Communication device with time authentication requesting function

Abstract

A communication device with a time authentication requesting function uses timestamp technology to verify a device operation. When receiving an instruction for e-document scan, the communication device transmits a hash value of scanned data of an original to a TSA, and receives a timestamp from the TSA. Then, the communication device stores the scanned data assigned with the timestamp in a prescribed folder, and stores e-document scan history. When receiving an instruction for fax communication, after carrying out fax transmission, the communication device stores fax communication history. When stored history data reaches a prescribed amount, a timer time at that point of time is added to the history data, and the history data is encoded. The communication device transmits a hash value to the TSA, and receives a timestamp from the TSA. Then, the communication device stores the history data assigned with the timestamp in a prescribed folder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network configuration of a system including a digital MFP.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the digital MFP.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a detailed structure of a display and operation unit.

FIG. 4 illustrates a file structure of an e-document storage unit.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of data stored in a management file.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a scan execution screen.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an e-document scan execution screen.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operations carried out when a start button is pressed.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of data stored as history information.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of history information data provided in a form of an e-document.

Claims

1. A communication device comprising: means for communicating;means for storing a time authenticated document;means for controlling to assign a timestamp to a document and store the document assigned with the timestamp in the means for storing;means for requesting time authentication; andmeans for storing history information,wherein the means for controlling assigns a timestamp to history information data stored in the means for storing the history information, and stores the history information data assigned with the timestamp in the means for storing the time authenticated document.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the history information is one of a time authenticated document generation history and a communication history.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the history information is a time authenticated document generation history and a communication history.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein when assigning the timestamp to the history information data, the means for controlling adds clock data of a communication device to the history information data.

5. A method for controlling a communication device, the method comprising the steps of: communicating;storing a time authenticated document in a time authenticated document storage unit;assigning a timestamp to a document and storing the document assigned with the timestamp in the time authenticated document storage unit;requesting time authentication;storing history information in a history information storage unit; andassigning a timestamp to history information data stored in the history information storage unit and storing the history information data assigned with the timestamp in the time authenticated document storage unit.

6. The method for controlling the communication device according to claim 5, further comprising the step of adding clock data of a communication device to the history information data when assigning the timestamp to the history information data.