JP2008005092A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus with an external storage device whereby a file delete date is easily established. <P>SOLUTION: A path of a folder and a storage period are stored in association with each other in response to the path of the folder, the storage period (number of days), and a storage period registration instruction, a substantial path of a folder, a file path as a file name, a file registration date to an HDD, a file delete schedule data resulting from summating a corresponding storage period to the file registration date are registered in a file attribute table in association with each other in response to a path of a sentence file and a file registration instruction, the sentence file is stored in the folder, the file attribute table and a present date are referenced on the other hand, sentence files whose storage period expires are deleted from the folder, and a record corresponding to the files is deleted from the file attribute table. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a printing function and an external storage device, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a function of automatically deleting a file stored in an external storage device in response to the passage of a storage period. .

  2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses having a print function, particularly multifunction peripherals, are available that have a hard disk and allow users to register files in the hard disk and print the contents as needed.

  In such an image forming apparatus, when this hard disk is shared by many users, it is necessary to delete unnecessary files in the hard disk so as not to run out of capacity.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1 below, when a user registers a file in the hard disk, a deletion date of the file is set, and when the deletion date approaches, an e-mail is transmitted to the user to notify the user of the deletion date. Is disclosed.

  According to this configuration, even if the user forgets the deletion date, it can be extended when the deletion date is desired to be extended.

According to this configuration, the contents of the document to be printed can be easily confirmed before printing.
JP 2004-199456 A

  However, the deletion date must be set for each file, which is complicated. Also, because the deletion date setting is forgotten or complicated, there are many files with no deletion deadline that have not been set, and the hard disk can run out of space and the necessary files can be easily selected. It will disappear.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily setting a file deletion date in an image forming apparatus provided with an external storage device.

In the first aspect of the present invention,
A processor;
Storage means coupled to the processor for storing programs, creating folders, and storing data files in the folders;
Operating means coupled to the processor and comprising display means and input means;
A communication interface coupled to the processor;
In the image forming apparatus having an external storage device in which the file is stored,
The external storage device further stores a retention period table and a file attribute table,
The program has a retention period setting program, a file registration program, and a file automatic deletion program,
The retention period setting program provides the processor with
In response to the folder path, storage period data, and storage period registration instruction from the input means or the communication interface, the folder path is stored in the storage period table in association with a value corresponding to the data. Has steps,
The file registration program provides the processor with
In response to the file, folder path, and file registration instruction received from the communication interface, the file attribute table correlates the substantial folder path and file name with the file registration date in the external storage device. And registering the file in the folder,
The file automatic deletion program
Referring to the retention period table, the file attribute table, and the current date, a step of deleting a file whose retention period has elapsed from the folder and deleting a record corresponding to the file from the file attribute table is included. .

In the second aspect of the present invention,
A processor;
Storage means coupled to the processor for storing programs, creating folders, and storing data files in the folders;
Operating means coupled to the processor and comprising display means and input means;
A communication interface coupled to the processor;
In the image forming apparatus having an external storage device in which the file is stored,
The external storage device further stores a retention period table and a file attribute table,
The program has a retention period setting program, a file registration program, and a file automatic deletion program,
The retention period setting program provides the processor with
In response to the folder path, storage period data, and storage period registration instruction from the input means or the communication interface, the folder path is stored in the storage period table in association with a value corresponding to the data. Has steps,
The file registration program provides the processor with
In response to the file, folder path and file registration instruction received from the communication interface, the substantial path and file name of the folder, the file registration date in the external storage device, and the retention period table are referred to. The file deletion scheduled date determined in association with the file attribute table and storing the file in the folder, and storing the file in the folder,
The file automatic deletion program
With reference to the file attribute table and the current date, a file whose retention period has passed is deleted from the folder, and a record corresponding to the file is deleted from the file attribute table.

  In a third aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the file registration program sends the processor the total number of pages of the contents of the file and the substantial folder path and file name. Correspondingly, it is stored in the file attribute table.

  In a fourth aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the third aspect, the file registration program instructs the processor to associate the data size of the file with the substantial path and file name of the folder. Store in the attribute table.

According to a fifth aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the file registration program further causes the processor to create a thumbnail of a default page of the file and to store the external storage. Having the step of storing in the device;
The program further includes a file browsing program, the file browsing program for the processor
In response to a browsing instruction from the input means or the communication interface, (a) display data for displaying the file name and file registration date of the record of the file attribute table in correspondence with the thumbnail is created, and the display data Is supplied to the operation interface or supplied to the communication interface for display on the host computer side,
In response to a sort instruction from the input means or the communication interface, a sort item corresponding to the field of the file attribute table, and data indicating ascending or descending order, the records of the file attribute table are sorted, and then the record To execute the process (a),
Has steps.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect, the storage period setting program sends the path of the folder to the processor in response to the path of the folder from the input means or the communication interface, the data indicating the storage period, and the storage period registration instruction. The file registration program is stored in the retention period table in correspondence with the value corresponding to the data, and the file registration program responds to the file, folder path and file registration instruction received from the communication interface to the processor. The folder path and file name and the file registration date in the external storage device are associated with each other and registered in the file attribute table, and the file is stored in the folder. Referring to the retention period table, the file attribute table, and the current date, A file whose period has elapsed is deleted from the folder, and a record corresponding to the file is deleted from the file attribute table. Therefore, the user sets a storage period for each folder and determines in which folder the file is stored. Since the file deletion date is automatically set in response to the determination, an appropriate file deletion date can be easily set according to the file.

  The configuration of the second aspect also has the same effect as the first aspect. Further, the file registration program causes the processor to store the scheduled file deletion date obtained by referring to the retention period table in the file attribute table in association with the file registration date. There is no need to refer to the retention period table, and the configuration is simplified.

  According to the configuration of the third aspect, the file registration program causes the processor to store the total number of pages of the file in the file attribute table in association with the substantial folder path and file name. Since it is stored, it is possible to display the total number of pages in file browsing, and it is possible to perform double-sided printing or aggregate printing in consideration of the total number of pages when the contents of the file are printed next.

  According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the file registration program causes the processor to store the data size of the file in the file attribute table in association with the substantial path and file name of the folder. It is possible to display the data size when browsing the file, especially when the unused storage size of the external storage device becomes small, it is possible to effectively organize the file manually considering the data size Play.

According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the file registration program further causes the processor to create a thumbnail of the default page of the file and store it in the external storage device, and the file browsing program causes the processor to In response to a browsing instruction from the input means or the communication interface, (a) display data for displaying the file name and file registration date of the record in the file attribute table in correspondence with the thumbnail is created, and the display data is , To be supplied to the operation means or to be supplied to the communication interface for display on the host computer side,
In response to a sort instruction from the input means or the communication interface, a sort item corresponding to the field of the file attribute table, and data indicating ascending or descending order, the records of the file attribute table are sorted, and then the record Since the process (a) is executed, even when a large number of unnecessary files are stored in the external storage device, it is possible to easily and quickly delete these files while confirming them.

  Other objects, configurations and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention.

  In this image forming apparatus 10, the MPU 11 is coupled to a ROM 13 R, NVRAM 13 N, DRAM 13 D, hard disk 14, scanner 15, printer 16, modem 17, NIC 18, and operation panel 19 via an interface 12. In FIG. 9, a plurality of interfaces are shown as one block for the sake of simplicity.

  The ROM 13R stores bootstrap and BIOS. The NVRAM 13N is a flash memory, for example, in which various setting values are stored. The DRAM 13D is for main memory. The hard disk 14 stores an operating system (OS), an application operating on the upper layer of the OS, a Web server, a Web application, a database management system (DBMS), various device drivers operating on the lower layer of the OS, and a data file including a database. ing. The application includes an application for causing the image forming apparatus 10 to function as a multifunction peripheral. The functions include copying, scanning, printing, and facsimile. The application also registers a program for browsing, deleting or printing a text file stored in the hard disk 14 on the host computer 20 via the NIC 18 and a file on the host computer 20 side in the hard disk 14 of the image forming apparatus 10. Of the image forming apparatus 10 side.

  The scanner 15 is for image input for copying and fax transmission. The printer 16 includes a print engine, a fixing device, a paper feed unit, a conveyance unit, and a paper discharge unit, and generates an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum of the print engine based on bitmap data supplied as print data. The toner is formed, developed with toner, transferred to a sheet, fixed, and discharged. The modem 17 is for fax transmission / reception. The NIC 18 is coupled to a host computer 20 on the network and is used for print jobs and file access to the hard disk 14. The operation panel 19 is used for inputting a setting value or an instruction and displaying a setting screen or a state.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic functional block diagram relating to the server function of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The control unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 10 includes an OS, an upper layer Web server, and a Web application server.

  When a request from the host computer 20 is supplied to the control unit 30 via the NIC 18 of the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 30 is included in an ASP (Active Server Pages) file in the content 31 in response thereto. For example, the following processing is performed according to the program. That is, the control unit 30 accesses the database 33 via the DBMS 32, creates an HTML file by combining the data and the thumbnail file in the content 31, and creates the HTML file via the NIC 18 as a browser of the host computer 20. To supply.

  The programs of the control unit 30, DBMS 32 and database 33 and the content 31 are stored in the hard disk 14.

  Also, a plurality of folders having a hierarchical structure are created in the hard disk 14, and document files are stored together with their thumbnail files in each. The thumbnail file is, for example, a JPEG file, which is a reduced image file of a predetermined page representing the characteristics of each document file, which is the first page in this embodiment. The path between the document file and the thumbnail file has a one-to-one correspondence, and if one name is known, the other name can be known. For example, when the document file path is \ Data \ Bun.pdf, the thumbnail file path is \ Data \ Bun_sn.jpeg.

  The database 33 includes a file attribute table 330 as shown in FIG. 3A and a retention period table 331 as shown in FIG.

  The storage period table 331 stores the path of each folder and the storage period set for the folder in association with each other. The unit of the storage period is “day” in this embodiment, and the storage period 0 is not set (the storage period is infinite).

  On the other hand, the file attribute table 330 includes fields of a file path including a file name, a date and time when the file was registered in the hard disk 14, a file data size (MB), a total number of pages, a deletion (scheduled) date, and a deleted flag. Contains.

  The deletion (scheduled) date is obtained by adding the retention period to the registration date, and this retention period is set for the folder containing the file. The deletion (scheduled) date means the scheduled deletion date before the retention period elapses, and the deletion date when the file is automatically deleted after this period elapses. The scheduled deletion date “0” corresponds to the retention period “0”, meaning that there is no scheduled deletion. The deleted flag is used because it is automatically deleted, so that it is possible to distinguish whether the file is stored and automatically deleted or not originally stored. .

  FIG. 4 shows a remote control panel 40 for the image forming apparatus 10, which is displayed by starting a predetermined application on the host computer 20 side.

  The remote control panel 40 designates a folder in the hard disk 14 of the image forming apparatus 10, sets a file retention period for each folder, registers a file on the host computer 20 side in the designated folder in the hard disk 14, and This is for browsing the attributes and thumbnails of each text file in the designated folder in 14 or printing the selected text file in the hard disk 14.

  In the folder browsing object 41 of the remote control panel 40, folders in the hard disk 14 are displayed in a hierarchical structure. By pointing and clicking a folder in the folder browsing object 41 with the pointing device 201, the folder is opened, and the file name in the folder is displayed on the file browsing object. Each of the folder browsing object 41 and the file browsing object 42 includes a scroll bar.

  In the text box 43, the path of the lowest folder opened (selected) in the folder browsing object 41 is displayed. The text box 44 displays the retention period set for the folder specified by this path. This value is a corresponding value in the retention period table 331.

  When changing the storage period, the text box 44 is brought into the focus state, the keyboard 202 is operated, a numerical value is entered in the text box 44, and the update button 45 is pressed. As a result, the contents of the text boxes 43 and 44 are transmitted together with the update command from the host computer 20 to the control unit 30 via the NIC 18. In response to this, the control unit 30 executes the processing shown in FIG. In the following, the step identification codes in the figure are shown in parentheses.

  (S0) The control unit 30 opens the retention period table 331 in the database 33 via the DBMS 32, and reads the retention period of the path of this folder.

  (S1) If the retention period is the same as the received one, the process is terminated, otherwise the process proceeds to step S2.

  (S2) This retention period in the retention period table 331 is updated with the received value.

  (S3) The file attribute table 330 in the database 33 is opened, and the scheduled deletion date of the file in this folder path is updated with a value obtained by adding the storage period to the registration date.

  (S4) If the storage period has elapsed for this updated one, the process proceeds to step S5, and if not, the process ends.

  (S5) The elapsed file is deleted. Further, the “deleted” flag of this record in the file attribute table 330 is set to “Yes”.

  Returning to FIG. 4, when the file name in the file browsing object 42 is pointed and clicked with the pointing device 201, the file name and the folder path displayed in the text box 43 are displayed together with the file attribute request command on the host computer 20. To the control unit 30 via the NIC 18 of the image forming apparatus 10. In response to this, the control unit 30 refers to the file attribute table 330 in the database 33 via the DBMS 32, reads out the corresponding record, and reads out the corresponding thumbnail file in the content 31, and sends them to the host via the NIC 18. This is supplied to the computer 20. As a result, the thumbnail 46 and the file attribute 47 of this file are displayed as shown in FIG.

  The user presses the print button 48 when printing the file by looking at this display. As a result, a print setting screen (not shown) is displayed, and when the total number of pages is relatively large, print attributes such as double-sided printing or aggregate printing are set by the user on this screen, and then execution (not shown) on the screen is performed. When the button is pressed, the command is transmitted to the control unit 30 together with the print attribute. In response to this, the control unit 30 reads out the document file in the content 31 based on this print attribute and causes the print job to be executed.

  When browsing the attributes of a plurality of files in the folder designated by the text box 43, the user presses the browse button 49. Here, the remote control panel 40 communicates with the browser of the host computer 20 via the shared area of the memory. When the browse button 49 is pressed, the contents of the text box 43 and the path of the browsing ASP file on the image forming apparatus 10 side are supplied to the control unit 30 via the browser and the NIC 18.

  In response to this, the control unit 30 accesses the database 33 via the DBMS 32 in accordance with the program included in the ASP file in the content 31, and the data related to the folder path specified in the text box 43 and the content 31 An HTML file is created by combining with the thumbnail file and supplied to the browser of the host computer 20 via the NIC 18.

  As a result, a content display panel 50 as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the browser of the host computer 20. Next, the content display panel 50 will be described.

  In the text box 51, the folder path in the hard disk 14 of the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed.

  Further, a thumbnail 53 and a file attribute 54 similar to the thumbnail 46 and the file attribute 47 of FIG. 4 are displayed in a relatively large cell 52 in the table, respectively.

  Further, every time the user points and clicks the check box 55 with the pointing device 201, the display (selection) and the non-display (non-selection) of the check mark are alternately changed. The check box 550 inside changes in the same manner. A check box 550 in each cell 52 is used by the user to alternately select and cancel the selection individually.

  Up / down button 56 and sort item group 57 are for sorting. That is, each time the up / down button 56 is clicked, the direction of the triangle is reversed and the order is changed between ascending order and descending order. The sort item group 57 includes a file name 570, a registration date and time 571, a data size 572, a total number of pages 573, and a scheduled deletion date 574. When the pointing device 201 is pointed and clicked, a text box is displayed. 51, the path of the folder described in 51, the selected sort item, and the data indicating the ascending or descending order corresponding to the up / down button 56, together with the sort command, are sent from the browser of the host computer 20 to the image forming apparatus 10. It is supplied to the control unit 30 via the NIC 18.

  Each time the selected item, delete button 58, page designation 59 or print button 60 is pointed and clicked with the pointing device 201, data corresponding to the click target is sent from the browser of the host computer 20 to the NIC 18 of the image forming apparatus 10. 1 is supplied to the control unit 30 and the processing shown in FIG.

  (S10, S16, S20, S23) If the click target is an item in the sort item group 57, the delete button 58, the page designation 59, or the print button 60, an affirmative determination is made in steps S11, S16, S20, or S23, respectively. , Go to step S11, S17, S21 or S24, respectively.

  (S11 to S13) The file attribute table 330 in the database 33 is opened via the DBMS 32, and the up / down button for the selection items in the sort item group 57 for all the files included in the folder path described in the text box 51. Sort in ascending order or descending order distinguished by 56 states.

  (S14) An HTML file in which the file attribute data and thumbnails are arranged in the sorted record order is created.

  (S15) This file is transmitted to the browser of the host computer 20 via the NIC 18, and the processing of FIG. Thereby, the sorted content display panel 50 is displayed on the browser.

  (S17) The control unit 30 deletes the document file having the file name with the check mark added to the check box 550 from the content 31.

  (S18) The control unit 30 opens the file attribute table 330 of the database 33 via the DBMS 32, and deletes the record relating to the deleted file.

  (S19) An HTML file in which thumbnails and file attribute data are arranged is created for files that have not been deleted among files in this folder, and the process proceeds to step S15.

  (S21) The control unit 30 acquires, from the file attribute table 330, a record of a file group corresponding to the designated browsing page among all the files in the designated folder.

  (S22) Each record is associated with a thumbnail to create an HTML file, and the process proceeds to step S15.

  (S24) A print job to be printed according to the designated print attribute is generated for the file whose file name has a check mark in the check box 550, and this is executed.

  In FIG. 4, when the deleted confirmation button 49A is pressed, the folder path in the text box 43 is supplied from the host computer 20 to the control unit 30 via the NIC 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 together with the deleted confirmation command. In response to this, the control unit 30 opens the file attribute table, finds a record in which “Deleted” is “Yes” for the file path of the file in this folder path, and these (these) records. Is transmitted to the host computer 20 via the NIC 18. The host computer 20 opens a window (not shown) to display a list of records related to the deleted file. In this window, a delete button is displayed. When this button is pressed, the folder path in the text box 43 is supplied from the host computer 20 to the control unit 30 via the NIC 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 together with the record delete command. In response to this, the control unit 30 finds a record in which “Deleted” is “Yes” for this folder path from the file attribute table, and deletes these (these) records.

  Next, registration of a file on the host computer 20 side in a designated folder in the hard disk 14 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  The path of the registration target file stored in the HDD of the host computer 20 or a removable storage device (for example, USB memory) attached to the host computer 20 is entered in the text box 61 of FIG. Instead of performing this entry, the user presses the reference button 62 to start a program for displaying the equivalent of the folder browsing object 41 and the file browsing object 42, and the files in the folder are changed to the files in the file browsing object 42. The path may be automatically entered in the text box 61 by selecting in the same manner as.

  Next, when the registration button 63 is pressed, the path of the file entered in the text box 61 and the path of the folder entered in the text box 43 are sent from the host computer 20 via the NIC 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 together with the registration command. 30. In response to this, the control unit 30 performs the processing shown in FIG.

  (S30) The received file is stored in the folder of the path specified in the text box 43.

  (S31) The name and size of this file are acquired.

  (S32) Open this file.

  (S33) A reduced image of the first page is generated as a thumbnail and stored in the same folder.

  (S34) The total number of pages contained in this file is acquired from a location determined according to the file identifier.

  (S35) This file is closed.

  (S36) The current date is set as the registration date.

  (S37) The retention period table 331 is opened, and the retention period of the folder in step S30 is acquired.

  (S38) The retention period is added to the registration date to obtain the scheduled file deletion date.

  (S39) The data obtained in steps S31, S34, S36, S37 and S38 is added to the file attribute table 330 as a new record.

  By such processing, registration of the file in the hard disk 14 is performed.

  Next, an automatic file deletion program will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing by this program.

  This program is executed once a day for a predetermined time or immediately after the host computer is started up. Since the free space of the hard disk 14 is reduced by file registration, it may be executed at the time of file registration and only once / one day instead of once every day.

  (S40) The file attribute table 330 is opened.

  (S41) The following steps S42 to S45 are repeated for each record of this table.

  (S42) A record is read.

  (S43) If the “scheduled date of deletion” of this record is today, the process proceeds to step S44; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S45.

  (S44) The file identified by the “file path” of this record is deleted.

  (S45) The deleted state of this record is set to “Yes”.

  (S46) If processing has not been completed for all records, the process moves to the next record and returns to step S42.

  (S47) The file attribute table 330 is closed.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, in response to a folder path, a storage period (number of days), and a storage period registration instruction, the folder path is stored in the storage period table 331 in association with the storage period. Further, in response to the text file path and the file registration instruction, a file obtained by adding the substantial folder path and file path as the file name, the file registration date to the HDD 14, and the corresponding storage period to the file registration date. The deletion date is registered in the file attribute table 331, and the sentence file is stored in the folder, while the file attribute table 330 and the current date are referred to and the sentence whose retention period has elapsed The file is deleted from the folder, and the record corresponding to the file is stored in the file attribute table 330. La Celle is deleted. Therefore, the user can set the retention period for each folder and determine the folder in which the text file is stored, and the file deletion date is automatically set accordingly. The effect is that it is possible to easily set a file deletion date.

  In addition, since the total number of pages of the contents of the text file is also stored in the file attribute table 330 in association with the file path, the total number of pages is displayed together with the thumbnail when browsing the file, and the user can print the contents of the text file. There is an effect that duplex printing or aggregate printing can be performed in consideration of the total number of pages.

  Furthermore, since the data size of the text file is also stored in the file attribute table 330 in association with the file path, the data size is displayed together with the thumbnail when browsing the file, especially when the unused storage size of the HDD 14 is reduced. There is an effect that the file can be effectively organized in consideration of the size.

  Further, the file can be easily deleted by selectively operating one of the up / down buttons 56 and the sort items 570 to 574 on the remote control panel 40 and then operating the check boxes 55 and 550. There is an effect that can be.

  Further, it is possible to easily and quickly delete the text file stored in the HDD 14 of the image forming apparatus 10 by using the existing browser of the host computer 20 coupled to the image forming apparatus 10. Play.

  Note that the present invention includes various other modifications.

  For example, the sub-directory may be configured to have the same retention period as that set in the parent directory without setting the retention period. In this case, after creating a plurality of folders that differ only in the retention period, a folder for each file type can be created in each folder.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a thumbnail of a default page of file contents is created and a file attribute is written in the file attribute table 330 (S31 to S39) when the file is registered in the hard disk of the image forming apparatus. The configuration may be such that these processes are performed when creating the browsing screen. In this case, the present invention can be applied to an existing apparatus in which a file is stored.

  Further, the configuration may be such that the deletion date is calculated when necessary by referring to the retention period table 331 without providing the “deletion (planned) date” in the file attribute table 330.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the content display panel 50 is displayed by the browser on the host computer 20 side has been described, but the content display panel 50 may be displayed on the host computer 20 side using a dedicated application. .

  Further, the remote control panel 40 may be divided into, for example, two screens and displayed on the operation panel 19 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Further, instead of the hard disk 14, a configuration using an HDD 14 such as a DVD and its recording / reproducing apparatus may be used.

6 is a flowchart showing processing by an event handler on the image forming apparatus side in response to a selection item, delete button, page designation or print button press event displayed on a browser of a host computer. It is a figure which shows the content display panel displayed on the browser of a host computer. (A) And (B) is explanatory drawing of a file attribute table and a retention period table, respectively. 2 is a diagram showing a remote control panel on the host computer side for remote operation of the image forming apparatus. FIG. The retention period update process for the folder on the image forming apparatus side, the process shown in FIG. 5, is executed. 10 is a flowchart showing processing by a program for registering a file on the host computer side in a designated folder in the hard disk of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process by a file automatic deletion program. 1 is a schematic functional block diagram relating to a server function of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image forming apparatus 11 MPU
12 interface 13R ROM
13N NVRAM
13D DRAM
14 Hard disk 15 Scanner 16 Printer 17 Modem 18 NIC
19 Operation Panel 20 Host Computer 201 Pointing Device 202 Keyboard 30 Control Unit 31 Content 32 DBMS
33 Database 330 File attribute table 331 Retention period table 40 Remote control panel 41 Folder browsing object 42 File browsing object 43, 44, 51, 61 Text box 45 Update button 46 Thumbnail 47 File attribute 48 Print button 49 Browse button 50 Contents display panel 51 Folder path 52 Cell 53 Thumbnail 54 File attribute 55, 550 Check box 56 Up / down button 57 Sort item group 570 File name 571 Registration date 572 Data size 573 Total number of pages 574 Scheduled deletion date 58 Delete button 59 Page designation 60 Print button 62 Reference button 63 Registration button

Claims (5)

A processor;
Storage means coupled to the processor for storing programs, creating folders, and storing data files in the folders;
Operating means coupled to the processor and comprising display means and input means;
A communication interface coupled to the processor;
In the image forming apparatus having an external storage device in which the file is stored,
The external storage device further stores a retention period table and a file attribute table,
The program has a retention period setting program, a file registration program, and a file automatic deletion program,
The retention period setting program provides the processor with
In response to the folder path, storage period data, and storage period registration instruction from the input means or the communication interface, the folder path is stored in the storage period table in association with a value corresponding to the data. Has steps,
The file registration program provides the processor with
In response to the file, folder path, and file registration instruction received from the communication interface, the file attribute table correlates the substantial folder path and file name with the file registration date in the external storage device. And registering the file in the folder,
The file automatic deletion program
Referring to the retention period table, the file attribute table, and the current date, a step of deleting a file whose retention period has elapsed from the folder and deleting a record corresponding to the file from the file attribute table is included. ,
An image forming apparatus. A processor;
Storage means coupled to the processor for storing programs, creating folders, and storing data files in the folders;
Operating means coupled to the processor and comprising display means and input means;
A communication interface coupled to the processor;
In the image forming apparatus having an external storage device in which the file is stored,
The external storage device further stores a retention period table and a file attribute table,
The program has a retention period setting program, a file registration program, and a file automatic deletion program,
The retention period setting program provides the processor with
In response to the folder path, storage period data, and storage period registration instruction from the input means or the communication interface, the folder path is stored in the storage period table in association with a value corresponding to the data. Has steps,
The file registration program provides the processor with
In response to the file, folder path and file registration instruction received from the communication interface, the substantial path and file name of the folder, the file registration date in the external storage device, and the retention period table are referred to. The file deletion scheduled date determined in association with the file attribute table and storing the file in the folder, and storing the file in the folder,
The file automatic deletion program
Referring to the file attribute table and the current date, and deleting a file whose retention period has passed from the folder and deleting a record corresponding to the file from the file attribute table.
An image forming apparatus.   2. The file registration program causes the processor to store the total number of pages of the contents of the file in the file attribute table in association with the substantial folder path and file name. Or the image forming apparatus according to 2;   4. The image according to claim 3, wherein the file registration program causes the processor to store the data size of the file in the file attribute table in association with the substantial path and file name of the folder. Forming equipment. The file registration program further includes causing the processor to create a thumbnail of a default page of the file and store the thumbnail in the external storage device,
The program further includes a file browsing program, the file browsing program for the processor
In response to a browsing instruction from the input means or the communication interface, (a) display data for displaying the file name and file registration date of the record of the file attribute table in correspondence with the thumbnail is created, and the display data Is supplied to the operation interface or supplied to the communication interface for display on the host computer side,
In response to a sort instruction from the input means or the communication interface, a sort item corresponding to the field of the file attribute table, and data indicating ascending or descending order, the records of the file attribute table are sorted, and then the record To execute the process (a),
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a step.

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