Information processing system using error-correcting codes and cryptography

Claim 2

An information processing system which processes data including graphic characters, which are the elements of character text, in one or more items, wherein one or more operators have security levels for said data, using cryptography, comprising: (a) a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; (b) an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for at least one of processing, generating, receiving/transmitting, and loading/saving said data and for displaying said data on a screen of said display means; (c) a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting optional portions of said data consisting of said graphic characters within each of said items of said displayed data on said display means, by using a range-designating method, and for memorizing the positions of said selected portions, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more said operators to specify said selected portions to be ciphered; (d) a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting n (≧0, n max ≧1) said security levels to said selected portions, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; (e) an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying said selected portions to memory buffers and enciphering said selected portions in said memory buffers by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected portions; (f) a converter means connected to said memory means for converting said enciphered portions in said memory buffers from a binary mode to a displayable mode which is displayed on said display means; (g) a data-type keeping and a data storing means connected to said memory means for executing at least one of replacing said selected portions with predetermined displayable symbols and further storing said converted enciphered portions into each of the same said items, and replacing said selected portions with said converted enciphered portions in said displayable mode; (h) a deconverter means connected to said memory means for copying said converted enciphered portions to said memory buffers and deconverting said converted enciphered portions in said memory buffers from said displayable mode to said binary mode; and (i) a decrypter means connected to said memory means for deciphering said deconverted enciphered portions by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said deconverted enciphered portions and returning each of said decrypted portions and deleting said converted enciphered portions.

Claim 3

The information processing system of claim 1, wherein said information processing system is a database and said items are fields of a record and said ordinary information processor includes means for processing said database.

Claim 4

The information processing system of claim 1, wherein said information processing system is a spreadsheet and said items are cells and said ordinary information processor includes means for processing said spreadsheet.

Claim 5

The information processing system of claim 1, wherein said information processing system is a word processor and said items are blocks of a document and said ordinary information processor includes means for processing said word processor.

Claim 6

The information processing system of claim 1, wherein said information processing system is an IC card system and said items are zones of an IC card and said ordinary information processor includes means for processing said IC card.

Claim 7

The information processing system of claim 1, wherein an unstructured file and a record having only one field are viewed as a single said item, respectively, and each of said items having said graphic characters can have moreover at least one of raster graphics elements which are the elements of images, geometric graphics elements which are the elements of graphics, and sound, and each of said items can be set to have one data type, namely, said graphic characters, only.

Claim 8

The information processing system of claim 1, wherein both parts of said partial data selector and said security level setter are executed by inserting special predetermined displayable symbols determined in accordance with said security levels before and after said optional portions.

Claim 9

The information processing system of claim 1, wherein both parts of said partial data selector and said security level setter are executed by said range-designating method which uses a mouse and painting said optional portions by the colors determined in accordance with said security levels.

Claim 10

The information processing system of claim 1, wherein said security levels are set for said operators of both the center and the terminals of said center has no or part of said encipher/decipher keys, then one or more said operators of said terminals have the highest said security level on a data network, in which said data is accumulated and managed at said center.

Claim 11

The information processing system of claim 1, wherein one or more originators of said operators of the same said data can use said encipher keys to encipher said optional portions exclusively in accordance with her/his said security levels and one or more recipients of said operators of the same said data can use said decipher keys to decipher only said enciphered portions corresponding to her/his said security levels.

Claim 12

The information processing system of claim 1, wherein said means of (a)-(g) can be used by originators and said means of (h)-(i) can be used by recipients, respectively, in the separated apparatuses.

Claim 15

The method in an information processing system of claim 12, wherein said information processing system is a database and said items are fields of a record and said step of processing and editing said data includes the step of processing said database.

Claim 16

The method in an information processing system of claim 12, wherein said information processing system is a spreadsheet and said items are cells and said step of processing and editing said data includes the step of processing said spreadsheet.

Claim 17

The method in an information processing system of claim 12, wherein said information processing system is a word processor and said items are blocks of a document and said step of processing and editing said data includes the step of processing said word processor.

Claim 18

The method in an information processing system of claim 12, wherein said information processing system is an IC card system and said items are zones of an IC card and said step of processing and editing said data includes the step of processing said IC card.

Claim 19

The method in an information processing system of claim 12, wherein an unstructured file and a record having only one field are viewed as a single said item, respectively, and each of said items having said graphic characters can have moreover at least one of raster graphics elements which are the elements of images, geometric graphics elements which are the elements of graphics, and sound, and each of said items can be set to have one data type, namely, said graphic characters, only.

Claim 20

The method in an information processing system of claim 12, wherein both said step of selecting optional portions of said data and said step of setting n (≧0, n max ≧1) said security levels are executed by inserting special predetermined displayable symbols determined in accordance with said security levels before and after said optional portions.

Claim 21

The method in an information processing system of claim 12, wherein both said step of selecting optional portions of said data and said step of setting n (≧0, n max ≧1) said security levels are executed by said range-designating method which uses a mouse and painting said optional portions by the colors determined in accordance with said security levels.

Claim 22

The method in an information processing system of claim 12, wherein said security levels are set for said operators of both the center and the terminals and said center has no or part of said encipher/decipher keys, then one or more said operators of said terminals have the highest said security level on a data network, in which said data is accumulated and managed at said center.

Claim 23

The method in an information processing system of claim 12, wherein one or more originators of said operators of the same said data can use said encipher keys to encipher said optional portions exclusively in accordance with her/his said security levels and one or more recipients of said operators of the same said data can use said decipher keys to decipher only said enciphered portions corresponding to her/his said security levels.

Claim 24

The method in an information processing system of claim 12, wherein the steps of (a)-(f) in (A) can be used for transmitting and the steps of (a)-(b) in (B) can be used for receiving, respectively, in the separated apparatuses.

Claim 25

An information processing system which processes data including graphic characters, which are the elements of character text, in one or more items, wherein one or more operators have security levels for said data, using cryptography, comprising: (a) a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; (b) an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for at least one of processing, generating, receiving/transmitting, and loading/saving said data and for displaying said data on a screen of said display means; (c) a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting optional portions of said data consisting of said graphic characters within each of said items of said displayed data on said display means, by using a range-designating method, and for memorizing the positions of said selected portions, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more said operators to specify said selected portions to be ciphered; (d) a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting n (≧0, n max ≧1) said security levels to said selected portions, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; (e) an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying said selected portions to memory buffers and enciphering said selected portions in said memory buffers by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected portions; (f) a data-type keeping and data storing means connected to said memory means for replacing said selected portions with predetermined displayable symbols and storing said enciphered portions into another one or more said items linked to each of said items; and (g) a decrypter means connected to said memory means for copying said enciphered portions to said memory buffers and deciphering said enciphered portions in said memory buffers by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said enciphered portions and returning each of said decrypted portions and deleting said enciphered portions in said linked items.

Claim 26

An information processing system which processes data including graphic characters, which are the elements of character text, in one or more items, wherein one or more operators have security levels for said data, using cryptography, comprising: (a) a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; (b) an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for at least one of processing, generating, receiving/transmitting, and loading/saving said data and for displaying said data on a screen of said display means; (c) a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting optional portions of said data consisting of said graphic characters within each of said items of said displayed data on said display means, by using a range-designating method, and for memorizing the positions of said selected portions, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more said operators to specify said selected portions to be ciphered; (d) a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting n (≧0, n max ≧1) said security levels to said selected portions, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; (e) an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying said selected portions to memory buffers and enciphering said selected portions in said memory buffers by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected portions; (f) a data-type keeping and data storing means connected to said memory means for replacing said selected portions with predetermined displayable symbols and storing said enciphered portions into another one or more said items linked to each of said items; and (g) a decrypter means connected to said memory means for copying said enciphered portions to said memory buffers and deciphering said enciphered portions in said memory buffers by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said enciphered portions and returning each of said decrypted portions and deleting said enciphered portions in said linked items.

Claim 27

The information processing system of claim 23, wherein said (f) data-type keeping and data storing means converts said enciphered portions from binary mode to displayable mode on said display means and stores converted enciphered portions into said linked items, and said (g) decrypter means copies said converted enciphered portions to said memory buffers and deconverts said converted enciphered portions from said displayable mode to said binary mode.

Claim 28

An information processing system which processes data including raster graphics elements, which are the elements of images, in one or more items, wherein one or more operators have security levels for said data, using cryptography, comprising: (a) a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; (b) an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for at least one of processing, generating, receiving/transmitting, and loading/saving said data and for displaying said data on a screen of said display means; (c) a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting optional portions, which are selected as the rectangles of optional different sizes, of said data consisting of said raster graphics elements within each of said items of said displayed data on said display means, by using a range-designating method, and for memorizing the positions of said selected portions, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more said operators to specify said selected portions to be ciphered; (d) a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting n (≧0, n max ≧1) said security levels to said selected portions, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; (e) an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying said selected portions to memory buffers and enciphering said selected portions in said memory buffers by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected portions; (f) a data-type keeping and data storing means connected to said memory means for replacing said selected portions with colored rectangles which show both the positions and the security levels of said selected portions, and storing said enciphered portions and two coordinates of each of said selected portions into another one or more said items linked to each of said items; and (g) a decrypter means connected to said memory means for copying said enciphered portions to said memory buffers and deciphering said enciphered portions in said memory buffers by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said enciphered portions and returning each of said decrypted portions and deleting said enciphered portions in said linked items.

Claim 29

An information processing system which processes data including raster graphics elements, which are the elements of images, in one or more items, wherein one or more operators have security levels for said data, using cryptography, comprising: (a) a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; (b) an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for at least one of processing, generating, receiving/transmitting, and loading/saving said data and for displaying said data on a screen of said display means; (c) a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting optional portions, which are selected as the rectangles of optional different sizes, of said data consisting of said raster graphics elements within each of said items of said displayed data on said display means, by using a range-designating method, and for memorizing the positions of said selected portions, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more said operators to specify said selected portions to be ciphered; (d) a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting n (≧0, n max ≧1) said security levels to said selected portions, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; (e) an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying said selected portions to memory buffers and enciphering said selected portions in said memory buffers by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected portions; (f) a data-type keeping and data storing means connected to said memory means for replacing said selected portions with colored rectangles which show both the positions and the security levels of said selected portions, and storing said enciphered portions and two coordinates of each of said selected portions into another one or more said items linked to each of said items; and (g) a decrypter means connected to said memory means for copying said enciphered portions to said memory buffers and deciphering said enciphered portions in said memory buffers by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said enciphered portions and returning each of said decrypted portions and deleting said enciphered portions in said linked items.

Claim 30

An information processing system which processes data including geometric graphics elements, which are the elements of graphics, in one or more items, wherein one or more operators have security levels for said data, using cryptography, comprising: (a) a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; (b) an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for at least one of processing, generating, receiving/transmitting, and loading/saving said data and for displaying said data on a screen of said display means; (c) a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting optional portions of said data consisting of said geometric graphics elements within each of said items of said displayed data on said display means by using range-designating method, which determines said range as a rectangle including whole of said selected portions, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more said operators to specify said selected portions to be ciphered; (d) a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting n (≧0, n max ≧1) said security levels to said selected portions, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; (e) an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying said selected portions to memory buffers and enciphering said selected portions in said memory buffers by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected portions; (f) a data-type keeping and data storing means connected to said memory means for replacing said selected portions with colored rectangles which show both the positions and the security levels of said selected portions, and storing said enciphered portions and two coordinates of each of said selected portions into another one or more said items linked to each of said items; and (g) a decrypter means connected to said memory means for copying said enciphered portions to said memory buffers and deciphering said enciphered portions in said memory buffers by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said enciphered portions and returning each of said decrypted portions and deleting said enciphered portions in said linked items.

Claim 31

An information processing system which processes data including geometric graphics elements, which are the elements of graphics, in one or more items, wherein one or more operators have security levels for said data, using cryptography, comprising: (a) a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; (b) an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for at least one of processing, generating, receiving/transmitting, and loading/saving said data and for displaying said data on a screen of said display means; (c) a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting optional portions of said data consisting of said geometric graphics elements within each of said items of said displayed data on said display means by using range-designating method, which determines said range as a rectangle including whole of said selected portions, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more said operators to specify said selected portions to be ciphered; (d) a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting n (≧0, n max ≧1) said security levels to said selected portions, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; (e) an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying said selected portions to memory buffers and enciphering said selected portions in said memory buffers by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected portions; (f) a data-type keeping and data storing means connected to said memory means for replacing said selected portions with colored rectangles which show both the positions and the security levels of said selected portions, and storing said enciphered portions and two coordinates of each of said selected portions into another one or more said items linked to each of said items; and (g) a decrypter means connected to said memory means for copying said enciphered portions to said memory buffers and deciphering said enciphered portions in said memory buffers by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said enciphered portions and returning each of said decrypted portions and deleting said enciphered portions in said linked items.

Claim 32

An information processing system which processes data of fields in a record of a database system, wherein one or more operators have n (≧0, n max ≧1) security levels for said fields and have encipher/decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels, using cryptography, comprising: a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for running an application of said database system and displaying said data of said fields on a screen of said display means and for at least one of receiving/transmitting and loading/saving said data; means connected to said memory means for establishing each of said security levels to each of said fields, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; means connected to said memory means for selecting one of three intentions of each of said operators, said intentions are: (a) enciphering said data of each of said fields, (b) deciphering said data of each of said fields, and (c) passing without doing anything, in processing each of said fields having each of said security levels, which is more than one, in said application of said database; and means connected to said memory means for, if selecting said (a) enciphering, receiving each of said encipher keys determined in accordance with each of said security levels of each of said fields from each of said operators and enciphering said data of each of said fields using each of said encipher keys, and if selecting said (b) deciphering, receiving each of said decipher keys determined in accordance with each of said security levels of each of said fields from each of said operators and deciphering said enciphered data of each of said fields using each of said decipher keys.

Claim 33

An information processing system which processes data of fields in a record of a database system, wherein one or more operators have n (≧0, n max ≧1) security levels for said fields and have encipher/decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels, using cryptography, comprising: a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for running an application of said database system and displaying said data of said fields on a screen of said display means and for at least one of receiving/transmitting and loading/saving said data; means connected to said memory means for establishing each of said security levels to each of said fields, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; means connected to said memory means for selecting one of three intentions of each of said operators, said intentions are: (a) enciphering said data of each of said fields, (b) deciphering said data of each of said fields, and (c) passing without doing anything, in processing each of said fields having each of said security levels, which is more than one, in said application of said database; and means connected to said memory means for, if selecting said (a) enciphering, receiving each of said encipher keys determined in accordance with each of said security levels of each of said fields from each of said operators and enciphering said data of each of said fields using each of said encipher keys, and if selecting said (b) deciphering, receiving each of said decipher keys determined in accordance with each of said security levels of each of said fields from each of said operators and deciphering said enciphered data of each of said fields using each of said decipher keys.

Claim 34

The information processing system of claim 27, wherein one or more parts or the whole of said data of each of said fields are enciphered, and further comprising: a converter means connected to said memory means for converting said enciphered data of each of said fields from binary mode to displayable mode on said display means, in order to display said enciphered data of each of said fields on said screen for said operators; and a deconverter means connected to said memory means for deconverting said converted enciphered data of each of said fields from said displayable mode to said binary mode.

Claim 35

The information processing system of claim 27, wherein said security levels are set for said operators of both the center and the terminals, and said center has no or part of said encipher/decipher keys, then one or more said operators have said highest security level on a data network, in which said data is accumulated and managed at said center.

Claim 38

A method in an information processing system of claim 30, wherein one or more parts or the whole of said data of each of said fields are enciphered, and further comprising the steps of: converting said enciphered data of each of said fields from binary mode to displayable mode on said display means, in order to display said enciphered data of each of said fields on said screen for said operators; and deconverting said converted enciphered data of each of said fields from said displayable mode to said binary mode.

Claim 39

A method in an information processing system of claim 30, wherein said security levels are set for said operators of both the center and the terminals, and said center has no or part of said encipher/decipher keys, then one or more said operators have said highest security level, on a data network in which said data is accumulated and managed at said center.

Claim 40

An information processing system which processes data of fields in a record of a database system, wherein one or more operators have n (≧0, n max ≧1) security levels for said fields and have encipher/decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels, using cryptography, comprising: a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for running an application of said database system and displaying said data of said fields on a screen of said display means and for at least one of receiving/transmitting and loading/saving said data; means connected to said memory means for establishing each of security levels to each of said fields, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; means connected to said memory means for accessing and inputting said data of each of said fields; a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting one or more said optional fields displayed on said display means, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more operators to specify said selected fields to be ciphered, in processing said application of said database; an encryptor means connected to said memory means for enciphering one or more said selected fields by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected fields, in processing said application of said database; and a decrypter means connected to said memory means for deciphering one or more said enciphered fields by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said enciphered fields, in processing said application of said database.

Claim 41

An information processing system which processes data of fields in a record of a database system, wherein one or more operators have n (≧0, n max ≧1) security levels for said fields and have encipher/decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels, using cryptography, comprising: a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for running an application of said database system and displaying said data of said fields on a screen of said display means and for at least one of receiving/transmitting and loading/saving said data; means connected to said memory means for establishing each of security levels to each of said fields, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered; means connected to said memory means for accessing and inputting said data of each of said fields; a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting one or more said optional fields displayed on said display means, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more operators to specify said selected fields to be ciphered, in processing said application of said database; an encryptor means connected to said memory means for enciphering one or more said selected fields by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected fields, in processing said application of said database; and a decrypter means connected to said memory means for deciphering one or more said enciphered fields by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said enciphered fields, in processing said application of said database.

Claim 42

An information processing system which processes data of cells of a spreadsheet system, wherein one or more operators have n (≧0, n max≧1) security levels for each of said cells and have encipher/decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels, using cryptography, comprising: a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for running an application of said spreadsheet system and displaying said data of said cells on a screen of said display means and for at least one of receiving/transmitting and loading/saving said data; means connected to said memory means for inputting said data of each of said cells; a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting one or more said optional cells displayed on said display means, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more operators to specify said data of each of said selected cells to be ciphered, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting each of said security levels to each of said selected cells, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying said data of each of said selected cells to one or more memory buffers and enciphering said data in said memory buffers by using each of encipher keys determined in accordance with each of said security levels of each of said selected cells, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; a converter means connected to said memory means for converting said enciphered data in said memory buffers from binary mode to graphic characters mode, with which said converted data can be stored in said cells on said spreadsheet, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; a converted data storing means connected to said memory means for returning said converted enciphered data in said memory buffers into each of said selected cells, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; a deconverter means connected to said memory means for copying said converted enciphered data of each of said selected cells to said memory buffers and deconverting said converted enciphered data in said memory buffers from said graphic characters mode to said binary mode, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; a decrypter means connected to said memory means for deciphering said deconverted enciphered data in said memory buffers by using each of decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of each of said selected cells, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; and a deciphered data storing means connected to said memory means for returning said decrypted data in said memory buffers into each of said selected cells, in processing said application of said spreadsheet.

Claim 43

An information processing system which processes data of cells of a spreadsheet system, wherein one or more operators have n (≧0, n max≧1) security levels for each of said cells and have encipher/decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels, using cryptography, comprising: a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for running an application of said spreadsheet system and displaying said data of said cells on a screen of said display means and for at least one of receiving/transmitting and loading/saving said data; means connected to said memory means for inputting said data of each of said cells; a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting one or more said optional cells displayed on said display means, so as to allow one or more programs/one or more operators to specify said data of each of said selected cells to be ciphered, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting each of said security levels to each of said selected cells, wherein said portions having said security level zero are not enciphered, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying said data of each of said selected cells to one or more memory buffers and enciphering said data in said memory buffers by using each of encipher keys determined in accordance with each of said security levels of each of said selected cells, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; a converter means connected to said memory means for converting said enciphered data in said memory buffers from binary mode to graphic characters mode, with which said converted data can be stored in said cells on said spreadsheet, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; a converted data storing means connected to said memory means for returning said converted enciphered data in said memory buffers into each of said selected cells, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; a deconverter means connected to said memory means for copying said converted enciphered data of each of said selected cells to said memory buffers and deconverting said converted enciphered data in said memory buffers from said graphic characters mode to said binary mode, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; a decrypter means connected to said memory means for deciphering said deconverted enciphered data in said memory buffers by using each of decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of each of said selected cells, in processing said application of said spreadsheet; and a deciphered data storing means connected to said memory means for returning said decrypted data in said memory buffers into each of said selected cells, in processing said application of said spreadsheet.

Claim 44

The information processing system of claim 34, wherein said partial data selector selects said optional cells by using a range-designating method and said security level setter writes labels in said cells related to said selected cells, said labels are constructed by predetermined symbols and show said security levels and the enciphered/deciphered states of said selected cells, for using enciphering/deciphering.

Claim 45

The information processing system of claim 34, wherein said partial data selector selects said optional cells by using a range-designating method and said security level setter writes the cell numbers of said selected cells in one or more said cells according with each of said security levels and the enciphered/deciphered states of said selected cells, for using enciphering/deciphering.

Claim 46

The information processing system of claim 34, wherein said partial data selector comprises means for selecting optional portions of said selected cells, so that said selected optional portions may be enciphered/deciphered, and wherein one or more parts or the whole of said data of each of said fields are enciphered/deciphered.

Claim 49

The method in an information processing system of claim 38, wherein said step of selecting selects said optional cells by using a range-designating method and said step of setting each of said security levels writes labels in said cells related to said selected cells, said labels are constructed by predetermined symbols and show said security levels and the enciphered/deciphered states of said selected cells, for using enciphering/deciphering.

Claim 50

The method in an information processing system of claim 38, wherein said step of selecting selects said optional cells by using range-designating method and said step of setting each of said security levels writes the cell numbers of said selected cells in one or more said cells, according with each of said security levels and the enciphered/deciphered states of said selected cells, for using enciphering/deciphering.

Claim 51

The method in an information processing system of claim 38, wherein said step of selecting one or more said optional cells comprises the step of selecting optional portions of said selected cells, so that said selected optional portions may be enciphered/deciphered, and wherein one or more parts or the whole of said data of each of said fields are enciphered/deciphered.

Claim 52

An information processing system using cryptography, which processes data of electronic mails having blocks, comprising: a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for at least one of processing, generating, receiving/transmitting, and loading/saving said data and for displaying said data on a screen of said display means; a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting said optional blocks of said displayed data on said display means, so as to allow one or more program/one or more operator to specify said optional blocks to be ciphered; a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting n (≧0, n max≧2) security levels to said selected blocks; an encryptor means connected to said memory means for enciphering said selected blocks by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected blocks, and for allowing a plurality of originators, who have said security levels of said selected blocks, to use said encipher keys in order to cipher exclusively said selected blocks; and a decrypter means connected to said memory means for deciphering said enciphered blocks by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said enciphered blocks, and for allowing some of a plurality of recipients, who have said security levels of said selected blocks, to use said decipher keys in order to decipher exclusively said selected enciphered blocks.

Claim 53

An information processing system using cryptography, which processes data of electronic mails having blocks, comprising: a memory means connected to a display means and peripheral devices; an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for at least one of processing, generating, receiving/transmitting, and loading/saving said data and for displaying said data on a screen of said display means; a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting said optional blocks of said displayed data on said display means, so as to allow one or more program/one or more operator to specify said optional blocks to be ciphered; a security level setter connected to said memory means for setting n (≧0, n max≧2) security levels to said selected blocks; an encryptor means connected to said memory means for enciphering said selected blocks by using encipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said selected blocks, and for allowing a plurality of originators, who have said security levels of said selected blocks, to use said encipher keys in order to cipher exclusively said selected blocks; and a decrypter means connected to said memory means for deciphering said enciphered blocks by using decipher keys determined in accordance with said security levels of said enciphered blocks, and for allowing some of a plurality of recipients, who have said security levels of said selected blocks, to use said decipher keys in order to decipher exclusively said selected enciphered blocks.

Claim 54

An information processing system which processes a document including graphic characters, which are the elements of character text, using digital signature, comprising: a memory means connected to display means and peripheral devices; an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for processing and receiving/transmitting said document, and obtaining one-way function value H(M) of a message of said document; a converting H(M) means connected to said memory means for converting said one-way function value H(M) from binary mode to displayable mode on said display means; a writing signature means connected to said memory means for writing each of one or more members' signatures including said converted one-way function value H(M) on each one or more members' signature positions of said document; a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting said each of said members' signature positions from said members' signature positions of said document by using range-designating method and memorizing each of said selected members' signature positions; an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying each of said selected members' signatures to memory buffers and enciphering each of said selected members' signatures written in plain text in each of said selected members' positions by using each of members' secret keys; a converter means connected to said memory means for converting each of said enciphered members' signatures in said memory buffers from binary mode to displayable mode which is displayed on said display means; a data storing means connected to said memory means for replacing each of said selected members' signature in each of said selected members' signature positions with each of said converted enciphered members' signatures; a deconverter means connected to said memory means for copying each of said converted enciphered members' signatures to said memory buffers and converting each of said converted enciphered signatures from said displayable mode to said binary mode; and a decrypter means connected to said memory means for deciphering each of said deconverted enciphered members' signatures by using each of members' public keys.

Claim 55

An information processing system which processes a document including graphic characters, which are the elements of character text, using digital signature, comprising: a memory means connected to display means and peripheral devices; an ordinary information processor connected to said memory means for processing and receiving/transmitting said document, and obtaining one-way function value H(M) of a message of said document; a converting H(M) means connected to said memory means for converting said one-way function value H(M) from binary mode to displayable mode on said display means; a writing signature means connected to said memory means for writing each of one or more members' signatures including said converted one-way function value H(M) on each one or more members' signature positions of said document; a partial data selector connected to said memory means for selecting said each of said members' signature positions from said members' signature positions of said document by using range-designating method and memorizing each of said selected members' signature positions; an encryptor means connected to said memory means for copying each of said selected members' signatures to memory buffers and enciphering each of said selected members' signatures written in plain text in each of said selected members' positions by using each of members' secret keys; a converter means connected to said memory means for converting each of said enciphered members' signatures in said memory buffers from binary mode to displayable mode which is displayed on said display means; a data storing means connected to said memory means for replacing each of said selected members' signature in each of said selected members' signature positions with each of said converted enciphered members' signatures; a deconverter means connected to said memory means for copying each of said converted enciphered members' signatures to said memory buffers and converting each of said converted enciphered signatures from said displayable mode to said binary mode; and a decrypter means connected to said memory means for deciphering each of said deconverted enciphered members' signatures by using each of members' public keys.

Claim 56

The information processing system of claim 43, further comprising: an authentication means connected to said memory means for reobtaining said one-way function value H(M) of said message of said received document and converting said one-way function value H(M) from binary mode to displayable mode and detecting coincidence of two said one-way function value H(M), the one being stored in said received document and the other being reobtained from said document, and authenticating said each of said members' signatures.

Claim 57

The information processing system of claim 43, wherein a circulated document on a data network and an electronic mail are transmitted as said documents.

Claim 58

The information processing system of claim 43, wherein a part of said partial data selector is executed by inserting special predetermined symbols before and after each of said members' signature positions.

Claim 61

The method in an information processing system of claim 47, further comprising the steps of: reobtaining said one-way function value H(M) of said message of said received document and converting said one-way function value H(M) from said binary mode to said displayable mode; and detecting coincidence of two said one-way function value H(M), the one being stored in said received document and the other being reobtained from said received document, and authenticating each of said members' signatures.

Claim 62

The method in an information processing system of claim 47, wherein a circulated document on a data network and an electronic mail are transmitted as said documents.

Claim 63

The method in an information processing system of claim 47, wherein the part of said partial data selector is executed by inserting special predetermined symbols before and after each of said members' signature positions.