System and method for providing searchable data transport stream encryption

• US 7,991,997 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2006
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Watson, Philip, Schwarz, Randall, Taniguchi, Kenshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh; Minh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gregory; Shaun
• Application Number:
  US11/426,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20060291803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,866 Days
• Field of Search: 380/200, 380/211, 380/217, 380/237, 380/259, 380/239, 380/241, 380/212, 726/26
• US Class Current: 713/160
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2146 located in mass transportation means, e.g. aircraft, train or bus flight-deck installations for entertainment or communications B64D11/0015; arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62; moving wireless networks H04W84/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23476 by partially encrypting, e.g. encrypting the ending portion of a movie
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440281 by altering the temporal resolution, e.g. by frame skipping television signal recording using magnetic recording on tape for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44055 by partially decrypting, e.g. decrypting a video stream that has been partially encrypted
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6112 involving terrestrial transmission, e.g. DVB-T
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A packetized transport stream for protecting viewing content from unauthorized access and methods for manufacturing and using same. The transport stream includes a plurality of content frames, each having a frame header and a frame payload. Each frame header includes information for handling the content frame; whereas, the frame payload includes selected viewing content for which protection from unauthorized access is desirable. By encrypting only the frame payload, the header remains unencrypted and can be applied to prepare the encrypted frame payload for presentation. The viewing content thereby can be stored in an encrypted format and can be decrypted on-the-fly as the viewing content is needed for presentation. The combination of the unencrypted frame header and the encrypted frame payload advantageously enables the viewing content to be protected against unauthorized use, copying, and dissemination without impairing the presentation of the viewing content.

Claims

1. A packetized transport stream stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium and suitable for transmitting preselected viewing content in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence, comprising:

a plurality of content frames having a uniform type, each of said content frames including;

a transport frame payload being encrypted and including the preselected viewing content; and

an unencrypted transport frame header for enabling a selected content frame to be extracted without decrypting said transport frame payload of the selected content frame and including a packet identifier field for indicating whether said transport frame payload is encrypted, a payload unit start indicator field for indicating whether said transport frame payload has a packetized elementary stream header, and a transport priority field for indicating whether the selected content frame comprises an index frame and for supporting smooth jump operations within the packetized transport stream by enabling searches for index frames among said content frames within the predetermined frame sequence without decoding said transport frame payloads of said content frames, none of the preselected viewing content being included in said transport frame header, said transport frame payload following said transport frame header and comprising a remainder of each content frame,

wherein all of the preselected viewing content in the packetized transport stream remains in an encrypted format during transmission such that the preselected viewing content is protected against unauthorized access without impairing presentation of the preselected viewing content.

2. The packetized transport stream of claim 1, wherein said packetized transport stream comprises a Moving Picture Experts Group transport stream.

3. The packetized transport stream of claim 2, wherein the index frame comprises an intra-coded image frame.

4. The packetized transport stream of claim 1, wherein said transport frame payload comprises one or more content fields.

5. The packetized transport stream of claim 4, wherein at least one of said content fields is at least one of a video content field for storing video content, an audio content field for storing audio content, and a closed-caption field for storing closed-captioned content.

6. The packetized transport stream of claim 1, wherein said transport frame header consists of the packet identifier field, the payload unit start indicator field, and the transport priority field.

7. The packetized transport stream of claim 4, wherein said content fields include a video content field for storing video content and at least one audio content field for storing audio content, said video content being synchronized with said audio content.

8. The packetized transport stream of claim 1, wherein each of said content frames comprises a packetized elementary stream frame, and said transport frame payload for each of said content frames includes a packetized elementary stream header.

9. The packetized transport stream of claim 1, wherein said transport frame payload is encrypted in accordance with an encryption technique selected from the group consisting of a private key encryption technique, a cipher block chaining mode technique, and proprietary encryption technique.

10. The packetized transport stream of claim 9, wherein said packetized transport stream is associated with a unique encryption key.

11. The packetized transport stream of claim 9, wherein each of said content frames can be independently decrypted.

12. The packetized transport stream of claim 1, wherein at least one of said content frames includes an adaptation field for providing packet timing information.

13. A content conversion system for converting preselected viewing content suitable for presentation in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence and for which protection from unauthorized access is desirable into a packetized, transport stream, comprising:

a processing system for receiving the viewing content and for providing a plurality of content frames having a uniform type, each of said content frames including;

a transport frame payload being encrypted and including the preselected viewing content; and

an unencrypted transport frame header for enabling a selected content frame to be extracted without decrypting said transport frame payload of the selected content frame and including a packet identifier field for indicating whether said transport frame payload is encrypted, a payload unit start indicator field for indicating whether said transport frame payload has a packetized elementary stream header, and a transport priority field for indicating whether the selected content frame comprises an index frame and for supporting smooth jump operations within the packetized transport stream by enabling searches for index frames among said content frames within the predetermined frame sequence without decoding said transport frame payloads of said content frames, none of the preselected viewing content being included in said transport frame header, said transport frame payload following said transport frame header and comprising a remainder of each content frame,

wherein all of the preselected viewing content in the packetized transport stream remains in an encrypted format during transmission such that the preselected viewing content is protected against unauthorized access without impairing presentation of the preselected viewing content.

14. The content conversion system of claim 13, wherein said processing system receives the viewing content via a content receiving system.

15. The content conversion system of claim 14, wherein said content receiving system includes an encoding system for encoding the viewing content and for providing the encoded viewing content to said processing system.

16. The content conversion system of claim 14, wherein said content receiving system includes a compression system for compressing the viewing content and for providing the compressed viewing content to said processing system.

17. The content conversion system of claim 13, further comprising a memory system for storing said plurality of content frames such that encryption of said preselected viewing content is maintained.

18. The content conversion system of claim 13, further comprising a content transmitting system for transmitting said plurality of content frames in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence, said content transmitting system maintaining encryption of said preselected viewing content during transmission.

19. The content conversion system of claim 18, wherein said content transmitting system receives said plurality of content frames from said processing system.

20. The content conversion system of claim 18, further comprising a memory system for storing said plurality of content frames such that encryption of said preselected viewing content is maintained, said content transmitting system receiving said plurality of content frames from said memory system.

21. The content conversion system of claim 18, wherein said content transmitting system comprises a transport multiplexer system for multiplexing a plurality of elemental streams to form the packetized transport stream.

22. The content conversion system of claim 18, wherein said processing system applies said transport priority field from said transport frame headers of said content frames to perform an independent jump operation and transmits said plurality of content frames in accordance with said independent jump operation.

23. The content conversion system of claim 22, wherein said independent jump operation is selected from the group consisting of a fast-forward operation, a rewind operation, a fast rewind operation, and a search operation.

24. The content conversion system of claim 22, wherein said processing system applies said transport priority field from said transport frame headers of said content frames to perform a search operation for a selected partially-encrypted content frame.

25. The content conversion system of claim 18, wherein said content conversion system provides the packetized transport stream to a content presentation system for decrypting and presenting the viewing content provided via the packetized transport stream.

26. The content conversion system of claim 25, wherein said content conversion system is at least partially incorporated with said content presentation system.

27. The content conversion system of claim 13, wherein the content conversion system is associated with a content source for transmitting the packetized transport stream.

28. The content conversion system of claim 13, wherein the content conversion system is suitable for installation aboard a passenger vehicle.

29. The content conversion system of claim 13, wherein the content conversion system is installed aboard an aircraft.

30. A method for transmitting preselected viewing content suitable for presentation in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence and for which protection from unauthorized access is desirable via a packetized transport stream, comprising:

providing the viewing content as a plurality of unencrypted content frames, each of said unencrypted content frames including;

an unencrypted transport frame header including information for handling and presenting said unencrypted content frame and none of the preselected viewing content; and

an unencrypted transport frame payload including the preselected viewing content; and

converting said unencrypted content frames into a plurality of partially-encrypted content frames having a uniform type by, for each of said unencrypted content frames,

encrypting said unencrypted transport frame payload to provide an encrypted transport frame payload;

including within said transport frame header a packet identifier field for indicating that said unencrypted transport frame payload has been encrypted, a payload unit start indicator field for indicating whether said transport frame payload has a packetized elementary stream header, and a transport priority field for indicating whether the selected content frame comprises an index frame and for supporting smooth, jump operations within the packetized transport stream by enabling searches for index frames among said content frames within the predetermined frame sequence without decoding said transport frame payloads of said content frames; and

combining said encrypted transport frame payload with said transport frame header, said encrypted transport frame payload following said transport frame header and comprising a remainder of each content frame,

wherein said selected partially encrypted content frames can be extracted without decrypting said encrypted transport frame payload of said selected partially-encrypted content frames and wherein all of the preselected viewing content in the packetized transport stream remains in an encrypted format during transmission such that the preselected viewing content is protected against unauthorized access without impairing presentation of the preselected viewing content.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said providing the viewing content includes receiving the viewing content from an external content source.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said providing the viewing content includes providing the viewing content in a format selected from the group consisting of a Moving Picture Experts Group 1 (MPEG-1) format and a Moving Picture Experts Group 2 (MPEG-2) format.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein said providing the viewing content includes providing said unencrypted transport frame payload with at least one content field.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said providing said unencrypted transport frame payload with said at least one content field includes providing said unencrypted transport frame payload with a video content field for storing video content.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein said providing said unencrypted transport frame payload with said at least one content field includes providing said unencrypted transport frame payload with an audio content field for storing audio content.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein said providing said unencrypted transport frame payload with said at least one content field includes providing said unencrypted transport frame payload with a selected content field for storing closed-captioned content.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein said providing the viewing content includes providing each of said content frames as a packetized elementary stream frame and providing said encrypted transport frame payload for each of said content frames with a packetized elementary stream header.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein said encrypting said unencrypted transport frame payload includes encrypting said unencrypted transport frame payload in accordance with an encryption technique selected from the group consisting of a private key encryption technique, a cipher block chaining mode technique, and proprietary encryption technique.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said encrypting said unencrypted transport frame payload includes associating said packetized transport stream with a unique encryption key.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein said encrypting said unencrypted transport frame payload includes encrypting said unencrypted transport frame payload such that each of said content frames can be independently decrypted.

41. The method of claim 30, wherein said providing the viewing content includes providing at least one of said content frames with an adaptation field for providing packet timing information.

42. The method of claim 30, further comprising transmitting said plurality of partially-encrypted content frames as at least one elementary stream in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said transmitting said plurality of partially-encrypted content frames includes applying said transport priority field from said transport frame headers of said partially-encrypted content frames to perform independent jump operations.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said applying said transport priority field from said transport frame headers includes performing a selected jump operation selected from the group of fast-forward operations, rewind operations, fast rewind operations, and search operations.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein, said applying said transport priority field from said transport frame headers includes performing search operations for a selected partially-encrypted content frame.

46. The method of claim 30, wherein said converting said unencrypted content frames further includes encoding said unencrypted content frames.

47. The method of claim 30, wherein said converting said unencrypted content frames further includes compressing said unencrypted content frames.

48. The method of claim 30, further comprising storing said plurality of partially-encrypted content frames in a memory system.

49. The method of claim 30, further comprising transmitting said plurality of partially-encrypted content frames in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence such that encryption of said preselected viewing content is maintained during transmission.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said transmitting said plurality of partially-encrypted content frames includes multiplexing a plurality of elemental streams to form the packetized transport stream.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein said transmitting said plurality of partially-encrypted content frames includes applying said transport priori field from said transport frame headers of said partially-encrypted content frames to perform an independent jump operation and transmits said plurality of partially-encrypted content frames in accordance with said independent jump operation.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein said applying said transport priority field from said transport frame headers includes performing a selected jump operation selected from the group consisting of a fast-forward operation, a rewind operation, a fast rewind operation, and a search operation.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein said transmitting said plurality of partially-encrypted content frames includes applying said transport priority field from said transport frame headers of said partially-encrypted content frames to perform a search operation for a selected partially-encrypted content frame.

54. The method of claim 49, further comprising providing the packetized transport stream to a content presentation system for decrypting and presenting the viewing content provided via the packetized transport stream.

55. A content presentation system for presenting preselected viewing content provided in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence via a packetized transport stream, comprising:

a processing system for receiving the packetized transport stream with a plurality of content frames having a uniform type, each of said content frames including;

a transport frame payload being encrypted and including the preselected viewing content; and

an unencrypted transport frame header including a packet identifier field for indicating whether said transport frame payload is encrypted, a payload unit start indicator field for indicating whether said transport frame payload has a packetized elementary stream header, a transport priority field for indicating whether the selected content frame comprises an index frame and for supporting smooth jump operations within the packetized transport stream by enabling searches for index frames among said content frames within the predetermined frame sequence without decoding said transport frame payloads of said content frames, and none of the preselected viewing content, said transport frame header enabling selected content frames to be extracted without decrypting said transport frame payload of said selected content frames, said transport frame payload following said transport frame header and comprising a remainder of each content frame,

said processing system decrypting said transport frame payload of at least one of said of content frames and providing said preselected viewing content as one or more elementary streams for presentation,

wherein all of the viewing content in the packetized transport stream remains in an encrypted format during transmission such that the preselected viewing content is protected against unauthorized access without impairing presentation of the preselected viewing content.

56. The content presentation system of claim 55, wherein said processing system decodes said transport frame payload of said at least one of said of content frames to provide said preselected viewing content.

57. The content presentation system of claim 55, wherein said processing system decompresses said transport frame payload of said at least one of said of content frames to provide said preselected viewing content.

58. The content presentation system of claim 55, wherein said processing system receives the packetized transport stream from a content conversion system.

59. The content presentation system of claim 57, wherein said processing system receives the packetized transport stream from a content conversion system.

60. The content presentation system of claim 59, wherein said content conversion system is at least partially incorporated with said content presentation system.

61. The content presentation system of claim 59, wherein the content conversion system is associated with a content source.

62. The content presentation system of claim 55, further comprising a memory system for storing said plurality of content frames as stored content frames such that encryption of said preselected viewing content is maintained.

63. The content presentation system of claim 62, wherein said processing system stores said plurality of content frames of the packetized transport stream in said memory system.

64. The content presentation system of claim 62, wherein said processing system retrieves at least one of said stored content frames from said memory system, said processing system decrypting said transport frame payload of said at least one of said stored content frames.

65. The content presentation system of claim 55, further comprising a user interface for presenting said one or more elementary streams.

66. The content presentation system of claim 65, wherein said user interface includes a video presentation system for presenting the viewing content associated with a video elementary stream included with said one or more elementary streams.

67. The content presentation system of claim 65, wherein said user interface includes an audio presentation system for presenting the viewing content associated with an audio elementary stream included with said one or more elementary streams.

68. The content presentation system of claim 65, wherein said user interface includes an input system for controlling presentation of the viewing content.

69. The content presentation system of claim 55, wherein the content presentation system is disposed within a portable media device.

70. The content presentation system of claim 55, wherein the content conversion system is suitable for installation aboard a passenger vehicle.

71. The content presentation system of claim 55, wherein the content conversion system is installed aboard an aircraft.

72. A method for presenting viewing content provided in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence via a packetized transport stream, comprising:

receiving the packetized transport stream with a plurality of content frames having a uniform type, each of said content frames including;

a transport frame payload being encrypted and including preselected viewing content for which protection from unauthorized access is desirable; and

an unencrypted transport frame header including a packet identifier field for indicating whether said transport frame payload is encrypted, a payload unit start indicator field for indicating whether said transport frame payload has a packetized elementary stream header, a transport priority field for indicating whether the selected content frame comprises an index frame and for supporting smooth jump operations within the packetized transport stream by enabling searches for index frames among said content frames within the predetermined frame sequence without decoding said transport frame payloads of said content frames, and none of the preselected viewing content, said transport frame header enabling selected content frames to be extracted without decrypting said transport frame payload of said selected content frames, said transport frame payload following said transport frame header and comprising a remainder of each content frame,

decrypting said transport frame payload of at least one of said of content frames; and

providing said preselected viewing content as one or more elementary streams for presentation,

wherein all of the viewing content in the packetized transport stream remains in an encrypted format during transmission such that the preselected viewing content is protected against unauthorized access without impairing presentation of the preselected viewing content.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein said receiving the packetized transport stream includes receiving the packetized transport stream from a content conversion system.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein said decrypting said transport frame payload includes decoding said transport frame payload of said at least one of said of content frames.

75. The method of claim 72, wherein said decrypting said transport frame payload includes decompressing said transport frame payload of said at least one of said of content frames.

76. The method of claim 72, further comprising storing said plurality of content frames in a memory system as stored content frames such that encryption of said preselected viewing content is maintained.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein said decrypting said transport frame payload comprises retrieving at least one of said stored content frames from said memory system and decrypting said transport frame payload of said at least one of said stored content frames.

78. The method of claim 72, further comprising providing a user interface for presenting said one or more elementary streams.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein said providing said user interface user interface includes providing a video presentation system for presenting the viewing content associated with a video elementary stream included with said one or more elementary streams.

80. The method of claim 78, wherein said providing said user interface user interface includes providing an audio presentation system for presenting the viewing content associated with an audio elementary stream included with said one or more elementary streams.

81. A content presentation system for presenting viewing content in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence, comprising:

a first processing system for converting the viewing content into a packetized transport stream with a plurality of content frames and for transmitting said packetized transport stream, each of said content frames being of a uniform type and including;

a transport frame payload being encrypted and including preselected viewing content for which protection from unauthorized access is desirable; and

an unencrypted transport frame header including a packet identifier field for indicating whether said transport frame payload is encrypted, a payload unit start indicator field for indicating whether said transport frame payload has a packetized elementary stream header, a transport priority field for indicating whether the selected content frame comprises an index frame and for supporting smooth jump operations within the packetized transport stream by enabling searches for index frames among said content frames within the predetermined frame sequence without decoding said transport frame payloads of said content frames, and none of the preselected viewing content, said transport frame header enabling selected content frames to be extracted without decrypting said transport frame payload of said selected content frames, said transport frame payload following said transport frame header and comprising a remainder of each content frame,

a second processing system for receiving said packetized transport stream from said first processing system, said second processing system decrypting said transport frame payload of at least one of said of content frames and providing said preselected viewing content as one or more elementary streams for presentation,

wherein all of the viewing content in the packetized transport stream remains in an encrypted format during transmission such that the preselected viewing content is protected against unauthorized access without impairing presentation of the preselected viewing content.

82. A method for presenting viewing content in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence, comprising:

at a first location,

converting the viewing content into a packetized transport stream with a plurality of content frames, each of said content frames being of a uniform type and including;

an encrypted transport frame payload including preselected viewing content for which protection from unauthorized access is desirable; and

an unencrypted transport frame header including a packet identifier field for indicating whether said transport frame payload is encrypted, a payload unit start indicator field for indicating whether said transport frame payload has a packetized elementary stream header, a transport priority field for indicating whether the selected content frame comprises an index frame and for supporting smooth jump operations within the packetized transport stream by enabling searches for index frames among said content frames within the predetermined frame sequence without decoding said transport frame payloads of said content frames, and none of the preselected viewing content, said transport frame header enabling selected content frames to be extracted without decrypting said transport frame payload of said selected content frames, said transport frame payload following said transport frame header and comprising a remainder of each content frame,

transmitting said packetized transport stream; and

at a second location,

receiving said packetized transport stream;

decrypting said transport frame payload of at least one of said of content frames; and

providing said preselected viewing content as one or more elementary streams for presentation,

wherein all of the viewing content in the packetized transport stream remains in an encrypted format during transmission such that the preselected viewing content is protected against unauthorized access without impairing presentation of the preselected viewing content.

83. A passenger interface for a vehicle information system and for presenting viewing content provided in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence via a packetized transport stream from a content source, comprising:

a processing system for receiving the packetized transport stream with a plurality of content frames, each of said content frames being of a uniform type and including;

a transport frame payload being encrypted and including preselected viewing content for which protection from unauthorized access is desirable; and

an unencrypted transport frame header including a packet identifier field for indicating whether said transport frame payload is encrypted, a payload unit start indicator field for indicating whether said transport frame payload has a packetized elementary stream header, a transport priority field for indicating whether the selected content frame comprises an index frame and for supporting smooth jump operations within the packetized transport stream by enabling searches for index frames among said content frames within the predetermined frame sequence without decoding said transport frame payloads of said content frames, and none of the preselected viewing content, said transport frame header enabling selected content frames to be extracted without decrypting said transport frame payload of said selected content frames, said transport frame payload following said transport frame header and comprising a remainder of each content frame,

said processing system decrypting said transport frame payload of at least one of said of content frames and providing said preselected viewing content as a video elementary stream and an audio elementary stream;

a video presentation system for presenting the viewing content associated with said video elementary stream; and

an audio presentation system for presenting the viewing content associated with said audio elementary stream,

wherein all of the viewing content in the packetized transport stream remains in an encrypted format during transmission such that the preselected viewing content is protected against unauthorized access without impairing presentation of the preselected viewing content.

84. A vehicle information system for installation aboard a passenger vehicle and for presenting viewing content in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence, comprising:

a content source for providing a packetized transport stream with a plurality of content frames, each of said content frames being of a uniform type and including;

an encrypted transport frame payload including preselected viewing content for which protection from unauthorized access is desirable; and

an unencrypted transport frame header including a packet identifier field for indicating whether said transport frame payload is encrypted, a payload unit start indicator field for indicating whether said transport frame payload has a packetized elementary stream header, a transport priority field for indicating whether the selected content frame comprises an index frame and for supporting smooth jump operations within the packetized transport stream by enabling searches for index frames among said content frames within the predetermined frame sequence without decoding said transport frame payloads of said content frames, and none of the preselected viewing content, said transport frame header enabling selected content frames to be extracted without decrypting said transport frame payload of said selected content frames, said transport frame payload following said transport frame header and comprising a remainder of each content frame;

a distribution system; and

at least one passenger interface in communication with said content source via said distribution system, each of said at least one passenger interface including;

a processing system for receiving the packetized transport stream, said processing system decrypting said transport frame payload of at least one of said of content frames and providing said preselected viewing content as a video elementary stream and an audio elementary stream;

a video presentation system for presenting the viewing content associated with said video elementary stream; and

an audio presentation system for presenting the viewing content associated with said audio elementary stream,

wherein all of the viewing content in the packetized transport stream remains in an encrypted format during transmission such that the preselected viewing content is protected against unauthorized access without impairing presentation of the preselected viewing content.

85. The vehicle information system of claim 84, wherein the vehicle information system is disposed aboard an airplane.

86. The vehicle information system of claim 84, wherein said distribution system comprises a wired distribution system.

87. The vehicle information system of claim 86, wherein said wired distribution system supports wired communications having a protocol type selected from the group of protocol standards consisting of Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet.

88. The vehicle information system of claim 84, wherein said distribution system comprises a wireless distribution system.

89. The vehicle information system of claim 88, wherein said wireless distribution system supports wireless communications having a protocol type selected from the group of protocol standards consisting of Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), and IEEE 802.11.

90. An aircraft, comprising:

a fuselage and a plurality of passengers seats arranged within the fuselage; and

a vehicle information system for presenting viewing content, said vehicle information system coupled with said fuselage and comprising;

a content source for providing a packetized transport stream with a plurality of content frames in accordance with a predetermined frame sequence, each of said content frames being of a uniform type and including;

a transport frame payload being encrypted and including preselected viewing content for which protection from unauthorized access is desirable; and

an unencrypted transport frame header including a packet identifier field for indicating whether said transport frame payload is encrypted, a payload unit start indicator field for indicating whether said transport frame payload has a packetized elementary stream header, a transport priority field for indicating whether the selected content frame comprises an index frame and for supporting smooth jump operations within the packetized transport stream by enabling searches for index frames among said content frames within the predetermined frame sequence without decoding said transport frame payloads of said content frames, and none of the preselected viewing content, said transport frame header enabling selected content frames to be extracted without decrypting said transport frame payload of said selected content frames, said transport frame payload following said transport frame header and comprising a remainder of each content frame; and

a plurality of passenger interfaces in communication with said content source via a distribution system, each of said passenger interfaces being disposed adjacent to a selected passenger seat and including;

a processing system for receiving the packetized transport stream, said processing system decrypting said transport frame payload of at least one of said of content frames and providing said preselected viewing content as a video elementary stream and an audio elementary stream;

a video presentation system for presenting the viewing content associated with said video elementary stream; and

an audio presentation system for presenting the viewing content associated with said audio elementary stream,

wherein all of the viewing content in the packetized transport stream remains in an encrypted format during transmission such that the preselected viewing content is protected against unauthorized access without impairing presentation of the preselected viewing content.