# US 6,618,484 B2 · Steganographic techniques for securely delivering electronic digital rights management control information over insecure communication channels

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- Number: US 6,618,484 B2
- Document ID: US6618484B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/189,231
- Filed: 2002-07-05
- Published: 2003-01-02
- Granted: 2003-09-09
- Earliest claimed: 1996-08-12
- Assignees: Intertrust Technologies Corporation
- Inventors: David M. Van Wie; Robert P. Weber
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6618484B2

## CPC

- H04L 63/0428: {wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload}
- 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]}
- G06Q 20/3821: {Electronic credentials}
- 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)}
- G11B 20/00159: {Parental control systems}
- G11B 20/00188: {involving measures which result in a restriction to authorised devices recording or reproducing contents to/from a record carrier}
- G11B 20/00195: {using a device identifier associated with the player or recorder, e.g. serial numbers of playback apparatuses or MAC addresses}
- G11B 20/0021: {involving encryption or decryption of contents recorded on or reproduced from a record carrier}
- G11B 20/00557: {wherein further management data is encrypted, e.g. sector headers, TOC or the lead-in or lead-out areas}
- G11B 20/0071: {involving a purchase action}
- G11B 20/00768: {wherein copy control information is used, e.g. for indicating whether a content may be copied freely, no more, once, or never, by setting CGMS, SCMS, or CCI flags}
- G11B 20/0084: {wherein the usage restriction can be expressed as a specific time or date}
- G11B 20/00884: {involving a watermark, i.e. a barely perceptible transformation of the original data which can nevertheless be recognised by an algorithm}
- G11B 27/031: Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
- G11B 27/329: {on a disc [VTOC]}
- H04L 12/40104: {Security; Encryption; Content protection (cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; protocols for network security H04L63/00)}
- H04L 12/40117: {Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices (home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24)}
- H04N 5/913: for scrambling {; for copy protection}
- H04N 7/173: with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
- H04N 21/2347: involving video stream encryption
- 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)}
- H04N 21/42646: {for reading from or writing on a non-volatile solid state storage medium, e.g. DVD, CD-ROM}
- H04N 21/4405: involving video stream decryption
- H04N 21/4415: using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning {(cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861)}
- H04N 21/44204: {Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched (monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31)}
- H04N 21/44236: {Monitoring of piracy processes or activities (protecting computer platforms against harmful, malicious or unexpected behaviour or activities using intrusion detection and counter measures G06F21/566; computer virus detection and handling G06F21/56)}
- 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)}
- H04N 21/835: Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates {(protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10)}
- 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)}
- G06F 12/1483: {using an access-table, e.g. matrix or list}
- G06F 2211/007: Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
- G11B 2020/10916: {Seeking data on the record carrier for preparing an access to a specific address}
- G11B 2220/216: Rewritable discs
- G11B 2220/218: Write-once discs
- G11B 2220/2562: DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
- G11B 2220/2575: DVD-RAMs
- H04N 5/765: Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
- H04N 5/772: {the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure}
- H04N 5/775: between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
- H04N 5/85: on discs or drums
- H04N 9/8042: {involving data reduction}
- H04N 2005/91321: {the copy protection signal being a copy protection control signal, e.g. a record inhibit signal}
- H04N 2005/91328: {the copy protection signal being a copy management signal, e.g. a copy generation management signal [CGMS]}
- H04N 2005/91335: {the copy protection signal being a watermark}
- H04N 2005/91364: {the video signal being scrambled}
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

Electronic steganographic techniques can be used to encode a rights management control signal onto an information signal carried over an insecure communications channel. Steganographic techniques ensure that the digital control information is substantially invisibly and substantially indelibly carried by the information signal. These techniques can provide end-to-end rights management protection of an information signal irrespective of transformations between analog and digital. An electronic appliance can recover the control information and use it for electronic rights management to provide compatibility with a Virtual Distribution Environment. In one example, the system encodes low data rate pointers within high bandwidth time periods of the content signal to improve overall control information read/seek times.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computer-readable medium containing instructions, which when executed by an electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions including the following:
receiving
(1) a secure digital container including a file and information steganographically-encoded into the file, and
(2) a first control set made up of at least one control;
opening the secure digital container to retrieve at least a first portion of the file, the step of opening being at least in part controlled by the first control set; and
recording information relating to the opening of the secure digital container, the recording occurring at least in part under control of the first control set.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 1, in which:
the recorded information includes usage information relating to the date or time of the opening of the secure digital container.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 1, in which:
the recorded information includes usage information relating to the identity of a user of the electronic appliance.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 1, in which the file comprises said first portion and a second portion, the computer program package further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
receiving a second control set made up of at least one control, the second control set at least in part governing access to or other use of the second portion, but not governing the first portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 4, further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
opening the secure digital container to retrieve at least the second portion of the file, the step of opening being at least in part controlled by the second control set.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 5, in which:
the second portion of the file contains a description of the first portion of the file.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 1, further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
steganographically decoding the file to recover at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 1, in which:
the steganographically-encoded information includes information relating to the number of times the file may be accessed or used.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 1, further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
transmitting at least a portion of the file to a second apparatus, the transmission being at least in part controlled by the first control set.

### Claim 10

A computer-readable medium containing instructions, which when executed by an electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions including the following:
receiving
(1) a secure digital container including a file and information steganographically-encoded into the file, and
(2) a control set made up of at least one control;
opening the secure digital container to retrieve at least a portion of the file, the opening being at least in part controlled by the control set; and
transmitting information relating to the opening of the secure digital container to a remote site, the transmission occurring at least in part under control of the control set.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 10, in which:
the transmitted information includes usage information relating to the date or time of the opening of the secure digital container.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 10, in which:
the transmitted information includes usage information relating to the identity of a user of the electronic appliance.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 10, in which:
the control set includes a first control governing a first portion of the file and a second control governing a second portion of the file.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 10, in which:
the first file portion contains a description of at least a portion of the second file portion.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 10, in which:
the transmitted information includes usage information relating to the number of times the file has been accessed or used.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 10, further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
steganographically decoding the file to recover at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 10, in which:
the steganographically-encoded information includes information relating to the number of times the file may be accessed or used.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 10, further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
transmitting at least a portion of the file to a second electronic appliance, the transmission being at least in part controlled by the control set.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 18, in which:
the transmitted file portion includes at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information.

### Claim 20

A computer-readable medium containing instructions, which when executed by an electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions including the following:
receiving a first secure digital container including a file and information steganographically-encoded into the file,
receiving a first control set made up of at least one control; and
performing the following steps at least in part under the control of the first control set:
(a) locating at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information;
(b) retrieving at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information;
(c) evaluating at least a portion of the retrieved information;
(d) based at least in part on the evaluation, determining whether a user of the first apparatus may access or otherwise use at least a portion of the file; and
(e) based on the determination, authorizing or blocking use of the file.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 20, further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
(f) if use of the file is authorized, transmitting at least a portion of the file to a second electronic appliance.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 20, further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
(f) if use of the file is authorized, converting at least a portion of the file to a different format.

### Claim 23 (depends on 20)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 20, further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
(f) if use of the file is authorized, transmitting information relating to the use of the file to a remote location.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 23, in which:
the transmitted information includes usage information.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 24, in which:
the usage information includes information relating to relating to a user of the first apparatus.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 25, in which:
the usage information includes information relating to the date or time of the opening of the secure digital container.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 26, in which:
the steganographically-encoded information includes information relating to the number of times the file may be accessed or used.

### Claim 28 (depends on 20)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 20, further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
transmitting at least a portion of the file to a second electronic appliance, the transmission being at least in part controlled by the first control set.

### Claim 29 (depends on 20)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 20, in which:
the steganographically-encoded information includes a second control set made up of at least one control.

### Claim 30

A computer-readable medium containing instructions, which when executed by an electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions including the following:
receiving a signal including governed information and a steganographically-encoded first rule;
steganographically decoding the signal to recover the first rule;
receiving a second rule in a communication with a second electronic appliance; and
using the first rule or the second rule to govern an aspect of access to or other use of at least a portion of the governed information.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 30, in which:
the first rule specifies a first payment amount; and
the second rule specifies a second payment amount.

### Claim 32 (depends on 30)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 30, in which:
the first rule, includes a requirement related to a digital certificate; and
the second rule relates to a payment method.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 32, in which:
the digital certificate includes information relating to the capabilities of a device.

### Claim 34 (depends on 30)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 30, in which:
the first rule and the second rule each relate to the number of times at least a portion of the governed information may be used.

### Claim 35 (depends on 30)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 30, in which:
the first rule relates to a payment; and
the second rule relates to permission for a user or class of users to use at least a portion of the governed information.

### Claim 36 (depends on 30)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 30, in which:
the governed information includes a first portion and a second portion;
the first rule governs use of the first portion; and
the second rule governs use of the second portion.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 36, in which:
the first rule relates to the number of times the first portion may be used.

### Claim 38 (depends on 36)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 36, in which:
the first rule relates to transmission of the first portion to a third electronic appliance.

### Claim 39 (depends on 36)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 36, in which:
the first rule relates to conversion of the first portion from a first format to a second format.

### Claim 40

A computer-readable medium containing instructions, which when executed by an electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions including the following:
receiving a signal including governed information and a steganographically-encoded first rule, the first rule requiring payment to a remote site prior to an access to or other use of at least a portion of the governed information;
initiating an attempt to access at least a portion of the governed information; and
communicating payment information to a remote second electronic appliance, the payment information relating to the access to the governed information portion.

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 40, further including instructions that, if executed by the electronic appliance, are operable to cause the electronic appliance to perform actions comprising:
making an analog copy of at least a portion of the governed information; and
steganographically incorporating a second rule into the analog copy, the second rule at least in part governing use of the analog copy.

### Claim 42 (depends on 40)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 40, in which:
the signal also includes a steganographically-encoded watermark.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 42, in which:
the watermark includes information relating to the identity of a user of the governed information.

### Claim 44 (depends on 40)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 40, in which:
the signal also includes a steganographically-encoded copy indicator.

### Claim 45 (depends on 40)

The computer-readable medium as in claim 40, in which:
the governed information includes a first portion and a second portion;
the first rule governs use of the first portion but not the second portion; and
the attempt to access and the payment both relate to use of the first portion.