Patent ID: 7328455

Claim:
A method comprising: performing security authentication of a content driver by a content decryption component in order to verify an identity of the content driver as a secure content driver, wherein the content driver and the content decryption component are located within a kernel application space, wherein the kernel application space is modified for registering the secure content driver with the content decryption component in order for the secure content driver to receive security identity authentication, wherein the content decryption component is tamper-resistant; receiving an encrypted content stream from the secure content driver; performing integrity authentication of a run-time image of the secure content driver; and while integrity authentication of the secure content driver is verified, streaming decrypted content to the secure content driver to enable playback of the decrypted content to a user, wherein performing integrity authentication further comprises: decrypting the encrypted content stream received from the secure content driver; while decrypting the received encrypted content stream, performing a hash value calculation of code segments that perform functionality of the secure content driver while loaded in memory; selecting a stored digital signature of the run-time image of the secure content driver; decrypting the digital signature to reveal a run-time hash value; comparing the computed hash value with the run-time hash value of the secure content driver; and while the calculated hash value matches the run-time hash value of the secure content driver, repeating the decryption, the performing, the selecting and the comparing until decryption of the received encrypted content stream is complete.