes. This copying approach maintains verification value integrity through conventional data protection methods rather than requiring specialized high-precision manufacturing processes, making the system applicable to standard portable media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The portable medium serves as a disposable or replaceable carrier for the verification value. If the portable medium becomes damaged or compromised, it can be replaced with a new one containing a fresh copy of the verification value, eliminating the need for high-durability manufacturing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS7617536B2Unauthorized device detection device, unauthorized device detection system, unauthorized device detection method, program, recording medium, and device information update method

Publication Date: 2009.11.10 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

An unauthorized apparatus detection device detecting clones of a playback device. In a management server, a reception processing unit acquires a user terminal identifier and a first random number of a user terminal, judges whether a second management server random number, which is stored in a storage unit in correspondence with the user terminal identifier, matches the first user terminal random number. If the two fail to match, a display unit displays a message indicating that a clone exists. If the two match, a terminal information generation unit generates a new random number, and writes the generated random number as the second random number in the storage unit. A transmission processing unit transmits the generated random number to the user terminal via a transmission/reception unit and the user terminal updates the first user terminal random number to the generated random number.