WO2007060665A2 - A digital rights management device and method - Google Patents

A digital rights management device and method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007060665A2
WO2007060665A2 PCT/IL2006/001355 IL2006001355W WO2007060665A2 WO 2007060665 A2 WO2007060665 A2 WO 2007060665A2 IL 2006001355 W IL2006001355 W IL 2006001355W WO 2007060665 A2 WO2007060665 A2 WO 2007060665A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
digital content
storage device
portable storage
license
receiving device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2006/001355
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2007060665A3 (en
Inventor
Moshe Raines
Tavi Salomon
Itzhak Pomerantz
Original Assignee
Sandisk Il Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sandisk Il Ltd. filed Critical Sandisk Il Ltd.
Priority to EP06821575A priority Critical patent/EP1952452A4/en
Priority to JP2008541913A priority patent/JP2010511307A/en
Publication of WO2007060665A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007060665A2/en
Publication of WO2007060665A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007060665A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/12—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
    • G06Q20/123—Shopping for digital content
    • G06Q20/1235—Shopping for digital content with control of digital rights management [DRM]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/10—Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material ; Digital rights management [DRM]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F17/00—Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/09—Arrangements for device control with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time; Arrangements for control of broadcast-related services
    • H04H60/14—Arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services
    • H04H60/23—Arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/254—Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server
    • H04N21/2541—Rights Management
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4112—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/41407—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/418—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access
    • H04N21/4183—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access providing its own processing capabilities, e.g. external module for video decoding
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/418—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access
    • H04N21/4184—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • H04N21/4367—Establishing a secure communication between the client and a peripheral device or smart card
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/44—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs
    • H04N21/4405—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs involving video stream decryption
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/44—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs
    • H04N21/4408—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4623—Processing of entitlement messages, e.g. ECM [Entitlement Control Message] or EMM [Entitlement Management Message]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4627—Rights management associated to the content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/63—Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
    • H04N21/637—Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components
    • H04N21/6377—Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components directed to server
    • H04N21/63775—Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components directed to server for uploading keys, e.g. for a client to communicate its public key to the server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/835—Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/835—Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates
    • H04N21/8355—Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H04N5/765—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H04N5/91—Television signal processing therefor
    • H04N5/913—Television signal processing therefor for scrambling ; for copy protection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H04N5/765—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
    • H04N5/775—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus between a recording apparatus and a television receiver

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to storage devices storing digital content, such as video movies. More particularly, the present invention relates to storage devices providing digital rights of the stored content.
  • USB flash drives which are NAND-type flash memory data storage devices integrated with a USB interface
  • UFDs USB flash drives
  • DRM Digital Rights
  • OMA DRMTM and the Windows Media DRMTM which is a technology used to enable the distribution and consumption of digital content in a controlled manner, thereby protecting the interests of owners (such as copyright owners) of content and services from copyright infringement.
  • authorized recipients or users must acquire a license in order to consume the protected material (e.g. files, music, movies) according to the rights or business rules set by the content owner.
  • the OMA DRM technology provides digital rights management of contents stored in a secured removable media, such as a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) and a Secured Memory
  • OMA Open Mobile Alliance
  • the Windows Media DRMTM (WMDRM), available from Microsoft®, is a core technology providing a platform for defining, incorporating, and enforcing digital rights for digital media stored in an encrypted manner within portable devices, network device and removable storage.
  • Prior art devices utilizing the DRM technology provide a controlled distribution and consumption of protected digital content by storing an encrypted version of the digital content and transmitting the protected content in an encrypted manner to be decrypted by the receiving device upon reception.
  • the digital content is encrypted by the publisher (or a retailer having digital rights from the publisher) in a way that makes the digital content unusable to an end user of a receiving device that is not equipped with a corresponding decryption key.
  • Such configuration requires configuring the receiving device with a more expensive enhanced computing logic (implemented with a deciphering key for example) to enable decryption of the encrypted streaming content.
  • DRM device with which digital content, such as video or music, can be distributed to a receiving device with copyright protection, while not requiring additional computing logic and security capabilities from the receiving device.
  • a portable data storage device providing copyright protection of digital content (e.g. video content, files, music, etc.) by controllably streaming the digital content from the portable storage device to a receiving device.
  • digital content e.g. video content, files, music, etc.
  • the receiving device is a viewing device (such as a digital TV).
  • the streaming of content from the portable storage device is contingent on the availability of a license that is obtained for displaying the digital content on a particular viewing device.
  • a license is defined herein as a trusted data object relating to a specific receiving device and to specific digital content.
  • a portable storage device for providing a controlled feeding of streaming digital content
  • the portable storage device includes: (a) a mechanism for receiving a value of an identification parameter from a receiving device; (b) a non-volatile memory for storing digital content, a licensing policy, and a license for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the identification parameter; and (c) a controller that is operative, in response to the identification parameter and contingent on a presence of the license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device, in accordance with the licensing policy.
  • the controller is operative to provide the controlled feeding of the digital content as plain streaming content (i.e. either streaming content that has never been encrypted or encrypted digital content that has already been decrypted by the portable storage device).
  • plain streaming content i.e. either streaming content that has never been encrypted or encrypted digital content that has already been decrypted by the portable storage device.
  • the portable storage device also includes an encryption unit for streaming the digital content to the receiving device as encrypted streaming content.
  • the license is for only one receiving device as identified by the identification parameter.
  • the license is for a plurality of authorized receiving devices.
  • the mechanism for receiving the value of the identification parameter from the receiving device is further operative to transfer the digital content to the receiving device. More preferably, this mechanism includes a connector for transferring the digital content to the receiving device.
  • the mechanism is operative to receive the value of said identification parameter via a wired communication link, such as a USB connector.
  • the mechanism is operative to receive the value of the identification parameter via a wireless communication link, such as an RFID reader.
  • the receiving device is a viewing device. More preferably, the viewing device is a digital television.
  • the licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines an amount of the digital content that is streamed to the receiving device.
  • the licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines a quality of the digital content that is streamed to the receiving device. More preferably, this parameter controls at least one aspect, of the streamed content, such as color, continuity, display, superimposition of a predefined image, frame size, streaming rate, etc.
  • the controller is further operative, upon the controlled feeding of the digital content to the receiving device, to update the license stored in the non-volatile memory according to the licensing policy.
  • the controller is further operative to provide the controlled feeding of the digital content to the receiving device in accordance with the licensing policy in an absence of the identification parameter or in an absence of the license.
  • a digital rights management system that includes: (a) a receiving device that is operative to display digital content; and (b) a storage device that includes: (i) a mechanism for receiving a value of an identification parameter from the receiving device; and (ii) a non-volatile memory for storing digital content, a licensing policy, and a license for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the identification parameter; wherein the storage device is operative, in response to the identification parameter and contingent on a presence of the license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device, in accordance with the licensing policy.
  • the method also includes a network device for issuing the license.
  • the network device is typically physically separated from the storage device and the receiving device.
  • a portable storage device for purchasing digital rights for digital content
  • the portable storage device includes: (a) a mechanism for receiving a respective identification parameter from at least one receiving device; (b) a non-volatile memory for storing the digital content and a licensing policy; and (c) a controller that is operative according to the licensing policy: (i) to obtain a corresponding license from a network device, which is physically separated from the portable storage device and the receiving device, for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the respective value of the identification parameter, and (ii) contingent on a presence of a corresponding license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device.
  • a digital rights management method that includes the steps of: (a) storing digital content and a licensing policy; (b) receiving a value of an identification parameter from a receiving device; (c) verifying presence of a license, in the non-volatile memory, for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the identification parameter; and (d) contingent on the presence of the license and according to the licensing policy, transferring at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device.
  • the digital content is transferred to the receiving device as plain streaming content.
  • the digital content is transferred to the receiving device as encrypted streaming content.
  • the method also includes the step of communicating with a network device for obtaining the license in response to receiving the value of the identification parameter.
  • the method also includes the step of updating the license in accordance with the licensing policy.
  • the license is for only one receiving device as identified by the identification parameter.
  • the license is for a plurality of authorized receiving devices.
  • the identification parameter is received via a wired communication link., such as a USB connector.
  • the identification parameter is received via a wireless communication link., such as a RFID reader.
  • the receiving device is a viewing device. More preferably, the viewing device is a digital television.
  • the licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines an amount of the digital content that is streamed to the receiving device.
  • the licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines a quality of the digital content that is streamed to the receiving device. More preferably, this parameter controls at least one aspect, of the streamed content, such as color, continuity, display, superimposition of a predefined image, frame size, streaming rate, etc.
  • the method also includes the step of transferring an attenuated portion of the digital content to the receiving device in accordance with the licensing policy in an absence of the license or in an absence of the identification parameter.
  • a method of purchasing digital rights for digital content includes the steps of: (a) selling a user a portable storage device that is operative to connect to at least one receiving device and receive a respective value of an identification parameter from the receiving device, wherein the portable storage device includes a controller and a non-volatile memory for storing the digital content and a licensing policy; (b) contingent on a presence of a corresponding license, offering the user to purchase, in accordance with the licensing policy, the corresponding license from a network device, that is physically separated from the portable storage device and the receiving devices, for viewing the digital content on the receiving device upon re-connecting the portable storage device to the receiving devices as identified by the respective value of the identification parameter.
  • a pay-per-view method of doing business includes the steps of: (a) detecting a portable storage device that is configured to provide a controlled feeding of digital content to a viewing device contingent on a presence of a license; (b) in response to detecting this portable storage device, offering a user to download the digital content and a corresponding licensing policy to a non-volatile memory of the portable storage device; and (c) selling the user the license for viewing the digital content on the viewing device as identified by a value of an identification parameter received for the viewing device, wherein the digital content is streamed to the viewing device according to the corresponding licensing policy and the license and in response to the identification parameter.
  • the user is offered to download the digital content and the corresponding licensing policy free-of-charge.
  • the license is purchased by the user from a network device. Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system of the present invention including a portable storage device that is alternately connected to a host sending device, a viewing device, such as a digital TV, and an on-line PC;
  • Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a connecting device implemented with enhanced logic to include a set of resistors
  • Figure 3 is a flow chart of a method of the present invention
  • Figure 4 is a schematic drawing of a dual mode connector, as described in Appendix A;
  • Figure 5 is a cross-section through the connector of Figure 4 when plugged into a digital USB socket, as described in Appendix A;
  • Figure 6 is a cross-section through the connector of Figure 4 when plugged into a TV set, as described in Appendix A;
  • Figure 7 is a pinout layout of the connector of Figure 4 when set to act as a PSD, as described in Appendix A;
  • Figure 8 is a pinout layout of the connector of Figure 4 when set to act as a video player, as described in Appendix A.
  • the present invention is a portable storage device and method providing copyright protection of digital content (e.g. video content, files, music, etc.) by controllably streaming the digital content from the portable storage device to a receiving device.
  • digital content e.g. video content, files, music, etc.
  • the receiving device is a viewing device (such as a digital TV).
  • the streaming of content from the portable storage device is contingent on the availability of a license that is obtained for displaying the digital content on a particular viewing device.
  • a license is defined herein as a trusted data object relating to a specific receiving device and to specific digital content. Note that in one preferred embodiment of the present invention the license is obtained for a particular receiving device only. Alternatively, the license is obtained for any receiving device listed among a group of authorized receiving devices.
  • the group of authorized receiving devices can be defined, for example, by connecting the portable storage device to each receiving device separately, receiving respective identification parameters that uniquely characterize the receiving devices, and then listing all these receiving devices as identified by their respective identification parameters as authorized receiving devices.
  • the purchasing of a license can be achieved, for example, by the portable storage device, upon receiving an identification parameter, such as a serial number, from the designated digital TV (see discussion of Figure 2 below for one way to receive an identification parameter) and establishing secure communication between the portable storage device (including the viewing device identification parameter) and a network server of the publisher (or a retailer) having digital rights to the digital content.
  • an identification parameter such as a serial number
  • the purchasing of the license can be further achieved by configuring the viewing device with enhanced logic that enables the viewing device to directly connect with the network server of the publisher and obtain the license.
  • the manner in which a user can purchase the license for viewing the digital content on the viewing device is effected according to a license policy that is stored in a non-volatile memory of the portable storage device.
  • a licensing policy is defined herein as any information related to the digital rights usage of the digital content that affects the manner in which the digital content is to be transmitted to the receiving device and displayed on the receiving device.
  • the licensing policy can include values of parameters for controlling the amount of digital content, the quality of digital content, etc.
  • a typical example is implementing the licensing policy to limit the display of data content to a small number of viewing sessions (e.g. 3 times only), or limiting the display of the digital content to a short time period (e.g. until the end of next week only), etc.
  • the licensing policy is implemented to provide a variety of license types.
  • the licensing policy can be implemented to include a plurality of license types (i.e. a first license limiting the display of the digital content to 1 day, a second license limiting the display of the digital content to 10 days, etc.), each purchased by the user for a different price. The user then purchases the license he desires.
  • This can be implemented, for example, by displaying the variety of license types, as are set by the licensing policy, on the viewing device itself when initially connecting the portable storage device to the viewing device (to receive the identification parameter) or by displaying the license types on the network device upon purchasing the license from the network device.
  • the licensing policy is implemented to attenuate the quality and/or the quantity of the streaming of the content to the viewing device in case a valid license has not been obtained for this viewing device from the publisher.
  • This can be applied, for example, by implementing the licensing policy to instruct the portable storage device to transfer all the stored digital content in maximum quality, in case the portable storage device is connected to a licensed digital television (e.g. having purchased full digital rights from the publisher) and to attenuate the amount of digital content (for example by transferring only 5 minutes of streaming content), in case the portable storage device is connected to an un-licensed digital television (e.g. not having purchased any digital rights from the publisher).
  • Such implementation has the advantage of suggesting to the user viewing the screen of the digital TV what he is losing by not obtaining a license, and is common in the art of electronic commerce.
  • the attenuation of the quality of the digital content can be done, for example, by reducing the displayed colors, by interrupting the continuity of the displayed content, by superimposing a caption upon the displayed content, by reducing the frame size of the displayed content, by reducing the streaming rate and blurring the image, etc.
  • the streaming rate is reduced, the bandwidth of the signal transferring the streaming content is reduced causing the image to be displayed somewhat blurred on the screen of the digital TV.
  • the digital content is transferred as attenuated streaming content to be viewed on the viewing device according to the policy of no-license.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a block diagram of a system of the present invention including a portable storage device 10 that is alternately connected to a host sending device 30, a viewing device, such as a digital TV 32, and an on-line PC 33.
  • the dotted lines refer herein to mean that host sending device 30, digital TV 32, and on-line PC 33 are connected alternately to portable storage device 10, not simultaneously.
  • a Controller 12 such as USB 2.0 high speed device controller, available from msystems Ltd., Kefar Sava, Israel, is operative to provide a controlled feeding of streaming content to a receiving device, such as a digital TV 32, in response to a license and a respective identification parameter for the digital TV.
  • the license may be received for the digital TV 32 from any network device (e.g. on-line PC 33) and then stored in a non-volatile memory 14.
  • the manner (e.g. the quality, the amount of content, etc.) of which the digital content is streamed, via controller 12, to the digital TV 32 is contingent on the licensing policy stored in a DRM storage 18 of non- volatile memory 14.
  • Non-volatile memory 14 such as a flash memory, stores the license in a license storage area 17.
  • Non-volatile memory 14 further includes the digital content (stored in Digital Content storage 16) and the licensing policy (stored in DRM storage 18) that are typically received from a sending device 30 via USB connector 24.
  • the digital data is received (and thus also stored in Digital Content unit 16) in a compressed and encrypted manner.
  • a Decryption unit 34 equipped with a private decryption key of the portable storage device 10 (that corresponds to a public key that is sent from the portable storage device 10 when connecting the portable storage device 10 to the sending device 30), is provided to decrypt the encrypted digital content (and the licensing policy, if required) that is stored in Digital Content unit 16.
  • the decrypted digital content is further encrypted, by an Encryption unit 35, with a private key of the digital TV 32 that corresponds to a public key that is received from the digital TV 32 (typically in addition to receiving the identification parameter).
  • the digital TV 32 upon receiving the encrypted streaming content, decrypts this content with its private key. This key-exchange procedure ensures that the digital content is viewed on the specific viewing device as identified by the identification parameter only.
  • Encryption unit 35 is optional and the digital content does not necessarily have to be encrypted by the portable storage device. Instead, the digital content is transferred to the viewing device as plain streaming content to be viewed on a viewing device that is equipped with standard logic (i.e. does not require computing logic and decrypting capabilities in additional to the standard), while providing copyright protection of the digital content.
  • plain streaming content we refer in the present invention either to streaming content that has never been encrypted or to encrypted digital content that has already been decrypted by the portable storage device.
  • Such implementation spares the need of configuring a special viewing device that is further capable of decrypting the streaming content received from the portable storage device.
  • a De-Compression unit 36 is provided to apply de-compression techniques, as known in the art, for de-compressing the digital content before the digital content is streamed to the viewing device.
  • a Multi-Media Processor 20 is provided to convert the de-compressed digital content received from De-Compression unit 36 to streaming content.
  • portable storage device 10 of the present invention alternately communicates with matching connectors on either one of the sending device 30, the digital TV 32 and the on-line PC 33 using a common connector 24.
  • Connector 24 is typically implemented with two separate channels that are mechanically designed to fit a both a standard USB socket (for USB protocol communications) and a modified USB socket (for video communication), as described in Appendix A.
  • TV connecting device 28 connected to Digital TV 32 (see Figure 2), is provided to modify a standard TV to function as a host and transfer data to the portable storage device.
  • Configuring the TV connecting device 28 to be further applicable to provide the portable storage device with the identification parameter can be achieved, for example, by configuring the TV connecting device 28 with enhanced logic to include a set of resistors (see Figure 2), each of a very high (i.e. mega ohms) and different resistance.
  • a resistance measurement unit 38 is optionally provided for measuring the resistance between pairs of adjacent pins within the TV connecting device 28 when connector 24 is plugged into the TV connecting device. The values, uniquely obtained from measurements applied on all pairs of adjacent pins within the TV connecting device 28, provide controller 12 of portable storage device 10 the identification parameter required for the digital TV 32.
  • An optional way to receive the identification signal from the digital TV 32 is by transferring RF signals from the receiving device.
  • the communication between portable storage device 10 and matching connectors on either - the sending device 30, the receiving device 32, or the network device 33 is effected using respective connecting devices of portable storage device 10 instead of a single common connector 24.
  • Digital TV 32 is configured with a set of resistors Rl, R2, R3, R4 and R5 that are connected between pairs of adjacent pins Pl, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 of TV connecting device 28, respectively.
  • Each resistor is implemented with a very high (i.e. mega ohms) and different resistance to enforce a different resistance measurement on resistance measurement unit 38 when connecting USB connector 24 to TV connecting device 28.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown a flow chart of a method of the present invention.
  • the method of Figure 3 describes the display of digital content on a single viewing device as an example only, as the method of the present invention can further includes displaying, upon request, the digital content on a plurality of viewing device listed among a group of authorized viewing devices, as described above.
  • the initial step is the loading phase 50, wherein a user connects the portable storage device to a sending device (such as an automatic video vendor) of a publisher.
  • a public key is transferred from the portable storage device to the sending device as an identifier of the portable storage device.
  • Digital content selected by the user to be downloaded to the portable storage device is then transferred as encrypted content (encrypted by the sending device with the public key) to be stored (as encrypted content) within the portable storage device.
  • a licensing policy corresponding to the selected digital content is also transferred from the sending device to the portable storage device.
  • the portable storage device is plugged to a viewing device, such as a digital TV 32.
  • a viewing device such as a digital TV 32.
  • An identification parameter e.g. serial number
  • step 54 it is verified whether a valid license is stored in the non-volatile memory of the portable storage device to allow viewing the digital content on this viewing device as identified by the identification parameter.
  • step 58 skipping step 56.
  • the license purchasing phase 56 the user unplugs the portable storage device from the viewing device and plugs the portable storage device into a network device, such as an on-line PC or a telephone, and initiates a licensing request from a licensing authority (such as the publisher or a retailer) to purchase a license and allow displaying the digital content on this specific viewing device as identified by the identification parameter.
  • a licensing authority such as the publisher or a retailer
  • the license purchased by the user (in form of a rights object) is sent to be stored in the portable storage device and the method returns to apply step 54.
  • the license purchased by the user is chosen among a variety of license types that are displayed on the network device in accordance with the license policy stored in the portable storage device.
  • the portable storage device is connected to the viewing device and then the digital content is sent to the viewing device as streaming content to be displayed on the viewing device.
  • the digital content is once decrypted with the private key of the portable storage device and then encrypted with the public key previously sent from the viewing device.
  • the license obtained for displaying the digital content on this viewing device is updated, if necessary, in association with this viewing device.
  • the updating of the license is effected according to the type of license purchase by the user at step 56. For example, in case the license purchased by the user is limited to enable to a small number of viewing sessions (e.g. 3 times only) of the digital content, then after the streaming content is transferred to be displayed on the viewing device the license is updated to allow one fewer viewing sessions (e.g. 2 times only).
  • the portable storage device of the present invention is plugged into an ordinary viewing device that is not configured to identify itself to the portable storage device as required or in case a license is not obtained for displaying the digital content on the designated viewing device, the digital content is transferred as attenuated streaming content to be viewed on the viewing device according to the policy of no-license.
  • a method of purchasing digital rights in form of a valid license for displaying digital content on one or more authorized viewing devices includes selling a user the portable storage device of the present invention that is operative to connect to one or more viewing devices and receive respective values of identification parameters. Contingent on a presence of a corresponding license, the user is then offered to purchase the corresponding license from a network device, according to the licensing policy, for viewing the digital content on the viewing device upon re-connecting the portable storage device to the viewing devices as identified by the respective value of the identification parameter.
  • the pay-per-view method includes offering a user to download the digital content and a corresponding policy to a portable storage device of the present invention free of charge, and charging the user only when the user purchases the license for viewing the digital content on this viewing device.
  • Bow (of a personal data storage device) - The front end of the device that can easily be plugged into a host, and is the natural location on the device for installing a connector.
  • PSD A portable storage device.
  • UFD A USB Flash Drive
  • PSDs Portable storage devices
  • a programmable controller are able to input a digital file containing a multimedia item, convert the file into streaming media, and output the media stream into a playing device.
  • large storage devices such as a personal computer or a TV set-top box, have a connector for inputting digital data and another connector for sending media streams to an output device and therefore can handle such tasks
  • small PSDs typically cannot accommodate two connectors due to their small size.
  • the present invention teaches, for the first time, a system for connecting a PSD to a source of a multimedia file such as a computer, via a digital protocol such as USB, and to a destination of streaming media, such as a digital TV set, via a streaming media protocol, using a single connector.
  • the PSD should have the functionality of a large non- volatile storage area that can store a large digital file, as well as a USB interface that can connect the PSD, as a disk drive, to a digital computer.
  • the PSD has to behave as a large UFD.
  • the PSD should have the functionality of a digital media player, converting a digital file into streaming media.
  • This conversion should comply with one or more of the standards of multimedia content storage, such as MPEG 3, MPEG 4, or other such standards as appear in the art.
  • the PSD should also be able to feed the streaming media into an output device, such as a digital TV or a digital stereo system, using a standard protocol and a standard connector, such as 32" Diagonal Cinema Series® HD LCD Television, available from Toshiba®.
  • the two connectors mentioned above should be implemented in one physical connector that will fit both the standard digital socket for input and the standard streaming socket for output.
  • the system should be able to automatically detect the type of connector into which it is plugged and resolve between two or more possible socket types.
  • the system should be able to automatically switch signals to the pins that should be active in a given protocol, and isolate pins that are not relevant for the current protocol but come in electric contact with pins that are active.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown a schematic drawing of a preferred embodiment of a dual mode multimedia connector.
  • the connector is built to comply with the USB standard. Accordingly, it includes a USB socket compatible shell 102 and inner four contacts pins 108.
  • this unique connector includes an optional recession 104, and additional contact pins. For example, in this embodiment it includes ten additional pins 110.
  • the connector In regular USB operation, the connector is inserted into a standard USB socket, hence only the four standard pins 108 are operational.
  • the host into which the connector is plugged
  • Such automatic identification may be performed in several ways. In this embodiment it may be done mechanically by providing a micro switch (not shown) in the recession 104 of the dongle and sensing if the socket has a protrusion that enters the recession. If there is a protrusion, then the dongle sets up the connector to the "streaming media” configuration explained in Figure 8 below. If there is no protrusion, then the dongle sets up the connector to the "standard USB” configuration shown in Figure 7.
  • the identification of the connector mode can also be sensed by electrical means — sensing the connectivity of a specific pin 112 that can be grounded in the TV Set socket, and not in the USB socket.
  • Figure 1 shows an identification that is carried by two pins 112, but other numbers of pins may be designed for identification as well.
  • FIG. 5 and Figure 6 there is shown a cross-section through the connector of Figure 4, in a plane that is vertical to the direction of the pins, and crosses the pins, showing both the pins of the plug and the pins of the socket.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown the cross-section when the plug is plugged into a standard digital USB socket.
  • the connection of the connector into the socket is done by inserting one shell of the plug 120 into the mating shell of the socket 121.
  • the digital USB socket contains 4 four USB pins 128 attached to an insulating plate 130 according to the USB standard. These standard USB pins 128 are connected to the four pins of the plug 108, which are also attached to an insulating plate 106.
  • the special pins 110, 112 used for identification of the socket remain unconnected, hence the connector acts as a regular digital USB connector.
  • the connection is done by inserting the shell of the plug 132 shell into the shell of the socket 133.
  • the mating socket includes two insulating plates 134. On the upper plate there are four pins 136 that are in contact with the pin 108 of the connector.
  • the socket has ten pins 138, 140, that are connected to the special pins of the connector 110, 112.
  • the identification pins of the connector 112 are in contact with the identification pins of the socket 140, and the dongle, sensing this, sets the connector to the configuration of the TV set mode.
  • FIG. 7 there is shown a schematic pinout layout of the connector when connected and acting as a PSD.
  • the four USB pins pi, p2, p3, and p4 are acting in according to a regular standard digital USB protocol, while all other 10 special pins spl, sp2, sp3, sp4, sp5, sp6, sp7, sp8, sp9, and splO are not connected.
  • FIG. 8 there is shown a pinout layout of the same connector, however here the pinout suits the configuration when plugged into a TV set.
  • a power signal VCC and general ground signal GND are connected via the four standard USB pins pi, p2, p3, and p4. All other video signals are connected using the additional 10 special pins spl, sp2, sp3, sp4, sp5, sp6, sp7, sp8, sp9, and splO.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Technology Law (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Data Mining & Analysis (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Storage Device Security (AREA)
  • Television Signal Processing For Recording (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A portable storage device includes a mechanism for receiving a value of an identification parameter from a receiving device, a non-volatile memory for storing digital content, a licensing policy, and a license for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the identification parameter, and a controller that is operative, in response to the identification parameter and the license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device, in accordance with the licensing policy.

Description

A DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to storage devices storing digital content, such as video movies. More particularly, the present invention relates to storage devices providing digital rights of the stored content.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The need to transfer digital audio-visual media, such as a video movie, between devices is well known in the art of computer engineering and entertainment product design.
Portable non-volatile memory devices, such as USB flash drives (UFDs), which are NAND-type flash memory data storage devices integrated with a USB interface, are very well known in the art of computer engineering as means for manually transferring data between devices. However, storage of a typical video movie, in reasonable quality, requires expensive storage space. In addition, an owner of a movie is not eager to enable an end user to freely duplicate and display the movie on portable devices. Hence, due to the amount of data involved and the limitations imposed by copyright of users, USB devices known in the art are rarely used today for transferring video movies. An existing approach for transferring video movies is the DRM (Digital Rights
Management) technology, such as the OMA DRM™ and the Windows Media DRM™ (WMDRM), which is a technology used to enable the distribution and consumption of digital content in a controlled manner, thereby protecting the interests of owners (such as copyright owners) of content and services from copyright infringement. Typically, authorized recipients or users must acquire a license in order to consume the protected material (e.g. files, music, movies) according to the rights or business rules set by the content owner.
The OMA DRM technology provides digital rights management of contents stored in a secured removable media, such as a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) and a Secured Memory
Card. OMA (Open Mobile Alliance™) is a consortium of the Mobile industry, representing more than 300 worldwide mobile operators, device and network suppliers, information technology companies, and content providers, established to facilitate global user adoption of mobile data services.
The Windows Media DRM™ (WMDRM), available from Microsoft®, is a core technology providing a platform for defining, incorporating, and enforcing digital rights for digital media stored in an encrypted manner within portable devices, network device and removable storage.
Prior art devices utilizing the DRM technology provide a controlled distribution and consumption of protected digital content by storing an encrypted version of the digital content and transmitting the protected content in an encrypted manner to be decrypted by the receiving device upon reception.
The digital content is encrypted by the publisher (or a retailer having digital rights from the publisher) in a way that makes the digital content unusable to an end user of a receiving device that is not equipped with a corresponding decryption key. Such configuration requires configuring the receiving device with a more expensive enhanced computing logic (implemented with a deciphering key for example) to enable decryption of the encrypted streaming content.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a DRM device with which digital content, such as video or music, can be distributed to a receiving device with copyright protection, while not requiring additional computing logic and security capabilities from the receiving device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to introduce a portable data storage device providing copyright protection of digital content (e.g. video content, files, music, etc.) by controllably streaming the digital content from the portable storage device to a receiving device. Typically, the receiving device is a viewing device (such as a digital TV).
In accordance with the present invention, the streaming of content from the portable storage device is contingent on the availability of a license that is obtained for displaying the digital content on a particular viewing device. A license is defined herein as a trusted data object relating to a specific receiving device and to specific digital content. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable storage device for providing a controlled feeding of streaming digital content, the portable storage device includes: (a) a mechanism for receiving a value of an identification parameter from a receiving device; (b) a non-volatile memory for storing digital content, a licensing policy, and a license for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the identification parameter; and (c) a controller that is operative, in response to the identification parameter and contingent on a presence of the license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device, in accordance with the licensing policy.
Preferably, the controller is operative to provide the controlled feeding of the digital content as plain streaming content (i.e. either streaming content that has never been encrypted or encrypted digital content that has already been decrypted by the portable storage device).
Preferably, the portable storage device also includes an encryption unit for streaming the digital content to the receiving device as encrypted streaming content.
Preferably, the license is for only one receiving device as identified by the identification parameter. Alternatively, the license is for a plurality of authorized receiving devices.
Preferably, the mechanism for receiving the value of the identification parameter from the receiving device is further operative to transfer the digital content to the receiving device. More preferably, this mechanism includes a connector for transferring the digital content to the receiving device.
Preferably, the mechanism is operative to receive the value of said identification parameter via a wired communication link, such as a USB connector. Alternatively, the mechanism is operative to receive the value of the identification parameter via a wireless communication link, such as an RFID reader.
Preferably, the receiving device is a viewing device. More preferably, the viewing device is a digital television.
Preferably, the licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines an amount of the digital content that is streamed to the receiving device. Optionally, the licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines a quality of the digital content that is streamed to the receiving device. More preferably, this parameter controls at least one aspect, of the streamed content, such as color, continuity, display, superimposition of a predefined image, frame size, streaming rate, etc.
Preferably, the controller is further operative, upon the controlled feeding of the digital content to the receiving device, to update the license stored in the non-volatile memory according to the licensing policy.
Optionally, the controller is further operative to provide the controlled feeding of the digital content to the receiving device in accordance with the licensing policy in an absence of the identification parameter or in an absence of the license.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a digital rights management system that includes: (a) a receiving device that is operative to display digital content; and (b) a storage device that includes: (i) a mechanism for receiving a value of an identification parameter from the receiving device; and (ii) a non-volatile memory for storing digital content, a licensing policy, and a license for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the identification parameter; wherein the storage device is operative, in response to the identification parameter and contingent on a presence of the license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device, in accordance with the licensing policy.
Preferably, the method also includes a network device for issuing the license. The network device is typically physically separated from the storage device and the receiving device.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a portable storage device for purchasing digital rights for digital content, the portable storage device includes: (a) a mechanism for receiving a respective identification parameter from at least one receiving device; (b) a non-volatile memory for storing the digital content and a licensing policy; and (c) a controller that is operative according to the licensing policy: (i) to obtain a corresponding license from a network device, which is physically separated from the portable storage device and the receiving device, for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the respective value of the identification parameter, and (ii) contingent on a presence of a corresponding license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a digital rights management method that includes the steps of: (a) storing digital content and a licensing policy; (b) receiving a value of an identification parameter from a receiving device; (c) verifying presence of a license, in the non-volatile memory, for viewing the digital content on the receiving device as identified by the identification parameter; and (d) contingent on the presence of the license and according to the licensing policy, transferring at least a portion of the digital content to the receiving device.
Preferably, the digital content is transferred to the receiving device as plain streaming content.
Preferably, the digital content is transferred to the receiving device as encrypted streaming content.
Preferably, the method also includes the step of communicating with a network device for obtaining the license in response to receiving the value of the identification parameter. Preferably, the method also includes the step of updating the license in accordance with the licensing policy.
Preferably, the license is for only one receiving device as identified by the identification parameter. Alternatively, the license is for a plurality of authorized receiving devices.
Preferably, the identification parameter is received via a wired communication link., such as a USB connector. Alternatively, the identification parameter is received via a wireless communication link., such as a RFID reader.
Preferably, the receiving device is a viewing device. More preferably, the viewing device is a digital television.
Preferably, the licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines an amount of the digital content that is streamed to the receiving device. Optionally, the licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines a quality of the digital content that is streamed to the receiving device. More preferably, this parameter controls at least one aspect, of the streamed content, such as color, continuity, display, superimposition of a predefined image, frame size, streaming rate, etc. Preferably, the method also includes the step of transferring an attenuated portion of the digital content to the receiving device in accordance with the licensing policy in an absence of the license or in an absence of the identification parameter.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a method of purchasing digital rights for digital content that includes the steps of: (a) selling a user a portable storage device that is operative to connect to at least one receiving device and receive a respective value of an identification parameter from the receiving device, wherein the portable storage device includes a controller and a non-volatile memory for storing the digital content and a licensing policy; (b) contingent on a presence of a corresponding license, offering the user to purchase, in accordance with the licensing policy, the corresponding license from a network device, that is physically separated from the portable storage device and the receiving devices, for viewing the digital content on the receiving device upon re-connecting the portable storage device to the receiving devices as identified by the respective value of the identification parameter. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a pay-per-view method of doing business that includes the steps of: (a) detecting a portable storage device that is configured to provide a controlled feeding of digital content to a viewing device contingent on a presence of a license; (b) in response to detecting this portable storage device, offering a user to download the digital content and a corresponding licensing policy to a non-volatile memory of the portable storage device; and (c) selling the user the license for viewing the digital content on the viewing device as identified by a value of an identification parameter received for the viewing device, wherein the digital content is streamed to the viewing device according to the corresponding licensing policy and the license and in response to the identification parameter. Preferably, the user is offered to download the digital content and the corresponding licensing policy free-of-charge.
Preferably, the license is purchased by the user from a network device. Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention with regard to the embodiment thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate corresponding sections or elements throughout, and in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system of the present invention including a portable storage device that is alternately connected to a host sending device, a viewing device, such as a digital TV, and an on-line PC;
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a connecting device implemented with enhanced logic to include a set of resistors; Figure 3 is a flow chart of a method of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a schematic drawing of a dual mode connector, as described in Appendix A;
Figure 5 is a cross-section through the connector of Figure 4 when plugged into a digital USB socket, as described in Appendix A;
Figure 6 is a cross-section through the connector of Figure 4 when plugged into a TV set, as described in Appendix A;
Figure 7 is a pinout layout of the connector of Figure 4 when set to act as a PSD, as described in Appendix A; and
Figure 8 is a pinout layout of the connector of Figure 4 when set to act as a video player, as described in Appendix A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is a portable storage device and method providing copyright protection of digital content (e.g. video content, files, music, etc.) by controllably streaming the digital content from the portable storage device to a receiving device. Typically, the receiving device is a viewing device (such as a digital TV).
In accordance with the present invention, the streaming of content from the portable storage device is contingent on the availability of a license that is obtained for displaying the digital content on a particular viewing device. A license is defined herein as a trusted data object relating to a specific receiving device and to specific digital content. Note that in one preferred embodiment of the present invention the license is obtained for a particular receiving device only. Alternatively, the license is obtained for any receiving device listed among a group of authorized receiving devices. The group of authorized receiving devices can be defined, for example, by connecting the portable storage device to each receiving device separately, receiving respective identification parameters that uniquely characterize the receiving devices, and then listing all these receiving devices as identified by their respective identification parameters as authorized receiving devices.
The purchasing of a license can be achieved, for example, by the portable storage device, upon receiving an identification parameter, such as a serial number, from the designated digital TV (see discussion of Figure 2 below for one way to receive an identification parameter) and establishing secure communication between the portable storage device (including the viewing device identification parameter) and a network server of the publisher (or a retailer) having digital rights to the digital content.
The purchasing of the license can be further achieved by configuring the viewing device with enhanced logic that enables the viewing device to directly connect with the network server of the publisher and obtain the license. The manner in which a user can purchase the license for viewing the digital content on the viewing device is effected according to a license policy that is stored in a non-volatile memory of the portable storage device.
A licensing policy is defined herein as any information related to the digital rights usage of the digital content that affects the manner in which the digital content is to be transmitted to the receiving device and displayed on the receiving device. The licensing policy can include values of parameters for controlling the amount of digital content, the quality of digital content, etc.
A typical example is implementing the licensing policy to limit the display of data content to a small number of viewing sessions (e.g. 3 times only), or limiting the display of the digital content to a short time period (e.g. until the end of next week only), etc.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the licensing policy is implemented to provide a variety of license types. For example, the licensing policy can be implemented to include a plurality of license types (i.e. a first license limiting the display of the digital content to 1 day, a second license limiting the display of the digital content to 10 days, etc.), each purchased by the user for a different price. The user then purchases the license he desires. This can be implemented, for example, by displaying the variety of license types, as are set by the licensing policy, on the viewing device itself when initially connecting the portable storage device to the viewing device (to receive the identification parameter) or by displaying the license types on the network device upon purchasing the license from the network device.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the licensing policy is implemented to attenuate the quality and/or the quantity of the streaming of the content to the viewing device in case a valid license has not been obtained for this viewing device from the publisher. This can be applied, for example, by implementing the licensing policy to instruct the portable storage device to transfer all the stored digital content in maximum quality, in case the portable storage device is connected to a licensed digital television (e.g. having purchased full digital rights from the publisher) and to attenuate the amount of digital content (for example by transferring only 5 minutes of streaming content), in case the portable storage device is connected to an un-licensed digital television (e.g. not having purchased any digital rights from the publisher).
Such implementation has the advantage of suggesting to the user viewing the screen of the digital TV what he is losing by not obtaining a license, and is common in the art of electronic commerce.
The attenuation of the quality of the digital content can be done, for example, by reducing the displayed colors, by interrupting the continuity of the displayed content, by superimposing a caption upon the displayed content, by reducing the frame size of the displayed content, by reducing the streaming rate and blurring the image, etc. When the streaming rate is reduced, the bandwidth of the signal transferring the streaming content is reduced causing the image to be displayed somewhat blurred on the screen of the digital TV. Optionally, in case the portable storage device of the present invention is plugged into an ordinary viewing device that is not configured to identify itself to the portable storage device as required, the digital content is transferred as attenuated streaming content to be viewed on the viewing device according to the policy of no-license. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a block diagram of a system of the present invention including a portable storage device 10 that is alternately connected to a host sending device 30, a viewing device, such as a digital TV 32, and an on-line PC 33. The dotted lines refer herein to mean that host sending device 30, digital TV 32, and on-line PC 33 are connected alternately to portable storage device 10, not simultaneously.
A Controller 12, such as USB 2.0 high speed device controller, available from msystems Ltd., Kefar Sava, Israel, is operative to provide a controlled feeding of streaming content to a receiving device, such as a digital TV 32, in response to a license and a respective identification parameter for the digital TV. The license may be received for the digital TV 32 from any network device (e.g. on-line PC 33) and then stored in a non-volatile memory 14. The manner (e.g. the quality, the amount of content, etc.) of which the digital content is streamed, via controller 12, to the digital TV 32 is contingent on the licensing policy stored in a DRM storage 18 of non- volatile memory 14.
A non-volatile memory 14, such as a flash memory, stores the license in a license storage area 17. Non-volatile memory 14 further includes the digital content (stored in Digital Content storage 16) and the licensing policy (stored in DRM storage 18) that are typically received from a sending device 30 via USB connector 24. Typically, in accordance the common procedures of the DRM technology, the digital data is received (and thus also stored in Digital Content unit 16) in a compressed and encrypted manner. A Decryption unit 34, equipped with a private decryption key of the portable storage device 10 (that corresponds to a public key that is sent from the portable storage device 10 when connecting the portable storage device 10 to the sending device 30), is provided to decrypt the encrypted digital content (and the licensing policy, if required) that is stored in Digital Content unit 16. In a preferred method of the present invention, the decrypted digital content is further encrypted, by an Encryption unit 35, with a private key of the digital TV 32 that corresponds to a public key that is received from the digital TV 32 (typically in addition to receiving the identification parameter). The digital TV 32, upon receiving the encrypted streaming content, decrypts this content with its private key. This key-exchange procedure ensures that the digital content is viewed on the specific viewing device as identified by the identification parameter only.
Note that providing Encryption unit 35 is optional and the digital content does not necessarily have to be encrypted by the portable storage device. Instead, the digital content is transferred to the viewing device as plain streaming content to be viewed on a viewing device that is equipped with standard logic (i.e. does not require computing logic and decrypting capabilities in additional to the standard), while providing copyright protection of the digital content. By plain streaming content we refer in the present invention either to streaming content that has never been encrypted or to encrypted digital content that has already been decrypted by the portable storage device. In order to ensure that the digital content is streamed to the designated viewing device only, it is possible to constantly sample the identification parameter received from this viewing device and condition the streaming of the remaining portions of the content on the validity of such identification parameter. Such implementation spares the need of configuring a special viewing device that is further capable of decrypting the streaming content received from the portable storage device.
A De-Compression unit 36 is provided to apply de-compression techniques, as known in the art, for de-compressing the digital content before the digital content is streamed to the viewing device.
A Multi-Media Processor 20 is provided to convert the de-compressed digital content received from De-Compression unit 36 to streaming content.
In a preferred embodiment, portable storage device 10 of the present invention alternately communicates with matching connectors on either one of the sending device 30, the digital TV 32 and the on-line PC 33 using a common connector 24. Connector 24 is typically implemented with two separate channels that are mechanically designed to fit a both a standard USB socket (for USB protocol communications) and a modified USB socket (for video communication), as described in Appendix A.
TV connecting device 28, connected to Digital TV 32 (see Figure 2), is provided to modify a standard TV to function as a host and transfer data to the portable storage device.
Configuring the TV connecting device 28 to be further applicable to provide the portable storage device with the identification parameter can be achieved, for example, by configuring the TV connecting device 28 with enhanced logic to include a set of resistors (see Figure 2), each of a very high (i.e. mega ohms) and different resistance. A resistance measurement unit 38 is optionally provided for measuring the resistance between pairs of adjacent pins within the TV connecting device 28 when connector 24 is plugged into the TV connecting device. The values, uniquely obtained from measurements applied on all pairs of adjacent pins within the TV connecting device 28, provide controller 12 of portable storage device 10 the identification parameter required for the digital TV 32.
An optional way to receive the identification signal from the digital TV 32 is by transferring RF signals from the receiving device. An RFID reader 22, such as the RFID reader module, available from Parallax, Inc., Rocklin, California, can be optionally implemented within the portable storage device to receive these RF signals.
In an alternative embodiment, the communication between portable storage device 10 and matching connectors on either - the sending device 30, the receiving device 32, or the network device 33, is effected using respective connecting devices of portable storage device 10 instead of a single common connector 24.
Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a schematic illustration of a TV connecting device
28 implemented with enhanced logic to include a set of resistors. TV connecting device 28 of
Digital TV 32 is configured with a set of resistors Rl, R2, R3, R4 and R5 that are connected between pairs of adjacent pins Pl, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 of TV connecting device 28, respectively. Each resistor is implemented with a very high (i.e. mega ohms) and different resistance to enforce a different resistance measurement on resistance measurement unit 38 when connecting USB connector 24 to TV connecting device 28.
Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a flow chart of a method of the present invention.
Note that the method of Figure 3 describes the display of digital content on a single viewing device as an example only, as the method of the present invention can further includes displaying, upon request, the digital content on a plurality of viewing device listed among a group of authorized viewing devices, as described above.
The initial step is the loading phase 50, wherein a user connects the portable storage device to a sending device (such as an automatic video vendor) of a publisher. Upon connection, a public key is transferred from the portable storage device to the sending device as an identifier of the portable storage device. Digital content selected by the user to be downloaded to the portable storage device is then transferred as encrypted content (encrypted by the sending device with the public key) to be stored (as encrypted content) within the portable storage device. At this phase a licensing policy corresponding to the selected digital content is also transferred from the sending device to the portable storage device.
At the next step, i.e. ID phase 52, the portable storage device is plugged to a viewing device, such as a digital TV 32. An identification parameter (e.g. serial number), uniquely characterizing the viewing device of which the portable storage device is plugged to, and a public key associated with a private key stored in the viewing device are both transferred from the viewing device to the portable storage device.
At the next step 54 it is verified whether a valid license is stored in the non-volatile memory of the portable storage device to allow viewing the digital content on this viewing device as identified by the identification parameter.
In the affirmative case, the method of the present invention proceeds directly to step 58 (thus skipping step 56).
However in the negative case, the license purchasing phase 56, the user unplugs the portable storage device from the viewing device and plugs the portable storage device into a network device, such as an on-line PC or a telephone, and initiates a licensing request from a licensing authority (such as the publisher or a retailer) to purchase a license and allow displaying the digital content on this specific viewing device as identified by the identification parameter. The license purchased by the user (in form of a rights object) is sent to be stored in the portable storage device and the method returns to apply step 54. Typically, the license purchased by the user is chosen among a variety of license types that are displayed on the network device in accordance with the license policy stored in the portable storage device. At step 58, the viewing phase, the portable storage device is connected to the viewing device and then the digital content is sent to the viewing device as streaming content to be displayed on the viewing device. Optionally, before then digital content is sent, the digital content is once decrypted with the private key of the portable storage device and then encrypted with the public key previously sent from the viewing device. At the last step 60, after the digital content is displayed on the viewing device, the license obtained for displaying the digital content on this viewing device is updated, if necessary, in association with this viewing device. The updating of the license is effected according to the type of license purchase by the user at step 56. For example, in case the license purchased by the user is limited to enable to a small number of viewing sessions (e.g. 3 times only) of the digital content, then after the streaming content is transferred to be displayed on the viewing device the license is updated to allow one fewer viewing sessions (e.g. 2 times only).
Optionally, in case the portable storage device of the present invention is plugged into an ordinary viewing device that is not configured to identify itself to the portable storage device as required or in case a license is not obtained for displaying the digital content on the designated viewing device, the digital content is transferred as attenuated streaming content to be viewed on the viewing device according to the policy of no-license.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of purchasing digital rights in form of a valid license for displaying digital content on one or more authorized viewing devices. The method includes selling a user the portable storage device of the present invention that is operative to connect to one or more viewing devices and receive respective values of identification parameters. Contingent on a presence of a corresponding license, the user is then offered to purchase the corresponding license from a network device, according to the licensing policy, for viewing the digital content on the viewing device upon re-connecting the portable storage device to the viewing devices as identified by the respective value of the identification parameter.
It should be further noted that in accordance with another method of the present invention, there is further provided a pay-per-view method of doing business that allows a user to download as much digital content (e.g. videos, etc.) to his/her portable storage device as desired free of charge by charging the user only when he/she purchases a valid license for viewing this digital content on a viewing device. In other words, the pay-per-view method includes offering a user to download the digital content and a corresponding policy to a portable storage device of the present invention free of charge, and charging the user only when the user purchases the license for viewing the digital content on this viewing device. Having described the system of the present invention with regard to certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation, since further modifications will now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Appendix A - Modified from US provisional application no. 60/747,194. References in this Appendix to an "invention" are to the invention of provisional application no. 60/747,194.
Terms:
Bow (of a personal data storage device) - The front end of the device that can easily be plugged into a host, and is the natural location on the device for installing a connector. PSD - A portable storage device. UFD - A USB Flash Drive
Background of the Invention
Digital multimedia players are well known in the art of electronics engineering as devices that convert digital data into streaming video or audio to be played on a TV set or in a stereo system. Portable storage devices (PSDs) that are equipped with a programmable controller are able to input a digital file containing a multimedia item, convert the file into streaming media, and output the media stream into a playing device. Whereas large storage devices, such as a personal computer or a TV set-top box, have a connector for inputting digital data and another connector for sending media streams to an output device and therefore can handle such tasks, small PSDs typically cannot accommodate two connectors due to their small size.
It would be very desirable to invent a system that allows a small PSD to have a single connector at its bow that will be used both for inputting digital files and for outputting streaming media. It will be even more desirable to invent such as system that will automatically recognize which of the two functions is being used, and will adjust the protocol of the communication with the port accordingly.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention teaches, for the first time, a system for connecting a PSD to a source of a multimedia file such as a computer, via a digital protocol such as USB, and to a destination of streaming media, such as a digital TV set, via a streaming media protocol, using a single connector.
There are several aspects to this invention.
In one aspect of the invention, the PSD should have the functionality of a large non- volatile storage area that can store a large digital file, as well as a USB interface that can connect the PSD, as a disk drive, to a digital computer. In this aspect, the PSD has to behave as a large UFD.
In another aspect of the invention, the PSD should have the functionality of a digital media player, converting a digital file into streaming media. This conversion should comply with one or more of the standards of multimedia content storage, such as MPEG 3, MPEG 4, or other such standards as appear in the art. The PSD should also be able to feed the streaming media into an output device, such as a digital TV or a digital stereo system, using a standard protocol and a standard connector, such as 32" Diagonal Cinema Series® HD LCD Television, available from Toshiba®. In a third aspect of the present invention, the two connectors mentioned above should be implemented in one physical connector that will fit both the standard digital socket for input and the standard streaming socket for output.
In a forth aspect of the present invention, the system should be able to automatically detect the type of connector into which it is plugged and resolve between two or more possible socket types.
In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the system should be able to automatically switch signals to the pins that should be active in a given protocol, and isolate pins that are not relevant for the current protocol but come in electric contact with pins that are active.
The way in which the above-mentioned five aspects of the present invention are embodied is better understand from the following detailed description of the drawings.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a schematic drawing of a preferred embodiment of a dual mode multimedia connector. The connector is built to comply with the USB standard. Accordingly, it includes a USB socket compatible shell 102 and inner four contacts pins 108. In addition, this unique connector includes an optional recession 104, and additional contact pins. For example, in this embodiment it includes ten additional pins 110. In regular USB operation, the connector is inserted into a standard USB socket, hence only the four standard pins 108 are operational. When plugged into a special multimedia socket, the host (into which the connector is plugged), may automatically identify that such a special dual connector is plugged in, and initiate a different multimedia protocol to be transferred via the additional pins 110 as well as through the original pins 108. Such automatic identification may be performed in several ways. In this embodiment it may be done mechanically by providing a micro switch (not shown) in the recession 104 of the dongle and sensing if the socket has a protrusion that enters the recession. If there is a protrusion, then the dongle sets up the connector to the "streaming media" configuration explained in Figure 8 below. If there is no protrusion, then the dongle sets up the connector to the "standard USB" configuration shown in Figure 7. The identification of the connector mode can also be sensed by electrical means — sensing the connectivity of a specific pin 112 that can be grounded in the TV Set socket, and not in the USB socket. Figure 1 shows an identification that is carried by two pins 112, but other numbers of pins may be designed for identification as well.
It should also be noted that although two special pins are designated for identification in Figure 4; the same pins may also be acting for electrical means other than identification.
Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6, there is shown a cross-section through the connector of Figure 4, in a plane that is vertical to the direction of the pins, and crosses the pins, showing both the pins of the plug and the pins of the socket.
Referring to Figure 5, there is shown the cross-section when the plug is plugged into a standard digital USB socket. The connection of the connector into the socket is done by inserting one shell of the plug 120 into the mating shell of the socket 121. The digital USB socket contains 4 four USB pins 128 attached to an insulating plate 130 according to the USB standard. These standard USB pins 128 are connected to the four pins of the plug 108, which are also attached to an insulating plate 106. In this connection, the special pins 110, 112 used for identification of the socket remain unconnected, hence the connector acts as a regular digital USB connector.
Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a same connector when plugged into a TV set, having a special socket that is designed to mate with the plug of the present invention. Again, the connection is done by inserting the shell of the plug 132 shell into the shell of the socket 133. In this connection, the mating socket includes two insulating plates 134. On the upper plate there are four pins 136 that are in contact with the pin 108 of the connector. In addition, the socket has ten pins 138, 140, that are connected to the special pins of the connector 110, 112. The identification pins of the connector 112 are in contact with the identification pins of the socket 140, and the dongle, sensing this, sets the connector to the configuration of the TV set mode.
Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a schematic pinout layout of the connector when connected and acting as a PSD. One can see that the four USB pins pi, p2, p3, and p4 are acting in according to a regular standard digital USB protocol, while all other 10 special pins spl, sp2, sp3, sp4, sp5, sp6, sp7, sp8, sp9, and splO are not connected.
Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a pinout layout of the same connector, however here the pinout suits the configuration when plugged into a TV set. A power signal VCC and general ground signal GND are connected via the four standard USB pins pi, p2, p3, and p4. All other video signals are connected using the additional 10 special pins spl, sp2, sp3, sp4, sp5, sp6, sp7, sp8, sp9, and splO.

Claims

1. A portable storage device for providing a controlled feeding of streaming digital content, said portable storage device comprising:
(a) a mechanism for receiving a value of an identification parameter from a receiving device;
(b) a non-volatile memory for storing digital content, a licensing policy, and a license for viewing said digital content on said receiving device as identified by said identification parameter; and
(c) a controller operative, in response to said identification parameter and contingent on a presence of said license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of said digital content to said receiving device, in accordance with said licensing policy.
2. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein said controller is operative to provide said controlled feeding of said at least portion of said digital content as plain streaming content.
3. The portable storage device of claim 1 further comprising an encryption unit for streaming said at least portion of said digital content to said receiving device as encrypted streaming content.
4. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein said license is for only one said receiving device as identified by said identification parameter.
5. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein said license is for a plurality of authorized said receiving devices.
6. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein said mechanism for receiving said value of said identification parameter from said receiving device is further operative to transfer said digital content to said receiving device.
7. The portable storage device of claim 6, wherein said mechanism for receiving said value of said identification parameter from said receiving device includes a connector for transferring said digital content to said receiving device.
8. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein said mechanism is operative to receive said value of said identification parameter via a wired communication link.
9. The portable storage device of claim 8, wherein said mechanism includes a USB connector.
10. The portable storage device of claim I5 wherein said mechanism is operative to receive said value of said identification parameter via a wireless communication link.
11. The portable storage device of claim 10, wherein said mechanism includes an RPID reader.
12. The portable storage device of claim 1 , wherein said receiving device is a viewing device.
13. The portable storage device of claim 12, wherein said viewing device is a digital television.
14. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein said licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines an amount of said digital content that is streamed to said receiving device.
15. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein said licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines a quality of said digital content that is streamed to said receiving device.
16. The portable storage device of claim 15, wherein said at least one parameter controls at least one aspect, of said streamed content, selected from the group consisting of: color, continuity, display, superimposition of a pre-defined image, frame size, and streaming rate.
17. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein said controller is further operative, upon said controlled feeding of said at least portion of said digital content to said receiving device, to update said license stored in said non-volatile memory according to said licensing policy.
18. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein said controller is further operative to provide said controlled feeding of said at least portion of said digital content to said receiving device in accordance with said licensing policy in an absence of said identification parameter or in an absence of said license.
19. A digital rights management system comprising:
(a) a receiving device operative to display digital content; and
(b) a storage device including:
(i) a mechanism for receiving a value of an identification parameter from said receiving device; and
(ii) a non-volatile memory for storing digital content, a licensing policy, and a license for viewing said digital content on said receiving device as identified by said identification parameter; wherein said storage device is operative, in response to said identification parameter and contingent on a presence of said license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of said digital content to said receiving device, in accordance with said licensing policy.
20. The digital rights management system of claim 19 further comprising a network device, that is physically separated from said storage device and said receiving device, for issuing said license.
21. A portable storage device for purchasing digital rights for digital content, the portable storage device comprising:
(a) a mechanism for receiving a respective identification parameter from at least one receiving device;
(b) a non-volatile memory for storing the digital content and a licensing policy; and
(c) a controller operative, in response to said respective identification parameter and according to said licensing policy:
(i) to obtain a corresponding license from a network device that is physically separated from the portable storage device and said at least one receiving device, for viewing the digital content on said at least one receiving device as identified by said respective identification parameter, and
(ii) contingent on a presence of a corresponding license, to provide a controlled feeding of at least a portion of the digital content to said at least one receiving device.
22. A digital rights management method comprising the steps of:
(a) storing digital content and a licensing policy;
(b) receiving a value of an identification parameter from a receiving device;
(c) verifying presence of a license, in said non-volatile memory, for viewing said digital content on said receiving device as identified by said identification parameter; and
(d) contingent on said presence of said license and according to said licensing policy, transferring at least a portion of said digital content to said receiving device.
23. The digital rights management method of claim 22, wherein said at least portion of said digital content is transferred to said receiving device as plain streaming content.
24. The digital rights management method of claim 22, wherein said at least portion of said digital content is transferred to said receiving device as encrypted streaming content.
25. The digital rights management method of claim 22 further comprising the step of in response to said receiving of said value of said identification parameter, communicating with a network device for obtaining said license.
26. The digital rights management method of claim 22 further comprising the step of:
(e) updating said license in accordance with said licensing policy.
27. The digital rights management method of claim 22, wherein said license is for only one said receiving device as identified by said identification parameter.
28. The digital rights management method of claim 22, wherein said license is for a plurality of authorized said receiving devices.
29. The digital rights management method of claim 22, wherein said receiving of said value of said identification parameter is effected via a wired communication link.
30. The digital rights management method of claim 29, wherein said wired communication link includes a USB connector.
31. The digital rights management method of claim 22, wherein said receiving of said identification parameter is effected via a wireless communication link.
32. The digital rights management method of claim 31, wherein said wireless communication link is a RP communication link.
33. The digital rights management method of claim 22, wherein said receiving device is a viewing device.
34. The digital rights management method of claim 33, wherein said viewing device is a digital television.
35. The digital rights management method of claim 22, wherein said licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines an amount of said digital content that is streamed to said receiving device.
36. The digital rights management method of claim 22, wherein said licensing policy includes a value of at least one parameter that determines a quality of said digital content that is streamed to said receiving device.
37. The digital rights management method of claim 36, wherein said at least one parameter controls at least one aspect, of said streamed content, selected from the group consisting of: color, continuity, display, superimposition of a pre-defined image, frame size, and streaming rate.
38. The digital rights management method of claim 22 further comprising the step of:
(e) transferring an attenuated portion of said digital content to said receiving device in accordance with said licensing policy in an absence of said license or in an absence of said identification parameter.
39. A method of purchasing digital rights for digital content, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) selling a user a portable storage device that is operative to connect to at least one receiving device and receive a respective value of an identification parameter from said at least one receiving device, wherein said portable storage device includes a controller and a non- volatile memory for storing the digital content and a licensing policy;
(b) contingent on a presence of a corresponding license, offering said user to purchase, in accordance with said licensing policy, said corresponding license from a network device, that is physically separated from said portable storage device and said at least one receiving device, for viewing the digital content on said at least one receiving device upon re-connecting said portable storage device to said at least one receiving device as identified by said respective value of said identification parameter.
40. A pay-per-view method of doing business comprising the steps of:
(a) detecting a portable storage device that is configured to provide a controlled feeding of digital content to a viewing device contingent on a presence of a license;
(b) in response to said detecting said portable storage device, offering a user to download said digital content and a corresponding licensing policy to a nonvolatile memory of said portable storage device; and
(c) selling said user said license for viewing said digital content on said viewing device as identified by a value of an identification parameter received for said viewing device, wherein said controlled feeding of said digital content to said viewing device is effected according to said corresponding licensing policy and said license and in response to said identification parameter.
41. The pay-per-view method of claim 40, wherein said offering said user to download said digital content and said corresponding licensing policy is effected free-of-charge.
42. The pay-per-view method of claim 40, wherein said selling of said license is effected from a network device.
PCT/IL2006/001355 2005-11-23 2006-11-23 A digital rights management device and method WO2007060665A2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06821575A EP1952452A4 (en) 2005-11-23 2006-11-23 A digital rights management device and method
JP2008541913A JP2010511307A (en) 2005-11-23 2006-11-23 Portable storage device, digital rights management system, and digital rights management method

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US59732005P 2005-11-23 2005-11-23
US60/597,320 2005-11-23
US74719406P 2006-05-14 2006-05-14
US60/747,194 2006-05-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007060665A2 true WO2007060665A2 (en) 2007-05-31
WO2007060665A3 WO2007060665A3 (en) 2009-09-03

Family

ID=38067631

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL2006/001355 WO2007060665A2 (en) 2005-11-23 2006-11-23 A digital rights management device and method

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US9202210B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1952452A4 (en)
JP (1) JP2010511307A (en)
KR (1) KR20080077221A (en)
WO (1) WO2007060665A2 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2010041393A (en) * 2008-08-05 2010-02-18 Sharp Corp Complex storage medium module, terminal device, and storage reproducing system
EP2273406A1 (en) * 2009-06-29 2011-01-12 Thomson Licensing Portable video storage device
CN102203851A (en) * 2008-10-31 2011-09-28 晶像股份有限公司 Transmission of alternative content over standard device connectors
KR101167458B1 (en) 2009-09-29 2012-07-26 인스티튜트 포 인포메이션 인더스트리 Digital content management methods and systems
EP2602992A3 (en) * 2011-12-09 2013-09-11 LOEWE OPTA GmbH Device for recording and/or reproducing progam contributions
EP3091464A1 (en) * 2015-05-04 2016-11-09 Rossano Vettore System for rendering the commercialisation of electronic documents secure

Families Citing this family (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070256126A1 (en) * 2006-04-14 2007-11-01 Ewan1, Inc. Secure identification remote and dongle
FR2900750B1 (en) * 2006-05-02 2008-11-28 Oberthur Card Syst Sa PORTABLE ELECTRONIC ENTITY CAPABLE OF RECEIVING A DIFFUSE MULTIMEDIA DATA STREAM.
US8849719B2 (en) * 2006-08-02 2014-09-30 Christopher W. Baker Providing content to a portable playback device
US20080091613A1 (en) * 2006-09-28 2008-04-17 Microsoft Corporation Rights management in a cloud
US9892390B2 (en) * 2007-12-12 2018-02-13 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Digital content packaging, licensing and consumption
US9911457B2 (en) * 2008-09-24 2018-03-06 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method for providing a secure content with revocable access
US8296564B2 (en) * 2009-02-17 2012-10-23 Microsoft Corporation Communication channel access based on channel identifier and use policy
US8914874B2 (en) * 2009-07-21 2014-12-16 Microsoft Corporation Communication channel claim dependent security precautions
KR101552649B1 (en) * 2009-10-30 2015-09-18 삼성전자 주식회사 Method and system for enabling transmission of a protected document from an electronic device to a host device
US8756433B2 (en) * 2010-01-08 2014-06-17 Microsoft Corporation Associating policy with unencrypted digital content
CN102549595B (en) * 2010-07-23 2016-04-20 松下电器产业株式会社 Information processor, controller, Key Issuance station, ineffective treatment listing effectiveness decision method and Key Issuance method
US9449324B2 (en) 2010-11-11 2016-09-20 Sony Corporation Reducing TV licensing costs
WO2016043571A1 (en) * 2014-09-19 2016-03-24 삼성전자주식회사 Apparatus and method for providing content
US9955196B2 (en) 2015-09-14 2018-04-24 Google Llc Selective degradation of videos containing third-party content
CN105187946A (en) * 2015-09-18 2015-12-23 深圳创维数字技术有限公司 Multi-mode TV signal receiving method and digital TV receiving terminal
EP3169076A1 (en) * 2015-11-11 2017-05-17 Nagravision S.A. Portable device for processing access controlled multimedia content
EP3825879A1 (en) * 2019-11-21 2021-05-26 Nagravision S.A. Playing drm protected content from a portable flash drive
AU2021244772A1 (en) * 2020-03-25 2022-09-22 Boris Pavic A digital artwork content digital rights management and content distribution network

Family Cites Families (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5892900A (en) 1996-08-30 1999-04-06 Intertrust Technologies Corp. Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection
US5530235A (en) * 1995-02-16 1996-06-25 Xerox Corporation Interactive contents revealing storage device
JPH1021144A (en) 1996-07-03 1998-01-23 Hitachi Ltd Digital writing work distributing system and illegal copy detecting method
US6611537B1 (en) * 1997-05-30 2003-08-26 Centillium Communications, Inc. Synchronous network for digital media streams
US6367019B1 (en) 1999-03-26 2002-04-02 Liquid Audio, Inc. Copy security for portable music players
US6697944B1 (en) 1999-10-01 2004-02-24 Microsoft Corporation Digital content distribution, transmission and protection system and method, and portable device for use therewith
US20020154157A1 (en) * 2000-04-07 2002-10-24 Sherr Scott Jeffrey Website system and process for selection and delivery of electronic information on a network
US7565680B1 (en) * 2000-06-30 2009-07-21 Comcast Ip Holdings I, Llc Advanced set top terminal having a video call feature
US7142934B2 (en) * 2000-09-01 2006-11-28 Universal Electronics Inc. Audio converter device and method for using the same
JP2002351846A (en) * 2001-05-22 2002-12-06 Kyodo Printing Co Ltd Contents delivery method and contents decryption method and system for them
US7636931B2 (en) * 2001-08-17 2009-12-22 Igt Interactive television devices and systems
US20040030929A1 (en) 2001-11-06 2004-02-12 Depeng Bi Digital audio and video distribution transmission and playback
CA2485053A1 (en) * 2002-05-10 2003-11-20 Protexis Inc. System and method for multi-tiered license management and distribution using networked clearinghouses
US7116894B1 (en) * 2002-05-24 2006-10-03 Digeo, Inc. System and method for digital multimedia stream conversion
US20040093509A1 (en) 2002-11-12 2004-05-13 Gidon Elazar Method and apparatus for connecting a storage device to a television
US20040117840A1 (en) * 2002-12-12 2004-06-17 Boudreau Paul A. Data enhanced multi-media system for a set-top terminal
US7725582B2 (en) * 2003-01-10 2010-05-25 At & T Intellectual Property I, L.P. Network based proxy control of content
FR2854019B1 (en) * 2003-04-16 2005-09-16 Medialive SCREENING, UNLOCKING AND SECURED DISTRIBUTION OF AUDIOVISUAL SEQUENCES FROM VIDEO ENCODERS BASED ON WAVELET PROCESSING
US9342662B2 (en) * 2003-09-16 2016-05-17 Media Rights Technologies, Inc. Method and system for controlling video media
US20050066353A1 (en) * 2003-09-18 2005-03-24 Robert Fransdonk Method and system to monitor delivery of content to a content destination
US20050227773A1 (en) * 2003-09-24 2005-10-13 Lu Priscilla M Portable video storage and playback device
US7801819B2 (en) * 2003-10-03 2010-09-21 Sony Corporation Rendering rights delegation system and method
CN1926855B (en) 2004-01-16 2012-05-23 特科2000国际有限公司 A portable storage device for recording and playing back data
WO2005076576A2 (en) * 2004-02-03 2005-08-18 Sandisk Secure Content Solutions, Inc. Protection of digital data content
KR101100385B1 (en) * 2004-03-22 2011-12-30 삼성전자주식회사 Method and apparatus for digital rights management by using certificate revocation list
US20050235364A1 (en) 2004-04-15 2005-10-20 Wilson Christopher S Authentication mechanism permitting access to data stored in a data processing device
US7849329B2 (en) * 2004-09-01 2010-12-07 Microsoft Corporation Licensing the use of a particular feature of software
US7603434B2 (en) * 2006-04-13 2009-10-13 Domingo Enterprises, Llc Central system providing previews of a user's media collection to a portable media player

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of EP1952452A4 *

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2010041393A (en) * 2008-08-05 2010-02-18 Sharp Corp Complex storage medium module, terminal device, and storage reproducing system
CN102203851A (en) * 2008-10-31 2011-09-28 晶像股份有限公司 Transmission of alternative content over standard device connectors
EP2273406A1 (en) * 2009-06-29 2011-01-12 Thomson Licensing Portable video storage device
KR101167458B1 (en) 2009-09-29 2012-07-26 인스티튜트 포 인포메이션 인더스트리 Digital content management methods and systems
EP2602992A3 (en) * 2011-12-09 2013-09-11 LOEWE OPTA GmbH Device for recording and/or reproducing progam contributions
EP3091464A1 (en) * 2015-05-04 2016-11-09 Rossano Vettore System for rendering the commercialisation of electronic documents secure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20070174919A1 (en) 2007-07-26
KR20080077221A (en) 2008-08-21
JP2010511307A (en) 2010-04-08
EP1952452A4 (en) 2010-01-13
WO2007060665A3 (en) 2009-09-03
US9202210B2 (en) 2015-12-01
EP1952452A2 (en) 2008-08-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9202210B2 (en) Digital rights management device and method
US8544047B2 (en) Automatically reconfigurable multimedia system with interchangeable personality adapters
US10055553B2 (en) PC secure video path
US8955020B2 (en) Transcoding and data rights management in a mobile video network with STB as a hub
EP2705662B1 (en) Tv receiver device with multiple decryption modes
US20070288967A1 (en) Method and system for downloading content to a content downloader
EP1304844A1 (en) Content protection and copy management system for a network
JP2005514716A (en) Method and apparatus for digital rights management
US8015613B2 (en) System renewability message transport
CN101843109A (en) The method of deal with data and IPTV receiving equipment
WO2008139335A1 (en) Transferring digital data
JPWO2003102948A1 (en) Content distribution storage system
WO2015008252A1 (en) A system for receiving and decrypting multimedia content
US7308098B2 (en) AV communication control circuit for realizing copyright protection with respect to radio LAN
CN101632276A (en) A digital rights management device and method
EP2359301B1 (en) System renewability message transport
JP2007013765A (en) Content distribution system, client terminal, program, and storage medium

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 200680043861.1

Country of ref document: CN

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2006821575

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2008541913

Country of ref document: JP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1020087015130

Country of ref document: KR

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2006821575

Country of ref document: EP