JP2009099091A - Optical information reading device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical information reading device and an optical information reading system capable of improving safety in information security. <P>SOLUTION: In a QR code reader 20, when password data α is acquired from a host computer 10 via a communication line 100, and reading operation of a password QR code Qa is carried out, the password QR code Qa is read and decoded, and verification data α' is acquired. When it is judged that the password data α and the verification data α' match, an encryption QR code Qb is read and decoded, encrypted data β' decoded by using a decipher key provided in a QR code reader 20' is decoded, and plaintext data β is generated and output to the host computer 10. By this, even if the password data α is tapped and improperly acquired by a third party on the communication line 100, the safety in information security can be improved since the encrypted data β' can not be decoded just by the password data α. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical information reading apparatus and an optical information reading system that decode an encrypted information code.

  As an optical information reading device or an optical information reading system that decodes an encrypted information code, for example, there is “authentication system and code creation device and two-dimensional code” disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

In this disclosed technique, a password encrypted with a public key (encryption key) is created as a two-dimensional code, which is read by being connected to a processing device (hereinafter referred to as “authentication processing device”) that performs authentication processing. While reading by the device, separately encrypting the password input to the processing device with the previous public key requires a device other than a two-dimensional code such as a card depending on whether or not they match. Personal authentication is possible without any problems.
JP 2005-159527 A

  However, in recent years, due to the advancement of information communication network technology, two-dimensional code readers such as QR code readers are connected in some form to communication networks configured in a complicated manner regardless of wired or wireless. Many.

  For this reason, when the encryption key read by the reading device is sent as a secret key to the authentication processing device, it is intercepted by a third party on the network connecting the reading device and the authentication processing device. Since it cannot be said that there is no possibility, there is a problem that safety can be threatened in terms of information security.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical information reading apparatus and an optical information reading system that can improve safety in information security. It is in.

  In order to achieve the above object, the optical information reader according to claim 1 according to the claims includes a reading means for decoding an information code recorded with optical information encoded optically, and an encrypted information code. A decryption means for decrypting the encrypted data using a decryption key capable of decrypting the encrypted data; an information communication means capable of communicating with the host computer via a wired or wireless telecommunication line; and information processing A first process of acquiring one password information related to the encrypted data from the host computer by the information communication means; recording the other password information as the optical information A second process of decoding the other password information by the reading means from the first information code; the one password information acquired by the first process and the first information code; A third process for determining whether or not the other password information decoded by the process matches; if it is determined by the third process that the one password information and the other password information match, A fourth process of decoding the encrypted data by the reading means from a second information code in which the encrypted data is recorded as optical information; and decrypting the encrypted data decoded by the fourth process A technical feature is to perform a fifth process of decrypting by the decryption means using a key.

  The optical information reading device according to claim 2, wherein the information processing means matches the one password information with the other password information. If not, a technical feature is to perform a sixth process of erasing or invalidating the decryption key included in the optical information reading apparatus or losing the function of the decryption means.

  In the optical information reading device of claim 3 according to the claims, in the optical information reading device of claim 1 or 2, when the one password information is encrypted password information, The information processing means performs, as a pre-process of the third process, a 3 ′ process of decrypting the encrypted password information using a password information decryption key that can decrypt the encrypted password information. To do.

  In the optical information reading device according to claim 4, in the optical information reading device according to claim 3, each time the encrypted password information is acquired from the host computer by the information communication means. It cannot be decrypted unless a different disposable decryption key is used, and the information processing means is technically characterized in that it performs a seventh process of generating the secret information decryption key corresponding to the disposable decryption key.

  The optical information reading device according to claim 5, wherein the information processing means, as the seventh process, transmits the encrypted password information to the host. A technical feature is that the secret information decryption key is generated based on information about the number of times sent from the computer to the optical information reader.

  The optical information reading device according to claim 6, wherein the information processing means, as the seventh process, sends the encrypted password information to the host. It is a technical feature that the password information decryption key is generated based on information related to time sent from a computer to the optical information reader.

  In the optical information reading device according to claim 7, the optical information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein there are a plurality of the decryption means, When there are a plurality of decryption keys corresponding to the decryption means, the information processing means, as pre-processing of the fifth process, decrypts decryption information that can identify one decryption means from the plurality of decryption means A technical feature is that a 5 ′ process is performed to decode the decryption information by the reading means from the third information code recorded.

  The optical information reading device according to claim 8, wherein the decryption information is recorded with the other password information as the first information. It is recorded in the information code, and the first information code and the third information code are the same information code.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the optical information reading system according to claim 9 according to the claims, the optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1 having unique identification information capable of identifying itself, An optical information reading system comprising: a host computer provided with registration device information registered with the unique identification information of an optical information reading device to which personal identification information is to be sent, wherein the host computer includes the optical information reading device. Alternatively, the H1 process for obtaining the unique identification information from another optical information reading apparatus other than the optical information reading apparatus, and the unique identification information obtained by the first H1 process are registered in the registration apparatus information. It is determined that the unique identification information has been registered in the registration device information by the second H2 process for determining whether or not it is present, and the second H2 process. In this case, the one password information is sent to the optical information reading device, and if it is determined that the unique identification information is not registered in the registration device information, the one password information is read from the optical information reading device. H3 processing not sent to the apparatus, and the optical information reading device uses the information processing means to send the unique identification information to the host computer before the H1 processing. A technical feature is that, after the processing, as the first processing, the first T2 processing for acquiring the one password information from the host computer is performed.

  The optical information reading system according to claim 10, wherein the host-side information processing means of the host computer performs the H2 processing as the H3 processing. If it is determined by processing that the unique identification information is not registered in the registration device information, the optical information reader is sent to the optical information reader without sending the one password information to the optical information reader. An erasure command requesting to erase or invalidate the decryption key included in the optical information reader or to lose the function of the decryption means is sent to the optical information reader, and the optical information reader , When the erasure command is acquired from the host computer by the information processing means, the decryption key is deleted or invalidated, Other is technically characterized in that a second T3 processing to loss of function of the decryption means.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the information processing means obtains one password information related to the encrypted data from the host computer by the information communication means by the first process, and other password information as optical information by the second process. The other password information is decoded by the reading means from the first information code recorded. Then, by the third process, it is determined whether or not the one password information acquired by the first process matches the other password information decoded by the second process, and the one password information and the other password information are determined. Is determined by the fourth process by the reading means from the second information code in which the encrypted data is recorded as optical information, and the decoded by the fifth process. The encrypted data is decrypted by the decryption means using the decryption key. As a result, even if a third party intercepts one piece of password information on the telecommunication line, the encrypted data cannot be decoded with this one password information alone. That is, even if a third party illegally obtains one piece of password information through a telecommunication line, the one piece of password information is not a decryption key that can decode the encrypted data. Unable to decode data. The decryption key itself is provided in the optical information reader. Therefore, there is no delivery of the decryption key via the telecommunication line, so that information security safety can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 2, the information processing means erases or invalidates the decryption key provided in the optical information reading device or encrypts the encryption information when the one password information and the other password information do not match by the sixth process. The function of the decryption means is lost. As a result, for example, when a third party obtains the optical information reading device illegally and operates the optical information reading device, as a result, if one password information and other password information do not match, Since the decryption key provided in the optical information reader is erased, it is possible to prevent the decryption of the encrypted data due to the abuse of a third party. Therefore, information security safety can be further improved.

  In the invention of claim 3, since the one password information is encrypted as the encrypted password information, even if the encrypted password information is intercepted on a telecommunication line by a third party, the encrypted password information is encrypted. It becomes difficult to obtain one password information only by information. This makes it extremely difficult for a third party to specify one piece of password information that matches another password information, and thus the security of information security can be further improved.

  In the invention of claim 4, since the encrypted personal identification information cannot be decrypted unless a different disposable decryption key is used every time it is obtained from the host computer by the information communication means, even if it is encrypted by a third party on the telecommunication line Even if the encrypted password information is intercepted, the encrypted password information is completely useless except during the communication. This makes it impossible for a third party to make one piece of password information consistent with other password information, so that the security in information security can be significantly improved.

  As an example of a different disposable decryption key, as in the invention of claim 5, the secret information decryption key is generated based on information on the number of times the encrypted secret information is sent from the host computer to the optical information reader. And a method for generating a secret information decryption key based on information relating to the time when encrypted secret information is sent from a host computer to the optical information reader as in the sixth aspect of the invention.

  In the invention of claim 7, there are a plurality of decryption means, and there are a plurality of decryption keys corresponding to the plurality of decryption means, and the decryption information capable of specifying them is recorded in the third information code. Yes. Thus, for example, even if one password information that coincides with other password information is accidentally specified by a third party operation, one code information from a plurality of decryption means is not obtained unless the third information code is read. Since the decryption means cannot be specified, the encrypted data cannot be decoded with only this one password information. Therefore, even if one piece of personal identification information is accidentally specified, it is possible to prevent decoding of encrypted data due to misuse by a third party, so that the security in information security can be further improved.

  In the invention of claim 8, the decryption information is recorded in the first information code in which other personal identification information is recorded, and the first information code and the third information code are the same information code. As a result, the number of information codes required for decrypting the cipher can be reduced, so that management of the information codes can be simplified.

  In the ninth aspect of the present invention, the host computer acquires the unique identification information from the optical information reading device or another optical information reading device other than the optical information reading device by the first H1 process, and the acquired unique identification information. Is registered in the registered device information by the second H2 process. When it is determined that the unique identification information is registered in the registration device information by the second H2 process, the one password information is sent to the optical information reading device by the H3 process, and the unique identification information is registered in the registration device. If it is determined that the information is not registered, the one password information is not sent to the optical information reading device by the third H3 process. Further, the optical information reading apparatus sends the unique identification information to the host computer before the first H1 process by the host computer by the first T1 process, and performs one password as the first process after the H3 process by the host computer by the second T2 process. Acquire information from the host computer.

  Thus, only when the unique identification information sent from the optical information reader to the host computer is registered in the registration information of the host computer, one password information is sent to the optical information reader. From other optical information readers that do not have unique identification information and other optical information readers that have unique identification information that is not registered in the registered device information, there is a request to send one password information, The host computer does not send the password information to such other optical information readers. On the other hand, the other optical information reading device cannot obtain one password information from the host computer by the first process even if it has a decryption key that can decode the encrypted data. With the fourth process, the encrypted data cannot be decrypted using the decryption key. In other words, even if there is a request, no one password information is sent to an optical information reader not registered in the host computer. For example, the optical information reader may be lost due to theft or loss. However, by deleting the registration of the optical information reader by the host computer, it is possible to prevent a third party who has obtained the information from illegally decrypting the encrypted data. Therefore, information security safety can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 10, when the host computer determines that the unique identification information is not registered in the registration device information by the second H2 processing as the third H3 processing, the optical information reading device Without sending to the optical information reader, the erasure command requesting the optical information reader to delete or invalidate the decryption key provided in the optical information reader or to lose the function of the decryption means is used. When the optical information reader receives an erasure command from the host computer by the third T3 process, the optical information reader erases or invalidates the decryption key or loses the function of the decryption means. As a result, an erasure command is sent to other optical information readers not registered in the host computer to instruct to erase the decryption key of the optical information reader, while this erasure command is Since the acquired optical information reading apparatus erases the decryption key, etc., it is possible to prevent decoding of the encrypted data due to the abuse of a third party. Therefore, information security safety can be further improved.

  Embodiments of an optical information reading apparatus and an optical information reading system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, a QR code is given as an example of an information code in which optically encoded optical information is recorded. However, the information code according to the present invention is not limited to this, for example, , Barcode (JAN code, ITF code, etc.), data matrix code, maxi code, CP code, PDF417, RSS composite, etc.

  First, as an embodiment of an optical information reading system, an outline of a QR code reading system (hereinafter referred to as “QR code reading system”) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 (A) shows an example of a code reading step for reading a code QR code, and FIG. 1 (B) shows an example of an encrypted code reading step for reading an encrypted QR code. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the QR code reading system includes a host computer 10, a QR code reader 20, a security QR code Qa, and the like. The configurations of the host computer 10 and the QR code reader 20 will be described in detail later. Here, an outline of a QR code reading procedure by this system will be described.

(1) Security Code Reading Step As shown in FIG. 1 (A), the QR code reader 20 automatically acquires the security data α from the host computer 10 through the communication line 100 when the power is turned on. Processing is performed. The password data α is password information related to the encrypted encrypted QR code Qb that is to be read by the QR code reader 20, and corresponds to a password that is necessary before decoding the encrypted QR code Qb. is there.

  Next, when the operator of the QR code reader 20 performs a reading operation of the password QR code Qa, the QR code reader 20 reads and decodes the password QR code Qa, and obtains verification data α ′. Done. The verification data α ′ is the same as the password data α acquired from the host computer 10 and is password data for verification. When the verification data α ′ is acquired, a process for determining whether the password data α and the verification data α ′ match is performed. When it is determined that the password data α and the verification data α ′ match, Then, the following (2) encryption code reading step is performed. In this embodiment, the password data α ′ is acquired from the host computer 10 and the verification data α ′ is read from the security QR code Qa. Conversely, the verification data α ′ is read from the host computer 10. The password data α may be read from the password QR code Qa.

(2) Encryption code reading step As shown in FIG. 1B, the QR code reader 20 ′ reads the encrypted QR code Qb when the password data α matches the verification data α ′. And the decrypted plaintext data β is communicated after the decrypted encrypted data β ′ is decrypted using the decryption key of the QR code reader 20 ′ to generate plaintext data β. The data is output to the host computer 10 via the line 100.

  If it is determined by the QR code reader 20 that the password data α and the verification data α ′ do not match in the password code reading step (1), the encryption code reading step (2) is performed. For example, the decryption key is erased as described later. In (2), when the QR code reader 20 includes a plurality of decryption keys corresponding to a plurality of encryption methods, the type data γ that can specify the encryption method of the decoded encrypted QR code Qb The QR code reader 20 ″ may be configured to be able to read from the type specific QR code Qc. Specific examples of these will be described in detail later.

  Here, the configuration outline of the QR code will be described with reference to FIG. 2, and a specific configuration example of the above-described password QR code Qa, encrypted QR code Qb, and type specific QR code Qc will be described with reference to FIG. explain. FIG. 2 shows an example of the structure of a type 1 QR code, and FIG. 3 shows the data format of the QR code.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in a QR code of type 1 based on the basic specifications of the QR code (Japanese Industrial Standards; JIS X 0510: 2004, hereinafter simply referred to as “JIS standard”), one side has 21 cells (module ), A finder pattern FP is formed at three corners, and a timing pattern TP is formed between the finder patterns FP. In the code area excluding these, 26 blocks (A0 to A25) of data patterns DP configured as blocks in which 8 cells are arranged in 4 rows and 2 columns are arranged in accordance with the JIS standard.

  The data pattern DP includes a data code word and an error correction code word. For example, in a type 1 QR code, A0 to A19 are data code words, A20 to A25 are error correction code words, Each is assigned. In addition, a quiet zone having a width of 4 cells (4 unit modules) is secured around the QR code because the QR code reader 20 needs to recognize the outline and presence of the finder pattern FP.

  In the QR code configured in this way, data having a data format as shown in FIG. 3 is encoded. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, in the case of a normal specification QR code, the mode identifier, the number of characters, the disclosed data, and the end terminal are in that order from the head A0 to the data code word (A0 to A19). The error correction code is arranged as an error correction code word (A20 to A25). If there is a gap between the end terminal and the error correction code, a padding code is placed in the gap. Disclosure data is data that is disclosed to a third party without being kept secret.

  On the other hand, in the case of data that is desired to be secretly concealed from a third party (hereinafter referred to as “secret data”), for example, the QR code is encoded in the data format shown in FIG. It becomes. In other words, the end terminal indicating the end of the data is arranged at the head A0, which indicates that the disclosed data is not coded in the QR code, while the original padding code is arranged after the end terminal. In the area, a secret identifier indicating that secret information such as collation data and secret data is to be arranged is arranged, and after that, each is arranged in the order of type identifier, secret information, padding code, and error correction code.

  Accordingly, as will be described later, the QR code reader 20 configured to be able to recognize such a special data format can read the type identifier and the confidential information arranged after the confidential identifier. Since the QR code reader of the normal specification recognizes only the presence of the padding code and the error correction code after the end terminal, it does not read confidential information. In other words, the presence of confidential information can be hidden from the normal specification QR code reader.

  Such secret information includes, for example, the above-described verification data α ′, encryption data β ′, and type number data γ, and the data format differs depending on the type of data. For example, when the verification data α ′ described above is encoded to form the password QR code Qa, as shown in FIG. 3C, the portion of the confidential information shown in FIG. 3B is the verification data α ′. And data length information.

  When the encrypted QR code Qb is encoded to form the encrypted QR code Qb, as shown in FIG. 3 (D), the portion of the confidential information shown in FIG. 3 (B) is the confidential data (1 ), Secret data (2), secret data (3),..., And data length information. Similarly, when the type-specific QR code Qc is formed by coding the type data γ described above, as shown in FIG. 3 (E), the portion of the confidential information is based on the confidential constant and the data length information. Composed.

  Whether the secret information portion corresponds to the collation data α ′, the encryption data β ′, or the type data γ is determined by the type identifier shown in FIG. In the case of the present embodiment, for example, the collation data α ′ is set when the type identifier is “0”, the encryption data β ′ is set when “1”, and the type data γ is set when “2”. Yes.

  Here, a specific example of an encryption method such as the secret data (1) shown in FIG. 3B will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, as an example of the encryption method, an example using a transposition table (FIG. 4A), an example of performing a logical operation of an exclusive OR with a predetermined value (FIG. 4B), a conversion table An example using (FIG. 4C) and an example using a cyclic shift of a predetermined bit (FIG. 4D) are shown.

  For example, as a method for encrypting the secret data (1) and the like, a transposition table is used as shown in FIG. In this example, bit b0 is bit b4, bit b1 is bit b7, bit b2 is bit b1, bit b3 is bit b6, bit b4 is bit b2, bit b5 is bit b0, bit b6 is bit The bits b7 and b5 are rearranged into bits b7 and b5, respectively. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when 0101001b (69h (b is a symbol representing a binary number notation and h is a symbol representing a hexadecimal number notation)) is input, it is converted to 11101000b (D8h). Is output. In this example, the transposition table serves as the encryption key and the decryption key, and the decryption program that rearranges the bits according to the transposition table serves as the decryption means.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the predetermined value is encrypted by taking an exclusive OR. In this example, 10010011b (93h) is set as a predetermined value, and this is converted into 11111010b (FAh) by performing a logical operation that takes the exclusive OR of the input 01101001b (69h). In this example, the predetermined value is the encryption key and the decryption key, and the decryption program that performs a logical operation of exclusive OR with the predetermined value is the decryption means.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, a conversion table for converting into other values in units of 4 bits is used. In this example, conversion tables (0h → Eh, 1h → 4h, 2h → Dh, 3h → 1h, 4h → 2h, 5h → Fh, 6h → Bh, 7h → 8h, 8h → 3h, 9h → Ah, Ah → 6h, Bh → Ch, Ch → 5h, Dh → 9h, Eh → 0h, Fh → 7h), when 0101001b (69h) is input, It is converted and output. In this example, the conversion table serves as an encryption key and a decryption key, and a decryption program for converting into another value in units of 4 bits according to the conversion table serves as a decryption means.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4D, a bit rotation that cyclically shifts n bits in the least significant bit (LSB) direction is used. In the example shown in FIG. 4D, since 4-bit cyclic shift is performed, for example, when 0101001b (69h) is input, it is converted to 10010110b (96h) and output. The cyclic shift is a bit moving method in which bit information overflowing from the LSB is returned to the most significant bit (LSB) as it is and input when shifting in the LSB direction. In this example, the number n of bits to be shifted and the direction of the shift are the encryption key and the decryption key, and the decryption program that performs such n-bit cyclic shift processing is the decryption means.

  Next, the configuration of the host computer 10 constituting the QR code reading system described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5, and the QR code reader 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The QR code reader 20 is also an embodiment of the optical information reading of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the host computer 10, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the QR code reader 20.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the host computer 10 mainly includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, a hard disk 13, an external storage device 14, a keyboard 15, a pointing device 16, a liquid crystal display device 17, a speaker 18, a communication interface 19, and the like. For example, a personal computer corresponds to this.

  The host computer 10 is configured with a CPU 11 as the center. Host processing described later is performed by the CPU 11 sequentially executing the processing by loading a host processing program stored in the hard disk 13 into the memory 12. Is called. The hard disk 13 stores a list of individual IDs of the QR code reader 20 that the host computer 10 is scheduled to communicate in a table format or a list format. The external storage device 14 corresponds to, for example, a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

  An input device such as a keyboard 15 or a pointing device (mouse or electrostatic pad) 16 is used for inputting data, information, or operation commands from the outside, and a liquid crystal display device 17 or a speaker 18 is used for information processing by the CPU 11. This result is used to output the result as an image or sound.

  Further, the communication interface 19 is used to connect to the QR code reader 20 via the communication line 100 so that data communication is possible. For example, a wired or wireless LAN such as RS232C or USB, wireless or light such as Bluetooth or IrDA is used. An information communication medium.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the QR code reader 20 mainly includes an optical system such as an illumination light source 21, a light receiving sensor 23, and an imaging lens 27, a memory 35, a control circuit 40, an operation switch 42, and a liquid crystal display. 46 and the like, and a power supply system such as a power switch 41 and a battery 49. These are mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) or housed in a housing (not shown), and are configured in the same manner as a QR code reader of general specifications in hardware.

  The optical system includes an illumination light source 21, a light receiving sensor 23, an imaging lens 27, and the like. The illumination light source 21 functions as an illumination light source capable of emitting illumination light Lf, and includes, for example, a red LED and a diffusion lens, a condensing lens, and the like provided on the emission side of the LED. In the present embodiment, illumination light sources 21 are provided on both sides of the light receiving sensor 23, and the illumination light Lf can be irradiated toward the label P through a reading port of a case (not shown). On the label P, the above-described password QR code Qa and the like are printed.

  The light receiving sensor 23 is configured to receive the reflected light Lr irradiated and reflected on the label P, the code QR code Qa, and the like. For example, the light receiving sensor 23 is a solid-state image pickup device such as a C-MOS or CCD. An area sensor arranged in two dimensions corresponds to this. The light receiving sensor 23 is mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) so that incident light incident through the imaging lens 27 can be received by the light receiving surface 23a.

  The imaging lens 27 functions as an imaging optical system capable of condensing incident light incident from the outside via a reading port and forming an image on the light receiving surface 23a of the light receiving sensor 23. And a plurality of condensing lenses housed in the lens barrel.

  The microcomputer system includes an amplification circuit 31, an A / D conversion circuit 33, a memory 35, an address generation circuit 36, a synchronization signal generation circuit 38, a control circuit 40, an operation switch 42, an LED 43, a buzzer 44, a liquid crystal display 46, and a communication interface 48. Etc. This microcomputer system is composed mainly of a control circuit 40 and a memory 35 that can function as a microcomputer.

  An image signal output from the light receiving sensor 23 of the optical system is amplified by a predetermined gain by being input to the amplification circuit 31 and then converted from an analog signal to a digital signal when input to the A / D conversion circuit 33. Is done. When the digitized image signal, that is, image data is input to the memory 35, it is stored in the image data storage area. The synchronization signal generation circuit 38 is configured to generate a synchronization signal for the light receiving sensor 23 and the address generation circuit 36. The address generation circuit 36 is based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 38. Thus, the storage address of the image data stored in the memory 35 can be generated.

  The memory 35 is a semiconductor memory device, and corresponds to, for example, a RAM (DRAM, SRAM, etc.) or a ROM (EPROM, EEPROM, etc.). In addition to the above-described image data storage area, the RAM of the memory 35 is configured so as to be able to secure a work area used by the control circuit 40 during each processing such as arithmetic operation and logical operation. The ROM stores in advance a reading program that can execute a reading process, which will be described later, a decryption program and a decryption key, or a system program that can control each hardware such as the illumination light source 21 and the light receiving sensor 23.

  The control circuit 40 is a microcomputer capable of controlling the entire QR code reader 20 and includes a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like, and can constitute an information processing apparatus together with the memory 35 and has an information processing function. The control circuit 40 is configured to be connectable to various input / output devices via a built-in input / output interface. In the case of this embodiment, the power switch 41, operation switch 42, LED 43, buzzer 44, liquid crystal. A display 46, a communication interface 48, and the like are connected.

  The communication interface 48 is configured to be capable of data communication with the host computer 10 described above via the communication line 100. For example, in accordance with the communication interface 19 on the host computer 10 side, for example, wired communication or wireless LAN using RS232C or USB. Wireless communication such as Bluetooth, or optical communication such as IrDA.

  Thereby, for example, the power switch 41 and the operation switch 42 are monitored and managed, the LED 43 that functions as an indicator is turned on / off, the buzzer 44 that can generate a beep sound and an alarm sound is turned on / off, and the read encryption is performed. Screen control of the liquid crystal display 46 capable of displaying the code content by the QR code Qb, communication control of the communication interface 48, and the like are enabled.

  The power supply system includes a power switch 41, a battery 49, and the like. When the power switch 41 managed by the control circuit 40 is turned on and off, the conduction of the drive voltage supplied from the battery 49 to each of the above-described devices and circuits is performed. Or shut off is controlled. The battery 49 is a secondary battery capable of generating a predetermined DC voltage, and corresponds to, for example, a lithium ion battery. For example, a configuration may be employed in which power is supplied from the host computer 10 connected via the communication interface 48 without using the battery 49. In this case, the battery 49 is not necessary.

  By configuring the QR code reader 20 in this way, for example, when the power switch 41 is turned on and a predetermined self-diagnosis process or the like is normally completed and the QR code Q can be read, the illumination light Lf is emitted. The input of the operation switch 42 (for example, a trigger switch) is given. Accordingly, when the operator pulls the trigger switch to turn it on, the control circuit 40 outputs a light emission signal to the illumination light source 21 based on the synchronization signal, so that the illumination light source 21 that has received the light emission signal turns on the LED. Light is emitted to irradiate illumination light Lf.

  Then, the illumination light Lf irradiated to the password QR code Qa and the like is reflected, and the reflected light Lr is incident on the imaging lens 27 through the reading port. An image such as a QR code Qa is formed. As a result, since the image such as the QR code Qa for password exposes the light receiving sensor 23, the image data such as the QR code Qa subjected to image processing by the microcomputer system described above passes through the image data storage area of the memory 35. Then, it is passed to a reading process described later.

  Here, the flow of the QR code reading system described so far will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a first example of host processing on the host computer 10 side will be described with reference to FIG. This host process is executed by the CPU 11 constituting the host computer 10 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the host process, immediately after the host process program is started, a predetermined initialization process is performed, and then a process of establishing a communication link with the QR code reader 20 is first performed in step S100. This process is performed based on a predetermined communication protocol by the communication interface 19 of the host computer 10 and the communication interface 48 of the QR code reader 20.

  In the next step S121, a process of transmitting the above-described password data α to the QR code reader 20 is performed. The code QR code Qa is equivalent to a password that is necessary before decoding the encrypted QR code Qb. Therefore, if the QR code reader 20 has not yet acquired the code data α, In step S121, the password data α is transferred to the QR code reader 20.

  Thereafter, in step S123, the process waits until decoding data such as plaintext data β or encrypted data β ′ is received from the QR code reader 20. That is, it is determined whether or not the decoded data has been received in step S123, and if not received (S123; No), step S123 is looped until received (S123; Yes). This loop process can be canceled by an interrupt process (not shown).

  Next, a first example of reading processing on the QR code reader 20 side will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the reading process of the QR code reader 20 described based on FIG. 8 is set to a specification that can read any of the password QR code Qa, the encrypted QR code Qb, and the normal QR code. . Further, this reading process is executed by the control circuit 40 constituting the QR code reader 20 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the QR code reader 20 is turned on, the reading process is started after a predetermined initialization process for initializing hardware. A process of establishing a communication link with the computer 10 is performed. This processing corresponds to step S100 of the host computer 10 described above, and is similarly performed based on a predetermined communication protocol by the communication interface 19 of the host computer 10 and the communication interface 48 of the QR code reader 20. .

  In a succeeding step S204, a process for determining whether or not the password data α has been acquired is performed. In this process, as described above, it is determined whether or not the password data α corresponding to the password has been acquired from the host computer 10, and if it has not been acquired (S204; No), the following step S205 is performed. Thus, the password data α is acquired from the host computer 10 in response to the above-described host processing step S121. On the other hand, if the password data α has already been acquired (S204; Yes), step S205 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S205, processing for reading the QR code is performed. In the subsequent step S207, the read QR code is subjected to image analysis. In this processing, a block configuration corresponding to A0 to A9 of the data code word corresponding to the head portion of the QR code data pattern DP described with reference to FIG. 2 is image-analyzed.

  In step S209, processing for determining the type of QR code is performed. That is, since the bit pattern corresponding to A0 to A2 of the data code word has been found by the analysis processing in step S207, whether or not the data of the part is the mode identifier (the data format shown in FIG. If it is a mode identifier, it can be determined that the read QR code is of a normal specification by identifying whether it is a terminal or a terminal (data format shown in FIG. 3B) (S209). Normal type), in this case, the process proceeds to step S231.

  On the other hand, if the data code word equivalent to A0 to A2 is the end terminal and the confidential identifier, it can be determined that the read QR code has confidential information. Then, it is determined whether the QR code is the password QR code Qa or the encrypted QR code Qb. For example, in the previous example, if the type identifier is “0”, it is determined that the password is a QR code for password (S209; password type), and the process proceeds to step S211. If the type identifier is “1”, For example, the encrypted QR code Qb is determined (S209; encryption type), and the process proceeds to step S221.

  Steps S211, S213, and S215 are processes performed when the read QR code is the code QR code Qa. After the code QR code Qa is decoded in step S211, the verification data α ′ is obtained. In S213, it is determined whether or not the collation data α ′ matches the password data α acquired from the host computer 10. If they match (S213; Yes), in step S215, the fact that the password data α matches the collation data α ′ is stored in the memory 35 or the like, and the reading process is terminated. If they do not match (S213; No), the process proceeds to step S293.

  On the other hand, steps S221, S223, and S225 are processes performed when the read QR code is the encrypted QR code Qb, and whether there is a match between the password data α already determined in step S213 and the collation data α ′. It is determined whether or not by step S221. If they already match (S221; Yes), the encrypted QR code Qb read this time is decoded in the following step S223 to obtain the encrypted data β ′, which is stored in the memory 35 or the like in advance. The plaintext data β is generated by decrypting using the decryption key. If they do not match (S221; No), the process proceeds to step S293.

  Note that the decryption of the cipher in step S225 can be performed by performing information processing that follows the reverse of the encryption described with reference to FIG. Each decryption key and decryption program (decryption means) are as described above.

  On the other hand, step S231 is a process performed when the read QR code is of a normal specification, and the QR code is decoded according to the JIS standard.

  In step S291, the plain text data β decoded in step S225 or the decoded data encoded in step S231 is transmitted to the host computer 10 via the communication interface 48. This transmission process corresponds to step S123 of the host process described above.

  Step S293 is a process performed when the password data α and the collation data α ′ do not coincide with each other in the determination process in steps S213 and S221. In this embodiment, the decryption program stored in the memory 35 is deleted. . Thereby, for example, when the third party illegally obtains the QR code reader 20 and operates the QR code reader 20, as a result of the password data α and the verification data α ′ not matching, the QR code reader 20 Since the decryption program included in is deleted, it is possible to prevent the decryption of the encrypted QR code Qb due to such misuse by a third party.

  In this embodiment, the decryption program is erased in step S293. However, the decryption key stored in the memory 35 may be erased. Decoding of the encrypted QR code Qb can be prevented.

  As described above, the QR code reader 20 acquires the password data α related to the encrypted QR code Qb from the host computer 10 through the communication line 100 by the communication interface 48 through the reading process by the control circuit 40 or the like (S205), The verification data α ′ is decoded from the password QR code Qa in which α ′ is recorded (S211). Then, it is determined whether or not the password data α acquired in S205 matches the verification data α ′ decoded in step S211 (S213), and it is determined that the password data α and the verification data α ′ match. In the case (S221; Yes), the encrypted data β ′ is decoded from the encrypted QR code Qb in which the encrypted data β ′ is recorded (S223), and the decoded encrypted data β ′ is decrypted using the decryption key to be plaintext. Data β is generated (S225).

  Thereby, even if the secret data α is intercepted and illegally obtained on the communication line 100 by a third party, the encrypted data β ′ cannot be decoded only by the secret data α. That is, since the secret data α acquired from the host computer 10 via the communication line 100 is not a decryption key that can decode the encrypted data β ′, the third party cannot decode the encrypted data β ′. Note that the decryption key is stored in advance in the memory 35 as described above. Therefore, since the decryption key is not passed through the communication line 100, information security safety can be improved.

  In the QR code reader 20 according to the above-described embodiment, the password data α obtained from the host computer 10 is not encrypted, but is encrypted using another encryption key (password information decryption key). It may be encrypted password data (encrypted password information). In this case, in the reading process shown in FIG. 8, for example, a processing step (third 'step) for decrypting the encrypted password data (encrypted password information) after step S205 and before step S221 is provided. This makes it extremely difficult for a third party to specify the password data α to be matched with the verification data α ′, so that the security in information security can be further improved.

  Also, the decryption key for decrypting such encrypted password data (encrypted password information) is a one-time key (disposable decryption key), and the password data α is transmitted from the host computer 10 to the QR code reader 20. By configuring the reading process of the QR code reader 20 so as to generate different ones based on the number of times or the time (time), the encrypted password data (encrypted password information) is transmitted to the third party on the communication line 100. ), The encrypted password is completely useless except during the communication. As a result, it becomes practically impossible for a third party to obtain the password data α that matches the verification data α ′, so that the security in information security can be significantly improved.

  Next, as another example of host processing performed on the host computer 10 side, a second example of host processing will be described with reference to FIG. Note that this host processing is also executed by the CPU 11 constituting the host computer 10 described above, and the processing steps substantially the same as the processing steps of the first example already described with reference to FIG. The description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, after establishing a communication link with the QR code reader 20 in step S100, processing for requesting or receiving an individual ID in step S101 is performed on the QR code reader 20 that has established the communication link. This individual ID is unique identification information that can individually identify the QR code reader 20, for example, a physical address (MAC address) unique to hardware such as a network device set to identify each node in the communication network. ; Media Access Control address).

  In the subsequent step S103, a process is performed to determine whether or not an individual ID has been received from the QR code reader 20 in step S101. If not received (S103; No), the process returns to step S101 and returns to the individual. Wait for ID reception. On the other hand, when the individual ID is received (S103; Yes), the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, processing for comparing the individual ID received in step S101 with a pre-registered ID is performed. That is, as described above, the hard disk 13 of the host computer 10 stores the individual IDs of the QR code reader 20 scheduled to communicate with the host computer 10 as a list in a table format or a list format. By searching this list table, it is planned to communicate with the host computer 10 whether or not the individual ID received in step S101 is present (registered) in this list table. Check whether or not.

  In step S107, it is determined whether or not the individual ID is registered. If it is determined that the individual ID is registered, the QR code reader 20 is scheduled to communicate with the host computer 10. (S107; Yes), the password data α is transmitted to the QR code reader 20 in step S121. On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S107 that the individual ID is registered, that is, if the individual ID is not registered, the QR code reader 20 does not plan to communicate with the host computer 10. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S131 without transmitting the password data α to such a QR code reader 20 (S107; No).

  In step S131, processing for transmitting a command for deleting the decoding program to the QR code reader 20 is performed. This process is performed when it is determined in step S107 that the QR code reader 20 that established the communication link in step S100 is another QR code reader that is not scheduled for communication in the host computer 10, and is encrypted. An erasure command for instructing to erase a decoding program capable of decoding the QR code Qb is transmitted to such a QR code reader 20. In step S131, a command for deleting the decryption key may be transmitted to the QR code reader 20.

  Accordingly, the QR code reader 20 that has received this command erases the decryption program (or decryption key) stored in the memory 35 of the QR code reader 20 in the same manner as in step S293 described above. . Therefore, for example, even if a third party illegally obtains the QR code reader 20 and operates the QR code reader 20 to connect to the host computer 10 illegally, the individual ID is registered in the host computer 10 in this way. If not (or if the individual ID of the QR code reader 20 has been deleted from the individual ID list table due to theft even if it was registered at the beginning of system operation), the decryption program provided in the QR code reader 20 Since (or the decryption key) is erased, it is possible to prevent the decryption of the encrypted QR code Qb due to such third party misuse.

  Next, a second example of reading processing on the QR code reader 20 side will be described with reference to FIG. This reading process is also executed by the control circuit 40 constituting the QR code reader 20 described above, and is substantially the same as the processing steps of the first example already described with reference to FIG. Are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, after establishing a communication link with the host computer 10 in step S200, processing is performed to determine whether or not an individual ID request has been received from the host computer 10 that has established the communication link. This process corresponds to step S101 on the host computer 10 side described above.

  If it is determined in step S201 that an individual ID request has been received (201; Yes), a process of transmitting the individual ID of the QR code reader 20 (self) to the host computer 10 is performed in step S202. For example, the MAC address written in the EEPROM or the like when the QR code reader 20 is manufactured is transmitted to the host computer 10 as the individual ID.

  In a succeeding step S203, processing for determining whether or not an erase command has been received is performed. That is, if the individual ID transmitted to the host computer 10 in step S202 is not registered in the individual ID list table of the host computer 10, an erase command such as a decryption program is transmitted from the host computer 10 as described above. Therefore (S131 shown in FIG. 9), when this is received (S203; Yes), the process proceeds to step S293, and as described above, the process of erasing the decryption program stored in the memory 35 I do.

  On the other hand, if such an erasure command is not received even after waiting for a considerable time (S203; No), a process for determining whether or not the password data α has been acquired is performed in the subsequent step S204. Thereafter, processing is sequentially performed in the same manner as already described with reference to FIG.

  In the second example of the reading process on the QR code reader 20 side, each process in the broken line shown in FIG. 10 may be replaced with each process shown in FIG. That is, when the type-specific QR code Qc is read as in the QR code reader 20 ″ shown in FIG. 1B, the result of the QR code analysis in step S207 is that the QR code type is the type number type (FIG. 11 is obtained by decoding the type-specific QR code Qc by obtaining the type data γ that can specify the decryption program of the specific encryption method in step S241, and the type data in step S243. Remember γ.

  As a result, the specific decoding program that can be subsequently decoded in step S223 can be specified from among a plurality of decoding programs of the QR code reader 20 ″. For example, the QR code reader 20 ″ is the third decoding program. Even if the password data α that matches the verification data α ′ (or the verification data α ′ that matches the password data α) is accidentally specified by a user, a plurality of types of QR codes Qc are not read. Since a specific decryption program cannot be specified from among the decryption programs, the encrypted encryption data β ′ cannot be decoded only by the password data α (or verification data α ′). Therefore, even if the password data α (or verification data α ′) is accidentally specified, it is possible to prevent the decryption of the encrypted data β ′ by misuse of a third party, so that information security can be further improved. Can be improved.

  As described above, in the QR code reading system according to the present embodiment, the host computer 10 acquires the individual ID from the QR code reader 20 or another QR code reader other than the QR code reader 20 (S101). It is determined whether or not the individual ID is registered in a list table of individual IDs stored in the hard disk 13 (S105, S107). If it is determined that the individual ID is registered in the individual ID list table or the like (S107; Yes), the personal identification data α is sent to the QR code reader 20, and the individual ID is the individual ID list table or the like. If it is determined that the password is not registered (S107; No), the password data α is not sent to the QR code reader. Further, the QR code reader 20 sends the individual ID to the host computer 10 before the processing of step S101 by the host computer 10 (S202), and acquires the password data α from the host computer 10 after the processing of step S107 by the host computer 10 ( S205).

  Accordingly, the personal identification data α is sent to the QR code reader 20 only when the individual ID sent from the QR code reader 20 to the host computer 10 is registered in the individual ID list table or the like of the host computer 10. Therefore, even if there is a request to send the password data α from another QR code reader that does not have an individual ID or another QR code reader that has an individual ID that is not registered in the individual ID list table or the like, the host computer 10 Does not send the password data α to such other QR code readers.

  On the other hand, such other QR code reader cannot obtain the encrypted data β ′ from the host computer 10 even if it has a decryption key that can decode the encrypted data β ′. The encrypted data β 'cannot be decrypted. That is, the encrypted code β ′ is not sent to a QR code reader that is not registered in the host computer 10 even if a request is made. For example, even if the QR code reader 20 is lost due to theft or loss. By deleting the registration of the QR code reader 20 by the host computer 10, it is possible to prevent a third party who has acquired the QR code reader 20 from illegally decrypting the encrypted data β ′. Therefore, information security safety can be improved.

1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing a QR code reading system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is an example of a code reading step for reading a code QR code, and FIG. 1B is a code for reading an encrypted QR code. 3 is an example of a conversion code reading step. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of a 1 type QR code. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing a data format of a QR code read by the QR code reader of the present embodiment, FIG. 3A is an example of a normal specification QR code, FIG. 3B is an example of a confidential specification QR code, FIG. 3 (C) is an example of a security QR code, FIG. 3 (D) is an example of an encrypted QR code, and FIG. 3 (E) is an example of a type-specific QR code. FIG. 4A is an example using an transposition table, FIG. 4B is an example in which exclusive OR is performed with a predetermined value, and FIG. 4C is a conversion table. For example, FIG. 4D shows an example using a cyclic shift of a predetermined bit. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the host computer which comprises the QR code reading system of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the QR code reader which comprises the QR code reading system of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the host process (1st example) performed by the host computer of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the reading process (1st example) performed by the QR code reader of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the host process (2nd example) performed by the host computer of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the reading process (2nd example) performed by the QR code reader of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the other structural example in the broken-line frame shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10: Host computer 11 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Memory 13 ... Hard disk 19 ... Communication interface 20 ... QR code reader (optical information reader)
21. Illumination light source (reading means)
22 ... Imaging lens (reading means)
23. Light receiving sensor (reading means)
31... Amplifier circuit (reading means)
33 A / D conversion circuit (reading means)
35. Memory (reading means, information processing means)
36: Address generation circuit (reading means)
38. Synchronization signal generating circuit (reading means)
40. Control circuit (reading means, information processing means)
48. Communication interface (information communication means)
100 ... communication line (telecommunications line)
Qa: QR code for password (information code, first information code)
Qb ... encrypted QR code (information code, second information code)
Qc: Type specific QR code (information code, third information code)
α ... PIN data (one PIN information)
α '... Verification data (other PIN information)
β ... Plain text data (decoded data)
β '... Encrypted data (encrypted data)
γ ... Type data (decryption information)
S205 (first process, T2 process), S211 (second process), S213 (third process), S221 (third process), S223 (fourth process), S225 (fifth process), S241 (fifth process) 'Process), S293 (Sixth Process, T3 Process), S101 (H1 Process), S105 (H2 Process), S107 (H2 Process), S107 (H3 Process), S121 (H3 Process), S131 (the H3 process), S202 (the T1 process)

Claims (10)

Reading means for decoding an information code recording optically encoded optical information;
Decryption means for decrypting the encrypted data using a decryption key capable of decrypting the encrypted encrypted data;
An information communication means capable of communicating with a host computer via a wired or wireless telecommunication line, and an information processing means,
The information processing means includes
A first process of acquiring one piece of password information related to the encrypted data from the host computer by the information communication means;
A second process of decoding the other password information by the reading means from the first information code in which the other password information is recorded as the optical information;
A third process for determining whether or not the one password information acquired by the first process matches the other password information decoded by the second process;
If it is determined by the third process that the one password information and the other password information match, the reading means uses the second information code in which the encrypted data is recorded as the optical information. A fourth process for decoding the encrypted data;
A fifth process for decrypting the encrypted data decoded by the fourth process by the decryption means using the decryption key;
An optical information reading apparatus characterized by: The information processing means, when the one password information and the other password information do not match,
2. The optical information reader according to claim 1, wherein a sixth process for erasing or invalidating the decryption key provided in the optical information reader or losing the function of the decryption means is performed. When the one password information is encrypted password information, the information processing means includes:
As pre-processing of the third processing,
3. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a third process for decrypting the encrypted password information is performed using a password information decryption key capable of decrypting the encrypted password information. The encrypted password information cannot be decrypted without using a different disposable decryption key every time it is acquired from the host computer by the information communication means.
4. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information processing means performs a seventh process of generating the personal identification information decryption key corresponding to the disposable decryption key. The information processing means, as the seventh process,
5. The optical information reader according to claim 4, wherein the secret information decryption key is generated based on information relating to the number of times the encrypted password information is sent from the host computer to the optical information reader. The information processing means, as the seventh process,
5. The optical information reader according to claim 4, wherein the encryption information decryption key is generated based on information relating to a time when the encrypted password is sent from the host computer to the optical information reader. When there are a plurality of the decryption means and there are a plurality of the decryption keys corresponding to the plurality of decryption means, the information processing means,
As pre-processing of the fifth processing,
5th 'process which decodes the said decryption information by the said reading means from the 3rd information code which recorded the decryption information which can specify one decryption means from the said several decryption means is characterized by the above-mentioned The optical information reader according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The decryption information is recorded in the first information code in which the other personal identification information is recorded, and the first information code and the third information code are the same information code. 8. The optical information reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein 2. An optical information reading device according to claim 1 having unique identification information capable of identifying itself, and a host comprising registration device information in which said unique identification information possessed by said optical information reading device to which said one password information is to be sent is registered. An optical information reading system including a computer,
The host computer
A first H1 process for acquiring the unique identification information from the optical information reader or another optical information reader other than the optical information reader;
A second H2 process for determining whether or not the unique identification information acquired by the first H1 process is registered in the registration apparatus information;
When it is determined by the second H2 process that the unique identification information is registered in the registration device information, the one password information is sent to the optical information reading device, and the unique identification information is stored in the registration device. If it is determined that the information is not registered, the H3 process of not sending the one password information to the optical information reader,
The optical information reader is provided by the information processing means.
A T1 process for sending the unique identification information to the host computer before the H1 process;
An optical information reading system that performs, after the H3 process, a T2 process for obtaining the one password information from the host computer as the first process. The host-side information processing means of the host computer, as the H3 process,
If it is determined by the second H2 process that the unique identification information is not registered in the registration device information, the one password information is sent to the optical information reading device without being sent to the optical information reading device. On the other hand, an erasure command requesting to erase or invalidate the decryption key provided in the optical information reader or to lose the function of the decryption means is sent to the optical information reader.
The optical information reader is provided by the information processing means.
10. The optical information reading according to claim 9, wherein when the erasure command is acquired from the host computer, the decryption key is erased or invalidated, or a T3 process for losing the function of the decryption means is performed. system.

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