JP2010258679A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus which can effectively prevent a user from forgetting to remove a storage medium without compelling the user to carry out troublesome work of inserting and removing the storage medium many times. <P>SOLUTION: A complex machine 1 as the electronic apparatus includes: a USB port 21 to which a removable USB memory 2 is attached to deliver data for the USB memory 2; an image data storage part 17 for storing a data list DL indicating a list of the data read out from the USB memory 2 attached to the USB port 21; and a CPU 11 for performing predetermined process using the data read out from the USB memory 2 in the case where the data list DL to be stored in the image data storage part 17 is created and when the removal of the USB memory 2 attached to the USB port 21 is detected by the USB port 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a copying machine, a multifunction machine, and other electronic devices.

  At present, image forming apparatuses such as copiers and multi-function machines have been made multi-functional in order to increase added value, and one of the functions is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, an SD (Secure Digital) card, etc. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus has been developed that has a function that allows a storage medium to be attached and detached and allows various data to be exchanged with a mounted recording medium. Specifically, in this image forming apparatus, an image file such as a printout of an electronic file such as an image file or a document file stored in a storage medium or a document image read by a scanning function provided in the image forming apparatus is stored in the storage medium. Can be recorded.

  However, in such an image forming apparatus, the user may forget to remove the storage medium attached to the image forming apparatus after the work is completed. In particular, the frequency of forgetting to remove the storage medium increases when a long-time operation is performed after the storage medium is loaded into the image forming apparatus. Then, since the storage medium that is still attached to the image forming apparatus becomes available to a third party other than the user, confidential information stored in the storage medium (information that is restricted from being disclosed to a third party) May leak.

  In Patent Document 1 below, image data read from an image recording medium such as a document or a recording medium is stored in an image forming apparatus, and then image formation is started after the removal of the image recording medium is detected. A technique for preventing misplacement of a recording medium is disclosed. In Patent Document 2 below, image data processing is started on the condition that the external recording medium is removed from the image processing apparatus after the image data is transferred from the externally connected removable recording medium. Thus, there is disclosed a technique that can reliably prevent the external recording medium from being forgotten, and can prevent the third party from stealing the external recording medium or leaking information.

JP 2005-150980 A JP 2007-136934 A

  By the way, when the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above are used, processing such as image formation is not started unless the recording medium is removed, so that it is possible to reliably prevent forgetting to remove the recording medium. It is thought that you can. However, when these techniques are used, a plurality of files are recorded on a storage medium such as a USB memory, and when it is desired to perform processing on the plurality of files, the storage medium is repeatedly inserted and removed. There is a problem that it is necessary and extremely troublesome work is forced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can effectively prevent the user from forgetting to remove the storage medium without forcing the user to perform the troublesome task of inserting and removing the storage medium many times. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an electronic device according to the present invention includes a mounting unit on which a removable storage medium is mounted, and the electronic device can exchange data with the medium mounted on the mounting unit. A storage means for storing a data list indicating a list of data read from the storage medium attached to the attachment section, and a data list to be stored in the storage means, wherein the data list is created and attached to the attachment section. And a processing unit that performs a predetermined process using data read from the storage medium when removal of the storage medium is detected by the mounting unit.
In addition, the electronic device of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an instruction for the user, and the processing unit is configured to remove the storage medium from the mounting unit when the data list is created. An instruction is displayed on the display means.
The electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that the processing means displays the contents of the data list stored in the storage means on the display means before starting the predetermined processing.
In the electronic device of the present invention, the display means can display instructions for the user and input instructions from the user, and the processing means can be operated by the user together with the contents of the data list. The button is displayed.
In the electronic device of the present invention, the plurality of buttons include an execution button for executing the predetermined process using data read from the storage medium according to preset contents, and a part of the data list A delete button for deleting the image and an end button for ending the predetermined process are included.
In the electronic device according to the present invention, when the predetermined processing executed by the user operating the execution button is completed, the processing unit deletes data used in the processing processing from the data list. It is characterized by performing the process.
The electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that, when the user operates the delete button, the processing means performs a process of deleting data corresponding to the operation from the data list.
The electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that the processing means performs a process of deleting the data list stored in the storage means when the end button is operated by a user.

  According to the present invention, when a data list indicating a list of data read from the storage medium attached to the attachment unit is created and the removal of the storage medium attached to the attachment unit is detected by the attachment unit. A predetermined process using data read from the storage medium is performed. For this reason, the above-described predetermined processing is not performed unless the storage medium is removed from the mounting portion, so that it is possible to effectively prevent forgetting to remove the storage medium. In addition, since the data list is created, even when it is desired to process a plurality of files stored in the storage medium, the troublesome work of repeatedly inserting and removing the storage medium from the mounting unit is performed. There is an effect that it is not necessary.

It is a front view which shows the outline | summary of the external appearance of the electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, a case where the electronic device is a multi-function device which is a kind of image forming apparatus will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an outline of an external appearance of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a multi-function device 1 that is an electronic device of the present embodiment has a copy function, a print function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory 2 that is a kind of nonvolatile memory. (Storage medium) is attached, and various data can be exchanged with the USB memory 2. The USB memory 2 is attached to and detached from the multifunction device 1 by a user who uses the multifunction device 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the multi function device 1, which is an electronic device of the present embodiment, includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 (processing means), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, and various sensor groups. 14, paper transport unit 15, image reading unit 16, image data storage unit 17 (storage unit), image forming unit 18, communication I / F unit 19, operation display unit 20 (display unit), and USB port 21 (mounting unit) ).

  The CPU 11 refers to various detection signals output from the various sensor groups 14 based on a control program stored in the ROM 12, and via an operation instruction input from the operation display unit 20 or the communication I / F unit 19. The operation of the multifunction device 1 is controlled in accordance with various instructions input from a client computer (not shown). For example, image data reading control by the image reading unit 16 or print control and transmission control of various image data such as document image data, print image data, and facsimile image data stored in the image data storage unit 17 is performed.

  Further, when reading data from the USB memory 2, the CPU 11 creates a data list DL indicating a list of read data and stores it in the image data storage unit 17. The reason why the data list DL is created is to improve the convenience by reducing the number of insertions / removals of the USB memory 2 by the user while preventing the removal of the USB memory 2 attached to the USB port 21. Details of the control performed by the CPU 11 will be described later.

  The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 11 and other data. The RAM 13 is a volatile memory used as a working area that is a temporary storage destination of data when the CPU 11 executes a control program and performs various operations. The various sensor groups 14 are various sensors necessary for an image forming operation such as a paper out detection sensor, a paper jam detection sensor, a paper position detection sensor, and a temperature sensor, and the CPU 11 uses various information detected by each sensor as detection signals. Output to.

  The paper transport unit 15 includes a transport roller, a motor for driving the transport roller, and the like. The paper transport unit 15 transports the printing paper stored in the paper tray to the image forming unit 18, and after the image forming process by the image forming unit 18. The performed printing paper is conveyed to a paper discharge tray (not shown). The image reading unit 16 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and the like, and causes the CCD sensor to read images of documents sequentially fed by the ADF so that a document image based on the document image. Output data. The document image data output from the image reading unit 16 is stored in the image data storage unit 17 via the CPU 11.

  The image data storage unit 17 includes a memory such as a flash memory. Under the control of the CPU 11, document image data, print image data received by the communication I / F unit 19 from a client computer (not shown), and communication The I / F unit 19 stores facsimile image data received from a public network (not shown). In addition, various image data read from the USB memory 2 via the USB port 21 are stored, and a data list DL indicating a list of the data is stored.

  The image forming unit 18 performs image forming processing using the document image data, print image data, or facsimile image data stored in the image data storage unit 17 under the control of the CPU 11. Specifically, the image forming image corresponding to the various image data is transferred onto the printing paper conveyed from the paper conveying unit 15 using toner, and the fixing process of the image forming image is performed by the fixing roller. The communication I / F unit 19 is connected to a client computer (not shown) and a public network (not shown), and transmits and receives various signals to and from the client computer and the public network.

  The operation display unit 20 includes a touch panel 20a and various operation keys, and outputs operation contents of the operation keys to the CPU 11 and displays various information on the touch panel 20a under the control of the CPU 11. Various operation keys provided in the operation display unit 20 include, for example, a copy function switching key, a print function switching key, a scan function switching key, a facsimile function switching key, a start key, a stop / clear key, a power key, and a numeric keypad (numeric input key). Can be mentioned. The copy function switch key, print function switch key, scan function switch key, and facsimile function switch key are keys for switching the multifunction device 1 to the operation mode of each function when the user uses each function. is there.

  Further, by displaying various buttons on the touch panel 20a, it is possible to use soft keys other than the above various keys. The soft keys used in this embodiment are an execution button for executing a predetermined process (for example, a printing process) using data read from the USB memory 2 according to preset contents, and a part of the data list DL. A delete button for deleting the image and an end button for ending the predetermined processing are included. Details of these buttons will be described later.

  The USB port 21 is a serial interface corresponding to the USB standard, and is electrically connected to the USB memory 2 when the USB memory 2 is attached. When connected to the USB memory 2, the USB port 21 exchanges various data with the USB memory 2 under the control of the CPU 11. The USB port 21 can both detect whether the USB memory 2 is attached and whether the USB memory 2 is removed.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction device 1 having the above configuration will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The process shown in FIG. 3 is started when the user of the multifunction device 1 attaches the USB memory 2 to the USB port 21 of the multifunction device 1. When the processing is started, first, processing setting for reading data from the USB memory 2 attached to the USB port 21 is performed (step S11).

  When the above processing settings are completed, data is read from the USB memory 2 under the control of the CPU 11 (step S12). The read data is written into the image data storage unit 17 under the control of the CPU 11. Further, the CPU 11 performs a process of adding the data read from the USB memory 2 and written in the image data storage unit 17 to the data list DL (step S13), and displays the contents of the data list DL on the operation display unit 20. Is performed (step S14). Through the above processing, a list of data read from the USB memory 2 so far is displayed on the operation display unit 20.

  Next, the CPU 11 causes the operation display unit 20 to display a message confirming whether or not to continue reading data from the USB memory 2, and the instruction from the user is an instruction to continue reading data. It is determined whether or not there is (step S15). When the user gives an instruction to continue reading data (when the determination result is “YES”), the process returns to step S11 and the process of reading data from the USB memory 2 is performed.

  On the other hand, when the user gives an instruction to finish reading data (when the determination result is “NO”), the CPU 11 controls the operation display unit 20 to remove the USB memory 2 from the USB port 21. Is displayed (step S16). Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a detection signal indicating that the USB memory 2 has been removed from the USB port 21 is output from the USB port 21 (step S17). While the determination result is “NO”, the determination in step S17 is repeated.

  When the USB memory 2 is removed from the USB port 21, the removal is detected at the USB port 21, and the detection signal is output to the CPU 11. As a result, the determination result in step S17 is “YES”. Then, the CPU 11 reads out the data list DL stored in the image data storage unit and displays it on the operation display unit 20, and displays the above-described soft keys (execution button, delete button, end button, etc.) (step S18).

  When the above process ends, the CPU 11 determines which soft key of the soft keys displayed on the operation display unit 20 has been operated by the user (step S19). When it is determined that the execution button has been operated by the user, the CPU 11 executes a predetermined process using data (first data) first read from the USB memory 2 in accordance with preset contents. To do.

  For example, when the preset content is printing of data read from the USB memory 2, the first data is read and output to the image forming unit 18, and the first data is printed. To control. When the predetermined process is completed, the data used in the predetermined process is deleted from the data list DL by the CPU 11 (step S21).

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is remaining data in the data list DL (step S22). If it is determined that there is remaining data (when the determination result is “YES”), the process returns to step S18, and the data list DL and soft keys are displayed again on the operation display unit 20, and any software is selected by the user. It is determined whether the key has been operated (step S19).

  If it is determined that the delete button has been operated, the data read second from the USB memory 2 (second data) is deleted from the data list DL by the processing of the CPU 11 (step S21). ). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is remaining data in the data list DL (step S22). If the determination result is “NO”, the series of processing shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that the end button has been operated, the CPU 11 deletes the data list DL from the image data storage unit 17. Even when the data list DL is deleted, the series of processing shown in FIG. 3 ends. When the series of processing ends, the display on the operation display unit 20 returns to the normal standby screen.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a data list DL indicating a list of data read from the USB memory 2 attached to the USB port 11 is created, and after the USB memory 2 is removed from the USB port 11, the USB memory A predetermined process using the data read from 2 is performed. For this reason, unless the USB memory 2 is removed from the USB port 11, a predetermined process using the data read from the USB memory 2 is not performed, so that forgetting to remove the USB memory can be prevented. In addition, since the data list DL is created, even when it is desired to process a plurality of files stored in the USB memory 2, it is troublesome to insert and remove the USB memory 2 from and to the USB port 11 many times. There is no need to perform any major work.

  As mentioned above, although the electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not restrict | limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can change freely within the scope of the present invention. For example, the storage medium that can be used in the present invention is not limited to the USB memory 2, but an SD card, Compact Flash (registered trademark), Memory Stick (registered trademark), Smart Media, flexible disk, CD-R, CD-RW Any storage medium such as DVD (registered trademark) -R, DVD-RW, or MO disk can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the electronic apparatus according to the present invention is a multifunction peripheral that is one of the image forming apparatuses has been described as an example. However, the present invention includes a mounting unit on which a storage medium is mounted. If so, the present invention can be applied to any electronic device such as a personal computer.

1 MFP 2 USB memory 11 CPU
17 Image data storage unit 21 USB port DL data list 20 Operation display unit

Claims (8)

In an electronic device that includes a mounting unit on which a removable storage medium is mounted, and that can exchange data with respect to the medium mounted on the mounting unit,
Storage means for storing a data list indicating a list of data read from the storage medium attached to the attachment unit;
In the case where the data list to be stored in the storage unit is created, when the removal of the storage medium attached to the attachment unit is detected by the attachment unit, the data read from the storage medium is An electronic device comprising: processing means for performing a predetermined process used A display means for displaying instructions to the user;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the data list is created, the processing unit causes the display unit to display an instruction for the user to remove the storage medium from the mounting unit.   3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit displays the contents of the data list stored in the storage unit on the display unit before starting the predetermined processing. The display means is capable of inputting instructions from a user together with displaying instructions to the user,
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processing means displays a plurality of buttons operated by a user together with the contents of the data list.   The plurality of buttons include an execution button for executing the predetermined process using data read from the storage medium according to preset contents, a delete button for deleting a part of the data list, and 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an end button for ending the predetermined process.   The processing means performs a process of deleting data used in the process from the data list when the predetermined process executed by the user operating the execution button is completed. The electronic device according to claim 5   6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the user operates the delete button, the processing unit performs a process of deleting data corresponding to the operation from the data list.   6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit performs a process of deleting the data list stored in the storage unit when the end button is operated by a user.

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