Apparatus, method and computer program product for protecting copyright data within a computer system
US6009171A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC —)General
Abstract
Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for digitally processing an encrypted data stream scrambled, for example, according to content scrambling system (CSS) technology. This digital processing insures against communication of clear data within the computer system from a central processing unit (CPU) to any accessible structure, such as memory or a system bus. Descrambling of the (CSS) scrambled data stream occurs within a module executing on the CPU, which is followed by re-encryption of the data prior to transfer from the CPU. By so processing the data, integrity of copyrighted material is maintained, while allowing for software descrambling of the CSS encrypted data stream. Various techniques for establishing the encryption/decryption algorithm pair employed are described. Decryption of the re-encrypted data can occur at a receiving software module and/or a receiving hardware device, such as a decoder.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.