JP2002023286A - Printing device for photograph with sound, and sound- reproducing device for photograph with sound - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rationally constitute a sound-reproducing device with which reproducing of the sound of the photographs with sounds is permitted only for specific users. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a collation processing section, which optically captures the authentication information of an authentication card by an image sensor 14, then optically captures the identification information added to the sound information of the photographs with sound by the image sensor 14, collates respective pieces of the information and permits processing for outputting the speech information to a loudspeaker 18, only when both are discriminated to exist in correct corresponding relations.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for a photograph with sound for printing image information on a recording material and sound information converted into image data so as to be optically readable. The present invention relates to a sound reproducing apparatus for a photograph with sound, which is configured to optically read audio information recorded on a recording material as image data and recorded by a reading unit and convert the audio information into audio by a conversion unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. Hei 10-51645 and Hei 11-352605 disclose techniques similar to those of a printing apparatus for a photograph with sound and a sound reproducing apparatus for a photograph with sound. As shown in these publications, when a photograph with sound is printed, image information and sound information converted into image data (code image) are printed on a recording material. The audio reproducing apparatus is configured to read audio information converted into image data with a reader or the like, convert the read audio information into audio, and provide the audio to the user.

[0003]

The above-mentioned audio reproducing apparatus can be used by any number of persons unless a recording material on which image information and audio information converted into image data are formed exists unless an erroneous operation is performed. Because I can play back audio information, I sometimes hear words and sounds I do not want others to hear. To be more specific, voice information such as the image data of a wedding photo that was recorded as image data and the image information of a childhood photo that was recorded with image data of the childhood image was recorded. Even if the information content is private and desired to be kept confidential, even if another person is able to reproduce the sound when the sound generation device can handle it, there is room for improvement.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for printing a photograph with sound that allows only a specific user to reproduce sound, and a sound reproducing device that permits reproduction of sound for a photograph with sound only to a specific user. It is in the point that it is configured.

[0005]

A first feature of the present invention (claim 1) is to print image information and audio information which has been converted into image data so as to be optically readable on a recording material. A printing apparatus for printing a photograph with sound, comprising an identification information generating unit for printing the identification information converted into image data together with the sound information converted into image data, or encrypting the sound information based on an encryption key, There is a cryptographic processing unit for performing the printing after the conversion, and its operation and effect are as follows.

A second feature (claim 2) of the present invention is that in claim 1, the identification information generation section is configured to generate the identification information based on authentication information, and the authentication information is used as an image. An authentication information generating unit for printing data on a recording material different from the recording material of the photograph with sound is provided. The operation and effect thereof are as follows.

A third feature of the present invention (claim 3) is that in claim 1, the encryption processing unit generates an encryption key based on authentication information and performs an encryption process based on the encryption key. And an authentication information generating unit that converts the authentication information into image data and prints it on a recording material different from the recording material of the photograph with sound, and its operation and effects are as follows. It is.

According to a fourth feature of the present invention (claim 4), according to claim 2 or 3, the authentication information generating section performs authentication based on personal identification data based on personal body characteristic information captured by a sensor. It is configured to generate information, and its operation and effect are as follows.

A fifth feature of the present invention (claim 5) is that audio information recorded as image data and recorded on a recording material having image information is optically read by a reading means and converted into audio by a converting means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is configured to print on the recording material.
The identification information described above is read by the reading means, and when the identification information thus read is checked with the separately input authentication information to find a proper correspondence, the identification information is optically read by the reading means. Is provided with matching means for allowing the processing for converting the converted speech information into speech by the converting means.
And the effect is as follows.

A sixth feature (claim 6) of the present invention is that in claim 5, the authentication information is printed based on the processing of the authentication information generation unit of claim 2 so that the authentication information can be read by the reading means. The operation and effect are as follows.

A seventh feature of the present invention (claim 7) is that in claim 5, a sensor for capturing the physical characteristics of the individual or information stored by the individual is provided to the main body of the sound reproducing apparatus. And an authentication information generating unit for generating and inputting the authentication information based on the personal identification information input from the input unit. The effects are as follows.

An eighth feature of the present invention (claim 8) is that sound information recorded as image data on a recording material having image information is optically read by a reading means and converted into information by a converting means. In the audio reproducing apparatus for photo prints with audio, the audio information encrypted by the encryption processing unit according to claim 1 and converted into image data and printed is decrypted based on a separately input encryption key. Means and means for converting the audio information decoded by the decoding means into audio by the conversion means. The operation and effect are as follows.

According to a ninth feature of the present invention (claim 9), in accordance with claim 8, the information of the encryption key or the information which is a source of the encryption key is recorded so that the information can be read by the reading means. The point is that an image data formed on paper different from the material is used, and the operation and effect are as follows.

According to a tenth feature of the present invention (claim 10), in claim 8, a sensor for capturing the physical characteristics of the individual or information stored by the individual is provided to the main body of the audio reproducing apparatus. In addition to having an input unit consisting of a key for inputting, the cryptographic key is generated based on personal identification information input from the input unit, and an encryption key generating unit for inputting is provided. And the effect is as follows.

[Action]

According to the first feature, the image information and the voice information converted into image data are printed on the recording material, and the identification information generating unit prints the identification information converted into the image data. Alternatively, the image information is printed on the recording material, and the encryption processing section encrypts the audio information, converts it into image data, and prints the image data. In other words, in the case of printing the identification information, it is possible to determine whether or not the audio information can be reproduced based on the identification information, and in the case of encrypting the audio information, the audio can be reproduced only by the decoding process, In either case, the reproduction of the sound by the conventional means can be prevented.

According to the second feature, the authentication information generation unit prints the authentication information converted into image data on a recording material different from the recording material of the photograph with sound based on the authentication information. Since the information generation unit generates the identification information based on the authentication information, when reproducing the audio information, for example, using an apparatus for reproducing the audio information, the authentication information and the identification information are optically converted. reading,
It is also possible to perform processing such as collation, and such processing allows only a specific person to reproduce sound.

According to the third feature, the authentication information generation section prints the authentication information converted into image data on a recording material different from the recording material of the photograph with sound based on the authentication information. Since the processing unit performs encryption processing of the audio information based on the encryption key generated from the authentication information, when reproducing the audio information, for example, using a device for reproducing the audio information, the authentication information and It is also possible to optically read the identification information, generate an encryption key from the authentication information, and perform a process of decrypting the encrypted audio information based on the encryption key. It allows the playback of audio.

According to the fourth feature, since the authentication information generation unit generates the authentication information based on the personal identification data based on the characteristic information of the individual's body taken by the sensor, the identification of the person who reproduces the voice information is identified. Can be performed accurately and accurately.

According to the fifth feature, when reproducing the audio information of the photograph with audio, the identification information converted into the image data is optically read by the reading means, and the identification information and the authentication information input separately are read. Is verified, and when it is recognized that the correspondence is in a proper correspondence, the conversion into the voice is permitted by the conversion means, so that only the person who can input the proper authentication information can reproduce the voice.

According to the sixth feature, the authentication information of claim 5 is converted into image data on a recording material different from the recording material of the photograph with sound, printed, and optically readable by a sound reproducing device. Therefore, when inputting this authentication information, it is only necessary to read it with the sound reproducing device,
This eliminates the need for special input keyboards and sensors.

According to the seventh aspect, the input section provided in the audio reproducing apparatus can capture the physical characteristics of the individual, and can capture the information stored by the individual input through the key as the input section. By doing so, the authentication information generation unit generates the authentication information, and the person who reproduces the sound can be reliably specified and the sound can be reproduced.

According to the eighth feature, when reproducing the sound information of the photograph with sound, the sound information which is encrypted based on the encryption key, converted into image data and printed, is read by the reading means, and separately input. Since the decryption is performed based on the encrypted key, only the person who can input the appropriate encryption key can reproduce the sound.

According to the ninth feature, information on the encryption key
Alternatively, the information of the encryption key is converted into image data and printed on a recording material different from the recording material of the photograph with sound, and is configured to be optically readable by a sound reproducing device. It is not necessary to specially provide keyboards for inputting.

According to the tenth aspect, the input section provided in the audio reproducing apparatus can capture the physical characteristics of the individual, and can capture the information stored by the individual input through the key as the input section. By doing so, the encryption key generation unit generates the encryption key, and the person who reproduces the sound can be reliably specified to reproduce the sound.

[Effects of the Invention] Therefore, by printing identification information together with voice information, or by encrypting and printing voice information, it is possible to create a photograph with voice that enables voice playback only by a specific user operation. A printing device capable of printing was rationally configured.
In addition, the authentication information for identifying the user and enabling the reproduction of the audio information can be printed in a form that the user can possess, and the user has the authentication information for decrypting the encrypted audio information and enabling the reproduction. It is possible to print in an acceptable form, and the authentication information can appropriately correspond to the individual (claims 1 to 4). Furthermore, in the case of reproducing sound, a sound reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing sound only to a specific user by an operation of adding an operation of taking in authentication information in addition to an operation is conventionally rationally configured. It was.
In addition, the user can identify the user by the operation of reading the authentication information with the audio reproduction device and enable the reproduction of the audio, and identify the user based on the personal identification information input through the input unit of the audio reproduction device. This enables sound reproduction (claims 5 to 7). Furthermore, in the case of reproducing sound, there is an audio reproducing apparatus which allows only a specific user to decrypt and reproduce the audio by an operation in which an operation of inputting an encryption key is added in addition to the conventional operation. It was reasonably composed. In addition, the operation of reading the information on the encryption key or the information on which the encryption key is based on the audio reproduction device enables the user to be identified and the audio to be reproduced. Thus, the user can be identified based on the personal identification information and the sound can be reproduced (claims 8 to 10).

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 1, a display 1 comprising a liquid crystal display or a CRT, etc., a keyboard 2 for inputting predetermined information, and a mouse 3 as a pointing device are provided to store data. A hard disk HD, a CD-ROM drive CD-D, and a floppy (registered trademark) built-in general-purpose computer 4 having a built-in disk drive FD-D, and a speaker 5 for outputting sound from the general-purpose computer 4; A media reader 7 for inputting image information from a storage medium 6 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) or a smart media for storing image information captured by a digital still camera 5 to the computer 4; On the other hand, the sound from the cassette tape device 8, microphone 9, etc. A voice input unit S for inputting information, a printing mechanism 10 including a sublimation type print head PH for printing on print paper P as a stored recording material, and information on fingerprints in an electrostatic or optical manner And an authentication unit 11 for inputting a photo. still,
The authentication unit 11 is a sensor that captures the physical characteristics of the individual, and the authentication unit 11 is configured to generate personal identification data.

In this printing system, a media reader 7 is provided as a means for inputting image information to the general-purpose computer 4. Instead of this, a media scanner 7 for photographic film or a directly-printed image information is used. It may be provided with a flatbed scanner for inputting, and a photographic printing device having a structure for printing image information on silver halide photographic paper with a digital exposure head as a printing mechanism 10 may be used. Alternatively, a structure in which patterns and characteristics of palm prints, voice prints, and irises are converted into data and taken in as authentication information may be used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the picture with sound printed on the print paper P by this system is printed in the image information area PA set in the print paper P, and is also stored in the output information area DA. On the other hand, the output information BD converted into image data is to be printed, and the code image is obtained by manually scanning the stick type audio reproducing device R shown in FIG. The audio of the audio information SD printed in the state described above can be reproduced.
In particular, in the audio reproducing apparatus R, the audio information SD (see FIG. 11) and the identification information DD are converted into a code image and printed in the output information area DA so that only a specific user can reproduce the audio. Alternatively, when the encrypted audio information SD is converted into a code image and printed in the output information area DA, and the audio information SD is reproduced, as shown in FIG. The sound reproducing apparatus R is configured to reproduce the sound by reading the authentication information CD which is converted into a code image on the authentication card CC separately printed on the paper and printed.

The sound reproducing apparatus R includes a light source (not shown) at the tip and an image sensor 14 as reading means, a speaker 15, an authentication switch 16, a reproduction switch 17, and an error lamp 18; The processing unit C includes a conversion unit that converts information from the image sensor 14 into audio information, a collation unit that performs collation described below, and the like. Also, the audio reproducing device R is an earphone 1
9 so that sound can be output. It should be noted that, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the image with the audio area PA and the output information area DA are separated from each other, as shown in FIG. May be formed in a state where the output information area DA is fitted.

Next, as described above, a configuration and a processing form required to allow only a specific user to reproduce sound will be described below. When creating the authentication card CC, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, a dialog indicating that the authentication card CC is to be created is displayed on the display 1, and the authentication card CC can be used alone or via the authentication unit 11.
The feature information of one finger or fingerprints of a plurality of users of a plurality of users is taken in, authentication information is generated based on the feature information, and a process of converting the authentication information CD into a code image is performed (# 101). ~ # 104 steps). In this processing, the fingerprint information of the user who is to be allowed to reproduce the sound of the photo with sound is captured. However, when the authentication card CC is re-created as described later, the user is required to avoid erroneous recognition. It is capable of inputting fingerprint information of a plurality of fingers and performing a process of capturing fingerprints and characteristics of a plurality of users so that even one of the plurality of users can re-create the authentication card CC. . Further, the authentication information CD is generated by converting the characteristic information of the fingerprint, and this processing is performed so as to avoid the inconvenience of creating the same authentication information CD for different users. The information amount (the number of bits) of the authentication information CD is set. Although the amount of information increases (more than several hundred bits),
It is also possible to use all of the fingerprint feature information for the authentication information CD.

When the fingerprint of the finger is captured by the authentication unit 11, the fingerprint pattern is captured by a capacitance type or an optical type. In the case of the capacitance type, information is directly captured from the sensing element. In the case of the optical system, processing such as converting the captured image information into gray data is performed, and after this processing, the size, shape, characteristic part, etc. of the fingerprint are digitized and coded. By doing so, a process of outputting as characteristic information is performed. It is also conceivable to use a random number in order to simplify the process of generating the authentication information CD. When the authentication information CD is output using the random number in this way, the same authentication information CD should not be output. In the case where the used random number is stored and the random number is used again, a processing routine for comparing the random number with the stored random number so that the random number is not used repeatedly is required.

Further, by inputting the name of the user who should own the authentication card CC from the keyboard 2, the characteristic information, the authentication information CD and the character information are transferred to the hard disk HD.
And the character information is converted to character image information. Thereafter, the character information is transferred to the print head PH of the printing mechanism 10 together with the above-described code image-formed authentication information CD, and printing on the print paper P is executed. (Steps # 105 to # 108). As a result of this printing, as shown in FIG. 3, the authentication information CD and the user name information ND are printed at predetermined positions on the authentication card CC. Incidentally, the code image used in the present invention has a rectangular area set in advance as an area on which information is printed, and this area is continuously arranged in the scanning direction, and a fine area is defined for each area. The authentication information CD is converted into a code image by printing a large number of dots two-dimensionally according to a preset rule based on information to be printed. When reading the code imaged information, the dot arrangement pattern for each area is optically captured, and at the time of capture, specific dots in each area are captured as synchronization information and encoded, thereby obtaining the original image. It can be restored to the authentication information CD. Also, in the code imaged information, start information and end information are formed at the upper position and lower position in the scanning direction, and even when scanning is performed in the opposite direction, based on the start information and end information, It is also configured to be able to perform a process of inverting the information by using the information. The above-described audio information is also formed by a code image having the same structure.

The flow of information in the process of manufacturing the authentication card CC can be represented as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the process in the authentication information generation unit corresponds to the process of step # 103. The processing in the code image processing unit corresponds to the processing in step # 104, and the processing in the character image processing unit corresponds to the processing in step # 107.
The authentication information generation unit, the code image processing unit, and the character image processing unit are hardware or software provided in the general-purpose computer 4, or
It is composed of these combinations.

Next, processing for printing a photograph with sound will be described. In this process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, a dialog indicating that the print process of the photograph with sound is to be performed is displayed on the display 1 (# 20).
1 step), image processing routine (# 300 step)
To execute the voice processing routine (step # 400), and generate the identification information DD based on the authentication information CD stored on the hard disk HD as described above or the characteristic information of the fingerprint. A process of converting the DD into a code image is performed. Further, the image information obtained by the image processing routine is printed, and the identification information DD converted into the code image and the voice information SD converted into the code image are printed. This is to be performed (# 202 to # 204 steps). In this process, FIG.
As shown in (a), the identification information DD is arranged at the beginning of the code-imaged audio information. Therefore, an ID code is added to the identification information DD, the audio information, and the head of the SD, as described above. At both ends of each piece of information, start information and end information are formed. Further, the identification information DD may have a structure that can directly restore the characteristic information of the fingerprint from the identification information DD.
After the authentication information CD is restored from the authentication information CD, the fingerprint information can be restored from the authentication information CD. In this case, the fingerprint information can be restored from the identification information DD. When the authentication card CC is re-created as described later, the fingerprint characteristic information is restored from the identification information DD of the photograph with sound, and the restored fingerprint characteristic information and the fingerprint of the individual who wants to re-create the fingerprint. It is also possible to confirm a legitimate user by comparing with the feature of (1).

The image processing routine (step # 300) fetches the image information stored in the storage medium 6 via the media reader 7 and thumbnails the fetched image information as shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the operator selects image information to be printed by operating the keyboard 2 or the mouse 3 or the like, the selected image information is displayed on the display 1 in an enlarged manner, Is to execute image processing such as trimming and color tone adjustment using the keyboard 2 and the mouse 3 while executing the image processing software, and then set this image information as image image information (# 301). ~ # 306 steps).

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 9, the voice processing routine (step # 400) selects whether or not to use the real voice, and if the real voice is used, the cassette tape device 8 and the microphone 9 are used. The voice information from the voice input unit S is taken in via the voice input unit S, and if necessary, the voice information is edited, the reproduced sound is confirmed, and the voice to be recorded is determined (steps # 401 to # 405). Thereafter, a code image conversion process (compression encoding) of the audio information is performed, and a process of setting the code-imaged audio information is performed (steps # 406 and # 407). When the real voice is not used, the voice information from the voice input unit S is taken in as a sampled voice via the cassette tape device 8 or the microphone 9 or the like, and a voice dictionary is created based on the sampled voice. A message to be converted is input from the keyboard 2 and the message is read out in a software-reading manner, the sound is reproduced, and the sound information is confirmed and confirmed (steps # 408 to # 412). The processing shifts to step processing. In this process, if a real voice is used, the words uttered by a person are edited into a code image as they are, although some editing is performed, but if the real voice is not used, a specific person A part of the uttered words, specifically, vowels, consonants, and characteristics of pronunciation habits are sampled, and voice characteristics are extracted from the sampled voice. Is created, and a process of generating the voice of the message in a form of reading out a separately input sentence can be performed.

The flow of information in the print processing can be represented as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the processing in the image processing unit corresponds to the processing in step # 300, The processing in the processing unit corresponds to the processing in step # 400. In addition to the image processing unit and the audio processing unit, the identification information generation unit and the compressed code imaging unit in FIG. It is configured by software, software, or a combination thereof.

By performing the above processing, FIG.
As shown in (a), the information area DA of the print paper P
, Identification information DD and audio information SD are arranged in series, and an ID area including information indicating the identification information DD is arranged at the head of the identification information DD. An ID area including information indicating that the information is audio information SD is arranged in the. It should be noted that the authentication information CD and the identification information DD are subjected to a process of checking whether they have a corresponding relationship as described later, but it is also possible to optically read the information of the identification information DD and copy it. It is not preferable to use the same information for the authentication information CD and the identification information DD because it is easily performed, and the authentication information CD is converted or encrypted according to a predetermined rule.

In particular, in the present invention, instead of the above-described processing, the identification information DD is set to the encryption key, or the identification information D
D, an encryption key is generated, and based on the encryption key, the audio information compressed and encoded as described above is encrypted according to an algorithm such as DES (Data Encryption Standard). It is also possible to perform a process of converting the audio information SD into a code image. That is, this encryption process encrypts the audio information SD in the encryption processing unit set in the portion corresponding to the above-described identification information generation unit, which corresponds to # 406 in the process described in the flowchart of FIG. Since only the processing to be performed is different (encryption processing is performed instead of this processing), the audio information SD encrypted in this way uses the entire output area DA as shown in FIG. It will be.

In consideration of an encryption key used for encrypting voice information, it is possible to use the authentication information CD as it is as an encryption key. Since the encryption key can be read from the card CC, it is not preferable.
In the present invention, since the number of bits of the authentication information CD of D is relatively large and the processing time for performing the encryption / decryption process becomes longer, the present invention uses the authentication information CD from the authentication information C.
A process of generating an encryption key having a smaller number of bits than D is adopted. In other words, the encryption key of the present invention uses audio information SD that does not need to have a high level of confidentiality for encryption / decryption. Therefore, this encryption key is considered to have a data amount of 10 bits or less. Therefore, when generating an encryption key, for example, extracting a part of the authentication information CD,
A process of converting the authentication information CD based on a preset rule is employed.

Next, a process for reproducing the sound of a photograph with sound will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), when the audio information SD and the identification information DD are converted into a code image, the authentication switch 16 of the audio reproducing apparatus R is turned on as shown in the flowchart of FIG. While the ON operation is being performed, an operation of capturing the authentication information CD of the authentication card CC via the image sensor 14 is performed, and the processing device C determines whether the structure of the captured authentication information CD matches a preset one. Then, if it matches (steps # 501 and # 502), the information input from the image sensor 14 while the reproduction switch 17 is turned ON indicates that the information in the ID area is identification information. Information) as identification information DD, the processing device C determines whether or not the structure of the identification information DD is compatible with a predetermined one. If the structure matches, the authentication information CD and the identification information D are determined. (Steps # 503 to # 505) to expand the audio information SD and output it to the speaker 15 as an audio signal only when it is determined that there is an appropriate correspondence (audio buffer, etc.) (Steps # 506 to # 509) until the input of the voice information is completed. If the authentication information CD does not match, the identification information DD matches. If not, or if it is determined that the authentication information CD and the identification information DD do not have an appropriate correspondence by collation, the error lamp 18
Is turned on to stop the processing (# 51).
0 steps).

As described above, the flow of information in the process of reproducing a sound can be represented as shown in FIG. 13, and as shown in FIG.
Corresponding to the process of step 503, the processes in the information discrimination unit / information expansion unit are # 502, # 504, # 507 to # 509.
Corresponding to the step processing, the processing in the matching processing unit is # 50
5, corresponding to the processing of # 506 step. The input information processing unit, the information discriminating unit / information expanding unit, and the matching processing unit are configured by hardware constituting the processing device C, software, or a combination thereof. The information discriminating unit / information expanding unit constitutes a converting unit, and the collating unit constitutes a collating unit.

In particular, in the control for determining whether or not the sound can be reproduced on the basis of the identification information DD as described above, it is possible to read the code-imaged sound information SD by the existing sound reproducing apparatus R. Therefore, in order to prevent the sound from being reproduced by the existing sound reproducing apparatus R, the rules for performing the compression encoding process are different from the existing ones, and the expansion is performed according to the rules according to the rules. As described above, the processing mode in the audio reproducing device R is set.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), when the code imaged audio information SD is encrypted, the authentication switch of the audio reproducing device R is used as shown in the flowchart of FIG. With the ON operation of the key 16, an operation of capturing the authentication information CD of the authentication card CC via the image sensor 14 is performed, and it is determined whether the structure of the authentication information CD thus captured matches a preset one. If it is determined that the information matches, the encryption key is extracted from the authentication information (steps # 601 to # 603), and the information input from the image sensor 14 while the reproduction switch 17 is turned on is encrypted. A process of decoding based on the key, further expanding the decoded audio information SD and outputting it as an audio signal to the speaker 15 (stored in an audio buffer or the like and output after scanning is completed). (Steps # 604 to # 607) until the input of the voice information is completed. If the authentication information CD does not conform, the error lamp 18 is turned on to stop the processing. (# 608 step).

As described above, the flow of information in the process of reproducing a sound can be represented as shown in FIG. 15, and as shown in FIG. 15, the process in the input information processing unit corresponds to the process in step # 601. The processing in the information discrimination unit / decryption / decompression unit corresponds to the processing in steps # 602 and # 604 to # 606, and the processing in the encryption key extraction unit corresponds to the processing in step # 603. The input information processing unit, the information discrimination unit / decryption / decompression unit, and the encryption key extraction unit are provided with hardware or software provided in the processing device C, or
It is composed of these combinations.

Next, when the identification card CC is lost, the identification card CC is recreated. When recreating the identification card CC, it is necessary to prove that the user is a valid user. Is performed using the user's fingerprint. That is, in the process of recreating the identification card CC, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. The feature information of one finger or the fingerprints of a plurality of fingers is fetched, and this feature information and the hard disk HD
(# 701).
~ # 703 steps). When performing this process, if the identification information DD of the photograph with sound has a structure capable of restoring the characteristic information of the fingerprint as described above, the characteristic information of the fingerprint is restored from the identification information DD. Then, the characteristic information of the fingerprint restored in this way may be compared with the fingerprint of the user.

As a result of this comparison, the data stored on the hard disk HD (or restored from the identification information DD)
The characteristic information of the fingerprint and the characteristic information of the fingerprint input from the authentication unit 11 are set at a set level (for example, 80%).
If they match, the authentication information CD and the character information stored on the hard disk HD or as the identification information DD in the information area DA are displayed on the display 1, and the character information, that is, the name information is displayed by the user. After that, the print information is transferred to the print head PH of the print mechanism 10 together with the authentication information converted into the code image, and printing on the print paper P is executed (# 704 to # 707 steps). If the level is lower than the set level or if there is a mismatch, information indicating that there is a mismatch is displayed on the display 1 (step # 708). As a result of this printing, as shown in FIG. 3, the authentication card CC on which the authentication information CD and the user name information ND are printed at a predetermined position is recreated.

The present invention can be carried out in the following embodiments in addition to the first embodiment described above, and these embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. (The first
Those having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols as those of the first embodiment.)

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the same photographic print system as used in the first embodiment is used for the photograph print system with sound.
The user is authenticated without using the authentication card CC to enable the sound reproduction device R to reproduce the sound. The characteristic information of the fingerprint of the finger F is transmitted to the sound reproduction device R as shown in FIG. Fingerprint sensor F for capturing fingerprint feature information
S is provided. That is, the fingerprint sensor FS is an example of a unit (input unit) that authenticates an individual based on the physical characteristics of the individual and outputs authentication information (input unit). In this voice reading device R, as shown in FIG. In the case where the identification information DD is added to the voice information, the identification information DD needs to be generated based on the characteristic information of the fingerprint of the finger F, but the identification information DD is captured by the fingerprint sensor FS. The processing device C having a function as an authentication information generation unit performs a process of generating authentication information based on personal identification information, and after generating the authentication information in this manner, the processing device C
In the same manner as in the processing after step # 503 in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the authentication information is collated with the identification information DD read by the audio reproducing device R, and the audio information is expanded only when there is an appropriate correspondence. Then, a process of outputting the audio to the speaker 15 is performed. In the case where the entire voice information is encrypted as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the encryption key generation unit is based on the authentication information generated as described above or the personal identification information input from the input unit. After the processing device C having the function as described above generates the encryption key based on the predetermined rule, the processing device C performs the same processing as the steps after step # 603 in the flowchart of FIG. Is performed on the basis of.

As an example of such an apparatus for authenticating a user based on the physical characteristics of the user, a sensor for comparing the shape of the iris of the user is provided.
It is also possible to configure the audio reproducing device 9 so that the characteristics of the fingerprint of the user can be optically captured by the image sensor.

[Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the same photographic print system as used in the first embodiment is used as the photographic print system with sound.
The authentication device authenticates the user without using the authentication card CC and enables the reproduction of the sound by the reading device R. As shown in FIG. 18, the system includes a numeric key 20 for inputting a password as authentication information. . That is, the numeric key 20 is an example of a means (input unit) for obtaining information for authenticating the individual based on the information stored by the individual, and the voice reader R identifies the voice information as shown in FIG. In the case where information DD (personal identification information) is added, after the authentication information is input via the numeric keys 20,
The processing device C is # 503 in the flowchart of FIG.
Similar to the processing after the step, the authentication information is compared with the identification information DD read by the voice reading device R,
Only when there is an appropriate correspondence, a process of expanding the audio information and outputting it as audio to the speaker 15 is performed. or,
In the case where the entire voice information is encrypted as shown in FIG. 11 (b), it is possible to directly input the numerical value of the encryption key via the numeric key 20 or to encrypt the personal identification information input from the numeric key 20 using the encryption key. When the processing device C having the function as the key generation unit performs the process of generating the personal identification number, the process of decrypting based on the encryption key is performed in the same manner as the process after step # 603 in the flowchart of FIG.

As described above, according to the present invention, the process of printing the identification information DD converted into the image data together with the voice information SD converted into the image data is performed on the print paper P on which the image is printed. The information SD is encrypted based on the encryption key, the voice information SD thus encrypted is converted into image data and printed on the print paper P, and the authentication information CD for authenticating an individual is converted into image data. By configuring the printing apparatus so as to perform the process of printing on a card-shaped print paper, the authentication can be performed without greatly changing the operation mode of reproducing the sound with the conventionally used sound reproducing apparatus R. Depending on the degree of change of the operation mode such that an operation for reading the authentication information CD of the card CC is added, While maintaining tightness, and an enabling reproduction of voice information SD only by a preset user. In particular, in the case of using the audio reproducing device R for reproducing the audio without using the authentication card CC for authenticating the user, a simple operation can be performed without using the authentication card CC.

In particular, in the case where the authentication card CC is used for performing authentication, it is possible to eliminate the structural inconvenience of specially providing an authentication device by sharing the use of the audio reproducing device R for authentication. It eliminates the inconvenience of not being able to play back when the user forgets the password, such as the one using a password, and the operation of reading the information of the authentication card CC with the voice reproducing device is quick and troublesome. ing. When the authentication card CC is lost, the user can be identified based on information that is unlikely to be erroneously recognized, such as a user's fingerprint, and then the authentication information stored on the hard disk HD can be extracted. This facilitates the process for creating the authentication card CC again. Also, in the case where the voice reproducing apparatus R is provided with a device for determining the physical characteristics of the user, such as a sensor FS for reading a fingerprint, it is not necessary to use the authentication card CC, and the voice is reproduced by accurately recognizing the user. It will make it possible.
Further, in the case where the audio reproducing apparatus R is provided with a device for inputting information based on the memory of the user, such as the numeric key 20, the user can recognize the user without error without using the authentication card CC with a simple structure. This makes it possible to reproduce sound.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a photo print system with sound.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which audio information of a photo with audio is reproduced by an audio reproducing device.

FIG. 3 shows an authentication card.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing two forms of a photograph with sound.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an authentication card creation process.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a flow of information during an authentication card creation process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a printing process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an image processing routine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a voice processing routine.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a flow of information during print processing.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the structure of two types of information in an information area.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of audio reproduction processing in the identification information mode.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a flow of information during audio reproduction processing in the identification information mode.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of audio reproduction processing in an encryption mode.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the flow of information during audio playback processing in the encryption mode.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an authentication card re-creating process.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a sound reproducing device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a sound reproducing device according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 sensor 14 reading means 20 key P recording material R reading means FS sensor DD identification information CD authentication information SD voice information

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Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for a photograph with sound for printing image information on a recording material and sound information converted into image data so as to be optically readable, comprising: A photograph with sound provided with an identification information generation unit for printing the identification information converted into image data, or an encryption processing unit for encrypting the audio information based on an encryption key and converting the image into image data and printing the image data Printing equipment. 2. The identification information generating section is configured to generate the identification information based on authentication information, and converts the authentication information into image data for a recording material different from a recording material of a photograph with sound. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication information generating unit for printing. 3. The encryption processing unit is configured to generate an encryption key based on authentication information, perform an encryption process based on the encryption key, and convert the authentication information into image data to generate a photograph with sound. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication information generating unit for printing on a recording material different from the recording material. 4. The photograph with sound according to claim 2, wherein the authentication information generation unit is configured to generate authentication information based on personal identification data based on characteristic information of an individual's body captured by a sensor. Printing device. 5. A sound reproducing apparatus for a photograph with sound, wherein sound information recorded as image data on a recording material having image information is optically read by a reading means and converted into sound by a converting means. The identification information printed on the recording material according to claim 1 is read by said reading means, and a proper correspondence is recognized by collation of the identification information thus read with authentication information input separately. In this case, a sound reproducing apparatus for a photograph with sound provided with a collating means for permitting a process of converting the sound information optically read by the reading means into a sound by a converting means. 6. The sound reproducing apparatus for a photograph with sound according to claim 5, wherein said authentication information is printed so as to be readable by said reading means, based on the processing of the authentication information generating unit of claim 2. 7. An input unit comprising a sensor for capturing a physical characteristic of an individual or a key for inputting information stored by the individual to the main body of the audio reproducing apparatus. 6. The sound reproducing apparatus for a photograph with sound according to claim 5, further comprising: an authentication information generating unit configured to generate and input the authentication information based on the personal identification information input from the unit. 8. A sound reproducing apparatus for a photographic print with sound, wherein sound information recorded as image data on a recording material having image information and recorded is optically read by a reading means and converted into information by a converting means. A decoding means for decoding the audio information encrypted by the encryption processing unit according to claim 1, converted into image data and printed, based on a separately input encryption key; An audio reproduction apparatus for a photograph with audio, wherein audio information is converted into audio by the conversion means. 9. A method in which the information on the encryption key or the information on which the encryption key is based is formed as image data on a paper different from the recording material so that the information can be read by the reading means. The audio reproduction apparatus for a photograph with audio according to claim 8, wherein 10. An input unit comprising a sensor for taking in physical characteristics of an individual or a key for inputting information stored by an individual to the main body of the audio reproducing apparatus. 9. The audio reproduction apparatus for a photograph with audio according to claim 8, further comprising an encryption key generation unit configured to generate and input the encryption key based on the personal identification information input from the user.