JP2000218962A - Filling form, and issuing-recovering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the workability of a shipping work of direct mails or the like for which replies from objectives are expected by forming a filling section and a picture pattern section on a filling form, providing a section in which a response to filling required subject is filled, on the filling section, and providing embedded information under an electronic see-through configuration on the picture pattern section. SOLUTION: When a processing at a filling form issuing section is performed, an extracting process for personal information of a printing objective from a personal information data base is performed by a data base administering means. Then, a process to encode the personal information is performed by an encoding means. Then, by an information embedding means, information embedded picture pattern data which is picture pattern data having embedded information under an electronic see-through configuration, is produced with specified image data and the encoded personal information. Then, a paper for a filling form on which a filling section is printed, e.g. a paper which is used for a direct mail(DM), is prepared. Then, an address of the DM is printed in an address section on the paper of the DM by a printing means, and at the same time, the information embedded picture pattern data is printed on the picture pattern section of the paper of the DM.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of a form and its issuing and collecting system. In particular, the present invention relates to an entry form having a picture in which individual information is embedded in the form of a digital watermark, and a system for issuing and collecting the form.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Direct mail (abbreviated as DM) will be described as an example. In DM, printing personal information as it is cannot be performed due to the risk of information leakage. However, questionnaires, application for goods purchase,
When a DM is returned in the application for member registration or the like, a process such as a questionnaire is performed based on the DM. At that time, it is necessary to link the DM with the personal information of the subject such as a questionnaire stored in a database or the like. Conventionally, the key information (ID number; identification number) for identifying the target person is
Alternatively, a bar code is printed. When the DM is returned, the key information printed on the DM is read, and detailed information of the subject can be obtained by searching the database based on the key information.

[0003]

For this purpose, it is a prerequisite that a database of the personal information of the target person be constructed in advance. Therefore, the return address must be the same as the sender or have the same database as the sender. When there are a plurality of return destinations, each of them needs to have a similar database or to communicate with a sending source database. FIG. 5A is a system configuration diagram showing that when there are a plurality of return destinations, each of them needs to have a similar database. FIG. 5B is a system configuration diagram showing that when a plurality of return destinations exist, each of them needs to communicate with the database of the sending source. In the system configuration shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the installation cost and communication cost of the database management system are enormous, as is clear from the system configuration.

If the number of subjects is large or the amount of personal information per case is large, the key information naturally becomes long. As a result, the personal information of the target person can be easily predicted from the key information, and the risk of leakage of the personal information increases.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for sending a DM or the like in which a reply from a target person such as a questionnaire or various kinds of applications is expected to have a high degree of confidentiality with respect to the held personal information. If the sender and return address are different,
An object of the present invention is to provide an entry form and a system for issuing and recovering the form, which can be applied to a case where there are a plurality of return destinations, a case where the total number of shipments and the personal information of each subject vary widely, and the like.

[0006]

The above objects are achieved by the present invention described below. That is, an entry form according to claim 1 of the present invention is an entry form in which an entry section and a picture section are formed, wherein the entry section has a section for entering an answer to entry requirements, and the picture section Has embedded information in the form of a digital watermark. According to the present invention, a picture portion having embedded information in the form of a digital watermark is formed on an entry form. Therefore, in a DM or the like where a reply from the target person such as a questionnaire or application is expected, if the sender and return destination are different, if there are multiple return destinations, the total number of shipments and personal information of each target person In a wide variety of cases, when a high degree of confidentiality is required for the held personal information, an entry form that can be applied to, for example, is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the entry form according to the first aspect, wherein the entry form has a destination portion in which a destination of the entry form is described.
According to the present invention, the entry form itself has a destination section, and the destination section describes the destination. Therefore, a high degree of identity between the destination and the embedding information is ensured. Further, the entry form according to claim 3 of the present invention is such that in the entry form according to claim 1 or 2, the embedded information is information relating to a person who fills in the answer. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain information on a writer from embedded information of an entry form. The entry form according to claim 4 of the present invention is the entry form according to claim 3, wherein the entry form is created so as to be sent to the entry person.
According to the present invention, a high degree of identity between the destination, the embedded information, and the entry person is ensured.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an issuance / recovery system including an issuing unit and an entry form collection unit, wherein the entry form issuance unit has a picture having embedded information in a digital watermark form. Section and an entry section having a section for entering a response to the entry requirement, issues an entry form, and the entry form collection section extracts embedded information in the form of a digital watermark from the picture section of the entry form. And a database of entry information in which response data to entry requirements entered in the entry section of the entry form and the embedded information are generated. According to the present invention, issuance and collection of an entry form in which a picture portion having embedded information in the form of digital watermark is formed. Therefore, when the sender and return destination are different, when there are multiple return destinations, when the total number of shipments and the personal information of each target person are diverse, high confidentiality is required for the personal information held. In such a case, an issuance and recovery system that can be applied to, for example, is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the issuance and collection system according to the fifth aspect, the entry form issuing unit includes a database management unit, an encryption unit, an information embedding unit, and a printing unit. The database management means manages a database of personal information, the encryption means encrypts the personal information to generate encrypted personal information, and the information embedding means stores the encrypted personal information and a predetermined Information embedding pattern data, which is pattern data having digital watermark form embedding information, is generated from the pattern data, and the printing means prints the information embedding pattern data on a predetermined sheet. According to the present invention, encrypted personal information of a database is generated as embedded information in the form of a digital watermark, and a picture having the embedded information is printed on a predetermined sheet.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the issuance / recovery system according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the form collection unit includes an image reading unit, a picture extracting unit, an embedded information extracting unit, and a database. Management means,
The image reading means reads the entry form to generate entry form image data, the picture extracting means extracts the picture portion from the entry form image data to produce picture data, and the embedding information extracting means produces the picture information. The embedded information in the form of a digital watermark is extracted from the data, and the database management means generates a database of entry information in which response data to the entry requirement entered in the entry section of the entry form and the embedded information are associated. It is intended to be managed. According to the present invention, embedded information in the form of a digital watermark is extracted from entry form image data obtained by reading an entry form, and a database of entry information in which the embedded information is associated with answer data is generated.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the issuance / recovery system according to the seventh aspect, the embedded information is encrypted personal information, and the entry form recovery unit is provided with the encrypted personal information. The apparatus has a decoding means for decoding information to generate personal information. According to the present invention, when embedded information is encrypted personal information, personal information is generated by decryption.

[0012]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments. The issuance and collection system of the present invention includes an entry form issuing unit and an entry form collection unit. The entry form issuing section issues an entry form in which a picture section having embedded information in the form of a digital watermark and an entry section having a section for entering a response to entry requirements are formed. The form collection section extracts the embedded information in the form of a digital watermark from the picture section of the form, and a database of the form information in which the response data to the entry requirements entered in the form section of the form and the form information are associated. Generate

Here, the digital watermark will be described.
A digital watermark is any information embedded and hidden in image data, audio data, or the like. Some information is, for example, ID information, a logo mark, or the like. Digital watermarking can be used to protect digital works from unauthorized use (eg, unauthorized copying), and is therefore an advanced technology. For this purpose, it is extremely difficult to remove the embedded information without deteriorating the work, it is extremely difficult to know the presence or location of the embedded information in the work, Such a feature is required that the original state of the copyrighted work is maintained even if it has one.

In the present invention, the above-mentioned features are mainly required. Furthermore, in the present invention, even if the embedded information is extracted, it is extremely difficult to decipher the embedded information. A feature that the embedding information can be extracted from the pattern data obtained by reading the pattern is required. Although many digital watermark forms are known, the form of the digital watermark in the embedded information is not particularly limited in the present invention as long as it has such features. A well-known digital watermark format can be applied as the embedded information format.

First, the entry form issuing unit in the issue and collection system of the present invention will be described. The entry form issuing unit, which is an example in this embodiment, has a database management unit, an encryption unit, an information embedding unit, and a printing unit. Such a configuration of the form issuing unit can be realized by hardware and software of a computer system. Here, the database management means manages a database of personal information. That is, a process of searching and extracting set data of individuals who satisfy predetermined conditions and predetermined attribute data of individuals belonging to the set from the database is performed. In addition, a process of registering a new individual and its attribute data in the database, a process of updating existing data, and the like are performed.

The encryption means encrypts the personal information to generate encrypted personal information. The personal information is personal information managed by the database management means. The encrypting means may encrypt all of the personal information managed by the database managing means or only the ID number for identifying the individual, but usually the predetermined information extracted by the database managing means as needed. Personal information. For example, ID number, gender, age, place of residence, etc. The encrypting means encrypts the personal information, for example, by expressing the personal information by a numerical value and converting the numerical value using a predetermined secret function.

The information embedding means generates information embedding picture data which is picture data having embedding information in the form of a digital watermark from the encrypted personal information and predetermined picture data. The method of embedding and hiding the encrypted personal information in the picture data is not particularly limited in the present invention as described above. For example, a method of converting picture data into a frequency component and embedding the encrypted personal information in a specific frequency component, and embedding a part (contour part, etc.) which is not important in human perception existing in the picture data mainly. Can be applied.

The printing means prints the information-embedded picture data on a predetermined sheet. As a printing means, a laser printer,
An ink jet printer, a fusion type thermal transfer printer, a sublimation type thermal transfer printer, and the like can be used. The form is the form used for the form. At least an entry portion and a picture portion are formed on the entry form, but the entry portion may be printed by another means or another step, and the picture portion may be printed by this printing means. Further, the writing section and the picture section may be simultaneously printed by this printing means. When the address portion is formed on the entry form, the address portion and the picture portion are simultaneously printed by this printing means. By printing the address part and the picture part at the same time, the correspondence between the destination and the encrypted personal information is guaranteed.

Next, the processing steps of the entry form issuing unit in the configuration of the entry form issuing unit will be described. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the processing steps of the form issuing unit in the issuance and collection system of the present invention as flow diagrams (pictures). First, in step S1 of FIG. 1, a personal information database is constructed in advance by a database management unit. next,
In step S2, a process of extracting predetermined personal information (personal data) of the print target person from the personal information database by the database management means is performed. One example of personal information for one person is shown in step S2 of FIG. That is, the ID number is “123456”, the name is “Taro Nihon Nihon”, the address is “Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku 3─6─21”, and the registration date is “1989/09/01”.

Next, in step S3, a process for encrypting the personal information by the encryption means is performed. The original personal information cannot be decrypted without decrypting the encrypted personal information, that is, the encrypted personal information. FIG.
In step S3, the encrypted personal information is shown as a schematic diagram. On the other hand, in step S4, predetermined image data in which the encrypted personal information is embedded is prepared in advance. Next, in step S5, the information embedding means generates information embedding picture data, which is picture data having embedding information in a digital watermark form, from the predetermined image data and the above-mentioned encrypted personal information.

Next, in step S6 of FIG. 2, an entry form printed on an entry form is prepared in advance. In the example shown in FIG. 2, this sheet is used for DM. A picture portion and a destination portion are formed on the front surface of the DM paper, and an entry portion is formed on the back surface. Next, in step S7, the printing means prints the destination of the DM on the destination of the DM paper and prints the above-mentioned information-embedded picture data on the picture of the DM paper.

When the printing is completed, the process proceeds to step S
In 8, an entry form in which a picture portion, a destination portion, and an entry portion are formed, that is, a DM in the example shown in FIG. 2 is obtained. As shown in step S8, of the personal information, only the minimum information necessary for sending the name and the like is printed on the DM in a legible manner. Most of the personal information that needs to be protected from leakage is embedded and hidden in pictures.

The entry form (DM) obtained here has at least an entry portion and a picture portion. The entry section has a section for entering a response to entry requirements. Further, the picture portion has embedded information in the form of a digital watermark. The embedding information can be information on a writer who fills in the answer to the above-mentioned entry requirement, and by doing so, information about the writer can be obtained from the embedding information of the entry form. Further, a destination portion can be formed on the entry form. The destination part is a part for describing the destination of the entry form. This ensures a high degree of identity between the destination and the embedded information. Also, the entry form can be created to be sent to the writer, thereby ensuring a high degree of identity between the destination, the embedded information, and the writer.

In the case where the entry form is DM, the entry form in which the address is described in the destination portion is accommodated in an envelope, and the destination portion is visible from a window provided in the envelope, and is sent to the destination. it can. Further, the destination portion is provided so as to be a portion for describing the sender of the reply postcard so that the entry form becomes the reply postcard, and the return destination is also printed in the portion for describing the return destination in the reply postcard. By doing so, the entrant can complete the requirement only by filling in the entry section and simply posting it.

Next, a description will be given of a form collection unit in the issue and collection system of the present invention. The entry form collection unit, which is an example in this embodiment, includes an image reading unit, a picture extraction unit, an embedded information extraction unit, a decoding unit, and a database management unit. Such a configuration of the entry form collection unit can be realized by hardware and software of a computer system. The image reading means reads the entry form and generates entry form image data. Of course, at least the image reading means needs to read the picture portion of the entry form. Further, it is possible to configure so that the entered answer is automatically read by reading the entry section of the entry form. It is also possible to read the address part and other parts of the form and store the form as image data in the storage device.

The picture extracting means extracts a picture portion from the entry form image data and generates picture data. As described above, since the entry form image data includes not only the pattern part but also other parts, only the pattern part is extracted to obtain the pattern data.
The process of extracting the picture data includes extracting the picture data based on the information on the picture position when the picture is printed on the entry form, extracting the picture data by instructing the picture position in the picture data by the operator, and extracting the picture data. Focusing on the difference between the data of the image data and its surroundings, automatic contour extraction is performed to extract picture data.

The embedding information extracting means extracts the embedding information in the form of a digital watermark from the picture data. Here, the embedding information is the encrypted personal information (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The embedded information, that is, the encrypted personal information, is extracted by performing the reverse processing (separation) of the processing (fusion) of generating the information embedded pattern data from the picture data and the encrypted personal information. The decryption means decrypts the encrypted personal information to generate personal information. In this process, the personal information is extracted by performing the reverse process (separation) of the process (fusion) of generating the encrypted personal information from the personal information. The database management means generates and manages a database of entry information that associates response data and personal information for entries entered in the entry section of the entry form.

Next, a description will be given of a processing procedure of the entry form collection unit in the configuration of the entry form collection unit. FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts (illustrations) showing the processing steps of the form collection unit in the issue and collection system of the present invention. First, in step S31 of FIG. 3, the entry form created in FIGS. 1 and 2 and sent to the destination (entry), that is, the DM, is resent (returned) from the entrant to a predetermined return destination.
Then, the DM that has been entered in the entry section at the predetermined return destination is collected. Here, DM is a postcard. Further, in the case of the present invention, the predetermined return destination does not have to be the sender of the entry slip sent to the destination (filler). FIG.
As shown in (A), the return destination may be different from the sending source, and the return destination may be plural. The following steps are performed at each return location.

Next, in step S32, the entry form DM (postcard) is read by the scanner as the image reading means, and entry form image data is obtained. The entry form image data is data in a predetermined range (for example, the entire surface) of the entry form. Next, in step S33, only the picture portion (image portion) is extracted from the entry form image data by the picture extraction means, and information-embedded picture data (see FIG. 1) is obtained. Information embedded picture data is embedded information (encrypted personal information)
And data generated from the picture data.

Next, in step S34 in FIG. 4, a process of extracting embedded information (encrypted personal information) in the form of a digital watermark from information embedded picture data by the embedded information extracting means is performed. Next, in step S35, a process is performed in which the embedded information, that is, the encrypted personal information is decrypted by the decrypting means to obtain personal information. An example of personal information for one person is shown in step S35 of FIG. That is,
ID number "123456", name "Taro Dai Nihon", address "Nishi-Gotanda 3-6-21, Shinagawa-ku", registration date "1989 /
09/01 ", etc. This corresponds to step S2 in FIG.
Is reproduced.

Next, in step S36, the database management means generates and manages a database of entry information in which the response data to the entry entered in the entry section of the entry form and personal information are associated. Necessary personal information is concealed in the picture portion of the entry form (DM) as digital watermark form embedded information. Therefore, by reproducing it in the above-described process, a database of entry information can be generated even at a return destination that does not have a database of personal information (see FIG. 5A).

[0032]

As described above, according to the entry form according to claim 1 of the present invention, in a DM or the like in which a reply from a target person such as a questionnaire or an application is expected, the sending source and the return destination are different. In the case where there are multiple return destinations, the total number of shipments, the personal information of each target person is diversified, the personal information held is required to be highly confidential, etc. Completed forms are provided. According to the entry form according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the entry form itself has a destination portion, and the destination portion is described in the destination portion, a high degree of identity between the destination and the embedded information is ensured. can do. Further, according to the entry form according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain information on the writer from the embedded information of the entry form. Further, according to the entry form according to claim 4 of the present invention, it is possible to ensure a high degree of identity between the destination, the embedding information, and the creator.

According to the issuing and collecting system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the sending source is different from the return destination, when there are a plurality of return destinations, the total number of shipments and the personal information of each target person are diversified. The present invention provides an issuance and collection system that can be applied to cases where high confidentiality is required for the personal information held. According to the issuance and collection system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, an encrypted version of personal information in a database is generated as embedded information in the form of a digital watermark, and a picture having the embedded information is printed on a predetermined sheet. can do. Further, according to the issuance and collection system according to claim 7 of the present invention, embedded information in the form of a digital watermark is extracted from the entry form image data obtained by reading the entry form, and the embedded information is associated with the response data. A database of entry information can be generated. Further, according to the issuance and collection system according to claim 8 of the present invention, when the embedded information is encrypted personal information, personal information can be generated by decryption.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart (first half) showing a processing procedure of a form issuing unit in an issue collection system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart (second half) showing a processing procedure of a form issuing unit in the issue and collection system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart (first half) showing a processing process of a form collection unit in the issue and collection system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart (second half) showing the processing steps of a form collection unit in the issue and collection system of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a system configuration diagram showing that when there are a plurality of return destinations, each of them needs to have a similar database. FIG. 5B is a system configuration diagram showing that when a plurality of return destinations exist, each of them needs to communicate with the database of the sending source.

[Explanation of symbols]

101a, 101b, 101c, 101d Personal information database 102 Entry slip (DM) 103 Communication line

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An entry form in which an entry section and a picture section are formed, wherein the entry section has a section for entering an answer to entry requirements, and the picture section contains embedded information in the form of a digital watermark. An entry form characterized by having. 2. An entry form according to claim 1, wherein said entry form has an address portion in which an address of the entry form is described. 3. The form according to claim 1, wherein:
The entry form, wherein the embedded information is information on a writer who fills in the answer. 4. The form as claimed in claim 3, wherein said form is prepared to be sent to said person. 5. An issuance and collection system having an entry form issuing section and an entry form collection section, wherein the entry form issuance section fills in a picture section having embedded information in the form of a digital watermark and an answer to entry requirements. Issue an entry form having an entry section having a portion to be formed, the entry form collection section extracts embedded information in the form of a digital watermark from the picture section of the entry form, and is filled in the entry section of the entry form. An issuance and collection system for generating a database of entry information in which the response data to the entry requirement and the embedding information are associated with each other. 6. The issuance and collection system according to claim 5, wherein the entry form issuing unit has a database management unit, an encryption unit, an information embedding unit, and a printing unit, and the database management unit is a database of personal information. The encryption means encrypts the personal information to generate encrypted personal information, and the information embedding means has embedded information in the form of a digital watermark from the encrypted personal information and predetermined picture data. An issuance and collection system, wherein information embedding pattern data that is picture data is generated, and the printing unit prints the information embedding pattern data on a predetermined sheet. 7. The issuance and collection system according to claim 5, wherein said entry form collection unit has image reading means, picture extraction means, embedded information extraction means and database management means, and said image reading means is The form is read to generate form image data, the pattern extracting means extracts the pattern portion from the form image data to generate pattern data, and the embedding information extracting means forms a digital watermark form from the pattern data. The database management means generates and manages a database of entry information that associates answer data to entry requirements entered in the entry section of the entry form with the embedded information. Issuance and collection system characterized by. 8. The issuance and collection system according to claim 7, wherein said embedded information is encrypted personal information, and said form collection unit decrypts said encrypted personal information to generate personal information. An issuance and recovery system comprising means.