JP2009070106A - Image forming apparatus, data processing method and data processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus or the like for easily returning data saved from an external storage device to the storage part of an image forming apparatus for data protection to the external storage device. <P>SOLUTION: When the image forming apparatus is connected to the external storage device even after the lapse of a fixed time since access to the connected external storage device is performed, the data stored in the external storage device are saved to a storage means 18 by a saving means 19. Then, when the data are returned to the external storage device, an original set by a user is read by a reading means 13, and the read data of the original are collated with the data stored by the storage means 18, so that whether or not the two image data are matched can be decided by a decision means 11. When it is decided that the image data are matched, the data are restored to the external storage device by the restoration means 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be connected to an external storage device, a data processing method, and a data processing program.

  Document data created by a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) is stored in an external storage device such as a USB memory, the external storage device is inserted into an image forming apparatus, and the document data is printed or set. In some cases, a document is scanned, and image data of the scanned document is stored in an external storage device inserted in the image forming apparatus.

  By the way, after printing is performed, the user may forget to disconnect the connected external storage device from the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in order to prevent data leakage from an external storage device that has been forgotten to be removed, the data stored in the external storage device is saved in a storage unit such as an HDD of the connected image forming apparatus.

  When returning saved data to the external storage device, password authentication is often used as a user authentication method for confirming that the saved data belongs to the user.

A technique has been proposed in which data of an external storage device is printed after it is detected that the external storage device has been removed (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-150980 A

  However, the password-based authentication method has a problem that the user is troublesome to input the password, and if the user forgets the password, it is difficult to return the data saved in the image forming apparatus to the external storage device. There is also the problem of becoming.

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 relates to prevention of forgetting to remove an external storage device, and does not fundamentally solve the above problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an image forming apparatus capable of easily returning data saved in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus from the external storage apparatus for data protection to the external storage apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a data processing method and a data processing program.

The above problem is solved by the following means.

  (1) Connection means for connecting an external storage device, reading means for reading a document set by a user, storage means for storing data, and a predetermined time after access to the connected external storage device is completed After that, when the external storage device is connected, a saving unit that saves the data saved in the external storage device to the saving unit, and a return of the data saved in the saving unit to the external storage device In addition, the original set by the user is read by the reading unit, and the data of the read original is compared with the data saved in the storage unit, thereby determining whether or not the two data match. And a return means for returning the saved data to the connected external storage device when it is determined that the data matches. Image forming apparatus.

  (2) The original to be read by the reading unit is the read original when the saved data is read by the reading unit and stored in an external storage device, and is stored in the external storage device. The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the data is a sheet on which the data is printed when the stored data is printed and then saved from the external storage device.

  (3) The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the determination unit determines whether the two data match over a plurality of pages.

  (4) The image forming apparatus according to (3), wherein the determination unit determines the second sheet according to the determination result of the first sheet.

  (5) A step of reading a document set by a user, a step of storing data in a storage unit, and the external storage device even if a predetermined time has elapsed after the access to the connected external storage device has ended. When connected, when saving the data stored in the external storage device to the storage unit, and when returning the data stored in the storage unit to the external storage device, A step of determining whether or not the two data match by comparing the read document data with the data of the external storage device stored in the storage unit. And a step of restoring stored data to a connected external storage device.

  (6) a step of reading a document set by a user, a step of storing data in a storage unit, and the external storage device does not stop even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the access to the connected external storage device has ended. When connected, when saving the data stored in the external storage device to the storage unit, and when returning the data stored in the storage unit to the external storage device, A step of determining whether or not the two data match by comparing the read document data with the data of the external storage device stored in the storage unit. In such a case, a program for causing the computer of the image forming apparatus to execute the step of saving the stored data to a connected external storage device. Lamb.

  According to the invention described in item (1) above, if the external storage device remains connected after a certain period of time has passed since the external storage device was accessed, the external storage device is stored in the external storage device. Data is saved in the storage means of the image forming apparatus. When returning the data to the external storage device, the original is read from the reading unit, and the data of the read original is compared with the stored data to determine whether the two data match. If it is determined that they match, the data is restored to the external storage device. As a result, the data saved in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus can be restored to the external storage device simply by causing the reading unit to read the document. Therefore, for example, an operation such as password input is performed as in password authentication. Since there is no need to do this, the user is freed from the trouble of inputting the password, and when the user forgets the password, it is difficult to restore the data saved in the image forming apparatus to the external storage device. Does not occur.

  According to the invention described in item (2), when the image data obtained by scanning the document is saved in an external storage device and then the image data is saved, the document is read by the reading unit. If the image data is saved from the external storage device after printing the image data stored in the external storage device, the paper on which the image data is printed is read. Thus, each saved image data can be restored to the external storage device.

  According to the invention described in the item (3), it is possible to determine whether or not the read document data and the stored data match over a plurality of pages.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (4), the second and subsequent sheets can be determined according to the determination result of the first sheet.

  According to the invention described in item (5) above, when the external storage device remains connected after a lapse of a certain time after being accessed, the data stored in the external storage device is stored in the image forming apparatus. Saved by means. When returning the data to the external storage device, the original is read from the reading unit, and the data of the read original is compared with the stored data to determine whether the two data match. Is determined. If it is determined that they match, the saved data is returned to the external device. Thus, the user can easily return the data stored in the external storage device to the external storage device.

  According to the invention described in item (6) above, the process of reading the set original, the saving process of the data stored in the external storage device when a predetermined time has passed, to the image forming apparatus, and the data stored in the external storage device Causing the computer of the image forming apparatus to execute a process for determining whether or not the read original data and the stored data match when returning to the image data, and a process for restoring the data to the external storage device when it is determined that they match Can do.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a data processing system using an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the data processing system includes an image forming apparatus 1, a USB memory connection port 2, and the like, and is connected via a network 3.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) which is a multi-function digital multifunction peripheral, and has various functions such as a copy function, a printer function, and a scan function.

  The USB connection port 2 is connected to a USB memory 5 as an example of an external storage device. The external storage device is not limited to the USB memory, and other portable storage devices such as a memory card may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 11, an operation panel 12, a scanner 13, a memory controller 14, a main memory 15, a nonvolatile memory 16, a hard disk controller 17, a storage unit 18, a communication interface unit 19, and the like. Are connected to each other via a system bus 21.

  The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 1 by executing a program stored in a ROM (not shown). In this embodiment, the data of the original read by the scanner 13 and the data stored in the storage unit 18 are collated to determine whether or not the two data match. It will be described later.

  The operation panel 12 is used to display various messages and input reception screens and selection screens for the user, and when operation settings by the user for various functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are made. A key input unit and a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit are provided. In this embodiment, a list of image data saved from the USB memory 5 is displayed.

  The scanner 13 reads a document set on an automatic document feeder or a platen glass by a user and converts it into image data which is electronic data.

  The main controller 14 controls the main memory 15 including input / output of the memory such as reading and writing of data in the main memory 15.

  The main memory 15 is a primary storage medium and serves as a work area when the CPU 11 executes. The image data of a document read by the scanner 13, data when executing a program or a program, and transmission processing are executed. Temporary storage of data required for

  The nonvolatile memory 16 includes a ROM, a flash memory, and the like, and stores programs executed by the CPU 11 and other data.

  The hard disk controller 17 controls the storage device 18 including disk cache and disk information management.

  The storage unit 18 includes a storage medium such as a hard disk (HDD), stores image data of an original read from the scanner 13, and prints data to be printed in an application data format read from the USB memory 5 with the CPU 11. The image data converted into image data that can be printed out by the main controller 14 and the main memory 15 is stored. In this embodiment, image data saved from the USB memory 5 is stored to prevent leakage of stored data from the USB memory 5.

  The communication interface unit 19 has communication protocol software, and performs communication with an external device via the external network 21, and also has a function as a USB controller and a function as a connection unit of the USB memory 5. Yes. In this embodiment, reading of image data from the USB memory 5 connected to the USB connection port 2, writing of image data, and the like are performed.

  Next, an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described.

An image is read by the scanner 13 on a document set on the automatic document feeder or platen glass by the user. Then, the image data developed in the CPU 11, the memory controller 14, and the main memory 15 is formed as an electrophotographic image on recording paper, or converted into an application data format and stored in the USB memory 5. Also, the print target data in the application data format read from the USB memory 5 is converted into image data that can be printed by the CPU 11, the main controller 14, and the main memory 15, and formed as an electrophotographic image on a recording sheet.
[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 1]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. This operation is realized by the CPU 11 executing a program stored in a recording medium such as a ROM (not shown).

  First, after the connection of the USB memory 5 to the USB memory connection port 2 is detected, the image data stored in the USB memory 5 is transferred to the image forming apparatus 1 in order to prevent leakage of the stored data from the USB memory 5. The operation until retraction will be described with reference to FIG.

  The user connects the USB memory 5 to the USB memory connection port 2.

  When the connection of the USB memory 5 is detected (step S10), the document set from the scanner 13 is read according to an instruction from the user via the operation panel 12, and converted into data in the application data format to convert the USB memory 5 Is stored, or data in the application data format stored in the USB memory 5 is read, converted and printed (step S11).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the USB memory 5 was accessed (step S12). If it has not elapsed (NO in step S12), the process waits until it elapses. On the other hand, if it has elapsed (YES in step S12), it is determined whether or not the connected USB memory 5 has been removed (step S13). If it has been removed (YES in step S13), the process is performed. finish.

  On the other hand, when the removal has not been performed (NO in step S13), it is highly likely that the user has forgotten to remove the USB memory 5, and in order to prevent leakage of image data stored in the USB memory 5, The image data stored in the USB memory 5 is saved in the storage unit 18 (step S13), and after the original image data is deleted, the process ends.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent leakage of image data from the USB memory 5 that has been forgotten to be removed from the image forming apparatus 1.

  Next, an operation when the image data saved from the USB memory 5 and stored in the storage unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 1 is returned to the USB memory 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  After the image data is saved from the USB memory 5 to the storage unit 18, if the image data is not restored and the USB memory 5 is removed, the user newly connects the USB memory, and the image data is transferred from the operation panel 12. A predetermined operation for returning is performed. If the USB memory for returning the image data remains connected, the user performs a predetermined operation for returning the image data from the operation panel 12.

  When connection of the USB memory 5 is detected (step S20), the protection data list 30 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel 12 (step S21).

  The protected data list 30 shows the contents of the image data saved from the connected USB memory, the BOX number indicating the name of the USB memory that has been forgotten to be removed, the date and time when the USB memory was connected, and the data file. Information about the name, creation date, and amount of data is displayed.

  For example, the protection data 31 has a USB memory name that is forgotten to be removed “USB memory a”, a connection date and time “2007 03.23 17:00”, a data file name “TMK000”, a creation date “2004.09.13”, and a data amount Indicates “300K”.

  The user identifies the USB memory that he forgot to remove from the BOX number in the protection data list 30 and then selects the protection data to be returned to the USB memory. For example, if the USB memory that has been forgotten to be removed is “USB memory a” and the file name of the image data to be returned is “TMK00000”, the protection data 31 is selected by the user.

  Next, the user performs the following operation to authenticate that he / she is the owner of the protected data.

  That is, when the image data of the original is read after the scanner 13 reads the original and the original image data read by the USB memory 5 is saved, the first page to the last page of the read original are saved. The scanner 13 is sequentially read. On the other hand, if the image data is saved after printing the image data stored in the USB memory 5, the scanner 13 sequentially reads from the first page to the last page of the paper on which the image data is printed. To read.

  1 is substituted into the variable N (step S22), the data on the Nth page is read (step S23), and it is determined whether or not reading of all the pages has been completed (step S24).

  If reading of all pages has not been completed (NO in step S24), 1 is added to the variable N (step S25), and the process returns to step S23.

  On the other hand, when all the pages have been read (YES in step S24), the data from the first page to the last page of the read document and the first page to the last page of the image data selected by the user are displayed. By comparing the images, it is determined whether or not the two image data show a predetermined degree of coincidence (step S26).

  If the predetermined degree of coincidence is indicated (YES in step S26), since the user is likely to be the owner of the selected image data, the selected protected data is returned to the USB memory 5 (step S27). The process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the predetermined degree of coincidence is not indicated (NO in step S26), it is unlikely that the user is the owner of the selected image data, so that the data does not coincide with the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel 12. Displayed (step S28), the process is terminated.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The configuration of the data processing system according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.
[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 1]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, when determining the degree of coincidence between the read document data and the protection data, all pages of the document are read, and all pages of the document are compared with all pages of the protection data. Judgment was made. In the second embodiment, when the degree of coincidence between the read document data and the protection data is determined, the degree of coincidence is first determined by comparing the first page, and according to the determination result. The second page is determined.

  This operation is realized by the CPU 11 executing a program stored in a recording medium such as a ROM (not shown).

  When the connection of the USB memory 5 is detected (step S30), the protection data list 30 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel 12 (step S31).

  Next, the user performs the following operation to authenticate that he / she is the owner of the protected data.

  That is, when the original is read by the scanner 13 and the image data of the original read by the USB memory 5 is stored and then the image data is saved, the first page of the read original is read by the scanner 13. Make it. On the other hand, if the image data is saved after printing the image data stored in the USB memory 5, the scanner 13 reads the first page of the paper on which the image data is printed.

  When the first page of the document is read from the scanner 13 (step S32), the image data of the read document and the image data selected by the user are collated, so that the two image data match each other. It is determined whether or not the degree is indicated (step S33).

  When the predetermined matching degree is indicated (YES in step S33), since the user is likely to be the owner of the selected image data, the process proceeds to step S24 in order to return the image data to the USB memory 5.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined degree of coincidence is not shown in step S33 (NO in step S33), the cause of not showing the predetermined degree of coincidence may be the influence of noise or the like, or the influence of reading error, so that the collation is performed again. In order to do this, it is determined whether or not the second page of the document has been read from the scanner 13 (step S36). If it has not been read (NO in step S36), the selected protection data is stored in the user's page. Since there is a high possibility that it is not, the process proceeds to step S35.

  On the other hand, when the second page is read (YES in step S36), it is determined whether or not the image data of the second page and the second page of the selected protected data show a predetermined degree of coincidence ( In step S37), if the predetermined degree of coincidence is not indicated (NO in step S37), there is a high possibility that the protection data does not belong to the user, and the process proceeds to step S35. On the other hand, when the predetermined matching degree is indicated (YES in step S37), since the protection data is likely to belong to the user, the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the selected protection data is transferred to the USB memory 5 (step S34), and the process ends.

  In step S35, a message that the data does not match is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel 12, and the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the first and second embodiments, the image data saved to prevent leakage of image data is returned to the external storage device in the storage unit 18 simply by causing the reading unit to read the document. For example, when the user forgets the password, the image data saved and saved in the image forming apparatus is externally stored when the user forgets the password. There is no problem that it is difficult to return the device.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, since collation is performed over all pages of the read document, the reliability of user authentication can be improved.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the second page is collated according to the collation result of the first page of the document read for authentication, so compared with the case where collation is performed over all pages. Thus, user authentication can be performed in a short time.

  In the first embodiment, when the degree of coincidence between the read document data and the protection data is determined, the determination is performed by collating the read document data and the protection data over all pages. However, the present invention is not limited to all the pages, and a configuration may be adopted in which the data of the read document and the protection data are determined by collating over two pages or a plurality of three or more pages.

  In the first and second embodiments, the USB memory connection port is provided on the network, but the USB memory connection port may be provided inside the image forming apparatus 1.

It is a figure which shows the structure of a data processing system. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of the image forming apparatus when image data stored in a USB memory is saved in the image forming apparatus. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus when returning image data stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus to an external storage device. It is a screen which shows an example of a protection data list. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus when returning image data stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus to an external storage device according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 2 ... USB memory connection port 5 ... USB memory 11 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Operation panel 13 ... Scanner 14 ... Memory controller 15 ... Main memory 16 ... Nonvolatile memory 17 ... Hard disk controller 18 ... Storage part 19 ... Communication interface part

Claims (6)

Connection means for connecting an external storage device;
Reading means for reading a document set by a user;
A storage means for storing data;
A saving unit that saves data stored in the external storage device to the storage unit when the external storage device is connected even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the access to the connected external storage device is completed. When,
When the data saved in the storage unit is returned to the external storage device, the original set by the user is read by the reading unit, and the data of the read original is compared with the data saved in the storage unit A determination means for determining whether or not the two data match;
A return means for returning the saved data to the connected external storage device if it is determined that they match,
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The document read by the reading unit is the read document when the saved data is read by the reading unit and stored in the external storage device, and is stored in the external storage device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is a sheet on which the data is printed when the stored data is saved from the external storage device after being printed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the two data match over a plurality of pages.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines the second sheet according to a determination result of the first document. Reading a document set by a user;
Storing the data in a storage means;
A step of evacuating data stored in the external storage device to the storage means when the external storage device is connected even after a lapse of a certain time after the access to the connected external storage device is completed When,
When the data stored in the storage unit is returned to the external storage device, the reading unit reads the document, and the read document data is collated with the data of the external storage device stored in the storage unit. A step of determining whether or not the two data match,
A step of returning stored data to a connected external storage device if determined to match;
A data processing method characterized by comprising: Reading a document set by a user;
Storing the data in a storage means;
A step of evacuating data stored in the external storage device to the storage means when the external storage device is connected even after a lapse of a certain time after the access to the connected external storage device is completed When,
When the data stored in the storage unit is returned to the external storage device, the reading unit reads the document, and the read document data is collated with the data of the external storage device stored in the storage unit. A step of determining whether or not the two data match,
If it is determined that they match, a step of saving the stored data to a connected external storage device;
For causing the computer of the image forming apparatus to execute.

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