JP2010273030A - Data communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problem: there is possibility of leaking out personal information and confidential information to the outside because many users share and use one device, so that any user can look at many users' registered transmission records and history information from a display panel or the like. <P>SOLUTION: In a data communication device including in a device body, a generating part which transmits and receives data through a communication network to generate a communication history of the transmission and reception, the device body includes a non-reading means for making a part of data included in the communication history unreadable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data communication apparatus used in a communication network, such as a facsimile or a multifunction printer.

Since this type of data communication apparatus is shared and used by many people, communication data related to one apparatus is concentrated.
As a result, in this type of device, the communication history of data tends to increase proportionally, so the importance of information management related to storage and handling of communication history in addition to the communication data itself is important. There is more demand.
An example of a technique for organizing history information of such a large number of communication data or storing a communication history is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.
In this case, the data communication apparatus includes an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile or a printer connected via a communication network.
In the image forming apparatus, a generation unit that generates a communication history with a management number, a history information storage unit that stores the generated communication history information with an identification number, and a history in the storage unit A storage means for storing information for each identification number and a search means for searching the communication history are provided.

JP 2008-230038 A

However, in the conventional data communication device, since many users share and use it, other users can see the communication history information of the user registered from the display panel etc. by operating the device. Is in a possible state. Therefore, personal information and confidential information may be leaked to the outside.
As a countermeasure against such information leakage, there is a device having a secret function conventionally, but this type of device makes it impossible to grasp the communication history by encrypting the entire contents of the communication history. As a result, it is not practical for the user because the user cannot distinguish between the transmitted clue and his / her own record.

(the purpose)
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a data communication that can display a communication history in which a part of information that is important or secret is converted to unreadable so that it can be prevented from being read by a third party. An object is to provide an apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following basic configuration.
In a data communication apparatus having a generation unit for transmitting / receiving data via a communication network and generating a communication history of the transmission / reception, the apparatus main body cannot read a part of data included in the communication history. This is done by having unreadable means.

  By configuring the present invention as described above, a part of the communication history information that each user wants to keep important or secret while the communication histories of many users are registered in the apparatus. Since the unreadable means can be converted into unreadable and hidden, a communication history that does not need to be read by a third party can be displayed. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is extremely effective in storing the communication history of the apparatus used in common.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a facsimile according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a flowchart regarding operation | movement of the Example 1. FIG. It is an encryption guidance display figure of the Example 1. FIG. It is an encryption designation | designated MENU display figure of the Example 1. FIG. 3 is a log information history table (before encryption) of the first embodiment. 3 is a log information history table (after encryption) of the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the facsimile which concerns on the Example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart regarding operation | movement of the Example 2. FIG. It is an encryption guidance display figure of the Example 2. It is a log information history table (before encryption) of the second embodiment. It is a log information history table (after encryption) of the second embodiment. It is a display figure of an encryption program.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration in which a data communication apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied to a facsimile.
In FIG. 1, a facsimile 1 is connected to other facsimiles via a communication network.

  The facsimile 1 includes a transmission / reception unit 2 that transmits / receives image information data, a control unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 3 that performs processing and control of data to be transmitted / received, and information on communication history based on the control of the CPU 3. Communication history (hereinafter referred to as a log) generation unit 4 having unreadable means 10 for encrypting a part, and a log storage unit for storing a communication history subjected to encryption, blanking or painting (hereinafter simply referred to as encryption) 5, an image reading unit 6 that reads information content of a paper medium, an image storage unit 7 that stores temporary storage at the time of transmission and image information at the time of image reception, and a transmission operation such as a destination designation by a user. An operation unit 8 for performing operation, a printer 16 for printing image data at the time of reception, and a display unit 9 for performing operation and display such as encryption designation.

The transmission / reception unit 2 includes digital / analog line connection units (I / O ports, modems, etc.) and a buffer memory. The transmission / reception unit 2 is connected via a data bus or the like between the internal / external communication network and the CPU 3 in the apparatus body. Has been.
Here, the external communication network is, for example, ISDN as a digital public line or PSTN as an analog public line, and the internal communication network is an intranet or LAN using TCP / IP.

The CPU 3 includes a control circuit (not shown), an ALU, a register, and the like, and includes a transmission / reception unit 2, an image reading unit 6, an image storage unit 7, an operation unit 8, a display unit 9, a printer unit 16, a log generation unit 4, a control bus, and the like. Connected to control the overall operation of the device.
At the time of transmission, if a user who wants to transmit to a transmission destination sets a paper medium in the image reading unit 6 and designates a destination by the operation unit 8, the image reading unit 6 optically scans and reads the paper medium, and data Then, the transmission / reception unit 2 transmits information to the transmission destination through the communication network.
At the time of reception, the image data sent from the transmission source through the communication network is temporarily stored in the buffer memory of the transmission / reception unit 2 and then output to a paper medium by the printer 16 or stored in the image storage unit 7. Remember as.

The log generation unit 4 is connected between the CPU 3 and the log storage unit 5 by a data bus and a control bus, and has an unreadable means 10 therein.
The log generation unit 4 creates a communication history immediately after transmission based on the transmitted FAX number and data such as the address and transmission destination input by the user from the input unit 117 of the operation unit 8. The transmission date and time is automatically recorded in the communication history each time transmission is performed by a clock pulse in the CPU 3.

The unreadable unit 10 is configured by, for example, an RSA encryption program (hereinafter simply referred to as RSA). This RSA is executed based on the control of the CPU 3 when a log is generated after the transmission operation is completed.
As shown in FIG. 12, RSA is a random number table obtained by raising an integer number sequence to the power based on a decimal number set by multiplying two arbitrary prime numbers, for example, numerical values consisting of “3” and “5”. Create (if the number is 15 or more, enter the remainder divided by that number). In addition, decipherment becomes more difficult by setting a prime number to a large numerical value.
Information encryption uses the characteristics of this random number table to replace destination addresses and fax numbers that require encryption with numerical values and select an appropriate power multiplier. Change to another letter or symbol. For decoding (decoding), the replaced numerical value is moved to the original numerical value based on the following equation 1, and the corresponding character can be read.
Since encryption is performed by changing the combination of prime numbers for each user, the safety of personal information can be achieved even if one device is used by many users.

(Equation 1)
D = {n × (P−1) × (Q−1) +1} / E
Where P: any prime number (eg 3)
Q: Any prime number (for example, 5)
E: Multiplier to be encrypted (select as appropriate)
D: Multiplier to be decrypted (key)
n: A constant, that is, a numerical value obtained by multiplying the encrypted numerical value by the D power is a key for decryption.

The log storage unit 5 is composed of various storage means including a volatile or nonvolatile EPROM or RAM, and is connected to the log generation unit 4 via a data bus.
Based on the control of the CPU 3, the log storage unit 5 selectively selects a part of the communication history generated by the log generation unit 4, that is, the information that is important or hidden in the communication history transmitted to the outside by the user. A hidden communication history and a communication history that has not passed through the unreadable means 10, that is, a communication history that does not require encryption are also stored and stored as data.

  The image reading unit 6 optically scans information described on a paper medium and detects it as an image signal (electric signal), and an image that converts the detected signal into an image signal and transmits the image signal to the transmission unit The signal forming unit is connected to the CPU 3 via a data bus.

The image storage unit 7 is configured by a storage unit including a volatile or nonvolatile EPROM or RAM, and temporarily stores transmission data read from a paper medium at the time of transmission.
Further, at the time of reception, the image storage unit 7 stores the data sent from the transmission source as it is as image data without printing it on a paper medium.

  The operation unit 8 is constituted by an operation panel provided at an appropriate position of the apparatus main body, and has a numeric keypad and various function selection keys on the operation panel, and is connected to the CPU 3 via a control bus.

  As shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, the display unit 9 includes a display body made up of a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays “encryption guide” 11 and “encrypted MENU” 15 displayed on the display by the operation unit 8. It is configured so that display contents can be set and changed by touch panel operation when specified.

  The printer 16 may be, for example, a serial printer or various printing methods, and is connected to the CPU 3 via a data bus. When the transmission / reception unit 2 receives the transmission signal from the transmission source, the printer 16 is set to always print according to the control command of the CPU 3.

Next, the operation of the facsimile 1 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for the case where the user encrypts the communication history of the facsimile 1 in the first embodiment. It is assumed that the power source of the facsimile 1 is normally turned on.

(S101)
First, when the facsimile 1 is used for transmission, the user prepares a paper medium to be transmitted in advance, confirms the FAX number of the transmission destination, and confirms that there is no mistake, the paper medium is read by the image reading unit 6. Set to.
When the CPU 3 detects that a paper medium has been set, the detection unit of the image reading unit 6 stands by in a readable state based on the control of the CPU 3.

(S102)
Next, the user inputs the FAX number of the other party to be transmitted from the numeric keypad (not shown) of the operation unit 8.

(S103)
Further, when the user presses a “send” button of an operation key (not shown), the content written on the paper medium is read by the image reading unit 6 and converted into a data signal, and communication is performed from the transmission unit of the transmission / reception unit 2. Sent to the destination facsimile via the network. At the same time, the content of the paper medium is read by the image reading unit 6 and stored as image data in the image storage unit 7.
When the CPU 3 detects that the transmission has been completed, the CPU 3 performs encryption by RSA, and an “encryption guide” 11 as shown in FIG. This “encryption guide” 11 is provided with a text box 13 for inputting an ID number and a password different for each user, and a logon 14 button. The user enters his / her own number in the text box 13. It is set to be possible. Each other user enters his / her ID number and password.

(S104)
If there is any information that would be difficult for a third party to see, such as the destination address, the destination number (FAX number), or the content of the transmission, the user should enter text In the box 13, the user inputs his / her ID number and password specified in advance and presses the logon 14.
When the user logs on, “encryption designation MENU” 15 shown in FIG.

Accordingly, for example, the user A selects an item to be hidden from the displayed items, inputs a check mark 12 to the item to be hidden, and presses the confirmation button 16.
Thereby, the unreadable means 10 operates based on the control of the CPU 3, and the RSA for the user A is executed. In the RSA table shown in FIG. 12, for example, when “transmission destination number” enters address (2) or “address” enters (3), since encryption corresponds to power train 3, (2) becomes (8 ) And (3) is replaced with (12), and the character changes. In the transmission history shown in FIG. 5, only the designated item is converted into encryption as shown in FIG. 6, and other items remain in the original state. As shown in FIG. 12, the encrypted items are sequentially entered into vacant addresses.

  Even when another user B encrypts in the same manner, if his / her ID number and password are input from the display unit, the RSA for user B is specified, and only the specified item is shown in FIG. As shown, it is converted to encryption, and other items will remain in their original state.

In the log storage unit 5, a transmission history in which a part of the recording target item is encrypted as shown in FIG. 6 and an unencrypted communication history shown in FIG. 5 are registered.
If there is no necessity for encryption, the display unit 9 automatically returns to the initial display after a predetermined time (1-2 minutes) has elapsed.

Next, a case where the communication history information that has already been encrypted and registered is decrypted will be described.
Once the display unit 9 is reset with the operation key, the “encryption guide” 11 shown in FIG. 3 is automatically displayed on the display unit 9.
For example, when the user A inputs his / her ID number or the like into the text box 13 from the numeric keypad of the operation unit 8 and presses the logon button 14, the log generation unit 4 is for the user A based on the control of the CPU 3. The RSA is read and the communication history information is decoded.

Accordingly, the log information table shown in FIG. 6 that has already been encrypted and registered is printed out from the image reading unit 7.
The user confirms the record that needs to be restored from the printed out table.
When it is confirmed that the target record is met, the user touches the corresponding item displayed on the menu screen with a finger, so that the unreadable means 10 performs the decoding function, and the decoding program shown in FIG. Executed. At this time, in the RSA table, the power train calculated from Equation 1 moves to the 5th power train that is further shifted from 3 to the third power. For example, the “transmission destination number” changed to another character as (8) becomes the original (2), and at the same time, the check mark 12 in the “encryption designation MENU” 15 is erased, and the item has been encrypted. Restores the original readable state.

  When another user B decodes the information of his / her communication history in the same manner, he / she inputs his / her ID number or the like in the text box 13 from the numeric keypad of the operation unit 8 and presses the logon button 14 to enter. Based on the control of the CPU 3, the log generation unit 4 reads out the RSA for the user B and decodes the communication history information. In accordance with this, the user B can restore the encrypted items to the original legible state by operating the operation unit 8.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile 100 as a data communication apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the same points as in the first embodiment are omitted, and different points will be described.

In FIG. 7, the facsimile 100 is connected to other facsimiles via a communication network, as in the first embodiment.
The facsimile 100 includes a transmission / reception unit 101 that transmits / receives image information data, a CPU 102 that performs processing and control of data to be transmitted / received, and an unreadable unit 109 that encrypts communication history information based on a control command of the CPU 102. A log generation unit 103, a log storage unit 104 for storing encrypted communication history information, a key information storage unit 110 for registering key information used for decrypting encrypted communication history information, a paper An image reading unit 105 for reading a medium, an image storage unit 106 for storing image information at the time of transmission or image data reception, an operation unit 107 for a user to perform transmission operations such as destination designation, and reception A printer 116 that sometimes prints image data and a display unit 108 that displays transmission results, encryption designation, and the like.
That is, the difference from the first embodiment is that a key information storage unit 110 is provided separately from the log storage unit 104.

The log generation unit 103 is connected between the CPU 102 and the log storage unit 104, and has an unreadable unit 109 therein.
Immediately after transmission, the log generation unit 103 searches the memory for data such as an address and a transmission destination that match the FAX number of the transmission destination, and stores the data such as the address and transmission destination registered in the memory in advance. Based on the above, a communication history is created in accordance with the control command of the CPU 3. In the case of the first transmission, an operation key of the operation unit 107 is used to input to the input unit of the display unit 108 and is registered in the memory. The transmission date and time is recorded in the communication history for each transmission by a clock pulse in the CPU 102.
This unreadable means 109 is configured by the RSA encryption program shown in FIG. 12, and can encrypt information by converting numerically important information to be hidden or hidden in the communication history and selectively hiding it.

The key information storage unit 110 is configured by a storage unit including a volatile or nonvolatile EPROM or RAM, and is connected to the log generation unit 103 via a data bus or the like.
This key information storage unit 110 stores each user's personal identification number and the like as RSA encrypted data in order to decrypt the contents of each item of the communication history that has been encrypted once, and makes it a dedicated independent storage unit. Thus, the processing search time can be shortened.
Note that the PIN here has the same function as the ID number and password of the first embodiment, and is used alone, but both may be used in combination in order to enhance the decryption prevention function. Any of these may be adopted depending on the situation.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for the case where the user encrypts and decrypts the communication history of the facsimile 100 in the second embodiment.
The facsimile machine 100 is connected to other facsimile machines through a communication network, and is also connected to a personal computer or the like, which is a host device, as necessary. The power supply is normally kept on at all times.

(S201)
First, when using the facsimile 100, the user prepares a paper medium to be transmitted in advance, confirms the FAX number of the transmission destination, and if it is confirmed that there is no mistake, sets the paper medium in the image reading unit 105. .
When the CPU 102 detects that the paper medium is set, the detection unit of the image reading unit 105 reads the information content based on the control command of the CPU 102.
The read information content is converted into an image signal and stored in the image storage unit 106 as data.

(S202)
Next, the user inputs the FAX number of the other party to be transmitted from the numeric keypad of the operation unit 107.
(S203)
Further, when the user presses the “Send” button of the operation key, the data is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 101 to the destination facsimile via the communication network.
When the CPU 102 detects that the transmission has been completed, the CPU 102 executes the encryption program, and an “encryption guide” 111 as shown in FIG.

(S204)
When the encryption guide 111 is displayed, the user inputs the personal identification number, which is his / her key information registered in advance, from the numeric keypad of the operation unit 107 into the text box 112 and presses the logon button 113 to input it. To do.
If the personal identification number is correct, “encryption designation MENU” 9 shown in FIG. 4 is then displayed on the display unit 108 based on the control command of the CPU 102. The user designates an item that requires encryption from the items in this menu.
As a result, the unreadable unit 109 operates based on the control command of the CPU 102, and in the transmission record shown in FIG. 10, only the designated item is converted into the encryption, and other items remain in the original state. It will be. As shown in FIG. 11, the communication history is registered in the log storage unit 104 with a part of the recording target item encrypted.

Next, a case where the communication history information that has already been encrypted and registered is decrypted will be described.
Once the display unit 108 is reset with the operation key, the “encryption guide” 111 shown in FIG. 9 is automatically displayed on the display unit 108.
When the user presses the personal identification number in the text box 112 from the numeric keypad of the operation unit 107 and presses and inputs the decryption button 114, the log generation unit 104 receives the RSA from the key information storage unit 110 based on the control command of the CPU 102. And the communication history information is decoded.

Accordingly, the communication history information (table A and table B) shown in FIG. 11 that has already been encrypted and registered is printed out from the image reading unit 105.
The user confirms the record that needs to be restored from the printed out table A, and inputs the number designated by “serial number” in the table B from the numeric keypad.
By this operation, “encryption designation MENU” 15 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 108 in accordance with the control command of the CPU 102.
In this menu screen, twelve check mark items such as an address corresponding to the “serial number” shown in FIG. 11 are written. At this time, the user confirms whether the number of “serial number” 115 in the menu matches the one in the table.

  When it is confirmed that the user matches, the user touches the corresponding item displayed on the menu screen with his / her finger, so that the unreadable unit 109 performs the decoding function, and the decoding program shown in FIG. 12 is executed. At this time, in the RSA table, the power train calculated from Equation 1 moves to the 5th power train that is further shifted from 3 to the third power. For example, the “transmission destination number” changed to another character as (8) becomes the original (2), and at the same time, the check mark 12 in the “encryption designation MENU” 15 is erased, and the item has been encrypted. Restores the original readable state.

  The present invention has been described with reference to a facsimile. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be used for a terminal device related to data communication such as a printer, an MFP, or a copying machine.

1 Facsimile 2 Transceiver 3 CPU
4 log generation unit 5 log storage unit 6 image reading unit 7 image storage unit 8 operation unit 9 display unit 10 unreadable means 11 encryption guide 12 check mark 13 text box 14 login button 15 encryption designation MENU
16 Printer

Claims (4)

In a data communication apparatus that performs transmission / reception of data via a communication network and includes a generation unit that generates a communication history of transmission / reception in the apparatus main body,
The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the device main body includes a non-readable unit that disables reading of a part of data included in the communication history.   2. A data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said unreadable means comprises program means for encrypting, painting or blanking a part of a communication history.   The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data included in the communication history is transmission destination information or transmission source information.   4. The data communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transmission destination information or the transmission source information is a destination name, a destination address, an address, or a telephone number.

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