Method and apparatus for securing control words
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- receiving digital program data in a scrambled format by a descrambler integrated circuit;
sending a request for the encrypted control data to a headend, the request being sent over an out-of-band channel;
receiving control data in an encrypted format by descrambler integrated circuit;
decrypting the encrypted control data entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit using a key permanently stored in the descrambler integrated circuit; and
descrambling the scrambled digital program data in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control data.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with one embodiment, a method for securing control words is provided. The method includes receiving scrambled digital content in a descrambler integrated circuit. The method further includes receiving an encrypted control word in the descrambler integrated circuit, decrypting the encrypted control word using a key stored in a register circuit of the descrambler integrated circuit, and descrambling the scrambled digital content in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control word.
390 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
receiving digital program data in a scrambled format by a descrambler integrated circuit; sending a request for the encrypted control data to a headend, the request being sent over an out-of-band channel; receiving control data in an encrypted format by descrambler integrated circuit; decrypting the encrypted control data entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit using a key permanently stored in the descrambler integrated circuit; and descrambling the scrambled digital program data in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method comprising:
-
receiving digital program data in a scrambled format by a descrambler integrated circuit; sending a request for the encrypted control data to a headend, the request being transmitted in accordance with a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specfication (DOCSIS) cable transmission protocol; receiving control data in an encrypted format by the descrambler integrated circuit; decrypting the encrypted control data entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit using a key permanently stored in the descrambler integrated circuit; and descrambling the scrambled digital program data in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control data. - View Dependent Claims (9)
-
-
10. A method comprising:
-
receiving digital program data in a scrambled format by a descrambler integrated circuit; encrypting the control data in a smart card using a key stored in a register circuit of the smart card, the key stored in the register circuit of the smart card being equivalent to the key permanently stored in the descrambler integrated circuit; receiving control data in an encrypted format by the descrambler integrated circuit; decrypting the encrypted control data entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit;
using a key permanently stored in the descrambler integrated circuit; anddescrambling the scrambled digital program data in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
-
-
13. A descrambler integrated circuit adapted for implementation in a conditional access unit, comprising:
-
a memory to permanently store a key uniquely assigned to the descrambler integrated circuit, the memory being a one-time programmable non-volatile memory; decryption logic coupled to the memory, the decrypt logic to decrypt the encrypted data using the key completely within the descrambler integrated circuit without accessing any information external to the decryption logic, the encrypted data being a service key in an encrypted format being valid for a prescribed period of time, the encrypted service key, when decrypted, to descramble a scrambled digital program data if the digital program data belongs to a selected group of programs each of which capable of being descrambled by the service key; and a descrambler coupled to the decryption logic, the descrambler to descramble the scrambled, digital program data within the descrambler integrated circuit using data recovered by decrypting the encrypted data wherein the descrambler integrated circuit being controlled by a processor in communications with a transmitter implemented within the conditional access unit, the transmitter to transmit a request for the service key in the encrypted format to a headend. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
-
-
16. A descrambler integrated circuit adapted for implementation in a conditional access unit, comprising:
-
a memory to permanently store a key uniquely assigned to the descrambler integrated circuit, the memory being a one-time programmable non-volatile memory, the key is stored within the memory during manufacturer, at which time, the key and a serial number associated with conditional access unit implemented with the descrambler integrated circuit are recorded by storage external from the descrambler integrated circuit; decryption logic coupled to the memory, the decrypt logic to decrypt the encrypted data using the key completely within the descrambler integrated circuit without accessing any information external to the decryption logic; and a descrambler coupled to the decryption logic, the descrambler to descramble incoming scrambled digital program data within the descrambler integrated circuit using data recovered by decrypting the encrypted data.
-
-
17. A apparatus comprising:
-
a first interface to receive encrypted data, the encrypted data is a service key in an encrypted format being valid for a prescribed period of time, the service key, when decrypted, to descramble incoming scrambled digital program data if the digital program data belongs to a selected group of programs each of which capable of being descrambled by the service key; and a descrambler integrated circuit in communications with the first interface, the descrambler integrated circuit comprises a memory to permanently store a key uniquely assigned to the descrambler integrated circuit, the memory being a one-time programmable non-volatile memory, decryption logic to decrypt the encrypted data using the key completely within the descrambler integrated circuit without accessing any information external to the decryption logic, and a descrambler to descramble the incoming scrambled, digital content within the descrambler integrated circuit using data recovered by decrypting the encrypted data. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. An apparatus comprising:
-
a first interface to receive encrypted data; a processor coupled to the first interface an internal memory device coupled to the processor, the internal memory to store an encrypted service key being the encrypted data, the service key, when decrypted, to descramble scrambled digital program data if the digital program data belongs to a selected group of programs each of which capable of being descrambled by the service key; and a descrambler integrated circuit in communication with the first interface, the descrambler integrated circuit comprises a memory to permanently store a key uniquely assigned to the descrambler integrated circuit, the memory being a one-time programmable non-volatile memory, decryption logic to decrypt the encrypted data using the key completely within the descrambler integrated circuit without accessing any information external to the decryption logic, and a descrambler to descramble the scrambled digital content within the descrambler integrated circuit using data recovered by decrypting the encrypted data.
-
Specification