JP2002324216A - Electronic seal impression system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic seal impression system to be also used as a conventional seal impression which is equipped with an electronic authenticating function. SOLUTION: This electronic seal impression system is provided with electronic seal impression equipped with a storage means for storing specific ID number information and a short distance radio communicating means for transmitting a radio wave including the stored ID number information (a), information terminal equipment equipped with a means for receiving the radio wave including the ID number information, a means for extracting the ID number information from the received radio wave, and a means for transmitting the extracted ID number information through the communication network (b), and an authentication server for preserving the specific ID number information, and for executing the authentication processing to the ID number information transmitted from the information terminal equipment (c).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic seal stamp system having an electronic authentication function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in Japan, seals ("seal",
"", "", And "") are widely used. There are various types, and a real seal, a bank seal, a seal, and the like, or a company seal, a representative seal, a data seal, and the like are properly used depending on purposes. As a general form, it is a cylinder or a prism, and a surname, a name, a name, and the like are engraved on one end face thereof. This is coated with vermilion or ink and transferred to the paper. On the other hand, with the recent development of computer and communication-related technologies, interest in electronic signatures and authentication has increased, and the importance of authentication of companies or individuals in electronic commerce and the like has increased. For example, when connecting to the Internet, there is a login procedure in which an ID number and a password are first input, and access is permitted when the server is authenticated. In addition, I
An IC card incorporating an IC chip storing a D number and a password is used for a membership card, a medical examination ticket and the like.

[0003]

As described above, the electronic authentication system is also spreading. However, the conventional seal is deeply penetrated as a custom in Japan, and there are many cases where both public and private are used in procedures and the like. It is unlikely that it will be rapidly obsolete. On the other hand, in every field of society I
It is undeniable that the application of the T technology is progressing, and it is certain that the efficiency of the authentication means as well as the securing of the effectiveness as the authentication means are required in the conventional seal use form.
In view of such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic seal stamp system that realizes a combination with a conventional seal and also has an electronic authentication function.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electronic seal stamp system having the following configuration.

(1) The electronic seal stamp system according to the present invention
(a) an electronic seal having storage means for storing unique ID number information, and a short-range wireless communication means for transmitting radio waves including the stored ID number information, and (b) including the ID number information. Means for receiving a radio wave; means for extracting the ID number information from the received radio wave;
(C) storing the unique ID number information and transmitting the I number information transmitted from the information terminal apparatus;
An authentication server that performs an authentication process on the D number information.

(2) In the electronic seal stamp system of the above (1), preferably, the electronic seal stamp is molded in a columnar form, and a stamp is formed on an end face thereof.

(3) In the electronic seal stamp system of (1) or (2), preferably, the short-range wireless communication means is a spread spectrum communication means.

(4) In the electronic seal stamp system according to any one of (1) to (3), preferably, transmission of a radio wave including the ID number information is performed by a side switch provided in the electronic seal stamp. This is executed in response to the ON signal.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the entirety of an electronic seal stamp system according to the present invention. The main components of the electronic seal stamp system according to the present invention are the electronic seal stamp 10, the information terminal device 60, and the authentication server 80.

The electronic seal stamp 10 of the present invention has a unique ID number as an identification mark for authentication, and the ID number is stored in the main body of the electronic seal stamp 10. The ID number is apparently a combination code of alphanumeric characters.
This is data consisting of a predetermined number of bits such as bits. The electronic seal stamp circuit 20 built in the electronic seal stamp 10 is usually an IC.
Although constituted by a chip or the like, it includes a storage element for storing the ID number. The electronic seal stamp 10 has a short-range wireless communication function for wirelessly transmitting ID number information and the like to and from the information terminal device 60.

The original data of the ID number of the electronic seal stamp 10 is
The authentication server 80 stores the information, and the authentication server 80 authenticates the ID number in response to a request. Therefore, the electronic seal stamp 10
When the electronic authentication is performed by using the ID, the ID number stored in the electronic seal stamp 10 is transmitted to the information terminal device 60, and further transmitted from the information terminal device 60 to the authentication server 80 via an appropriate communication network 70. The authentication server 80 checks the validity of the ID number by checking the stored ID number original data, and compares the result with the information terminal device 60.
To answer. The authentication server 80 is an appropriate computer installed in a specific organization such as a certificate authority, and the ID numbers are strictly stored with high security.

The information terminal device 60 is an appropriate computer. In the present invention, the information terminal device 60 includes a built-in or external short-range wireless communication unit 50. The short-range wireless communication unit 50 has a transmission / reception function for performing short-range wireless communication with the electronic seal stamp 10. In the example shown in the figure, an external communication network 70 is directly transmitted from the information terminal device 60.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram. In actuality, the information terminal device 60 is an individual computer connected to a LAN and is connected to a communication network 70 through a communication server. Various system configurations are possible. The communication network 70 is also shown in an integrated manner. Naturally, a predetermined communication function is required to transmit information via the communication network 70.

A further feature of the electronic seal 10 of the present invention is that, as shown in FIG. 1, it is molded in the same form (a cylinder or a prism) as a conventional seal, and the stamp 30 is actually formed on the end face thereof.
Is formed. That is, the electronic seal stamp 10 of the present invention can be used not only for electronic authentication but also for imprinting the document 40 or the like with a vermilion or the like, similarly to a conventional seal. In that case, it is possible to seal simultaneously with the execution of the electronic authentication. Forming the stamp 30 on the end face of the electronic seal stamp has no effect on the electronic authentication operation using short-range wireless communication. As described above, since the electronic seal stamp 10 is cordless, it can be handled with the same feeling as a conventional seal stamp.

2. Configuration of Short-range Wireless Communication Between Electronic Seal Stamp and Information Terminal Device FIG.
2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a circuit of an information terminal device 60 and a short-range wireless communication unit 50 built in or external to the information terminal device 60. FIG. In practice, it is preferable that the IC chip be composed of one or more IC chips. The signal control unit 54 of the information terminal device 60 includes a central processing unit (not shown) of the information terminal device 60.
The signal control unit 54 may perform the role itself, or the signal control unit 54 may be provided as a separate processing device that operates under the control of the central processing unit.

The radio wave transmitting / receiving unit 23 of the electronic seal stamp circuit 20
A radio transmission / reception function using an appropriate short-range wireless transmission system is provided. The radio transmission / reception unit 23 is combined with the radio transmission / reception unit 51 of the short distance wireless communication unit 50 of the information terminal device 60, and performs bidirectional information transmission between the terminals by the short distance wireless transmission method. In recent years, low-cost short-range wireless transmission technology for transmitting information between mobile phones, personal computers, and other portable devices has become widespread.
There is a short-range wireless standard that enables full-duplex communication at a speed of 1 Mbps. The communication distance is about 10 cm to 10 m. This is one of the radio technologies generally called spread spectrum communication. Further, the power consumption is smaller than that of the infrared communication, and the size of the transmission / reception chip is small (0.5 square inches). In addition, HomeRF, which is a standard for interconnecting personal computers, cordless telephones, and the like using a 2.45 GHz band radio wave at home, can also be used for the short-range wireless transmission system of the present invention. Note that an infrared communication system can also be used, but it is necessary to consider the layout design in order to make the transmitting and receiving devices face each other.

The signal control section 24 performs central control of the electronic seal stamp circuit 20, performs processing based on the signals received from the respective sections, sends commands as appropriate, and outputs signals.

The ID number storage unit 25 stores the electronic seal 10
Is stored in advance as a unique ID number. The side switch signal generating section 21 is a part of the electronic seal 1 shown in FIG.
A signal is generated when the side switch 21 provided on the 0 side is turned on. The ON signal of the side switch 21 triggers authentication processing of the ID number of the electronic seal stamp 10. The side switch 21 is, for example, a push type,
The electronic seal stamp 10 is provided in a place where it is easy to press with a finger when holding it. The display unit 22 is a device that performs a specific display when the electronic seal stamp circuit 20 receives the authentication completion information. For example, a light emitting element such as an LED or a liquid crystal display element. Thereby, the user can recognize that the authentication has been successfully completed.

Radio transmission / reception unit 51 of short-range wireless communication unit 50
Receives the radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitting / receiving unit 23 of the electronic seal stamp 10 and passes it to the signal control unit 54 of the information terminal device 60, and transmits the radio wave to the electronic seal stamp 10 based on the command and information from the signal control unit 54. Send.

Network communication unit 5 of information terminal device 60
5 is provided with a network communication function,
The information is transmitted to an external communication network and the information is received from the outside and passed to the signal control unit 54 on the basis of the command and the information from. The display unit 52 may be provided in either the information terminal device 60 or the short-range wireless communication unit 50. However, similar to the display unit 22 of the electronic seal stamp 10, when the authentication completion information is received, a specific display is displayed. It is a device that performs. For example, L
It is a light emitting element such as an ED or a liquid crystal display element.

The signal control unit 54 includes a short-range wireless communication unit 5
0, performs central control of the network communication unit 55 and the display unit 52, performs processing based on signals received from each unit, appropriately sends commands, and outputs signals. For example,
By appropriately sending a command to the radio wave transmitting / receiving unit 51,
The transmission and reception of radio waves to and from the electronic seal stamp 10 are controlled. Also,
The ID number information received from the electronic seal stamp 10 is transmitted to the network communication unit 55.

3. Electronic Authentication Process FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of an electronic authentication process by the electronic seal stamp of the present invention. The left side shows a flow of a processing process in the electronic seal stamp, and the right side shows a process in the information terminal device and the authentication server. 4 shows a process flow. Refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 as necessary.

Step 101: When the user presses the side switch 21 of the electronic seal stamp 10, an ON signal of the side switch 21 is input to the signal control unit 24.

Step 102: In response to the ON signal of the side switch 21, the signal control section 24 requests the ID number storage section 25 to output the stored ID number information.

Step 103: In response to the output request, the ID number storage unit 25 outputs ID number information to the signal control unit 24. Thus, the signal control unit 24 acquires the ID number information. The method of delivering the signal including the ID number information is arbitrary.

Step 104: The signal control section 24 causes the radio wave transmitting / receiving section 21 to transmit a radio wave including the ID number information based on the acquired ID number information.

Step 201: short-range wireless communication unit 50
The radio wave transmission / reception unit 51 receives the radio wave including the ID number information transmitted in step 104.

Step 202: The radio wave transmitting / receiving section 51
The ID number information is extracted from the radio wave including the ID number information, and the ID number information is passed to the signal control unit 54 of the information terminal device 60. Thus, the signal control unit 54 acquires the ID number information.

Step 203: The signal control unit 54 passes the ID number information to the network communication unit 55, and the network communication unit 55 transmits the ID number information together with the authentication request to the authentication server 80 via the communication network as appropriate.

Step 204: If the authentication server 80 receives the authentication request and the ID number information,
The number information is compared with the stored ID number information to confirm its validity, and the authentication result is transmitted to the information terminal device 6.
Answer 0. If the legitimacy is not approved, a response shall also be given.

Step 205: The network communication unit 55 of the information terminal device 60 receives the authentication result. When the validity is approved, the authentication process of the electronic seal stamp 10 is completed. The signal control unit 54 allows the user to recognize the completion of the authentication by turning on the LED of the display unit 52 or the like. When the validity is not approved, for example, if the display unit is an LED, the display unit is turned on or off, or if the display unit is a liquid crystal display, the fact is displayed to prompt the user to try again.

Step 206: Further, a radio wave including the authentication completion information may be transmitted from the radio wave transmitting / receiving unit 51 of the short-range wireless communication unit 50 to the electronic seal stamp 10.

Step 105: The radio wave transmitting / receiving unit 21 of the electronic seal stamp 10 receives a radio wave including the authentication completion information.

Step 106: The signal control unit 24 of the electronic seal stamp 10 makes the user recognize the completion of the authentication by turning on the LED of the display unit 22 or the like. If the validity is not approved, the user is prompted to retry by blinking an LED or the like. In addition, only one of the display unit 52 of the information terminal device 60 and the display unit 22 of the electronic seal stamp 10 may be provided.

[0034]

According to the electronic seal stamp system of the present invention, for an electronic seal stamp storing a unique ID number, the ID number information is transmitted from the electronic seal stamp to the information terminal device by the short-range wireless transmission means. The authentication server performs authentication processing on the authentication request and the ID number information, thereby authenticating the identity of the user. Further, the electronic seal stamp used in the present invention is stamped in the same manner as a conventional seal stamp, and can be used in combination with a conventional seal use mode. Also,
It is also possible to seal a document while performing electronic authentication. The electronic seal stamp according to the present invention is useful as a personal authentication means in a society where information is increasingly digitized in the future.
Also, during the transition period from the conventional seal to the electronic authentication, the electronic seal that can be used for both purposes is excellent in practicality. Furthermore, although the electronic seal is also the same as the conventional seal in that it is a personal authentication means, it is useful in that the recognition of the importance of its handling has already been established in the user and there is no risk of causing new trouble. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the entirety of an electronic seal stamp system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a signal processing circuit related to the present invention in the electronic seal stamp and the information terminal device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of an electronic authentication process by the electronic seal stamp of the present invention, in which a left side shows a flow of a processing process in the electronic seal stamp, and a right side shows a flow of a processing process in the information terminal device and the authentication server. Is shown.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic seal stamp 20 Electronic seal stamp circuit 21 Side switch signal generation part 22 Display part 23 Radio transmission / reception part 24 Signal control part 25 ID number storage part 30 Engraving 40 Sealing document 50 Short-range wireless communication part 51 Radio transmission / reception part 52 Display part 54 Signal control Unit 55 network communication unit 60 information terminal device 70 communication network 80 authentication server

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An electronic seal comprising: (a) storage means for storing unique ID number information; and short-range wireless communication means for transmitting a radio wave including the stored ID number information; An information terminal device comprising: means for receiving a radio wave including ID number information; means for extracting the ID number information from the received radio wave; and means for transmitting the extracted ID number information via a communication network. And (c) an authentication server that stores the unique ID number information and performs an authentication process on the ID number information transmitted from the information terminal device. 2. The electronic seal stamp system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic seal stamp is molded in a columnar shape, and a stamp is formed on an end face thereof. 3. The electronic seal stamp system according to claim 1, wherein the short-range wireless communication unit is a spread spectrum communication unit. 4. The transmission of a radio wave including the ID number information,
The electronic seal stamp system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electronic seal stamp system is executed in response to an ON signal of a side switch provided on the electronic seal stamp. 5. An electronic seal stamp used in the electronic seal stamp system according to claim 1.