Abstract:
An apparatus and method are disclosed for protecting the transmission of communication content transmitted between client and server, where a server comprises an application program which delivers a key distribution command if a request for content is received from a client, and transmits the content to the client if key distribution is completed. An encryption key management module creates and provides an encryption key. A near field communication (NFC) module performs key distribution by transmitting the encryption key created in the encryption key management module to a near field communication (NFC) module of the client. An encryption/decryption module encrypts the contents by using the encryption key. A Bluetooth module transmits the encrypted contents to a Bluetooth module of the client.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (a) of Korean Patent Application No. 2005-0025895, filed Mar. 29, 2005 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for protecting the transmission of contents. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for protecting the transmission of contents, which can safely transmit contents.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Near Field Communication (NFC) refers to a contactless-type short range wireless communication technology led by such companies as Nokia, Sony, Royal Philips Electronics, and IBM, and employs a frequency band of 13.56 Mhz and transmits data at the maximum data rate of 424 Kbps within a distance of 10 m utilizing low power consumption. As described above, a characteristic of short-range communication includes a security function. If the NFC, which is a source technology enabling various applications under a next generation ubiquitous environment, is employed, phone numbers, images, tickets, MP3 files, among other items, can be transmitted/received between devices such as mobile phones, AV equipment, digital cameras, PDAs, and set-top boxes in the near future without user operation. Recently, mobile phone manufacturing corporations such as Nokia Corporation, Motorola, Samsung, and LG, have set to develop NFC mobile phones in earnest.  
         [0006]     In addition, Bluetooth is one of a number of standards for small-sized and low-priced wireless interfaces having low power consumption for wireless connection between portable devices, such as mobile phones and portable PCs, network access points, and other peripheral devices. Bluetooth is a communication technology enabling connection between devices separated from each other by a distance of 10 m under normal conditions (the maximum distance of 100 m) even though there are obstacles. For symmetric communication mode, Bluetooth has a data rate of 433.9 Kbps, and a data rate of 723.3 Kbps for asymmetric communication mode. When voice is transmitted, a 64 Kbps synchronous transmission mode and a maximum of three voice channels may be employed. In addition, technology supporting a data rate of 10 Mbps, which enables the transmission of a moving picture, has been developed.  
         [0007]     The security in Bluetooth is provided only for a wireless link. The Bluetooth standard defines three security services such as confidentiality, authentication, and authorization. Confidentiality is defined for preventing the tapping of information; authentication is defined for identifying a communication device; and authorization is defined for controlling resources. These Bluetooth security services encrypt information exchanged between Bluetooth devices through a procedure of creating an initialization key using a personal identification number (PIN) of the Bluetooth devices, performing authentication, creating and exchanging link keys, and creating an encryption key.  
         [0008]     Bluetooth has no suitable scheme of sharing PINs, however, so users must personally input their PIN into each device. In addition, the initialization key is dependent on a user&#39;s PIN, and the procedure of creating the initialization key is weak. Furthermore, Bluetooth has a structure that is inherently weak in security due to the weakness of the link key, encryption key, device authentication, and a stream cipher algorithm. Accordingly, Bluetooth is unsuitable for protecting communication content, since content may be obtained by an illegal user while it is being downloaded. This problem occurs in Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth.  
         [0009]     In a relationship between the Bluetooth and NFC standards, the NFC forum&#39;s sponsor members define Bluetooth as a virtual cable and NFC as a virtual connect. The NFC device mainly sets up, initializes, and authenticates a wireless protocol such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and actual data transmission can be achieved based on these standards. In other words, the user authentication procedure employed in receiving transmission content, such as a moving picture, an MP3, and games, is employed by using the NFC device but the content is actually transmitted based on high-speed Bluetooth.  
         [0010]     For example, there may be a content vending machine for moving pictures, MP3s, among others. A user having a mobile phone employing NFC and Bluetooth chips performs user authentication together with the content vending machine using NFC technology in order to download content from the content vending machine, including various items such as moving pictures and MP3s. The user may then download corresponding content from the content vending machine by encrypting the corresponding items using Bluetooth technology. However, problems related to security still remain if the security mechanism of Bluetooth is solely employed.  
         [0011]     Accordingly, if the security mechanism of Bluetooth is complemented by providing an encryption key distribution service as well as an authentication service using the transmission characteristics of NFC technology, Bluetooth security problems may be solved.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     Accordingly, certain embodiments of the present invention address the above-mentioned and other problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for safely transmitting communication content.  
         [0013]     To accomplish the above object, an apparatus and method are provided according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for protecting transmission of communication content where a server transmits content requested by a client and includes a near field communication (NFC) module comprising a key distribution function for transmitting the content to the client through encryption of the content, and the client receives the content from the server and includes a near field communication (NFC) module which receives a key distributed by the near field communication (NFC) module of the server in order to decrypt the encrypted content received from the server.  
         [0014]     According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, an apparatus and method are provided for protecting transmission of communication content where a server comprising an application program delivers a key distribution command if a content request is received from a client and transmits the content to the client if key distribution is completed. An encryption key management module which creates and provides an encryption key. A near field communication (NFC) module performs key distribution by transmitting the encryption key created in the encryption key management module to a near field communication (NFC) module of the client. An encryption/decryption module encrypts the content by using the encryption key. A Bluetooth module transmits the encrypted content to a Bluetooth module of the client.  
         [0015]     The client may comprise an application program which requests content from the server and receives the requested content, an encryption key management module which stores an encryption key distributed by the server and provides a decryption key in order to decrypt encrypted content, and the near field communication (NFC) module which receives the encryption key distributed by the near field communication (NFC) module of the server and delivers the encryption key to the encryption key management module.  
         [0016]     The client may further comprise an encryption/decryption module which decrypts the encrypted content received from the server so as to provide the content to the application program, and a Bluetooth module which transmits the encrypted content received from the server to the encryption/decryption module. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The above and other objects, exemplary features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for transmitting communication content according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     The matters exemplified in this description are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed with reference to the accompanying figures. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for transmitting communication content according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]     Hereinafter, the structure of a client  100  will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . A first application program  110  requests a corresponding program, which is requested by a user, from a second application program  210  of a server  200 . If the content of the program is received from the server  200 , the first application program  110  reports to the second application program  210 . of the server  200  that the content has been completely received.  
         [0022]     A first encryption key management module  120  receives and stores an encryption key from the server  200  through a first NFC module  130  and reports to the first application program  110  that the encryption key is distributed. In addition, when the first encryption key management module  120  receives the request of a decryption key from a first encryption/decryption module  140 , the decryption key is transmitted to the first encryption/decryption module  140 .  
         [0023]     The first NFC module  130  performs a key decryption function together with a second NFC module  230  of the server. The first NFC module  130  receives an encryption key from the second NFC module  230  of server  200  and transmits the encryption key to the first encryption key management module  120 . Then, the first NFC module  130  reports the distribution of the encryption key to the second NFC module  230  of server  200 .  
         [0024]     The first encryption/decryption module  140  receives encrypted content transmitted from the server  200  through a first Bluetooth module  150 , requests a decryption key from the first encryption key management module  120 , and decrypts the encrypted content by using the decryption key. The first encryption/decryption module  140  transmits the decrypted content to the first application program  110 .  
         [0025]     The first Bluetooth module  150  receives encrypted content through wireless communication with the second Bluetooth module  250  of server  200  and transmits the received encrypted content to the first encryption/decryption module  140 .  
         [0026]     Hereinafter, the structure of server  200  will be described. If the second application program  210  receives a request for content from the first application program  110  of client  100 , the second application program  210  transmits a key distribution command to a second encryption key management module  220 . In addition, if the second application program  210  receives from the second NFC module  230  information reporting that key distribution for client  100  is completed, the second application program  210  transmits the content requested by client  100  to the second encryption/decryption module  240 .  
         [0027]     If the second encryption key management module  220  receives the key distribution command from the second application program  210 , the second encryption key management module  220  creates an encryption key so as to transmit the encryption key to the second NFC module  230 . In addition, the second encryption key management module  220  transmits the stored encryption key to the second encryption/decryption module  240  if the encryption key is requested by the second encryption/decryption module  240 .  
         [0028]     The second NFC module  230  performs a key distribution function together with the first NFC module  130  of client  100 . The encryption key received from the second encryption key management module  220  is transmitted to the first NFC module  130  of client  100 . In addition, if the second NFC module  230  receives from the first NFC module  130  of client  100  the information reporting that key distribution for the client  100  is completed, the second NFC module  230  transmits the information to the second application program  210 .  
         [0029]     If the second encryption/decryption module  240  receives content from the second application program  210 , the second encryption/decryption module  240  requests an encryption key from the second encryption key management module  220 . If the second encryption/decryption module  240  has received the requested encryption key, the second encryption/decryption module  240  encrypts the content using the encryption key so as to transmit the content to the second Bluetooth module  250 .  
         [0030]     Hereinafter, the operation for safely transmitting content through client  100  and sever  200  will be described. If a user of client  100  selects corresponding content to be downloaded among content included in server  200 , the first application program of the client requests the content, which is selected by the user, from the second application program  210  of server  200  in step  301 .  
         [0031]     The second application program  210 , having received the content request from server  200 , commands the second encryption key management module  220  to start key distribution in step  302 .  
         [0032]     The second encryption key management module  220 , having received the command for key distribution from the second application program  210 , creates an encryption key and transmits the created encryption key to the second NFC module  230  in step  303 .  
         [0033]     The second NFC module  230 , having received the encryption key from the second encryption key management module  220 , transmits the encryption key to the first NFC module  130  of client  100  in step  304 , and the first NFC module  130  of client  100  transmits the received encryption key to the first encryption key management module  120  in step  305 .  
         [0034]     After the first encryption key management module  120  stores the encryption key, having received an encryption key from the first NFC module  130 , the first encryption key management module  120  informs the first application program  110  of the completion of key distribution in step  306 .  
         [0035]     If the first NFC module  130  finishes transmission of the encryption key to the first encryption key management module  120  in step  305 , and then informs the second NFC module  230  of server  200  of the completion of the key distribution in step  307 , the second NFC module  230  of server  200  informs the second application program  210  of the fact that key distribution for client  100  is completed in step  308 .  
         [0036]     The second application program  210 , having recognized that the key distribution for the client  100  is completed, transmits the content requested by the first application program  210  of client in step  301  to the second encryption/decryption module  240  in step  309 .  
         [0037]     The second encryption/decryption module  240 , having received content from the second application program  210 , requests an encryption key from the second encryption key management module  220  in step  310  and encrypts the content using the encryption key if the second encryption/decryption module  240  receives the requested encryption key from the second encryption key management module  220  in step  311 .  
         [0038]     If the second encryption/decryption module  240  transmits the encrypted content to the second Bluetooth module  250  in step  312 , the second Bluetooth module  250  transmits the encrypted content to the first Bluetooth module  150  through wireless communication together with the first Bluetooth module  150  in step  313 .  
         [0039]     The first Bluetooth module  150 , having received encrypted content from the second Bluetooth module  250  of server  200  through the wireless communication, transmits the encrypted content to the first encryption/decryption module  140  in step  314 .  
         [0040]     The first encryption/decryption module  140  requests a decryption key to the first encryption key management module  120  in step  315 . If the first encryption/decryption module  140  receives the requested decryption key in step  316 , the first encryption/decryption module  140  decrypts the encrypted content using the decryption key. Then, the first encryption/decryption module  140  transmits the decrypted content to the first application program  110  in step  317 . The first application program  110 , having received the content from the first encryption/decryption module  140 , transmits to the second application program  210  of server  200  information reporting that the requested content is received in step  318 .  
         [0041]     As described above, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an encryption key is distributed using NFC so it is possible to safely download communication content by providing effective encryption distribution function. In addition, an effective encryption key distribution function is provided, so it is possible to improve the weak security structure of Bluetooth. Accordingly, a swift and safe symmetric key algorithm can be employed.  
         [0042]     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof