WO2008114941A1

WO2008114941A1 - Preventing system for copying data and method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2008114941A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001150
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gwang Don Park; Se Jin Park; Seong Jin Park
Original assignee: Gwang Don Park; Se Jin Park; Seong Jin Park
Priority date: 2007-03-16
Filing date: 2008-02-27
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Also published as: KR20080084318A

Abstract

A system for preventing copying of transmitted data includes a data provider for providing data, a computation device for receiving the data through the data provider, and a network for transmitting the data, provided by the data provider, to the computation device. The data provider encrypts the data in conformity with an encryption key or an encryption program provided to a user of the computation device in advance or at a time of transmitting the data, and then provides the encrypted data. Accordingly, when the data is played back, the encryption key suitable for the data is required. As a result, since the data cannot be copied without using the encryption key, illegal copying of the data can be prevented.

Description

PREVENTING SYSTEM FOR COPYING DATA AND METHOD

THEREOF

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a system and method for preventing copying of data and, more particularly, to a system and method for preventing copying of data that is capable of preventing copying of program, sound or video data. Background Art

[2] Unlike the time when program, sound or video data was stored and played back in an analog manner, recently, such data is being stored and played back in a digital manner, and consequently, indiscreet copying is being performed. Furthermore, with the development of computers and the Internet, various types of data are being illegally copied and distributed over the Internet using various methods such as a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) method.

[3] Conventionally, as shown in Fig. 5, a user accesses a computer, and obtains sound or video data or the like through a data provider.

[4] As shown in Fig. 5, a prior art data transmission system 200 includes a user computer 210, a network 230 and a data provider 220.

[5] The user obtains data in such a way as to access a related company 220 by entering an ID through the computer 210, search for sound or video data and download the desired data.

[6] Furthermore, data is played back in such a way that data, downloaded to the computer 210, is played back in the computer 210 itself, or in such a way that a separate player 240, such as an MPEG-I Audio Layer-3 (MP3) player, is connected to the computer 210 and data is downloaded and played back through the player 240.

[7] However, the prior art data transmission system having the above-described construction transmits the same data, which is transmitted to user computers 210 through the data provider 220, to all users who make access using a specific ID without passing through a process in which the data provider 220 authenticates the users. Furthermore, since transmitted data is not specially encrypted, the data can be easily obtained by anyone through an illegitimate method over a network. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system for preventing copying of data, which assigns a user an encryption key, produces encrypted data in conformity with the encryption key, and transmits the encrypted data, thereby being able to prevent data from being illegally copied or obtained over a network.

[9] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of receiving and playing back data using the system for preventing copying of data. Technical Solution

[10] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a system for preventing copying of transmitted data, including a data provider for providing data, a computation device for receiving the data through the data provider, and a network for transmitting the data, provided by the data provider, to the computation device, wherein the data provider encrypts the data in conformity with an encryption key provided to the user of the computation device and then provides the encrypted data.

[11] Preferably, the data encrypted by the data provider is partially or entirely encrypted.

[12] Preferably, the computation device is provided with an encryption program capable of decrypting the encrypted data provided by the data provider through the encryption key.

[13] Preferably, the system further includes a player for connecting with the computation device and receiving the data provided by the data provider.

[14] Preferably, the player is provided with an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted data, and the encryption key is installed in a reader that is integrated with or separate from the player.

[15] Preferably, the encryption key includes a certificate, a password system, and an encryption system, in addition to a three-dimensional random identification body including a main body configured to have a three-dimensional space and a plurality of identification particles randomly arranged throughout the main body.

[16] Additionally, the present invention provides a method of preventing copying of transmitted data, including a step S 110 of being assigned an encryption key or an encryption program by a data provider, a step S 120 of accessing the data provider through a computation device, transmitting an encryption key value, and requesting data to be provided, a step 130 of encrypting the data in conformity with the assigned encryption key or encryption program, and transmitting the encrypted data, and a step S 140 of decrypting the encrypted data using the encryption key or encryption program, and playing back the decrypted data.

[17] Preferably, at the step SI lO, the encryption key or encryption program is used as means for preventing copying of data.

[18] Preferably, the encryption key of the step S 140 includes a certificate, a password system, and an encryption system, in addition to a three-dimensional random identification body including a main body configured to have a three-dimensional space and a plurality of identification particles randomly arranged throughout the main body.

[19] Preferably, the encrypted data of the step S 140 is played back in the computation device in which the encryption program has been stored, or is transmitted to a player, which is separately connected to the computation device and in which the encryption key has been stored, and is then played back in the player.

[20] The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be interpreted as having general and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts in conformity with the technical spirit of the present invention based on the principal in which an inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to describe the inventor's own invention in the most appropriate way.

Advantageous Effects

[21] In accordance with the system and method for preventing copying of data according to the present invention, data transmitted from a data provider is encrypted in conformity with a specific encryption key or an encryption program assigned to a user in advance, so that it is impossible for a third party to access a network, download the data through hacking or the like, and illegally copy or use the data.

[22] Furthermore, in the case in which the encryption key used in the present system is a three-dimensional random identification body, it is impossible in practice for a third party to copy the encryption key.

[23] Furthermore, in the case in which encrypted data has been stored in a disk that can be separately sold in offline markets, an encryption key is installed in the disk, or the data can be played back using only a specific encryption key provided to a user who purchases the disk, so that the illegal copying of storage media, such as disks, which are sold offline, can be prevented. Brief Description of the Drawings

[24] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for preventing copying of data according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[25] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an encryption key used in the system of Fig. 1 ;

[26] Fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method of obtaining data using the system of

Fig. 1;

[27] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a disk in which an encryption key is embedded; and [28] Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing a prior art data transmission system.

[29] <Description of reference numerals of principal elements in the accompanying drawings>

[30] 110: computer 120: data provider

[31] 130: network 140: player

[32] 141: encryption key

Mode for the Invention

[33] The above-described objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

[34] A system and method for preventing copying of transmitted data according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[35] First, it should be noted that the same elements or parts are designated the same reference numeral throughout the accompanying drawings as far as possible. In the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of related well- known functions or constructions will be omitted below so as to prevent the gist of the present invention from being obscured.

[36] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for preventing copying of data according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an encryption key used in the system of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing a method of obtaining data using the system of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a disk in which an encryption key is embedded.

[37] As shown in Fig. 1, a system for preventing copying of data 100 according to the present embodiment includes a computer 100, that is, a computation device, a data provider 120, and a network 130 for connecting the computer 1 and the data provider 120.

[38] A user subscribes to the data provider 120 and is assigned an ID based on a certificate, a password system or an encryption system in advance, so that the user is granted the right to receive data from the data provider 120 over the network 130. Furthermore, an encryption key 141, encrypted in conformity with the ID, or an encryption program 111, to be installed in the computer 110, is provided by the data provider 120. Alternatively, a specific password for enabling decryption of data is provided whenever the relevant data is downloaded.

[39] When a user desires to obtain data, the user accesses the data provider 120, connected with the computer 110 over the network 130, using the computer 110 and the ID assigned in advance, searches data, and downloads desired data. Since the data, provided to the user through the data provider 120, is encrypted in conformity with the encryption key 141 assigned to the specific user in advance or in conformity with a specific password transmitted to the user over the network, the data is configured such that the data cannot be played back without using the encryption key 141. In this case, the encryption of data may be performed partially or entirely.

[40] The downloaded encrypted data is played back directly in the computer 110, in which an encryption program, provided by the provider 120, has been installed, or is played back in such a way a way as to connect a specific player 140 to the computer 110, download data from the computer 110, and play back the data. In this case, a reader (not shown) capable of reading the encryption key 141 is contained in the player 140, or is externally attached to the player 140, and the player 140 plays back data only in the state in which the encryption key 141 is connected.

[41] For example, in the case in which the player is an MP3 player, the encryption key is installed in the MP3 player, and then data is played back by the MP3 player. In the case in which the player is a disk player, the encryption key is installed in the disk player and then sound or video data is played back by the disk player.

[42] Unlike the above cases, in the case of a disk player, a disk D in which desired data has been stored may be separately purchased offline and may then be played back, as shown in Fig. 4. In this case, an encryption key 10, such as that illustrated in Fig. 2, is installed in the disk D to prevent copying of the disk D, and the data can be played back only when the encryption key 10, provided at the time of purchasing the disk D, is installed in the player.

[43] It is preferred that an identification device, disclosed in Korean Patent No.

10-0524272, issued to the present applicant and entitled I Random Identification Body, and 3-dimensional (3D) Identification Device and Method using the sameJ , be used as the encryption key used in the system for preventing copying of data according to the present invention.

[44] An encryption key, which is the random identification body, is formed in such a way that a plurality of identification particles 12 is irregularly distributed through the inside of a three-dimensional main body 11, as shown in Fig. 2. The main body 11 may be implemented using any one of various materials, such as a synthetic resin, for example, plastic, or a glass material. Although, with regard to transparency, the main body 11 may be transparent or translucent, it is preferable that the main body 11 be made of transparent material. The identification particles 12, inserted into the main body 11, may also be made of various materials such as plastic or metal, and may be formed in any one of various shapes, such as a spherical shape or a cubic shape. Furthermore, the identification particles 12 may be formed in any one of various sizes ranging from several micrometers to several millimeters. The number and size of the particles 12 may be variously adjusted depending on the precision or significance that is required of a specific encryption key. Such an encryption key may be manufactured and used in the form of a plate, such as a credit card, or in the form of a bar.

[45] Since specially encrypted data is transmitted or obtained over a network, nobody can illegally copy the data as long as he or she cannot decrypt the password. Meanwhile, in the case in which an encryption key used to decrypt a password is the three-dimensional random key invented by the present applicant, it is impossible for a third party to illegally decrypt the password through hacking.

[46] Next, a method of receiving data using the system for preventing copying of data, which is configured as described above, will be described with reference to Fig. 3.

[47] First, a user subscribes to a data provider, and is then assigned an encryption key or an encryption program for the playback of data by the data provider in advance at step SI lO.

[48] Next, the user accesses the data provider using the user's ID through a computer, transmits an assigned encryption key value, searches various types of program, sound or video data provided by the data provider, and then requests desired data at step S 120.

[49] Thereafter, the data provider encrypts the data, desired by the user, in conformity with the encryption key or encryption program possessed by the user, and then transmits it to the user at step S 130. At this time, the data may be partially or entirely encrypted depending on the significance or need.

[50] Finally, the user, having received the encrypted data, plays back the data directly in the computer in which a program capable of decrypting the password has been stored, or the user connects a separate player, in which the encryption key can be installed, to the computer, downloads the data, and plays back the data at step S 140. In this case, a reader or a password decryptor may be installed inside or outside the player to decrypt the password of the encryption key.

[51] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above-described present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings, but various modifications and variations can be made within a range that does not depart from the technical sprit of the present invention. Accordingly, such modifications and variations must be considered to pertain to the claims of the present invention.

Claims

[1] A system for preventing copying of transmitted data, comprising: a data provider for providing data; a computation device for receiving the data through the data provider; and a network for transmitting the data, provided by the data provider, to the computation device; wherein the data provider encrypts the data in conformity with an encryption key or an encryption program provided to a user of the computation device in advance or at a time of transmitting the data, and then provides the encrypted data.

[2] The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data encrypted by the data provider is partially or entirely encrypted.

[3] The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a player for connecting with the computation device and receiving the data provided by the data provider, the player being provided with an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted data, wherein the encryption key is installed in a reader that is integrated with or separate from the player.

[4] The system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the encryption key comprises a main body configured to have a three-dimensional space and a plurality of identification particles randomly arranged throughout the main body.

[5] The system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the encryption key has a password value based on a certificate, a password system or an encryption system.

[6] A method of preventing copying of transmitted data, comprising the steps of:

(A) being assigned an encryption key or an encryption program by a data provider;

(B) accessing the data provider through a computation device, transmitting an encryption key value, and requesting data to be provided;

(C) encrypting the data in conformity with the assigned encryption key or encryption program, and transmitting the encrypted data; and

(D) decrypting the encrypted data using the encryption key or encryption program, and playing back the decrypted data.

[7] The method as set forth in claim 6, wherein, at the step (D), the encrypted data is played back in the computation device in which the encryption program has been stored, or is transmitted to a player, which is separately connected to the computation device and in which the encryption key has been stored, and is then played back in the player.