Method and apparatus for key distribution for secure digital cinema presentations

摘要

Key distribution within a digital cinema presentation facility (140) occurs according to a retrieval process (200, 300) that provides for automatic retrieval at a scheduled time. The process further includes redundant mechanisms to transfer the necessary keys, in different ways to enable theater personnel to obtain the required key in a variety of different ways.

主权项

1. A method for key management at a digital cinema presentation facility that exhibits digital cinema presentations at scheduled show times, comprising:
(a) evaluating whether at least one key distribution message having a key for decrypting a digital cinema presentation, is present at a digital cinema presentation system to decrypt the digital cinema presentation, and if so (b) testing whether the key distribution message determined to be available to decrypt the digital cinema presentation has a validity interval encompassing a scheduled show time for the digital cinema presentation; and if so (c) initiating exhibition of the digital cinema presentation at the scheduled show time show time using the key to decrypt the presentation, otherwise (d) obtaining an alternate key distribution message, (e) checking for expiration of the alternate key distribution message; and (f) retaining the alternate key distribution message when not expired.