Method and apparatus for securing control words
AssigneesSony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
InventorBrant L. Candelore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims29
A method of descrambling digital multimedia content, comprising:
- sending an out-of-band request for encrypted control data to a headend;
- receiving digital program data in a scrambled format by a descrambler integrated circuit;
- receiving the encrypted control data by the descrambler integrated circuit;
- decrypting the encrypted control data entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit using a unique 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.
An apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving digital program data in a scrambled format and an control datum in an encrypted format by a descrambler integrated circuit;
- means for decrypting the encrypted control datum entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit using a unique key permanently stored in the descrambler integrated circuit, the control datum and the key precluded from being exposed in an unencrypted format outside the descrambler integrated circuit;
- and
- means for descrambling the scrambled digital program data in the descrambler integrated circuit using the control datum, the digital program data comprises an entitlement control message including at least one of an identifier of a channel being tuned for receipt of the scrambled digital program data, an identifier to locate the key stored in the descrambler integrated circuit, and an identifier of the digital program data.
A method of descrambling digital multimedia content, comprising:
- requesting control data from a headend, the control data being a service key to descramble digital program data on a channel tuned to by a digital device implemented with the descrambler integrated circuit;
- receiving the digital program data in a scrambled format by a descrambler integrated circuit;
- decrypting the control data stored in an encrypted format entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit using a unique 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.
An apparatus comprising:
- a transmitter to transmit a request for an encrypted service key over an out-of-band channel directed to a head-end;
- a first interface to receive encrypted data;
- 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 for the descrambler integrated circuit, the key incapable of being overwritten,
- decryption logic to decrypt the encrypted data using the key completely within the descrambler integrated circuit, and
- a descrambler to descramble incoming scrambled, digital program data completely within the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.