JP2007208620A - Printing of print data sheet and data decoding from print data sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology capable of reducing the necessity that a user manages key data itself, such as a password and an encryption key and enhancing the confidentiality of content data. <P>SOLUTION: First, a data print sheet obtained by printing content data in the form of being visually illegible and mechanically readable is printed. In the data print sheet, a data print part where encoded content data is printed and a key paper part where key data which is encoded data and used when the content data is decoded from the data print part are printed on a sheet of printing paper. When decoding content data, the data print part and the key paper part are mutually cut away from the data print sheet are scanned, and the content data of the data paper part is decoded by using the key data of the key paper part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for printing a data print sheet in which content data is printed in a form that is visually illegible and mechanically readable, and data decoding from the data print sheet.

  Conventionally, various ideas have been made to increase the confidentiality of content data. In the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, first, the image information transmitted together with the password is encrypted and printed. Then, the printed document is read by a facsimile machine, and the image information is decoded and printed only when it is determined that the code number included in the document matches the code number input by the recipient.

JP-A-5-191658

  In the method described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary for the user to input a correct password and to manage the password. Such a problem is not limited to a facsimile machine, but is a problem common to technologies for decrypting content data using key data such as a personal identification number and an encryption key.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can reduce the necessity for a user to manage key data such as a personal identification number and an encryption key, and can increase the confidentiality of content data.

A printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
A printing apparatus for printing a data print sheet on which content data is printed in a form that is visually illegible and mechanically readable.
A data print unit on which encoded content data is printed; a key paper unit on which key data that is encoded key data and is used when decrypting the content data from the data print unit; and Is characterized in that it prints a data print sheet printed on one sheet of printing paper.

  According to this apparatus, the content data in the data print unit can be decrypted for the first time by mechanically reading both the data print unit and the key paper unit. Therefore, the user does not need to manage the key data itself, and may store the tangible key paper part. In addition, since the content data in the data print unit is decrypted using the key data in the key paper unit, it is possible to improve the confidentiality of the content data.

  The key paper unit and the data paper unit may be separated by a cut line.

  According to this configuration, the user can easily separate the key paper unit and the data paper unit along the cutoff line.

  The cut line may be set individually for each data print sheet.

  According to this configuration, content data can be decrypted from the key paper portion and the data paper portion only when the shape of the key paper portion matches the shape of the data paper portion. Therefore, the quality of the combination of the key paper portion and the data paper portion can be easily determined visually.

  The content data of the data paper unit may be encrypted and decrypted using the key data.

  According to this configuration, the confidentiality of the content data can be further enhanced.

  The key paper portion may be printed at a position biased toward one end of the data print sheet, and the data paper portion may be printed at a position biased toward the other end of the data print sheet.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to read the key paper unit and the data paper unit by one scanning operation when decrypting the content data.

  The content data of the data print unit and the key data of the key paper unit are encoded by an encoding algorithm that assigns different code words to a plurality of colors printed with a plurality of types of ink including chromatic ink. It may be a thing.

  According to this configuration, since a code obtained by encoding content data and key data using a plurality of colors is printed, a code having a large amount of information can be realized.

A data reading apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is provided.
A data reader capable of decrypting content data printed in a visually unreadable and mechanically readable form,
A data print unit on which encoded content data is printed; a key paper unit on which key data that is encoded key data and is used when decrypting the content data from the data print unit; and A scan unit that scans the data print unit and the key paper unit separated from each other from a data print sheet printed on a single print sheet;
A data decryption unit that decrypts content data of the data paper unit using key data of the key paper unit from the result of the scan;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to this apparatus, it is possible to decrypt the content data of the data print unit by scanning both the data print unit and the key paper unit. Therefore, the user does not need to manage the key data itself, and may store the tangible key paper part. In addition, since the content data in the data print unit is decrypted using the key data in the key paper unit, it is possible to improve the confidentiality of the content data.

The content data of the data paper part is encrypted,
The data decryption unit may include a decryption unit that decrypts content data of the data paper unit using the key data.

  According to this configuration, the confidentiality of the content data can be further enhanced.

The data decoding unit
Decrypting the content data when the key data read from the key paper unit matches the authentic key data printed on the data paper unit;
The decryption of the content data may be stopped when the key data read from the key paper unit does not match the genuine key data.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent a useless decryption process from being executed when the two key data do not match.

The data reader further includes:
A related process execution unit that executes a process associated with the type of the decrypted content data in advance may be included.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to automatically execute processing suitable for the decrypted content data.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms. For example, a printing method and a printing apparatus, a printing control method and a printing control apparatus, a sheet created by the method or apparatus, and the sheet are used. Data reading method (data decoding method) and apparatus, computer program for realizing the function of the method or apparatus, recording medium recording the computer program, data signal including the computer program and embodied in a carrier wave, Or the like.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
B. Second embodiment:
C. Third embodiment:
D. Other examples of data print sheets:
E. Modified example

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction machine 100 as an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction device 100 has functions of a printer and a scanner, and can scan and print an image without being connected to an external computer. The multifunction machine 100 includes an auto seed feeder 110 for supplying printing paper, a paper discharge tray 120 for receiving printing paper on which an image is printed, a liquid crystal display 130, and buttons for performing various operations. An operation panel 140 and a card reader 150 for reading data from the memory card are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100. The multi-function device 100 includes a CPU 200, a memory 210 including RAM and ROM, a USB device interface 230, a PC card interface 240, an operation panel control unit 250, a display control unit 260, a disk drive unit 270, and a scanner engine. 280 and a print engine 290. The USB device interface 230 can be connected to a USB host such as a personal computer via the USB connector 232.

  The disk drive unit 270 is a mechanism that drives various disks such as a DVD and a CD. When a writable disc such as a DVD-RAM or CD-R is inserted as a disc, the disc drive unit 270 can write data on the disc. The scanner engine 280 is a mechanism that scans an image and generates image data. The print engine 290 is a printing mechanism that executes printing in accordance with given print data.

  In the memory 210, a data print sheet generation module 300 and a data decoding module 310 are mounted. The data print sheet generation module 300 is a module that executes various processes for creating a data print sheet, which will be described later, and includes a key data generation module 302, an encryption module 304, a multicolor encoding module 306, and a sheet. A printing module 308. The data decryption module 310 is a module for decrypting content data from a scanned image obtained by scanning a printed data print sheet, and includes a multicolor decryption module 312 and a decryption module 314. Yes. Details of the functions of these modules will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data print sheet. This data print sheet DPS is composed of a key paper portion KPP and a data paper portion DPP. A code obtained by encoding content data is printed on the data paper portion DPP. The key paper portion KPP is printed with key data (also referred to as “key code”) that is encoded when the content data of the data paper portion DPP is decrypted. Corner marks CM are printed at the four corners of the key paper portion KPP to indicate areas where key data is printed. The same sheet name SN is printed on the key paper portion KPP and the data paper portion DPP so as to be visually readable. However, the sheet name SN may not be printed.

  The key paper portion KPP and the data paper portion DPP are separated from each other by a cutoff line CL. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, the key paper portion KPP can be separated from the data paper portion DPP along the cutoff line CL.

  The key data printed in the key paper section KPP and the content data printed in the data paper section DPP are encoded as visually unreadable and machine-readable codes, respectively.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a multi-color ink code MIC that can be used as a code printed on the data print sheet DPS. This multi-color ink code MIC is formed by arranging partitioned areas DA (for example, 1 mm × 1 mm) having a predetermined size in a matrix. Each partition area DA is painted in one of a plurality of predetermined colors or is a blank space. The size of the partition area DA is arbitrary, and can be set to the same size as the print pixels, for example. However, if an area for a plurality of pixels is defined as one partition area DA, partition areas of various colors can be formed using mixed colors. In the example of FIG. 4, a black area DAblack, a red area DAred, a green area DAgreen, and a blue area DAblue, which are divided areas of four different colors, and a partitioned area which is a margin, constitute a multicolor ink code MIC. Used as an element. The black area DAblack is formed only with black ink (or black toner), but the other three chromatic color areas DAred, DAgreen, and DAblue are each formed by color mixing. However, the chromatic color region may be formed with one ink. One ink dot may be adopted as one partition area DA.

  In the encoding algorithm of the multi-color ink code MIC, a plurality of colors printed with a plurality of types of ink including chromatic color ink are used, and different code words are assigned to the plurality of colors. If such a multi-color ink code MIC is used, a code having a large amount of information can be realized using a small number of partitioned areas. In the present specification, “ink” means a colorant that is applied onto a print medium to reproduce a printed matter, and is used in a broad sense including toner.

  Note that the multi-color ink code MIC does not correspond to encryption, and its decoding method is a publicly disclosed code. In this specification, “encoding” is used in a broad sense including both encryption and non-encryption encoding. Similarly, “decryption” is used in a broad sense including both decryption of encrypted data and decryption of encoded data that is not encrypted. Note that encryption can be referred to as “secret coding”, and non-encryption encoding can be referred to as “non-secret coding”.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure for printing the data print sheet. In step S <b> 100, the user instructs printing of the data print sheet using the operation panel 140.

  In step S110, the key data generation module 302 (FIG. 2) generates key data. The key data is composed of a character stream selected at random, for example. Instead of generating key data by the key data generating module 302, the user may input arbitrary key data from the operation panel 140.

  In step S120, the encryption module 304 performs encryption of the content data to generate encrypted data. Note that the content data to be encrypted is input to the multifunction device 100 using, for example, a memory card. In this case, in step S100 or step S120, a step in which the user selects content data to be processed from content data existing in the memory card may be executed.

  In step S130, the multicolor encoding module 306 encodes the key data and the encrypted data into the multicolor ink code MIC (FIG. 4). The key data is used to decrypt the encrypted data and generate so-called plain text (unencrypted data). Various methods can be used as a method of using the key data in the decryption process. For example, key data used for both encryption and decryption may be used, or key data dedicated to decryption may be used.

  In step S140, the sheet printing module 308 executes printing of the data print sheet DPS. As shown in FIG. 3A, the data print sheet DPS includes a key paper unit KPP including multicolor encoded key data and a data paper unit DPP including multicolor encoded data. Is done. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the sheet DPS is preferably separated into a key paper portion KPP and a data paper portion DPP and stored in another place after printing. The reason is that the encrypted data recorded in the data paper part DPP can be decrypted if the key paper part KPP is present. Therefore, if these two paper parts DPP and KPP are stored in the same place, the encrypted data is encrypted. This is because the confidentiality of data decreases.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for decrypting content data from the data print sheet DPS in the first embodiment. In step S <b> 200, the key paper unit KPP and the data paper unit DPP are scanned using the scanner function of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram of the state in which the key paper unit KPP and the data paper unit DPP are mounted on the scanner mounting table SM (glass plate) of the multi-function device 100 viewed from the lower side of the mounting table SM in step S200. It is. In this example, the key paper portion KPP and the data paper portion DPP are placed on the scanner placement base SM so as to be substantially in contact with each other at the original cut line position. The line sensor LS of the scanner engine 280 acquires images of the paper sections KPP and DPP while moving from the top to the bottom in the drawing. The key paper part KPP and the data paper part DPP may be scanned separately. In this case, the scanning order is arbitrary, and the key paper section may be scanned after the data paper section.

  In step S210, the data decoding module 310 distinguishes and recognizes the key paper unit KPP and the data paper unit DPP from the scanned image. This recognition is performed using, for example, a corner mark CM. In step S220, the multicolor decoding module 312 decodes the key data from the key paper unit KPP in accordance with the multicolor encoding decoding algorithm.

  In step S230, the encrypted data of the data paper unit DPP is decrypted. At this time, first, the multicolor decoding module 312 decrypts the encrypted data from the data paper unit DPP in accordance with the decoding algorithm of multicolor coding, and then the decryption module 314 uses the key data to convert the encrypted data. Decipher. If the key data is different from the authentic key data, erroneous data is generated by the decryption process.

  In the example of FIG. 7 described above, since the key data in the key paper unit KPP is arranged so as to be biased upward from the encrypted data of the data paper unit DPP, only the scan image of the key data is first acquired at the time of scanning. Thereafter, a scan image of the encrypted data is acquired. Accordingly, it is possible to perform multi-color decryption on the key data in step S220, and then execute decryption of the encrypted data in parallel while sequentially performing multi-color decryption on the encrypted data in step S230.

  In order to perform such parallel processing in step S230, the key paper portion KPP is printed at a position biased toward one end side of the data print sheet DPS, and the data paper portion DPP is placed on the other end side of the data print sheet DPS. It is preferably printed at a biased position. In other words, it is preferable to print the data print sheet DPS so that the key data recording portion of the key paper portion KPP and the content data recording portion of the data paper portion DPP are not mixed in the direction parallel to the line sensor LS. However, the data print sheet DPS may be printed so that the key data recording portion and the content data recording portion are mixed in the direction parallel to the line sensor LS.

  When correct content data is decoded in this way, in step S240, the data decoding module 310 determines whether or not the content data is image data. If the content data is image data, the image is printed using the print engine 290 in step S250. On the other hand, if the content data is not image data, the data file of the content data is stored in the memory (or memory card) in step S260. In this way, when the decrypted content data is image data, if the image is automatically printed, the image data is recorded on the data print sheet DPS in an invisible and highly confidential manner. Is possible. However, steps S240 and S250 may be omitted. In this case, the decrypted content data is stored in the memory as a data file.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the data print sheet DPS including the key paper portion KPP in which the key data is recorded and the data paper portion DPP in which the encrypted data is recorded is printed on one sheet of printing paper. Since they are separated from each other, it is impossible to decrypt the encrypted data using only the data paper unit DPP. Therefore, the confidentiality of the encrypted data can be improved. Further, since the encrypted data of the data paper unit DPP can be decrypted by using the key paper unit KPP, the user does not need to memorize the key data or manage the key data itself, and the key paper unit which is a tangible object There is an advantage that KPP may be stored. In the first embodiment, the key data of the key paper section KPP is also printed in a form that is visually illegible and mechanically readable, so that the confidentiality of the content data can be improved compared to the conventional case. Is possible. In addition, it becomes easy to use an extremely long character stream as key data.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for decrypting content data from the data print sheet DPS in the second embodiment. This procedure is obtained by adding step S225 between steps S220 and S230 of the procedure of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and modifying step S220. Other procedures are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same.

  In step S220a, the data decryption module 310 performs multicolor decryption of key data from the key paper unit KPP, and also decrypts key data (ie, multicolor decryption and decryption) from the data paper unit DPP. . At this time, key data decrypted from the key paper unit KPP is used for decryption of the key data of the data paper unit DPP. Note that key data (also referred to as “authentic key data”) in the data paper portion DPP is printed at a position corresponding to the top of the data paper portion DPP (a position closer to the upper end in the example of FIG. 7) at the time of scanning. Is preferred.

  In step S225, the data decryption module 310 determines whether or not the key data decrypted from the key paper unit KPP matches the authentic key data decrypted from the data paper unit DPP. If the two key data match, the processing after step S230 described in the first embodiment is executed, and the content data is decrypted. On the other hand, if the two key data do not match, the decryption of the content data is stopped (stopped).

  Thus, in the second embodiment, when the key data decrypted from the key paper unit KPP and the key data decrypted from the data paper unit DPP do not match, the decryption of the content data is stopped. Data confidentiality can be increased. There is also an advantage that it is possible to prevent unnecessary processing (content data decryption processing) from being executed when the key data does not match.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for decrypting content data from the data print sheet DPS in the third embodiment. This procedure is a modification of step S220a and step S230 of the procedure of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, and the other procedures are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the content data of the data paper unit DPP is not encrypted and is subjected only to multicolor coding. That is, neither the key data of the key paper unit KPP nor the content data of the data paper unit DPP is encrypted, and only multi-color coding is performed. Accordingly, in step S220b, key data is decoded from the key paper unit KPP and the data paper unit DPP by performing multi-color decoding.

  In step S225 in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the key data decrypted from the key paper unit KPP matches the key data decrypted from the data paper unit DPP. The processes after S230b are executed. Since the content data is not encrypted, only multicolor decoding of the content data is executed in step S230b. On the other hand, if the two key data do not match, the decryption of the content data is stopped (stopped).

  Thus, in the third embodiment, the content data printed in the data paper portion DPP is not encrypted, but the key data decrypted from the key paper portion KPP and the data paper portion DPP do not match. Since the decryption of the content data is stopped, the confidentiality of the content data can be ensured to some extent. Further, it is possible to prevent unnecessary processing from being executed when the key data does not match.

D. Other examples of data print sheets:
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the data print sheet. In this data print sheet DPSa, the cut line CL between the key paper portion KPPa and the data paper portion DPPa is a curved line (or a broken line). The cut line CL is preferably set individually for each data print sheet DPSa. In this way, the shape of the key paper portion KPPa and the data paper portion DPPa is different for each data print sheet DPSa. It is possible to visually determine whether or not.

For example, the following method can be adopted as a method for individually setting the cutoff line CL for each data print sheet DPSa.
(I) A number of cut line shapes are prepared in advance and selected from these (preferably randomly selected).
(Ii) At the time of setting the cutoff line CL, the shape of the cutoff line CL is randomly determined.

  In the above method (i), it is possible to select a cutoff line at random using, for example, a random number generator. In the method (ii), the shape of the cutoff line CL can be determined at random using, for example, a random number generator.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of the data print sheet. In this data print sheet DPSb, the cut line between the key paper portion KPPa and the data paper portion DPPa is omitted, and there is no line that distinguishes the two. However, it is assumed that after the data print sheet DPSs is printed, the key paper portion KPPa is cut into an arbitrary shape. This data print sheet DPSb has the advantage that the shapes of the key paper portion KPPa and the data paper portion DPPa are determined completely at random because there is no cut line.

E. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

E1. Modification 1:
In the above embodiment, the multicolor encoding algorithm described with reference to FIG. 4 is used. However, key data and encrypted data (or content data) are non-secretly encoded using an encoding algorithm other than multicolor encoding. Also good. For example, it is possible to use a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or a QR code.

E2. Modification 2:
In the above embodiment, a multi-function machine having a printer and a scanner function is used. However, a data print sheet DPS is printed using a printer that does not have a scanner function, and a scanner that does not have a printer function (that is, a data reader) The data may be decrypted using.

E3. Modification 3:
The decrypted content data may be used for purposes other than data file storage and image printing. For example, the data reader may automatically start an application program associated with the decrypted content data type in advance to reproduce the content (content) of the content data. Specifically, when the decrypted content data is spreadsheet data, an application program for spreadsheet may be activated to display the contents. In addition, when the decrypted content data is audio data or video data, an application program for audio playback or video playback may be activated to play back audio or video. Various output devices such as a display unit and a speaker are used for reproducing the content. The printer engine used for printing in the above-described embodiments is also a kind of output device.

  As can be understood from these examples, it is generally preferable that the data print sheet reading apparatus includes an associated process execution unit that executes a process associated with the decrypted content data type in advance. Here, the term “processing associated with the type of content data in advance” is used in a broad sense including printing processing, audio / video playback processing, and data file storage.

E4. Modification 4:
In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware.

1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction machine as an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the multifunction machine. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a data print sheet. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the multicolor ink code which can be used as a code printed on a data print sheet. It is a flowchart which shows the printing procedure of a data print sheet. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which decodes content data from a data print sheet in 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the key paper part and the data paper part were mounted on the scanner mounting base of a multifunction peripheral. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which decodes content data from a data print sheet in 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which decodes content data from a data print sheet in 3rd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a data print sheet. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a data print sheet.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Multifunction machine 110 ... Auto seed feeder 120 ... Paper discharge tray 130 ... Liquid crystal display 140 ... Operation panel 150 ... Card reader 200 ... CPU
210 ... Memory 230 ... USB device interface 232 ... USB connector 240 ... PC card interface 250 ... Operation panel control unit 260 ... Display control unit 270 ... Disk drive unit 280 ... Scanner engine 290 ... Print engine 300 ... Data print sheet generation module 302 ... Key data generation module 304 ... Encryption module 306 ... Multi-color encoding module 308 ... Sheet printing module 310 ... Data decryption module 312 ... Multi-color decryption module 314 ... Decryption module CL ... Cut line CM ... Corner mark DPP ... Data paper section DPS ... Data print sheet KPP ... Key paper LS ... Line sensor MIC ... Multicolor ink code SM ... Scanner mounting table SN ... Sheet name

Claims (20)

A method of printing a data print sheet in which content data is printed in a visually unreadable and mechanically readable form,
A data print unit on which encoded content data is printed; a key paper unit on which key data that is encoded key data and is used when decrypting the content data from the data print unit; and Printing a data print sheet printed on a sheet of printing paper. The method of claim 1, comprising:
The key paper unit and the data paper unit are separated by a cut line. The method of claim 2, comprising:
The cutting line is set individually for each data print sheet. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The content data of the data paper unit is encrypted and decrypted using the key data. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising
The key paper portion is printed at a position offset toward one end of the data print sheet, and the data paper portion is printed at a position offset toward the other end of the data print sheet. A method according to any of claims 1 to 5, comprising
The content data of the data print unit and the key data of the key paper unit are encoded by an encoding algorithm that assigns different code words to a plurality of colors printed with a plurality of types of ink including chromatic ink. ,Method. A printing apparatus for printing a data print sheet on which content data is printed in a form that is visually illegible and mechanically readable.
A data print unit on which encoded content data is printed; a key paper unit on which key data that is encoded key data and is used when decrypting the content data from the data print unit; and Printing a data print sheet printed on a single printing paper. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
The printing apparatus, wherein the key paper unit and the data paper unit are separated by a cut line. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The cutting apparatus is a printing apparatus in which the cut line is individually set for each data print sheet. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
A printing apparatus, wherein content data of the data paper unit is encrypted and decrypted using the key data. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
A printing apparatus in which the key paper portion is printed at a position biased toward one end of the data print sheet, and the data paper portion is printed at a position biased toward the other end of the data print sheet. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11,
The content data of the data print unit and the key data of the key paper unit are encoded by an encoding algorithm that assigns different code words to a plurality of colors printed with a plurality of types of ink including chromatic ink. , Printing device. A method for decoding content data printed in a visually illegible and mechanically readable form comprising:
(A) a data print unit on which encoded content data is printed, and key paper on which key data that is encoded key data and is used when decrypting the content data from the data print unit is printed Scanning the data print section and the key paper section separated from each other from a data print sheet printed on a single print sheet;
(B) decrypting the content data of the data paper unit using the key data of the key paper unit from the scan result;
A method comprising the steps of: 14. The method of claim 13, comprising
The content data of the data paper unit is encrypted and decrypted using the key data. 15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, comprising
The step (b)
A step of decrypting the content data when the key data read from the key paper unit matches the authentic key data printed on the data paper unit;
The method includes the step of stopping the decryption of the content data when the key data read from the key paper unit does not match the genuine key data. The method according to any of claims 13 to 15, further comprising:
(C) performing a process pre-associated with the decrypted content data type. A data reader capable of decrypting content data printed in a visually unreadable and mechanically readable form,
A data print unit on which encoded content data is printed; a key paper unit on which key data that is encoded key data and is used when decrypting the content data from the data print unit; and A scan unit that scans the data print unit and the key paper unit separated from each other from a data print sheet printed on a single print sheet;
A data decryption unit that decrypts content data of the data paper unit using key data of the key paper unit from the result of the scan;
A data reading apparatus comprising: The data reader according to claim 17,
The content data of the data paper part is encrypted,
The data reading device, wherein the data decryption unit includes a decryption unit that decrypts the content data of the data paper unit using the key data. The data reader according to claim 17 or 18,
The data decoding unit
Decrypting the content data when the key data read from the key paper unit matches the authentic key data printed on the data paper unit;
A data reader that stops decrypting the content data when the key data read from the key paper unit does not match the genuine key data. The data reading device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, further comprising:
A data reading device including an associated process execution unit for executing a process associated with the type of the decrypted content data in advance.

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