Streaming system for distributing encrypted compressed image data, and streating method thereof

2 The streaming system as set forth in claim 1,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

3 The streaming system as set forth in claim 2,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

4 The streaming system as set forth in claim 3,

• wherein the random accessible unit is a group consisting of the plural frames in which the image data is encoded completely.

5 The streaming system as set forth in claim 1,

• wherein the streaming server packetizes by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data on the basis of the packeting control information so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size to distribute stream data thus generated to the client terminal on the packet basis.

6 The streaming system as set forth in claim 1,

• wherein the streaming server switches, in accordance with communication state of network, between a first packeting technique of packetizing by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size and a second packeting technique of packeting stream data with integral multiple of encryption block size being a unit every predetermined unit to distribute stream data thus generated to the client terminal on the packet basis.

7 A streaming method in which, in encrypting stream data which is obtained by compression-encoding image data and/or audio data, an encryption unit encrypts every predetermined unit of the stream data from the leading portion of the predetermined unit on an encryption block size basis without encrypting the last data having less than encryption block size,

• wherein an authoring unit adds at least packeting control information to the encrypted stream data to prepare a file so that the file has a predetermined file form,
• wherein a streaming server distributes the file prepared by the authoring unit via network of a predetermined transport protocol, and
• wherein a client terminal receives the encrypted stream data from the streaming server to decode the encrypted portion of the stream data into original image data.

8 The streaming method as set forth in claim 7,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing on the basis of predictive encoding.

9 The streaming method as set forth in claim 8,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

10 The streaming method as set forth in claim 9,

• wherein the random accessible unit is a group consisting of the plural frames in which image data is encoded completely.

11 The streaming method as set forth in claim 7,

• wherein the streaming server packetizes by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data on the basis of the packeting control information so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size to distribute stream data thus generated to the client terminal on the packet basis.

12 The streaming method as set forth in claim 7,

• wherein the streaming server switches, in accordance with communication state of network, between a first packeting technique of packetizing by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size and a second packeting technique of packeting stream data at integral multiple of encryption block size every predetermined unit to distribute steam data thus generated to the client terminal on the packet basis.

13 A streaming server comprising:

• packeting means for encrypting stream data obtained by compression-encoding image data and/or audio data every predetermined unit of the stream data from the leading portion of the predetermined unit on an encryption block size basis without encrypting the last data having less than encryption block size to input a file prepared in which at least packeting control information is added to the encrypted stream data so that the file has a predetermined file form to packet the file on the basis of the packeting control information;
• and
• distribution means for distributing the packeted file to a client terminal via network of a predetermined transport protocol.

14 The streaming server as set forth in claim 13,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

15 The streaming server as set forth in claim 14,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

16 The streaming server as set forth in claim 14,

• wherein the packeting means packetizes by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

17 The streaming server as set forth in claim 13,

• wherein the packeting means switches, in accordance with communication state of network, between a first packeting technique of packetizing by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size and a second packeting technique of packeting stream data at integral multiple of encryption block size every predetermined unit to packet stream data thus switched.

18 A streaming server comprising:

• packeting means for encrypting stream data obtained by compression-encoding image data and/or audio data every predetermined unit of the stream data from the leading portion of the predetermined unit on an encryption block size basis to input a file prepared in which at least packeting control information is added to the encrypted stream data so that the file has a predetermined file form to also packet portions of prior and/or posterior stream data along with the stream data on the basis of the packeting control information so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size;
• and
• distribution means for distributing the packeted file to a client terminal via network of a predetermined transport protocol.

19 The streaming server as set forth in claim 18,

• wherein the packeting means stores, into an extended area, portions of the prior and/or posterior stream data to packet the file.

20 A data distribution method comprising:

• a packeting step of encrypting stream data obtained by compression-encoding image data and/or audio data every predetermined unit of the stream data from the leading portion of the predetermined unit on an encryption block size basis without encrypting the last data having less than encryption block size to input a file prepared in which at least packeting control information is added to the encrypted stream data so that the file has a predetermined file form to packet the file on the basis of the packeting control information;
• and
• a distribution step of distributing the packeted file to a client terminal via network of a predetermined transport protocol.

21 The data distribution method as set forth in claim 20,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the predictive encoding.

22 The data distribution method as set forth in claim 21,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

23 The data distribution method as set forth in claim 20,

• wherein, at the packeting step, portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are packeted in the state where they are stored into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

24 The data distribution method as set forth in claim 20,

• wherein, at the packeting step, a first packeting technique of packetizing by storing portions of prior and/or stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size and a second packeting technique of packeting stream data at integral multiple of encryption block size every predetermined unit are switched in accordance with communication state of network so that stream data thus switched is packeted.

25 A data distribution method including:

• a packeting step of encrypting stream data obtained by compression-encoding image data and/or audio data every predetermined unit of the stream data from the leading portion of the predetermined unit on an encryption block size basis to input a file prepared in which at least packeting control information is added to the encrypted stream data so that the file has a predetermined file form to also packet portions of prior and/or posterior stream data along with the stream data on the basis of the packeting control information so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size;
• and
• a distribution step of distributing the packeted file to a client terminal via network of a predetermined transport protocol.

26 The data distribution method as set forth in claim 25,

• wherein, at the packeting step, portions of the prior and posterior stream data are stored into an extended area so that the file is packeted.

28 The program as set forth in claim 17,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

29 The program as set forth in claim 28,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

30 The program as set forth in claim 27,

• wherein, at the packeting step, portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are packeted in the state where they are stored into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption size.

31 The program as set forth in claim 27,

• wherein, at the packeting step, a first packeting technique of packetizing by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size and a second packeting technique of packeting stream data at integral multiple of encryption block size every predetermined unit are switched in accordance with communication state of network so that stream data thus switched is packeted.

33 The program as set forth in claim 32,

• wherein, at the packeting step, portions of the prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area so that the file is packeted.

35 The recording medium as set forth in claim 34,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

36 The recording medium as set forth in claim 35,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

37 The recording medium as set forth in claim 34,

• wherein, at the packeting step, portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are packeted in the state where they are stored into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

38 The recording medium as set forth in claim 34,

• wherein, at the packeting step, a first packeting technique of packetizing by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size and a second packeting technique of packeting stream data at integral multiple of encryption block size every predetermined unit are switched in accordance with communication state of network so that stream data thus switched is packeted.

40 The recording medium as set forth in claim 39,

• wherein, at the packeting step, portions of the prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area so that the file is packeted.

42 The client terminal as set forth in claim 41,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

43 The client terminal as set forth in claim 42,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

44 The client terminal as set forth in claim 41,

• wherein the packet is adapted so that portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area along with stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

45 The client terminal as set forth in claim 41,

• wherein the packet is adapted so that a first packeting technique of packetizing by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size and a second packeting technique of packeting stream data with integral multiple of encryption block size being a unit every the predetermined unit are switched in accordance with communication state of network so that stream data thus switched is packeted.

47 The client terminal as set forth in claim 46,

• wherein portions of the prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area.

49 The data decoding method as set forth in claim 48,

• wherein the stream data is compress-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

50 The data decoding method as set forth in claim 49,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

51 The data decoding method as set forth in claim 48,

• wherein the packet is adapted so that portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area along with stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

52 The data decoding method as set forth in claim 48,

• wherein the packet is adapted so that a first packeting technique of packetizing by storing portions of prior and/or exterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size and a second packeting technique of packeting stream data with integral multiple of encryption block size being a unit every predetermined unit are switched in accordance with communication state of network so that stream data thus switched is packeted.

54 The data decoding method as set forth in claim 53,

• wherein portions of the prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area.

56 The program as set forth in claim 55,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

57 The program as set forth in claim 56,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

58 The program as set forth in claim 55,

• wherein the packet is adapted so that portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

59 The program as set forth in claim 55,

• wherein the packet is adapted so that a first packeting technique of packetizing by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size and a second packeting technique of packeting stream data with integral multiple of encryption block size being a unit every the predetermined unit are switched in accordance with communication state of network so that stream data thus switched is packeted.

61 The program as set forth in claim 60,

• wherein portions of the prior and/or posterior stream data are inserted into an extended area.

63 The recording medium as set forth in claim 62,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

64 The recording medium as set forth in claim 63,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

65 The recording medium as set forth in claim 0.62,

• wherein the packet is adapted so that portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area along with stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

66 The recording medium as set forth in claim 62,

• wherein the packet is adapted so that a first packeting technique of packetizing by storing portions of prior and/or posterior stream data into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size and a second packeting technique of packeting stream data with integral multiple of encryption block size being a unit every predetermined unit are switched in accordance with communication state of network so that stream data thus switched is packeted.

68 The recording medium as set forth in claim 67,

• wherein portions of the prior and/or posterior stream data are stored into an extended area.

69 An authoring apparatus adapted for inputting stream data encrypted so that stream data obtained by compression-encoding image data and/or audio data is encrypted every predetermined unit from the leading portion of the predetermined unit on an encryption block size basis without encrypting the last data having less than the encryption block size,

• the authoring apparatus including file preparation means for adding at least packeting control information to the encrypted stream data form to prepare a file so that the file has a predetermined form.

70 The authoring apparatus as set forth in claim 69,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

71 The authoring apparatus as set forth in claim 70,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

72 The authoring apparatus as set forth in claim 69,

• wherein the packeting control information is adapted so that portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are packeted in the state where they are stored into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

73 An authoring method in which there is inputted stream data encrypted so that stream data obtained by compression-encoding image data and/or audio data is encrypted every predetermined unit from the leading portion of the predetermined unit on an encryption block size basis without encrypting the last data having less than the encryption block size,

• the authoring method including:
• a file preparation step of adding at least packeting control information to the encrypted stream data to prepare a file so that the file has a predetermined file form.

74 The authoring method as set forth in claim 73,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

75 The authoring method as set forth in claim 73,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

76 The authoring method as set forth in claim 73,

• wherein the packeting control information is adapted so that portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are packeted in the state where they are stored into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

77 A program for allowing computer to execute a predetermined operation,

• wherein there is inputted stream data encrypted so that stream data obtained by compression-encoding image data and/or audio data is encrypted every predetermined unit from the leading portion of the predetermined unit on an encryption block size basis without encrypting the last data having less than the encryption block size,
• the program including:
• a file preparation step of adding at least packeting control information to the encrypted stream data to prepare a file so that the file has a predetermined file form.

78 The program as set forth in claim 77,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

79 The program as set forth in claim 78,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

80 The program as set forth in claim 77,

• wherein the packeting control information is adapted so that portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are packeted in the state where they are stored into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

81 A computer readable recording medium adapted so that program for allowing computer to execute a predetermined operation is recorded,

• wherein the program is adapted so that there is inputted stream data encrypted so that stream data obtained by compression-encoding image data and/or audio data is encrypted every predetermined unit from the leading portion of the predetermined unit on an encryption block size basis without encrypting the last data having less than the encryption block size,
• the program including:
• a file preparation step of adding at least packeting control information to the encrypted stream data to prepare a file so that the file has a predetermined file form.

82 The recording medium as set forth in claim 81,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

83 The recording medium as set forth in claim 82,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

84 The recording medium as set forth in claim 81,

• wherein the packeting control information is adapted so that portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are packeted in the state where they are stored into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.

85 A recording medium adapted so that there is recorded a file packeted and distributed to a client terminal via network of a predetermined transport protocol by a streaming server,

• wherein the file is prepared by adding at least packeting control information to encrypted stream data so that stream data obtained by compression-encoding image data and/or audio data is encrypted every predetermined unit from the leading portion of the predetermined unit on an encryption block size basis without encrypting the last data having less than the encryption block size has a predetermined file form.

86 The recording medium as set forth in claim 85,

• wherein the stream data is compression-encoded by processing the image data on the basis of predictive encoding.

87 The recording-medium as set forth in claim 86,

• wherein the predetermined unit is a frame serving as a display unit of the image data, or a random accessible unit.

88 The recording medium as set forth in claim 85,

• wherein the packeting control information is adapted so that portions of prior and/or posterior stream data are packeted in the state where they are stored into an extended area along with the stream data so that size of the stream data distributed every packet is integral multiple of the encryption block size.