JP2007011418A - Protective device for storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a protective device for a storage device, capable of protecting, when an apparatus provided with a storage device suffers from a disaster, the storage device and data stored in the storage device. <P>SOLUTION: A copying machine 1 provided with the protective device for storage device is adapted to automatically transmit, in the event of disaster, image data stored in a protecting storage area of a first HDD 113 from a first radio communication part 13 based on a water detection signal, a temperature detection signal or an earthquake detection signal from a detection part 12 or a signal by press-down of a protection key of an operation display part 14, and store the image data received by a second radio communication part 25 sealed in a storage device protective box 22 with the storage device protective box 22 in a second HDD 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a protection device for a storage device that protects a storage device such as a hard disk drive and a non-volatile memory so that stored data is not lost even when a disaster such as a fire or a flood occurs.

  When a device equipped with a storage device such as a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD [Hard Disk Drive]) that reads / writes / stores data encounters a disaster such as a fire or flood, the storage device is removed from the device. The storage device and the data stored in the storage device are protected by being carried out or carried out together with the device main body.

In addition, as a patent document on data protection in the event of a disaster, a backup method in an information processing system that can always back up data to a data storage area of another device at a remote location and protect the data from a disaster is disclosed. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For reference, a storage and protection method and apparatus for a data storage device that can protect a data storage medium such as a CD [Compact Disc] on which data is stored from a fire are disclosed and proposed (for example, patents). Reference 2).
JP 7-141308 A JP 2000-128268 A

  Certainly, if a device has a conventional storage device, the storage device and the data stored in the storage device can be protected by taking out the storage device from the device and evacuating it by evacuating it or carrying the entire device in the event of a disaster. It is possible.

  Further, with the backup method in the information processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, since data is always backed up to another remote device, it is possible to protect the data even if the main unit encounters a disaster. It is.

  However, when a device equipped with a storage device is a copying machine, a large computer, or the like, it is difficult to take out the storage device, and the device body is large and heavy, and thus it is difficult to protect the storage device in the event of a disaster. Moreover, if such work is performed at the time of a disaster, the user's evacuation is delayed and the user himself / herself may be damaged, which is dangerous.

  In addition, the backup method in the information processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires another device for performing data backup. In addition, for example, when the storage device provided in the main unit is broken due to a disaster, there is no substitute storage device for storing the backed up data nearby, so the substitute storage device was immediately activated and backed up. The data was not available.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a storage device and a storage device protection device capable of protecting data stored in the storage device when a device including the storage device encounters a disaster. For the purpose.

  To achieve the above object, a storage device protection device according to the present invention includes a first storage device that stores data, a detection unit that outputs a detection signal based on a change in the device environment, and wireless transmission of the data. From a first wireless communication unit that performs communication, a first control unit that transmits the data stored in the first storage device to the first wireless communication unit based on the detection signal, and from the first wireless communication unit A second wireless communication unit for receiving the transmitted data; a second storage device for storing the data received by the second wireless communication unit; and the data received by the second wireless communication unit. A second control unit for storing in the second storage device, and a storage device protection box for sealing the second wireless communication unit, the second storage device, and the second control unit. It is configured. With such a configuration, data can be automatically protected together with the second storage device in the event of a disaster.

  In the storage device protection device having the above-described configuration, when the detection unit detects water, a water sensor that inputs a water detection signal to the first control unit detects a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature. A temperature sensor that inputs a temperature detection signal to the first control unit, and an earthquake sensor that inputs an earthquake detection signal to the first control unit when a vibration value larger than a predetermined vibration value is detected. When at least one of the water detection signal, the high temperature detection signal, and the earthquake detection signal is input, the first control unit stores the data stored in the first storage device. It is set as the structure transmitted to 1 radio | wireless communication part. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to automatically protect data together with the second storage device at the time of flood, fire and earthquake.

  Further, the storage device protection box in the storage device protection device having the above-described configuration is configured by a member having at least one property among water resistance, fire resistance, and impact resistance. With such a configuration, it is possible to reliably protect the second storage device and data from floods, fires, and earthquakes.

  As described above, the protection device for a storage device according to the present invention can protect the second storage device and data from a disaster when a device including the storage device encounters a disaster.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by taking a copying machine provided with a storage device protection apparatus according to the present invention as an example. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of a copying machine according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a main part structure of the copying machine according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in both figures, the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment comprises a central processing unit, and stores a first control unit 10 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, various control programs, various data, and the like, and a work area. A storage unit 11 used as a display unit, an operation display unit 14 including an operation unit (protection key, numeric keypad, touch panel, etc.) for accepting input of information and a display unit (liquid crystal display, etc.) for displaying an image, and a change in apparatus environment A detection unit 12 that outputs a detection signal based on the first control unit 10 and inputs the detection signal to the first control unit 10, and a first wireless communication unit 13 that transmits and receives various data, various instruction commands, and the like by wireless communication with a second wireless communication unit 25 described later A document transport unit 15 that automatically transports a document, a document capture unit 16 that captures a document transported from the document transport unit 15 and generates image data, and an image on a sheet based on the image data. An image forming unit 18 that performs output (including a printing unit 181 including a printer head and a photosensitive drum), a paper feeding unit 17 that feeds the image forming unit 18, and an image output obtained by the image forming unit 18 A fixing unit 19 that fixes the image output, a paper discharge unit 20 that is a discharge destination of the paper whose image output has been fixed by the fixing unit 19, a power supply unit 21 that supplies power supplied from the outside to each unit, and a later-described unit A storage device protection box 22 having a lid 22b that can be opened and closed, a second wireless communication unit 25, a second HDD 26, a second control unit 23, and a battery 24, and sealing them. It consists of

  The storage device protection box 22 of the copier 1 of the present embodiment includes a second wireless communication unit 25 for transmitting and receiving various data and various instruction commands by wireless communication with the first wireless communication unit 13, and a second wireless communication unit. 25, the second wireless communication unit 25, the second wireless communication unit 25, the second HDD 26, and the second control unit 23 that performs processing related to the control of the battery 24 described later, the second wireless communication unit 25, and the second HDD 26. And a battery 24 composed of a secondary battery for supplying power to the second control unit 23. The storage device protection box 22 is naturally provided with a ROM (not shown) and a RAM (not shown) necessary for the operation of the second control unit 23, as in the later-described ROM 111 and RAM 112.

  The first control unit 10 controls the entire apparatus and will be described in detail later. Based on a detection signal from the detection unit 12 or a signal generated by pressing the protection key 141 in the event of a disaster, the first control unit 10 protects the storage area of the first HDD 113. The image data stored in the storage area is transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 to the second wireless communication unit 25. In addition, the first control unit 10 controls writing, reading, and erasing of image data with respect to the first HDD 113.

  The storage unit 11 is a ROM [Read Only Memory] 111 in which various control programs are stored, a RAM [Random Access Memory] 112 mainly used as a work area, and a storage destination of various data. 1 includes a first HDD 113 corresponding to a first storage device having a storage area for protection as a storage source of image data transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13. Note that the second HDD 26 corresponding to the second storage device has a storage area sufficiently larger than the protection storage area of the first HDD 113.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the detection unit 12 is provided on the ground side of the apparatus main body 100 of the copying machine 1, and inputs water detection signal of the detection signal to the first control unit 10 when water is detected. A water sensor 121 that is provided in the apparatus main body 100, and a temperature sensor 122 that inputs a high-temperature detection signal of the detection signal to the first control unit 10 when a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature set in advance is detected; An earthquake sensor 123 that is provided in the apparatus main body 100 and inputs an earthquake detection signal of the detection signal to the first control unit 10 when a vibration value larger than a predetermined vibration value set in advance is detected. Become.

  The operation display unit 14 accepts execution of transmission of all data stored in the storage area for protection of the first HDD 113 from the first wireless communication unit 13 to the second wireless communication unit 25 when the user presses it. A protection key 141 for inputting a signal for execution to the first control unit 10 is provided.

  The paper feeding unit 17 includes a plurality of (three in this embodiment) paper storage units 171 a to 171 c serving as a paper supply source to the image forming unit 15, and the paper storage units 171 a to 171 c to the image forming unit 18. And a sheet conveying unit 172 serving as a common sheet conveying path.

  The second control unit 23 controls the transmission and reception of the image data and various instruction commands of the second wireless communication unit 25, and when the second wireless communication unit 25 receives the image data transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13, Control for storing the image data in the second HDD 26 and control for remaining amount management of the charge capacity of the battery 24 are performed.

  Further, the remaining amount management of the charge capacity of the battery 24 by the second control unit 23 is performed as follows. The second control unit 23 performs remaining amount management based on whether or not the charge capacity of the battery 24 is lower than a predetermined charge capacity stored in advance in a predetermined storage area of the second HDD 26 or ROM (not shown). When the second control unit 23 determines that the charging capacity of the battery 24 is lower than the predetermined charging capacity, the second control unit 23 requests the charging of the battery 24 from the second wireless communication unit 25 to the first wireless communication unit 13. Control to send the instruction command.

  For the first wireless communication unit 13 and the second wireless communication unit 25, for example, a wireless standard such as IEEE802.11g certified by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) can be used. . The wireless standard used by the first wireless communication unit 13 and the second wireless communication unit 25 is not limited to the IEEE 802.11g standard, and may be any wireless standard that can implement the present invention.

  Moreover, the above-described storage device protection box 22 has the following configuration, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage device protection box 22 has a storage device protection box housing 22a, a lid 22b that can be opened and closed by a hinge (not shown), and the like to prevent water from entering when the lid 22b is closed. Gasket (not shown) and the like. In addition, the members constituting the storage device protection box housing 22a and the lid 22b are sequentially melted in the event of a fire to close the gap, and a rigid polymer (not shown), heat insulating material (for example, heat insulating material) Material server evacast) (not shown) and the polymer (not shown).

  The storage device protection box 22 having such a configuration seals the second control unit 23, the second wireless communication unit 25, the second HDD 263, the battery 24, and the like described above, and is always protected from disasters such as floods, fires, and earthquakes. Protected. Note that the storage device protection box 22 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and the second control unit 23, the second wireless communication unit 25, the second HDD 263, the battery 24, and the like are protected from disasters such as floods, fires, and earthquakes. Any configuration that can always be protected may be used.

  Next, the document copying operation in the copying machine 1 configured as described above will be described. In the document copying operation of the copying machine 1, first, a document is transported from the document transport unit 15 to the document capture unit 16, and the document capture unit 16 captures the document (generates image data). The generated image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 11, read again, and sent to the image forming unit 18. Thereafter, the image forming unit 18 performs image forming processing on a sheet based on the input image data. The paper on which the image forming process has been completed is heated and pressed by the fixing unit 19 to fix the image on the paper, and then the paper on which copying of the original image has been completed is discharged to the paper discharge unit 20.

  In addition, the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment stores image data of a document that is generated by being captured by the document capture unit 16 in the first HDD 113, or a liquid crystal display with a touch panel (not shown) of the operation display unit 14 later. It is possible to select and print image data stored in the first HDD 113 using the touch function. For image data that needs to be protected in the event of a disaster, the image data stored in the first HDD 113 is stored in the protection storage area of the first HDD 113 using the touch function of a liquid crystal display with a touch panel (not shown). I can leave it to you.

  Note that the copying machine 1 having the storage device protection device of the present embodiment configured as described above is for protecting the first HDD 113 based on a detection signal from the detection unit 12 or a signal accompanying pressing of the protection key 141 in the event of a disaster. The image data stored in the storage area is transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 and stored in the second HDD 26 sealed in the storage device protection box 22, and the image data is protected together with the second HDD 26. is doing.

  Therefore, in the following, the storage for protection of the first HDD 113 is based on a detection signal from the detection unit 12 or a signal accompanying pressing of the protection key 141 at the time of a disaster in the copying machine 1 provided with the storage device protection device of the present embodiment. The control in which the image data stored in the area is transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 and stored in the second HDD 26 sealed in the storage device protection box 22 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of control related to protection of image data in the copying machine 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, water is not detected by the water sensor 121 in step S 3-1, and a water detection signal is sent from the water sensor 121 to the first control unit 10. If not input (NO in S3-1), the process proceeds to step S3-2, and a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature preset by the temperature sensor 122 is not detected, and a high temperature detection signal is output from the temperature sensor 122. If it is not input to the first control unit 10 (S3-2 NO), the process proceeds to step S3-3.

  Subsequently, in step S3-3, a vibration value larger than a predetermined vibration value set in advance by the earthquake sensor 123 is not detected, and an earthquake detection signal is not input from the earthquake sensor 123 to the first control unit 10. In this case (S3-3 NO), the process proceeds to step S3-4, and further, when a signal accompanying pressing of the protection key 141 of the operation display unit 14 is not input to the first control unit 10 (S3-4NO). The process proceeds to step S3-5. Thus, from step S3-1 to step S3-4, when the water detection signal, the high temperature detection signal, the water signal earthquake detection signal, and the signal accompanying pressing of the protection key 141 are not input to the first control unit 10 There will be no disaster.

  Subsequently, in step S3-5, when the first wireless communication unit 13 does not receive an instruction command for charging the battery 24 transmitted from the second wireless communication unit 25 under the control of the second control unit 23 (NO in S3-5). ), Since the charging capacity of the battery 24 remains sufficiently, the process returns to step S3-1.

  Further, when the first wireless communication unit 13 receives an instruction command for charging the battery 24 transmitted from the second wireless communication unit 25 by the second control unit 23 in step S3-5 (YES in S3-5). In step S3-6, the first control unit 10 displays a request for charging the battery 24 on a liquid crystal display with a touch panel (not shown) of the operation display unit 14 based on a command to request charging of the battery 24. The

  The battery 24 uses a secondary battery as described above, but may be a primary battery. In this case, when the capacity of the battery 24 is lower than a predetermined capacity stored in a predetermined storage area of the second HDD 26 or ROM (not shown), the second control unit 23 starts from the second wireless communication unit 25. When the first wireless communication unit 13 transmits an instruction command for the replacement request of the battery 24 to the first wireless communication unit 13 and receives the instruction command, an operation display is performed based on the instruction command for the replacement request of the battery 24. The request for replacement of the battery 24 may be displayed on a liquid crystal display (not shown) with a touch panel of the unit 14.

  Subsequently, in step S3-7, when the first wireless communication unit 13 does not receive the instruction command for charging the battery 24 transmitted from the second wireless communication unit 25 by the second control unit 23 (NO in S3-7). ) Since the battery 24 is charged and the charge capacity of the battery 24 is larger than the predetermined charge capacity, the touch panel liquid crystal of the operation display unit 14 is displayed by the first control unit 10 in step S3-8. The request for charging the battery 24 displayed on the display (not shown) is erased, and the process returns to step S3-1.

  When a water detection signal is input from the water sensor 121 to the first control unit 10 in step S3-1 (YES in S3-1), a high temperature detection signal is output from the temperature sensor 122 in step S3-2. When input to the control unit 10 (S3-2 YES), when an earthquake detection signal is input from the earthquake sensor 123 to the first control unit 10 at step S3-3 (S3-3 YES), or step S3-4. When the signal accompanying the pressing of the protection key 141 of the operation display unit 14 is input to the first control unit 10 (S3-4 YES), the control of the first control unit 10 is performed in step S3-9. All the image data stored in the protection storage area of the first HDD 113 is transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 to the second wireless communication unit 25.

  Subsequently, when image data is received by the second wireless communication unit 25 in step S3-10, all the received image data is sequentially stored in the second HDD 26 under the control of the second control unit 23, and this operation is completed. It becomes.

  As described above, the copying machine 1 equipped with the storage device protection device of the present invention is for protecting the first HDD 113 based on the detection signal from the detection unit 12 or the signal accompanying pressing of the protection key 141 in the event of a disaster. Since the image data stored in the storage area is automatically transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 and stored in the second HDD 26 sealed in the storage device protection box 22, the image data is stored together with the second HDD 26. Can be protected from disasters such as floods, fires and earthquakes. In addition, since the second HDD 26 is always sealed with the lid 22b of the storage device protection box 22 closed, the second HDD 26 and the image data cannot be protected without being closed during a sudden disaster. In addition, the image data can be protected from the disaster together with the second HDD 26.

  Further, the copying machine 1 equipped with the storage device protection apparatus according to the present invention stores the image data stored in the protection storage area of the first HDD 113 at every preset time unit or at a preset time. May be transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 to the second wireless communication unit 25 by the first control unit 10 and stored in the second HDD 26 by the second control unit 23. At this time, the data name of the image data transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 to the second wireless communication unit 25 is stored in the storage unit 11, and only the image data having the data name not stored in the storage unit 11 at the time of disaster. May be transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 to the second wireless communication unit 25 by the first control unit 10 and stored in the second HDD 26 by the second control unit 23. With such a configuration, when a disaster occurs, most of the image data is stored in advance in the second HDD 26, so that the image data can be transferred together with the second HDD 26 more reliably and quickly to disasters such as floods, fires, and earthquakes. Can be protected from.

  In addition, as described above, the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the water detection signal, the high temperature detection signal, the earthquake detection signal, or the signal accompanying pressing of the protection key 141 is input to the first control unit 10. Is a configuration in which all the image data stored in the protection storage area of the first HDD 113 by the first control unit 10 is transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 to the second wireless communication unit 25. All image data stored in the storage area of the first HDD 113 may be transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 13 by the first control unit 10 based on the input of any one of the above signals. In this case, the second HDD 26 may have a storage area larger than the storage area of the first HDD. With this configuration, it is possible to protect all image data stored in the first HDD 113 together with the second HDD 26 from disasters such as floods, fires, and earthquakes.

  Further, in the copying machine 1 equipped with the storage device protection device according to the present invention, a liquid crystal display with a touch panel (not shown) of the operation display unit 14 is stored in the first HDD 113 by being operated by the user as needed. The image data selected from the image data may be stored in the second HDD 26 when the protection key 141 is pressed. With such a configuration, since the image data is stored in advance in the second HDD 26, the image data can be more reliably protected from disasters such as floods, fires, and earthquakes together with the second HDD 26.

  However, in this case, if the user performs such an operation at any time, the storage area of the second HDD 26 may be filled with image data. When the storage area of the second HDD 26 is full of image data, the second control unit 23 sends an instruction command to the effect that the storage area of the second HDD 26 is full from the second wireless communication unit 25 to the first wireless communication. The first control unit 10 may be configured to display that the storage area of the second HDD 26 is full of image data on the liquid crystal display unit (not shown) of the operation display unit 14. The user can replace the second HDD 26 with an HDD having a free storage area by viewing this display.

  Further, in the copying machine 1 including the storage device protection device according to the present invention, the case where the image data stored in the first HDD 113 is stored and protected in the second HDD 26 has been described as an example. The present invention is not limited to image data, and the present invention may be applied to protect various data.

  In the copying machine 1 provided with the storage device protection apparatus according to the present invention, the first HDD 113 and the second HDD 26 are described as examples of the first storage device and the second storage device, respectively. The storage device is not limited, and for example, a storage device in which a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a ferroelectric memory, or a magnetoresistive memory is mounted may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the protection device for the storage device according to the present invention is provided in the copying machine 1 has been described as an example, but the application target of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to other devices such as a desktop personal computer and a digital multifunction peripheral.

  The configuration of the present invention can be variously modified in addition to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The present invention can be widely applied to all devices including a storage device such as an HDD in addition to a copying machine, and is a useful technique for protecting a storage device and data in a disaster.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the copying machine according to the present embodiment. These are the longitudinal cross-sectional views which show typically the principal part structure of the copying machine of this embodiment. These are flowcharts showing an example of control relating to protection of image data in the copying machine 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copy machine 100 Apparatus main body 10 1st control part 11 Memory | storage part 111 ROM
112 RAM
113 First HDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Detection part 121 Water sensor 122 Temperature sensor 123 Earthquake sensor 13 1st wireless communication part 14 Operation display part 15 Document conveyance part 16 Document taking-in part 17 Paper feed part 171a-171c Paper storage part 172 Paper conveyance part 18 Image formation part 19 Fixing unit 20 Paper discharge unit 21 Power supply unit 22 Storage device protection box 23 Second control unit 24 Battery 25 Second wireless communication unit 26 Second HDD

Claims (3)

  A first storage device that stores data; a detection unit that outputs a detection signal based on a change in a device environment; a first wireless communication unit that performs wireless transmission of the data; and the first based on the detection signal A first controller configured to transmit the data stored in a storage device to the first wireless communication unit; a second wireless communication unit configured to receive the data transmitted from the first wireless communication unit; and the second wireless communication unit. A second storage device that stores the data received by the communication unit; a second control unit that stores the data received by the second wireless communication unit in the second storage device; and the second wireless communication And a storage device protective box for sealing the internal storage of the second storage device and the second control unit. When the detection unit detects water, the water sensor inputs a water detection signal to the first control unit. When detecting a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, the detection unit outputs a temperature detection signal to the first control unit. Having at least one of a temperature sensor to be input and an earthquake sensor for inputting an earthquake detection signal to the first control unit when a vibration value larger than a predetermined vibration value is detected;
The first control unit causes the first wireless communication unit to transmit the data stored in the first storage device when any of the water detection signal, the high temperature detection signal, and the earthquake detection signal is input. The storage device protection device according to claim 1.   The storage device protection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage device protection box is made of a member having at least one of water resistance, fire resistance, and impact resistance.

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