Technique for securely communicating programming content

摘要

Technique for securely transferring programming content from a first device in a first layer to a second device in a second layer. Upon request to transfer protected content to the second device, the first device authenticates the second device. After authentication, the first device transfers the protected content and a rights file associated therewith to the second device. The rights file specifies the rights of the second device to use the protected content, according to its security level. These rights may concern, the number of times that the second device may subsequently transfer the protected content to other devices, the time period within which the second device may play the protected content, etc. The higher the security level of the second device is, the more rights accorded thereto. The second device may further need to meet a minimum security level in order for it to receive the protected content.

主权项

1. A computer readable device having a storage medium and a hardware processor, the hardware processor configured to execute a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed:
send to a module apparatus a request to record program content; receive from the module apparatus a response to the request to record, the response comprising:
a data package comprising at least a version of a cryptographic element;a rights file configured to define one or more transfer rights configured to control a device's ability to provide the requested program content to other devices; andan indicator that the device associated to the request to record is allowed to record the requested program content based at least in part on a plurality of rules; and encrypt the program content with a second version of the cryptographic element derived from the data package; store the encrypted program content in association with the data package; register one or more display devices with the device based at least in part on a verification of data in a digital certificate provided by the one or more display devices; receive a request to transfer the encrypted program content to the one or more display devices; determine, before the encrypted content is transferred to the one or more display devices, whether an extent of security of the one or more display devices meets a certain one of the plurality of rules; and based on the determination, transfer the encrypted program content to the one or more display devices.