Method for simulcrypting scrambled data to a plurality of conditional access devices

• US 20020188567A1
• Filed: 07/30/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Candelore, Brant L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,702,589 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0021 involving encryption or decryption of contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91364 the video signal being scrambled
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4408 involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment, a method for storing a normal scrambled digital program is provided. The method includes receiving a scrambled program, and receiving a plurality of access requirements. Each access requirement can descramble the scrambled program. The method also includes selecting at least one of the access requirements, and storing the scrambled program and the selected requirement.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving scrambled data;

receiving a first access key to descramble the scrambled data;

receiving a second access key to descramble the scrambled data.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first access key is associated with a first conditional access unit.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the second access key is associated with a second conditional access unit.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising descrambling the scrambled data using the first conditional access unit and the first key.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising recording the scrambled data and the second access key in a computer readable memory.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising retrieving the second access key and the scrambled data from the memory.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising descrambling the scrambled data using the second conditional access unit and the second access key.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the second access key permits the second conditional access unit to descramble the scrambled data during a time period including a present time period and a future time period.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the first conditional access unit descrambles the scrambled data during a first period, and the second conditional access unit descrambles the scrambled data during a second period that is different from the first period.

10. A copy management method for controlling the recording and reproduction of digital content comprising:

receiving a digital bitstream including program data, said program data including system information and said digital content in a scrambled format;

descrambling said digital content in a scrambled format to provide a first output including said digital content in a descrambled format;

providing a second output including said digital content in the scrambled format;

outputting said first output including said digital content in the descrambled format and the second output including said digital content in the scrambled format;

receiving a plurality of access requirements, wherein each access requirement can descramble the program data;

selecting at least one of the access requirements;

storing the scrambled program data and the selected at least one access requirement.

11. The copy management method of claim 10, further comprising receiving and recording said digital content of said second output in a scrambled format.

12. The copy management method of claim 10, further comprising:

demultiplexing said digital content from said program data; and

decompressing said digital content in a descrambled format to a decompressed state.

13. The copy management method of claim 10, wherein said decompressing is executed in an MPEG decoder.

14. The copy management method of claim 10, wherein said digital content is content contained in digital television transmissions.

15. The copy management method of claim 10, wherein said digital content is content downloaded from the Internet.

16. The copy management method of claim 10, wherein said descrambling is carried out in a first conditional access unit.

17. The copy management method of claim 16, further comprising:

retrieving the stored scrambled program data and the stored access requirement;

descrambling the scrambled program using the access requirement in a second conditional access unit.

18. The copy management method of claim 10, wherein said descrambling comprises:

extracting a descrambling key included in said program data; and

applying said descrambling key to said digital content in a scrambled format to provide said digital content in a descrambled format.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the first access key is associated with a first conditional access unit.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the second access key is associated with a second conditional access unit.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the first descrambler can descramble the scrambled data using the first conditional access unit and the first key.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a recorder to record the scrambled data and the second access key in a computer readable memory.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a retriever to retrieve the second access key and the scrambled data from the memory.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the second descrambler can descramble the scrambled data using the second conditional access unit and the second access key.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the second access key permits the second conditional access unit to descramble the scrambled data during a time period including a present time period and a future time period.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the first conditional access unit descrambles the scrambled data during a first period, and the second conditional access unit descrambles the scrambled data during a second period that is different from the first period.

29. The copy management apparatus of claim 28, further comprising receiving and recording said digital content of said second output in a scrambled format.

30. The copy management method of claim 28, further comprising:

demultiplexing said digital content from said program data; and

decompressing said digital content in a descrambled format to a decompressed state.

31. The copy management method of claim 28, wherein said decompressing is executed in an MPEG decoder.

32. The copy management method of claim 28, wherein said digital content is content contained in digital television transmissions.

33. The copy management apparatus of claim 28, wherein said digital content is content downloaded from the Internet.

34. The copy management apparatus of claim 28, wherein said descrambling is carried out in a first conditional access unit.

35. The copy management apparatus of claim 34, further comprising:

retrieving the stored scrambled program data and the stored access requirement;

descrambling the scrambled program using the access requirement in a second conditional access unit.

36. The copy management apparatus of claim 28, wherein said descrambling step comprises:

extracting a descrambling key included in said program data; and

applying said descrambling key to said digital content in a scrambled format to provide said digital content in a descrambled format.

38. The medium of claim 37 wherein the first access key is associated with a first conditional access unit.

39. The medium of claim 38 wherein the second access key is associated with a second conditional access unit.

40. The medium of claim 39 further comprising descrambling the scrambled data using the first conditional access unit and the first key.

41. The medium of claim 40 further comprising recording the scrambled data and the second access key in a computer readable memory.

42. The medium of claim 41 further comprising retrieving the second access key and the scrambled data from the memory.

43. The medium of claim 42 further comprising descrambling the scrambled data using the second conditional access unit and the second access key.

44. The medium of claim 43 wherein the second access key permits the second conditional access unit to descramble the scrambled data during a time period including a present time period and a future time period.

45. The medium of claim 43 wherein the first conditional access unit descrambles the scrambled data during a first period, and the second conditional access unit descrambles the scrambled data during a second period that is different from the first period.

47. The medium of claim 46, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing system, further cause the system to perform receiving and recording said digital content of said second output in a scrambled format.

48. The medium of claim 46, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing system, further cause the system to perform:

demultiplexing said digital content from said program data; and

decompressing said digital content in a descrambled format to a decompressed state.

49. The medium of claim 47, wherein said decompressing is executed in an MPEG decoder.

50. The medium of claim 46, wherein said digital content is content contained in digital television transmissions.

51. The medium of claim 46, wherein said digital content is content downloaded from the Internet.

52. The medium of claim 46, wherein said descrambling is carried out in a first conditional access unit.

53. The medium of claim 52, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing system, further cause the system to perform:

retrieving the stored scrambled program data and the stored access requirement;

descrambling the scrambled program using the access requirement in a second conditional access unit.

54. The medium of claim 46, wherein said descrambling step comprises:

extracting a descrambling key included in said program data; and

applying said descrambling key to said digital content in a scrambled format to provide said digital content in a descrambled format.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver to receive scrambled data;

a first descrambler to use a first access key to descramble the scrambled data;

a second descrambler to use a second access key to descramble the scrambled data.

28. A copy management apparatus for controlling the recording and reproduction of digital content comprising:

a receiver to receive a digital bitstream including program data, said program data including system information and said digital content in a scrambled format;

a descrambler to descramble said digital content in a scrambled format to provide a first output including said digital content in a descrambled format, to

provide a second output including said digital content in the scrambled format;

outputting said first output including said digital content in the descrambled format and the second output including said digital content in the scrambled format;

receiving a plurality of access requirements, wherein each access requirement can descramble the program data;

selecting at least one of the access requirements;

storing the scrambled program data and the selected at least one access requirement.

37. A computer readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by a processing system, cause the system to perform:

receiving scrambled data;

receiving a first access key to descramble the scrambled data;

receiving a second access key to descramble the scrambled data.

46. A computer readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by a processing system, cause the system to perform a method for controlling the recording and reproduction of digital content comprising:

receiving a digital bitstream including program data, said program data including system information and said digital content in a scrambled format;

descrambling said digital content in a scrambled format to provide a first output including said digital content in a descrambled format;

providing a second output including said digital content in the scrambled format;

outputting said first output including said digital content in the descrambled format and the second output including said digital content in the scrambled format;

receiving a plurality of access requirements, wherein each access requirement can descramble the program data;

selecting at least one of the access requirements;

storing the scrambled program data and the selected at least one access requirement.

55. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving scrambled data;

means for receiving a first access key to descramble the scrambled data;

means for receiving a second access key to descramble the scrambled data.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the first access key is associated with a first conditional access unit.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the second access key is associated with a second conditional access unit.

58. The apparatus of claim 57 further comprising means for descrambling the scrambled data using the first conditional access unit and the first key.

59. The apparatus of claim 58 further comprising means for recording the scrambled data and the second access key in a computer readable memory.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 further comprising means for retrieving the second access key and the scrambled data from the memory.

61. The apparatus of claim 60 further comprising means for descrambling the scrambled data using the second conditional access unit and the second access key.

62. The apparatus of claim 61 wherein the second access key permits the second conditional access unit to descramble the scrambled data during a time period including a present time period and a future time period.

63. The apparatus of claim 61 wherein the first conditional access unit descrambles the scrambled data during a first period, and the second conditional access unit descrambles the scrambled data during a second period that is different from the first period.

64. A copy management apparatus for controlling the recording and reproduction of digital content comprising:

means for receiving a digital bitstream including program data, said program data including system information and said digital content in a scrambled format;

means for descrambling said digital content in a scrambled format to provide a first output including said digital content in a descrambled format;

means for providing a second output including said digital content in the scrambled format;

means for outputting said first output including said digital content in the descrambled format and the second output including said digital content in the scrambled format;

means for receiving a plurality of access requirements, wherein each access requirement can descramble the program data;

means for selecting at least one of the access requirements;

means for storing the scrambled program data and the selected at least one access requirement.

65. The copy management apparatus of claim 64, further comprising means for receiving and recording said digital content of said second output in a scrambled format.

66. The copy management apparatus of claim 64, further comprising:

means for demultiplexing said digital content from said program data; and

means for decompressing said digital content in a descrambled format to a decompressed state.

67. The copy management apparatus of claim 64, wherein said decompressing is executed in an MPEG decoder.

68. The copy management apparatus of claim 64, wherein said digital content is content contained in digital television transmissions.

69. The copy management apparatus of claim 64, wherein said digital content is content downloaded from the Internet.

70. The copy management apparatus of claim 64, wherein said descrambling is carried out in a first conditional access unit.

71. The copy management apparatus of claim 70, further comprising:

means for retrieving the stored scrambled program data and the stored access requirement;

means for descrambling the scrambled program using the access requirement in a second conditional access unit.

72. The copy management apparatus of claim 64, wherein said means for descrambling comprises:

means for extracting a descrambling key included in said program data; and

means for applying said descrambling key to said digital content in a scrambled format to provide said digital content in a descrambled format.