TEPZZ 9 B_T EP B1 (19) (11) EP B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION. (51) Int Cl.: H04N 21/2347 ( ) H04N 7/167 (2011.

Transcription

1 (19) TEPZZ 9 B_T (11) EP B1 (12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION (45) Date of publication and mention of the grant of the patent: Bulletin 14/47 (21) Application number: (22) Date of filing: (51) Int Cl.: H04N 21/2347 (11.01) H04N 7/167 (11.01) (86) International application number: PCT/IB08/ (87) International publication number: WO 08/ ( Gazette 08/34) (54) Scrambling of visual content by rearranging patterns over a matrix Verwürfelung Visueller Inhalte durch Umordnung von Mustern über eine Matrix Embrouillage de contenu visuel par réagencement de motifs sur une matrice (84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA MK RS (30) Priority: IN DE (43) Date of publication of application: Bulletin 09/47 (73) Proprietor: Photint Venture Group Inc. Tortola (VG) (72) Inventor: JACOB, Stephane, Jean-Louis F Floirac (FR) (74) Representative: Abraham, Richard et al Maguire Boss 24 East Street St. Ives Cambridgeshire PE27 5PD (GB) (56) References cited: EP-A EP-A WO-A-01/08412 JP-A JP-A US-A EP B1 Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). Printed by Jouve, PARIS (FR)

2 1 EP B1 2 Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The instant invention relates to the field of image processing, encryption and decryption of digital visual content and in particular embodiments to fuzzy protection of visual content by disallowing unauthorized access of visual content. The present invention is also related to Coder/Decoder application in the field of image processing. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Entertainment industry includes movie, cable TV, screenplays etc. Movie has been a major industry in the world of entertainment. The production of a movie requires a huge sum of money, talent of people and a great amount of effort. These efforts, money and talent of too many people involved in the formation of a movie or a screenplay bear no fruits at the end if copied or accessed by unauthorized people. Also, there are confidential images or moving pictures, which might be of ultimate secrecy to the welfare of the nation and requires strong security. Thus, in order to protect such crucial visual information from unauthorized accesses, a method and a system for securing digital visual content are in core need. [0003] In present times various techniques have been used to stop copying of visual information. For instance, image watermarking is the process by which some information is inserted within a host image, e.g. to enable copyright protection or image authentication. Several, often conflicting, requirements are imposed on the insertion mechanism, such as invisibility, robustness, high information content, and fast and reliable detection. [0004] However, so far there have been no conventional techniques or system to disallow viewing of secured visual information to an unauthorized person. [0005] Hence, there is a strong need for a system and method which disallows viewing of important and sensitive visual information by an unauthorized person. [0006] Television encryption, often referred to as "scrambling", is used to control access to pay television services, usually cable or satellite television services. Pay television exists to make revenue from subscribers and sometimes those subscribers don t pay. The prevention of piracy on cable and satellite networks has been one of the main factors in the development of Pay TV encryption systems. [0007] The early cable based Pay-TV networks used no security. This led to problems with people connecting to the network without bothering to pay. Consequently, some methods were developed to frustrate these selfconnectors. The early Pay-TV systems for cable television were based on a number of simple measures. The most common of these was a channel based filter that would effectively stop the channel being received by those who had not subscribed. These filters would be added or removed according to the subscription. As the number of television channels on these cable networks grew, the filter based approach became increasingly impractical. [0008] Other techniques such as adding an interfering signal to the video or audio began to be used as the simple filter solutions were easily bypassed. As the technology evolved, addressable set top boxes became common and more complex scrambling techniques such as digital encryption of the audio or video cut and rotate (where a line of video is cut at a particular point and the two parts are then reordered around this point) were applied to signals. [0009] Encryption was used to protect satellite distributed feeds for cable television networks. Some of the systems used for cable feed distribution were expensive. As the DTH market grew, less secure systems began to be used. Many of these systems (such as OAK Orion) were variants of cable television scrambling systems that affected the synchronization part of the video, inverted the video signal or added an interfering frequency to the video. All of these analogue scrambling techniques were easily defeated. [00] Usually a video player, which is a kind of media player can be used for playing back digital video data from media such as optical discs (for example, DVD, VCD), as well as from files of appropriate formats such as MPEG, AVI, Real Video, and QuickTime. Many of the video players also support simple playback of digital audio making the content susceptible to unauthorized access. Hence cryptographic techniques are used to secure the same. In modern times, the study of cryptography is relied upon for securing digital content Cryptography is considered to be a branch of both mathematics and computer science, and is affiliated closely with information theory, computer security, and engineering. [0011] Hence there is a need for a system and method to encrypt digital content to make it secure and inaccessible to unauthorized access. [0012] EP discloses an encoding technique in accordance with the pre-characterising portion of the appendant independent claims. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method and corresponding device for encoding visual information, a method and corresponding device for decoding encoded visual information, and a codec and corresponding computer program product for encoding and decoding visual information as defined in appendant independent claims to which reference should now be made. Embodiments of the invention are defined in the appendant dependent claims, to which reference should also now be made. [0014] In order to achieve the above objectives and advantages, the instant invention encrypts visual content 2

3 3 EP B1 4 i.e. still or moving image so as to disallow any unauthorized person to access the visual content. [0015] Advantageously, the instant invention leads to repositioning of equal sized patterns of pixels so as to hide or encrypt the visual information. [0016] The above objectives or advantages have been disclosed in the specification so as to clarify the invention closely. However, the scope of the above invention should not be constrained or limited by the above objectives or advantages. [0017] According to the present invention, the image is divided in to n number of patterns each having a x b pixels. The n patterns of a x b pixels are mapped on a matrix i.e. are positioned on X and Y-axis. The n patterns are then arranged in a different and new shape for e.g. a rectangle, to that of the original shape of the image but having the same number of patterns or same area. The patterns of pixels are then relocated in the new shape and a matrix is again mapped for the new arrangement of patterns. A key is then generated comprising the information of the encrypted and earlier image, which is stored along with the still or moving image file. [0018] In order to decrypt the encrypted visual content or the encrypted image, the player reads the key or encrypted visual content and decrypts the encrypted visual content or image by means of the information provided by the key. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components. FIGURE 1 depicts a hardware representation of a possible integration of the software FIGURE 2 represents an equirectangular image FIGURE 3 is a schematic drawing representing the stream of data going through the FUZZY codec FIGURE 4a illustrates the encoding process through the fuzzy encoder FIGURE 4b illustrates the decoding process through the fuzzy decoder FIGURE 5a defines configuration with one group of users FIGURE 5b defines configuration with multiple groups of users FIGURES 6a to 6e represent a graphical illustration about the way the encryption key is generated FIGURE 7 represents the details of the ENCRYP- TION MODULE FIGURE 8 represents the details of the REVERSE ENCRYPTION MODULE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [00] A method and system for securing digital visual information are described. The system and methods are not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. The apparatus and method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated. [0021] The coder part of the present invention can be used either as a standalone application or can be integrated as an existing export tool. However, the decoder part of the instant invention has to be integrated into existing application, basically a video or multimedia player that deliver and display visual content to end user. [0022] In an embodiment, an equirectengular image or movie is herein divided in to equal patterns of 16 X 16 pixels and then are positioned in accordance to disclosed method of the instant invention in a new texture of ratio 32:1. The advantage of the instant method is brought about by the repositioning of patterns of the image and that too in a different texture for instance position of 16 X 16 pixel patterns might be changed after every 0 patterns of 16 x 16 pixels. [0023] The image in FIGURE 2 represents an Equirectangular image (expressed in pixels) with 360 degrees horizontal information and 180 degrees vertical information. This image aspect ratio is 2:1 that mean that the width is twice larger than the height. [0024] In FIGURE 3, the SOURCE DATA in 6 is encoded through the FUZZY ENCODER in 7 that delivers a multimedia file or video stream in 8. The VIDEO STREAM is then sent to the FUZZY DECODER in 9 that decodes the information, and sends it to the VIDEO REN- DERER in. [0025] FIGURE 4a depicts the encoding process. The Source data in can be a video file, a video stream or a still image. This data have to be a multimedia file at least understandable by an API similar to any DirectShow Filter in 25. This source Data is described in resolution information (in pixels AREA), in Compression type, in Frame Rate (in FPS) and in Color Depth. The sound information at that point is not encrypted and is not processed through the FUZZY ENCODER. The original sound data 26 is then directly transmitted from the step 25 to the step 90, where the encoded file is written. The synch information is kept in 25 (which is the same API as 90) and used in 90 to write the ENCODED DATA. [0026] The Source Data is loaded in the Fuzzy Encoder through the FRAME EXTRACTOR READER in 30, as the preferred process have to be computed frame by frame to prevent any data loss. This module read the incoming data and extracts each frame separately one by one. This process is well known and is processed first 3

4 5 EP B1 6 through an API from Microsoft called DIRECTSHOW FIL- TER in 25. Each frame has to be progressive to prevent any compression anomaly. [0027] DirectShow divides the processing of multimedia tasks such as video playback into a set of steps known as filters. Each filter represents a stage in the processing of the data. Filters have a number of input and output pins which connect them together. [0028] Then the Frame extracted in 30 is analysed in the PATTERNS READER in 40, where the whole image, expressed in pixels is converted into patterns of 16 x 16 pixels (to fit the macroblock size fixed by existing compression codec used with the AVI container and MPEG formats). Then the patterns locations are stored to be scrambled into a new position by the ENCRYPTION MODULE in 60. [0029] The ENCRYPTION MODULE in 60 generates a key that provides new positions for each patterns extracted in 40. The key can be generated using many well known existing possibilities such as a Keygen. The key can also be generated manually using empiric methods. The Encryption Key is needed in 140 to re format the ENCODED DATA 0. The Encryption key is generated on the ENCODER device, and can be provided to the DECODER device using all existing methods to transport data. The Encryption key can be embedded into the DE- CODER as an electronic device as well. Obviously, the key has to be delivered to the DECODER using a separate way as the ENCODED DATA to maintain the security level. Depending on the security level needed, that Encryption key can also be encrypted using a know encryption algorithm, or can be delivered as a text file. [0030] The final ENCODED DATA 0 has exactly the same number of patterns (Macroblocks) than the SOURCE DATA. [0031] Then the full frame is generated in the MACRO BLOCKS MUX (Multiplexer) in 50, using the new PAT- TERNS position generated using the key in 60 from the sources acquired in 40. Once that step is completed, the frame is written by the FRAME WRITTER in 70 and stored into the MULTIPLE FRAME BUFFER in 80. [0032] The MULTIPLE FRAME BUFFER 80 function is to store the needed number of frames to compute the final compression algorithm by the DIRECTSHOW FIL- TER 90. The number of frames stored before compression depends on the compression key frame required by the compression filter. It is also indexed with the position in the file where the encryption key changes the position of each pattern. It is also possible that the encryption key is set up only at the beginning of the file, but it can also change with a certain frequency, interlaced with existing frames. [0033] This part completes the encryption process included in the ENCODER part. The Encoder part is usually not played on the same device as the DECODER part. The two elements could be linked with known methods if the ENCODED DATA in 0 is a stream data and not a recorded file [0034] FIGURE 4b represents the decoding process. While the ENCODED DATA is transmitted or stored on an other DEVICE to be played, the data is processed through the DIRECTSHOW FILTER in 1. [0035] Then, the DIRECTSHOW FILTER is directly connected to the PATTERNS READER in 1 that format the pattern information for the MACRO BLOCKS DEMUX (Demultiplexer) in 130 where all the patterns are re-organised, using the encryption key imported into the RE- VERSE ENCRYPTION MODULE in 140. As said before, the key could be easily write in hard in the device as a ROM data for example. At that point, all the patterns are re-organised as the original SOURCE DATA (with the compression off course). [0036] The re-organised data is sent to the DIRECT- SHOW FILTER in 150 that generate the DECODED DA- TA in 160 using existing functions. [0037] The DATA at that point cannot be stored as a multimedia file using different filter to prevent non authorised user to have access to non encrypted data. [0038] The DIRECTSHOW FILTER in 1 split the AU- DIO/VIDEO information, as the AUDIO doesn t have to be processed through the FUZZY DECODER part, and is directly transmitted to the output part of the DIRECT- SHOW filter in 150. [0039] The DIRECTSHOW FILTER in 150 connects and synchronise together again the two components of the multimedia file. The video part, known here as the DECODED DATA in 160, is sent to the VIDEO RENDER- ER 170 that manages graphic information for the display device. The sound part is sent to the SOUND RENDER- ER in 180 that manages the sound device. [0040] FIGURE 5a represents the case when a unique encryption key is provided and used. All the end users of group A using the player application are allowed to use and display the content encoded by the ENCODING PLATFORM 0. The only limitation is that they are allowed to display the content, but they are not allowed to modify it. [0041] FIGURE 5b represents the case when multiple groups of users are present. [0042] Each key have to be assigned to a group of content for encryption and to a group of end users for display. [0043] Each key can be generated and encrypted on the same ENCODING PLATFORM 0 or can be encoded and used on multiple ENCODING Platforms. [0044] Let s say that we have N groups of different users. Each one has an encryption key different. The Key A is dedicated to the group A, the key B is dedicated to the group B, and the key N is dedicated to the group N. The restriction between different keys and then different groups are not restricted. [0045] The common case should be that Group A have only access to the media encrypted with the key A, and the Group B has only access to the media encrypted with the key B, and so on. [0046] FIGURES 6a to 6e are provided as an example 4

5 7 EP B1 8 only. In this example, we consider that the SOURCE DA- TA is already extracted and is a progressive scan equirectangular frame, with a size of 24 pixels width and 512 pixels height. The process is integrated as a loop, and each frame have to be processed one by one before compression. [0047] FIGURE 6a shows an equirectangular image of 24 x 512 Pixels i.e. 48 patterns of 16x16 pixels. This frame represents the typical image that could be extracted by the FRAME EXTRACTOR READER 30. [0048] FIGURE 6b represents a graphic representation of the PATTERN extraction function working in the PATTERNS READER 40. Therefore, the length of the image comprises of 64 patterns of 16x16 pixels and width comprises of 32 patterns of 16x16 pixels. [0049] FIGURE 6c is a matrix formed so as to represent the positioning of each pattern on X and Y-axis. Thus, by means of a matrix each pattern of 16x16 pixels is given a coordinate as (X, Y). [0050] FIGURE 6d represents the new matrix after encryption process 3, shown in FIG 6e and FIGURE 7. [0051] In FIGURE 6e, a new shape with the same number of patterns accommodation facility is created i. e. in present embodiment the new shape comprises of 48 pattern accommodation capacity, which is equivalent to that of the original, unencrypted image shape s pattern accommodation capacity. The new shape in which the patterns are relocated is a rectangular shape. However, the area covered by the patterns remains the same. Herein the embodiment the new shape is a rectangle having 256 patterns along the length and 8 patterns along the width. Thus, herein the number of patterns along the length and number of patterns along the width is in the ratio of 32:1. In step 4 the patterns are relocated in the new shape that is the rectangular shape, the patterns are relocated in a special order by applying a fuzzy algorithm. [0052] FIGURE 7 represents the detail of the EN- CRYPTION MODULE 60 of Figure 4a, where the ORIG- INAL MATRIX POSITION 300 receives the information regarding the patterns through the PATTERNS READER 40. The information collected is the number of patterns and their original location into the matrix. This information is described as the MATRIX. These matrix variables are then scrambled in the PATTERN POSITION CHANGER 3 are recombined into a new matrix in the NEW MA- TRIX POSITION 3. The way the variables positions are scrambled can be managed manually by the end user that manages the ENCODING process. It can be as well imported as a text file following the right formatting. Then, the new matrix position information is sent to the KEY GENERATION 330 and to the MACRO BLOCKS MUX 50. The KEY GENERATION 330 generate a encryption key, based on the new matrix position information, using well known existing methods. That key source is then saved as a METADATA ENCRYPTION KEY 65, to be used later on the Player device. [0053] FIGURE 8 represents the detail of the RE VERSE ENCRYPTION MODULE 140 of Figure 4b. The KEY DECODER 400 receives the METADATA EN- CRYPTION KEY 65, where the process re-creates the original matrix information relative to the patterns positions in the frame. The PATTERN POSITION CHANGER 4 receives the incoming pattern position from the PAT- TERNS READER 1 with the KEY DECODER information. This provides the original matrix position in ORIGI- NAL MATRIX POSITION in 4. This information is then sent to the MACRO BLOCKS DEMUX in 130 in order to generate the original frame to be managed by the DI- RECTSHOW FILTER in 150. The key information is not restricted to the pattern position in the frame. EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION [0054] The system CODEC (Coder Decoder) is then combining two separated parts: The Coder that encode the raw video file or stream using an encryption key, The Decoder that decode the encrypted data using the original encryption key information, and deliver the video file reconverted in his original form to the video renderer for display. [0055] The two individual parts are two separates processes that are operational on two distinct computers or CPU systems. [0056] The key, if unique, can provide information to only one group of users that have access to the unique information. [0057] The key can have an unlimited life duration time, or can be limited in time. For example, if the media is a pay per view program, it is possible to generate a key that allow the end user, or the group of end users to play the video only for a limited time. If the delay of visualisation expired, then the end user is not allowed any more to play the content, and the player application can display a warning message. [0058] The frame source data size has to be a multiple of 16 pixels for the width and the height. This is majority the case for all video already encoded using compression algorithms that fit this restriction. [0059] The ENCODED DATA and the SOURCE DATA have the same volume of pixels, i.e. the same volume of patterns. The aspect ratio parameter of the ENCODED DATA can be the same than the SOURCE DATA, but it is not necessary. To make the task much complex for the user that wish to access to the SOURCE DATA, we modify the aspect ratio of the ENCODED. DATA (VID- EO). The shape, the number of pixels and patterns are still the same (rectangle), but the measurement in width and height are different. [0060] The aspect ratio of a two-dimensional shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It is also applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-dimensional shape, especially for the longest and 5

6 9 EP B1 shortest axes or for symmetrical objects (e.g. rods) that are described by just two measures (e.g. length and diameter). In such cases, the aspect ratio may evaluate to a value less than one (e.g. consider very short and very long rods). [0061] The preferred application of the invention is known as to protect image content for Equirectangular images or video files and streams, and can be applicable to all others images or video contents. The Equirectangular format is well known in the computer graphic industry [0062] It is most appreciated that the image data that will be processed through the Encoder has to be in an uncompressed format. It can work as well with compressed files, but the final result will not be as good as needed for different fields of applications, including the Entertainment industry [0063] Video compression typically operates on square-shaped groups of neighbouring pixels, often called a Macroblock. [0064] The data can be one or multiple still images or one or multiple video files. The final processed file or files exported from the Encoder can then be stored or streamed directly to the Decoder in two different forms: [0065] As an original video file using standard video compression. The AVI container (Audio Video Interleave) format or the new MPEG4 format allows all kind of compression files. In this case, the encryption key is processed and sent (in the case it is not embedded directly in the Decoder) separately as a metadata, [0066] As a metadata file including video and data. Metadata is used to facilitate the understanding, use and management of data. The metadata required for effective data management varies with the type of data and context of use. In the context of an information system, where the data is the content of the computer files, metadata about an individual data item would typically include the name of the field and its length. [0067] Each frame of the video has to be processed frame by frame at a low level, and the images need to be in a progressive scan format (not interlaced) in 24 bits, 32 bits or indexed colors. [0068] The present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or anangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. The apparatus and method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment, and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated Claims 1. A method for encoding visual information comprising the steps of: dividing the visual information into a predetermined number of patterns over a matrix; - determining the position of each pattern on the matrix; - encrypting the visual information by rearranging the patterns into new positions on the matrix in a predetermined shape over the matrix, the area of the predetermined shape being equal to the area of the original visual information; and - generating an encryption key that provides new positions for each pattern; characterised in that the patterns on the matrix are rearranged in a predetermined shape which is different to that of the original shape of the visual information. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visual information is extracted frame by frame from multimedia data comprising audio information by filtering and transmitting the audio without encoding. 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein each frame is progressive to prevent compression anomaly. 4. A device for encoding visual information comprising: - image processing means configured to extract and process information from the visual information frame by frame; - a pattern reader (40) to store and convert each extracted frame into a predetermined number of patterns over a matrix; and - an encryption means (60) coupled to the image processing means to encrypt the visual information by rearranging the patterns into new positions on the matrix in a predetermined shape over the matrix, the area of the predetermined shape being equal to the area of the original visual information, and generate a symmetrical encryption key that provides new positions for each pattern; characterised in that the encryption means (60) is configured to rearrange the patterns in a predetermined shape which is different to that of the original shape of the visual information. 5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the image processing means is further configured to: - generate the full frame using the new positions generated; - store and write a predetermined number of generated frames required for final compression; and - encrypt the visual information to obtain encoded information. 6

7 11 EP B A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the visual information () is a video file or a video stream. 17. A device for decoding encoded visual information, said device comprising: 7. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the visual information () is a still image. 8. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the visual information () is a multimedia file at least understandable by an API similar to said filtering means (25). 9. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pattern format fits a macro-block format.. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said encryption module (60) generates a symmetric encryption key (65) that provides new positions for each pattern extracted in said patterns reader (40). 11. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said encryption key (65) is encrypted before transporting it to the decoder device means for receiving encoded data including encoded visual information divided into a predetermined number of patterns rearranged into new positions in a predetermined shape over a matrix, the area of the predetermined shape being equal to the area of the original visual information; - a patterns reader (1) to analyze and format pattern information of said data (0) into a preset pattern format; - a macro blocks DEMUX (130) to decrypt the encoded visual information by reorganizing the said pattern information using an encryption key that provides new positions for each pattern into a pattern organization of the original source data for the visual information; and - a reverse encryption module (140) to provide the encryption key for reorganizing said pattern information; 12. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said encryption key (65) is embedded into the decoder device as an electronic device. 13. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said encryption key (65) is stored in the ROM data. 14. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the encoded information (0) has exactly the same number of patterns as the visual information (). 15. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the filtering means (25) removes audio information from the input information. 16. A method for decoding encoded visual information, said method comprising the steps of: - receiving encoded data including encoded visual information divided into a predetermined number of patterns rearranged into new positions in a predetermined shape over a matrix, the area of the predetermined shape being equal to the area of the original visual information; - importing an encryption key that provides new positions for each pattern; and - decrypting the encoded visual information by reorganizing the patterns to recreate the original source data for the visual information using the encryption key; characterised in that the patterns forming the encoded visual information are arranged in a predetermined shape which is different to that of the shape of the original visual information, characterised in that the macro blocks DEMUX (130) is configured to reorganize the patterns forming the encoded visual information from a predetermined shape which is different to that of the shape of the original visual information to the shape of the original visual information. 18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the device is configured to prevent decoded data (160) generated by the device being stored as a multimedia file and thus prevent unauthorized access to non-encrypted data. 19. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the device comprises a filter (1) for splitting audio and video information.. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein decoded data (160) generated by the device corresponds to the video data of the input multimedia file. 21. A device as claimed in claim, wherein said video data is sent to a video renderer (170). 22. A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein said video renderer (170) manages graphic information for a display device. 23. A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the audio information is directly sent from the filter (1) to a sound renderer (180). 24. A device as claimed in claim 23, wherein said sound renderer (180) manages a sound device. 7

8 13 EP B A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein audio information is not processed and is directly transmitted from the filter (1) to means (150) configured to connect and synchronize the audio information with the decoded visual information. 26. A codec for encoding and decoding visual information comprising: - image processing means configured to extract and process information from the visual information frame by frame; - a pattern reader (40) to store and convert each extracted frame into a predetermined number of patterns over a matrix; - an encryption means (60) coupled to the image processing means to encrypt the visual information by rearranging the patterns into new positions on the matrix in a predetermined shape over the matrix, the area of the predetermined shape being equal to the area of the original visual information, and to generate a symmetrical encryption key that provides new positions for each pattern; and - a decoder for decoding encoded information; characterised in that the encryption means is configured to rearrange the patterns in a predetermined shape which is different to that of the original shape of the visual information Unterteilen der visuellen Informationen in eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Mustern über eine Matrix; - Ermitteln der Position jedes Musters auf der Matrix; - Verwürfeln der visuellen Informationen durch Umordnen der Muster in neue Positionen auf der Matrix in einer vorbestimmten Form über die Matrix, wobei die Fläche der vorbestimmten Form gleich der Fläche der ursprünglichen visuellen Informationen ist; und - Erzeugen eines Verwürfelungsschlüssels, der neue Positionen für jedes Muster bereitstellt; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Muster auf der Matrix in einer vorbestimmten Form umgeordnet werden, die sich von der ursprünglichen Form der visuellen Informationen unterscheidet. 2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die visuellen Informationen Frame für Frame aus Multimedia-Daten extrahiert werden, die Audioinformationen umfassen, durch Filtern und Übertragen des Audio ohne Codierung. 3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, wobei jeder Frame progressiv ist, um Kompressionsanomalie zu verhüten. 4. Vorrichtung zum Codieren von visuellen Informationen, die Folgendes umfasst: 27. A computer program product for encoding and decoding visual information comprising one or more computer readable media configured to: - divide the visual information into a predetermined number of patterns over a matrix; - determine the position of each pattern on the matrix; - encrypt the visual information by rearranging the patterns into new positions on the matrix in a predetermined shape over the matrix, the area of the predetermined shape being equal to the area of the original visual information; and - generate an encryption key that provides new positions for each pattern; characterised in that the patterns on the matrix are rearranged in a predetermined shape which is different to that of the original shape of the visual information. Patentansprüche 1. Verfahren zum Codieren von visuellen Informationen, das die folgenden Schritte beinhaltet: ein Bildverarbeitungsmittel, das zum Extrahieren und Verarbeiten von Informationen von den visuellen Informationen Frame für Frame konfiguriert ist; - einen Musterleser (40) zum Speichern und Konvertieren jedes extrahierten Frame in eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Mustern über eine Matrix; und - ein Verwürfelungsmittel (60), das mit dem Bildverarbeitungsmittel gekoppelt ist, um die visuellen Informationen durch Umordnen der Muster in neue Positionen auf der Matrix in einer vorbestimmten Form über die Matrix zu verwürfeln, wobei die Fläche der vorbestimmten Form gleich der Fläche der ursprünglichen visuellen Informationen ist, und um einen symmetrischen Verwürfelungsschlüssel zu erzeugen, der neue Informationen für jedes Muster bereitstellt; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verwürfelungsmittel (60) zum Umordnen der Muster in einer vorbestimmten Form konfiguriert ist, die sich von der ursprünglichen Form der visuellen Informationen unterscheidet. 5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei das Bildverarbeitungsmittel ferner konfiguriert ist zum: 8

9 15 EP B Erzeugen des vollen Frame mit den neuen erzeugten Positionen; - Speichern und Schreiben einer vorbestimmten Anzahl von erzeugten Frames, die für eine Endkompression benötigt werden; und - Verwürfeln der visuellen Informationen, um codierte Informationen zu erhalten. 6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei die visuellen Informationen () eine Videodatei oder ein Videostrom sind. 7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei die visuellen Informationen () ein Festbild sind. 8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei die visuellen Informationen () eine Multimedia-Datei sind, die wenigstens für eine API ähnlich dem genannten Filtermittel (25) verständlich ist. 9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei das genannte Musterformat zu einem Makroblockformat passt vorbestimmten Form über eine Matrix, wobei die Fläche der vorbestimmten Form gleich der Fläche der ursprünglichen visuellen Informationen ist; - Importieren eines Verwürfelungsschlüssels, der neue Positionen für jedes Muster bereitstellt; und - Entwürfeln der codierten visuellen Informationen durch Umorganisieren der Muster, um die ursprünglichen Quelldaten für die visuellen Informationen unter Verwendung des Verwürfelungsschlüssels wiederherzustellen; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die die codierten visuellen Informationen bildenden Muster in einer vorbestimmten Form angeordnet sind, die sich von der Form der ursprünglichen visuellen Informationen unterscheidet. 17. Vorrichtung zum Decodieren von codierten visuellen Informationen, wobei die genannte Vorrichtung Folgendes umfasst:. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, wobei das genannte Verwürfelungsmodul (60) einen symmetrischen Verwürfelungsschlüssel (65) erzeugt, der neue Positionen für jedes in dem genannten Musterleser (40) extrahierte Muster bereitstellt. 11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei der genannte Verwürfelungsschlüssel (65) verwürfelt wird, bevor er zur Decoder-Vorrichtung transportiert wird. 12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei der genannte Verwürfelungsschlüssel (65) in der Decoder-Vorrichtung als elektronisches Bauelement eingebettet wird. 13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, wobei der genannte Verwürfelungsschlüssel (65) in den ROM-Daten gespeichert ist. 14. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, wobei die codierten Informationen (0) genau dieselbe Anzahl von Mustern haben wie die visuellen Informationen (). 15. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, wobei das Filtermittel (25) Audioinformationen aus den Eingangsinformationen entfernt. 16. Verfahren zum Decodieren von codierten visuellen Informationen, wobei das genannte Verfahren die folgenden Schritte beinhaltet: - Empfangen von codierten Daten einschließlich codierten visuellen Informationen, die in eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Mustern unterteilt sind, umgeordnet in neue Positionen in einer ein Mittel zum Empfangen von codierten Daten einschließlich codierter visueller Informationen, die in eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Mustern unterteilt sind, die zu neuen Positionen in einer vorbestimmten Form über eine Matrix umgeordnet sind, wobei die Fläche der vorbestimmten Form gleich der Fläche der ursprünglichen visuellen Informationen ist; - einen Musterleser (1) zum Analysieren und Formatieren von Musterinformationen der genannten Daten (0) zu einem voreingestellten Musterformat; - einen Makroblock-DEMUX (130) zum Entwürfeln der codierten visuellen Informationen durch Umorganisieren der genannten Musterinformationen mittels eines Verwürfelungsschlüssels, der neue Positionen für jedes Muster zu einer Musterorganisation der ursprünglichen Quelldaten für die visuellen Informationen bereitstellt; und - ein Umkehrverwürfelungsmodul (140) zum Bereitstellen des Verwürfelungsschlüssels zum Umorganisieren der genannten Musterinformationen; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Makroblock- DEMUX (130) zum Umorganisieren der die codierten visuellen Informationen bildenden Muster von einer vorbestimmten Form, die sich von der Form der ursprünglichen visuellen Informationen unterscheidet, in die Form der ursprünglichen visuellen Informationen konfiguriert ist. 18. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 17, wobei die Vorrichtung so konfiguriert ist, dass sie verhindert, dass von 9

10 17 EP B1 18 der Vorrichtung erzeugte decodierte Daten (160) als Multimedia-Datei gespeichert werden, und somit einen unbefugten Zugriff auf nicht verwürfelte Daten verhindert. 19. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 17, wobei die Vorrichtung ein Filter (1) zum Teilen von Audio- und Video-Informationen umfasst.. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 17, wobei von der Vorrichtung erzeugte decodierte Daten (160) den Videodaten der eingegebenen Multimedia-Datei entsprechen. 21. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch, wobei die genannten Videodaten zu einem Video-Renderer (170) gesendet werden. 22. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 21, wobei der genannte Video-Renderer (170) grafische Informationen für eine Anzeigevorrichtung verwaltet. 23. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 19, wobei die Audioinformationen direkt vom Filter (1) zu einem Ton- Renderer (180) gesendet werden. 24. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 23, wobei der genannte Ton-Renderer (180) eine Tonvorrichtung verwaltet. 25. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 19, wobei Audioinformationen nicht verarbeitet und direkt vom Filter (1) zu Mitteln (150) gesendet werden, die zum Verbinden und Synchronisieren der Audioinformationen mit den decodierten visuellen Informationen konfiguriert sind. 26. Codec zum Codieren und Decodieren von visuellen Informationen, der Folgendes umfasst: - ein Bildverarbeitungsmittel, das zum Extrahieren und Verarbeiten von Informationen von den visuellen Informationen Frame für Frame konfiguriert ist; - einen Musterleser (40) zum Speichern und Konvertieren jedes extrahierten Frame in eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Mustern über eine Matrix; - ein Verwürfelungsmittel (60), das mit dem Bildverarbeitungsmittel gekoppelt ist, um die visuellen Informationen durch Umordnen der Muster in neue Positionen auf der Matrix in einer vorbestimmten Form über die Matrix zu verwürfeln, wobei die Fläche der vorbestimmten Form gleich der Fläche der ursprünglichen visuellen Informationen ist, und einen symmetrischen Verwürfelungsschlüssel zu erzeugen, der neue Positionen für jedes Muster bereitstellt; und - einen Decoder zum Decodieren von codierten Informationen; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verwürfelungsmittel zum Umordnen der Muster in einer vorbestimmten Form konfiguriert ist, die sich von der ursprünglichen Form der visuellen Informationen unterscheidet. 27. Computerprogrammprodukt zum Codieren und Decodieren von visuellen Informationen, das ein oder mehrere computerlesbare Medien umfasst, die konfiguriert sind zum: - Unterteilen der visuellen Informationen in eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Mustern über eine Matrix; - Ermitteln der Position jedes Musters auf der Matrix; - Verwürfeln der visuellen Informationen durch Umordnen der Muster in neue Positionen auf der Matrix in einer vorbestimmten Form über die Matrix, wobei die Fläche der vorbestimmten Form gleich der Fläche der ursprünglichen visuellen Informationen ist; und - Erzeugen eines Verwürfelungsschlüssels, der neue Positionen für jedes Muster bereitstellt; dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Muster auf der Matrix in einer vorbestimmten Form umgeordnet sind, die sich von der ursprünglichen Form der visuellen Informationen unterscheidet. Revendications 1. Procédé destiné à coder des informations visuelles, comprenant les étapes consistant à : - diviser les informations visuelles en un nombre prédéterminé de motifs au-dessus d une matrice ; - déterminer la position de chaque motif sur la matrice ; - crypter les informations visuelles grâce à un réagencement des motifs en de nouvelles positions sur la matrice suivant une forme prédéterminée au-dessus de la matrice, la zone de la forme prédéterminée étant égale à la zone des informations visuelles initiales ; et - générer une clé de cryptage qui procure de nouvelles positions pour chaque motif ; caractérisé en ce que les motifs sur la matrice sont réagencés suivant une forme prédéterminée laquelle est différente de celle de la forme initiale des informations visuelles. 2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, les informations

11 19 EP B1 visuelles étant extraites trame par trame à partir de données multimédias comportant des informations audio grâce à un filtrage et une transmission de l audio sans codage. 3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, chaque trame étant progressive afin d éviter une anomalie de compression Dispositif selon la revendication 4, ledit format de motifs concordant avec un format de macro-bloc.. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, ledit module de cryptage (60) générant une clé de cryptage symétrique (65) qui procure de nouvelles positions pour chaque motif ayant été extrait dans ledit lecteur de motifs (40). 4. Dispositif destiné à coder des informations visuelles comprenant : - un moyen de traitement d images configuré de façon à extraire et à traiter des informations issues des informations visuelles trame par trame ; - un lecteur de motifs (40) pour stocker et convertir chaque trame extraite en un nombre prédéterminé de motifs au-dessus d une matrice ; et - un moyen de cryptage (60) couplé aux moyens de traitement d images pour crypter les informations visuelles grâce à un réagencement des motifs en de nouvelles positions sur la matrice suivant une forme prédéterminée au-dessus de la matrice, la zone de la forme prédéterminée étant égale à la zone des informations visuelles initiales, et générer une clé de cryptage symétrique qui procure de nouvelles positions pour chaque motif ; caractérisé en ce que le moyen de cryptage (60) est configuré de façon à réagencer les motifs suivant une forme prédéterminée laquelle est différente de celle de la forme initiale des informations visuelles. 5. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, le moyen de traitement d images étant configuré en outre de façon à: - générer la trame intégrale grâce aux nouvelles positions ayant été générées ; - stocker et écrire un nombre prédéterminé de trames générées lesquelles sont requises pour une compression finale ; et - crypter les informations visuelles afin d obtenir des informations codées. 6. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, les informations visuelles () étant un fichier vidéo ou un flux vidéo. 7. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, les informations visuelles () étant une image fixe. 8. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, les informations visuelles () étant un fichier multimédia au moins compréhensible par une API similaire auxdits moyens de filtrage (25) Dispositif selon la revendication 4, ladite clé de cryptage (65) étant cryptée avant de l acheminer au dispositif décodeur. 12. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, ladite clé de cryptage (65) étant intégrée au dispositif décodeur en tant que dispositif électronique. 13. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, ladite clé de cryptage (65) étant stockée dans les données ROM. 14. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, les informations codées (0) ayant exactement le même nombre de motifs que les informations visuelles (). 15. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, le moyen de filtrage (25) enlevant les informations audio des informations d entrée. 16. Procédé destiné à décoder des informations visuelles codées, ledit procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à : - recevoir des données codées incluant des informations visuelles codées divisées en un nombre prédéterminé de motifs réagencés dans de nouvelles positions suivant une forme prédéterminée au-dessus d une matrice, la zone de la forme prédéterminée étant égale à la zone des informations visuelles initiales ; - importer une clé de cryptage qui procure de nouvelles positions pour chaque motif ; et - décrypter les informations visuelles codées grâce à une réorganisation des motifs afin de recréer les données-source initiales pour les informations visuelles en utilisant la clé de cryptage ; caractérisé en ce que les motifs constituant les informations visuelles codées sont agencées suivant une forme prédéterminée laquelle est différente de celle de la forme des informations visuelles initiales. 17. Dispositif destiné à décoder des informations visuelles codées, ledit dispositif comprenant : - un moyen pour recevoir des données codées incluant des informations visuelles codées divisées en un nombre prédéterminé de motifs réa- 11

12 21 EP B1 22 gencés dans de nouvelles positions suivant une forme prédéterminée au-dessus d une matrice, la zone de la forme prédéterminée étant égale à la zone des informations visuelles initiales ; - un lecteur de motifs (1) pour analyser et formater des informations de motifs desdites données (0) en un format de motifs prédéfini ; - un DEMUX de macro-blocs (130) pour décrypter les informations visuelles codées grâce à une réorganisation desdites informations de motifs en utilisant une clé de cryptage qui procure de nouvelles positions pour chaque motif dans une organisation de motifs des données-source initiales pour les informations visuelles ; et - un module de cryptage inverse (140) pour procurer la clé de cryptage servant à réorganiser lesdites informations de motifs ; caractérisé en ce que le DEMUX de macro-blocs (130) est configuré de façon à réorganiser les motifs constituant les informations visuelles codées à partir d une forme prédéterminée laquelle est différente de celle de la forme des informations visuelles initiales vers la forme des informations visuelles initiales. 18. Dispositif selon la revendication 17, le dispositif étant configuré de façon à empêcher que des données décodées (160) générées par le dispositif soient stockées en tant que fichier multimédia et à empêcher par conséquent tout accès non autorisé à des données non cryptées. 19. Dispositif selon la revendication 17, le dispositif comprenant un filtre (1) pour fractionner les informations audio et les informations vidéo.. Dispositif selon la revendication 17, des données décodées (160) générées par le dispositif correspondant aux données vidéo du fichier multimédia d entrée. 21. Dispositif selon la revendication, lesdites données vidéo étant envoyées à un moteur de rendu vidéo (170). 22. Dispositif selon la revendication 21, ledit moteur de rendu vidéo (170) assurant la gestion des informations graphiques pour un dispositif d affichage. 23. Dispositif selon la revendication 19, les informations audio étant directement envoyées à partir du filtre (1) à un moteur de rendu de sons (180) audio n étant pas traitées et étant transmises directement à partir du filtre (1) à des moyens (150) configurés de façon à connecter et à synchroniser les informations audio avec les informations visuelles décodées. 26. Codec destiné à coder et à décoder des informations visuelles, comprenant : - un moyen de traitement d images configuré de façon à extraire et à traiter des informations issues des informations visuelles trame par trame ; - un lecteur de motifs (40) pour stocker et convertir chaque trame extraite en un nombre prédéterminé de motifs au-dessus d une matrice ; - un moyen de cryptage (60) couplé aux moyens de traitement d images pour crypter les informations visuelles grâce à un réagencement des motifs en de nouvelles positions sur la matrice suivant une forme prédéterminée au-dessus de la matrice, la zone de la forme prédéterminée étant égale à la zone des informations visuelles initiales, et générer une clé de cryptage symétrique qui procure de nouvelles positions pour chaque motif ; et - un décodeur pour décoder des informations codées ; caractérisé en ce que le moyen de cryptage est configuré de façon à réagencer les motifs suivant une forme prédéterminée laquelle est différente de celle de la forme initiale des informations visuelles. 27. Produit de programme informatique destiné à coder et à décoder des informations visuelles comprenant un ou plusieurs supports lisibles par ordinateur configurés pour : - diviser les informations visuelles en un nombre prédéterminé de motifs au-dessus d une matrice ; - déterminer la position de chaque motif sur la matrice ; - crypter les informations visuelles grâce à un réagencement des motifs en de nouvelles positions sur la matrice suivant une forme prédéterminée au-dessus de la matrice, la zone de la forme prédéterminée étant égale à la zone des informations visuelles initiales ; et - générer une clé de cryptage qui procure de nouvelles positions pour chaque motif ; 24. Dispositif selon la revendication 23, ledit moteur de rendu de sons (180) assurant la gestion d un dispositif sonore. 25. Dispositif selon la revendication 19, des informations 55 caractérisé en ce que les motifs sur la matrice sont réagencés suivant une forme prédéterminée laquelle est différente de celle de la forme initiale des informations visuelles. 12

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