Cipher core in a content protection system

An apparatus for encrypting data comprising:

• a block assembler to receive words of data and to assemble the words into a block;
• first and second encryption functions coupled to the block assembler to encrypt the block based on an encryption function key;
• a block transmitter coupled to the first and second encryption functions to receive the encrypted block and to disassemble the encrypted block into encrypted data words;
• a first controller coupled to the block assembler and the first encryption function to control a first set of rounds of encryption for the block by the first encryption function;
• and
• a second controller coupled to the first controller and the second encryption function to control a second set of rounds of encryption for the block by the second encryption function.

A cipher system comprising:

• a cipher core to encrypt plaintext data into ciphertext data;
• and
• a bus interface coupled to the cipher core to transfer the ciphertext data to a bus;
• wherein the cipher core comprises:
• a block assembler to receive words of plaintext data from the message parser in an encrypt data message and to assemble the words into a block;
• an encryption function coupled to the block assembler to encrypt the block into ciphertext data based on an encryption function key;
• a block transmitter coupled to the encryption function to receive the encrypted block, to disassemble the encrypted block into ciphertext data words, and to forward the ciphertext data words to the bus interface;
• a controller coupled to the block assembler, the encryption function, and the block transmitter to control multiple rounds of encryption by the encryption function for the block;
• and
• a key generator coupled to the message parser and the encryption function to accept a content key from the message parser and to generate the encryption function key from the content key, the encryption function key being used by the encryption function to encrypt the blocks.

A cipher system comprising:

• a cipher core to encrypt plaintext data into ciphertext data;
• and
• a bus interface coupled to the cipher core to transfer the ciphertext data to a bus;
• wherein the cipher core comprises:
• a block assembler to receive words of plaintext data and to assemble the words into a block;
• first and second encryption functions coupled to the block assembler to encrypt the block into ciphertext data based on an encryption function key;
• a block transmitter coupled to the first and second encryption functions to receive the encrypted block and to disassemble the encrypted block into ciphertext data words;
• a first controller coupled to the block assembler and the first encryption function to control a first set of rounds of encryption for the block by the first encryption function;
• and
• a second controller coupled to the first controller and the second encryption function to control a second set of rounds of encryption for the block by the second encryption function.

An apparatus for encrypting data comprising:

• means for receiving words of plaintext data from a message parser in an encrypt data message and for assembling the words into a block;
• means for encrypting the block into ciphertext data based on an encryption function key;
• means for receiving the encrypted block and for disassembling the encrypted block into ciphertext data words;
• means for controlling multiple rounds of encryption for the block;
• and
• means for accepting a content key and for generating the encryption function key from the content key, the encryption function key being used to encrypt the block.

An apparatus for encrypting data comprising:

• means for receiving words of data and for assembling the words into a block;
• first and second means for encrypting the block based on an encryption function key;
• means for receiving the encrypted block and for disassembling the encrypted block into encrypted data words;
• first controlling means, coupled to the receiving and assembling means and the first encrypting means, for controlling a first set of rounds of encryption for the block;
• and
• second controlling means, coupled to the first controlling means and the second encrypting means, for controlling a second set of rounds of encryption for the block.