Parallel distribution and fingerprinting of digital content

• US 20040010694A1
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kaleidescape Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kaleidescape Incorporated
• Inventors: Watson, Stephen, Collens, Daniel A., Malcolm, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,111,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/177
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/005 Robust watermarking, e.g. average attack or collusion attack resistant
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0063 in relation to collusion attacks, e.g. collusion attack resistant
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp

Abstract

Distributing information, including the steps of watermarking the digital content, distributing the digital content using a multi-source system, and partially fingerprinting digital content at each stage of moving information from a point of origin to the viewer. “Adaptation” of the digital content to the recipient includes maintaining the digital content in encrypted form at each such intermediate device, including decrypting the digital content with a key unique to both the device and the specific movie, selecting a portion of the watermark locations into which to embed information, embedding fingerprinting information into those locations sufficient to identify the recipient, and encrypting the fingerprinted digital content with a new such key.

Claims

1. A method, including steps of:

generating, in response to digital content, watermarked digital content having a set of locations therein at which fingerprinting information can be embedded;

distributing said digital content using a multi-source system, said multi-source system including at least one point of origin and at least one intermediate device disposed between said point of origin and an end viewer; and

partially fingerprinting said digital content at each intermediate device when sending information for presentation to said end viewer, whereby partially-fingerprinted digital content is generated at each said intermediate device.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said digital content includes a representation of a media stream.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of sources are disposed in a cached structure or a tiered structure.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein a degree of fingerprinting at each source is responsive to a position of that source in the cached structure or tiered structure.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein said steps of distributing and partially fingerprinting include steps of:

decrypting said digital content with a first key, whereby decrypted digital content is generated;

partially fingerprinting said decrypted digital content with information sufficient to identify a recipient, whereby fingerprinted digital content is generated; and

encrypting said fingerprinted digital content with a second key.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein said first key and said second key are supplied by a key server.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein for each intermediate device, said first key and said second key are supplied in a message encrypted with a third key.

8. A method as in claim 7, wherein the third key for each intermediate device is stored in a secure portion of the intermediate device.

9. A method as in claim 5, wherein said first key is distinct from said second key.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein said steps of distributing and partially fingerprinting include steps of:

decrypting said digital content with a first key, whereby decrypted digital content is generated;

partially fingerprinting said decrypted digital content with information sufficient to identify a transaction in distributing said digital content, whereby fingerprinted digital content is generated; and

encrypting said fingerprinted digital content with a second key.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein said first key and said second key are supplied by a key server.

12. A method as in claim 10, wherein for each intermediate device, said first key and said second key are supplied in a message encrypted with a third key.

13. A method as in claim 12, wherein the third key for each intermediate device is stored in a secure portion of the intermediate device.

14. A method as in claim 10, wherein said first key is distinct from said second key.

15. A method as in claim 10, wherein playback to the end viewer is responsive to a playback certificate.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the playback certificate is issued by a key server.

17. A method as in claim 16, wherein the playback certificate is encrypted with a playback certificate key.

18. A method as in claim 17, wherein the playback certificate key is stored in a secure portion of an end viewer premises disposed to present the digital content to the end viewer.

19. A method as in claim 16, wherein the key server issues the playback certificate responsive to business rules.

20. A method as in claim 19, wherein the business rules are responsive to the digital content and to the end viewer.