JP2001188469A - Ciphered information storing method and information processor using two-dimensional codes - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize ciphering and decoding having two dimensional codes in which it is not needed to provide a specified device, in which an operating place is not limited, which requires only an inexpensive device and which is safe in security. SOLUTION: When data are ciphered for security, two-dimensionally coded pictures of data A and data B which are made to be two-dimensional codes (S1) in an encipherment processing part 11 are composited to generate (S2) ciphered data C and decoding key data D, and the data C and D are printed (S3) with the output device of a printer or the like. When the data are decoded, the two-dimensional code picture of the data A is generated (S5) based on pictures (S4) of the data C and D read out with a CCD and the data A are restored by performing the inverse transformation of the two-dimensional codes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an encryption operation method, and more particularly to an encryption / decryption method of image information of a data code such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code, and an information processing apparatus using the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, two-dimensional codes have been widely used in place of conventionally used bar codes. This two-dimensional code can store tens to hundreds of times more data in the same area as a conventional barcode. The two-dimensional code can be used not only as a label for code recognition but also as a portable recording medium. However, the printed two-dimensional code is easy to copy, and security in data protection is still insufficient. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an encryption / decryption method by processing a data code image such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code, there is an information recording apparatus described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-87562. According to this method, a recorded image such as a barcode is subjected to confidential processing or format conversion according to various conversion formats, and an image that is meaningless to a third party can be recorded.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-87 has been disclosed.
According to the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 562, it is necessary to restore a normal format according to the conversion format when reading a barcode image that has been format-converted. At this time, the information reading device having no such format conversion function cannot read the recorded information from the barcode image. Further, a device having an algorithm for identifying and selecting a format such as a format conversion and a confidential process is required. As described above, it is possible to operate only with a specific device having the function of identifying and determining the conversion format information and the function of converting the recorded image according to the conversion format information,
The operation place and the like are likely to be limited, and the device itself tends to be expensive.

[0004] The conversion format information serves as both an encryption key and a decryption key. However, when the conversion format information is recorded on a recording sheet, the conversion format information itself is not encrypted. And so on. In this case, it is easy to know the contents of the encryption key and the decryption key, and it can be said that the security regarding confidentiality is insufficient. Also, if the conversion format information leaks to the outside, it is necessary to change, abolish, or add the conversion format information.However, a special device such as an information reading device equipped with a conversion function corresponding to the conversion format information is required. Required
Changes and additions are not easy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an encryption information storage method and an information processing apparatus using a two-dimensional code effective for simplifying the operation of encryption and maintaining confidentiality in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art. Is to do.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the method for storing encrypted information using a two-dimensional code according to the present invention comprises the following steps: (1) data A When encryption is performed to maintain the confidentiality of the data, the encryption processing unit 11 combines the two-dimensional code images of the two-dimensionally coded (S1) data A and data B (arbitrary password), and forms ) And data D (decryption key) are generated (S2) and printed (S3). At this time, data C and data D
Can be read as a normal two-dimensional code, but if read alone, the information is meaningless to a third party. (2) At the time of decoding, based on the image (S4) of the data C and the data D read by an input device such as a CCD camera capable of reading a normal two-dimensional code, the decoding processing unit 12 converts the data A into two. A dimension code image is generated (S5),
Data A can be read (S6).

As shown in FIG. 2, an information processing apparatus for realizing the functions (1) and (2) includes a two-dimensional code image input unit 2 such as a CCD camera and a two-dimensional code image output unit 3 such as a printer. And an information processing unit 1. The information processing unit 1 includes a two-dimensional code image storage unit 151 for storing a data code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code as an image.
And a bit / image conversion processing unit 16 for dividing an image into constituent units of the data code, determining black and white, and converting the data into bit data, an encryption processing unit 11 for performing bit data operation, and a decryption unit. A processing unit 12, a two-dimensional code conversion unit 13, a processing result storage unit 152 for storing the calculation result, and a two-dimensional code inverse conversion unit 14 for converting the calculation result into image data. .

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, first, data A to be encrypted, such as a document or voice, and data B such as a password to be authenticated with the data A are converted into a two-dimensional code conversion function (S1).
Then, the data is converted into two-dimensional codes of data A and data B, and the data is encrypted by the encryption processing unit 11 to create encrypted data and a decryption key (S2). Next, these encrypted data and the decryption key are printed by a printer (S
3) Output two-dimensional code data C as encryption data and two-dimensional code data D as a decryption key on paper. Next, in order to decode the two-dimensional code data C, the two-dimensional code data C and D on the printed sheet are respectively input to the input device 2 such as a CCD camera, and are read (S4) to be decoded. Input to the conversion processing unit 12. The decoding processing unit 12 performs decoding processing (S5) to restore the original two-dimensional code (for example, barcode data A), and then performs inverse conversion of the two-dimensional code (S6) to obtain the original data A. Get.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes data to be encrypted such as a document or a voice, which is converted into a two-dimensional code, two-dimensional code data is inversely converted into data such as a document or a voice, or a two-dimensional code image is converted into a two-dimensional code. An information processing unit that divides the data into constituent units (cells, etc.) and replaces the data with bit data, performs processing such as encryption and decryption, and 2 inputs a two-dimensional code image that reads a two-dimensional code image, such as a CCD camera. Reference numeral 3 denotes a two-dimensional code image output unit for printing or displaying a two-dimensional code stored in the two-dimensional code image storage unit 151, such as a printer or a video monitor.

The information processing section 1 includes an encryption processing section 11 for performing arithmetic processing relating to creation of encrypted data and a decryption key, a decryption processing section 12 for performing arithmetic processing relating to decryption, and encryption of documents and voices. A two-dimensional code conversion unit 13 for converting target data into a two-dimensional code; a two-dimensional code reverse conversion unit 14 for reverse-converting the decoded two-dimensional code into original document or voice data; a two-dimensional code image A two-dimensional code image storage unit 151 for storing data, and a processing result storage unit 152 for storing bit data conversion and operation processing results
A storage unit 15 comprising a two-dimensional code image, dividing the two-dimensional code image into constituent units (cells or the like) of the two-dimensional code and replacing them with bit data (black → 1, white → 0 for each cell), or Bit for generating a dimensional code image (constructed by replacing cells with 1 → black, 0 → white) ← → image conversion processing unit 16
Consists of

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an encryption process according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a decryption process according to one embodiment of the present invention. Data A, data B, data C, and data D in FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively record the following contents. Data A: Information such as a document and voice (data to be encrypted), which is image data composed of monochrome cells and the like. Below, the data area when the data is enlarged is shown. When the cell is enlarged, such a black-and-white lattice matrix is obtained. Data B: Information such as a document (data serving as a password) that masks data A to have a meaning for authentication or the like. Data C: Encrypted data (can be read as data, but since original data A is combined with masking data B by OR, even if read by a normal two-dimensional code reader, the read contents Is unknown.
That is, even if the reading is performed as it is, the data is unknown to a third party). Data D: decryption key data (can be read as data, but since encrypted data C and original data A are combined by exclusive OR, even if read with a two-dimensional code reader, the meaning is unknown to a third party Data).

In FIG. 3, data A such as a document or voice to be encrypted is converted into a two-dimensional code image by a two-dimensional code conversion unit 13 or data already converted into a two-dimensional code is converted into a two-dimensional code. By being input from the image input unit 2, it is stored in the two-dimensional code image storage unit 151. Further, data B, which is an arbitrary password, is also stored in the two-dimensional code image storage unit 151 in the same manner as data A. The two image data are converted into a bit ← → image conversion processing unit 16.
Is converted to bit data (S21), and data C which is a logical sum of two bit data is derived by calculation (S22). Further, data D, which is an exclusive OR of bit data related to data C and data A, is derived by calculation (S23).

The data C and data D derived by the operation are converted into a two-dimensional code image by the bit-to-image conversion processing unit 16 (S21), and the two-dimensional code image storage unit 1
51 is stored. The two-dimensional code images of the data C and the data D are printed on a recording sheet or the like by the two-dimensional code image output unit 3. At this time, the output destination may be a portable recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a floppy disk. still,
The two-dimensional code of the output data C and data D is
Since the data A and the data B have been modified, when read alone, the two-dimensional code has no meaning to a third party.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the detailed encryption processing in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, after converting the two-dimensional code image into bit data (S21), the data A
Is ORed with data B and data C is output (S2
2). Next, when it is determined that the contents of the data A and the data C are the same (S221), or after performing an exclusive OR operation of the data A and the data C and outputting the data D (S2).
3) If it is determined that the contents of data B and data D are the same (S231), the contents of data B are changed and
Is converted into a two-dimensional code (S1), the two-dimensional code image is converted into bit data (S21), and data C and data D are newly derived (S21 to S23). At this time, the data A to D, which are the processing results of the conversion and the operation, are performed.
Is stored in the processing result storage unit 152. Here, if A and C are the same, nothing will be changed even if encryption is performed, and the meaning of encryption is lost. Also, if B and D are the same, the decryption key will be the same as the password data, and the security will not be meaningful.

Next, a description will be given of an embodiment in which the decryption processing unit 12 is not required. That is, as one method, when outputting data D as a decryption key, a method of printing a portion that is originally printed black on a transparent sheet (for example, OHP paper) in white (a portion that is originally printed white) By using a device that can output in a method that perforates a part that is originally printed on white on a white sheet (a part that is originally printed in black remains white), or as another method, It is not necessary to provide the decryption processing unit 12 in FIG. That is,
By overlaying the data D (a transparent sheet or a perforated sheet) on the sheet on which the data C is printed, the same effect as the decoding process can be obtained. With the device, it is possible to read the data A without performing a decoding process requiring an operation as shown in FIG.

In the following, a description will be given of a normal case, that is, a case where the decoding processing unit 12 is required. At the time of decoding, as shown in FIG. 4, a decoding process can be performed by inputting the two-dimensional code images of the data C and data D printed on the recording paper or the like from the two-dimensional code image input unit 2. The data C and data D input from the two-dimensional image input unit 2 are stored in the two-dimensional code image storage unit 151. That is, the two image data are converted into bit data by the bit ← → image conversion processing unit 16 (S5).
1) Data A, which is an exclusive OR of two bit data, is derived by operation (S52). The data A derived by the operation is represented by a bit ← → image conversion processing unit 16
Is converted into a two-dimensional code image (S51), and stored in the two-dimensional code image storage unit 151. The data A is inversely converted from the two-dimensional code image into original data such as a document or voice by the two-dimensional code inverse conversion unit 14.

The encrypted data C and the decryption key data D are
Each can be placed in a separate location and can be freely carried and carried. For example, data C generated from data A recording a user ID and data B recording a password are arranged on a storage device of an information processing device such as a personal computer having a reading device such as a CCD camera, and the information processing is performed. Only a person who is permitted to operate the apparatus carries the recording paper on which the data D is printed, so that access control such as login authentication to the information processing apparatus and a network related thereto can be managed. User ID
In addition to being able to be used as an alternative to the conventional method of performing login authentication by typing in a password from a keyboard, and combining with a conventional authentication method by typing in from a keyboard, a decryption key, etc. Can be easily copied, and security related to access control can be enhanced.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Regarding the encryption / decryption of the two-dimensional code, there is little restriction on the use environment of the device or the like, no special reading device is required, and a flexible and simple operation method can be realized. Also,
It is effective for security protection regarding confidentiality of information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of an encrypted information storage method using a two-dimensional code according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an encryption process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a decoding process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of the encryption processing in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 11 ... Encryption processing part, 12 ... Decryption processing part, 13 ... Two-dimensional code conversion part, 14 ... Two-dimensional code reverse conversion part, 15 ... Storage part, 151 ... Two-dimensional code image storage part , 152: processing result storage unit, 16: bit ← → image conversion processing unit, 2: two-dimensional code image input unit, 3: two-dimensional code image output unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 19/06 G06K 19/00 X 5J104 G09C 1/00 610 E H04L 9/32 H04L 9/00 675A H04N 7 / 167 H04N 7/167 Z F term (reference) 5B017 AA01 AA08 BA05 BA07 BB02 BB03 CA07 CA08 CA14 CA16 5B035 AA13 BB00 BC05 5B058 CA40 YA18 5B072 CC21 DD02 FF00 5C064 CC01 CC04 5J104 AA01 AA07 AA04 JA05

Claims (3)

[Claims] An encrypted information storage method using a two-dimensional code for encrypting data relating to a document, a voice, etc., for converting data of the document, voice, etc. into a two-dimensional code image. At the same time, additional data such as a password is similarly converted into a two-dimensional code image, the two two-dimensional code images are converted into bit data by a bit / image conversion process, and the logical sum of the converted two bit data is converted. Data is derived by calculation, and exclusive OR data of the logical OR data and the bit data relating to the data of the document or the voice is derived by calculation.
An encrypted information storage method using a two-dimensional code, wherein an encrypted data code image and a decryption data code image are respectively generated by image conversion processing and stored in storage means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the encrypted data code image and the decryption data code image are converted into bit data by bit / image conversion processing at the time of decryption, and exclusive conversion is performed on the converted two bit data. Logical OR data is derived by an operation, and further, the exclusive OR data is converted into a two-dimensional code image by the bit / image conversion processing, and the two-dimensional code image is stored in a storage means. A method for storing encrypted information using a two-dimensional code. 3. A two-dimensional code image storage means for storing a data code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code as an image, and dividing the image into constituent units of the data code, determining black and white, and converting the image into bit data. Bit / image conversion means for conversion, calculation processing means for calculating bit data, processing result storage means for storing calculation results, and two-dimensional code for converting calculation results into image data Has an inverse conversion means, synthesizes an arbitrary data code image with a data code image related to a document, a voice, or the like, and generates an encrypted data code and a decryption data code,
Alternatively, an information processing apparatus that generates a data code image related to a document, a voice, and the like from the encrypted data code and the decryption data code.