Image encrypting method, image encrypting device, recording medium on which image encrypting procedures are recorded, and recording medium on which encrypted image file is recorded

• US 6,938,028 B1
• Filed: 09/21/1999
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Ito, Wataru
• Primary Examiner(s): Rones, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mahmoudi, Hassan
• Application Number:
  US09/400,297
• Time in Patent Office: 2,170 Days
• Field of Search: 707/2, 707/3, 707/5, 707/7, 707/10, 707/104.1, 707/103.Y, 382/100, 382/309, 382/321, 382/199, 358/444, 717/127, 713/176, 713/179, 711/100, 380/51
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/50 of still image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2107 File encryption
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/32 Image data format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/44 Secrecy systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33328 Resolution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

An image encrypting method, an image encrypting device, a recording medium on which image encrypting procedures are recorded, and a recording medium on which an encrypted image file is recorded are provided in order to be able to respond to a request for transmission of a portion of an image and improve a rate of processing image data, even when a device which stores the encrypted image file is not authorized to decrypt. An image inputting device reads an image file. An image portion unit dividing device divides a read image file into a portion image data of tile units. An encrypting device encrypts the portion image data. An identifier generating device generates information incidental to the portion image data. A file generating device generates a single image file from the incidental information and encrypted portion image data.

Claims

1. An image encrypting method, comprising:

a first process of inputting an image by reading an image file expressing the image;

a second process of dividing said image file into portion image data of a predetermined unit;

a third process of generating information incidental to said portion image data, said incidental information including boundary information which expresses a boundary dividing respective said portion image data; and

a fourth process of encrypting every said portion image data to provide every said portion image data with security so that unauthorized access to the portion image data cannot be obtained without decrypting,

wherein image-handling of said portion image data is performed by using said incidental information so that the image-handling is performed while said portion image data remains encrypted.

2. The image encrypting method according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fifth process of generating an encrypted image file from encrypted portion image data generated in said fourth process and said incidental information generated in said third process.

3. The image encrypting method according to claim 2, wherein said encrypted image file includes a plurality of marking means, each of said marking means being attached to respective said encrypted portion image data so as to identify respective boundaries between said encrypted portion image data in said encrypted image file.

4. The image encrypting method according to claim 1, wherein said incidental information is encrypted, and an encrypted image file including encrypted portion image data and encrypted incidental information is generated in said fourth process.

5. The image encrypting method according to claim 4, wherein said incidental information includes each position information of respective said encrypted portion image data in said encrypted image file and each size information of respective said encrypted portion image data.

6. A recording medium on which are recorded image encrypting procedures, comprising:

a first step of inputting an image by reading an image file expressing the image;

a second step of dividing said image file into portion image data of a predetermined unit;

a third step of generating information incidental to said portion image data, said incidental information including boundary information which expresses a boundary dividing respective said portion image data;

a fourth step of encrypting every said portion image data to provide every said portion image data with security so that unauthorized access to the portion image data cannot be obtained without decryption; and

a fifth step of image-handling said portion image data by using said incidental information so that the image-handling is performed while said portion image data remains encrypted.

7. The recording medium on which are recorded image encrypting procedures according to claim 6, further comprising:

a sixth step of generating an encrypted image file from encrypted portion image data generated in said fourth step and said incidental information generated in said third step.

8. The recording medium on which are recorded image encrypting procedures according to claim 7, wherein said encrypted image file includes a plurality of marking means, each of said marking means being attached to respective said encrypted portion image data so as to identify respective boundaries between said encrypted portion image data in said encrypted image file.

9. The recording medium on which are recorded image encrypting procedures according to claim 6, wherein said incidental information is encrypted, and an encrypted image file including encrypted portion image data and encrypted incidental information is generated in said fourth step.

10. The recording medium on which are recorded image encrypting procedures according to claim 9, wherein said incidental information includes each position information of respective said encrypted portion image data in said encrypted image file and each size information of respective said encrypted portion image data.

11. A recording medium on which an encrypted image file is recorded, said encrypted image file being generated by:

a first process of inputting an image by reading an image file expressing the image;

a second process of dividing said image file into portion image data of a predetermined unit;

a third process of generating information incidental to said portion image data, said incidental information including boundary information which expresses a boundary dividing respective said portion image data; and

a fourth process of encrypting, per predetermined unit, every said portion image data which has been divided into said predetermined unit to provide every said portion image data with security so that unauthorized access to said portion image data cannot be obtained without decryption,

a fifth process of image-handling said portion image data by using said incidental information so that the image-handling is performed while said portion image data remains encrypted.

12. The recording medium on which an encrypted image file is recorded according to claim 11, said encrypted image file being generated by a fifth process of generating said encrypted image file from encrypted portion image data generated in said fourth process and said incidental information generated in said third process.

13. The recording medium on which an encrypted image file is recorded according to claim 12, wherein said encrypted image file includes a plurality of marking means, each of said marking means being attached to respective said encrypted portion image data so as to identify respective boundaries between said encrypted portion image data in said encrypted image file.

14. The recording medium on which an encrypted image file is recorded according to claim 11, wherein said incidental information is encrypted, and said encrypted image file including encrypted portion image data and encrypted incidental information is generated in said fourth process.

15. The recording medium on which an encrypted image file is recorded according to claim 14, wherein said incidental information includes each position information of respective said encrypted portion image data in said encrypted image file and each size information of respective said encrypted portion image data.

16. An image encrypting device, comprising:

inputting means which inputs an image by reading an image file expressing the image;

image portion unit dividing means which divides said image file into portion image data of a predetermined unit;

encrypting means which encrypts every said portion image data to provide every said portion image data with security so that unauthorized access to said portion image data cannot be obtained without decryption;

identifier generating means which generates information incidental to said portion image data, said incidental information which expresses a boundary dividing respective said portion image data; and

file generating means which generates an image file on the basis of said portion image data encrypted by said encrypting means and said incidental information generated by said identifier generating means,

wherein image-handling of said portion image data is performed by using said incidental information so that the image-handling is performed while said portion image data remains encrypted.

17. The image encrypting device according to claim 16, wherein the image file generated by said generating means is an encrypted image file.

18. The image encrypting device according to claim 17, wherein said encrypted image file includes a plurality of marking means, each of said marking means being attached to respective encrypted portion image data so as to identify respective boundaries between said encrypted portion image data in said encrypted image file.

19. The image encrypting device according to claim 16, wherein said encrypting means encrypts said incidental information, and said file generating means generates the image file on the basis of said portion image data encrypted by said encrypting means and said incidental information encrypted by said encrypting means.

20. The image encrypting device according to claim 19, wherein said incidental information includes each position information of respective encrypted portion image data in said encrypted image file and each size information of respective encrypted portion image data.