Virtual Secure Digital Card Emulation for DRM Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secure Digital (SD) cards are inadequate for creating a digital library due to size, cost, and lack of labeling, and they face technical challenges in maintaining digital rights management (DRM) protection during content transfer and archival, especially when used in devices without security software drivers.
Innovation Solution
A virtual SD card system is implemented, which detects an SD card, reads its media key block and identification, and creates a file system for secure data storage, allowing for secure data access and management across different devices without the need for physical SD cards, using a computing device's storage to replicate SD card functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If physical SD cards are used for storing DRM-protected content, then content security and portability are maintained, but storage capacity is limited and multiple cards are required for a digital library
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual SD card that copies the functional characteristics of a physical SD card (secure storage, DRM protection, media key blocks) into software form. This virtual card resides on a hard disk drive and provides identical security functionality without requiring multiple physical cards, thereby increasing storage capacity while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical SD card system with a software-based virtual SD card system. Instead of using actual hardware cards with physical connectors and media key blocks stored on removable media, the system uses software emulation to provide the same secure storage functionality on a hard disk drive, eliminating the need for multiple physical cards
2Ease of operation
If SD cards are used for content transfer, then portability is achieved, but maintaining DRM protection during transfer and archival is complex and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual SD card copies the complete DRM protection mechanism including media key blocks, secure area file systems, and encryption protocols into software form. This allows content to be transferred and archived while maintaining DRM protection without requiring complex physical card handling and secure area management, thereby reducing the resource intensity of DRM maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual SD card system provides universal DRM protection across different devices and platforms. The software-based implementation can be accessed and managed through standard file system interfaces on various operating systems, eliminating the need for device-specific DRM management software and reducing overall system complexity
3Reliability
If physical SD cards are used, then secure data storage is provided, but cost and lack of labeling make them unsuitable for creating a digital library
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual SD card copies the secure storage functionality of physical cards while adding comprehensive labeling and organization capabilities. The system provides user-friendly interfaces for naming, categorizing, and searching content within the virtual card, thereby maintaining security reliability while dramatically improving ease of operation for library management
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual SD card system introduces an intermediary software layer between the user and the raw storage hardware. This intermediary provides intelligent file management, automatic labeling, and organized content archiving capabilities that physical SD cards cannot provide, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining secure storage through the same virtual card structure
Data Source
AI summary
A system (and a method) are disclosed for generating a virtual secure digital (SD) card. One embodiment detects an SD card and reads a media key block and media identification for the SD card. The system stores the media key block and the media identification. The system creates a file system for secure data on a storage device for storage of secure data corresponding to a secure data area of the SD card and creates a file system for user data on the storage device for storage of user data corresponding to a user data area of the SD card. In addition, the system uses the virtual secure digital (SD) card. The system determines if the virtual SD card is provisioned and provisions it if not. The system accesses the data stored in the secure area of the provisioned virtual SD card. The system extracts the data from the secured area of the provisioned virtual SD card.