JPS6343442A - Data communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set a pass word for each opposite party and each user by storing plural pass words sent from the sender side together with a data and recording/ outputting the data only when the pass word inputted by the operator and the stored pass word are coincident. CONSTITUTION:The operator of the opposite party sends a desired pass word together with picture information, the received pass word is registered in a control memory 70 and the picture information is stored once in the picture memory 80. The operator inputs the pass word from the operation panel 50 and picture information in the picture memory 80 whose inputted pass word is coincident with the pass word registered in the control memory 70 is outputted to a recording circuit 90, where the picture information is recorded and outputted.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a data communication device, particularly an interface for transmitting and receiving confidential data.
The present invention relates to a data communication device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in this type of data communication device, for example, a facsimile machine, transmitted image information is unconditionally recorded using a thermal printer or the like. It is recorded and output by the C position. In such a method, it is difficult to protect the privacy and secrecy of the transmitted image information, so conventionally a predetermined password input process is interposed in the transmission/reception operation, and the image information is only transmitted when the passwords match. Methods for transmitting and receiving data are known.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional password system, a password is registered for each facsimile terminal. In other words, only one password could be set for each facsimile terminal.

On the other hand, facsimile machines are still expensive, so it is common for each person to have one machine installed in an office.For example, one machine for each department is shared by multiple people. is the current situation. Under such usage conditions, all users cannot use the confidential transmission/reception function.

In addition, not only for personal privacy, but the fact that only one type of password can be set means that if that password is known, anyone can obtain the 12 exhibition information, and information on the 12 exhibitions cannot be sent or received. It is difficult to ensure the confidentiality of image information.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a data communication device that transmits and receives confidential data is provided with a storage means for registering a plurality of passwords, and the data is stored in the storage means. A configuration is adopted in which a plurality of passwords sent together with data from the sending side are stored, and data is recorded and output only when the password input by the operator matches the password registered in the storage means.

[Operation] According to the above configuration, it becomes possible to set a password for each specific communication partner or specific individual user, and it is possible to securely maintain the confidentiality of confidential data.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the example shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile machine employing the present invention. In the figure, the reference numeral 1 indicates a communication line of a predetermined method, and in the case of this embodiment, the line 1 is constituted by a telephone line.

Telephone 10 for connection to telephone line and line control
0 line is controlled by an NCU (network control unit) 10. Procedure signals and image signals transmitted and received via the 0 line are modulated and demodulated by a modem 20. The transmitted image information is read by a reading circuit 30 configured using a CCD line sensor or the like. On the other hand, the received image information or the image information read by the reading circuit 30 during a copying operation or the like is recorded by a recording circuit 90 constituted by a thermal printer or the like.

The operation of the entire device is controlled by a control circuit 40 composed of a microprocessor or the like. The timing of transmission and reception and other communication conditions are controlled by an operation panel 50 that includes a numeric keypad, a display, and the like. The control procedure of the control circuit 40 is based on the program RO as a program.
Stored in M60. In addition, the image data sent and received is
The image is buffered in the image memory 80.

In this embodiment, a control memory 70 is provided to store each communication condition and password during image communication.

This control memory 70 is designed so that a plurality of passwords can be registered. The password is composed of letters such as the alphabet or numbers from 0 to 9.

In the above configuration, when confidential transmission and reception of image information is required, the operator on the sending side sends a desired password along with the image information, and the transmitted password is registered in the control memory 70 on the receiving side. . On the other hand, the image data received on the receiving side is not recorded on the spot, but is temporarily buffered in the image memory 80. The received image data is not recorded or outputted unless the operator inputs the password transmitted from the operation panel 50 and stored in the control memory 70.

The above operation will be explained in detail with reference to the flowcharts of the control procedure of the control circuit 40 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.

FIG. 2 shows a control procedure when the device shown in FIG. 1 is used as a transmitting device. Step 5l-5 in Figure 2
8 shows the operation by the operator. First, in step S1, the operator picks up the handset of telephone 100 and determines whether or not a dial tone can be heard. If the operator hears a dial tone, the operator inputs the telephone number of the other party in step S2. In the loop of steps S3 and S4, it is determined whether a ring tone, i.e., a ringing tone, is heard;
If you don't hear the ringtone, make the call to the Middle East.

In step S6, the operator determines whether or not a CHD (called station identification signal) signal can be heard, and if the CHD signal is not heard even after a certain period of time, the line is disconnected.

In this embodiment, when transmitting the confidential image information, the transmission of the confidential image information is specified by inputting a predetermined key provided on the operation panel 50 or the like. In step S7,
The control circuit 40 determines whether or not to transmit confidential image information. If the transmission is not a confidential transmission, the process moves to step S8 and waits for the start key on the operation panel 50 to be pressed, and if the start key is pressed, the process moves to the transmission routine shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, if confidential transmission is specified in step S7, the process moves to step S9.

In the loop of steps 39 to 514, a predetermined time is set to determine whether the receiving side has a password function related to the present invention. That is, step S
9, the receiving side sends 015 (digital identification)
In step SIO, it is determined whether the timer started at the time of entering step S9 is measuring a predetermined time or not, and if step SIO is affirmative, the line is disconnected.

In step sii, the "#" key of the telephone fi100 is pressed for 5 seconds. In step S12, the telephone 100 constituted by a TTMF telephone waits for a response from the receiving side to the tone signal corresponding to "#" generated. Step 513
．． In S14, a response signal on the receiving side corresponding to the "r#" tone is determined. In step S13, it is checked whether the DIS signal has been transmitted, and in step S14, it is checked whether the #J tone has been received.
If the IS signal is received, the process returns to step S9 and the above operations are repeated until the time is over, and if the receiving side has a password function related to the present invention,
Since the "#" tone is transmitted, the control is performed in step S1.
Move from 4 to 315.

In step S15, the desired password is transmitted from the telephone 100. When a telephone is used as the password transmitting means as described above, the password is a number expressed as a tone signal.

In step 516, it is determined whether a response signal indicating that the password has been received has been transmitted from the receiving side. If the password is not received in step 516, the operations in steps S15 and 516 are repeated in step S17.
It is determined whether steps S15 and S16 have been repeated three times, and the line is disconnected.

On the other hand, if the receiving side password is received in step 516, the process moves to the sending routine shown in FIG.

The image transmission procedure shown in FIG. 3 is the same as a known image transmission procedure, so it will be briefly explained.

First, steps 518 to S24 indicate a pre-communication procedure. Here, the DIS signal is detected, and when the DIS signal is received, the DC5 signal and the training/TCF signal are transmitted to test the transmission rate and other communication conditions.

If the receiving side succeeds in training, it will transmit a CFR signal, so if the receiving side receives a CFR signal, it will move on to the image transmitting operation from step S25 onwards.

If the receiving side fails in training, it will not transmit the CFR signal, so in that case steps S37 to S339
, lower the transmission rate and repeat the previous procedure. This fallback operation is repeated until the transmission rate cannot be lowered any further.

In step S25, the original image read by the reading circuit 30 is transmitted. In step 32B, it is determined whether there is the next original, and if there is, step S27 and step 530. After passing through the determination routine in S32, the image transmission process in step S25 is performed again.If there is no subsequent document, EOP,
The communication is terminated by the MCF and DCN signals and the line is disconnected.

In step S27, it is determined whether or not a change in the communication mode is requested. If the mode change is not performed, an MPS (multipage) signal is sent in step 329, and in response, in step S30, the receiving side sends an MCF (message message) signal. Confirmation) If a signal has been transmitted, a training signal is transmitted in step S31, and then an image message is transmitted in step 325.On the other hand, if there is a mode change, an EOM signal is transmitted in step 528, and then an image message is transmitted in step S32. When the MCF signal is received, the pre-communication procedure starts from step S19 to step S3.
2, the MCF signal is not received, and the RT is not received in step S33.
If the PC 1111'i return) signal is received, the pre-communication procedure is performed from step S21.

On the other hand, the processing at the receiving side device is performed as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

On the receiving side, the calling signal is detected in step S40 in FIG. 4, and then in step 541 the image memory 8 is
It is determined whether reception is possible by determining conditions such as whether there is sufficient margin for 0 or whether there is recording paper. If reception is not possible, Ir! Cut the J line. In step S42, a CHD signal is transmitted. In step S43, a timer is started to set a predetermined time for checking the password function related to the present invention. Step S44
Now, transmit the DIS signal. Subsequently, in step S45, the "#" transmitted in step Sll on the sending side is
A response signal from the image sender consisting of a tone or a DOS signal is detected.

Step S46. In S47, the type of signal received in step 345 is determined. That is, in step 546 the DO5 signal is detected and in step 547 the "#" tone is detected. If the DO3 signal is detected, the image transmitting device does not have a password function and is a conventional device, so the timer is reset in step 348 and the fifth
The process moves to the image receiving routine shown in the figure.

On the other hand, if an "r#" tone is detected in step 547, the process moves to step S55. If neither the DO3 signal nor the "#" tone is detected, step S
In step 49, the time measured by the timer that started earlier is checked, and if the time has expired, the line is disconnected. If the time has not exceeded, step 550-14
The DIs signal is transmitted and the process loops to step S46 again.

In step S55, the timer is reset. In step S56, the transmission and reception of the procedure signal is stopped. Subsequently, in step S57, the transmitting side transmits a response signal indicating that it has received the "#J tone. This response signal is
The "#" signal may be used as described above.

Next, in step 55g, the sending operator
0 to receive the password in the tone signal sent. If the password cannot be received, the number of times step 858 has been passed is counted in step S59. If the password is not received even after step 558 is performed three times, the line is disconnected. If the password is received in step 358, the process moves to step S51, and it is determined whether the received password has already been registered in the control memory 70. If the password has already been registered, the process moves to step 352, and if it has not been registered, the process moves to step 549.

In step 552, the ID transmitted in the tone signal is
It is determined whether there is enough room in the control memory 70 to register #8. If there is room to register, proceed to step 558.
If there is not enough time, disconnect the line.

In step 553, a flag indicating that confidential image information is being received is set, and recording and outputting of image information by the recording circuit is prohibited. Then, the password based on the received tone signal is registered in the control memory 70. In step S54, a response signal indicating that the password has been received is transmitted, and the process moves to the reception routine shown in FIG.

Steps 360 to 566 in FIG. 5 are a pre-communication procedure corresponding to steps 818 to S24 in FIG. step 354 of
Check the state of the confidential flag set in . If the confidential flag is not set, the received image data is immediately recorded in step S69. On the other hand, if the confidential flag is set, the image data received in step S70 is stored in the image memory 80.

Next, in steps 570 and 580, the MP transmitted in step S29 or 328 in the transmission procedure of FIG.
Detects the S signal and ROM signal.

If an MPS signal is received, step 580 includes an RO
When the M signal is received, in step S73, the MPS,
If no EOM is received, step S7
Move on to 4.

In step S80, it is checked whether there is sufficient room in the image memory 80. If there is sufficient capacity, step S8
The MCF signal is transmitted in Step 1, the training signal is received in Step S82, and then the process returns to Step S67. If the memory capacity is not sufficient, proceed to step 583 and perform RT.
P signal is transmitted, followed by step S84. In step S85, the transmitter's DO3 and training signal are received, and then in step 586, a DCN (disconnection command) signal is transmitted to disconnect the line.

In step S73, the MCF signal is transmitted, and in step 56
Return to 1.

Step S71. If S72 is negative, the sending side does not have a document to send and is sending an EOP signal, so this EOP signal is received in step S74, and the procedure is then interrupted in step S75. M to carry out
The CF signal is transmitted, then the DCN signal is transmitted in step S76, and the line is disconnected in step S77.

In step 378, the confidential image data stored in the image memory 80 is recorded by the recording circuit 90. Step 3
In step 79, if a plurality of pieces of received image data are stored in the image memory 80, a primary recording request is awaited.

Step 378. Recording and outputting of the confidential image data in S79 is performed according to the control procedure shown in FIG. Here, unless the passwords received along with the image data from the sending side match, no recording is performed.

In step S81 in FIG. 6, a predetermined confidential key provided on the operation panel 50 is operated. The key operated here may be the same as the key for specifying confidential transmission at the time of transmission.

In step S82, a password is input.

In step S83, the password input in step S82 is sent from the sending side together with the image data, and it is determined whether it matches the password stored in the control memory 70. If the passwords do not match, in step S87, the display device of the operation panel 50 is used to display that the passwords do not match and recording and output cannot be performed, and the process returns to the standby state.

If the passwords match in step S83, the process advances to step S84, and it is determined whether or not there is received image data in the image memory 80.0 If no image data is stored, the process proceeds to step S86 using the display device. If 0 image data is stored, displaying no data and returning to the standby state, in step S85, the recording circuit 90 is used to record and output the received image data.

As described above, a desired password can be transmitted from the transmitting side for each image data, and this password can be used as a condition on whether or not to perform recording output on the receiving side. Since the password is set for each transmitted image data, it is possible to change it for each communication if necessary, and the possibility that the password will be broken can be reduced. In addition, according to the above configuration, even if a single device is shared by multiple users, each user can set their own password, so even if there are multiple users, each user's The privacy of confidential image information can be completely protected.

In the above embodiment, the password is sent using the attached telephone, but if the device is integrated with a telephone or has an automatic dialing device, the password can be sent using the numeric keypad on the operation panel. You can also input the image data and send it along with the image data.

Furthermore, although the present embodiment has been described using a facsimile machine as an example, the present invention is applicable not only to facsimile machines that perform image data communication, but also to any data communication apparatus that performs character code data communication such as telex and word processor communication.

[Effects] As is clear from the explanation below, according to the present invention, a data communication device that transmits and receives confidential data is provided with a storage means for registering a plurality of passwords, and a data sending side The system stores multiple passwords sent along with data from the computer, and records and outputs the data only when the password entered by the operator matches the password registered in the 1m memory storage means. Therefore, it is possible to provide an excellent data communication device that can completely maintain the privacy of the Nu data transmitted and can also support multiple users.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a facsimile machine adopting the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the transmission processing procedure of FIG. 1, and FIGS. Figure'? FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the order of the receiving processor 1 in position c. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the recording and output processing of confidential image information in the apparatus of FIG. 10...NCU 20...Modem 40...
・Control circuit 50...Operation panel 80...Image memory 90...Recording circuit ioo...Telephone

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a data communication device that transmits and receives confidential data, a storage means for registering a plurality of passwords is provided, and the storage means stores a plurality of passwords sent together with the data from the data transmission side, and the password input by the operator and the stored password are stored in the storage means. A data communication device that records and outputs data only when passwords registered in the means match.