JP2020144796A - Optical code, optical code generation method and program therefor, and optical code read method and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an optical code enabling access to recorded information to be controlled, user by user.SOLUTION: A plurality of modules U which are regularly arranged each represent N-bit information. Overall information that the plurality of modules U represent is divided into N layers (L0,L1, ...), and N-bit information that one module U represents has one bit included in each of the N layers. The N layers include one or more user layers corresponding to one or more users, one to one, and one or more encryption layers including encrypted secret information. One user layer corresponding to one user includes a user ID for identifying the one user and at least one piece of layer information encrypted with a cipher key that the one user has. The one piece of layer information includes a layer ID for identifying one encryption layer and decryption information for decrypting the encrypted secret information included in the one encryption layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an optical code representing optically readable information, a method for generating an optical code and a program thereof, and a method for reading an optical code and a program thereof.

As an optical code representing optically readable information, a one-dimensional code such as a bar code and a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) are known. Further, in recent years, while maintaining compatibility with a conventional two-dimensional code consisting of only white and black colors, the storage capacity has been greatly increased by using a plurality of types of colors in addition to white and black. A dimensional code has been put into practical use (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP-A-2018-81658

An optical code having a large storage capacity such as the color two-dimensional code described above is expected to be applied to the field of traceability for managing the distribution history of products and the like. However, when an optical cord is used in the field of traceability, it is preferable that access to the information recorded on the optical cord can be arbitrarily restricted at each stage of distribution. For example, detailed quality control information referenced by wholesalers and retailers often does not need to be disclosed to end consumers. In addition, some information on the distribution history preferably restricts access according to the stage of distribution from the viewpoint of security and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is an optical code capable of controlling access to recorded information for each user, an optical code generation method and program, and an optical code. Is to provide a reading method and a program.

The optical code according to the first aspect of the present invention is an optical code representing information optically readable by a plurality of regularly arranged modules, and each of the plurality of modules is optically read. The information of possible N bits (N represents an integer of 2 or more) is represented, and the entire information represented by the plurality of modules is divided into N layers, and the N represented by one module. Bit information is contained in each of the N layers, one bit at a time, and the N layers include one or more user layers having a one-to-one correspondence with one or more users and encrypted concealment. One user layer corresponding to one user, including one or more encryption layers containing information, is provided by a user ID for identifying the user and an encryption key owned by the user. The layered information includes at least one encrypted layered information, and one layered information includes a layered ID for identifying the one layered encryption layer and the encrypted concealment included in the one layered encryption layer. Includes decryption information for decoding information.

The optical code generation method according to the second aspect of the present invention is an optical code generation method for generating an optical code according to the first aspect, and information acquisition for acquiring information to be recorded in each of the N layers. It has a step and a module configuration determination step of determining an optical configuration given to each of the plurality of modules based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step, and the information acquisition step is the one or more ciphers. A step of generating one or more of the decryption information corresponding to one-to-one with the encryption layer, a step of acquiring information to be recorded in the one or more user layers, and acquisition of information to be recorded in the one or more encryption layers. The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one of the user layers, including the step, is for identifying at least one of the layered information corresponding to at least one of the encrypted layers and identifying the at least one encrypted layer. A step of generating based on at least one layer ID and at least one decryption information corresponding to the at least one encryption layer, and the generated at least one layer information are associated with one user ID. One including a step of encrypting with the encrypted key and a step of acquiring the encrypted at least one hierarchical information and the one user ID as information to be recorded in the one user layer. The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the encryption layer corresponds to the step of acquiring the confidential information and the acquired confidential information corresponding to the one encryption layer as the information to be recorded in the encryption layer. It includes a step of encrypting so that it can be decrypted by the decryption information.

The program according to the third aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the optical code generation method according to the second aspect.

The optical code reading method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is an optical code reading method for reading the information represented by the optical code according to the first aspect, and the plurality of modules are obtained from an image including the plurality of modules. The step of reading the N-bit information represented by each of the above, the step of acquiring the information contained in the N layers based on the N-bit information represented by each of the plurality of modules, and the above 1 From the above user layers, the step of specifying one user layer including one user ID and the encrypted at least one layer information included in the specified user layer are described in the above 1 It includes a step of decrypting based on the encryption key associated with one user ID and a step of decrypting the confidential information included in at least one encryption layer based on the decrypted at least one layer information. The step of decrypting the confidential information included in one encryption layer is specified as a step of specifying one encryption layer based on the layer ID included in the decrypted one layer information. This includes a step of decrypting the confidential information contained in the one encrypted layer based on the decrypted information included in the decrypted one layer information.

The program according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the optical code reading method according to the fourth aspect.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical code, a method and a program for generating an optical code, and a method and a program for reading the optical code, which can control access to recorded information for each user.

1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of an optical cord. 2A to 2E are diagrams showing a configuration example of a module in the optical cord according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of information in the optical code according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information included in each layer in the optical code according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing device that executes an optical code generation process and a reading process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code generation process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process of acquiring information to be recorded in the user layer. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process of acquiring information to be recorded in the encryption layer. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process of encrypting the confidential information included in the encryption layer. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code reading process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process of decrypting the confidential information included in the encryption layer. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of information included in each layer in the optical code according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code generation process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the process of acquiring the information to be recorded in the common layer. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process of acquiring information to be recorded in the user layer. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process of encrypting information included in the user layer. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code reading process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of information in the optical code according to the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of information included in each layer in the optical code according to the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code generation process according to the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the process of acquiring the information to be recorded in the common layer. FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process of encrypting the confidential information included in the encryption layer. FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code reading process according to the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of information in the optical code according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a parity layer. FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code generation process according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code reading process according to the fourth embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the optical cord according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The optical cord according to the present embodiment represents information that can be optically read by a plurality of regularly arranged modules U, and FIG. 1A shows an example thereof. The arrangement pattern of the module U shown in FIG. 1A is the same as the QR code (registered trademark), which is one of the existing two-dimensional codes. In the example of FIG. 1A, each module U is represented by a black or white square region, but as will be described later, each module U is colored with a plurality of colors in addition to black and white.

FIG. 1B extracts and shows a functional pattern used when specifying the position of each module U in the optical cord shown in FIG. 1A. The functional pattern in the example of FIG. 1B includes a finder pattern composed of three position detection elements P1, an alignment pattern P2, and a timing pattern P3. These functional patterns are configured to have a constant shape and color that does not depend on the information recorded in the optical code. In the area indicated by “F” in FIG. 1B, format information regarding an error correction level, a mask processing pattern, and the like is recorded.

2A to 2D are diagrams showing an example of the optical configuration of the module U in the optical cord according to the present embodiment. One module U is configured to represent a plurality of optically readable bits of information. In the example of FIGS. 2A to 2D, one module U is divided into a plurality of regions. Each region that divides the module U is colored with one color selected from a plurality of types of colors. The module shown in FIG. 2A is divided into two regions, the module U shown in FIG. 2B is divided into three regions, the module U shown in FIG. 2C is divided into five regions, and the module U shown in FIG. 2D is nine. It is divided into areas.

The central square area in the plurality of areas dividing the module U is colored either white or black so that it can be read as an existing QR code®. As shown in FIG. 2E, the surrounding area surrounding this central area is colored with one color selected from four kinds of colors. When the central area is "white", the surrounding areas are colored in one of "white", "green", "yellow", and "pale blue", respectively. When the central area is "black", the surrounding areas are colored in one of "pink", "red", "indigo", and "black", respectively.

The number of colors selectively given to each region that divides the module U corresponds to the magnitude of the information represented by each region. That is, the central area colored in "white" or "black" represents 1-bit information, and the surrounding area colored in one color selected from the four types of colors represents 2-bit information. Represent. Therefore, module U shown in FIG. 2A represents 3 bits of information, module U shown in FIG. 2B represents 5 bits of information, module U shown in FIG. 2C represents 9 bits of information, and module U shown in FIG. 2D. Represents 17 bits of information.

In the examples of FIGS. 2A to 2D, each module U is divided into a plurality of regions, but in another example of the present embodiment, each module U may be a single region. In this case, by setting the type of color given to each module U to 4 or more, the information represented by each module U can be set to 2 bits or more.

In the present embodiment, assuming that each module U represents N-bit information, the entire information represented by the plurality of modules U is divided into N layers. In this case, the N-bit information represented by one module U is included in each of the N layers, one bit at a time. That is, the N bit data represented by one module U are included in different layers.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of information in the optical code according to the first embodiment. When each module U represents 17-bit information by the configuration shown in FIG. 2D, the information contained in the optical code is divided into 17 layers (L0 to L16) as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, layer L0 is a compatibility layer, layer L1 is a common layer, layers L2 to L5 are user layers, and layers L6 to L16 are encryption layers.

The compatibility layer (L0) contains information that can be read as an existing QR code (registered trademark). The compatibility layer (L0) is, for example, a set of 1-bit information represented by the central region (white or black) of the module U shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D.

The common layer (L1) includes a common header in which information regarding a recording format of information in each layer other than the compatibility layer (L0) (hereinafter, may be referred to as “additional layer”) is stored. In the common header, for example, an identifier that specifies a recording format of information, the number of users who have access authority to the information, information that specifies an encryption method, information that specifies a compression method, and the like are stored.

The user layer (L2 to L5) is a layer having a one-to-one correspondence with a user who is given access authority to the confidential information contained in the encryption layer (L6 to L16). In the example of FIG. 3, four people are used. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the four user layers L2 to L5 with respect to the user. That is, one user layer is assigned to each user who is given the access authority to the confidential information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information contained in the additional layer in the optical cord according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, one user layer corresponding to one user is encrypted with at least a user ID for identifying the one user and an encryption key owned by the one user. Includes one hierarchical information. In the example of FIG. 4, the user layer (L2) corresponding to the user with the user ID “Alice” includes two layer information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user. Further, the user layer (L3) corresponding to the user with the user ID "Bob" includes one layer information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user.

One layer information includes a layer ID for identifying one encryption layer and decryption information for decrypting the encrypted confidential information contained in the one encryption layer. For example, one of the hierarchical information included in the user layer (L2) corresponding to the user with the user ID "Alice" decrypts the hierarchical ID indicating the encryption layer (L6) and the confidential information included in the encryption layer (L6). Includes decryption information to do. Further, the other hierarchical information included in the user information (L2) includes a hierarchical ID indicating the encryption layer (L8) and decryption information for decrypting the confidential information included in the encryption layer (L8). Therefore, the user with the user ID "Alice" decrypts the two layers of information included in the user layer (L2) with their own encryption keys, thereby decrypting the confidential information and the encryption layer included in the encryption layer (L6). It is possible to read out the confidential information included in (L8).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing device 1 that executes an optical code generation process and a reading process according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 5 is a device that is generally used, such as a personal computer or a smart phone, and includes a communication unit 10, an input unit 20, a display unit 30, an imaging unit 40, and a storage unit. It has 50 and a processing unit 60.

The communication unit 10 is a device for communicating with various other devices (smartphones, printers, etc.) via a network such as LAN or the Internet, and includes a communication circuit that communicates according to a predetermined communication standard.

The input unit 20 is a device for inputting operation commands and data to the information processing device 1, and is a device related to a user interface such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, and a touch panel, and a recording medium (optical disk, IC tag, USB). Includes readers (such as memory).

The display unit 30 is a device for displaying information such as images and characters to the user of the information processing device 1, and includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

The image pickup unit 40 is a device that captures an image of an optical code, and includes an image pickup element such as a CMOS sensor and an optical system.

The processing unit 60 is a device that controls the overall processing of the information processing device 1, and includes one or more computers that execute processing according to the instruction code of the program 51 stored in the storage unit 50, or a dedicated device that executes specific processing. Includes hardware (FPGA, ASIC, etc.).

The storage unit 50 stores a program 51 that is read and executed by one or more computers in the processing unit 60, and data that is temporarily stored in the processing process of the processing unit 60. The storage unit 50 includes, for example, a hard disk device and a storage device such as a flash memory, an optical recording medium, a DRAM, and an SRAM. The program 51 may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as an optical disk. In this case, the program 51 read by the reading device of the input unit 20 may be stored in the storage unit 50.

Next, the optical code generation process and the reading process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11. At least a part of these processes is executed in, for example, the information processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the information in the optical code has the hierarchical structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code generation process according to the first embodiment.

The processing unit 60 acquires information to be recorded in the compatibility layer (L0) (ST100). For example, the processing unit 60 converts the information input by the user interface device of the input unit 20 according to the display on the screen of the display unit 30 and the information input from the communication unit 10 by communication with a server or the like on the network into a compatibility layer ( It is acquired as information to be recorded in L0) and stored in the storage unit 50.

Further, the processing unit 60 acquires a common header as information to be recorded in the common layer (L1) (ST105). For example, the processing unit 60 generates a common header based on the information input by the user interface device of the input unit 20, and stores it in the storage unit 50 as information to be recorded in the common layer (L1).

Next, the processing unit 60 generates one or more decryption information (11 in the example of FIG. 3) corresponding to one or more encryption layers (layers L6 to L16 in the example of FIG. 3) (ST110). .. For example, the processing unit 60 generates decoding information as random data. Since the number of encryption layers changes according to the number of user layers (that is, the number of users), the processing unit 60 determines the number of user layers and the encryption layer according to the information on the number of users included in the common header. The number of encryption layers is used as the number of decryption information.

When the decryption information of each encryption layer is obtained, the processing unit 60 acquires the information to be recorded in each of one or more user layers (layers L2 to L5 in the example of FIG. 3) (ST115). For example, when the processing unit 60 acquires information to be recorded in one user layer, it generates at least one layer information (layer ID and decryption information), encrypts the generated at least one layer information with an encryption key, and encrypts the information. At least one layered information and a user ID are stored in the storage unit 50 as information to be recorded in this one user layer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process (ST115: FIG. 6) for acquiring information to be recorded in the user layer.

First, the processing unit 60 selects one user ID from one or more user IDs corresponding to one or more users (four in the example of FIG. 3) to which access authority is given (ST200).

Next, the processing unit 60 generates at least one hierarchical information corresponding to at least one encryption layer (ST205). This "at least one encryption layer" indicates an encryption layer that allows a user having the selected user ID to access the confidential information. The processing unit 60 has "at least one layer ID" for identifying "at least one encryption layer" and "at least one decryption information" (ST110) generated corresponding to "at least one encryption layer". : At least one hierarchical information is generated based on FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 4, each layer information includes one layer ID and one decryption information.

The processing unit 60 encrypts at least one hierarchical information generated in step ST205 based on the encryption key associated with the selected user ID (ST210). This encryption key is input in, for example, the communication unit 10 or the input unit 20, and is stored in the storage unit 50 in association with the user ID.

The processing unit 60 encrypts the hierarchical information by, for example, performing an exclusive OR operation on each of the plurality of bits constituting the hierarchical information. In this case, the encryption key used for encrypting the hierarchical information is information (bit string) that specifies whether or not to invert the value of each bit in the plurality of bits constituting the hierarchical information.

The processing unit 60 acquires at least one layered information encrypted in step ST210 and the selected user ID as information to be recorded in one user layer, and stores it in the storage unit 50 (ST215).

When the information to be recorded in one user layer is acquired in step ST215, the processing unit 60 selects another user ID (ST225) when there is another user ID that has not yet been selected (Yes in ST220). ), The processing after step ST205 is repeated. When the processing unit 60 executes steps ST205 to ST215 for all user IDs (No of ST220), the processing unit 60 ends the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 7.

Return to FIG.
The processing unit 60 acquires information to be recorded in one or more encryption layers (layers L6 to L16 in the example of FIG. 3) (ST120). For example, the processing unit 60 acquires the information input by the communication unit 10 and the input unit 20 as information to be recorded in one or more encryption layers.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process (ST120: FIG. 6) for acquiring information to be recorded in the encryption layer.

First, the processing unit 60 selects one encryption layer from one or more encryption layers (layers L6 to L16 in the example of FIG. 3) (ST300).

Next, the processing unit 60 acquires confidential information as information to be recorded in the selected encryption layer (ST305). For example, the processing unit 60 is selecting information input by the user interface device of the input unit 20 according to the display on the screen of the display unit 30 or information input from the communication unit 10 by communication with a server or the like on the network. It is acquired as information to be recorded in the encryption layer and stored in the storage unit 50.

When the confidential information to be recorded in one encryption layer is acquired in step ST305, the processing unit 60 selects the other encryption layer when there is another encryption layer that has not yet been selected (Yes in ST310). Then (ST315), the processes after step ST305 are repeated. When step ST305 is executed for all the encryption layers (No in ST310), the processing unit 60 ends the processing of the flowchart of FIG.

Return to FIG. 6 again.
When the processing unit 60 acquires the information to be recorded in each layer (L0 to L16) in steps ST100 to ST120, the processing unit 60 converts the information included in each layer according to a predetermined optical code generation format (ST125). For example, the processing unit 60 converts the information included in each layer into information conforming to the format of the QR code (registered trademark) and stores it in the storage unit 50. As a result, the information included in each layer becomes information equivalent to the QR code (registered trademark).

Next, the processing unit 60 encrypts the information contained in one or more encryption layers (layers L6 to L16 in the example of FIG. 3) (ST135).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process (ST135: FIG. 6) for encrypting confidential information included in the encryption layer.

First, the processing unit 60 selects one encryption layer from one or more encryption layers (layers L6 to L16 in the example of FIG. 3) (ST400).

Next, the processing unit 60 encrypts the confidential information contained in the selected encryption layer so that it can be decrypted by the decryption information (ST110: FIG. 6) corresponding to this encryption layer (ST405). For example, the processing unit 60 encrypts the secret information by performing an exclusive OR operation on each of the plurality of bits constituting the secret information. In this case, the encryption key used for encrypting the confidential information is information (bit string) that specifies whether or not to invert the value of each bit in the plurality of bits constituting the confidential information.

When the confidential information contained in one encryption layer is encrypted in step ST405, the processing unit 60 sets the other encryption layer when there is another encryption layer that has not yet been selected (Yes in ST410). It is selected (ST415), and the processing after step ST405 is repeated. When step ST405 is executed for all the encryption layers (No in ST410), the processing unit 60 ends the processing of the flowchart of FIG.

When the confidential information contained in each encryption layer is encrypted, the processing unit 60 provides an optical configuration to each of the plurality of modules U based on the information of each layer acquired by the processing of steps ST100 to ST135. Judgment (ST145). For example, when the processing unit 60 obtains the information contained in the additional layers (L1 to L16), the processing unit 60 combines the information contained in the additional layers (L1 to L16) for each module U, so that each module U represents 16 Get bit information. From this 16-bit information, the processing unit 60 determines the color of each region constituting the module U according to the conversion table as shown in FIG. 2E.

For example, when the module U shown in FIG. 2D is applied to the table of FIG. 2E, the bits included in the layer L1 are “1” and the bits included in the layer L2 are “0” in the 16-bit information represented by the module U. If this is the case, the processing unit 60 determines that the color given to the region in the upper right corner of the module U is "yellow" or "indigo". Here, when the layer L0 is "white" (when the bit included in the layer L0 is "0"), the processing unit 60 determines that the area in the upper right corner is "yellow", and the layer L0 is "black". In the case (when the bit included in the layer L0 is "1"), the area in the upper right corner is determined to be "indigo".

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code reading process according to the first embodiment. Here, the optical code reading process will be described by taking as an example the case where a specific user (user ID “Alice”) in FIG. 4 reads the confidential information.

The processing unit 60 reads the information represented by each module U from the image captured by the imaging unit 40 or the like (ST500). For example, the processing unit 60 identifies the position of each module in the image based on the functional patterns (position detection element P1, alignment pattern P2, timing pattern P3) included in the image, and determines the color in each region in each module. judge. The processing unit 60 acquires 1-bit information (layer L0) represented by the central area of each module from the result of determining the color of each area in each module, and according to a conversion table as shown in FIG. 2E. 16-bit information (layers L1 to L16) represented by an area other than the center of each module U is acquired.

Next, the processing unit 60 sets the information contained in the layers L0 to L16 based on the information represented by the plurality of modules U (1-bit information represented by the central region and 16-bit information represented by the region other than the center). Acquire (ST505).

When the information contained in the layers L0 to L16 is obtained, the processing unit 60 converts the information contained in each layer other than the encryption layer according to a predetermined optical code reading format (ST515). For example, the processing unit 60 converts the information included in each layer into numbers and characters as QR code (registered trademark) information and stores it in the storage unit 50. For example, the processing unit 60 identifies a layer (user layer) other than the encryption layer from the information stored in the common header of the common layer, and converts the information of the specified user layer into characters or the like as QR code (registered trademark) information. Convert.

The processing unit 60 has one user layer (in the example of FIG. 4) including one user ID (“Alice”) from one or more user layers (layers L2 to L5) converted into characters or the like in step ST515. Hierarchy L2) is specified (ST520).

The processing unit 60 uses at least one encrypted layer information (two layer information in the example of FIG. 4) included in one user layer (layer L2) specified in step ST520 as one user ID (“Alice”). Decryption based on the encryption key associated with (ST525). For example, the processing unit 60 decrypts the encrypted hierarchical information by calculating the exclusive OR of the bit string of the encryption key and the bit string of the hierarchical information.

When the processing unit 60 decrypts at least one layer information (two layer information in the example of FIG. 4) in step ST525, the processing unit 60 decrypts at least one encryption layer (example of FIG. 4) based on the decrypted at least one layer information. Then, the confidential information contained in the layers L6 and L8) is decrypted (ST530).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process (ST530: FIG. 10) for decrypting confidential information included in the encryption layer.

First, the processing unit 60 selects one layer information from one or more layer information (two layer information in the example of FIG. 4) decoded in step ST530 (ST600).

Next, the processing unit 60 identifies one encryption layer based on the layer ID included in the selected layer information (ST605).

The processing unit 60 decrypts the confidential information included in one encryption layer specified in step ST605 based on the decryption information included in the selected hierarchical information (ST610). For example, the processing unit 60 decodes the encrypted secret information by calculating the exclusive OR of the bit string obtained based on the decryption information and the bit string of the secret information.

When the confidential information is decoded in step ST610, the processing unit 60 selects another hierarchical information (ST620) when there is other hierarchical information that has not yet been selected (Yes in ST615), and after step ST605. Repeat the process. When the processing unit 60 executes steps ST605 to ST610 for all the hierarchical information (No of ST615), the processing unit 60 ends the processing of the flowchart of FIG.

When the confidential information of each encryption layer is decrypted in step ST535, the processing unit 60 converts the information contained in the encrypted layer from which the confidential information is decrypted according to a predetermined optical code reading format such as a QR code (registered trademark). (ST535). As a result, the processing unit 60 converts the decoded confidential information into numbers, characters, and the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the hierarchical information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user is recorded in the user layer assigned to each user, and the encrypted hierarchical information is recorded. Contains decryption information for decrypting the confidential information recorded in the encryption layer. As a result, access to the confidential information recorded in the encryption layer (permission or prohibition of decryption of the confidential information) can be controlled for each user.

Further, according to the present embodiment, access of each user is permitted or prohibited in units of layers that are information collected bit by bit from each of the plurality of modules U, and information is encrypted for each layer. Therefore, when it is unknown in which layer each bit of each module U is included, it becomes extremely difficult to read the confidential information contained in the layer (encryption layer). Therefore, the larger the number of modules U and layers, the higher the cipher resistance.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The optical cord according to the second embodiment is obtained by changing the information included in the common layer and the user layer in the optical cord according to the first embodiment described above, and the other configurations relate to the first embodiment. It is almost the same as the optical cord. Hereinafter, the differences from the optical cord according to the first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of information contained in additional layers (L1, L2, ...) In the optical cord according to the second embodiment.

The common layer (L1) includes a common header and includes one or more user information having a one-to-one correspondence with one or more users. In the example of FIG. 12, the common layer (L1) includes two user information corresponding to two users.

As shown in FIG. 12, one user information corresponding to one user is for identifying a user ID for identifying the one user and one user group corresponding to the one user. Includes the hierarchical ID of. In the example of FIG. 12, the user information corresponding to the user with the user ID "Alice" includes the user ID "Alice" and the hierarchical ID of the user layer (L2) corresponding to the user. Further, the user information corresponding to the user of the user ID "Bob" includes the user ID "Bob" and the hierarchical ID of the user layer (L3) corresponding to the user.

The user layer is a layer that has a one-to-one correspondence with a user who is given access authority to confidential information. In the example of FIG. 12, two users (“Alice”, “Bob”) and two user layers L2 and L3 have a one-to-one correspondence. That is, one user layer is assigned to each user who is given the access authority to the confidential information.

One user layer corresponding to one user includes at least one layer information encrypted by an encryption key owned by the one user. In the example of FIG. 4, the user layer (L2) corresponding to the user with the user ID “Alice” includes two layer information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user. Further, the user layer (L3) corresponding to the user with the user ID "Bob" includes one layer information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user. The information included in the hierarchical information is the same as that of the optical code (FIG. 4) according to the first embodiment.

Next, the optical code generation process and the reading process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17. At least a part of these processes is executed in, for example, the information processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the information in the optical code has a hierarchical structure shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code generation process according to the second embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is obtained by changing steps ST105 and ST115 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 to steps ST105A and ST115A, respectively, and adding step ST130, and the other steps are substantially the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. is there.

The processing unit 60 acquires information to be recorded in the compatibility layer (L0) as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 (ST100).

Further, the processing unit 60 acquires a common header and user information as information to be recorded in the common layer (L1) (ST105A). For example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, the processing unit 60 generates a common header based on the information input by the user interface device of the input unit 20 (ST700), and also generates user information of each user. (ST705). The processing unit 60 acquires the generated common header and user information as information to be recorded in the common layer, and stores the generated common header and user information in the storage unit 50 (ST710).

Next, the processing unit 60 has one or more decryption information (in the example of FIG. 12) having a one-to-one correspondence with one or more encryption layers (layers L6 to L8 in the example of FIG. 12), as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3) are generated (ST110).

When the decryption information of each encryption layer is obtained, the processing unit 60 acquires the information to be recorded in each of one or more user layers (layers L2 and L3 in the example of FIG. 12) (ST115A). For example, when the processing unit 60 acquires information to be recorded in one user layer, the processing unit 60 identifies one user layer based on the layer ID included in the one user information, and at least one layer information (layer ID and decryption information). ) Is generated, and the generated at least one hierarchical information is acquired as information to be recorded in one specified user layer, and stored in the storage unit 50.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process (ST115A: FIG. 13) for acquiring information to be recorded in the user layer.

First, the processing unit 60 selects one user information from one or more user information corresponding to one or more users (two in the example of FIG. 12) to which access authority is given (ST800).

Next, the processing unit 60 identifies one user layer based on the layer ID included in the selected user information (ST805).

Further, the processing unit 60 generates at least one layer information corresponding to at least one encryption layer (ST810). This "at least one encryption layer" indicates an encryption layer that allows a user having a user ID included in the selected user information to access the confidential information. The processing unit 60 has "at least one layer ID" for identifying "at least one encryption layer" and "at least one decryption information" (ST110) generated corresponding to "at least one encryption layer". : At least one hierarchical information is generated based on FIG. 13). As shown in FIG. 12, each layer information includes one layer ID and one decryption information.

The processing unit 60 acquires at least one hierarchical information generated in step ST810 as information to be recorded in one user layer specified in step ST805, and stores it in the storage unit 50 (ST815).

When the information to be recorded in one user layer is acquired in step ST815, the processing unit 60 selects the other user information (ST825) when there is other user information that has not yet been selected (Yes in ST820). ), The processing after step ST805 is repeated. When the processing unit 60 executes steps ST805 to ST815 for all the user information (No of ST820), the processing unit 60 ends the processing of the flowchart of FIG.

Return to FIG.
Similar to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the processing unit 60 acquires information to be recorded in one or more encryption layers (layers L6 to L8 in the example of FIG. 12) (ST120).

When the processing unit 60 acquires the information to be recorded in each layer in steps ST100 to ST120, the processing unit 60 converts the information included in each layer according to a predetermined optical code generation format, as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 (ST125).

Next, the processing unit 60 encrypts the hierarchical information included in each of one or more user layers (layers L2 and L3 in the example of FIG. 12) (ST130). For example, when the processing unit 60 encrypts the information included in one user layer, the processing unit 60 identifies one user layer based on the hierarchical ID included in the one user layer, and obtains the hierarchical information included in the specified user layer. , It is encrypted by the encryption key associated with the user ID included in this one user information.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process (ST130: FIG. 13) for encrypting information included in the user layer.

First, the processing unit 60 selects one user information from one or more user information corresponding to one or more users (two in the example of FIG. 12) to be given access authority (ST900).

Next, the processing unit 60 identifies one user layer based on the layer ID included in the selected user information (ST905).

The processing unit 60 encrypts the hierarchical information included in the user layer identified in step ST905 based on the encryption key associated with the user ID included in the selected user information (ST910). This encryption key is input in, for example, the communication unit 10 or the input unit 20, and is stored in the storage unit 50 in association with the user ID. The processing unit 60 encrypts the hierarchical information by, for example, performing an exclusive OR operation on each of the plurality of bits constituting the hierarchical information. In this case, the encryption key used for encrypting the hierarchical information is information (bit string) that specifies whether or not to invert the value of each bit in the plurality of bits constituting the hierarchical information.

When the hierarchical information included in one user layer is encrypted in step ST910, the processing unit 60 selects the other user information when there is other user information that has not yet been selected (Yes in ST915). (ST920), the processing after step ST905 is repeated. When the processing unit 60 executes steps ST905 to ST910 for all the user information (No of ST915), the processing unit 60 ends the processing of the flowchart of FIG.

Return to FIG. 13 again.
Similar to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the processing unit 60 encrypts the information contained in one or more encryption layers (layers L6 to L8 in the example of FIG. 12) (ST135). When the confidential information contained in each encryption layer is encrypted, the processing unit 60 provides an optical configuration to each of the plurality of modules U based on the information of each layer acquired by the processing of steps ST100 to ST135. Judgment (ST145).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code reading process according to the second embodiment. Here, the optical code reading process will be described by taking as an example a case where a specific user (user ID “Alice”) in FIG. 12 reads the confidential information.

Similar to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, the processing unit 60 reads the information represented by each module U from the image captured by the imaging unit 40 or the like (ST500), and based on the information represented by the plurality of read modules U, each Acquire the information included in the hierarchy (L0, L1, ...) (ST505).

When the processing unit 60 obtains the information contained in each layer (L0, L1, ...), The processing unit 60 transfers the information contained in each layer other than the encryption layer and the user layer to a predetermined QR code (registered trademark) or the like. It is converted into characters or the like according to the reading format of the optical code and stored in the storage unit 50 (ST515A).

The processing unit 60 identifies one user information including one user ID (“Alice”) from one or more user information (two user information in the example of FIG. 12) included in the common layer (L1). (ST545).

The processing unit 60 identifies one user layer (layer L2 in the example of FIG. 12) from the layer ID included in the one user information specified in step ST545 (ST550).

The processing unit 60 converts at least one encrypted hierarchical information (two hierarchical information in the example of FIG. 12) included in one user layer (layer L2) specified in step ST550 into one user ID (“Alice”). Decryption based on the encryption key associated with (ST555). For example, the processing unit 60 decrypts the encrypted hierarchical information by calculating the exclusive OR of the bit string of the encryption key and the bit string of the hierarchical information.

The processing unit 60 converts the information of the user layer identified in step ST550 and subjected to the decoding process in step ST555 into characters or the like according to a predetermined optical code reading format such as a QR code (registered trademark) (ST560). ..

When at least one layer information (two layer information in the example of FIG. 12) is converted into characters or the like in step ST560, the processing unit 60 has at least one encryption layer based on the converted layer information. (In the example of FIG. 12, the confidential information contained in the layers L6 and L8) is decrypted (ST565). The process of decrypting the confidential information of the encryption layer based on the layer information is the same as the process of the flowchart of FIG. 11 described above.

When the confidential information of each encryption layer is decrypted in step ST565, the processing unit 60 converts the information contained in the encrypted layer from which the confidential information is decrypted according to a predetermined optical code reading format such as a QR code (registered trademark). (ST570). As a result, the processing unit 60 converts the decoded confidential information into numbers, characters, and the like.

As described above, also in the present embodiment, the hierarchical information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user is recorded in the user layer assigned to each user, and the encrypted hierarchical information is recorded. Includes decryption information for decrypting the confidential information recorded in the encryption layer. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to control access to the confidential information recorded in the encryption layer for each user.

<Third embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the optical code according to the third embodiment, the user layer in each of the above-described embodiments is omitted, and the confidential information included in the encryption layer is encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of information in the optical code according to the third embodiment. The hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 18 is divided into 17 layers (L0 to L16) similar to those in FIG. In the example of FIG. 18, layer L0 is a compatibility layer, layer L1 is a common layer, and layers L2 to L16 are encryption layers.

The compatibility layer (L0) contains information that can be read as an existing QR code (registered trademark), as in FIG.

The common layer (L1) includes a common header similar to each of the above-described embodiments, and includes one or more user information having a one-to-one correspondence with one or more users. The user information includes a layer ID and a user ID of the encryption layer.

The encryption layer (L2 to L16) is associated with one or more users on a one-to-one basis by the above-mentioned user information. One encryption layer corresponding to one user includes confidential information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the one user.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of information contained in additional layers (L1, L2, ...) In the optical cord according to the third embodiment.

In the example of FIG. 19, the common layer (L1) includes two user information corresponding to two users. As shown in FIG. 19, one user information corresponding to one user identifies a user ID for identifying the one user and one encryption layer corresponding to the one user. Includes a hierarchical ID for In the example of FIG. 19, the user information corresponding to the user with the user ID "Alice" includes the user ID "Alice" and the layer ID of the encryption layer (L6) corresponding to the user. Further, the user information corresponding to the user of the user ID "Bob" includes the user ID "Bob" and the layer ID of the encryption layer (L7) corresponding to the user.

In one layer ID and one user ID included in one user information, the confidential information contained in one encryption layer corresponding to this layer ID is encrypted by the encryption key of the user corresponding to this user ID. Indicates that it has been done. In the example of FIG. 19, the confidential information contained in the encryption layer of the layer L6 is encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user of the user ID "Alice", and the layer is encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user of the user ID "Bob". The confidential information contained in the encryption layer of L7 is encrypted.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code generation process according to the third embodiment.

The processing unit 60 acquires information to be recorded in the compatibility layer (L0) as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 (ST100).

Further, the processing unit 60 acquires a common header and user information as information to be recorded in the common layer (L1) (ST105B). For example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21, the processing unit 60 generates a common header based on the information input by the user interface device of the input unit 20 (ST700), and also generates user information of each user. (ST705A). This user information includes a layer ID and a user ID of the encryption layer. The processing unit 60 acquires the generated common header and user information as information to be recorded in the common layer, and stores the generated common header and user information in the processing unit 60 (ST710).

Further, the processing unit 60 acquires the information to be recorded in each encryption layer as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 (ST120).

When the processing unit 60 acquires the information to be recorded in each layer in steps ST100 to ST120, the processing unit 60 converts the information included in each layer according to a predetermined optical code generation format, as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 (ST125).

Next, the processing unit 60 encrypts the confidential information contained in each encryption layer (ST135B). For example, when the processing unit 60 encrypts the confidential information recorded in one encryption layer, the processing unit 60 converts the confidential information into one user ID based on the user information including the layer ID for identifying the one encryption layer. The associated encryption key is acquired, and the confidential information contained in the one encryption layer is encrypted by the acquired encryption key.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process (ST135B: FIG. 20) for encrypting confidential information included in the encryption layer.

First, the processing unit 60 selects one encryption layer from a plurality of encryption layers including confidential information (ST1000).

Next, the processing unit 60 acquires an encryption key associated with one user ID based on the user information including the layer ID corresponding to the selected encryption layer (ST1005). This encryption key is input in, for example, the communication unit 10 or the input unit 20, and is stored in the storage unit 50 in association with the user ID. The processing unit 60 encrypts the hierarchical information by, for example, performing an exclusive OR operation on each of the plurality of bits constituting the hierarchical information. In this case, the encryption key used for encrypting the hierarchical information is information (bit string) that specifies whether or not to invert the value of each bit in the plurality of bits constituting the hierarchical information.

The processing unit 60 encrypts the confidential information contained in the selected encryption layer based on the encryption key acquired in step ST1005 (ST1010).

When the confidential information contained in one encryption layer is encrypted in step ST1010, the processing unit 60 sets the other encryption layer when there is another encryption layer that has not yet been selected (Yes in ST1015). It is selected (ST1020), and the processing after step ST1005 is repeated. When the processing unit 60 executes steps ST1005 to ST1010 for all the encryption layers (No of ST1015), the processing unit 60 ends the processing of the flowchart of FIG.

When the confidential information contained in each encryption layer is encrypted, the processing unit 60 provides an optical configuration to each of the plurality of modules U based on the information of each layer acquired by the processing of steps ST100 to ST135B. Judgment (ST145).

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code reading process according to the third embodiment. Here, the optical code reading process will be described by taking as an example the case where a specific user (user ID “Alice”) in FIG. 19 reads the confidential information.

Similar to the flowchart of FIG. 10, the processing unit 60 reads the information represented by each module U from the image captured by the imaging unit 40 or the like (ST500), and based on the information represented by the plurality of read modules U, each Acquire the information included in the hierarchy (L0, L1, ...) (ST505).

When the processing unit 60 obtains the information contained in each layer (L0, L1, ...), The processing unit 60 transfers the information contained in each layer other than the encryption layer to a predetermined optical code such as a QR code (registered trademark). It is converted into characters or the like according to the reading format and stored in the storage unit 50 (ST515).

The processing unit 60 identifies one user information including one user ID (“Alice”) from one or more user information (two user information in the example of FIG. 19) included in the common layer (L1). (ST545A).

The processing unit 60 identifies one encryption layer based on the layer ID included in the user information specified in step ST545A (ST580).

The processing unit 60 decrypts the confidential information contained in the encryption layer specified in step ST580 based on the encryption key associated with one user ID (“Alice”) (ST585).

When the confidential information of one encryption layer is decrypted in step ST585, the processing unit 60 converts the information contained in the encryption layer according to a predetermined optical code reading format such as a QR code (registered trademark) (ST590). ). As a result, the processing unit 60 converts the decoded confidential information into numbers, characters, and the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user information that associates the user with the encryption layer on a one-to-one basis is included in the common layer, and the confidential information contained in one encryption layer is the 1st. It is encrypted by an encryption key owned by one user corresponding to one encryption layer. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, it is possible to control access to the confidential information recorded in the encryption layer for each user, as in each of the above-described embodiments.

<Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, in the hierarchical structure of the optical cord according to each of the above-described embodiments, the parity of the information recorded in each module U and the information recorded in each block in the hierarchy can be inspected. ..

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of information in the optical code according to the fourth embodiment. In the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 24, the layers L13 to L16 in the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 3 are replaced with layers for parity inspection (hereinafter, individual layers may be referred to as parity layers without distinction). is there.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of modules U constituting the optical cord are divided into a plurality of blocks each consisting of M modules U. The information contained in one layer (L0 to L16) includes a plurality of code words having a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of blocks. One code word corresponding to one block includes information of M bits corresponding to one-to-one with M modules constituting one block. For example, in the case of a QR code (registered trademark), the code word is 8 bits, and the number of modules U constituting one block is 8. In the QR code (registered trademark), the information to be recorded is converted into an 8-bit code word (data code word), and an error correction code word using a Reed-Solomon code is generated using this code word as a basic unit. In the following, as an example, M = 8.

In the example of FIG. 24, the layers L13 and L14 are the first parity layers, and the layers L15 and L16 are the second parity layers.

The first parity layer contains a plurality of first parity information having a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of blocks of the optical code. One first parity information corresponding to one block includes eight modules constituting one block and eight first parity bits PB1 corresponding to one-to-one. One first parity bit PB1 is K bit (N> K> 1 of N bit information (17 bits in the example of FIG. 24) represented by one module U corresponding to this one first parity bit PB1. ) Is a parity bit.

The second parity layer contains a plurality of second parity information having a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of blocks of the optical code. Each of the plurality of second parity information has K second parity corresponding to one-to-one with K layers including the above-mentioned K bit information (information in which parity is checked by the first parity bit PB1). Includes bit PB2. One second parity bit included in one second parity information corresponding to one block is one code word corresponding to this one block, and one corresponding to this one second parity bit. It is a parity bit for 8-bit information included in the one code word belonging to the hierarchy.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a parity layer. “BIT1” to “BIT8” in FIG. 25 indicate eight bits constituting one code word, and each corresponds to eight modules U belonging to one block. The eight numbers ("1" or "0") arranged under "L1", "L2" ... Representing the hierarchy indicate the value of each bit in one code word belonging to one hierarchy.

The eight numbers arranged under "L13" indicate the value of the first parity bit PB1, respectively. A collection of eight first parity bits PB1 constitutes one first parity information.

One first parity bit PB1 is "0" when the number of "1" contained in the six numbers (6 bits in the 17-bit information represented by one module U) arranged on the left side thereof is an even number. And when this number is an odd number, it becomes "1".

The six numbers (“1” or “0”) placed below the six code words (8 bits each) belonging to the six layers (L1, L3, L5, L7, L9, L11) are 1 respectively. Two second parity bits PB2 are shown. The six second parity bits PB2 are included in one second parity information. The six layers (L1, L3, L5, L7, L9, L11) are six layers including 6-bit information in which the parity is checked by the first parity bit PB1 described above. The six second parity bits PB2 have a one-to-one correspondence with the six layers (L1, L3, L5, L7, L9, L11).

One second parity bit PB2 becomes "0" when the number of "1" contained in the eight numbers (8 bits included in one code word) arranged above it is an even number, and this number becomes "0". If it is an odd number, it becomes "1".

The number (“1” or “0”) written below the eight first parity bits PB1 (first parity information) arranged under “L13” indicates the value of the third parity bit PB3. The third parity bit PB3 is a parity bit for the first parity information. The second parity information further includes a third parity bit PB3 in addition to the six second parity bits PB2 described above. That is, one second parity information corresponding to one block is a third parity bit for one first parity information (8-bit information consisting of eight first parity bits PB1) corresponding to one block. Includes PB3.

The third parity bit PB3 becomes "0" when the number of "1" contained in the eight numbers (8 bits of the first parity information) arranged above it is an even number, and when this number is an odd number. It becomes "1".

The six second parity bits PB2 and the one third parity bit PB3 are arranged in an 8-bit area corresponding to one code word in the layer L15, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 25.

The second parity information further includes a fourth parity bit PB4, as shown in FIG. The fourth parity bit PB4 is a parity bit for 7-bit information including six second parity bits PB2 and one third parity bit PB3 included in the second parity information. The fourth parity bit PB4 becomes "0" when the number of "1" contained in the 7-bit information (seven numbers arranged under "L15") is even, and when this number is odd. Becomes "1".

In the first parity layer of the layer L14 and the second parity layer of the layer L16, the layers L1, L3, L5, L7, L9, and L11 in FIG. 24 are replaced with layers L2, L4, L6, L8, L10, and L12, respectively. It is a thing.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code generation process according to the fourth embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 26 is obtained by adding step ST140 between steps ST135 and ST145 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

The processing unit 60 generates information to be recorded in each layer by the processing of steps ST100 to ST135, encrypts the confidential information of each encryption layer, and then creates a first parity layer in each of the layers L13 and L14. A second parity layer is created in each of the layers L15 and L16 (ST140). After creating these parity layers, the processing unit 60 determines the optical configuration to be given to each of the plurality of modules U based on the information of each layer acquired by the processing of steps ST100 to ST140 (ST145). ..

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the optical code reading process according to the fourth embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 27 is obtained by adding step ST510 between steps ST505 and ST515 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the processing unit 60 acquires the information included in each layer in step ST505, the value of each parity bit (PB1 to PB3) calculated based on the information in layers L0 to L12 and the parity layer (L13 to L16). The value of each parity bit (PB1 to PB3) recorded in is collated. If a mismatched parity bit (PB1 to PB3) is found as a result of the collation, the processing unit 60 determines that an error has occurred with respect to the parity bit. Further, when there is a mismatch in one or more second parity bits PB2 in relation to only one first parity bit PB1, or one or more first in relation to only one second parity bit PB2. When a mismatch occurs in the parity bit PB1, the processing unit 60 corrects the error by inverting the bit value of the corresponding error portion (ST510).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the error generated in each module U can be detected by the first parity bit PB1, and the error generated in each code word can be detected by the second parity bit PB2. It is detectable. Further, by referring to both the first parity bit PB1 and the second parity bit PB2, an error generated in relation to one module U or an error generated in relation to one layer can be displayed in block units (code word units). ) Can be corrected.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various variations.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this example, in which a plurality of modules U are arranged in a format conforming to a QR code (registered trademark). That is, the present invention is not limited to the two-dimensional code, and can be widely applied to various other optical codes (color bar code, etc.) capable of expressing a plurality of bits of information in each module.

The following are additional notes related to the technology of the present disclosure.

[Appendix 1]
An optical code that represents information that is optically readable by multiple regularly arranged modules.
Each of the plurality of modules represents optically readable N-bit information (N represents an integer of 2 or more).
The entire information represented by the plurality of modules is divided into N layers.
The N-bit information represented by one module is included in each of the N layers, one bit at a time.
The N layers are
One or more user groups that have a one-to-one correspondence with one or more users,
Includes one or more encryption layers containing encrypted confidential information,
One said user layer corresponding to one said user
A user ID for identifying the user of 1 and
Includes at least one hierarchical information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the one user.
One said hierarchical information
A layer ID for identifying one of the encryption layers and
Includes decryption information for decrypting the encrypted confidential information included in the one encryption layer.
Optical cord.

[Appendix 2]
An optical code that represents information that is optically readable by multiple regularly arranged modules.
Each of the plurality of modules represents optically readable N-bit information (N represents an integer of 3 or more).
The entire information represented by the plurality of modules is divided into N layers.
The N-bit information represented by one module is included in each of the N layers, one bit at a time.
The N layers are
A common layer containing one or more user information that has a one-to-one correspondence with one or more users,
One or more user groups that have a one-to-one correspondence with the one or more users,
Includes one or more encryption layers containing encrypted confidential information,
One said user information corresponding to one said user
A user ID for identifying the user of 1 and
The layer ID for identifying the user layer of 1 corresponding to the user of 1 is included.
One said user layer corresponding to one said user
Contains at least one hierarchical information encrypted with an encryption key owned by the one user.
One said hierarchical information
A layer ID for identifying one of the encryption layers and
Includes decryption information for decrypting the encrypted confidential information included in the one encryption layer.
Optical cord.

[Appendix 3]
The encryption key is information that specifies whether or not to invert the value of each bit in a plurality of bits constituting the hierarchical information.
The optical cord according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[Appendix 4]
The decryption information is information that specifies whether or not to invert the value of each bit in a plurality of bits constituting the encrypted secret information.
The optical cord according to any one of Appendix 1 to 3.

[Appendix 5]
An optical code that represents information that is optically readable by multiple regularly arranged modules.
Each of the plurality of modules represents optically readable N-bit information (N represents an integer of 2 or more).
The entire information represented by the plurality of modules is divided into N layers.
The N-bit information represented by one module is included in each of the N layers, one bit at a time.
The N layers are
A common layer containing one or more user information that has a one-to-one correspondence with one or more users,
It includes the one or more users and one or more encryption layers corresponding to one-to-one.
One said user information is
A user ID for identifying the user in 1 and
Includes a layer ID for identifying the one encryption layer corresponding to the one user.
One of the encryption layers is
1. Includes confidential information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user.
Optical cord.

[Appendix 6]
The plurality of bits constituting the confidential information have a one-to-one correspondence with at least a part of the plurality of modules.
The encryption key is information that specifies whether or not to invert the value of each bit in the plurality of bits constituting the confidential information.
The optical cord according to Appendix 5.

[Appendix 7]
At least a part of the plurality of modules is divided into a plurality of blocks each consisting of M modules.
The plurality of layers include a first parity layer.
The first parity layer includes a plurality of first parity information having a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of blocks.
One said first parity bit corresponding to one said block includes M first parity bits corresponding to one-to-one with the M modules constituting the one block.
One said first parity bit is a K bit (K indicates an integer greater than 1 and less than N) of the information of the N bits represented by the one module corresponding to the one first parity bit. Parity bit for information,
The optical cord according to any one of Appendix 1 to 6.

[Appendix 8]
Each of the plurality of layers contains a plurality of code words having a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of blocks.
One code word corresponding to one block includes information of M bits corresponding to one-to-one with the M modules constituting the one block.
The plurality of layers include a second parity layer.
The second parity layer includes a plurality of second parity information having a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of blocks.
Each of the plurality of second parity information includes K second parity bits having a one-to-one correspondence with K layers including the K bit information.
One said second parity bit included in one said second parity information corresponding to one said block is one said code word corresponding to said one block, and is included in the said one second parity bit. It is a parity bit for the information of the M bit included in the one code word belonging to the corresponding one layer.
The optical cord according to Appendix 7.

[Appendix 9]
The one second parity information corresponding to the one block is the information of the M bit composed of the M first parity bits included in the one first parity information corresponding to the one block. 3 Parity bits further included,
The optical cord according to Appendix 8.

[Appendix 10]
The one second parity information further includes a fourth parity bit for information of (K + 1) bits including the K second parity bits and the third parity bit included in the one second parity information. Including,
The optical cord according to Appendix 9.

[Appendix 11]
The optical code generation method for generating the optical code according to Appendix 1.
An information acquisition process for acquiring information to be recorded in each of the N layers, and
It has a module configuration determination step of determining an optical configuration given to each of the plurality of modules based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step.
The information acquisition process is
A step of generating one or more decryption information having a one-to-one correspondence with the one or more encryption layers,
The process of acquiring information to be recorded in one or more user groups, and
Including the step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the one or more encryption layers.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one user layer is
At least one layer information corresponding to at least one encryption layer, at least one layer ID for identifying the at least one encryption layer, and at least one corresponding to the at least one encryption layer. A process of generating based on the above-mentioned decryption information and
A step of encrypting the generated at least one hierarchical information with the encryption key associated with the user ID, and
The process includes a step of acquiring the encrypted at least one hierarchical information and the one user ID as information to be recorded in the one user layer.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one of the encryption layers is
As information to be recorded in one of the encryption layers, a process of acquiring the confidential information and
A step of encrypting the acquired confidential information so that it can be decrypted by the decryption information corresponding to the one encryption layer.
Optical code generation method.

[Appendix 12]
An optical code generation method for generating the optical code described in Appendix 2.
An information acquisition process for acquiring information to be recorded in each of the N layers, and
It has a module configuration determination step of determining an optical configuration given to each of the plurality of modules based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step.
The information acquisition process is
A step of generating one or more decryption information having a one-to-one correspondence with the one or more encryption layers,
The process of acquiring the information to be recorded in the common layer and
The process of acquiring information to be recorded in one or more user groups, and
Including the step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the one or more encryption layers.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the common layer is
A step of generating the one or more user information corresponding to the one or more users, and
Including a step of acquiring the generated one or more user information as information to be recorded in the common layer.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one user layer is
A step of identifying the one user layer based on the layer ID included in the one user information, and
At least one layer information corresponding to at least one encryption layer, at least one layer ID for identifying the at least one encryption layer, and at least one corresponding to the at least one encryption layer. A process of generating based on the above-mentioned decryption information and
A step of acquiring at least one of the generated hierarchical information as information to be recorded in the specified one user layer, and
The step of encrypting the acquired at least one of the hierarchical information with the encryption key associated with the user ID included in the user information of 1 is included.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one of the encryption layers is
As information to be recorded in one of the encryption layers, a process of acquiring the confidential information and
A step of encrypting the acquired confidential information so that it can be decrypted by the decryption information corresponding to the one encryption layer.
Optical code generation method.

[Appendix 13]
The optical code generation method for generating the optical code according to Appendix 5.
An information acquisition process for acquiring information to be recorded in each of the N layers, and
It has a module configuration determination step of determining an optical configuration given to each of the plurality of modules based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step.
The information acquisition process is
The process of acquiring the information to be recorded in the common layer and
Including the step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the one or more encryption layers.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the common layer is
A step of generating the one or more user information corresponding to the one or more users, and
Including a step of acquiring the generated one or more user information as information to be recorded in the common layer.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one of the encryption layers is
As the information to be recorded in the one encryption layer, the process of acquiring the confidential information and
A step of acquiring the encryption key associated with one user ID based on the user information including the layer ID for identifying the one encryption layer.
Including a step of encrypting the acquired confidential information with the acquired encryption key.
Optical code generation method.

[Appendix 14]
The optical configuration is a configuration relating to a color given to the entire module, or a configuration relating to a color given to each of a plurality of regions for dividing the module.
The optical code generation method according to any one of Supplementary note 11 to 13.

[Appendix 15]
A program for causing a computer to execute the optical code generation method according to any one of Supplementary note 11 to 14.

[Appendix 16]
An optical code reading method for reading the information represented by the optical code described in Appendix 1.
A step of reading the N-bit information represented by each of the plurality of modules from the image including the plurality of modules, and
A process of acquiring information contained in each of the N layers based on the information of the N bits represented by each of the plurality of modules, and a step of acquiring the information contained in each of the N layers.
A step of identifying one user layer including one user ID from the one or more user layers, and
A step of decrypting at least one encrypted layer information included in the specified one user layer based on the encryption key associated with the one user ID.
It has a step of decrypting the confidential information included in at least one encryption layer based on the decrypted at least one layer information.
The step of decrypting the confidential information included in one of the encryption layers is
A step of identifying one encryption layer based on the layer ID included in the decrypted layer information, and
A step of decrypting the secret information included in the specified one encryption layer based on the decryption information included in the decrypted one layer information is included.
Optical code reading method.

[Appendix 17]
An optical code reading method for reading the information represented by the optical code described in Appendix 2.
A step of reading the N-bit information represented by each of the plurality of modules from the image including the plurality of modules, and
A process of acquiring information contained in each of the N layers based on the information of the N bits represented by each of the plurality of modules, and a step of acquiring the information contained in each of the N layers.
A step of identifying one user information including one user ID from the one or more user information included in the common layer, and
A step of specifying one user layer from the layer ID included in the specified one user information, and
A step of decrypting at least one encrypted layer information included in the specified one user layer based on the encryption key associated with the one user ID.
It has a step of decrypting the confidential information included in at least one encryption layer based on the decrypted at least one layer information.
The step of decrypting the confidential information included in one of the encryption layers is
A step of identifying one encryption layer based on the layer ID included in the decrypted layer information, and
A step of decrypting the secret information included in the specified one encryption layer based on the decryption information included in the decrypted one layer information is included.
Optical code reading method.

[Appendix 18]
An optical code reading method for reading the information represented by the optical code described in Appendix 5.
A step of reading the N-bit information represented by each of the plurality of modules from the image including the plurality of modules, and
A process of acquiring information contained in each of the N layers based on the information of the N bits represented by each of the plurality of modules, and a step of acquiring the information contained in each of the N layers.
A step of identifying one user information including one user ID from the one or more user information included in the common layer, and
A step of specifying one encryption layer based on the layer ID included in the identified user information, and
An optical code reading method comprising a step of decrypting the confidential information contained in the specified one encryption layer based on the encryption key associated with the one user ID.

[Appendix 19]
A program for causing a computer to execute the optical code reading method according to any one of Appendix 16 to 18.

1 ... Information processing device, 10 ... Communication unit, 20 ... Input unit, 30 ... Display unit, 40 ... Imaging unit, 50 ... Storage unit, 51 ... Program, 60 ... Processing unit, U ... Module, L0 to L16 ... Hierarchy, PB1 ... 1st parity bit, PB2 ... 2nd parity bit, PB3 ... 3rd parity bit, PB4 ... 4th parity bit

Claims (19)

An optical code that represents information that is optically readable by multiple regularly arranged modules.
Each of the plurality of modules represents optically readable N-bit information (N represents an integer of 2 or more).
The entire information represented by the plurality of modules is divided into N layers.
The N-bit information represented by one module is included in each of the N layers, one bit at a time.
The N layers are
One or more user groups that have a one-to-one correspondence with one or more users,
Includes one or more encryption layers containing encrypted confidential information,
One said user layer corresponding to one said user
A user ID for identifying the user of 1 and
Includes at least one hierarchical information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the one user.
One said hierarchical information
A layer ID for identifying one of the encryption layers and
Includes decryption information for decrypting the encrypted confidential information included in the one encryption layer.
Optical cord. An optical code that represents information that is optically readable by multiple regularly arranged modules.
Each of the plurality of modules represents optically readable N-bit information (N represents an integer of 3 or more).
The entire information represented by the plurality of modules is divided into N layers.
The N-bit information represented by one module is included in each of the N layers, one bit at a time.
The N layers are
A common layer containing one or more user information that has a one-to-one correspondence with one or more users,
One or more user groups that have a one-to-one correspondence with the one or more users,
Includes one or more encryption layers containing encrypted confidential information,
One said user information corresponding to one said user
A user ID for identifying the user of 1 and
The layer ID for identifying the user layer of 1 corresponding to the user of 1 is included.
One said user layer corresponding to one said user
Contains at least one hierarchical information encrypted with an encryption key owned by the one user.
One said hierarchical information
A layer ID for identifying one of the encryption layers and
Includes decryption information for decrypting the encrypted confidential information included in the one encryption layer.
Optical cord. The encryption key is information that specifies whether or not to invert the value of each bit in a plurality of bits constituting the hierarchical information.
The optical cord according to claim 1 or 2. The decryption information is information that specifies whether or not to invert the value of each bit in a plurality of bits constituting the encrypted secret information.
The optical cord according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An optical code that represents information that is optically readable by multiple regularly arranged modules.
Each of the plurality of modules represents optically readable N-bit information (N represents an integer of 2 or more).
The entire information represented by the plurality of modules is divided into N layers.
The N-bit information represented by one module is included in each of the N layers, one bit at a time.
The N layers are
A common layer containing one or more user information that has a one-to-one correspondence with one or more users,
It includes the one or more users and one or more encryption layers corresponding to one-to-one.
One said user information is
A user ID for identifying the user in 1 and
Includes a layer ID for identifying the one encryption layer corresponding to the one user.
One of the encryption layers is
1. Includes confidential information encrypted by the encryption key owned by the user.
Optical cord. The plurality of bits constituting the confidential information have a one-to-one correspondence with at least a part of the plurality of modules.
The encryption key is information that specifies whether or not to invert the value of each bit in the plurality of bits constituting the confidential information.
The optical cord according to claim 5. At least a part of the plurality of modules is divided into a plurality of blocks each consisting of M modules.
The plurality of layers include a first parity layer.
The first parity layer includes a plurality of first parity information having a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of blocks.
One said first parity bit corresponding to one said block includes M first parity bits corresponding to one-to-one with the M modules constituting the one block.
One said first parity bit is a K bit (K indicates an integer greater than 1 and less than N) of the information of the N bits represented by the one module corresponding to the one first parity bit. Parity bit for information,
The optical cord according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Each of the plurality of layers contains a plurality of code words having a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of blocks.
One code word corresponding to one block includes information of M bits corresponding to one-to-one with the M modules constituting the one block.
The plurality of layers include a second parity layer.
The second parity layer includes a plurality of second parity information having a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of blocks.
Each of the plurality of second parity information includes K second parity bits having a one-to-one correspondence with K layers including the K bit information.
One said second parity bit included in one said second parity information corresponding to one said block is one said code word corresponding to said one block, and is included in the said one second parity bit. It is a parity bit for the information of the M bit included in the one code word belonging to the corresponding one layer.
The optical cord according to claim 7. The one second parity information corresponding to the one block is the information of the M bit composed of the M first parity bits included in the one first parity information corresponding to the one block. 3 Parity bits further included,
The optical cord according to claim 8. The one second parity information further includes a fourth parity bit for information of (K + 1) bits including the K second parity bits and the third parity bit included in the one second parity information. Including,
The optical cord according to claim 9. The optical code generation method for generating the optical code according to claim 1.
An information acquisition process for acquiring information to be recorded in each of the N layers, and
It has a module configuration determination step of determining an optical configuration given to each of the plurality of modules based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step.
The information acquisition process is
A step of generating one or more decryption information having a one-to-one correspondence with the one or more encryption layers,
The process of acquiring information to be recorded in one or more user groups, and
Including the step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the one or more encryption layers.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one user layer is
At least one layer information corresponding to at least one encryption layer, at least one layer ID for identifying the at least one encryption layer, and at least one corresponding to the at least one encryption layer. A process of generating based on the above-mentioned decryption information and
A step of encrypting the generated at least one hierarchical information with the encryption key associated with the user ID, and
The process includes a step of acquiring the encrypted at least one hierarchical information and the one user ID as information to be recorded in the one user layer.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one of the encryption layers is
As information to be recorded in one of the encryption layers, a process of acquiring the confidential information and
A step of encrypting the acquired confidential information so that it can be decrypted by the decryption information corresponding to the one encryption layer.
Optical code generation method. The optical code generation method for generating the optical code according to claim 2.
An information acquisition process for acquiring information to be recorded in each of the N layers, and
It has a module configuration determination step of determining an optical configuration given to each of the plurality of modules based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step.
The information acquisition process is
A step of generating one or more decryption information having a one-to-one correspondence with the one or more encryption layers,
The process of acquiring the information to be recorded in the common layer and
The process of acquiring information to be recorded in one or more user groups, and
Including the step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the one or more encryption layers.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the common layer is
A step of generating the one or more user information corresponding to the one or more users, and
Including a step of acquiring the generated one or more user information as information to be recorded in the common layer.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one user layer is
A step of identifying the one user layer based on the layer ID included in the one user information, and
At least one layer information corresponding to at least one encryption layer, at least one layer ID for identifying the at least one encryption layer, and at least one corresponding to the at least one encryption layer. A process of generating based on the above-mentioned decryption information and
A step of acquiring at least one of the generated hierarchical information as information to be recorded in the specified one user layer, and
The step of encrypting the acquired at least one of the hierarchical information with the encryption key associated with the user ID included in the user information of 1 is included.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one of the encryption layers is
As information to be recorded in one of the encryption layers, a process of acquiring the confidential information and
A step of encrypting the acquired confidential information so that it can be decrypted by the decryption information corresponding to the one encryption layer.
Optical code generation method. The optical code generation method for generating the optical code according to claim 5.
An information acquisition process for acquiring information to be recorded in each of the N layers, and
It has a module configuration determination step of determining an optical configuration given to each of the plurality of modules based on the information acquired in the information acquisition step.
The information acquisition process is
The process of acquiring the information to be recorded in the common layer and
Including the step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the one or more encryption layers.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in the common layer is
A step of generating the one or more user information corresponding to the one or more users, and
Including a step of acquiring the generated one or more user information as information to be recorded in the common layer.
The step of acquiring the information to be recorded in one of the encryption layers is
As the information to be recorded in the one encryption layer, the process of acquiring the confidential information and
A step of acquiring the encryption key associated with one user ID based on the user information including the layer ID for identifying the one encryption layer.
Including a step of encrypting the acquired confidential information with the acquired encryption key.
Optical code generation method. The optical configuration is a configuration relating to a color given to the entire module, or a configuration relating to a color given to each of a plurality of regions for dividing the module.
The optical code generation method according to any one of claims 11 to 13. A program for causing a computer to execute the optical code generation method according to any one of claims 11 to 14. An optical code reading method for reading the information represented by the optical code according to claim 1.
A step of reading the N-bit information represented by each of the plurality of modules from the image including the plurality of modules, and
A process of acquiring information contained in each of the N layers based on the information of the N bits represented by each of the plurality of modules, and a step of acquiring the information contained in each of the N layers.
A step of identifying one user layer including one user ID from the one or more user layers, and
A step of decrypting at least one encrypted layer information included in the specified one user layer based on the encryption key associated with the one user ID.
It has a step of decrypting the confidential information included in at least one encryption layer based on the decrypted at least one layer information.
The step of decrypting the confidential information included in one of the encryption layers is
A step of identifying one encryption layer based on the layer ID included in the decrypted layer information, and
A step of decrypting the secret information included in the specified one encryption layer based on the decryption information included in the decrypted one layer information is included.
Optical code reading method. An optical code reading method for reading the information represented by the optical code according to claim 2.
A step of reading the N-bit information represented by each of the plurality of modules from the image including the plurality of modules, and
A process of acquiring information contained in each of the N layers based on the information of the N bits represented by each of the plurality of modules, and a step of acquiring the information contained in each of the N layers.
A step of identifying one user information including one user ID from the one or more user information included in the common layer, and
A step of specifying one user layer from the layer ID included in the specified one user information, and
A step of decrypting at least one encrypted layer information included in the specified one user layer based on the encryption key associated with the one user ID.
It has a step of decrypting the confidential information included in at least one encryption layer based on the decrypted at least one layer information.
The step of decrypting the confidential information included in one of the encryption layers is
A step of identifying one encryption layer based on the layer ID included in the decrypted layer information, and
A step of decrypting the secret information included in the specified one encryption layer based on the decryption information included in the decrypted one layer information is included.
Optical code reading method. An optical code reading method for reading the information represented by the optical code according to claim 5.
A step of reading the N-bit information represented by each of the plurality of modules from the image including the plurality of modules, and
A process of acquiring information contained in each of the N layers based on the information of the N bits represented by each of the plurality of modules, and a step of acquiring the information contained in each of the N layers.
A step of identifying one user information including one user ID from the one or more user information included in the common layer, and
A step of specifying one encryption layer based on the layer ID included in the identified user information, and
An optical code reading method comprising a step of decrypting the confidential information contained in the specified one encryption layer based on the encryption key associated with the one user ID. A program for causing a computer to execute the optical code reading method according to any one of claims 16 to 18.

Images