JP2001251520A - Image transmission device, reverse mapping device, and medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem where the conventional facsimile machine allows anybody to read a received document and has low confidentiality level. SOLUTION: The result of reception of data transmitted from a facsimile machine applying this inversion is shown in Figure 5. When data is transmitted by the facsimile machine, it is outputted in the state of difficult read as shown in Figure 5(b) on the reception side. Consequently, contents of a transmitted document are made secret. Through this transmission data is tapped through a telephone line or the like, only the data such as those shown in Figure 5(b) can be obtained. Consequently, it is robust against tapping. Even if a FAX number is wrong, the contents of the transmitted document are made confidential, because the data shown in Figure 6(b) is outputted at the reception destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image transmitting apparatus typified by a facsimile apparatus, and an image transmitted by the image transmitting apparatus, received by a corresponding receiving apparatus, and output, which is difficult to read by a human. And an inverse mapping device required for restoring the image so that it can be read by a human.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Even today, when a global network using computer systems such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) is becoming widespread, a facsimile apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a facsimile machine) can easily and inexpensively generate images. It is excellent in that it can send and receive. That is, a transmission original created by handwriting or an existing original can be transmitted by simply placing the transmission original near the insertion slot of the FAX machine, inputting the FAX number, and pressing the start button. Reception is
As is well known, this is automatically performed by a fax machine connected to the transmission destination, and the transmission original is printed out on thermal paper or the like. As described above, transmission can be performed only by adding a slight operation to normal telephone operation, reception can be automatically performed, and a printed document can be read at any time. In addition, the transmission cost is economical because only a telephone line fee and a small amount of electricity are required. The same function as this FAX machine,
There is software (hereinafter referred to as FAX software) that can be realized on a personal computer equipped with a FAX modem.
The X machine is simpler than a personal computer that requires a PC start-up operation, a document reading operation, and a FAX software operation.

[0003]

However, the conventional facsimile apparatus has a drawback that confidentiality is low. That is, once received, the transmitted document is printed out, so that anyone can read it. Therefore, the contents that only a specific person wants to read among a plurality of persons on the receiving side cannot be transmitted by the FAX machine. In particular, the contents may be read by an unspecified number of people until the original is handed over to the recipient.
For this reason, it may not be possible to transmit to the destination of the recipient.

There is also a facsimile machine capable of performing alternate reception using a so-called memory. That is, the received image data is stored in the RAM and printed out when a predetermined operation is received. However, even in this model,
The confidentiality is lost by performing the above operation to print out. Further, such a fax machine cannot receive a large amount of documents. That is, since the capacity of the RAM is limited, it is often the case that only a few or at most about 30 can be received.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and the present invention described in claim 1 is a facsimile machine or an FAX machine.
It is intended to make an image transmitted by an image transmission device represented by an AX machine highly confidential. An image transmitting apparatus according to a second aspect is intended to further enhance the confidentiality of the first aspect of the present invention.

Still another object of the present invention is to make it possible to compensate for a positional deviation of received data expected on the receiving side. A fourth object of the present invention is to realize the image transmitting apparatus according to the first to third aspects by a computer system having a FAX modem.

[0007] The inverse mapping device according to the fifth aspect is the first aspect of the invention.
An object of the present invention is to make a highly confidential image output by a receiving device that has received data transmitted by the image transmitting device described in (1) legible. The reverse mapping device described in claim 6 aims to make it possible to read a highly confidential image output by a receiving device that has received data transmitted by the image transmitting device described in claim 8.

Further, the reverse mapping device according to claim 7 can read a highly confidential image output on a printing sheet by a receiving device that has received data transmitted by the image transmitting device according to claim 7. It is intended to be. The medium described in claim 8 is intended to realize the inverse mapping device described in claims 5 to 7 by a computer system.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image transmitting apparatus, comprising: an image input unit for inputting an image; Image into multiple pixels,
In an image transmitting apparatus, comprising: a decomposing unit that generates image data; and a transmission control unit that transmits image data generated by the decomposing unit in accordance with a predetermined procedure, an inverse mapping is performed on at least a part of the image data. Mapping means for performing a possible mapping and generating mapping data for output to a receiving device that is a transmission destination of the image transmitting device;
Wherein the transmission control means compresses, modulates, and transmits the mapping data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, the image transmitting apparatus further includes a password input unit for inputting a password implying the mapping method. It is characterized in that mapping data is generated in accordance with a mapping method implied by a password input through the password input means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a positioning mark serving as a reference when reversely mapping the mapping data received on the receiving side. And a mark providing means for providing the mark data to the mapping data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a machine readable program storing a program for realizing the image transmitting apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects in a computer system having a FAX modem. The medium is the gist.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mapping input means for inputting mapping data demodulated, decompressed, and output by a receiving apparatus which is a transmission destination of the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, and the mapping input means. The image processing apparatus further includes a restoration unit that restores the image data by inversely mapping the mapping data input through the unit, and an output unit that outputs the image data restored by the restoration unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the inverse mapping apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the mapping input means outputs the mapping output by the receiving apparatus which is the transmission destination of the image transmitting apparatus according to the second aspect. For inputting data, wherein the restoring means applies a reverse mapping of the mapping implied by the password to the mapping data input through the mapping inputting means. A password input means for receiving input of the password to be used is further provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the inverse mapping device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the mapping input means is a destination receiving device of the image transmitting device according to the third aspect. Receiving device that outputs the received data to printing paper, and reads the printing paper output by the receiving device;
The restoration means performs the reverse mapping by compensating for a positional shift between the mapping data and the printing paper based on the positioning mark given by the mark giving means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a machine readable medium storing a program for realizing the inverse mapping device according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects by a computer system. Things.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image transmitting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image input unit, a decomposing unit, a transmission control unit, and a mapping unit. The image input means is for receiving an image input. In a FAX machine, an optical sensor (for example, a CCD) for detecting an image on a transmission original and a mechanism for feeding the transmission original to the optical sensor portion include: This corresponds to this.

The decomposing means decomposes an image input through the image input means into a plurality of pixels to generate image data. In a facsimile machine, the optical sensors arranged in the main scanning direction; A portion that photoelectrically converts the detection result of the optical sensor, an image RAM that stores the converted electric signal, and the like correspond to the portion.

The transmission control means compresses, modulates and transmits the image data generated by the decomposing means. In a facsimile machine, the transmission control means is an MH (Modified Huffman).
After being compressed by a method or the like and subjected to modulation processing, the receiving side F
While exchanging a request signal, a confirmation signal, and the like with the AX machine, it transmits the signal to the telephone line.

The mapping means maps at least a part of the image data generated by the decomposing means to generate mapping data. Here, the term "mapping" refers to an operation of converting image data into image data different from the image data, and can be inversely mapped. In addition, for the reason described later, it is desirable to use a mapping that converts image data from a mapping result to a level that cannot be estimated by a human. As a more specific method of mapping, for example,
A method of dividing the image data stored in the image RAM into blocks each having a fixed number of pixels, treating each block as a numerical value, substituting it into a variable of a prepared function, and mapping the obtained function value to a mapping Is mentioned. This function needs to have an inverse function according to the above-mentioned conditions, and is preferably not a simple function such as a linear function.

As another method of mapping, encryption may be performed by regarding the block as a block in a so-called block cipher. According to this method, a decoding method always exists, and it is expected that mapping data that is extremely difficult to estimate is generated. Further, if the image input means can input an image as gradation information for each pixel, the gradation information may be regarded as a numerical value, and the function may be input as a variable or the encryption may be performed. good.

The term "mapping data" does not indicate only a mapped portion, but refers to the entirety of image data at least partially mapped by the mapping means. Then, the transmission control means transmits the mapping data instead of the image data. When the image transmitting apparatus transmits the mapping data to the conventional receiving apparatus, the document output by the receiving apparatus becomes the mapped data. Therefore, even if this manuscript is seen by human eyes, the written contents cannot be estimated. If the image transmitting apparatus is configured as a FAX machine and transmits mapping data to a conventional FAX machine,
The machine X prints out (or performs substitute reception) an image that cannot be estimated.

Therefore, according to the image transmitting apparatus of the first aspect, the confidentiality of the transmitted document can be maintained. Further, transmission can be performed to any receiving apparatus corresponding to the conventional image transmitting apparatus while maintaining confidentiality. Note that the mapped image is not legible to the original recipient, but only the recipient can read the contents of the transmitted document by providing the recipient with an inverse mapping device described later. . Also,
If the transmission destination is a receiving device of a type that prints received data on thermal paper or the like, even if a large number of original documents to be concealed are transmitted, they can be received as long as the thermal paper is present.
For example, if there is a 30-meter-long thermal paper on the receiving side and an A4-size original is to be sent, a total of about 100 pages can be received.

Further, even if an attempt is made to intercept data transmitted using this image transmitting apparatus from a telephone line, the obtained image is mapping data, so that the obtained image is difficult to read. Therefore, interception can be prevented. Further, even if the FAX number is incorrectly transmitted, it is difficult to read the contents, so that the security of the transmitted information is maintained.

However, if all the transmission originals are mapped, there is a possibility that the recipient cannot be identified. For example, normal FA
If the sender's name (or sending location) is automatically added to the upper part of the original and mapping is not performed as in the case of X machine, the receiver can be estimated from the sender's name. However, if there are multiple recipients, confusion is caused. Therefore, it is preferable to transmit a part of the transmission original without performing the mapping, and write the name of the recipient in a portion corresponding to the part. For example, the mapping is not performed on the first page, the recipient name is written on the first page, and the requirements are written on the second and subsequent pages. By doing so, the recipient can be specified and the confidentiality of the requirement can be maintained (hereinafter, simply the recipient is assumed to be the person who sends a transmission document that needs to maintain confidentiality).

It is needless to say that data transmitted by the transmission control means by external operation can be switched between mapping data and image data. By switching to transmitting the image data with such a configuration, the conventional transmission becomes possible.

Further, in the image transmitting apparatus according to the second aspect,
A password input means for inputting a password implying a mapping method is provided. Then, the mapping means generates mapping data according to the mapping method implied by the password. Here, if the password is formed by arranging numbers from 0 to 9 (or a number obtained by adding * and # to the password), when the image transmitting apparatus is realized as a FAX machine, a password for inputting a FAX number is used. It is very convenient because you can enter the password with the button. In order to make this password imply a mapping method, the following method may be used. If the method using the above functions as the mapping is adopted, for example, 30 types of functions are prepared in advance, and numbers 0 to 29 are assigned to each of them.
Then, divide the number entered as the password by 30,
The mapping is performed using a bib number function equal to the remainder. If a block cipher of a block of a fixed length (for example, 8 bits) is used as the mapping, the password is 1
It is preferable that mapping data obtained by multiplying a value obtained by raising the password to a value indicated by the block by 256 and dividing the result by 256 is used as mapping data. Of course, other methods may be used as the mapping.

According to the image transmitting apparatus of the second aspect, if the sender and the receiver exchange passwords in advance, only the receiver uses the password and an inverse mapping device described later. You can read the contents of the transmitted manuscript. The receiver can set the number of passwords (128 when the block cipher is used). If the password is appropriately updated (for example, every month), the confidentiality is further enhanced.

Therefore, according to the image transmitting apparatus of the present invention, the number of recipients can be set by the number of settable passwords, and the confidentiality can be improved. Note that the image transmitting apparatus of the present invention is implemented as a fax machine,
There is a problem when a conventional FAX machine is used as a receiving device. That is, in a normal FAX machine, the received mapping data is printed out on thermal paper or the like. To reverse-map this output result, the data is converted into a data form that can be processed by a later-described mapping device. There is a need. For this purpose, the above-described image input means and decomposition means can be used. However, when the printout is performed, the mapping data is printed at a position different from the original position, or when the thermal paper on which the mapping data is printed out is read by the reverse mapping device, the thermal paper may be shifted in the left-right direction or the like. Then, the mapping data may not be read correctly. In other words, the inverse mapping device
The so-called origin of the mapping data cannot be specified. To cope with this, the image transmission device may be configured as described in claim 3.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention,
The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a mark providing means for providing a positioning mark, which is a reference when the mapping data is inversely mapped on the receiving side, to the mapping data. In this way, the inverse mapping apparatus can search for the position of the positioning mark from the received mapping data and know the origin of the read mapping data based on the position.

Therefore, according to the image transmitting apparatus of the present invention, even if the mapping data is displaced, it is possible to cause the reverse mapping apparatus described later to appropriately restore the image data. Can be created. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a machine readable medium that realizes the image transmitting apparatus according to the first to third aspects by a computer system having a FAX modem. In this case, examples of the medium include a CD-ROM and a floppy (registered trademark) disk, and examples of the image input unit include a scanner, a digital camera, and CAD software. Further, once the image data thus created is recorded on a magnetic disk or the like, the magnetic disk reader can be regarded as an image input means. Note that a scanner or a digital camera usually has a function of disassembling read pixels and storing it in a memory, and thus can be regarded as a disassembling means. Further, in the case of the image transmitting apparatus according to the second aspect, a password input unit can be realized by a keyboard.
The transmission control means can be exemplified by a FAX modem, and the mapping means can be exemplified by a CPU provided in a computer main body.

Therefore, according to the medium described in claim 4,
The image transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 can be realized by an existing computer system. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for performing inverse mapping of the mapping data transmitted from the image transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, that is, an apparatus for restoring image data into readable data. For this purpose, a receiving device that has received the mapping data of the image transmitting device demodulates, decompresses and expands the image data by receiving the input of the output mapping data. The image processing apparatus includes a restoration unit for restoring, and an output unit for outputting the image data restored in this manner.

Here, it is needless to say that the inverse mapping is an inverse transformation of the mapping applied to the image data by the mapping means in the image transmitting apparatus as the transmission source. When the image transmitting apparatus is realized as a FAX machine, that is, when the receiving apparatus is also a FAX machine, the mapping data is printed out. In this case, like the image input means, the mapping input means can be realized by an optical sensor for detecting an image on the received document and a mechanism for feeding the received document to the optical sensor portion. However, in this case, the mapping data is transferred to thermal paper or the like by the fax machine used for reception.
A structure for converting the result detected by the optical sensor into mapping data again is required. As this configuration, the same configuration as the disassembling means described in claim 1 can be used. Also F
In the case where the AX machine performs the alternate reception using the memory, the mapping data stored in the memory may be directly received and processed by the restoration unit.

It is desirable that the inversely mapped portion coincides with the portion on which the image has been mapped by the image transmitting device according to the first aspect of the present invention. good. If it matches the mapped part,
The whole of the image output by the output means becomes legible, while if the whole is inversely mapped, only the mapped portion becomes legible. In the latter case, the entire meaning can be understood by reading it together with the mapping data.

The output means may be a means for printing and outputting the restored image data or a means for displaying it on an image output device such as a cathode ray tube. Therefore, according to the inverse mapping device of the fifth aspect, only a person who uses the inverse mapping device can read the received mapping data.

The reverse mapping device according to claim 6 is the second mapping device.
The device performs inverse mapping of the mapping data transmitted from the image transmitting device described in (1). For this purpose, the mapping input means is for inputting the mapping data output by the receiving apparatus as the transmission destination of the image transmitting apparatus according to claim 2, and the restoring means is the inverse mapping of the mapping implied by the password. Is applied to the mapping data (this inverse mapping can be said to be performed according to the password). As a configuration for receiving the input of the password, a password input unit is provided.

The inverse mapping performed in accordance with the password in the inverse mapping device is an inverse transformation of the mapping applied to the image data by the mapping means in the image transmitting device as the transmission source. That is, only when the password corresponding to the password input in the image transmitting apparatus according to claim 2 as the transmission source is input to the inverse mapping apparatus, the restoration unit correctly performs the inverse mapping and appropriately converts the image data. Restore.

Therefore, according to the reverse mapping device of the present invention, image data mapped by different methods can be restored by one reverse mapping device. The inverse mapping may be performed as follows, corresponding to the mapping performed by the image transmission device. For example, the mapping means of the image transmission device of the transmission source,
If the image data is to be converted by any of the 30 functions described above, each inverse function of the function is prepared in advance, and the same number as the number assigned to the original function is assigned. Keep it. When a password is input, the value is divided by 30, and the inverse mapping is performed using an inverse function with a number equal to the remainder. in this case,
As the password for inverse mapping, a value that is the same as the password used at the time of mapping or a value that makes the remainder the same is required. If the correct password is input, the inverse mapping is performed with the correct inverse function, and the image data is restored.

On the other hand, when the mapping means of the transmission source image transmitting apparatus uses the above-described block cipher, the following method is preferable. In general, the numerical value indicated by the password at the time of mapping is raised to the numerical value indicated by the block to obtain 256
The inverse conversion of the conversion of finding the remainder divided by is performed by a similar operation. That is, the remainder is obtained by multiplying the received mapping data by the number q and dividing by 256. Generally, q does not match the value of the password used for mapping. For example, when “75” is used as the password at the time of mapping, q becomes 99. This is obtained by solving the equation p × q = 1 (mod 256) (1) (however, in equation (1), “=” means the number having both sides: 256: And p is 75). Therefore,
The password input means uses the password p used during mapping as the password.
(Here, 75), the restoration means solves equation (1) from p to obtain q, and performs inverse mapping using this. In this case, if the value of p is determined in advance by the sender and the receiver, communication with confidentiality can be performed using the p.

Further, the password input means may accept q instead of p as the password for the mapping data generated using the same mapping. In this case,
It is necessary for the recipient to calculate q, or to separately provide a configuration for calculating q by solving equation (1) from p. However, the side provided with the inverse mapping device requires a conventional image transmission device. By further providing, it is possible to perform transmission with confidentiality maintained. This is because when q is input to the password input unit, the restoration unit performs the same processing as that performed by the mapping unit of the image transmitting apparatus. That is, the inverse mapping device functions as a so-called mapping device. Therefore, when a readable image is read by the mapping input means, q is input through the password input means, and inversely mapped by the restoration means, image data which is difficult to read is generated and output from the output means. If the output image data is read by a conventional image transmission device and transmitted, the confidentiality of the image data can be maintained. In order to make the received image data readable, a similar inverse mapping device is prepared on the receiving side, and if a password is input to the password input means as a password, the readable original can be read. Can be restored.

The inverse mapping device according to the seventh aspect is the third aspect.
The device performs inverse mapping of the mapping data transmitted from the image transmitting device described in (1). For this purpose, the mapping input means is for inputting the mapping data output to the printing paper by the receiving device which is the transmission destination of the image transmitting device according to claim 3, and the restoring means is provided by the marking means. On the basis of the determined positioning mark, reverse mapping is performed by compensating for the displacement of the mapping data.

Since the positioning mark is added to the mapping data before transmission, if the marking means assigns the positioning mark at a fixed relative position to the mapping data,
The relative position between the mapping data printed out on the receiving side and the positioning mark is also constant. Therefore, even if the thermal paper read by the mapping input means is displaced, or if the receiving device prints the mapping data at a position different from the original printing position on the thermal paper, the reading is performed. The position of the origin of the mapping data can be specified by searching for the positioning mark from the thermal paper.

Therefore, according to the reverse mapping device of the present invention, it is possible to compensate for the displacement of the mapping data read by the mapping input means and to appropriately restore the image data. An eighth aspect of the present invention is a machine readable medium that realizes the inverse mapping device according to the fifth to seventh aspects by a computer system. In this case, examples of the medium include a CD-ROM and a floppy disk, and examples of the mapping input unit include a scanner and a FAX modem. In the case of the inverse mapping device according to the sixth aspect, a password input unit can be realized by a keyboard. The restoring means can be exemplified by a CPU included in a computer, and the output means can be exemplified by a printer, a CRT display, or the like.

Therefore, according to the medium described in claim 8,
The reverse mapping device according to any one of claims 5 to 7 can be realized by an existing computer system.

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is an external view of a facsimile machine 1 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus 1 has a numeric key 3 for inputting a telephone number or a facsimile number, an insertion slot 5 for inserting a transmission document, etc., and a read transmission document and received data are printed. A discharge port 9 for discharging the thermal paper, a start button 7 for starting a document transmission process, a mapping button 11 operated when transmitting a document in a confidential state, and the like are provided. Here, the thermal paper is stored in the facsimile apparatus 1 in the form of a roll, and when the received data is printed, the thermal paper is cut for each page and discharged from the discharge port 9. The insertion port 5 can insert heat-sensitive paper discharged from the discharge port 9 in addition to sheets of A4 and B4 sizes.

Then, the facsimile machine 1 operates in a normal F
Like the AX machine, the facsimile machine 1 also has a reception function, and further receives a confidential received original (an image pattern corresponding to the mapping data of the present invention is received from any facsimile machine having the same configuration as the facsimile machine 1 Also, it has a function of making the thermal paper that has been read legible. In addition, a reverse mapping button 13 operated when operating this function is provided. Note that the fax input using the numeric keys 3
There is also provided a liquid crystal display 15 for confirming a number and a password to be described later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the facsimile machine 1. However, FIG. 2 shows only a particularly important configuration. For example, an interface circuit for generating an electric signal for causing the CPU 17 to detect that the numeric key 3 has been pressed, a liquid crystal display 15 having a low importance, and the like are omitted. ing.

As shown in the figure, the facsimile machine 1
CPU 17, ROM 19, RAM 21, scan unit 23, print unit 25, image RAM 27, network control unit (described as NCU in this figure) 29, modem 31, buffer 33, and their configurations And a bus 35 that connects them to each other.

The CPU 17 exchanges data with the configuration via the bus 35, and performs various calculations and processes described later, and is a central part of the facsimile machine 1. The ROM 19 is a memory in which programs executed by the CPU 17 are stored in advance.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a memory for temporarily storing various data generated in the processing performed by the CPU 17. The scanning unit 23 is a part that also serves as an image input unit and a mapping input unit according to the present invention, and is mainly configured by an optical sensor disposed behind the insertion port 5 and a supply mechanism that sends a document to the optical sensor. I have. The optical sensors are arranged along the main scanning direction, and can read the document taken in from the insertion port 5 by binarizing the brightness of a portion obtained by decomposing the document into 8 dots per 1 mm. On the other hand, in the sub-scanning direction, in cooperation with the supply mechanism, the image data can be read after being decomposed into 3.85 dots per 1 mm. The printing unit 25 mainly includes a thermal head having heating elements arranged in parallel in the main scanning direction, and a feeding mechanism for feeding the thermal paper to the thermal head. The image RAM 27 stores original data (image data) captured by the scanning unit 23.
Is stored in the memory.

The NCU 29 is a part for controlling the line with the telephone line. The modem 31 modulates / demodulates and transmits the data signal, and transmits / receives various procedure signals for transmission control. The buffer 33 transmits / receives to / from a fax machine connected to the end of the telephone line. It temporarily stores data.

Next, transmission processing performed by the facsimile machine 1 at the time of transmission will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this process, the numeric key 3 is pressed, and the mapping button 1
It is activated by pressing 1 or the start button 7, but for convenience of explanation, this figure shows the part where the numeric key 3 is pressed. Also, it is assumed that the original to be transmitted has been inserted in the slot 5 in advance. First, in step (hereinafter, referred to as S) 100, an input of a FAX number of a transmission destination is received. This is performed with the numeric keys 3 as in the conventional FAX machine. The key pressed here is the RAM 21
And is displayed on the liquid crystal display 15. Then, when the mapping button 11 is pressed in S110, the input of the password is accepted in S120. The password is a four-digit number and corresponds to the password of the present invention. The input is made with the numeric keys 3 and, like the FAX number, is stored in the RAM 21 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 15. That is, in S120, the numeric key 3 corresponds to the password input unit of the present invention.

When the start button is pressed in S130, the flow advances to S140 to operate the supply mechanism and read the original. Then, the original read in S150 is converted to image RA.
The processing as the decomposing means of the present invention, which is developed in M27, is performed. FIG. 4A shows an example of the contents of the image RAM 27 at this time. FIG. 4A shows a state in which a document marked “AB...” Is read by the optical sensor and stored in the image RAM 27. That is, FIG. 4A corresponds to the image data of the present invention. Actually, as described above, the pixels are captured at a fine resolution, and each pixel is rectangular. However, in this figure, the resolution is made extremely coarse, and the pixels are made square for convenience of the later description. Is shown. FIG. 4 (b)
Is the result of the mapping, which will be described later. Further, actually, instead of being stored two-dimensionally as shown in this figure, it is stored one-dimensionally along the address number. Therefore, the main scanning direction is set to the left and right direction and the sub scanning direction is set to the up and down direction in accordance with the direction of the read original. Hereinafter, one line in the main scanning direction shown in this drawing is called a row, and one line perpendicular to this is called a column.

The images stored in the image RAM 27 are mapped and transmitted one by one in the order in which they are stored. This is the processing after S160. Here, the mapping is based on the password input in S120.
This is to convert the image in the image RAM 27. Hereinafter, the mapping performed by the facsimile machine 1 will be described. The outline of the method is performed by inverting the pixels stored in the image RAM 27 according to the position. The position is specified by a password.

More specifically, the personal identification number is handled by dividing it into the uppermost one digit and the remaining three digits. For example, "1"
When "234" is input, the last three digits "234"
Is "11101010", which is repeated in the row direction, and is applied to one line developed in the image RAM 27. 4A and 4B, 111101010111010 described above row C.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a state in which “234” is repeated twice. Either “1” or “0” is inverted and mapped. Which one is to be inverted is indicated by the most significant digit (here, “1”). If this number is 0, 3, 6, 9, “0” inverts the corresponding pixel, and if 1, 4, 7, “1” inverts the corresponding pixel, and if 2, 5, 8, In the first row, pixels corresponding to “0” are inverted in the first row, and thereafter, the pixels to be inverted are changed to “1”, “0”, and “1” every row.

FIG. 4B shows "1234" as the password.
4A shows the result of mapping the image data of FIG. That is, FIG. 4B corresponds to the mapping data of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4B, row C and row D
In FIG. 4 (a), all the columns marked with 1 on the row C are inverted, and the columns marked with 0 are left as they are.

The reason why the rows C and D are not inverted is that these two rows are inappropriate rows. An improper row is a row that is not suitable for mapping, and specifically, a row that has very few black pixels (for example, 10 or less). Such lines frequently appear in figures and documents to be transmitted originals, and frequently appear continuously. When the above-described mapping is performed on such rows, the positions to be inverted appear as stripes parallel to the column direction. These stripes provide a clue for the person other than the sender and the receiver to know the password. Therefore, these rows are not mapped. The improper line is provided with a prohibition mark 37 (see FIG. 4B) at the left end.

Also, even with the simple mapping method described above, mapping data that is difficult to read is generated as shown in FIG. If the last three digits of the personal identification number are simple numbers, it may be easier to read. For example, if you enter "1000" or "0255" as a password,
In any case, no mapping is performed. Therefore, as the last three digits, it is desirable to avoid these numbers and to make "1" and "0" appear sparsely when converted to binary numbers as in "234" described above.

Returning now to FIG. First, in S160, it is determined whether or not the page having a line to be mapped is the first page. In the case of the first page, the process proceeds to S170, and the prohibition mark 37 is added to the line. If it is determined that the current page is not the first page, the process advances to step S180 to determine whether the line is an inappropriate line. If not an inappropriate line, S1
The process proceeds to 80, where the above-mentioned mapping is performed, and processing as a mapping means of the present invention is performed. On the other hand, if the line is inappropriate, S1
Proceeding to 70, the prohibition mark 37 is attached to the line.

According to the processing of S160 to S190,
The prohibition mark 37 is added to all the rows on the first page. This is because the name of the recipient is often described on the first page, and if the first page is mapped, it is extremely likely that the destination is unknown. This suggests the following usage of the facsimile machine 1.
That is, a person who transmits a document using the facsimile apparatus 1 writes only the contents that can be touched by anyone on the first page, and writes the contents to be concealed on the second and subsequent pages.

Next, the process proceeds to S200, and S160 to S190
It is determined whether or not the line to be processed is the last line of the page. If it is not the last line, the process proceeds to S210, changes the processing target to the next line, and returns to S160. If it is the last line, the process proceeds to S220, and processing as a mark providing unit of the present invention for providing a positioning mark is performed. Here, the positioning marks will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state in which an original transmitted from the facsimile machine 1 is received and printed on thermal paper by a conventional facsimile. FIG. 5A shows the first page (hereinafter referred to as a cover 41). FIG. 5B shows the second page (hereinafter, referred to as a content document 43). These covers 41
The + mark at the upper left of the contents document 43 is the positioning mark 45. As shown in the figure, the positioning mark 45 is located above the prohibition mark 37. Since the facsimile apparatus 1 gives the facsimile, the relative position with respect to the prohibition mark 37 (and, consequently, with respect to the transmitted data) is shifted right and left with respect to the thermal head of the FAX machine. Does not change.
The positioning mark 45 is used in a reverse mapping process described later. The top of the cover 41 and the contents document 43 are a transmission date, a time, and a time stamp indicating a page, which are also given in S220. The shaded portion 51 in FIG. 5B is the result of the mapping in S190. In general, the mapped row becomes a more irregular figure, but is shaded in this figure.

When the processing for one page is completed,
Proceeding to S230, it is determined whether or not the page is the last page, that is, whether or not all the images read into the image RAM 27 in S150 have been processed. If the page continues, the process proceeds to S160, and if it is the last, the process proceeds to S240,
The mapping result, that is, the mapping pattern illustrated in FIG. 4B is compressed and modulated. Then, the process proceeds to S250 and transmits the modulation result. Actually, the process of S250 is performed in S100
A signal is sent to the telephone line indicating that the line is connected to the FAX number input by the user, and a request signal, a confirmation signal, and the like are exchanged with the connected FAX machine. When the transmission is completed in this way, the present process ends.

In other words, the present process is a process of receiving an original to be transmitted from the outside, applying a mapping to the image pattern in accordance with the password, and transmitting the image to the telephone line. Although not shown in the figure, if the start button 7 is pressed instead of the mapping button 11 after the FAX number is input in S100, the process goes directly to S140 and further to S16.
This processing is executed without performing the processing of 0 to S190 and S220. In this case, transmission without concealing the transmission content is performed, as in the conventional FAX machine.

Next, a receiving process performed by the facsimile apparatus 1 when receiving image data from another arbitrary facsimile machine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is activated when an incoming call is received and a line is connected. That is, when the line is connected, first, in S300, data is received. Actually, as in S250 of the transmission process, the transmission-side FAX machine and the NCU 29 exchange the request signal, the confirmation signal, and the like, but the processing is omitted in the figure. Next, the process proceeds to S310, where the received data is transmitted to the modem 3
Demodulate by 1. Since the demodulation result is compressed by the MH method or the like, it is decompressed / decompressed by a corresponding method, temporarily stored in the buffer 33, and then stored in the image RAM 27 in S320.
Expand on top. In step S330, the development result is printed out to the print unit 25. Specifically, by driving the feeding mechanism to feed the thermal paper to the thermal head, the image RA
Based on the data developed in M27, the heating element in the portion corresponding to the black pixel is caused to generate heat. By linking the feeding mechanism with the heat generation operation, an image corresponding to the data in the image RAM 27 is transferred to the thermal paper, cut into pages, and discharged from the discharge port 9.

Thus, the present process is completed. This process is the same as the process at the time of reception performed by the conventional FAX machine. Therefore, if the transmission source is a facsimile machine having the same function as the facsimile machine 1 and a document whose contents are concealed is sent, the printout in S330 is, for example, as shown in FIG. The image pattern becomes difficult to read as shown.

The facsimile apparatus 1 has a function of making such an image pattern (specifically, a document whose contents are concealed in the same manner as the facsimile apparatus 1) legible. The inverse mapping process for performing this will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is started when a password is input and the reverse mapping button 13 is pressed, and the processing is shown from the part where the password is input. Also, it is assumed that the original to be made readable has been inserted in the insertion slot 5 in advance.

First, in S400, input of a password is accepted. This is performed with the numeric key 3 in the same manner as the input of the personal identification number performed in S120 of the transmission process.
And is displayed on the liquid crystal display 15. That is, the numeric key 3 in S400 corresponds to a password input unit. Then, when the reverse mapping button is pressed in S410, the CPU 17 recognizes that the start of the reverse mapping process has been requested, and the present process is started. Then, the original is read in S420, and developed in S430. The processing of S420 and S430 is performed in exactly the same way as the processing of S140 and S150 of the transmission processing. That is, the original is read by operating the supply mechanism (S420), and is developed in the image RAM 27 (S43).
0). Thus, the mapping data is reproduced in the image RAM 27.

By the way, as described above, the mapping data generated at the time of transmission repeats “11101010” with the left end of the readable range of the original as a reference. It was created by inversion. When this is printed on the thermal paper in the receiving process, there is a possibility that the position may shift when read in S420. Also, when printing on thermal paper, it is not always recorded at the same position in the row direction of thermal paper. That is, ideally, if the mapping data is the same, the thermal head always prints out the same position on the thermal paper and reads this thermal paper (S in this process).
420), it is desirable that the optical sensor always reads the same position on the thermal paper. However, in practice, misalignment often occurs. For example, when the thermal paper is shifted to the left by only one pixel during reading, reverse mapping cannot be performed properly. That is, if the password is input in S400, the inverse mapping should be performed based on "11101010", but the lower 8 bits in binary form are "01110".
In this case, a reverse mapping is performed as if the personal identification number “101” was input.

Therefore, this positional deviation is compensated for by using the positioning mark 45 provided at the time of transmission. First, S44
At 0, the positioning mark 45 is searched from the first page. The positioning mark 45 is, as shown in FIG.
Since it is attached to the upper left of the page, a + sign is searched from a position corresponding to the upper left. Proceeding to S450, S
At 420, the positional deviation of the read original is compensated. As described above, since the positioning mark 45 is provided on the transmitting side, the relative position with respect to the mapping data on the thermal paper is constant. Therefore, the positioning mark 45
, The position of the left end of the mapping data can be specified. Since the amount of the positional deviation is expected to be different for each page, S440 and S450 are performed for each page. If the search of the positioning mark 45 has failed in S440, the process of S450 is omitted.

When the compensation for the displacement has been completed, S
Proceeding to 460, it is determined whether the line has the prohibition mark 37. If not, the process proceeds to S470 to perform reverse mapping. That is, the processing of S440 to S470 corresponds to the processing as the restoration unit of the present invention. This inverse mapping is the same as that performed at the time of transmission in the facsimile machine 1. That is, the pixel inverted at the time of transmission is inverted again. Therefore, the handling of the password is exactly the same. In the facsimile apparatus 1, when the same password as that input on the transmitting side is input in S400, the reverse mapping is performed correctly, and the image data is restored line by line. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S460 that the prohibition mark 37 is present, the process proceeds directly to step S48.
Go to 0.

In S480, it is determined whether or not the line is the last line of the page. If NO, the target line is set to the next line (S490), and the process returns to S460. If YES, S5 is performed.
Move to 10. In step S510, it is determined whether the page is the last page of the document. If NO, S440
If YES, the process proceeds to S520, where the image RAM 27
Then, a process as an output unit of the present invention for printing and outputting the restored image data is performed, and this process ends. The processing in S520 is performed in exactly the same manner as in S330 in the reception processing.

That is, the reverse mapping process is a process for making the mapping data transmitted from another facsimile machine 1 and printed out in the receiving process of the facsimile machine 1 readable. Only the person who knows the password used by the sender can read the document printed out in the receiving process.

In this processing, the original to be read in S420 is arbitrary. That is, if the transmission source is another facsimile machine 1, as shown in FIG. 5, it is not necessary to insert the first page since the contents are not known from the second page onward. Also, on the first page of the mapping data, the prohibition marks 37 are added to all the lines by the transmission processing, so that even if the first page is read, the reverse mapping is not performed and an appropriate output is performed.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus 1 having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and performing the processing shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 outputs a document to be transmitted in a state where it is difficult to read on the receiving side. And a device that can transmit the original after being mapped so that it can be read by a specific reverse mapping, and when the same original is transmitted, becomes a device that can be read by the specific reverse mapping. ing. When a document is transmitted by such a facsimile machine 1, a document that is difficult to read is output from a FAX machine that has received the document.
The confidentiality of the transmission contents can be maintained. Further, even if the mapping data is printed in a state shifted left and right with respect to the thermal paper at the transmission destination, the position of the left end of the mapping data can be specified because the positioning mark 45 is added to the mapping data.

In order to compensate for the displacement using this positioning mark 45 and perform the reverse mapping properly, the facsimile machine of the transmission destination is desirably the facsimile machine 1, but only the transmission contents are concealed. If it's okay, the traditional FA
X machine is fine. Also, even if the recipient is away from the fax machine, the first page is transmitted without being mapped, so if the destination is written on the first page, the original can be delivered to the recipient. it can.

When the inverse mapping process is used, a password test can be performed. That is, the last three digits of the password are 2
Although it is described that it is desirable that "1" and "0" appear sparsely in the base number, it is difficult to know whether the password satisfies this condition. Therefore, before determining a password to be used by the sender and the receiver, a test document is inserted into the insertion slot 5, a temporary password is input, and the reverse mapping process is started. Then, the thermal paper discharged at the end of this process is almost the same as that output at the receiving destination. The difference is that all the rows are mapped and that they are shifted in the horizontal direction. Although there is such a difference, it is sufficient to determine whether the last three digits of the password are appropriate or not.

If there is a device having the same function as the reverse mapping process (referred to as a reverse mapping device), even if it is transmitted to a conventional FAX machine, only the person who knows the personal identification number knows the content. Can be read using For example, if an original is mapped to an arbitrary FAX machine and transmitted, the original printed out from the FAX machine is inserted into a reverse mapping device, and a password is input, whereby a readable original is output.

As a secondary effect of the facsimile machine 1, it is possible to prevent transmission contents from leaking due to an incorrect fax number. In other words, even if the FAX number is incorrect, a transmission destination FAX machine outputs a document that is difficult to read, so that the transmission content is not read. Even if the facsimile machine 1 accidentally receives the original on the receiving side, the reverse mapping cannot be properly performed unless the personal identification number is known, so that the transmission contents can be prevented from leaking.

Further, even if an attempt is made to intercept the data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 1 from the telephone line, the obtained image is difficult to read because the data is mapped. Therefore, interception can be prevented. that's all,
Although the facsimile apparatus 1 has been described as an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be implemented in various modes.

For example, the present invention may be embodied as another image transmitting apparatus in place of the facsimile apparatus 1. Regardless of the configuration, if an image is mapped at the receiving end so that an image that is difficult to read is output, highly confidential image transmission can be performed similarly to the facsimile apparatus 1.

Although the facsimile apparatus 1 prints on thermal paper with a thermal head, other methods (for example, a method of printing on plain paper using an ink jet method) may be used. The password is number key 3.
The input may be performed in a configuration other than the above. For example, a magnetic card read / write device is provided (separate body is also possible), and a password is recorded on the corresponding magnetic card. This way,
There is no need to remember the password, and complicated encryption keys and long numerical values can be used as passwords.

In the facsimile machine 1, one positioning mark 45 is provided at the upper left of each page, but it may be provided at another position or two. The latter example is shown in FIG.
(A). FIG. 8 (a) shows a cover 41 shown in FIG. 5 (a) with a positioning mark 45 'at the upper right. In practice, the positioning mark 45 'is provided almost simultaneously with the provision of the positioning mark 45 on the transmitting side. In this case, not only the lateral displacement from the position of the positioning mark 45 and the positioning mark 45 ', but also
The inclination of the thermal paper and the error of the print output size can be compensated. That is, FIG.
The cover 41 of (b) is read, and the positioning mark 45,
By searching the position of 45 'and calculating the inclination of the line connecting both points, the inclination of the mapping data can be estimated, and by calculating the distance between both points, the size error can be estimated.

The facsimile machine 1 may be realized by a personal computer. For example, a scanner as a scanning unit,
Printer as printer, modem, and F as NCU
CPU using an AX modem and performing the above processing in a personal computer
To run. The software to be executed by this CPU is CD
-Recorded in ROM, installed on hard disk, and executed by CPU as appropriate. In this case, the image transmitting device and the inverse mapping device of the present invention can be realized in the existing personal computer system.

In the facsimile apparatus 1, only the second and subsequent pages are mapped, but another portion may be mapped. For example, 1 /
3 may not be mapped, and the rest may be mapped except for inappropriate rows. When the present invention is realized by a personal computer as described above, an arbitrary portion may be mapped. For example, an original scanned by a scanner is converted to a CRT (Ca
If the area 55a and the area 55b shown in FIG. 8B are designated by a mouse or a keyboard, only the area 55a and the area 55b may be mapped and transmitted. In this way, it is possible to minimize difficult-to-read portions as much as possible.

Finally, an example of confidential transmission using the facsimile machine 1 is shown in FIG. First, FIG. 9A is a diagram in which a document received from the facsimile machine 1 is inversely mapped by different devices. This is an example of confidential transmission from the facsimile machine 1 above the dashed line to three people below the dashed line. It is assumed that these three persons have been notified of the passwords by the sender. First, a predetermined password is input to the facsimile machine 1 and a document is transmitted.
It was easy to specify a facsimile machine 1 'of the same model as the facsimile machine 1 as the transmission destination. However, since the facsimile machine 1' was in use, the fax was sent to the normal FAX machine 61. The FAX machine 61 prints the received mapping data, but this is as illustrated in FIG. 5, so that no one can read the second and subsequent pages. An arbitrary person looks at the addresses of the three persons written on the first page, copies two sheets with the copier 63, and hands over three sheets including the base paper to the three persons one by one.

One of the three persons who have received the original waits for the facsimile machine 1 'to become free, activates the reverse mapping process, inputs the personal identification number, performs the reverse mapping, and reads the contents. The other one of the three does not wait for the facsimile machine 1 'to be vacant, but performs reverse mapping using the reverse mapping machine 65 and reads the contents. Here, the reverse mapper 65 means the facsimile machine 1, the mapping button 11, the NCU 29, and the modem 3.
1 except for the configuration related to transmission and reception,
Only the inverse mapping process is enabled. The personal identification number is entered with the numeric key 3 which is provided, reverse mapping is performed, and the contents are read.

The remaining one scans the handed-over document with a scanner 6
7 to a personal computer (described as PC in this figure) 69. In the personal computer 69, a program for performing the inverse mapping process is installed on a hard disk.
Start this program, enter your password,
1 to display the inverse mapping result.

In this way, the three persons can read the contents transmitted at each convenient time. If there is no restriction on the time, copying of the original by the copying machine 63 may be stopped, and only the original on which the mapping data is printed may be circulated among the three persons. That is,
When manuscripts are circulated, each person performs a reverse mapping by a suitable method, saves the result (or disposes after understanding the contents), and circulates in a difficult to read manuscript, The contents of the manuscript will not be read by unintended persons.

When the reverse mapping device 65 is improved, a mapping device can be constructed. For example, a mapping button 11 is newly provided, and when this button is pressed, a positioning mark 45 is inserted at a predetermined position on each page, and a prohibition mark 37 is inserted at an inappropriate line. In this case, the transmission / reception with the confidentiality maintained can be performed by the existing FAX machine without requiring any configuration for transmission / reception. Also, the manuscript created by this mapping machine may be mailed or directly delivered to the recipient. The recipient who received this manuscript is shown in FIG.
The facsimile apparatus 1 'shown in FIG.
Alternatively, reverse mapping is performed using a personal computer system or the like.
In this way, it is possible to communicate more confidentially than when mailing or handing over without using a mapping machine.

Next, FIG. 9B shows how the facsimile apparatus 1 (transmitting side) is constituted by a personal computer system.
Unlike the one shown in FIG. 9A, this personal computer system can also transmit and receive. To this end, a facsimile machine 1 is further provided with a facsimile modem 73.
Can be transmitted and received. The document to be transmitted is not limited to a document read by the scanner 67, but may be document data created by a word processor installed in the personal computer 69 or drawing data created by CAD software. These data may be imaged on the image RAM, mapped, and transmitted from the FAX modem 73.

When an original is transmitted from the facsimile machine 1 shown below the dashed line to the personal computer system in FIG. 9B, the mapping data and the result of reverse mapping of the mapping data are displayed on the CRT 71. Is done. In addition to (or instead of) this display, the personal computer 6
Of course, it is also possible to record on a magnetic recording medium provided in the printer 9 or to connect a printer to this system and make it perform a printing process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a facsimile apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the facsimile machine 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission process performed by the facsimile machine 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a mapping performed on image data stored in an image RAM 27 of the facsimile apparatus 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a document received from the facsimile machine 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a receiving process executed by the facsimile machine 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a reverse mapping process executed by the facsimile machine 1;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a reception result and a mapping position designation mode according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication example using the facsimile machine 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus 3 ... Numerical key 7 ... Start button 11 ... Mapping button 13 ... Reverse mapping button 17 ... CPU 19 ... ROM 21 ... RAM 23 ... Scanning unit 25 ... Printing unit 27 ... Image RAM 29 ... NCU 31 ... Modem 33 ... Buffer 35 bus 37 prohibition mark 45 positioning mark

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image input means for inputting an image,
A decomposing unit that decomposes the image input through the image input unit into a plurality of pixels to generate image data, and a transmission control unit that transmits the image data generated by the decomposing unit according to a predetermined procedure. An image transmitting device comprising: a mapping unit configured to generate a mapping data for applying a reverse mapping to at least a part of the image data and outputting the mapping data to a receiving device that is a transmission destination of the image transmitting device. An image transmitting apparatus, wherein the transmission control means compresses, modulates, and transmits the mapping data. 2. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a password input unit for inputting a password implying the mapping method, wherein the mapping unit inputs the password via the password input unit. An image transmitting apparatus for generating mapping data in accordance with a mapping method implied by a given password. 3. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mark for adding a positioning mark, which is used as a reference when reversely mapping the mapping data received on the receiving side, to the mapping data. An image transmitting device, further comprising: an application unit. 4. A machine-readable medium in which a program for implementing the image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1 in a computer system having a FAX modem is recorded. 5. A mapping input means for inputting mapping data demodulated, decompressed and output by a receiving apparatus which is a transmission destination of the image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, and input via the mapping input means. An inverse mapping device, comprising: restoring means for restoring the image data by inversely mapping the mapping data; and output means for outputting the image data restored by the restoring means. 6. The reverse mapping device according to claim 5, wherein the mapping input means is for inputting mapping data output by a receiving device that is a transmission destination of the image transmitting device according to claim 2. The restoring means applies a reverse mapping of the mapping implied by the password to the mapping data input through the mapping inputting means, and receives the password used for the reverse mapping by the restoring means. A reverse mapping device further comprising a password input means. 7. The reverse mapping device according to claim 5, wherein the mapping input unit is a receiving device at a transmission destination of the image transmitting device according to claim 3, and prints received data. Reading the printing paper output by the receiving device that outputs to the paper, wherein the restoring means compensates for a positional deviation between the mapping data and the printing paper based on the positioning mark provided by the mark providing means. And performing the inverse mapping. 8. A machine-readable medium in which a program for realizing the inverse mapping device according to claim 5 in a computer system is recorded.