Abstract:
The invention shows a method for connecting and sharing content over a plurality of devices, and over a plurality of networks public and private while respecting the content&#39;s Digital Rights by implementing a software layer (software alternately integrated into hardware component) that will assign a mac address and an ip address to each device and peripherals and where content can be assign to specific devices inside a network, and can be accessed directly, shared remotely, wireless, or physically connected. The software layer also integrates drivers, players, codec&#39;s that can be updated dynamically in order to keep them updated. This software layer can also “virtualizes” peripherals, devices or group of peripherals and devices into single addressable group of components that will act like one.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation in part of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/324,896 entitled as “VIDEO DECODER SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH ENHANCED DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (DRM)”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to sharing of digital content by network devices and, in particular, to network architecture of a digital audio/video distribution, while keeping and managing content digital rights. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In today&#39;s current implementations of IP addressing, Mac addressing and overall networking implementations, IP address are assigned from the ISP usually based on the Mac address of the connected devices. The ability of assigning IP addresses is usually limited to networks devices. If we assume that a generic computer comprise one network card, one keyboard, one wireless network card, one mouse, one screen (monitor), multimedia sound card, . . . , each devices are addressed by both internal and external buses, where the internal bus connect all the internal components of a computer to the motherboard. This internal bus is a subsystem that transfers data between computer components inside a computer. This description applies from first to third bus generation, there is also another track that is integrated circuits being designed to allow devices on integrated circuits to talk to one another. In all cases network connections such as Ethernet are not generally regarded as buses, although this difference is largely conceptual than practical. 
         [0006]    Typical existing network architecture is shown in  FIG. 1 . The Pay Per View (PPV) signal  102  is scrambled until the cable subscriber chooses to view the programming, at which time the subscriber contacts the provider  104  either by phone modem  106  in a set top box  110  or by interactive hand-held remote control to order a movie or event. Following the order, a computer  120  at billing subscriber management call center activates a video decoder/decryption system at the location of the subscriber that descrambles the ordered PPV program signal for the programs&#39;s duration. A smart card reader  122  may also facilitate decryption based on smartcard content  124 . For example, the smart card may act as a cache memory for particular PPV transactions. In any case, the PPV purchases are totaled by the computer  120  and added to the cable subscriber&#39;s monthly bill. 
         [0007]    What the need of the day is to assign ip address and mac address in a video/audio distribution system so as to enable them to share contents that is accessible to all the customers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention shows a method for connecting and sharing content over a plurality of devices, and over a plurality of networks public and private while respecting the content&#39;s Digital Rights by implementing a software layer (software alternately integrated into hardware component) that will assign a mac address and an ip address to each device and peripherals and where content can be assign to specific devices inside a network, public or private and can be accessed directly, shared remotely, wireless, or physically connected. The software layer also integrate drivers, players, codec&#39;s that can be updated dynamically in order to keep them updated. The software layer can also be “virtualized” for peripherals, devices or group of peripherals and devices into single addressable group of components that will act like one. 
         [0009]    This invention improves upon the prior art by providing an audio/video distribution system with enhanced digital rights management. The system, being configured for use with a source of programming, a third party responsible for authorization and an audio/video source encryptor and a receiver and authentication device disposed at a recipient location. 
         [0010]    By assigning ip addresses and mac address to peripherals and internal components like hard drives and internal memory, keyboards, mouse, monitors, tv, sound cards . . . and have the ability to group these components together permit a wide range of applications and sharing capabilities while this layer integrate Digital right management capabilities in order to preserve the rights of the content owner during sharing. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the invention is also that due to the fact that content is transmitted using the electrical network, there is no need for a wide range of cables for delivering the signals and every connection becomes virtual and directly assignable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is block diagram of a prior art network architecture application to the transmission of the audio video programming; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a typical audio/video distribution network that has an embedded rights management capability for enhanced security; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram in accordance with the present invention that shows plurality of network devices being assigned with Mac and IP addresses. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In broad and general terms, the invention merges different technologies to permit a more comprehensive content sharing methodology for broadcasting digital video, audio, and other signals that could benefit from enhanced rights management. For example  FIG. 2  uses a satellite/cable network architecture based on a novel video/audio decoder according to the invention. 
         [0017]    The signal(s) from a provider  204  are individually or globally ‘wrapped’ in a time envelope based upon a signal generated by an atomic clock  208 . An embedded synchronization signal is also added, along with an optional interactive signal, all of which are encoded at the location of a subscriber. The interactive signal may be used to provide various types of data related to payment, delivery, advertising and so forth. 
         [0018]    The decoder may receive signal from any existing or yet-to-be developed source, including cable, satellite, radio, DVD, DVB, satellite, digital networks and so on. In the preferred embodiment, the source signal is transmitted with missing content or some other critical aspect (such as audio, color, synchronization, reduced resolution, etc), such that even if the signal were backed at the receiving end, a desired signal would not be recovered. The “missing piece” is added at the receiving end as described in further detail below, and to further enhance security, decryption must take place at a specific time coordinated with the atomic clock (or satellite clock), such that an attempted unauthorized decryption at a later stage would not be possible. 
         [0019]    A video decoder/decryption system  220  provides various functions at the subscriber location. In addition to the operations discussed above, the incoming signal is also encrypted once again, this time locally, thereby causing the received transmission to be unique to each receiver. This local encryption, which is on top of or overlays the already encrypted signal, may use a variety of techniques, both proprietary and standard, including public and private key cryptography. If the received signal is not already encrypted, the supplemental local encryption is likewise automatically disabled on the assumption that the transmission. Note further that the decoding and encryption/decryption capabilities provided by the system  200  are preferably implemented in the same circuit to further prevent tampering and hacking. 
         [0020]    To decode the transmission for viewing, listening, playing, etc, the video decoder/decryption system  220  interacts with some form of authentication device, preferably using a wireless infrared signal  224 . The authentication device may assume various forms according to the invention, including remote control or universal remote control  230 , telephone or cellular phone  240 , PDA or smartcard authentication device  250 , ATM cards, and so forth. In each case, an authentication demand is transmitted indicating the desired channel, program, or other qualifying information. The demand may optionally include the key of the decoder. 
         [0021]    If the decoder/decryption system is authorized (in accordance with the policy, rights and/or rules) an encrypted key is returned, thereby permitting signal decryption and time synchronization with the desired programming. Various modalities or protocols may be used for the communication between the decoder/decryption system  220  and authentication device, including compliance with the infrared data association (IRDA), dual tone, multi-frequency (DTMF), Bluetooth, and so forth. Communication may also occur between a smart card and the recipient equipment. In particular, the smart card may be used to store and relate the policy, rights and/or rules information. 
         [0022]    The authentication signal provides the missing decryption information needed to permit the programming to be viewed on the display  260  (or listened to in the case of music, or interactivity in the case of games or software). The decoder receives the encrypted authentication signal from the appropriate device and validates the transaction, thereby allowing virtually any video/audio source signal to generate wireless information at a telephone, PDA, computers, X10, or other authentication device. 
         [0023]    The system  220  may either receive the missing video and/or audio signals along with an embedded authentication signal (plus applicable policies, rights and/or rules), or the system may receive the authentication signal separately. In any case, this allows the broadcast signal to communicate additional information by way of remote controls, PDA, computer, X10, TV, video tape, amplifier and so forth. The subscriber may further optionally receive information such a payment authentication, advertising data, and so forth, via the telephone or other authentication devices including computers, the internet and the like. The system may accordingly be used to receive product information concerning advertising, payment information, and automatic memorization of phone numbers, on specifics products or services received in conjunction with the video/audio signal. 
         [0024]    The authentication demand preferably includes a local random parameter plus a serial number based on hardware/software specifications derived from an algorithmic encryption function. The algorithmic encryption function performs a public key and/or a private key encryption, and then waits for the result to perform the decryption using IBE or classical PKI through the authentication device. Although known public/private encryption schemes are preferably used, the system is not limited in this regard, and may use a randomly selected color as opposed to a number. For example, video may be displayed with specific colors located on specific area on screen used to communicate digital information. A sensor (i.e. a CCD or photon phonon sensor with an infrared or other appropriate filter) may be coupled to infrared LED to receive a wide color wave range and translate this information into data and emit infrared data at destination of such devices. This arrangement of two sensors further helps to eliminate alteration due to brightness or saturation thanks to IR usage and recover error free any color signal emitted. This arrangement also permits any video signal to emit data information at destination of any appropriately equipped sensor device, independently of this invention. 
         [0025]    The invention can also generate signals locally Dependant on composite data received, and emit these data to a sensor. The invention may also be used to generate IR signals to any device, to perform a payment or an authentication or policy, rights, rules update, in which case the device sends back signals that acknowledge the validation of the transmission. The signals are preferably encrypted in both directions PKI or Identity based encryption. 
         [0026]    The authentication device send back an encrypted signal including the value needed to perform the decryption. This value is calculated in accordance with the received information and cryptographic formulas. The decoder system  220  receives the value in encrypted form, decrypts the value using the appropriate private key and implements this value to perform the decryption of the desired programming signal. 
         [0027]    To avoid video or audio signal replication, each communication is serialized through the use of atomic time along with the encryption process. The decoder system  220  may incorporate its own atomic time receiver  222  or, as an alternative, atomic time may be embedded into the signal from the head end to simplify decoder electronics and reduce costs. The synchronization used by the decoder may further be randomized in accordance with a known time interval or other criteria to further increase signal complexity. As such, to replicate such decoding techniques, a broad knowledge of different technologies is necessary, thus effectively limiting the decoding to a person of extraordinary skill. 
         [0028]    In terms of content protection, management rights and rules can be embedded into the various signals to permit broad control on the usage of the signals, including digital output, data duplication and control the usage of the feed once viewed. The decoder may further operate in conjunction with a separate video audio right management device, allowing or refusing duplication through the introduction of additional countermeasure to prevent and/or trace usage of the audio or video signals. 
         [0029]    The system is applicable to various forms of programming, including video on demand, digital video broadcasting and Internet broadcasting, pay per view, video rental, ATM usage, and other areas. Moreover, since the decoder essentially functions as a payment terminal, unauthorized use now becomes a form of monetary fraud with stricter penalties. 
         [0030]    To enhance tracing, the decoder system may add stamps to the video/audio signal, and the hardware of the decoder may be protected by a sensor to prevent opening by non-authorized personnel. Tampering or other attempted modifications may be recorded in memory (i.e. through EEPROM programming). To perform maintenance and support, however, the decoders may be opened by authorized individuals using a smartcard reader or other device to examine the recorded information. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram in accordance with the present invention that shows plurality of network devices ( 301 , 310 , 311 , 312 , 313 , 315 , 316 , 317 , 319 ), being assigned with Mac and IP addresses. A very wider variety of devices can be shown in this network and also we can have private or public network. Further it depicts connecting and sharing content over a plurality of devices while respecting the Digital Rights of the content shared inside a network. Every device can be included, like TV, DVD, players, but also computer oriented devices like biometric readers as well as smartcards reader/writers even RFID devices. Whatever is the nature of the device can be shared in the network. In the cases where the device cannot be connected to a network, a small hardware will take care of signal translation from digital to analog and reversely, this device ( 304 ) will also get a network address, with the appropriate translation from private to public address. 
         [0032]    In order to achieve such assignment of ip and mac address to the network devices, a software layer is implemented ( 314 ). The role of the software layer ( 314 ) is also to group the devices while respecting the Digital Rights of the content owner. 
         [0033]    The plurality of devices connected through such a software layer offer content sharing and content access to the subscribers who now have variety of choice and quick access to the digital content. 
         [0034]    The invention also make use of power system communications ( 304 , 309 ) capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving multiple multiplexed digital data signals both at high rates and over long distances through power lines and power line transformers, including AC, DC, coaxial cables, and twisted pair lines. 
         [0035]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.