JP3356963B2 - Facsimile apparatus with security function and security method for facsimile reception contents - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a security function and a security method for facsimile reception contents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus is capable of transmitting information such as characters and figures shown in a document to a remote place in real time using a telephone line or the like, and is widely used as one of information transmission apparatuses. FIG. 7 shows functions of the conventional facsimile apparatuses on the transmitting side and the receiving side.

In FIG. 7, 1'a enclosed by a dotted line represents a transmitting facsimile apparatus, and 1'b represents a receiving facsimile apparatus. The reason why the transmission procedure in the transmission-side facsimile apparatus 1'a is indicated by a square inside the portion surrounded by a dotted line at 1'a is indicated by a square inside the portion surrounded by a dotted line at 1'b. This shows a procedure at the time of reception in the reception-side facsimile apparatus 1'b.

As shown in the figure, in transmission, as a first procedure, an original on which characters and the like are described is read by a well-known optical reading means such as a CCD, and white / black information of each row and column is read. Create bitmap data. Since this data has a large capacity, it is compressed as appropriate while being temporarily stored in a memory, and transmitted to a facsimile machine via a telephone line or the like.

On the other hand, the receiving-side facsimile machine 1'b converts transmitted data (the compressed data) into
Once received in a buffer memory, the compressed data is decompressed, reproduced as characters, etc., and output on a sheet of paper for each row and column.

The output data is obtained by reproducing the optically read data in the transmitting facsimile machine 1'a. The degree of reproduction depends on the degree of resolution of the optical reading means and the like. When read at a high resolution, the degree of reproduction improves accordingly, but on the other hand, the amount of information increases and the transmission time increases.

Further, when information is simply read in the binary mode of “white” and “black” and transmitted, white is set to “0”,
Black and white / black information can be represented by 1 bit, such as “1”. However, when a gradation is applied, such as “gray” which is an intermediate value between white and black, white is represented by “00”, Gray is "01",
The larger the gradient, such as “11” for black, the greater the number of bits required for expression and the longer the transmission time.

[0008]

As described above, in the facsimile apparatus, since the transmitted character information and the like are output on paper, the facsimile apparatus can be immediately read by the receiver, and is very convenient. When the apparatus is used by many persons, there is a problem that information that is not desired to be read by others is easily known. Further, there is a problem that unnecessary information is output unlimitedly for the user, so that unnecessary reception wastes paper.

In this regard, the transmitted information is temporarily stored in a memory included in the apparatus, a part of the transmitted information is displayed on a liquid crystal display device or the like, and the received content is confirmed by the receiver, and then is displayed on the paper. A device of the type for outputting is also commercially available. However, in this case, there is a problem in that it is not possible to immediately know who sent what information and when.

The problem can be solved by owning (managing) each device one by one. However, the device is relatively expensive, and if the information is to be occupied, the telephone must be used for each person. The line must be erected, which is not a practical solution.

Here, the main objects to be solved by the present invention are as follows. That is, a first object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus with a security function and a security method for facsimile reception contents in which transmitted contents are not easily known to others.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a security function capable of surely confirming the received content only by the recipient without completely discriminating the received content even when a plurality of persons use the facsimile apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus with a facsimile and a security method for facsimile reception contents.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus with a security function and a security method for facsimile reception contents which are as inexpensive as possible.

[0014] Other objects of the present invention will become obvious from the description of the present application, the drawings, particularly the description of each claim in the claims.

[0015]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention temporarily stores all received data in a volatile or non-volatile memory (received data storage means) having a relatively large storage capacity and temporarily stores received data. The received data is output on paper in a form in which a predetermined mask pattern is overwritten only in a blank portion other than a necessary information portion such as data characters. A mask pattern that can be distinguished from characters, symbols, and the like in the received information is overwritten on the space between characters, the space between lines, and other blank portions on the output paper.

Therefore, even if a third party other than the recipient looks into the receiving page to determine who is the recipient of the receiving page, the received information other than the recipient cannot be easily read directly.
Security of received data can be secured to some extent. Then, since the necessary reception information portion such as characters in the mask pattern in the form of a hidden image is output raw as it is, after the reception, if the receiver himself / herself gazes and reads the reception information, the content of the reception is obtained. By identifying itself as the mask pattern, it is possible to grasp the embossing and reading. In this case, when it is necessary to confirm or store the regular reception information, it is sufficient to input access information such as a personal identification number and output all the regular reception raw data only in writing as usual.

[0017] As a solution in the case where a highly confidential document is transmitted, the mask pattern is overwritten and concealed over the information in the received information, and only the first one is concealed.
Output to paper. Therefore, even if a third party other than the recipient tries to know the received content from the receiving paper, the received content is almost indecipherable, and the security of the received data can be sufficiently ensured.

Since the output page is for notifying that a facsimile has been received, the receiver inputs access information such as a personal identification number, and proceeds as usual.
It is possible to check the received content by writing out all of the regular received raw data in writing. In this case, the confidentiality of the received information can be maintained for the secretary.

Further, when a single facsimile apparatus is shared by a plurality of users, and each user wants to maintain the confidentiality of its own received data, the reception in the transmission (reception) data is not performed. A means for recognizing the name and code number of the recipient is provided, and a different mask pattern is overwritten and output for each recipient.

If this secretary pattern is known in advance by the secretary, each recipient is individually handed over, and the recipient himself / herself inputs access information such as a personal identification number and the like.
As usual, all of the regular received raw data may be output in writing to confirm the received content. Also in this case, the confidentiality of the received information can be maintained for almost any third party including the secretary.

As a method of inputting a personal identification number and outputting regular reception data, a paper on which a mask pattern has been overwritten and output is read by an optical reading means of a facsimile apparatus, and the reading is performed by a mask pattern information recognizing means. After recognizing and removing only the mask pattern information from the information, the information obtained by removing the mask pattern is output to the paper.

More specifically, the above-mentioned problem is solved by:
The present invention is attained by adopting novel characteristic constitutional means and techniques listed below from the superordinate concept to the subordinate concept.

A first feature of the apparatus of the present invention is that reception data storage means for temporarily storing and storing all facsimile reception data, and a mask pattern for outputting the reception data in a form overwritten with a predetermined mask pattern Mask pattern information storage means for storing information, a mask pattern overwrite information temporary storage memory for temporarily storing overwrite information in which the received data is overwritten with the mask pattern, and comprehensively controlling each of the means; In a facsimile apparatus with a security function having a control unit for outputting the overwritten received data of the mask pattern to the paper, the control unit overwrites the mask pattern so as not to overlap information such as characters of the received data. Facsimile machine with security function that outputs everything to paper

According to a second feature of the present invention, the facsimile apparatus with security function according to the first feature of the present invention further comprises an access information storage means for preliminarily storing access information unique to the recipient. The control unit outputs the overwriting information to the paper after receiving the facsimile, and when the access information is input from a predetermined unit and the access information matches the previously stored access information, the control unit stores the received data. A facsimile apparatus with a security function is provided which outputs all the contents of regular reception stored in the means on paper.

A third feature of the apparatus of the present invention resides in that a predetermined mask pattern which overwrites received data in the first or second feature of the apparatus of the present invention determines the arrangement density of the components of the mask pattern by a mode selection means. The facsimile apparatus with the security function, which is further provided and adjusted, is employed.

A fourth feature of the apparatus of the present invention is that the facsimile apparatus with security function according to the first, second or third feature of the apparatus of the present invention performs a specific transmission in which a predetermined source telephone number is stored in advance. A facsimile apparatus with a security function, wherein the control unit overwrites the mask pattern only on the received data transmitted from the specific transmission source and outputs the mask pattern on paper. In the configuration adoption.

A fifth feature of the present invention is that the facsimile apparatus with security function according to the first, second, third or fourth feature of the present invention stores the name of the specific recipient or its code number. And a specific recipient recognition means for identifying the specific recipient described in the facsimile transmission data, and the mask pattern information storage means stores different mask pattern information for each specific recipient. The control unit is configured to employ a facsimile apparatus with a security function that overwrites received data with a different mask pattern for each specific recipient and outputs the mask pattern on paper.

According to a sixth feature of the apparatus of the present invention, the facsimile apparatus with security function according to the fifth feature of the present invention has access information storage means for storing different access information for each code number of a specific recipient. The control unit, after facsimile reception, outputs reception information overwritten with a different mask pattern for each specific recipient on a sheet of paper, and the recipient code number and access information input from predetermined means are identified. A facsimile apparatus with a security function is provided which outputs all the regular reception data stored in the reception data storage means to paper when the reception information matches the access information of the specific recipient.

A seventh feature of the present invention is that the facsimile apparatus with security function according to the fifth feature of the present invention further comprises mask pattern recognizing means for recognizing different mask pattern information for each specific recipient. The controller outputs the information of the received data overwritten with the mask pattern on a sheet of paper, and, when regular access information is input, overwrites the mask pattern read by the optical reading means of the facsimile apparatus. After recognizing and removing only the mask pattern information from the information,
A facsimile apparatus with a security function that outputs information obtained by removing the mask pattern on a sheet of paper is employed.

A first feature of the method of the present invention is that security of facsimile reception contents is obtained by overwriting a facsimile reception data only with a predetermined mask pattern only on a white background portion having no information of the reception data and outputting the whole on paper. It consists in adopting a method configuration.

A second feature of the method of the present invention is that the received data in the first feature of the method of the present invention is stored once, and the access information of the receiver is inputted, and this is stored in advance. When the access information is unique access information unique to the receiver, a security method for facsimile reception contents in which all the received data is output on paper is employed.

A third feature of the method of the present invention is that the output of the reception data overwritten with the mask pattern in the first or second feature of the method of the present invention to the paper surface stores a specific transmission source telephone number in advance. The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a security method for facsimile reception content that is only reception data transmitted from the specific transmission source.

A fourth feature of the method of the present invention is that the overwriting of the mask pattern in the first, second or third feature of the method of the present invention is performed by storing the name of the specific recipient or its code number in advance and performing facsimile transmission. Of the facsimile reception content by identifying whether the message is addressed to any of the recipients and overwriting the received data with a mask pattern unique to the recipient.

A fifth feature of the method of the present invention resides in that the received data in the fourth feature of the method of the present invention is output as it is on the paper together with the mask pattern overwriting information after facsimile reception, and thereafter, the code of the receiver is output. Only when a number and access information are input and match the pre-stored code number of the receiver and the access information, the security method for facsimile reception contents that outputs all the regular reception data on paper. In hiring.

A sixth feature of the method of the present invention is that when the paper surface overwritten and output by the mask pattern in the fifth feature of the present method is subsequently read by the optical reading means of the facsimile apparatus, When the regular access information is inputted, the mask pattern in the optically read information is recognized and removed, and then information obtained by outputting the information obtained by removing the mask pattern on the paper is output on the paper. This is to adopt the configuration of the security method of the received facsimile contents.

[0036]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus with a security function and a facsimile reception content security method according to the present invention.
An example of the apparatus and an example of the method will be described.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of a facsimile apparatus 1 with a security function of an apparatus example 1 of the present embodiment. First, a basic configuration of the facsimile apparatus will be described.

As is well known, the facsimile apparatus includes an optical reading unit 10 for optically reading a document for transmission, a data compression unit 11 for compressing data read by the optical reading unit 10, and a transmitting (or receiving) device. , Send (receive)
Buffer memory 12 for temporarily storing data, data decompression means 13 for decompressing the received compressed data, key input means 14 for inputting the telephone number of the other party, printing for outputting the received data readable to paper. Means 1
5. Display means 16 such as a liquid crystal display device for displaying the input destination telephone number and the telephone number of the sender, etc., and line connection means 17 such as a modular jack for connecting a telephone line for transmission and reception. are doing.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a facsimile apparatus with a security function of the present apparatus example, and a portion surrounded by a dotted line is the above-mentioned basic constituent means.

As shown in FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 1 with a security function according to the present embodiment is characterized in that it comprises the following means in addition to the means of the conventional facsimile apparatus.

That is, in the facsimile apparatus 1 with a security function of the apparatus example 1, first, a relatively large-capacity rewritable memory that collectively stores received data (before outputting), for example, a magnetic bubble memory or the like When facsimile data is received, the received data is stored in the received data storage unit 19, and a management number is assigned to each reception to be managed.

Further, the facsimile machine 1 with a security function of the present apparatus example 1 stores access information for the user to access the received data stored in the received data storage means 19, for example, a plurality of digits of a personal identification number. It has an access information storage means 20 composed of a nonvolatile memory.

For the access information for accessing the received data, for example, a four-digit password stored in advance in the access information storage means 20 is changed to “*** N 1 N 2 N 3” using the key input means 14. N3 "followed by three asterisks.

The means for accessing the received contents in the first example of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned password, but may be an ID.
A card (magnetic card) may be used. In that case, the access information stored in the access information storage means 20 is the same as the information written in the ID card. In addition, an alphanumeric key or the like may be provided as the key input unit 14 in addition to a numeric keypad, and a password obtained by combining the alphabet and a number may be used as the access information.

Further, the facsimile machine 1 with a security function of the present apparatus example 1 has a control unit 18 composed of a microprocessor or the like, and controls the apparatus 1 as a whole.
Note that the conventional facsimile apparatus also has a control unit, and the functions of the apparatus are executed by the control unit. However, the functions are different from those of the control units of the following apparatus examples including the present apparatus example 1.

Further, in addition to the reception data storage means 19 and the access information storage means 20, a mask pattern information storage means storing the mask pattern information (components) for overwriting a predetermined mask pattern on a reception information output sheet. 2
1 and a mask pattern overwriting information temporary storage memory 22 for temporarily storing information obtained by overwriting the mask pattern. The mask pattern information storage means 21
It is composed of a non-volatile memory (ROM).

Further, a mode selecting means 23 for setting the density of the mask pattern stepwise or in an analog manner as necessary is provided in the main body of the facsimile apparatus 1.

(Example 1 of Method) Here, Example 1 of the present embodiment will be described. In the first method example, when the apparatus 1 receives a facsimile, the received data is stored in the received data storage unit 19. The data to be stored may be data after decompression, but since the amount of information is enormous, it is preferable to use data before decompression. Then, after the facsimile reception, the reception data is output on the paper in a form in which a predetermined mask pattern is overwritten.

Here, the mask pattern will be described. The mask pattern is used to overwrite the facsimile content output paper with the pattern after the facsimile reception.Even if the output paper is caught by a person other than the recipient, at least the received contents can be seen at a glance. Just doing it makes it difficult to read.

In order for the recipient to be able to know the received content from the mask pattern overwriting document after receiving the document, the content of the document itself must not be damaged. Do not overwrite important information parts. That is, printing is performed only on a white background portion such as a space between characters, a space between lines, and a margin portion.

As the components of the mask pattern, various shapes such as a black square (形), a wave symbol (〜), a mountain symbol (∧), a houndstooth check, and the like can be selected. The mask pattern can be configured by a pattern in which these components are arranged at predetermined intervals. For example, when the mask pattern component is the black square (■), it can be arranged in a grid pattern, and when it is the wave symbol or the like, it can be arranged vertically and horizontally continuously.

Next, a procedure for overwriting a regular reception content with a mask pattern will be described with reference to FIG. When a facsimile is received, the received data is stored in the received data storage means 19, and at least one line of the received data, preferably several lines of data is decompressed, and the mask pattern overwriting information temporary storage memory is stored. 22.

Next, the control unit 18 searches for the white background portion of the received data, and
Read the mask pattern components stored in
This is overwritten on the margin portion in the memory 22. Then, the received data in which the mask pattern is overwritten is read out from the memory 22 and is output to the paper by the printing means 15.

The first method of the present method is based on the premise that although the output paper on which the mask pattern is overwritten is difficult to read at first glance, the reading itself is possible, and no specific operation is required. , And output all of the received data on paper. If necessary for the recipient, the access information may be input, the entire regular reception data may be read from the reception data storage means 19, and this may be output on paper.

Further, the density of the mask pattern to be overwritten on the received data is determined in accordance with the setting of the user, and is output on paper.

(Example 2 of Apparatus) FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a facsimile apparatus 2 with a security function of Example 2 of the present embodiment.

As shown in the drawing, the apparatus example 2 of the present invention has a specific transmission source telephone number storage means 24 in addition to the means used in the apparatus example 1. Specific source telephone number storage means 24
Because not all received content has high confidentiality, the phone number of the frequent source that frequently sends highly confidential documents is stored in advance and sent from the source. Only the received facsimile data is for printing a mask pattern.

(Method Example 2) The method example 2 in the present embodiment is a method for securing facsimile reception contents that can exhibit a sufficiently reliable security function even when extremely confidential information can be transmitted by facsimile. Is provided.

The method example 2 is carried out on the structure of the apparatus example 2. Hereinafter, the method example 2 will be described.

First, in the method example 2, when facsimile reception is performed, each component of the mask pattern is uniformly overwritten on necessary characters of the received content, and even when the received content is plural, Only the first sheet is output. The reason why the mask pattern is also overwritten on the necessary characters of the received content is to make it impossible for anyone other than the recipient to read the information in a highly confidential document.

The reason why the unreadable paper is intentionally output is to easily notify the receiver of the fact that the reception itself has occurred, without using any other means.

As described above, the output on the paper is for notifying the receiver of the fact of reception itself, and therefore, the output on the paper is limited to only one sheet even when a plurality of reception contents are received. Is preferred. This is because it also saves paper and toner.

In the case of the present method example 2, the output on the paper is one, and the mask pattern is overwritten on the necessary information of the received content to the extent that the recipient himself is difficult or impossible to read. The entire content must be confirmed by the recipient.

Therefore, in the second example of the method, after the reception, the authorized receiver inputs the authorized access information which can be known only by the authorized user from the key input means 14 or the like, and the authorized reception content without the mask pattern being overwritten is input. It is necessary to read the entire data from the received data storage means 19 and output it on paper to confirm it.

In the second example of the method, facsimile transmission data from a place where the telephone number is not registered in advance, that is, reception data with low confidentiality, is not overwritten with the mask pattern, and is directly printed on the paper. Since it is output, there is no need to input the access information.

According to the method example 2, even if a highly confidential document is transmitted by facsimile and the receiving paper is placed on a desk while the recipient is away, a mask pattern is read from the document. Since it is overwritten impossible, there is no danger that the contents will be known to a third party. On the other hand, at least one page of the receiving paper is output, so that the recipient himself / herself can obtain a highly confidential document from several people. It is possible to easily know that facsimile transmission has been performed, and thereafter, it is possible to input access information known only to the recipient himself, and to output all of the regular reception contents to a sheet of paper to reliably obtain this.

(Example 3 of Apparatus) Next, Example 3 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the facsimile machine 3 with a security function of the apparatus example 3 of the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, in the facsimile machine 3 with security function of the present apparatus example 3, in addition to the constituent means of the facsimile apparatus 1 with security function of the above-mentioned apparatus example 1, the receiver name or the code number thereof are displayed. There is provided a specific recipient recognition means 25 for storing and identifying the recipient code or the like in the received data.

The specific recipient recognizing means 25 stores the name of the specific recipient or the code number of the specific recipient in the facsimile apparatus with the security function, and stores the specific recipient name (for example, kanji) or the code number (number) in the received data. It has a function of recognizing the information.

Normally, the name of the recipient is stored in the first sheet of the transmission sheet such as a transmission slip, so that data corresponding to about one page from the reception data stored in the reception data storage means 19 is stored in the memory 22. Then, by character recognition (pattern recognition), it is determined whether the transmission is to the previously recorded (registered) receiver or, if so, to whom.

Then, the specific recipient recognition means 25 may automatically read the display of the recipient from the transmission slip. For example, when the code number of the specific recipient is described in the transmission data, first, the transmission side The recipient's code number is pre-arranged between each person in charge of use of the device on the receiving side, and when facsimile sending a confidential document, this recipient code number should be indicated on a transmission slip or the like. To For example, a square frame portion is provided in the upper right portion of the transmission form, and the code number of the recipient is entered in the frame one digit at a time.

Further, the mask pattern information storage means 21 'in the device example 3 stores different mask pattern information for each recipient (see FIG. 4). This is for outputting a different mask pattern for each recipient on the paper.

On the other hand, when the receiver reads out the regular reception content from the reception data storage means 19 and outputs it on paper, there are a plurality of persons who will receive highly confidential documents, so the access information storage means 20 ′ The access information (password etc.) stored in the user is the user (ie, code number)
Each is set differently.

FIG. 5 is an example of a personal identification number table stored in the access information storage means 20 'used in the present apparatus example.

In order for the recipient to access the regular reception data stored in the reception data storage means 19, for example, the key input means 14 may be used to input "*** A1 A2 A3 N4".
N1 N2 N3 N4 ", your own code number A1 A
Following A2 A4, access information (password) N1 registered (stored) in the access information storage means 20 in advance.
Enter N2 N3 N4.

In this example of the apparatus, a series of operations are as follows.
It goes without saying that it is controlled and executed by the control unit 18.

(Example 3 of Method) The method 3 of the present embodiment is applied to a case where extremely confidential information may be transmitted by facsimile and one facsimile apparatus is used by a plurality of persons. Also,
It is intended to provide a sufficiently reliable security method for facsimile reception contents.

The third method example is carried out on the structure of the third example device. Hereinafter, method example 3 will be described.

When it is recognized that the facsimile reception was addressed to the specific recipient, it differs for each recipient.
The mask pattern stored in advance is overwritten and output on paper.

As described above, FIG. 4 shows an example of a mask pattern table stored in the mask pattern storage means 21 'used in the third example of the present invention, which is differently stored for each receiver (code number). The received data read (copied) to the mask pattern overwriting information temporary storage memory 22 is overwritten using the mask pattern information.

In this case, the mask pattern may be overwritten only on the white background portion and output on all pages as in the method example 1, or the necessary character information may be overwritten as in the method example 2. The output for only one page may be performed.

If the secretary who is the apparatus administrator has previously known a mask pattern that differs for each user, each time a user receives a message, he / she hands it to the recipient without any mistakes and reliably notifies that the message has been received. it can. If necessary, the name and the like of the recipient may be legible without masking the upper half of the first page.

Then, the code number and access information of the receiver input by the receiver correspond to the code number of the recognized receiver and the registered access information (for example, a password).
If it is confirmed that the received data is the same as that of the received data, all of the regular reception contents in which the mask pattern has not been overwritten are read out from the reception data storage means 19 and output on paper.

(Example 4 of Apparatus) Next, Example 4 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a functional block diagram of the facsimile apparatus 4 with a security function of the apparatus example 4 of the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the facsimile machine 4 with the security function of the present apparatus example 4 includes a mask pattern recognition means 26 in addition to the constituent means of the facsimile apparatus 3 with the security function of the apparatus example 3.

The mask pattern recognizing means 26 has a function of identifying different mask pattern information (components) for each specific recipient of the facsimile apparatus with security function.

Further, in the present apparatus example 4, a read information temporary storage memory 27 for temporarily storing the information of the page read by the optical reading means 10 at the time of transmission (before) at the time of facsimile transmission is used. Since the memory 27 is provided in the conventional device, it is shown in a dotted frame in FIG.

In the case of the device example 4, the received data storage means 19 may be a volatile memory.

(Example 4 of Method) As in Example 3, the method of Example 4 of the present embodiment has a sufficiently reliable facsimile reception content even when very highly confidential information may be transmitted by facsimile. Security method.

The fourth method example is carried out on the structure of the fourth example device. Hereinafter, method example 4 will be described.

If it is recognized that the facsimile reception was addressed to the specific recipient, it differs for each recipient.
The method in which the previously stored mask pattern is overwritten and output on the paper is the same as in the method example 3.

The feature of the fourth method, that is, the procedure from the reception to the acquisition of the legitimate information will be partially described below with reference to FIG. ST1: When a facsimile is received, all of the received information overwritten with the mask pattern is output to the paper. In this case, the mask pattern is the reception information (necessary characters etc.)
Is overwritten so that it does not affect anything. In principle, the mask pattern is overwritten on the received information to such an extent that it is difficult or impossible for the recipient to read it. The method of ST1 follows the procedure in the method example 1 described with reference to FIG.

ST2: Next, when the reception information overwritten with the mask pattern is output to the paper after reception, the reception data temporarily stored in the reception data storage means 19 is, in principle, protected for security reasons. Immediately deleted. ST3: The receiver causes the optical reading means 10 to read all the output documents in the same manner as at the time of transmission.

ST4: The read data is stored in the read information temporary storage memory (means) 27. ST5: Thereafter, the receiver inputs his / her own code number and access information (personal identification number).

ST6: If the access information (personal identification number) input in ST5 corresponds to the code number, the mask pattern recognition means 26
7, the mask pattern information (component) corresponding to the code number is identified from the read data temporarily stored in 7, and only the mask pattern information (component) is deleted from the read data.

ST7: When all the mask pattern information (components) are erased from the read data, the regular reception information obtained by erasing the mask pattern information (components) is output to the paper and received. Confirms it.
Note that ST5 may be performed after ST2. That is, ST1, ST2, ST5, ST3, ST4, S
The procedure of T6 and ST7 may be followed.

The above-described examples of the apparatuses and the examples of the methods are merely examples of the present embodiment. It goes without saying that an arbitrary apparatus example and method example can be configured by selecting each constituent means and configuration method in each apparatus example and method example.

[0098]

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus with the security function and the method for security of the received facsimile contents, all the received contents are not directly output to the paper immediately after the facsimile reception. Can keep the confidentiality of the received facsimile content without the third party other than the user easily knowing the received content.

Further, there is provided a facsimile apparatus with a security function or a facsimile reception content security method in which access information of a receiver is input and all received contents are output on paper only when the information is confirmed as legitimate information. For example, since only authorized persons can confirm the contents of regular reception after the fact, it is possible to provide a highly confidential facsimile apparatus and a method of securing the contents of facsimile reception.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first example of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(A) is a functional block diagram, and (b) is a diagram for explaining the mutual operation relationship among a reception data storage unit, a mask pattern information storage unit, and a mask pattern overwrite information temporary storage memory.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a second example of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a third example of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask pattern table indicating mask pattern information for each user code stored in a mask pattern information storage unit in a third device example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a personal identification number table showing an example of a personal identification number for each user code stored in the access information storage means in the third device example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a functional block diagram of a fourth apparatus example, and FIG. 6B is a fourth method example in which mask pattern erasure information is reproduced from mask pattern overwriting information in the fourth method example; FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a part of the procedure up to this point.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a transmission side apparatus and a reception side apparatus of a conventional facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3, 4 ... facsimile apparatus with security function 1a ', 1b' ... facsimile apparatus 10 ... optical reading means 11 ... data compression means 12 ... buffer memory 13 ... data decompression means 14 ... key input means 15 ... printing means DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Display means 17 ... Line connection means 18 ... Control part 19 ... Reception data storage means 20, 20 '... Access information storage means 21, 21' ... Mask pattern storage means 22 ... Mask pattern overwriting information temporary storage memory 23 ... Mode Selection means 24 ... Specific transmission source telephone number storage means 25 ... Specific recipient recognition means 26 ... Mask pattern recognition means 27 ... Reading information temporary storage memory

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reception data storage means for temporarily storing and storing all facsimile reception data, and a mask pattern information storage for storing the mask pattern information for outputting the reception data in a form in which a predetermined mask pattern is overwritten. Means, a mask pattern overwriting information temporary storage memory for temporarily storing overwriting information in which the mask pattern is overwritten on the reception data, and the overwriting reception data of the mask pattern, which comprehensively controls the respective means. A facsimile apparatus with a security function having a control unit that outputs the mask pattern onto the paper, and the control unit overwrites the mask pattern so as not to overlap the information such as characters of the received data and outputs the entirety on the paper. A facsimile machine with a security function, characterized in that: 2. The facsimile apparatus with security function further comprises access information storage means for preliminarily storing access information unique to the recipient, and wherein the control unit stores the overwritten information on a paper after receiving the facsimile. Output, and when the access information is input from a predetermined means and this matches the previously stored access information, all the regular reception contents stored in the reception data storage means are output on paper. The facsimile machine with a security function according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The predetermined mask pattern to be overwritten on the received data, wherein the arrangement density of the components of the mask pattern is adjusted by further providing a mode selecting means. Facsimile machine with security function. 4. The facsimile apparatus with security function further includes a specific transmission source telephone number storing means for storing a predetermined transmission source telephone number in advance, and wherein the control unit is transmitted from the specific transmission source. 4. The facsimile apparatus with a security function according to claim 1, wherein the mask pattern is overwritten only on the received data, and the mask pattern is output on paper. 5. The facsimile apparatus with a security function, further comprising a specific recipient recognition means for storing the name of the specific recipient or its code number and identifying the specific recipient described in facsimile transmission data. The mask pattern information storage means stores different mask pattern information for each of the specific recipients, and the control unit overwrites the received data with a different mask pattern for each of the specific recipients, The facsimile apparatus with a security function according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus outputs the facsimile. 6. The facsimile apparatus with a security function, further comprising: access information storage means for storing access information different for each code number of the specific recipient, wherein the control unit, after receiving the facsimile, When the received information overwritten with a different mask pattern is output on paper, and the receiver code number and the access information input from the predetermined means match the identified receiver information and the access information of the specific receiver. The facsimile apparatus with a security function according to claim 5, wherein all of the regular reception data stored in the reception data storage means is output on paper. 7. The facsimile apparatus with a security function, further comprising: a mask pattern recognizing means for recognizing different mask pattern information for each of the specific recipients; While outputting the information on the paper, when the regular access information is input, from the mask pattern overwriting information read by the optical reading means of the facsimile apparatus, after only recognition and removal of the mask pattern information, 6. The facsimile apparatus with a security function according to claim 5, wherein information obtained by removing the mask pattern is output on a paper. 8. A security method for facsimile reception contents, wherein a facsimile reception data is overwritten with a predetermined mask pattern only on a white background portion having no information of the reception data and the whole is output on paper. 9. The received data is stored once, and the access information of the receiver is input. When the received access data is the regular access information unique to the receiver stored in advance, the received data is completely stored. 9. The security method for facsimile reception content according to claim 8, wherein the facsimile reception content is output on paper. 10. The output of the received data overwritten with the mask pattern on paper is only the received data transmitted from the specific transmission source in which the specific transmission source telephone number is stored in advance. 10. The security method for facsimile reception contents according to claim 8 or 9. 11. The overwriting of the mask pattern is performed by storing in advance the name of the specific recipient or its code number, identifying whether the facsimile transmission is addressed to any of the recipients, and adding the unique data to the received data. 11. The method according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the mask pattern is overwritten. 12. After the facsimile reception, the received data is output together with the mask pattern overwriting information as it is on paper, and thereafter, a code number and access information of the receiver are input, and the received data is stored in advance. 12. The security method for facsimile reception content according to claim 11, wherein the full reception data is output on paper only when the code number matches the code number of the user and the access information thereof. 13. The paper surface overwritten with the mask pattern and output by the optical reading means of the facsimile apparatus, when the authorized access information of the receiver is input, the optical surface is read. The facsimile reception content security method according to claim 12, wherein after the mask pattern in the information is recognized and removed, information obtained by removing the mask pattern is output on a paper surface.