Digital Rights Management Device And Method

• US 20070174919A1
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Digital Israel Limited (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: msystems Ltd. (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Pomerantz, Itzhak, Salomon, Tavi, Raines, Moshe
• Granted Patent: US 9,202,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; 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 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4183 providing its own processing capabilities, e.g. external module for video decoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4367 Establishing a secure communication between the client and a peripheral device or smart card
• 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 21/4623 Processing of entitlement messages, e.g. ECM [Entitlement Control Message] or EMM [Entitlement Management Message] arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services H04H60/14
• 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 21/63775 for uploading keys, e.g. for a client to communicate its public key to the server key management H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/835 Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• 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

Abstract

A portable storage device includes a meclhanismn 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.

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 streamning 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.

6. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein said mechanism for receiving said value of said identification parameter fiom 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 transferrinig 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 commnunicationi inc.

9. The portable storage device of claim 8, wherein said mechanism includes a USB connector.

10. The portable storage device of claim 1, wherein saidc mechianismii 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 RFID 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 storaoe 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.

5. The portable storage device of claimi 1, wherein said license is for a plurality of authorized said receiving devices.

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 claimi 19 further comprisinga a network device, that is physically separated fromn 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 froin 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 rniohts 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 memnory, 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 claim722, wherein said at least portion of said digital content is transferred to said receiving device as encrypted streaming content.

25. The digital rights managemenit methiod of claim 22 further comprising the step of in response to said receiving of said value of said identification parameter, communicatinlg 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 managemenit method of claim 22, wherein said license is for only one said receiving device as identified by said identification parametern.

28. The digital righits management method of claim 22, wherein said license is for a plurality of authorized said receivingc devices.

29. The digital rights managemenlt method of claim 22, wherein said receiving of said value of said identification parameter is effected via a wired comnimnunication link.

30. The digital righits managemenit method of claim 29, wherein said wired communicationi link includes a USB connector.

31. The digital rights management method of claim 22, wherein said receiving of said identification paramneter is effected via a wireless 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 deterinines 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, wvherein said at least one parameter controls at least one aspect, of said streamed content, selected from the group conisistingc of:

color, continuity, display, superimposition of a pre-defined image, framne size, and streamning 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.

32. The digital rights management method of claimi 31, wherein said wireless communication link is a RF communication link.

39. A methlod 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 non-volatile 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.