Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Data processing protection using cryptography – By stored data protection
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-07
2001-10-23
Decady, Albert (Department: 2132)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Data processing protection using cryptography
By stored data protection
C705S051000, C705S052000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308269
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of The Invention
The invention relates to an arrangement for verifying a playing authorization for a reproduced encrypted information signal reproduced by a reproducing device cooperating with the arrangement, and for supplying a decrypted information signal when a playing authorization is available, the arrangement comprising verification means for receiving a reproduced encrypted information signal and for supplying key information suitable for correctly decrypting the reproduced encrypted information signal when a playing authorization is available, and decryption means for receive key information and for decrypting the reproduced encrypted information signal when suitable key information is available.
2. Description of The Related Art
An arrangement of the type defined in the opening paragraph, is known, for example, from International Patent Application WO 96/05700 A1, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,453.In the known arrangement, which is formed by a so-called set-top box, the verification means enables identification information contained in a reproduced encrypted information signal to be determined. When such identification information is present, a playing authorization for the reproduced encrypted information signal is obtained. The identification information contains the key information which can be supplied to the decrypting means in order to decrypt the reproduced encrypted information signal. A reproduced decrypted information signal can be displayed by means of a television set which can be connected to the known arrangement.
The known arrangement is adapted to record characteristic playing information which characterizes the number and length of playing events of a decrypted information signal in the case of a playing authorization. Furthermore, by means of a data link, the known arrangement is connected to a broadcasting station which forms a play interrogation device. By interrogating the characteristic playing information recorded by the known arrangement, the play interrogation device can determine how many times and for how long an encrypted paid-service information signal reproduced by the playing device has been decrypted in the known arrangement and has, consequently, been used by the user of the known arrangement. Charging for the usually repeated reproduction of paid-service information signals can be effected on the basis of the characteristic playing information.
However, with regard the known arrangement, it has appeared that the presence of encrypted identification information in the reproduced encrypted information signal, this identification information allowing a correct decrypting of an encrypted information signal and being necessary for the correct operation of the known arrangement, has been used by unauthorized persons for making illegal copies which contain the information signal that has already been decrypted. Record carriers with decrypted information signals have been sold by persons not authorized to do so, resulting in substantial financial damage for broadcasting stations.
Moreover, when the characteristic playing information recorded with the known arrangement is interrogated by a play interrogation device, the problem arises that the play interrogation device initially has no information whether and where there is a known arrangement by means of which paid-service information signals, for which the collection of charges is effected by the play interrogation device, are reproduced. This considerably complicates the collection of charges for the reproduction of paid-service information signals.
Furthermore, it is not possible to rule out that the characteristic playing information recorded by the known arrangement is changed by a person not authorized to do so, which additionally complicates the collection of charges.
Moreover, with regard to the known arrangement, it has been found that, on the one hand, interrogating the characteristic playing information recorded by means of the known arrangement at comparatively long time intervals, will result in uncertainty for the user of the known arrangement as to the amount of the charges and, on the other hand, interrogating the characteristic playing information recorded by means of the known arrangement at comparatively short time intervals will result in a comparatively large expense for the broadcasting station.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to preclude the problems mentioned above and to provide an improved arrangement of the type defined in the opening paragraph, by means of which, on the one hand, manipulation in determining the charges for the reproduction of paid-service information signals is substantially precluded but, on the other hand, a high flexibility and a low cost in determining the charges can be obtained for a broadcasting station. According to the invention, this object is achieved in an arrangement of the type defined in the opening paragraph, characterized in that the arrangement is equipped with interrogation means for independently requesting a playing authorization. Thus, it is achieved in a simple manner that, by the arrangement in accordance with the invention, an independent request for a playing authorization is possible, when required. Upon reception of key information on which a playing authorization is based, a reproduced encrypted information signal can be decrypted by the arrangement in accordance with the invention. Manipulation by an unauthorized person is then ruled out almost completely because characteristic billing information is generated exclusively in the playing authorization allocation device upon reception of playing authorization request information. Furthermore, charging of the fees to the user of the arrangement in accordance with the invention can be effected at comparatively short time intervals and with a particularly low expenditure for the playing authorization allocation device.
In an arrangement in accordance with the invention having the characteristic features described above, it has proven to be advantageous if, in addition, the interrogation means includes communication means for setting up a data link between the communication means and at least one playing authorization allocation device in the absence of a playing authorization for a reproduced encrypted information signal, and the communication means supplies playing authorization request information to the playing authorization allocation device via the data link, and to receives a playing authorization for the reproduced encrypted information signal from the playing authorization allocation device. In practice, it has proven that such an embodiment is particularly reliable and simple and can be realized at comparatively low cost.
In an arrangement in accordance with the invention having the characteristic features described above, it has proven to be advantageous if, in addition, the verification means reads out and supplies enable information which is contained in a reproduced encrypted information signal and which identifies a playing authorization allocation device allowed to allocate a playing authorization for the reproduced encrypted information signal, and the communication means supplies playing authorization request information to the playing authorization allocation device identified by the enable information. In this way, it is achieved that playing authorization request information for a given paid-service information signal can be supplied to the playing authorization allocation device, which is capable of allocating a playing authorization for this given paid-service information signal. Moreover, the key information, which is necessary for decrypting the reproduced encrypted information signal and which is transmitted to the arrangement upon reception of the playing authorization, is stored only in the playing authorization allocation device identified by the enable information.
In an arrangement in accordance with the invention having the characteristic features described above, it has p
De'cady Albert
Goodman Edward W.
Kabakoff Steve
U.S. Philips Corporation
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