JP2005159749A - Image communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image communication apparatus that has reliable security and can transmit an image even to one's party with which cipher is not arranged. <P>SOLUTION: After a transmission destination is selected, an original is read by a scanner 3 for setting image data to be a cipher file based on an encipherment key by an encipher 6, and the cipher file is attached to an electronic mail by an electronic mail server 8 for converting into an electronic mail for transmitting to a network 11. Image data for facsimile transmission that includes a created decoding key and can be visible as characters are created by a facsimile image generation section 7, the image data are outputted to a public network 12 in a route differing from the network 11 by a facsimile modem 10, the decoding key based on the transmitted image data is used at a reception side, and a program for decoding is read for decoding the cipher file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus, and more particularly to an image communication apparatus that encrypts image data and transmits a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted image data.

  With recent rapid progress of the Internet, network scanners having an e-mail transmission function are attracting attention. For example, an Internet facsimile machine has an e-mail transmission / reception function capable of transmitting / receiving an image file attached to an e-mail.

  Also, in a conventional facsimile apparatus that transmits and receives image data using a facsimile protocol, a password called a confidential ID is assigned to the image data in advance on the transmission side, and the ID and the reception-side user prepare the image data on the reception side. There is an example provided with confidential transmission / reception technology that performs collation with IDs and performs printing only when these IDs match.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-134296 (Patent Document 1), a confidential ID is input from an operation unit when an image is read, and the binarized image data is encrypted using the confidential ID as a release key. An image communication apparatus that transmits a release key separately by e-mail while transmitting the attached image to the e-mail is described.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-342061 (Patent Document 2), if the print data is encrypted, the printer transmits a job ID to the host side, searches the decryption key on the host side, and obtains the decryption key. An image forming system is described in which print data is decrypted and printed using a decryption key transmitted to the printer side and received on the printer side.
JP 2003-134296 A (paragraph number 0008, FIG. 11) JP 2002-342061 A (paragraph numbers 0008, 0009, FIG. 2)

  In Patent Document 1, since the image data and the release key are transmitted by the same e-mail, when the e-mail is heard, the encrypted image and the release key are simultaneously eavesdropped. There is a problem that it is not strong. In addition, since an e-mail can send information to a specific partner with the operation of a single button, it has poor confidentiality. If the e-mail address is wrong, the e-mail is erroneously transmitted, and the image is opened by the destination. These problems can also occur in the image forming system disclosed in Patent Document 2.

  In addition, there is a system in which an encryption key is agreed with each other and an e-mail is encrypted and transmitted, but the encryption key must be determined in advance between the sender and receiver, and the encryption key is not negotiated There is a problem that image communication cannot be performed.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an image communication apparatus that is more secure and can transmit an image to a partner who does not make an encryption agreement.

  The present invention is an image communication apparatus that encrypts image data and transmits / receives the data, a data transmission unit that encrypts the image data with an encryption key and transmits the encrypted image data to a transmission destination, and a decryption unit And a decryption key transmission means for transmitting the decryption key by a communication means different from the transmission means.

  Preferably, the different communication means is a different route from the data transmission means.

  Preferably, the different communication means is a different protocol from the data transmission means.

  Preferably, the data transmission unit includes an e-mail transmission unit that transmits the image data encrypted with the encryption key attached to the e-mail, and the decryption key transmission unit transmits the decryption key as visible data. Visible data transmission means.

  Preferably, after the visible data transmitting means transmits the visible data of the decryption key, the e-mail transmitting means transmits the image data attached to the e-mail.

  Preferably, it further includes command means for instructing transmission of image data, and key generation means for generating an encryption key and a decryption key in response to a command from the command means.

  Preferably, it further comprises an e-mail receiving means for receiving the transmitted e-mail and a visible data receiving means for receiving the transmitted visible data, and a decryption key for the visible data received by the visible data receiving means is provided. Use it to decrypt the image data attached to the email.

  In the present invention, a decryption key for decrypting encrypted image data is transmitted by a communication means different from the image data communication means. Since it is transmitted separately, the possibility of image data being decrypted by a third party can be reduced, and security can be improved.

  Further, by transmitting the decryption key separately from the encrypted image data, it is possible to transmit the image data to any other party without making an agreement on the encryption key between the sender and receiver.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a transmission device 15 in an image communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a transmission device 15 includes an operation unit 1, a CPU 2, a scanner 3, an image processing unit 4, a random encryption key creation unit 5, an encryption unit 6, a facsimile image creation unit 7, an electronic device. A mailing unit 8, a network interface 9, and a facsimile modem 10 are included.

  Although not shown, the operation unit 1 has a display unit for displaying various information, a numeric keypad for an operator to input a destination facsimile number, a key for instructing transmission of a personal identification number, a start key, and a key for selecting an e-mail. Etc. A key input signal from the operation unit 1 is given to the CPU 2. Further, data for displaying various information on the display unit from the CPU 2 is given to the operation unit 1. The CPU 2 gives a reading start command to the scanner 3 and the image processing unit 4 in response to input of a start key (not shown). The scanner 3 reads image data in response to a read command, and the image processing unit 4 performs image processing on the read image data.

  The random encryption key creation unit 5 creates an encryption key for encrypting image data and a decryption key for specifying a program for decrypting the image data in response to a command from the CPU 2. The encryption key is given to the encryption unit 6, and the encryption unit 6 encrypts the image data according to the encryption key to create an encrypted file. This encrypted file is given to the e-mail converting unit 8 and attached to the e-mail. Then, the electronic mail is output to the network 11 such as the Internet via the network interface 9. The decryption key created by the random encryption key creation unit 5 is given to the facsimile image creation unit 7 to create image data including numbers and symbols indicating the decryption key for transmission by facsimile. The image data is output to the public line 12 via the facsimile modem 10.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a receiving apparatus in the image communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, the receiving device 20 includes a network interface 21, a personal computer 22, a facsimile modem 23, an image reproduction unit 24, and a printing unit 25. The network line 11 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a personal computer 22 via a network interface 21. Further, a facsimile modem 23 is connected to the public line 12 shown in FIG. 1, and facsimile data transmitted from the transmission side in FIG. 1 is given from the public line 12 to the image reproduction unit 24 via the facsimile modem 23. The facsimile image data is reproduced, and the image data is printed by the printing unit 25.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the transmission apparatus in the image communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4 to 6 are flowcharts showing the transmission destination selection subroutine shown in FIG.

  Next, a specific operation on the transmission side in one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. At step SP1 in FIG. 3 (abbreviated as SP in the figure), the operator selects an e-mail transmission function by operating a key indicating e-mail transmission provided on the operation unit 1 in FIG. In step SP <b> 2, the CPU 2 displays inquiry information as to whether or not it is encrypted transmission for transmitting image data by encryption on a display unit included in the operation unit 1. When the operator operates a command key for encryption transmission, the CPU 2 determines whether or not encryption transmission is selected in step SP3. If not, the CPU 2 transmits an e-mail in a normal manner in step SP4 for processing. Finish.

  If encrypted transmission is selected, the CPU 2 performs processing for selecting a transmission destination in step SP5. The transmission destination is selected according to a subroutine shown in FIG. That is, in step SP51, the CPU 2 displays on the display unit a list of transmission destinations with electronic mail / facsimile addresses stored in a built-in memory. When the operator views the display and inputs the transmission destination number from the numeric keypad of the operation unit 1, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the transmission destination is selected in step SP52. If the transmission destination is not selected, the process waits until it is selected. If it is selected, the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.

  The transmission destination may be selected by a subroutine shown in FIG. That is, when the CPU 2 displays an input screen for prompting input of an e-mail on the display unit in step SP53, the operator sees the display and inputs an e-mail address from the keyboard in step SP54. When the CPU 2 displays a facsimile input screen for prompting the input of the facsimile number on the display unit in step SP55, the operator inputs the facsimile number from the numeric keypad in step SP56. When the facsimile number is input, the CPU 2 returns to the main routine shown in FIG.

  Further, the transmission destination can be selected by a subroutine shown in FIG. That is, in step SP61, the CPU 2 reads out the destination list from the built-in memory and displays it on the display unit. In step SP62, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the destination is selected. stand by. When the operator inputs the transmission destination number from the numeric keypad, the CPU 2 determines that the transmission destination is selected, and determines whether or not an e-mail address is registered in step SP63. If not registered, an input screen for prompting input of an e-mail address is displayed in step SP64. The operator views the display and inputs an e-mail address in step SP65. In step SP66, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the facsimile number is registered in the memory. If it is not registered, the CPU 2 displays an input screen for prompting the input of the facsimile number on the display unit in step SP67. The operator views the display and inputs a facsimile number from the numeric keypad.

  When the operator selects a transmission destination by any one of the methods shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 described above, the document is set on the scanner 3 in step SP6 shown in FIG. 3, and the start key of the operation unit 1 is depressed. The document includes information indicating that the decryption key is sent by facsimile. In step SP7, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the start key has been depressed, and if not, waits until it is depressed. When the operator depresses the start key, the CPU 2 determines that the start key is depressed, and gives a reading start command to the scanner 3 and the image processing unit 4 in step SP8. In response to the reading start command, the scanner 3 reads an image of the document and outputs image data to the image processing unit 4. The image processing unit 4 performs necessary image processing and outputs the image data to the encryption unit 6. .

  In step SP9, when an instruction is given from the CPU 2, the random encryption key creation unit 5 encrypts the image data and the decryption for decrypting the image data encrypted with the encryption key. An encryption key is created, the encryption key is given to the encryption unit 6, and the decryption key is given to the facsimile image creation unit 7. In step SP10, the encryption unit 6 encrypts the image data based on the encryption key and provides the encrypted file to the e-mail conversion unit 8. In step SP11, the e-mail converting unit 8 edits the encrypted file so that it can be attached to the e-mail, and outputs it to the network interface 9.

  In step SP12, the facsimile image creating unit 7 creates image data for facsimile transmission that can be visualized as characters including the decryption key created by the random encryption key creating unit 5 and outputs the image data to the facsimile modem 10. In step SP13, the facsimile modem 10 performs facsimile transmission of image data for facsimile transmission to the public line 12, and in step SP14, the network interface 9 transmits an electronic mail to the network 11 and ends the process.

  On the receiving device 20 side, the e-mail transmitted to the network 11 is taken into the personal computer 22 via the network interface 21. The image data for facsimile transmission transmitted to the public line 12 is reproduced by the image reproducing unit 24 via the facsimile modem 23 and printed by the printing unit 25.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the operator in the receiving device 20 of the image communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In step SP71, the operator operates the personal computer 22 to check whether an e-mail has arrived. When the operator confirms that the e-mail has arrived, the content of the e-mail is confirmed in step SP72. In step SP73, the operator determines whether or not the arriving e-mail is an e-mail attached with an encrypted file. If no e-mail is attached, the operator returns to step SP71 and the e-mail arrives. Wait for.

  If the encrypted file is attached to the e-mail, the operator understands that the facsimile document is subsequently delivered from the e-mail text in step SP74. Then, the operator waits until the facsimile document arrives at step SP75. When the facsimile document arrives, in step SP76, the operator reads the decryption key from the facsimile document, inputs the decryption key on the personal computer 22, reads the program for decrypting the image, and decrypts the encrypted file. Thereby, the operator can read the document image on the personal computer 22 in step SP78.

  When attaching an encrypted file to an e-mail, attach a program for decrypting the encrypted file and enter the decryption key sent as a facsimile image to start the program and decrypt the image. May be. Further, a program for decrypting the encrypted file may be released on the Internet, and the URL may be attached to the e-mail. In addition, a program for decrypting may be returned when the e-mail is sent back after sending the e-mail.

  In this way, the encrypted image data is transmitted by being attached to an e-mail via a network 11 such as the Internet, and the public line 12 is set with the decryption key for decrypting the encrypted image data as visible data. Since the decryption key is separately transmitted even if the e-mail is wiretapped, the possibility that the image data is decrypted can be reduced and the security can be improved.

  Further, by transmitting the decryption key separately from the encrypted image data, it is possible to transmit the image data to any destination without making an encryption key arrangement.

  Further, after transmitting a facsimile via the public line 12, an electronic mail is transmitted via the network 11, such as when the destination facsimile is in communication or the destination is a telephone and not a facsimile. If facsimile transmission is not possible, security can be further strengthened by preventing transmission of electronic mail.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an image communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The image communication apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 attaches encrypted image data to an e-mail and transmits it to the network 11, and transmits the image data of the decryption key to the public line 12 by facsimile. In this embodiment, the e-mail and the decryption key data are transmitted to the LAN 30.

  A personal computer 31, a transmission device 32, and a mail server 33 are connected to the LAN 30. A hard disk 34 is connected to the personal computer 31. The transmission device 32 is configured in the same manner as the transmission device 15 shown in FIG. 1, reads an image of a document, encrypts the image data using an encryption key, and creates an encrypted file. For example, the TCP / IP The data is output to the destination personal computer 31 via the LAN 30 according to the protocol. The personal computer 31 stores the received encrypted file in the hard disk 34. Subsequently, the transmission device 32 transmits the decryption key to the LAN 30 by e-mail, for example, using the SMTP protocol.

  On the personal computer 31 side, when an encrypted file stored in the hard disk 34 is read out, a decryption key is extracted from the mail server 33, a program for decrypting the encrypted file is read out and the encrypted file is decrypted, a desired image appears.

  Therefore, even in this embodiment, by transmitting the encrypted image data and the decryption key through another protocol while being on the same path, the decryption key is wiretapped even if the encrypted file is wiretapped. Therefore, the risk of decryption of the encrypted file can be reduced, and security can be improved.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a transmission side in an image communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the receiving side in the image communication apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the transmission side in the image communication apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission destination selection subroutine shown in FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission destination selection subroutine shown in FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission destination selection subroutine shown in FIG. 3. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation of the operator in the receiving side of the image communication apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the image communication apparatus in other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part, 2 CPU, 3 Scanner, 4 Image processing part, 5 Random encryption key creation part, 6 Encryption part, 7 Facsimile image creation part, 8 E-mail conversion part, 9,21 Network interface, 10,23 Facsimile Modem, 11 network, 12 public line, 15, 32 transmission device, 22 personal computer, 24 image reproduction unit, 25 printing unit, 30 LAN, 31 personal computer, 33 mail server, 34 hard disk.

Claims (7)

An image communication apparatus that encrypts and transmits image data,
Data transmission means for encrypting the image data with an encryption key and transmitting it to a destination;
An image communication apparatus comprising: a decryption key transmission unit that transmits a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted image data by a communication unit different from the data transmission unit. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the different communication unit is a path different from the data transmission unit. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the different communication unit has a protocol different from that of the data transmission unit. The data transmission means includes an e-mail transmission means for transmitting image data encrypted with the encryption key as an attachment to an e-mail,
The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the decryption key transmission unit includes a visible data transmission unit for transmitting the decryption key as visible data. The image communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein after the visible data transmitting unit transmits the visible data of the decryption key, the e-mail transmitting unit transmits the image data attached to the e-mail. Further, command means for commanding transmission of image data;
6. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a key generation unit that generates the encryption key and the decryption key in response to a command from the command unit. And e-mail receiving means for receiving the transmitted e-mail;
Visible data receiving means for receiving the transmitted visible data,
7. The image communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image data attached to the e-mail is decrypted using a decryption key for visible data received by the visible data receiving means.

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