JPH0413373A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent leakage of picture information through the use of a function of an opposite party state or the setting of the communication mode by providing a cryptographic communication discrimination means discriminating whether or not an opposite station has a cryptographic communication capability and a line opening means opening a line when the opposite station does not have the cryptographic communication capability. CONSTITUTION:Picture information received via a line from a transmission station in the cryptographic communication at the reception is printed out on a printer 2 via an NCU 15, a MODEM 14, a ciphering and deciphering device 13 and an encoding/deciding device 12. The picture information read by a scanner 1 at the transmission conversely is sent to the line via a path opposite to the path above. When it is discriminated that a reception station does not have a cryptographic reception capability, a cryptographic communication discrimination means 5 activates a line open command means 9 to stop functions of a protocol control means 6, a transmission/reception means 7 and a line control means 8. Thus, the line is opened. Simultaneously, the cryptographic communication discrimination means 5 activates a display means 10 to display a message of the opened line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and in particular,
The present invention relates to a facsimile device having an encrypted communication function.

(Prior Art) Various facsimile machines having encrypted communication functions have been proposed. Such encrypted communication functions are first achieved by using a receiving station that has a decryption device (hereinafter referred to as an encryption/decryption device) similar to the encryption device possessed by the transmitting station.

Facsimile machines having an encryption/decryption device are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-223076 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-12.
It is described in Publication No. 6773.

By the way, in such a facsimile device, for example, if the receiving station does not have an encryption/decryption device, even if the transmitting station desires encrypted communication, the communication cannot be carried out using the normal method without encryption. The communication mode of both sides is automatically switched as shown in FIG.

Even if both the transmitting station and the receiving station have encryption/decryption devices, the same applies if one of them is set to the normal communication mode.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The conventional techniques described above have the following problems.

In other words, encrypted communication is originally performed to prevent eavesdropping, but as mentioned above, even if the transmitting station desires encrypted communication, the receiving station may not have an encryption/decryption device. When the communication mode is not in use, or when the normal transmission mode is set, normal communication is performed, and there is a risk that the image information of the confidential document may be intercepted and its contents may be leaked.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to transmit image information even when encrypted communication cannot be performed due to the functions of the other station or the communication mode settings. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile machine that can prevent leakage as much as possible.

(Means and effects for solving the problem) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized in that the line is automatically opened when encrypted communication cannot be performed. There is.

Another feature is that when encrypted communication cannot be performed, at least a display or warning to that effect is given to the operator of the facsimile machine.

(Example) The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a scanner 1, a printer 2, an encoding/decoding device 12, an encoding/decoding device 13, and a modem 14 are
It is controlled by the system control section 11. Operation panel 16
is equipped with a numeric keypad and function keys for inputting various data, a lamp, an LCD, a buzzer, etc. for displaying various data, and is connected to the system control section 11.

The NCU 15, the modem 14, the encryption/decoding device 13, the encoding/decoding device 12, the printer 2, and the scanner 1 are connected as shown in the figure.

In encrypted communication, at the time of reception, the image information received from the transmitting station via the line is transmitted to the NCU 15 and the modem 14.
, the encrypting/decoding device 13 and the encoding/decoding device 12, and are output to the printer 2. On the other hand, when sending
The image information read by the scanner 1 is sent to an encoder/decoder 12, an encoder/decoder 13, a modem 14, and an NCU.
15 to the line.

If the facsimile device is used as a transmitting station for encrypted communication, and the receiving station is not equipped with an encryption/decryption device, or even if it is equipped with an encryption/decryption device, the encryption When the function is off, the facsimile device does not perform normal communication and the line is opened (disconnected).

FIG. 3 shows the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention (transmission station side operation)
It is a flowchart which shows.

First, in step S1, dialing is performed.

In step S2, it is determined whether there is a response from the partner station.

If there is a response, it is determined in step S3 whether the transmitting station has issued an encrypted communication instruction.

If an encrypted communication instruction has not been given, in step S6, a normal transmission mode is entered in which the image information is transmitted without being encrypted, and after the transmission is completed, the process ends.

If the transmitting station is instructing encrypted communication, in step S4, it is determined whether the receiving station is capable of encrypted communication by analyzing the NSF sent from the receiving station.

If encrypted communication is possible, the image information is encrypted using a predetermined method and transmitted in step S5. After that, the process ends.

If it is determined in step S4 that the receiving station does not have encryption communication capability, the line is released in step S7. Then, in step S8, a message to that effect, that is, for example, that the line has been opened because the receiving station does not have encryption communication capability, is displayed on the display window of the transmitting station. After that, the process ends.

Note that before the line is released, a signal to that effect may be output to the receiving station.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2 refer to the same or equivalent parts. Further, in this FIG. 1, the display of the encoding/decoding means is omitted.

In FIG. 1, a protocol control means 6 sends and receives various protocol control signals to and from a receiving station via a line control means 8 and a transmitting/receiving means 7.

When using the facsimile device as a transmitting station,
When the protocol is exchanged according to a predetermined procedure, the image information read by the scanner 1 is encrypted by the encryption/decryption means 4 and output to the line via the transmission/reception means 7 and the line control means 8. Conversely, when used as a receiving station, image information received via the line is output to the printer 2 via the line control means 8, the transmitting/receiving means 7, and the encryption/decoding means 4.

When using the facsimile device as a transmitting station, when the other station (receiving station) outputs an NSF, this signal is
The data is taken into the encrypted communication determination means 5 via the protocol control means 6. The encrypted communication determining means 5 analyzes the NSF and determines whether or not the receiving station has encrypted communication capability.

If it is determined that the receiving station does not have encryption reception capability, the encryption communication determination means 5 activates the line release instruction means 9, and the protocol control means 6, the transmission/reception means 7, and the line control means 8.
stop the function. As a result, the line is released and communication with the receiving station is terminated. At the same time, the encrypted communication determining means 5 activates the display means 10 to display a line release message.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 4, the same symbols as in Figure 3 are
Since the same or equivalent processing is discussed, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, if it is determined in the process of step S4 that the receiving station does not have encryption communication capability, step S
At step 11, an alarm (warning by a buzzer or the like) is issued to the operator of the transmitting station.

Then, in step 512, normal image information communication is performed. When the communication is completed, the above-described warning is canceled in step S13, and then the process ends.

The hardware configuration of this second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so illustration thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 represent the same or equivalent parts.

In FIG. 5, in the case of encrypted communication, the switching means 22 is opened and the encryption/decryption means 4 is activated. Furthermore, during normal communication without encryption, the switching means 22 is closed and the function of the encryption/decryption means 4 is bypassed.

When the encrypted communication determining means 5 determines that the receiving station does not have encrypted reception capability, the encrypted communication determining means 5 energizes the buzzer 21 . At the same time, the switching means 22 is closed and the image information is sent out without being encrypted.

According to the second embodiment, even if the transmitting station desires encrypted communication, if the receiving station does not have the ability to do so, normal unencrypted image information communication is performed.

However, when image information is transmitted, the buzzer 21 is activated and a warning is given to the operator of the transmitting station, so if there is a risk of eavesdropping, for example, by pressing the reset button on the facsimile machine, The communication can be stopped.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 3 and 4 represent the same or equivalent processing.

As is clear from the comparison with FIG. 4, in this example,
After the alarm is issued in step S11, step S
At step 14, it is determined whether the scheduled time has elapsed. Then, after the elapse of the scheduled time is detected, the process moves to step S12, and image information is communicated in the normal mode.

The hardware configuration of this third embodiment is similar to that of the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the same symbols as in FIGS. 1 and 5 are
The same or equivalent parts are shown.

In FIG. 7, the encrypted communication determining means 5 energizes the buzzer 21 and the timer 23 when it is determined that the receiving station does not have the ability to receive encrypted data.

The timer 23 produces an output after a predetermined time has elapsed from its activation, and de-energizes the buzzer 21.

At the same time, the switching means 22 is closed, and the transmitting/receiving means 7, line control means 8, etc. are energized, and image information is communicated in a normal manner without encryption.

In the second embodiment, the image information is transmitted immediately after the buzzer 21 is energized, so even if communication is subsequently stopped, the image information will not be transmitted until the communication is stopped. There is a risk that image information may be leaked.

On the other hand, in this third embodiment, communication is in a standby state until the scheduled time has elapsed after the buzzer 21 is energized, so after the warning, the communication operation of the transmitting station is stopped. In this case, the possibility that image information will be transmitted becomes lower.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 8, Figures 3, 4 and 6
The same reference numerals as in the figures refer to the same or equivalent parts.

In FIG. 8, if it is determined in step S4 that encrypted communication is not possible with the receiving station, first step
At ll, an alarm is issued.

In step S15, the operator of the transmitting station determines whether normal transmission has been selected. If normal transmission is not selected, it is determined in step S16 whether a scheduled time has elapsed since the output of the alarm. If the scheduled time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S15.

If it is determined in step S15 that the operator has selected normal transmission, step S15 is performed.
At step 12, the image information is transmitted using a normal mote that is not encrypted. Then, after the output of the alarm is canceled in step 513, the process ends. In this case, the processes in steps S12 and 813 may be interchanged.

If it is determined in step S16 that the scheduled time has elapsed, the line is released in step S7,
In step S8, a display to that effect is made. Then, after the alarm is canceled, etc., the process ends.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 refer to the same or equivalent parts.

In FIG. 9, the encrypted communication determining means 5 energizes the buzzer 21 and the timer 23A when it is determined that the receiving station does not have the ability to receive encrypted data.

The timer 23A produces an output after a predetermined time has elapsed since its activation, and de-energizes the buzzer 21. At the same time, this output activates the line release instructing means 9, and the functions of the protocol control means 6, the transmitting/receiving means 7, and the line controlling means 8 are stopped. This releases the line and terminates communication with the receiving station. Furthermore, the display means 10 is energized and a message indicating that the line is open is displayed.

If the operator of the transmitting station selects normal transmission using the normal transmission selection means 25 before the timer 23A detects the elapse of the scheduled time, the normal transmission selection means 2
The timer 23A is reset by the output signal No. 5. Further, the switching means 22 is closed, and further,
The transmitting/receiving means 7, line control means 8, etc. are activated, and image information is communicated in a normal manner without encryption.

Now, as is clear from the above explanation, the function of the switching means 22 is to bypass the function of the encryption/decryption means 4 and perform normal transmission. In other words, this switching means 22 is for selecting/cancelling the function of the encryption/decryption means 4.

Only such a switching means may be provided in a conventional facsimile machine.

In this way, even if the facsimile machine is equipped with an encryption/decryption means, the operator of the transmitting station can manually switch and control the switching means depending on whether or not the receiving station is capable of encrypted communication. By doing so, the function of the encryption/decryption means can be easily selected. As a result, it is possible to prevent delays in transmission speed when encrypted communication is unnecessary.

Now, the encryption/decryption means 4 may actually encrypt the image information according to a predetermined procedure, but for example, the As disclosed in the patent application filed by the applicant (title of invention: eavesdropping prevention method for facsimile communication), at least a receiving station generates random numbers, and the random numbers are used to encode or transmit modem transmission. The present invention may be applied to an encryption method configured to set a speed and add a false encoding method or transmission speed to a protocol control signal.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

(1) According to the facsimile device according to claim 1, if encrypted communication cannot be performed, the mouth line is automatically opened without communication being performed, thereby preventing leakage of confidential image information. can be achieved.

In addition, in the case of a wrong dial, if the other station does not have the same encryption/decryption means as the transmitting station, the image information will not be transmitted to the other station. leakage can be prevented.

(2) In the facsimile machine according to claim 2, at least the operator of the facsimile machine
Since a display or warning is given to the effect that encrypted communication cannot be performed, transmission by the facsimile device can be stopped by the display or warning. This makes it possible to prevent leakage of confidential image information as much as possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a functional diagram of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 4... Encryption/decryption means, 5... Encrypted communication determination means, 6... Protocol control means, 7... Transmission/reception means,
8... Line control means, 9... Line release instruction means, 1
0... Display means, 21... Buzzer, 22... Switching means, 23, 23A... Timer, 25...
Normal transmission selection means Representative patent attorney Michito Hiraki and 1 other person

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a facsimile machine having an encrypted communication function, an encrypted communication determination means for determining whether the other party has encrypted communication capability, and a line release means for opening the line if the other party does not have encrypted communication capability. A facsimile device comprising: (2) In a facsimile machine having an encrypted communication function, an encrypted communication determination means for determining whether or not the other party has encrypted communication capability, and a means for determining whether or not the other party has encrypted communication capability, and a method for the operator of the facsimile machine when the other party does not have encrypted communication capability. 1. A facsimile device comprising means for displaying or warning to that effect.