Modulation method for minimizing pirating and/or unauthorized copying and/or unauthorized access of/to data on/from data media including compact discs and digital versatile discs

• US 7,644,273 B1
• Filed: 05/20/1999
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Recording Industry Association of America
• Original Assignee: Recording Industry Association of America
• Inventors: Stebbings, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Korzuch; William R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Moorthy; Aravind K
• Application Number:
  US09/315,102
• Time in Patent Office: 3,883 Days
• Field of Search: 713/168, 713/193, 380/201, 380/31, 705/51, 705/57
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/04 Arrangements for preventing, inhibiting, or warning against double recording on the same blank or against other recording or reproducing malfunctions
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/12 by sensing distinguishing features of or on records, e.g. diameter end mark
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/122 involving the detection of an identification or authentication mark record carriers indicating unauthorised or prior use G11B23/28
• 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 20/00094 involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00123 the record carrier being identified by recognising some of its unique characteristics, e.g. a unique defect pattern serving as a physical signature of the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00166 involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier, e.g. music or software
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0021 involving encryption or decryption of contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00579 said format change concerning the data encoding, e.g., modulation schemes violating run-length constraints, causing excessive DC content, or involving uncommon codewords or sync patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00586 said format change concerning the physical format of the recording medium
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00927 wherein said defects or errors are generated on purpose, e.g. intended scratches
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/1426 conversion to or from block codes or representations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/1809 by interleaving
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91342 the copy protection signal being an authentication signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91357 by modifying the video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8352 involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8358 involving watermark protecting executable software by watermarking G06F21/16; image watermarking in general G06T1/0021; watermarks inserted in still images for transmission purposes H04N1/32144; inserting watermarks during video coding H04N19/467
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/945 for signals recorded by pulse code modulation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a technique for authenticating data stored on media in order to prevent piracy. According to the present invention, a lookup table contains broken or modified modulation rules comprising one or more authentication keys or components thereof, that are derived by the table'"'"'s intentional breaking of standard 8-14 and 8-16 modulation rules. The authentication keys are formed and remain hidden without being transferred in the audio/video. Additionally, the lookup table is employed using conventional hardware and/or software in CD or DVD players. Each output value according to the present invention is a function of the physical characteristics of a disc that does not travel with the audio or video or graphics data. Authentication systems of the present invention optionally encompass singular, multiple or multi-level authentication systems, each of which successively must be deciphered before the audio/video is finally available.

Claims

1. A method for authenticating at least one of a media and data stored on said media, in order to prevent at least one of piracy, unauthorized access and unauthorized copying of the data stored on said media, wherein said data stored on said media is modulated via at least one modified modulation rule to generate at least one authentication key or component thereof for authenticating at least one of said media and said data, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) reading the data from said media;

(b) detecting the modulation of the at least one modified modulation rule associated with the data;

(c) deriving an embedded authentication key or component thereof responsive to said detecting step (b);

(d) comparing the embedded authentication key or component thereof, to at least one authentication key or component thereof;

(e) authenticating the at least one of said media and said data responsive to said comparing step (d); and

(f) outputting said data as at least one of audio, video, audio data, video data and digital data substantially free of the modulation of the at least one modified modulation rule.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said deriving step (c) derives the embedded authentication key or component thereof as a combination of on-off binary codes representing ones and zeros to represent a predetermined symbol sequence.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said outputting step (f) further includes the step of converting said data into a stereo analog signal without transferring, in the data, the modulation of the at least one modulation rule used to derive the embedded authentication key or component thereof.

4. A method according to claim 1, and further including the step of:

(g) locating at least one modified modulation rule on at least one of a per track basis and interval basis throughout said media such that said authentication step (e) is performed for at least one of each track to be played, throughout playback and throughout recording.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said authenticating step (e) further includes a step of authenticating using a different authentication key or component thereof for each disc track.

6. A method according to claim 1, said method comprises the step of authenticating the at least one of the data and the media via at least two different authentication keys, each of which successively must be authenticated before said data is finally output via said outputting step (f).

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method authenticates the at least one of the media and the data over a plurality of interconnected computer networks comprising at least one of a local network, global network and the Internet.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said authenticating step (e) further includes a step of using at least three different sources for compiling compound authentication keys.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said deriving step (c) further comprises the step of at least one of decoding and decrypting the embedded authentication key or component thereof for subsequent authentication.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said comparing step (d) further comprises the step of comparing the at least one modified modulation rule comprising the at least one authentication key or component thereof, to at least one lookup table of valid modified modulation rule output values comprising the at least one authentication key or component thereof.

11. A data disc for authenticating at least one of said data disc and data stored on said media data disc, in order to prevent at least one of piracy, unauthorized access and unauthorized copying of the data stored on said data disc, the data disc comprising at least one modified modulation rule comprising at least one authentication key or component thereof for authenticating at least one of said data disc and said data, wherein said at least one of said data disc and said data may be outputted in at least one of an analog and audio form substantially error free and free of said at least one modified modulation rule by at least one of an error removal process and said at least one authentication key or component thereof, thereby allowing a user to experience said data without experiencing said modulation rules removed therefrom via said error removal process.

12. The data disc of claim 11, wherein said at least one modified modulation rule is located on at least one of a per track basis and interval basis throughout said data disc such that authenticating is performed for at least one of each track to be played throughout playback and throughout recording.

13. The data disc of claim 11, wherein authentication occurs using a different authentication key or component thereof for each disc track.

14. The data disc of claim 11, wherein authentication occurs using at least two different authentication key, each of which must be successively authenticated before said data is output.

15. The data disc of claim 11, wherein authentication occurs using at least three different sources for compiling compound authentication keys.

16. The data disc of claim 11, wherein authentication occurs via decoding or decrypting the embedded authentication key or component thereof for subsequent authentication.

17. In a method for authenticating at least one of a media and data stored on said media, in order to prevent at least one of piracy, unauthorized access and unauthorized copying of the data stored on said media, wherein said data stored on said media is modulated via at least one modified modulation rule to generate at least one authentication key or component thereof for authenticating at least one of said media and said data, a data player comprising a data processor performing the steps of:

(a) reading the data from said media;

(b) detecting the modulation of the at least one modified modulation rule associated with the data;

(c) deriving an embedded authentication key or component thereof responsive to said detecting step (b);

(d) comparing the embedded authentication key or component thereof, to at least one authentication key or component thereof;

(e) authenticating at least one of said media and said data responsive to said comparing step (d); and

(f) outputting said data as at least one of audio, video, audio data, video data and digital data substantially free of the modulation of the at least one modified modulation rule.

18. The data processor of claim 17, wherein said step of deriving includes deriving the embedded authentication key or component thereof as a combination of on-off binary codes representing ones and zeros to represent a predetermined symbol sequence.

19. The data processor of claim 17, wherein said step of outputting includes converting said data into a stereo analog signal without transferring, in the data, the modulation of the at least one modulation rule used to derive the embedded authentication key or component thereof.

20. The data processor of claim 17, wherein said data processor further performs the step of locating at least one modified modulation rule on at least one of a per track basis and interval basis throughout said media such that said authenticating authenticates for at least one of each track to be played throughout playback and throughout recording.

21. The data processor of claim 17, wherein said step of authenticating further includes authenticating using a different authentication key or component thereof for each disc track.

22. The data processor of claim 17, wherein said step of authenticating further includes authenticating using at least two different authentication key, each of which must be successively authenticated before said data is output.

23. The data processor of claim 17, wherein said step of authenticating further includes authenticating using at least three different sources for compiling compound authentication keys.

24. The data processor of claim 17, wherein said step of authenticating further includes at least one of decoding or decrypting the embedded authentication key or component thereof for subsequent authentication.

25. The data processor of claim 17, wherein said step of comparing further includes comparing the at least one modified modulation rule to at least one lookup table of valid modified modulation rule output values comprising the at least one authentication key or component thereof.

26. A data storing device for authenticating at least one of said data storing device and data to be stored on said data storing device, in order to prevent at least one of piracy, unauthorized access and unauthorized copying of the data stored on said data storing device, the data storing device comprising at least one modified modulation rule to generate at least one authentication key or component thereof for authenticating at least one of said data storing device and said data, and wherein the modified modulation rule cannot be readily altered, obscured nor removed from said data without simultaneously degrading or impairing a quality of an audible component of said data, and wherein the data is transmitted substantially free of the modified modulation rule thereby preventing a destination processor from reading and subsequently authenticating said data.

27. The data storing device of claim 26, wherein said at least one modified modulation rule is located on at least one of a per track basis and interval basis throughout said data storing device such that authenticating is performed for at least one of each track to be played throughout playback and throughout recording.

28. The data storing device of claim 26, wherein authentication occurs using a different authentication key or component thereof for each disc track.

29. The data storing device of claim 26, wherein authentication occurs using at least two different authentication key, each of which must be successively authenticated before said data is output.

30. The data storing device of claim 26, wherein authentication occurs using at least three different sources for compiling compound authentication keys.

31. The data storing device of claim 26, wherein authentication occurs via decoding or decrypting the embedded authentication key or component thereof for subsequent authentication.

32. A system for authenticating at least one of a media and data stored on said media, in order to prevent at least one of piracy, unauthorized access and unauthorized copying of the data stored on said media, wherein said data stored on said media is modulated via at least one modified modulation rule to generate at least one authentication key or component thereof for authenticating at least one of said media and said data, wherein said at least one of said media and said data may be outputted in an analog and/or audio form substantially error free and free of said at least one modified modulation rule by at least one of an error removal process and said at least one authentication key or component thereof, said system including a data player containing a data processor comprising lookup table means for authenticating said at least one of said media and said data and for intentionally breaking standard modulation rules by which bit patterns are recorded as one or more symbol sequences on a data media, said lookup table means connected to a focus servo, tracking servo, laser, lens and mirror, together comprising a portion of a disc reader housed in a data player device.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said at least one modified modulation rule is located on at least one of a per track basis and interval basis throughout said media such that authenticating is performed for at least one of each track to be played throughout playback and throughout recording.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein authentication occurs using a different authentication key or component thereof for each disc track.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein authentication occurs using at least two different authentication key, each of which must be successively authenticated before said data is output.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein authentication occurs using at least three different sources for compiling compound authentication keys.

37. The system of claim 32, wherein authentication occurs via decoding or decrypting the embedded authentication key or component thereof for subsequent authentication.

38. A system for authenticating at least one of a media and data stored on said media, in order to prevent at least one of piracy, unauthorized access and unauthorized copying of the data stored on said media, wherein said data stored on said media is modulated via at least one modified modulation rule to generate at least one authentication key or component thereof for authenticating at least one of said media and said data, wherein said at least one of said media and said data may be outputted in an analog and/or audio form substantially error free and free of said at least one modified modulation rule by at least one of an error removal process and said at least one authentication key or component thereof,

said system including a data player containing a data processor comprising a lookup table used by said data processor in intentionally modifying at least one modulation rule by which at least one bit indicative of said modifying is generated as at least one symbol used by said system to authenticate said at least one of said media and said data stored on said media.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein said at least one modified modulation rule is located on at least one of a per track basis and interval basis throughout said media such that authenticating is performed for at least one of each track to be played throughout playback and throughout recording.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein authentication occurs using a different authentication key or component thereof for each disc track.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein authentication occurs using at least two different authentication key, each of which must be successively authenticated before said data is output.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein authentication occurs using at least three different sources for compiling compound authentication keys.

43. The system of claim 38, wherein authentication occurs via decoding or decrypting the embedded authentication key or component thereof for subsequent authentication.

44. A system for authenticating at least one of a media and data stored on said media, in order to prevent at least one of piracy, unauthorized access and unauthorized copying of the data stored on said media, wherein said data stored on said media is modulated via at least one modified modulation rule to generate at least one authentication key or component thereof for authenticating at least one of said media and said data, said system comprising:

means for reading the data from said media;

means for detecting the modulation of the at least one modified modulation rule associated with the data;

means for deriving an embedded authentication key or component thereof responsive to said means for detecting;

means for comparing the embedded authentication key or component thereof, to at least one authentication key or component thereof;

means for authenticating the at least one of said media and said data responsive to said means for comparing; and

means for outputting said data as at least one of audio, video, audio data, video data and digital data substantially free of the modulation of the at least one modified modulation rule.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for deriving includes means for deriving the embedded authentication key or component thereof as a combination of on-off binary codes representing ones and zeros to represent a predetermined symbol sequence.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for outputting includes means for converting said data into a stereo analog signal without transferring, in the data, the modulation of the at least one modulation rule used to derive the embedded authentication key or component thereof.

47. The system of claim 44, further comprising means for locating at least one modified modulation rule on at least one of a per track basis and interval basis throughout said media such that said means for authenticating authenticates for at least one of each track to be played throughout playback and throughout recording.

48. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for authenticating further includes means for authenticating using a different authentication key or component thereof for each disc track.

49. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for authenticating further includes means for authenticating using at least two different authentication key, each of which must be successively authenticated before said data is output.

50. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for authenticating further includes means for authenticating using at least three different sources for compiling compound authentication keys.

51. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for authenticating further includes at least one of means for decoding or decrypting the embedded authentication key or component thereof for subsequent authentication.

52. The system of claim 44, wherein said means for comparing further includes means for comparing the at least one modified modulation rule to at least one lookup table of valid modified modulation rule output values comprising the at least one authentication key or component thereof.