COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND SECRET INFORMATION SHARING METHOD

• US 20120045059A1
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Fujinami, Makoto
• Granted Patent: US 9,450,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/273
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0866 involving user or device identifiers, e.g. serial number, physical or biometrical information, DNA, hand-signature or measurable physical characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/04 Key management, e.g. using generic bootstrapping architecture [GBA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/77 Graphical identity

Abstract

A communication apparatus includes display control means for displaying a secret information image containing secret information, and secret information image generation means for, upon receiving a notification signal indicating that a preparation for shooting is completed from another communication apparatus, instructing the display control means to display the secret information image. Note that the display control means displays a predetermined dummy image, and the notification signal is a notification signal indicating that a shooting preparation has been completed based on the dummy image. Further, when the secret information image generation means receives a notification signal indicating that secret information contained in a secret information image is obtained from another communication apparatus, the secret information image generation means instructs the display control means to stop displaying the secret information image.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising:

a display control unit that displays a secret information image containing secret information; and

a secret information image generation unit that, upon receiving a notification signal indicates that a preparation for shooting is completed from another communication apparatus, instructing the display control unit to display the secret information image.

2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the display control unit displays a predetermined dummy image, and

the notification signal is a notification signal indicating that a preparation for shooting based on the dummy image is completed.

3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein upon receiving a notification signal indicating that the secret information contained in the secret information image is obtained from the another communication apparatus, the secret information image generation unit instructs the display control unit to stop displaying the secret information image.

4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the secret information image contains a cryptographic key image containing a cryptographic key for use in encryption of wireless communication, and

the secret information image generation unit comprises a cryptographic key generation control unit that generates the cryptographic key and thereby generating the cryptographic key image, and

upon recognizing that a time period from a display start of the cryptographic key image to a display stop is within a predefined specified display time period, the cryptographic key generation control unit starts encrypted communication using the cryptographic key with the another communication apparatus.

5. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein upon recognizing that a time period from a display start of the cryptographic key image to a display stop exceeds the specified display time period, the cryptographic key generation control unit notifies a display of a new cryptographic key image based on a new cryptographic key to the another communication apparatus and instructs the display control unit to display the new cryptographic key image.

6. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein

the display control unit comprises:

a dummy image generation unit that generates the dummy image;

a display control unit that receives the cryptographic key image and the dummy image, and displays either the cryptographic key image or the dummy image under an instruction from the cryptographic key generation control unit; and

a display time measurement unit that measures a time period from a display start of the cryptographic key image to a display stop, and determines whether the measured time period is within the specified display time period or not, and

the display control unit reports a result of the determination made by the display time measurement unit to the cryptographic key generation control unit.

7. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cryptographic key generation control unit deletes the cryptographic key when encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is finished, and generates a new cryptographic key when new encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is to be performed.

8. The communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein

the cryptographic key generation control unit comprises a registration mode display flag that indicates a registration mode in which the cryptographic key transmitted to the another communication apparatus is reused, and a registration mode cryptographic key table in which the cryptographic key is registered in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the another communication apparatus, and

when the registration mode display flag is set,

the cryptographic key image containing the cryptographic key and information indicating the registration mode is generated;

when encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is finished, the cryptographic key is registered in the registration mode cryptographic key table in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the another communication apparatus and then the cryptographic key is deleted; and

when new encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is to be performed, the cryptographic key read out from the registration mode cryptographic key table is used.

9. The communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when encrypted communication is to be performed with the another communication apparatus, the cryptographic key generation control unit searches the registration mode cryptographic key table by using identification information of the another communication apparatus;

when a registered cryptographic key is extracted, the cryptographic key generation control unit transmits a notification signal notifying implementation of encrypted communication in the registration mode to the another communication apparatus; and

upon receiving a replay signal to the notification signal from the another communication apparatus, the cryptographic key generation control unit starts encrypted communication using the extracted cryptographic key.

10. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

a shooting unit control unit that sets a condition for subsequent normal shooting based on a shooting result of the dummy image displayed in the another communication apparatus, and outputting a notification signal notifying completion of the setting; and

a cryptographic key setting control unit that extracts and setting the cryptographic key by analyzing the cryptographic key image, which is displayed in the another communication apparatus and obtained by the normal shooting, and outputting a notification signal notifying completion of the cryptographic key setting, wherein

when a notification signal notifying a start of encrypted communication from the another communication apparatus, encrypted communication using the set cryptographic key is started.

11. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein upon receiving a notification signal indicating a delete instruction of the set cryptographic key and transmission of a new cryptographic key from the another communication apparatus, the cryptographic key setting control unit deletes the set cryptographic key, extracts a new cryptographic key from a shot cryptographic key image containing the new cryptographic key displayed in the another communication apparatus, and sets the extracted new cryptographic key.

12. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the secret information image only for a predefined time period.

20. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cryptographic key image is a barcode image.

13. A communication apparatus comprising:

a display control unit that displays a secret information image containing secret information; and

a secret information image generation unit that, upon receiving a notification signal indicating that the secret information of the secret information image is obtained from another communication apparatus, instructing the display control unit to stop displaying the secret information image.

14. A communication apparatus comprising:

a shooting control unit that sets a condition for subsequent shooting and outputting a notification signal notifying completion of a preparation for the shooting; and

a secret information image analysis unit that extracts secret information from a secret information image obtained by shooting the secret information image containing the secret information displayed in another communication apparatus.

15. The communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the notification signal output by the shooting control unit is a notification signal notifying that a condition for subsequent shooting is set based on a shooting result of a predetermined dummy image displayed in the another communication apparatus and that a shooting preparation is completed by completion of that setting.

16. The communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein upon extracting the secret information from the secret information image, which is displayed in the another communication apparatus and obtained by shooting, the secret information image analysis unit transmits a notification signal indicating that the secret information is obtained to the another communication apparatus.

17. The communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein

the secret information image contains a cryptographic key image containing a cryptographic key for use in encryption of wireless communication, and

the secret information image analysis unit comprises a cryptographic key setting control unit that uses the cryptographic key extracted from the cryptographic key image displayed in the another communication apparatus for encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus.

18. The communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein upon receiving a notification signal indicating a delete instruction of the cryptographic key and transmission of a new cryptographic key from the another communication apparatus, the cryptographic key setting control unit deletes the extracted cryptographic key, extracts a new cryptographic key from the cryptographic key image based on the new cryptographic key, which is displayed in the another communication apparatus and obtained by the normal shooting, and uses the extracted new cryptographic key for encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus.

19. The communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein

the cryptographic key generation control unit comprises a registration mode cryptographic key table in which the cryptographic key obtained from the another communication apparatus is registered in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the another communication apparatus, and

when the cryptographic key image contains information indicating a registration mode in which the cryptographic key is reused,

when encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is finished, the cryptographic key is registered in the registration mode cryptographic key table in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the another communication apparatus, and

when a notification signal indicating encrypted communication in a registration mode is received from the another communication apparatus when new encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is to be performed, the cryptographic key read out from the registration mode cryptographic key table is used.

21. A secret information sharing method comprising:

setting a condition for subsequent shooting and transmitting a notification signal notifying completion of a preparation for the shooting to a first communication apparatus;

upon receiving a notification signal indicating that the shooting preparation is completed from a second communication apparatus, displaying a secret information image containing secret information in the first communication apparatus; and

extracting the secret information from the secret information image that is displayed in the first communication apparatus and shot by the second communication apparatus.

22. The secret information sharing method according to claim 21, further comprising:

displaying a predetermined dummy image in the first communication apparatus; and

shooting the dummy image by the second communication apparatus, setting a condition for subsequent shooting based on a result of the shooting, and transmitting a notification signal notifying completion of the shooting preparation.

23. The secret information sharing method according to claim 21, further comprising:

upon extracting secret information from the secret information image shot by the second communication apparatus, transmitting a notification signal notifying completion of the secret information acquisition to the first communication apparatus; and

upon receiving a notification signal notifying completion of the secret information acquisition from the second communication apparatus, stopping displaying the secret information image in the first communication apparatus.

24. The secret information sharing method according to claim 21, wherein

the secret information image contains a cryptographic key image containing a cryptographic key for use in encryption of wireless communication, and

the secret information sharing method further comprises:

measuring a time period from when the cryptographic key image is displayed in the first communication apparatus to when the displaying is stopped; and

upon recognizing that the measured time period is within a predefined specified display time period, starting encrypted communication using the cryptographic key with the second communication apparatus.

25. The secret information sharing method according to claim 24, wherein

upon recognizing that the measured time period exceeds the predefined specified display time period,

a notification signal notifying a delete instruction of the cryptographic key and transmission of a new cryptographic key is transmitted to the second communication apparatus,

a new cryptographic key image based on a new cryptographic key is displayed in the first communication apparatus, and

the new cryptographic key contained in the new cryptographic key image is extracted in the second communication apparatus and used for encrypted communication with the first communication apparatus.

26. The secret information sharing method according to claim 24, wherein

when the encrypted communication is finished,

the cryptographic key of each of the first and second communication apparatuses is deleted, and

when new encrypted communication is to be performed, the first communication apparatus displays the cryptographic key image based on a new cryptographic key.

27. The secret information sharing method according to claim 26, wherein

when a registration mode display flag indicating a registration mode in which the cryptographic key transmitted to the second communication apparatus is reused is set,

the first communication apparatus displays the cryptographic key image containing information of the registration mode,

when information extracted from the cryptographic key image contains information indicating the registration mode,

the second communication apparatus registers the cryptographic key in a registration mode cryptographic key table of the second communication apparatus in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the first communication apparatus when encrypted communication with the first communication apparatus is finished,

the first communication apparatus registers the cryptographic key in a registration mode cryptographic key table of the first communication apparatus in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the second communication apparatus when encrypted communication with the second communication apparatus is finished,

when the first communication apparatus performs new encrypted communication with the second communication apparatus, the first communication apparatus transmits a notification signal notifying encryption in a registration mode to the second communication apparatus, and

upon receiving a replay signal to the notification signal from the second communication apparatus, the first communication apparatus starts encrypted communication using the cryptographic key read out from the registration mode cryptographic key table of the first communication apparatus.

28. The secret information sharing method according to claim 27, wherein

when the second communication apparatus receives the notification signal notifying encryption in a registration mode from the first communication apparatus,

the second communication apparatus:

searches the registration mode cryptographic key table of the second communication apparatus by using identification information of the first communication apparatus and thereby extracts a cryptographic key,

transmits a replay signal to the notification signal to the first communication apparatus, and

starts encrypted communication using the cryptographic key extracted from the registration mode cryptographic key table of the second communication apparatus.

29. The secret information sharing method according to claim 21, wherein the first communication apparatus displays the secret information image only for a predefined time period.

46. The secret information sharing method according to claim 24, wherein the cryptographic key image is a barcode image.

30. A secret information sharing method comprising:

displaying a secret information image containing secret information in a first communication apparatus; and

upon receiving a notification indicating that the secret information of the secret information image is obtained from a second communication apparatus, stopping displaying the secret information image.

31. A secret information sharing method wherein, upon receiving a notification signal indicating that a preparation for shooting is completed from another communication apparatus, a secret information image containing secret information is displayed.

32. The secret information sharing method according to claim 31, wherein

a predetermined dummy image is displayed, and

the notification signal is a notification signal indicating that a preparation for shooting based on the dummy image is completed.

33. The secret information sharing method according to claim 31, further comprising, upon receiving a notification signal indicating that the secret information contained in the secret information image is obtained from the another communication apparatus, stopping displaying the secret information image.

34. The secret information sharing method according to claim 31, wherein

the secret information image contains a cryptographic key image containing a cryptographic key for use in encryption of wireless communication, and

the secret information sharing method further comprises:

measuring a time period from when the cryptographic key image is displayed to when the displaying is stopped; and

upon recognizing that the measured time period is within a predefined specified display time period, starting encrypted communication using the cryptographic key with the another communication apparatus.

35. The secret information sharing method according to claim 34, wherein

upon recognizing that the measured time period exceeds the predefined specified display time period,

a notification signal notifying a delete instruction of the cryptographic key and transmission of a new cryptographic key is transmitted to the another communication apparatus,

a new cryptographic key image based on a new cryptographic key is displayed, and

encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus, which has extracted the new cryptographic key contained in the new cryptographic key image, is performed by using the new cryptographic key.

36. The secret information sharing method according to claim 34, wherein

when the encrypted communication is finished,

the cryptographic key is deleted, and

when new encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is to be performed, the cryptographic key image based on a new cryptographic key is displayed.

37. The secret information sharing method according to claim 36, wherein

when a registration mode display flag indicating a registration mode in which the cryptographic key transmitted to the another communication apparatus is reused is set,

a cryptographic key image containing the cryptographic key and information of the registration mode is displayed,

when encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is finished, the cryptographic key is registered in a registration mode cryptographic key table in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the another communication apparatus,

when new encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is to be performed, a cryptographic key corresponding to identification information of the another communication apparatus is extracted from the registration mode cryptographic key table,

a notification signal notifying encryption in the registration mode is transmitted to the another communication apparatus, and

upon receiving a replay signal to the notification signal from the another communication apparatus, encrypted communication is started by using the cryptographic key extracted from the registration mode cryptographic key table.

38. The secret information sharing method according to claim 31, wherein the secret information image is displayed only for a predefined time period.

39. A secret information sharing method comprising:

displaying a secret information image containing secret information; and

upon receiving a notification indicating that the secret information of the secret information image is obtained from another communication apparatus, stopping displaying the secret information image.

40. A secret information sharing method comprising:

setting a condition for subsequent shooting, and transmitting a notification signal notifying completion of a preparation for the shooting to another communication apparatus; and

extracting secret information from a secret information image obtained by shooting the secret information image containing the secret information displayed in the another communication apparatus.

41. The secret information sharing method according to claim 40, wherein the notification signal is a notification signal notifying that a condition for subsequent shooting is set based on a shooting result of a predetermined dummy image displayed in the another communication apparatus and that a shooting preparation is completed by completion of that setting.

42. The secret information sharing method according to claim 40, further comprising, upon extracting the secret information from the secret information image displayed in the another communication apparatus, a notification signal indicating that the secret information is obtained is transmitted to the another communication apparatus.

43. The secret information sharing method according to claim 40, wherein

the secret information image contains a cryptographic key image containing a cryptographic key for use in encryption of wireless communication, and

the cryptographic key extracted from the cryptographic key image, which is displayed in the another communication apparatus and obtained by the normal shooting, is used for encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus.

44. The secret information sharing method according to claim 43, wherein upon receiving a notification signal indicating a delete instruction of the cryptographic key and transmission of a new cryptographic key from the another communication apparatus, the extracted cryptographic key is deleted;

and a new cryptographic key is extracted from the cryptographic key image based on the new cryptographic key, which is displayed in the another communication apparatus and obtained by the normal shooting, and used for encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus.

45. The secret information sharing method according to claim 43, wherein

a registration mode cryptographic key table in which the cryptographic key obtained from the another communication apparatus is registered in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the another communication apparatus is provided, and

when the cryptographic key image contains information indicating a registration mode in which the cryptographic key is reused,

when encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is finished, the cryptographic key is registered in the registration mode cryptographic key table in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the another communication apparatus, and

when a notification signal indicating encrypted communication in a registration mode is received from the another communication apparatus when new encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is to be performed, the cryptographic key read out from the registration mode cryptographic key table is used.

47. A readable medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute secret information sharing processing, wherein the program causes the computer to execute, upon receiving a notification signal indicating that a preparation for shooting is completed from another communication apparatus, a process of displaying a secret information image containing secret information.

48. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 47, wherein

the program causes a computer to execute a process of displaying a dummy image, and

the notification signal is a notification signal indicating that a preparation for shooting based on the dummy image is completed.

49. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 47, wherein the program further causes the computer to execute, upon receiving a notification signal indicating that the secret information contained in the secret information image is obtained from the another communication apparatus, a process of stopping displaying the secret information image.

50. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 47, wherein

the secret information image contains a cryptographic key image containing a cryptographic key for use in encryption of wireless communication, and

the program further causes the computer to execute:

a process of measuring a time period from when the cryptographic key image is displayed to when the displaying is stopped; and

upon recognizing that the measured time period is within a predefined specified display time period, a process of starting encrypted communication using the cryptographic key with the another communication apparatus.

51. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 50, wherein the program causes the computer to execute:

upon recognizing that the measured time period exceeds the predefined specified display time period,

a process of transmitting a notification signal notifying a delete instruction of the cryptographic key and transmission of a new cryptographic key to the another communication apparatus,

a process of displaying a new cryptographic key image based on a new cryptographic key, and

a process of performing encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus, which has extracted the new cryptographic key contained in the new cryptographic key image, by using the new cryptographic key.

52. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 50, wherein the program causes the computer to execute:

when the encrypted communication is finished, a process of deleting the cryptographic key; and

when new encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is to be performed, a process of displaying the cryptographic key image based on a new cryptographic key.

53. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 52, wherein the program causes the computer to execute:

when a registration mode display flag indicating a registration mode in which the cryptographic key transmitted to the another communication apparatus is reused is set,

a process of displaying a cryptographic key image containing the cryptographic key and information of the registration mode;

when encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is finished, a process of registering the cryptographic key in a registration mode cryptographic key table in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the another communication apparatus,

when new encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is to be performed, a process of extracting a cryptographic key corresponding to identification information of the another communication apparatus from the registration mode cryptographic key table,

a process of transmitting a notification signal notifying encryption in the registration mode to the another communication apparatus, and

upon receiving a replay signal to the notification signal from the another communication apparatus, a process of starting encrypted communication by using the cryptographic key extracted from the registration mode cryptographic key table.

54. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 47, wherein the program causes the computer to execute a process of displaying the secret information image only for a predefined time period.

62. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 50, wherein the cryptographic key image is a barcode image.

55. A readable medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute secret information sharing processing, wherein the program causes the computer to execute:

a process of displaying a secret information image containing secret information; and

a process of, upon receiving a notification indicating that the secret information of the secret information image is obtained from another communication apparatus, stopping displaying the secret information image.

56. A readable medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute secret information sharing processing, wherein the program causes the computer to execute:

a process of setting a condition for subsequent shooting, and transmitting a notification signal notifying completion of a preparation for the shooting to another communication apparatus; and

a process of extracting secret information from a secret information image obtained by shooting the secret information image containing the secret information displayed in the another communication apparatus.

57. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 56, wherein the notification signal is a notification signal notifying that a condition for subsequent shooting is set based on a shooting result of a predetermined dummy image displayed in the another communication apparatus and that a shooting preparation is completed by completion of that setting.

58. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 56, wherein the program further causes the computer to execute:

upon extracting the secret information from the secret information image displayed in the another communication apparatus, a process of transmitting a notification signal indicating that the secret information is obtained to the another communication apparatus.

59. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 56, wherein

the secret information image contains a cryptographic key image containing a cryptographic key for use in encryption of wireless communication, and

the program causes the computer to execute a process of using the cryptographic key extracted from the cryptographic key image, which is displayed in the another communication apparatus and obtained by the normal shooting, for encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus.

60. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 59, wherein the program causes the computer to execute, upon receiving a notification signal indicating a delete instruction of the cryptographic key and transmission of a new cryptographic key from the another communication apparatus, a process of deleting the extracted cryptographic key, extracting a new cryptographic key from the cryptographic key image based on the new cryptographic key, which is displayed in the another communication apparatus and obtained by the normal shooting, and using the extracted new cryptographic key for encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus.

61. The readable medium storing a program according to claim 59, wherein

a registration mode cryptographic key table in which the cryptographic key obtained from the another communication apparatus is registered in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the another communication apparatus is provided, and

when the cryptographic key image contains information indicating a registration mode in which the cryptographic key is reused, the program causes the computer to execute:

when encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is finished, a process of registering the cryptographic key in the registration mode cryptographic key table in such a manner that the cryptographic key is associated with identification information of the another communication apparatus; and

when a notification signal indicating encrypted communication in a registration mode is received from the another communication apparatus when new encrypted communication with the another communication apparatus is to be performed, a process of using the cryptographic key read out from the registration mode cryptographic key table for the new encrypted communication.

63. A communication apparatus comprising:

display control means for displaying a secret information image containing secret information; and

secret information image generation means for, upon receiving a notification signal indicating that a preparation for shooting is completed from another communication apparatus, instructing the display control means to display the secret information image.

64. A communication apparatus comprising:

display control means for displaying a secret information image containing secret information; and

secret information image generation means for, upon receiving a notification signal indicating that the secret information of the secret information image is obtained from another communication apparatus, instructing the display control means to stop displaying the secret information image.

65. A communication apparatus comprising:

shooting control means for setting a condition for subsequent shooting and outputting a notification signal notifying completion of a preparation for the shooting; and

secret information image analysis means for extracting secret information from a secret information image obtained by shooting the secret information image containing the secret information displayed in another communication apparatus.