JP2007336142A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device which can prevent furtiveness of an information storage medium used in the electronic device. <P>SOLUTION: A digital composite machine 1 is provided with a setting unit 31 which establishes an information storage medium used as a monitoring object to be removed beforehand, a first monitoring unit 33 which monitors whether the information storage medium established in the setting unit 31 is removed from the digital composite machine 1, and a reporting unit 35 which informs if the first monitoring unit 33 discriminates that the information storage medium is removed from the digital composite machine 1 using an electronic mail or G3 facsimile. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a digital multifunction peripheral.

A digital multi-function peripheral is an electronic device having functions of a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile, and in recent years, demand in offices and the like is increasing. Some digital multi-function peripherals allow applications to be added or upgraded by inserting an information storage medium into a slot. Some information storage media have a function of preventing reuse of information storage media among a plurality of digital multi-function peripherals (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-46801 A

  Some digital multifunction peripherals store software necessary for their operation, information set on the operation panel (such as abbreviated addresses), facsimile transmission / reception history, etc. in an information storage medium such as a hard disk or CF card. is there. Therefore, since the information storage medium may contain important information, it is necessary to ensure security.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can prevent an information storage medium used in the electronic device from being stolen.

  One aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention is a setting unit in which an information storage medium to be monitored for removal from the electronic device is set in advance, and the information storage medium set in the setting unit is removed from the electronic device. A first monitoring unit that monitors whether the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device, and a notification unit that performs a predetermined notification when the first monitoring unit determines that the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device. To do.

  Another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention includes an information storage medium that is not attached and detached in a normal use state of the electronic device, a first monitoring unit that monitors whether the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device, And a notification unit that performs predetermined notification when the first monitoring unit determines that the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device.

  One aspect and the other aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention include: a second monitoring unit that monitors whether power supply from the outside to the electronic device is interrupted; and power supply from the outside to the electronic device. When the second monitoring unit determines that it has been shut off, a switching unit that switches a power source of the first monitoring unit and the notification unit to a battery installed in the electronic device may be provided.

  In one aspect and another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, either a mode capable of switching to the battery or a mode incapable of switching to the battery can be selected.

  In one aspect and another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, the change of the selection of the two modes may include an authentication operation.

  In one aspect and another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, the predetermined notification is a notification using a communication unit, and there are a plurality of the communication units, and a priority of use is set in advance. be able to.

  One aspect and another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention include a third monitoring unit that monitors whether each of the plurality of communication units is blocked, and monitoring by the third monitoring unit and the priority order. A plurality of the communication means can be selected based on the above.

  Still another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention includes a setting unit configured to switch between a monitoring mode for monitoring the removal of the information storage medium from the electronic device and a non-monitoring mode for releasing the monitoring mode, A first monitoring unit that monitors whether the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device in a state set to a monitoring mode, and the first monitoring that the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device. A notification unit that performs predetermined notification when the unit determines.

  In still another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, the setting unit can set in advance the information storage medium to be monitored for removal from the electronic device.

  In still another aspect of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, when the predetermined opening / closing member is opened in the state set in the monitoring mode, the notification unit may perform the predetermined notification.

  In still another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, when the external power supply to the electronic device is interrupted while the monitoring mode is set, the notification unit performs the predetermined notification. Can be.

  In still another aspect of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, the setting unit can switch between the setting of the monitoring mode and the setting of the non-monitoring mode by an operation.

  In still another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, the setting unit may be configured to switch the setting of the monitoring mode and the setting of the non-monitoring mode depending on time.

  In still another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, when the vibration of a predetermined value or more is detected in the state set in the monitoring mode, the notification unit can perform the predetermined notification.

  In still another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, when the rotation of the rotating member for moving the electronic device is detected in the state set in the monitoring mode, the notification unit performs the predetermined notification. And so on.

  According to one aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, an information storage medium to be monitored for removal from the electronic device can be set in advance, and when the set information storage medium is removed from the electronic device, a predetermined notification is made. do. Therefore, the theft of the information storage medium used in the electronic device can be prevented.

  According to another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, when an information storage medium that is not attached or detached in a normal use state of the electronic device is removed from the electronic device, a predetermined notification is given. Therefore, the theft of the information storage medium used in the electronic device can be prevented.

  According to still another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention, when the information storage medium is removed from the electronic device in the state set to the monitoring mode, a predetermined notification is given. Therefore, the theft of the information storage medium used in the electronic device can be prevented.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is an example of an electronic device.

  The digital MFP 1 includes a control unit 3, an image reading unit 5, an image recording unit 7, a display unit 9, an operation unit 11, a modem 13, an NCU 15, a ROM 17, a RAM 19, an image memory 21, a codec 23, a LAN interface 25, and the like. Are connected by a bus 27. The control unit 3 is realized by, for example, a CPU, and controls the hardware configuring the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and executes software necessary for the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  The image reading unit 5 reads an image (characters, drawings, photographs, etc.) with a CCD or the like and outputs it as image data. The image recording unit 7 is an electrophotographic printer or the like, and returns image data output from the image reading unit 5 or image data from another facsimile apparatus received by facsimile communication to an image, and the image is recorded. Output paper.

  The display unit 9 displays the operation state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, destination name, various setting contents, and the like. The display unit 9 is realized by an LCD, a CRT, or the like. The operation unit 11 includes keys (such as a numeric keypad, an abbreviated key, a one-touch key, a start key, a reset key, and various function keys) necessary for operating the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  The modem 13 has a function of a fax modem for normal facsimile communication. The modem 13 is directly connected to the NCU 15. The NCU 15 has a function of sending a dial pulse corresponding to a telephone number of a communication partner and a function of detecting an incoming call, in addition to the function of closing and opening the public telephone line L. The NCU 15 connects the modem 13 to the public telephone line L as necessary.

  The ROM 17 stores software necessary for the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The RAM 19 is realized by an SRAM, DRAM, hard disk, CF card, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the software is executed, or stores application software or the like.

  The image memory 21 is realized by a DRAM or the like, and temporarily stores image data to be transmitted, received image data, image data output from the image reading unit 5, and the like. The codec 23 encodes and compresses the image data and decodes the encoded and compressed image data. The LAN interface 25 is an interface through which the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is communicably connected to the LAN.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the characteristic part of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a setting unit 31, a first monitoring unit 33, a notification unit 35, a second monitoring unit 37, a switching unit 39, and a third monitoring unit 41.

  In the setting unit 31, an information storage medium to be monitored for removal from the digital multifunction device 1 is set in advance by the user. The monitoring target is a so-called non-volatile information storage medium in which information can be rewritten and information does not disappear even when the power is turned off. For example, the hard disk 43 or the CF card 45 built in the digital multifunction device 1 The hard disk 47 and the USB memory 49 are externally attached to the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The user can set one or more of those information storage media as monitoring targets. Note that a volatile information storage medium such as SRAM may be monitored. The function of the setting unit 31 is realized by the control unit 3, the display unit 9, the operation unit 11, the RAM 19, and the like.

  The first monitoring unit 33 monitors whether the information storage medium set by the setting unit 31 has been removed from the digital multi-function peripheral 1. As an example of monitoring, the first monitoring unit 33 performs a read operation on the information storage medium set by the setting unit 31 and determines that the information storage medium has been removed from the digital multi-function peripheral 1 when reading is not possible. . Since the removal of the information storage medium is monitored, the read operation is executed in minutes.

  As another example of monitoring, the voltage of the connector detection port, which is a connection part with the information storage medium, varies depending on whether or not the information storage medium is connected thereto. It is also possible to monitor the removal of the information storage medium by monitoring (in units). The function of the first monitoring unit 33 is realized by the control unit 3, the RAM 19, and the like.

  When the first monitoring unit 33 determines that the information storage medium set by the setting unit 31 has been removed from the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the notification unit 35 performs a predetermined notification. In the present embodiment, the user is notified that the information storage medium has been removed from the digital multi-function peripheral 1 using communication means (e-mail, G3 FAX) provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. Other predetermined notifications include an alarm buzzer that uses a speaker provided in the digital multifunction device 1.

  The notification unit 35 includes a communication unit 51 that executes electronic mail (including facsimiles using the Internet) and a communication unit 53 that executes G3 FAX. As described above, in the present embodiment, there are two communication means used when performing predetermined notification. The priority order of the two communication means is preset in the setting unit 31 by the user. The function of the communication unit 51 is realized by the control unit 3, the RAM 19, the LAN interface 25, and the like. The function of the communication unit 53 is realized by the control unit 3, the RAM 19, the modem 13, the NCU 15, and the like.

  The communication unit 51 is connected to the Internet via a LAN. The LAN here may be wired or wireless. The communication unit 53 is connected to the public switched telephone network by wire or wireless.

  The third monitoring unit 41 monitors whether each of the two communication means (e-mail, G3FAX) of the notification unit 35 is blocked. For example, even if the user has set the priority to use e-mail, if the LAN cable is disconnected from the digital multifunction device 1, the user cannot be notified that the information storage medium has been removed from the digital multifunction device 1. Therefore, the third monitoring unit 41 monitors whether each of the two communication units of the notification unit 35 is blocked, and the communication unit using e-mail is blocked, but the communication unit using G3 FAX is blocked. If not, the notification unit 35 notifies the user by G3 FAX. As described above, a plurality of communication means are selected based on the priority of the monitoring and communication means in the third monitoring unit 41.

  The determination as to whether the communication means using G3 FAX has been blocked is realized, for example, as follows. If the cable connected to the telephone line is disconnected from the digital multifunction peripheral 1, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 cannot detect sound from the telephone line. Therefore, when the sound from the telephone line cannot be detected, it is determined that the communication means using G3 FAX has been blocked.

  The determination as to whether the communication means using e-mail has been blocked is realized, for example, as follows. The digital MFP 1 and the device connected to it with a twisted pair cable (a type of LAN cable) confirm the connection by sending a link pulse to the partner or receiving a link pulse from the partner. Yes. If the twisted pair cable is disconnected from the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the link pulse sent from the device connected to the cable cannot be detected. Therefore, when the link pulse cannot be detected, it is determined that the communication means using e-mail has been blocked. The function of the third monitoring unit 41 is realized by the control unit 3, the RAM 19, and the like.

  A battery 55 is installed in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. When the power supply from the outside (external power source) to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is cut off (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “power supply cut off”), the battery 55 is connected to the first monitoring unit 33, It serves as a power source for the notification unit 35 and the third monitoring unit 41.

  In order to steal information stored in an information storage medium such as a hard disk, it is necessary to remove the information storage medium without destroying it. For this purpose, it is necessary to first cut off (stop) the power supply from the outside to the digital multifunction peripheral 1. Therefore, it is also conceivable that the information storage medium is removed from the digital multifunction device 1 after the power supply from the commercial power source to the digital multifunction device 1 is cut off by unplugging the power cord of the digital multifunction device 1 from the outlet. If power is not supplied to the first monitoring unit 33 and the notification unit 35, monitoring and notification cannot be performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a battery 55 serving as a power source for the first monitoring unit 33, the notification unit 35, and the third monitoring unit 41 is prepared even when the external power supply to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is interrupted. ing.

  The second monitoring unit 37 monitors whether the external power supply to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 has been cut off. More specifically, the second monitoring unit 37 monitors the voltage and current of electricity supplied to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 through the power cord, and supplies power when the current does not change at 0 A or 0 V. Is determined to have been blocked. The second monitoring unit 37 is realized by a current detection circuit or a voltage detection circuit.

  When the second monitoring unit 37 determines that the power supply is cut off, the switching unit 39 switches the power supply of the first monitoring unit 33, the notification unit 35, and the third monitoring unit 41 to the battery 55. The switching unit 39 is realized by a power source switch.

  In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the power cord is unplugged from the outlet until it is installed from the factory until the user installs it. Meanwhile, when the battery 55 becomes a power source for the first monitoring unit 33 or the like, the battery 55 is consumed and is useless although it is not necessary to monitor the removal of the information storage medium. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first monitoring unit 33 can set the selection of either on or off by the setting unit 31. The switching unit 39 is controlled so that switching to the battery 55 is possible when the first monitoring unit 33 is on, and switching to the battery 55 is not possible when the first monitoring unit 33 is off. .

  The change of the on / off selection of the first monitoring unit 33 is a change of whether or not to monitor the removal of the information storage medium from the digital multi-function peripheral 1. Therefore, it is not preferable that any number of people can change the selection. Therefore, in this embodiment, the selection operation includes an authentication operation (password authentication, fingerprint authentication, etc.).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when either the on or off of the first monitoring unit 33 is selected, either the mode that allows switching to the battery 55 or the mode that cannot switch to the battery 55 is selected. To be selected. The selection of these modes can also be realized by a configuration in which either the on or off of the second monitoring unit 37 can be selected. Further, it can be realized by a configuration in which either the ON or OFF of the switching unit 39 can be selected directly.

  Next, an operation in which the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment monitors the removal of the information storage medium will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining this operation.

  The priority of the information storage medium and communication means to be monitored for removal is set by the user (step S1). Specifically, it is as follows. In the present embodiment, the information storage medium to be monitored for removal is one built in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 (hard disk 43, CF card 45) and one externally attached to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 (hard disk 47 or USB). Memory 49). From these, the user sets one or a plurality of information storage media to be monitored for removal.

  In this embodiment, the communication means can use e-mail and G3 FAX. The user sets which of these communication means has priority. Here, a case where priority is given to G3 FAX will be described.

  When the above setting is completed, it is monitored whether the set information storage medium is removed from the digital multi-function peripheral 1. If the information storage medium has not been removed (No in step S3), monitoring is continued.

  If it is determined that the information storage medium has been removed (Yes in step S3), it is determined whether the communication means using G3 FAX has been blocked (step S5). This determination is made because priority is given to G3 FAX as a communication means.

  If the communication means using G3 FAX is not blocked (No in step S5), the user is notified using G3 FAX that the information storage medium has been removed from the digital multi-function peripheral 1 (step S7).

  On the other hand, if the communication means using G3 FAX is blocked (Yes in step S5), the communication means is changed to an email, and it is determined whether the communication means using the email is blocked (step S9). ). If the communication means using the electronic mail is not blocked (No in step S9), the user is notified of the removal of the information storage medium using the electronic mail (step S11).

  On the other hand, when the communication means using electronic mail is blocked (Yes in step S9), it is not possible to make a notification using the communication means that the information storage medium has been removed. In this case, the user is notified using another means (for example, an alarm buzzer is sounded from a speaker provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, an information storage medium to be monitored for removal from the digital multifunction peripheral 1 can be set in advance, and when the set information storage medium is removed from the digital multifunction peripheral 1. This is notified to the user using the communication means. When the communication means cannot be used, a means such as sounding an alarm buzzer from the speaker of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is employed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the information storage medium used in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 from being stolen.

  As described with reference to FIG. 2, the information storage medium to be monitored for removal is set by the user, but the information storage medium (for example, the hard disk 43 and the CF card) that is not attached / detached in the normal use state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 For 45), it may be sure to be a removal monitoring target. The removal of an information storage medium that is not attached / detached in the normal use state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 has a high possibility of theft, so that no one can be set to be excluded from the monitoring target. As such an information storage medium, an information storage medium attached according to the standard specification of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can be exemplified.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the information storage medium to be monitored for removal from the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is set in advance in the setting unit 31 has been described. However, when the setting unit 31 is set to be switchable between a monitoring mode for monitoring the removal of the information storage medium from the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and a non-monitoring mode for releasing the monitoring mode (hereinafter referred to as “monitoring / non-monitoring switching”). May be referred to as a “mode”). The monitoring / non-monitoring switching mode will be described.

  In the monitoring / non-monitoring switching mode, the first monitoring unit 33 monitors whether the information storage medium has been removed from the digital multi-function peripheral 1 while the monitoring mode is set. When the first monitoring unit 33 determines that it has been removed from the machine 1, a predetermined notification is given. The predetermined notification is the same as the predetermined notification described above, such as notifying the user using a communication means. In the monitoring / non-monitoring switching mode, not only the information storage medium (hard disk 43, CF card 45) that is not attached / detached in the normal use state of the digital multifunction device 1 but also the possibility of attachment / detachment in the normal use state of the digital multifunction device 1 is possible. Even an information storage medium (external hard disk 47, USB memory 49) is a monitoring target.

The monitoring / non-monitoring switching mode has the following modes.
(1) Switching between the monitoring mode and the non-monitoring mode includes an authentication operation.

  (2) The setting unit 31 can set in advance an information storage medium to be monitored for removal from the digital multifunction device 1.

  (3) When the predetermined opening / closing member is opened in the state set to the monitoring mode, the notification unit 35 performs a predetermined notification. The predetermined opening / closing member is, for example, a cover that needs to be opened in order to remove the information storage medium.

  (4) When the external power supply to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is interrupted in the state set to the monitoring mode, the notification unit 35 performs a predetermined notification. In order to steal information stored in an information storage medium such as the hard disk 43, it is necessary to remove the information storage medium without destroying it. For this purpose, it is necessary to first cut off (stop) the power supply from the outside to the digital multifunction peripheral 1. Therefore, when power supply from the outside to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is interrupted, a predetermined notification is given.

  (5) In the setting unit 31, the setting of the monitoring mode and the setting of the non-monitoring mode can be switched by an operation of a user or the like.

  (6) In the setting unit 31, the setting of the monitoring mode and the setting of the non-monitoring mode can be switched according to time. For example, the monitoring mode is set until sometime in the night or until morning, and the non-monitoring mode is set otherwise. In addition, holidays are set to the monitoring mode, and other times are set to the non-monitoring mode.

  (7) When the vibration sensor detects a vibration of a predetermined value or more in the state set to the monitoring mode, the notification unit 35 performs a predetermined notification. This prevents the digital multifunction device 1 itself from being stolen.

  (8) When the rotation of a rotating member (for example, a caster) for moving the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is detected in the state set in the monitoring mode, the notification unit 35 performs a predetermined notification. Similar to (7), the digital multifunction device 1 itself is prevented from being stolen.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the characteristic part of the digital multi-function peripheral according to the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of monitoring the removal of the information storage medium by the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital multifunction device, 3 ... Control part, 5 ... Image reading part, 7 ... Image recording part, 9 ... Display part, 11 ... Operation part, 13 ... Modem 15 ... NCU, 17 ... ROM, 19 ... RAM, 21 ... Image memory, 23 ... Codec, 25 ... LAN interface, 27 ... Bus, 31 ... Setting , 33... First monitoring unit, 35... Notification unit, 37... Second monitoring unit, 39... Switching unit, 41. Hard disk, 45 ... CF card, 47 ... external hard disk, 49 ... USB memory, 51, 53 ... communication unit, 55 ... battery, L ... public telephone line

Claims (15)

A setting unit in which an information storage medium to be monitored for removal from the electronic device is set in advance;
A first monitoring unit that monitors whether the information storage medium set by the setting unit has been removed from the electronic device;
An electronic device comprising: a notification unit that performs predetermined notification when the first monitoring unit determines that the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device. An information storage medium that does not attach or detach in the normal use state of the electronic device;
A first monitoring unit that monitors whether the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device;
An electronic device comprising: a notification unit that performs predetermined notification when the first monitoring unit determines that the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device. A second monitoring unit for monitoring whether power supply from the outside to the electronic device is interrupted;
When the second monitoring unit determines that power supply from the outside to the electronic device is cut off, switching to switch the power source of the first monitoring unit and the notification unit to a battery installed in the electronic device The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus includes a unit. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein one of a mode in which switching to the battery is possible and a mode in which switching to the battery is not possible is selected. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the change in selection of the two modes includes an authentication operation. The predetermined notification is a notification using communication means,
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein there are a plurality of the communication means, and priority of use is set in advance. A third monitoring unit for monitoring whether each of the plurality of communication means is shut off;
The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the communication units are selected based on monitoring by the third monitoring unit and the priority order. A setting unit configured to be switchable between a monitoring mode for monitoring the removal of the information storage medium from the electronic device and a non-monitoring mode for releasing the monitoring mode;
A first monitoring unit that monitors whether the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device in the state set in the monitoring mode;
An electronic device comprising: a notification unit that performs predetermined notification when the first monitoring unit determines that the information storage medium has been removed from the electronic device. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the setting unit can preset the information storage medium to be monitored for removal from the electronic device. The electronic device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein when the predetermined opening / closing member is opened in the state set to the monitoring mode, the notification unit performs the predetermined notification. The said alerting | reporting part performs the said predetermined alerting | reporting, if the electric power supply from the outside to the said electronic device is interrupted in the state set to the said monitoring mode. The electronic device as described in. The electronic device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein in the setting unit, the setting of the monitoring mode and the setting of the non-monitoring mode can be switched by an operation. The electronic device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein in the setting unit, the setting of the monitoring mode and the setting of the non-monitoring mode can be switched according to time. The electronic device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein when the vibration of a predetermined value or more is detected in the state set in the monitoring mode, the notification unit performs the predetermined notification. The notification unit performs the predetermined notification when rotation of a rotating member for moving the electronic device is detected in the state set in the monitoring mode. The electronic device according to one item.

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