Abstract: A publication system effective and secure to the publication agency and the user is provided for the publication agency, and a signature verifying function using the disclosed signature log entries is provided for the user. The publication agency discloses the signature log entries received from the users on Web, and acquires time-stamp at the time of the publication, and transmits them together with the publication notice back to the users. The publication agency also has the signature log, and either discloses part of the log at regular intervals in the newspaper or the like, or produces publication-purpose data on the basis of the signature log entries received from each user and discloses in the newspaper. The publication agency, after the newspaper publication, transmits the signature log of the publication agency to the users.

Abstract: A method for signature verification having a structure that reflects reliability of a signature history properly for a hysteresis signature used for verification based on the signature history. A method for arbitration and an arbitrator apparatus solve a dispute on correctness of a signature based on the method for verification. Furthermore, a method for managing history to migrate the management burden on a signer. Reliability is set on a signature issuing record that is a component of a signature history, reliability of the signature history is calculated based on the set reliability, and the calculated reliability is output as reliability of a verification result. The disclosure also provides a method for verification that reflects the reliability of a signature history properly and a method for arbitration and an arbitrator apparatus that solve a dispute on correctness of a signature. Furthermore, a signature history storage service apparatus mitigates the signature history storage burden on a signer.

Abstract: In a digital photographic image printing system, method, and recording medium, photographic print ordering information is stored as a storage file having a hierarchically structured format, and which is exchanged as an order file in a digital format. Any change in the content or operation of the system can be dealt with more flexibly by use of the hierarchically structured storage file, without requiring extensive changes to the underlying variety of application programs that may use the order information in the hierarchically structured order file. The structured storage file includes-an orderer stream describing customer information, and an order storage that describes the content of an order.

Abstract: Slits to be used for insertion of an FFC are formed in the root section of each of guide ribs of a male connector housing. A retainer provided integrally with the male connector housing is engaged with a rear-end opening section of the male connector housing. The FFC is sandwiched between a projecting section of the male connector housing and a recessed section of the male connector housing, in a folded manner.

Abstract: Data protection techniques for preventing deletion, alteration, and leakage of data due to carelessness of a user and other programs (including a computer virus) and for preventing alteration of a program that uses the data are provided using a multi-OS control program, a host OS directly used by the user and a guest OS for managing files to be protected are run. A communication control program determines whether access from a signature request program can be performed or not, based on an access control list. In the case of access being authorized, a signature generation program is executed. The signature generation program generates a signature using a private-key. The communication control program sends back the generated signature to a requesting source through an inter-OS communication program.

Abstract: A reliably safe storage system is provided which makes provable the status of a file stored in a storage server at a time specified by a user and creates evidence information that will be effective in future. In response to a file status fixing request from the user over a network, a storage server generates file fixing guarantee data, including data publicized by a publication server, and saves the generated data with the file associated with the generated data.

Abstract: A method of managing digital signature includes the steps of preparing a signature log file storing signature log entry information, generating a new digital signature for a transmission message by reflecting, in the new digital signature, signature log entry information registered to the signature log file in the past; generating signature log entry information associated with the new digital signature and registering the signature log entry information to the signature log file; and preparing a user search file in addition to the signature log file; registering, to the user search file, user identifier information indicating a transmission destination of the transmitted digital signature and a transmission source of the received digital signature, with a correspondence established between the information, the user identifier information, and each signature log entry information in the signature log file.

Abstract: When order processing for printing image data is carried out by recording the image data and an order file in an order processing recording medium, history of orders is managed by the recording medium so that the content of past orders can be confirmed or new ordering information can be generated by using the past order content, for example. A flag showing whether or not an order file describing the content of an order, such as the quantity and the size, should be processed in a laboratory (whether the file is valid or invalid) is recorded in the recording medium together with the order file. By judging this flag by using an image handling apparatus of an image processing system, only valid order files are processed.

Abstract: A network system capable of preventing the leakage of a confidential file by an inadvertent act of a transmitting party and capable of meeting the requirement for an arbitrary file format is disclosed. A label indicating a security level (“confidential” or “unclassified”) is attached to the file in a client terminal, which transmits the labeled file outside. A transmission management program on a gateway server checks the label of the file, and in the case where the security level is “unclassified”, transmits the file to an external network. Also, a label management program manages the labeled file in the client terminal.

Abstract: A color image recorded on an original is photoelectrically read out at a first picture element interval and an image signal representing the color image is obtained. An image composing processing is carried out on the image signal under signal composing conditions determined on the basis of a desired image composition and the processed composite image signal is reproduced as a visible image on a recording material. In such an image reproducing system, a color image on an original is photoelectrically read out at a second picture element interval larger than the first picture element interval and a rough image signal is obtained. Image composing processing is carried out on the rough image signal under signal composing conditions determined on the basis of a desired image composition. The processed rough image signal is reproduced as a visible image on a display and the signal composing conditions are corrected so that the visible image on the display satisfies the desired image composition.

Abstract: In a digital output service of photographs, smooth operation of an additional recording service is aimed at by letting a user or an operator of a service provider easily understand the number of photographs addable to a storage medium. The free space size of a storage medium is detected each time new or additional recording therein is completed, and information regarding the free space size is indicated to a customer by being recorded on a recording medium corresponding to the storage medium, such as index print for the storage medium. On this occasion, the free space size is indicated as the number of films or exposures such as “6 25-exposure films” (6 (25 Exp)) or “160 exposures” (160) so that a user who is not familiar with expressions in bytes can readily understand it.

Abstract: Techniques of improving the safety of an information processing system at low cost are provided, the information processing system having an OS provided with an access control function based upon discretionary access control for preventing illegal accesses to files. A method and apparatus for providing the information processing system with functions and areas usable only by a specific user different from a system administrator. The areas are provided with an access control function in order to prevent the access control function from being tampered.

Abstract: Slits to be used for insertion of an FFC are formed in the root section of each of guide ribs of a male connector housing. A retainer provided integrally with the male connector housing is engaged with a rear-end opening section of the male connector housing. The FFC is sandwiched between a projecting section of the male connector housing and a recessed section of the male connector housing, in a folded manner.

Abstract: A system and method for realizing a tamper-resistant system which can prevent software running on a personal computer from being analyzed or altered illegally in a static or dynamic manner by a potential transgressor. Two operating systems, an OS1 controllable by a user and an OS2 operable in background, are concurrently run on a personal computer. Player software is run on the OS2 to protect the player software against illegal analysis and alteration by the user. Further, a hardware module, a system startup, and a key management operation are implemented. Still further, OS1 cannot direct access OS2, whereas indirect access of OS2 by OS1 is allowed in a manner whereby OS2 refers to an OS2 reference region in a memory area managed by OS1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reader for continuously and photoelectrically reading a plurality of original images and successively making the original images to digital image data. An image processor is further included for subjecting the digital image data to predetermined image processing to create display image data. A display then displays a plurality of the images of the display image data at the same time. An indicator allows selection of arbitrary images from the images displayed on the display and output of the selected arbitrary images as prints. Finally, a recording unit is included for receiving the output digital image data of the original images indicated by the indicator and outputting the output digital image data as the prints. With its arrangement, the image forming apparatus can simply and promptly carry out the job for selecting the necessary frames from one strip and realize high productivity at an excellent working efficiency.

Abstract: A user can perform the desired image processing on image data for a given original image so as to produce finished prints to his or her preference means image processing is performed on said input image data to produce output image data. An image recording unit scans and exposes a photosensitive material in accordance with an output image data and outputs prints having development and other necessary processing performed on the exposed photosensitive material. A control unit controls the operations of reading means, the image processing unit and the image recording unit and connects said image reproducing apparatus to networks.

Abstract: In the form of print ordering wherein photograph image data are recorded in a recording medium and brought in to a photographic service provider, a customer can specify on a personal computer a variety of printing conditions for a photographic printer installed in the photographic service provider. A printer driver for the photographic printer of the photographic service provider is installed in a personal computer of a customer. The printer driver receives an input specifying the variety of printing conditions by displaying a printing condition setting screen on a monitor of the personal computer via image processing application software. The image processing application software converts resolution upon necessity in response to the printing conditions, transfers the image data after the conversion and an image of a print paper, both of which are then displayed on a finish confirmation screen by the printer driver.

Abstract: A color image recorded on an original is photoelectrically read by use of an area sensor on which an image of the color image is formed through a zoom lens. A color component image signal representing information on a predetermined color component is continuously obtained from an image formed on the area sensor and reproduced as a visible image on a CRT, while two-dimensionally moving the original and zooming the zoom lens. A plurality of color image signals are obtained from an image formed on the area sensor when the original and the zoom lens are in a position where only a desired part of the color image is displayed on the CRT, and reproduced as a visible image.

Abstract: The improved image synthesizing method of the invention which creats digital composite image data by synthesizing a background image and an image read from an original comprises: previously designating a position and a size of the read image which will be inserted into and synthesized with the background image on an output print; scanning and reading the original by a scanner in accordance with the designated size and converting the read image into read image data having the designated size and a resolution of the output print; and automatically synthesizing the converted read image data and the background image data synthesizing the read image having the designated size at the position designated on the background image.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for efficiently mounting an original onto an image reading drum in an image scanning system. The mounting device includes a lower holder section and an upper holder section, each made of a flexible but hard plastic sheet. The original is held in between the lower holder section and the upper holder section and is attached onto the image reading drum, which has a predetermined thickness greater than a distance causing Newton's rings. Accordingly, image signals obtained by scanning the original effectively represent an original image without Newton's rings.