JP2008299432A - Data management device for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data management device for an image forming apparatus, having rich diversity, allowing unified data management, and allowing improvement of convenience of a user such as portability or confidentiality of data. <P>SOLUTION: This data management device 1 has: a function of holding and managing metadata including information for managing storage document data or a document name for retrieving the storage document data, a user name, a term characterizing contents of a document or the like in each piece of the storage document data correspondingly to the storage document data; a function of outputting them to an information terminal device 13 as document data; a function of taking in and outputting the metadata accompanying the storage document data; an editing function of arbitrarily registering, deleting, or changing contents of the metadata; a function of converting a data format of the storage document data to be outputted; a function of retrieving the desired storage document data by use of the metadata based on a retrieval condition for retrieving the desired storage document data; and a function of making the user recognize the corresponding storage document data according with the retrieval condition or according to the preset retrieval condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a management apparatus for data input to and output from an image forming apparatus.

  In data management of a conventional image forming device such as a digital stencil printer or a digital copying machine, a large-capacity storage in which document data is mounted inside a device such as a hard disk (HDD) by scanning a scanner mounted on the device. So-called document data that is stored in a device or transmitted from a computer connected via a network such as a LAN, and the transmitted document data is similarly stored (also referred to as registration) in a storage device. Accumulation is taking place.

To search for the desired document data from the stored document data, use an operation panel (touch panel) provided on the device or a computer connected via a network using a web browser or the like. , Display a list of document data stored in the device, scroll and switch pages to find the target document data, and a simple search tool to find document names and user names related to document data It is done by specifying.
Also, as a method of searching for similar documents, the entire document is scanned in the target document registered in the device, and words that do not characterize the document, such as particles, auxiliary verbs, conjunctions, and general nouns, are skipped or deleted, and remain. Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose that the above-mentioned applicants extract the above phrases as phrases characterizing the target document.

In addition, for data management such as conventional digital stencil printing machines or digital copying, user management such as how much the user uses the equipment (plate making / printing / printing), the model of the equipment, model number, destination, etc. There are machine system management that stores and manages data related to machine attributes and settings ranging from pulse feed values to paper feed values. The management and data format of these data is often different for each development model, or is often a manufacturer's own format. In addition, these management data are often physically stored in a nonvolatile memory such as NVRAM serving as a storage unit fixedly arranged on the electrical board.
JP 2005-141733 A JP 2006-301732 A

In the conventional document storage method, the document data stored in the image forming device is scanned by a scanner installed in the device, or is captured or transmitted from a computer connected via a network. (Document data generated by the printer driver), and the data format of the stored document is not a document format or image format that is generally distributed, but a manufacturer-specific or general format. Many of them are customized, and the data format is often not disclosed.
Therefore, the data becomes incompatible, and document data in a generally distributed data format cannot be registered in the device. As described above, in accumulated document management, which is one of the conventional data management apparatuses, a user displays a list of registered accumulated documents, and scrolls or switches pages to artificially select a target document. The searching method can withstand practical use if the number of registered documents is as small as about ten. However, with the recent increase in capacity of HDDs, devices can now store hundreds or thousands of document data, and many people now store many documents. Then, such a method takes time to search and is difficult to withstand practical use.
In such a situation, a method of performing a search by specifying a document name or a user name with a simple search tool can be said to be a conventional means, but the user correctly stores the document name to be searched. In addition, there is not always a naming that characterizes the contents of a document as a document name in the first place. For example, in naming such as “minutes 1”, “minutes 2”, “monthly reports”, the user knows when and what the minutes are, and what the reports are at the time of registration. As you might expect, the memory of the document often becomes obscured over time. This is especially true if you are searching for someone else's document data instead of your own.
Furthermore, as a method for searching for similar documents, as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the entire document is scanned, and words that do not characterize the document such as particles, auxiliary verbs, conjunctions, and general nouns are skipped or deleted. In the mechanical search method that extracts and compares the remaining words as words that characterize the target document and compares them, it is not a keyword extraction that examines the content of the document. Is not far away.
In user management and machine system management, which is one of the conventional data management, the data management method and data format differ for each development model as described above, and there is no compatibility, so data management is unified, continuous, and consistent. It is hard to say that the management is done. Above all, since the data itself is stored in a non-volatile memory fixedly arranged on the electrical board, there is no way to use the data in another printing machine or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing, and is rich in diversity, unified, consistent, capable of continuous operation and flexible data management, and further, the confidentiality and portability of the data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data management device for an image forming apparatus that improves user convenience such as portability.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention of claim 1 has a function of storing digitized document data as accumulated document data in a large-capacity storage device mounted in the apparatus main body, and the accumulated document data. A function that holds and manages metadata for each stored document data in correspondence with the stored document data, including information for management, document names for search, user names, or words that characterize the contents of the document, etc. The stored document data stored in the storage device is stored in the large-capacity storage device and a function for outputting the document data to a portable large-capacity storage device attached to the main body of the device or an information terminal device connected via a network. A function to capture and output metadata accompanying document data or document data output from a mass storage device, and arbitrarily register, delete, or delete metadata contents. Editing means to be changed, a function for converting the data format of document data stored in a mass storage device or a stored mass data output to a portable mass storage device or an information terminal device, and a desired one of the accumulated document data A function for searching for desired stored document data using metadata based on a search condition specified by means for specifying a search condition for searching stored document data of It is characterized by having means for allowing the user to recognize the corresponding stored document data in accordance with the set search conditions.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the data management apparatus for the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the digitized document data is a document read data read by an image reading unit included in the apparatus, and data transfer from the information terminal apparatus. Transmission data to be transmitted, and at least one of data stored in advance in a portable mass storage device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the metadata includes a document name, a user name, a registrant name, a document manager, a document management department, a document data format, a document Structure or configuration of data format, confidential classification and its classification, access authority, document creation date / time, document registration date / time, registration source, document type, word group characterizing document, access history, access frequency, retention period, contact It is characterized by including at least one of the above.

  Confidentiality classification and its classification include normal documents, confidential documents, only the person, the section / group that includes the person, the department that includes the person, confidentiality, etc. The access authority is only the person, the section / group that includes the person, and the person Departments, and in-house. Examples of the registration source include a scanner, a printer, and a recording medium. Examples of the document type include a report, a test question, and a flyer. Examples of the contact information include a telephone number, an E-mail, and a URL.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising data input / output means for inputting / outputting data to / from a portable mass storage device. When the document data is input into the device, the metadata stored in the portable mass storage device together with the document data is set as metadata corresponding to the document data captured as accumulated document data. It is characterized by capturing all or part of the metadata.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the data management apparatus of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the data format of the stored document data stored in the large-capacity storage device and the document data stored in the large-capacity storage device are different. The document data stored in the mass storage device is converted into the data format of the stored document data stored in the mass storage device based on the data format information included in the preset metadata. And store the metadata in the mass storage device as metadata corresponding to the stored document data, and import all or part of the data, and change the format of the imported metadata to the data format. It is characterized in that it is converted into a data format corresponding to the stored document data converted and stored.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the data management apparatus for the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the value included in the confidential classification of the metadata indicates a confidential document, the document data is stored in the mass storage device. Further, it is characterized in that the user is prompted to input authentication data, the input authentication data is stored in the mass storage device, and used for authentication when accessing the stored document data thereafter.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the data management device for the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the data management device further includes data input / output means for inputting / outputting data to / from the portable large-capacity storage device. All stored document management metadata managed by the device corresponding to the stored document data or its data, when the stored document data is output to the portable mass storage device via the data input / output means. A part thereof is output to a portable mass storage device as metadata accompanying the accumulated document data.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the data management apparatus for image forming equipment according to claim 7, wherein when the stored document data is output to the portable mass storage device, the stored document data to be output is a data format managed by the equipment. If a different format is required, the data format of the stored document data to be output is converted to the required data format and output, and the stored document management managed corresponding to the stored document data And the stored document management metadata is updated or changed to a data format corresponding to the converted document data.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the data management device for an image forming apparatus according to the first, fourth, or seventh aspect, the expression format of metadata relating to management and input / output of stored document data is an XML format. Yes.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the means for designating a search condition for searching for desired stored document data is an input of characters or voices. It is a device.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the data management device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the means for allowing the user to recognize is a device for displaying characters, displaying images, or outputting sound. Yes.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the preset search conditions are the latest access order, access frequency order, user name order, document name order. And at least one of document registration date order and document creation date order.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, at least user management information for storing and managing information on the usage status of the apparatus for each user, and contact information for information regarding the user who uses the apparatus Address book management information that saves and manages attributes of affiliation, identification number, and access authority, and system management information that saves and manages information related to device attributes and settings are stored in a portable mass storage medium It is characterized in that the expression format is managed by a metadata file in XML format.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the data management device for an image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the portable large-capacity storage medium is detachable from the apparatus main body, and the portable large-capacity storage medium cannot be detached from the apparatus main body. And a means for restricting access to a metadata file stored in a portable mass storage medium.

  According to the present invention, specified by means for specifying a search condition for searching for desired stored document data from the stored document data stored in the mass storage device of the device main body or the stored stored document data. A metadata file that uses metadata to search for desired stored document data based on the specified search conditions, and allows the user to recognize the corresponding stored document data according to a search condition that matches the search conditions or is set in advance. By applying a data management device that uses a digital stencil printer to a digital stencil printer, it is possible to manage data that is diverse, uniform, consistent, continuously operable, and flexible. User convenience such as portability and portability can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The data management apparatus 1 according to the present invention is used by being mounted on an image forming apparatus such as a digital stencil printing machine or a digital copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof. The usage form may be a form configured separately from the digital stencil printing machine, or may be a form in which the digital stencil printing machine is provided in the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus and used integrally with the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, the following description will be continued assuming that the image forming apparatus is a digital stencil printing machine and the data management apparatus 1 is provided in the apparatus main body.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the data management apparatus includes a control system board 1. The control system board 1 is broadly divided into two parts, that is, an ACU 2 (Application Control Unit) and an ECU (Engine Control Unit). The ACU 2 includes an operation panel interface 5 to which an operation panel 4 is connected, data input / output devices 6 and 7 of a memory card 35 serving as a portable mass storage device, and a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 8 serving as a mass storage device. Interfaces 9, 10, 11 connected to the USB, an interface 12 for USB, an external communication interface 15 connected to a network board 14 provided in an information terminal device 13 such as a personal computer, an ECU interface 16 connected to the ECU 3 side, and a central processing unit A CPU 17 serving as a circuit, a RAM 18 serving as storage means, and a ROM 19 are connected to an ASIC 20 (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The ACU 2 is responsible for performing plate making control and the like of the digital stencil printing machine and finally generating plate making data and then transferring it to the ECU 16. The functions of the present invention mainly belong to the ACU 20 and perform data management by using the various functions. The operation panel 4 displays input means 122 for inputting character information, alphanumeric characters, and the like.

  The ECU 3 serves as a central processing circuit, a RAM 22 and a ROM 23 serving as storage means, an ACU interface 24 connected to the ECU interface 16 of the ACU 2, a scanner interface 26 connected to a scanner 25 serving as an image reading unit, and a printing device. Each plotter interface 28 to which the plotter 27 is connected is connected to the ASIC 30. The ECU 3 generates a latent image by perforating the heat-sensitive stencil film of a well-known stencil sheet based on the plate-making data generated by the ACU 2 by a thermal process, and winds the stencil sheet on a well-known plate cylinder. Rotating the plate cylinder while supplying ink from the inside of the plate cylinder, and controlling the overall operation from the plate making to printing of a series of digital stencil printing presses that obtain print products by feeding paper in response to it To do. The digital stencil printing machine may be any one of a single-sided printing machine, a double-sided printing machine, a single color printing machine, and a multicolor printing machine.

  The data management apparatus 1 configured as described above has a function of storing digitized document data as accumulated document data in the HDD 8 mounted in the apparatus main body, information for managing the accumulated document data, and a search function. A function for holding and managing metadata for each stored document data in association with the stored document data and metadata including a document name, a user name or a phrase characterizing the content of the document, and stored document data stored in the HDD 8. A function of outputting as document data to a memory card 35 attached to the apparatus main body or an information terminal device 13 connected via a network, and capturing of document data stored in the HDD 8 or metadata accompanying document data output from the HDD 8 And an output function, an editing function for arbitrarily registering, deleting or changing the contents of metadata, and an HDD 8 A function for converting the data format of the stored document data or the stored document data output to the memory card 35 or the information terminal device 13 and a search condition for searching for desired stored document data from the stored document data. Based on the search conditions specified by the means, the function to search the desired stored document data using the metadata, and the corresponding stored document data according to the search conditions that match the search conditions or the preset search conditions It has a function to recognize.

  As digitized document data, document reading data read by the scanner 25, transmission data transferred from the information terminal device 13 via the network board 14 and the external communication interface 15, and memory guard 35 are stored in advance. At least one of the data.

In this embodiment, the metadata includes the document name, user name, registrant name, document administrator, document management department, document data format, structure or configuration of the document data format, security classification and classification, access authority, document creation year It includes at least one of a month date / time, a document registration date / time, a registration source, a document type, a word / phrase group characterizing the document, an access history, an access frequency, a storage period, and a contact address. In addition, the confidential classification and its classification include normal documents, confidential documents, only the person, the section / group that includes the person, the department that includes the person, the confidentiality, etc. The access authority is the section / group that includes only the person and the person. , Departments including the person, in-house. Examples of registration sources include scanners, printers, and recording media. Examples of document types include reports, test questions, and flyers. Examples of contact information include telephone numbers, E-mail, and URLs.
(First embodiment)
A control mode by the data management apparatus 1 of the digital stencil printing machine according to the present invention will be described mainly using FIGS.
A user inserts a memory card 35 in which a previously created document data file and a registration metadata file are written and stored into the card slot of the data input / output device 6 or 7 provided in the digital stencil printing machine, It is assumed that the stored document data and the stored document management metadata are captured (stored) in the HDD 8 provided in the digital stencil printing machine via this.
FIG. 2 is an example of a main menu screen 41 displayed on the touch panel 40 which is a display device of the digital stencil printing machine and serves as a means for the user to recognize. When taking in document data from the memory card 35, “document accumulation” of the virtual switch displayed in the area 41A on the right side of the main menu screen 40 is selected. As a result, the area 41A in FIG. 2 is replaced with a submenu screen 42 as shown in FIG. Furthermore, when the virtual switch “detailed setting” 43 displayed on the submenu screen 42 is selected, the entire touch panel is switched to the menu screens 50 and 60 as shown in FIGS.
4 and 5, “user name” and “document name” are default values appropriately set by the system, and anything such as “confidentiality classification”, “document creation date / time”, and “search keyword” is set. Parts that are not displayed are displayed as blanks. The items managed by the data management apparatus 1 in the stored document according to the present embodiment are as described above, but are shown as an example and are not limited thereto.
The item “registration method” displayed on the menu screen 50 shown in FIG. 4 is used to specify the source of the document data to be acquired. In this embodiment, there are switches 51 and 52 for selecting “scanner” and “memory card” as options for the capture target device. Here, the case where the latter switch 52 for “memory card” is selected is displayed. . Note that a “cancel” selection switch is displayed on each menu screen, but the operation and flow when this switch is selected do not particularly characterize the present invention, and therefore will not be described.

Hereinafter, an outline of control during the capturing operation will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the switch 52 is pressed as the item “registration method” shown in FIG. 4, the data management apparatus 1 displays a list of files stored in the memory card 35 on the touch panel 40 in step S1 of FIG. (See FIG. 6). In step S2, the user is prompted to select document data to be imported as stored document data from the listed files. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the case where the file name “document storage design specification. PDF” displayed in the second column 71 from the top is selected is displayed. Here, the document data in the PDF format is illustrated, but the document data is not limited to the document data in this format. For example, other data formats such as the Postscript format may be used, and JPEG and TIFF are also used. Any image data format may be used. Hereinafter, the same applies to other embodiments.
When the document data to be registered is selected in step S2, when the column 71 is touched by the user's finger, the ACU 2 (data management apparatus) registers in step S3 corresponding to “document storage design specification. PDF”. The metadata file name “document storage design specification.xm1” is searched, and if there is a corresponding metadata file, the file is read in step S4. This metadata file is described in the XML format, and an example of its contents is shown in FIG. The extension of the XML format file is displayed as “.xml”. If the metadata file does not exist in step S3, the process proceeds to step S6 to identify the document data format from the extension of the document data.

In this form, the file name to be imported is “document storage design specification. PDF” and the registration metadata file name is “document storage design specification. Xm1”. Although the management method is different, the registration metadata file may be a management method in which any document to be imported has the same name and is used in common. The same applies to other embodiments below.
In step S5, the data management apparatus 1 refers to the document data format of the document to be imported from the registration metadata. Here, the metadata tag name <form> shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to this. Next, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the document data format can be converted into the stored document format of the digital stencil printer or the format. If the format can be converted or captured, the process proceeds to step S8. Otherwise, a registration error (not shown) is displayed on the touch panel 40, and the screen returns to the file selection menu screen 70 of FIG. The same applies to the case where there is no registration metadata file and the document data is identified by the extension in step S6.
In step S8, it is determined whether or not conversion of the data format is necessary. If conversion is necessary, the process proceeds to step S9 to change the format of the document data. If conversion is not necessary, step S9 is skipped. In this form, the document data format to be imported is the “PDF” format, and the stored document data format of the digital stencil printing machine adopts a manufacturer's original format, and the document data format is different, but it is unique from the PDF format. It can be converted to a format. Therefore, in step S8, it is determined that conversion is possible, and the document data to be imported is converted from the PDF format to the original format in step S9.

Further, in step S10, the data management apparatus 1 generates a stored document management metadata file for managing the document data in the digital stencil printing machine, and in step S11, it is necessary for the stored document management metadata from the registration metadata. Capture data and register it to the device. Thereafter, the stored document management metadata file is handled in a pair with the fetched document data.
FIG. 10A shows an example of stored document management metadata generated in the present embodiment and necessary data taken in. As a matter of course, management items unique to the data management apparatus are also added to the stored document management metadata. Here, the tag <frq-access> and its initial value 1 are set as the access frequency, and the tag <lru-access> and its initial value 20060112 (here, the registration date) are set as the latest access date.
Note that the tag <group> indicating the affiliation of the author, which is subordinate to the tag <author> indicating author information, is not used at the time of document registration / after registration, and is also a tag indicating the author name. <Name> is placed in a tag <outner_name> in the metadata file for managing stored documents of the digital stencil printing press.
As described above, it is not always necessary to store all the information in the registration metadata file in the stored document management metadata file of the digital stencil printer, and it is not necessary to use the tag names as they are. That is, information necessary for managing the accumulated document of the digital stencil printing machine is appropriately selected and converted. Furthermore, with regard to tag names and items, in XML document data, it is basically possible to assign an arbitrary tag name to an arbitrary item and use it (in terms of specifications). It is not limited. The same applies to the following embodiments. However, as a matter of course, the data management apparatus 1 of the digital stencil printing machine must be able to recognize and convert it if necessary.
After these steps, the document data converted into the original format is stored in the HDD 8 in step S12 and registered as a new accumulated document. At this time, in step S13, a tag related to the confidential classification of the stored document management metadata (data taken in from the registration metadata), here the tag <security> is referred to, and if it is handled as a confidential document, In step S14, authentication registration is performed for the authentication system operating on the digital stencil printing machine. In this embodiment, since the password method is adopted, a screen (not shown) for inputting the password as authentication data is displayed on the touch panel 40, and the user is prompted to input the authentication data. When authentication data (password) is input from the user in step S14, it is used for accessing the document data thereafter. If it is a normal document or there is no registration metadata, it is regarded as a normal document in step S13, authentication management in steps S14 and S15 is skipped, and no password is entered or registered. If authentication management with a password or the like is necessary, registration is performed separately from the stored document management menu.
In this embodiment, a password method is used as an authentication method. However, as long as the user is confirmed, other methods such as fingerprint authentication and an IC card may be used, and the present embodiment is not limited to this embodiment. The same applies to other embodiments below.
When the document data is registered (stored) normally, the screens 80 and 90 on the touch panel 40 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are displayed as part of the stored document management metadata registered in step S16. At this time, if necessary, the user can appropriately select “password”, “user name”,... Displayed on the drawing 80 in FIG. 7, and “search keyword” displayed on the screen 90 in FIG. Since an editing screen for each item (not shown) is displayed, the stored document management metadata can be arbitrarily changed, modified, or added there.
The document data that has been imported and registered can be used as stored document data and then as plate-making data, just like any other stored document data, so the process proceeds to the plate-making / printing process, but these processes are already well-known. These descriptions will be omitted because they do not particularly characterize the present invention.
In this embodiment, the document data and registration metadata file stored on the memory card 35 are registered as accumulated documents in the digital stencil printing machine, but conversely, documents registered as accumulated documents in the digital stencil printing machine. And the corresponding stored document management metadata for managing it can be output to the memory card 35 or output to the information terminal device 13 or the like connected via the network to exchange data via the memory card 35. Data exchange via the network can be easily performed.

  In this embodiment, a memory card 35 is adopted as a portable mass storage device, and a document file to be registered and a metadata file for registration are stored in advance in the memory card, and the data installed in the digital stencil printer is used. The document data to be registered is fetched and stored as the accumulated document data of the digital stencil printer via the input / output device 6 or 7, but a well-known USB memory is adopted as a portable mass storage device, and the digital stencil printer When the USB memory is accessed to enable data input / output, the same function as that of the memory card 35 can be achieved by connecting the USB terminal serving as a socket to the USB interface 12.

  There are various types of memory cards 35, such as SD cards, compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, etc., which are portable mass storage devices. Data management using these media can be performed by connecting a (read / write device).

By applying the data management apparatus using the metadata file of the present invention to the digital stencil printing machine in this way, various and flexible management of document data (stored document registration) becomes possible, and the portability of document data Can be spread.
The relationship between the stored document management metadata and the stored document management metadata file, and the registration metadata and the registration metadata file in the present embodiment is one-to-one, and in effect, the stored document management metadata. = Stored document management metadata file, registration metadata = registration metadata file file. That is, there is a metadata file for managing each stored document data.
In this embodiment, such a form is used from the viewpoint of practicality, maintainability, and extensibility. However, the stored document management metadata is integrated as one layered metadata, Even if it is in a form such as being stored in a metadata file, there is no problem, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The same applies to the following embodiments. FIG. 10B shows a reference example integrated as one metadata as another form of stored document management metadata.
(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Components that are the same as or similar to those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and unless otherwise specified, description of the configuration and functions that have already been made will be omitted, and only the main components will be described (the same applies to other embodiments below). Is).

In this form, when the document data registered as stored document data in the digital stencil printing machine is managed by the stored document management metadata, the user uses the target stored document data as metadata. It is assumed that the search is performed using the keyword search.
FIG. 12 shows an example of the main menu screen 100 displayed on the touch panel 40 of the digital stencil printing machine. When data to be made and printed is selected from accumulated document data, it is displayed in the area 101 at the left end in FIG. Touch the virtual switch “Specify stored document” to be selected. Thereby, the display of the touch panel 40 is replaced with a submenu screen 110 as shown in FIG. In this submenu screen 110, a list of stored document data is displayed. By default, the list is displayed in the order of year, month, day described in the tag <reg_date> of the stored document management metadata. The tag of the stored document management metadata here indicates the registration date. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the document (“document storage design specification”) shown in the first embodiment has already been stored and registered in the HDD 8 as stored document data.
Here, when the user selects the virtual switch “keyword search” 121 displayed in the submenu screen 110 of FIG. 13, the screen further switches to the submenu screen 120 as shown in FIG. 14. However, this screen is opened by selecting a virtual switch “search keyword” 121 in the figure, and a search keyword is input from the input means 122 shown in FIG. In the case of designation, the screen is shown after a search condition for retrieving desired stored document data from the stored document data has already been specified by inputting (separating with a blank). That is, in this embodiment, the input unit 122 functions as a unit that the search condition specifies. In this embodiment, the input means 122 designates “document accumulation” and “XML” as search keywords that are search conditions.
Hereinafter, an outline of the control of the search operation of the stored document will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In step T1, the data management apparatus 1 of the digital stencil printing machine acquires the input search keyword and creates a list of stored document management metadata files in step T2. In step T3, it is determined whether there is a stored document that has been registered. If there is no stored document, a search error (not shown) is displayed on the touch panel 40, and the screen returns to the selection menu screen 110 in FIG.
If it is determined in step T3 that there is a document accumulation registered, the entry is entered in the metadata file list in step T4. Therefore, the entered accumulated document management metadata files are sequentially read and stored in the metadata in step T5. Extracted keywords. In this embodiment, the value of the tag <key> shown in FIG.

  The data management apparatus 1 matches (comparisons) the search keyword input by the user with the keyword extracted from the stored document management metadata file in step T6, and whether or not there is document data corresponding to the keyword in step T7. That is, it is determined whether or not both key data match. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step T8, the metadata file is removed from the file list, and the process proceeds to step T9. That is, only those that match the keyword search remain in the file list. On the other hand, if the keywords match (if there are a plurality of search keywords, even if one matches), it is determined that the document data is the target, and step T8 is skipped and the process proceeds to step T9.

  In step T9, the next metadata file is set. In step T10, the presence or absence of the next metadata file is determined. If there is a metadata file, the process returns to step T4. That is, the above-described processing is continued until all the scans of the metadata file entered in the file list are completed. When there is no metadata file after a series of these steps, that is, when all scanning is completed, the accumulated document data corresponding to the metadata file remaining in the file list in step T11 is a candidate group of target document data. As shown in FIG. 15, a list screen 130 of stored document data hit by the keyword search is displayed on the touch panel 40. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which only the document (“document storage design specification”) shown in the first embodiment is displayed as a search hit.

In order to perform keyword search in this embodiment, a list of stored document management metadata files is created, and the stored document management metadata files listed in the list are sequentially scanned, so that the corresponding document data If search is realized, but file management is performed using a file management table, etc., the file management table is sequentially scanned, and the metadata file that is the stored document management data file is accessed from there. The search may be performed by this method, and is not limited to the file management method described above. That is, this embodiment is not directly related to what form is adopted for file management of stored documents. The same applies to other embodiments described below.
By applying a data management device that uses this type of metadata file to a digital stencil printing press, documents can be quickly and accurately managed (stored document search), contributing to user convenience. Can do. In particular, when the capacity of a large-capacity storage device such as the HDD 8 or the memory card 35 increases year by year, the number of stored documents increases, and the order reaches several hundreds or thousands. The effect will be abundant.
(Third embodiment)
In this embodiment, an example applied to user management will be described mainly using FIGS. The data management apparatus 1 holds so-called user management information, which is how much user has made a plate and how much has been printed, as metadata in XML file format. An example (part) of this user management metadata is shown in FIG.
Further, the file shown in FIG. 19 is physically stored in the memory card 35 inserted in one of the data input / output devices 6 and 7 shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the memory card 35 is inserted into the slot of the data input / output device 6. The data input / output device 6 is used exclusively for storing data used by the data management device 1, and therefore the memory card 35 is always inserted. For reference, the other data input / output device 7 is used for updating the firmware of the ACU 2 and ECU 3 of the printing press.
When the user wants to check the plate making / printing status for each user, when selecting a virtual switch “counter display for each user” (not shown) displayed on the touch panel 40, the data management apparatus displays the user management meta data shown in FIG. Read the data file. Since the data for each user is divided for each tag <user>, the data management apparatus extracts the data for each tag <user> and displays it on the touch panel 40. An example of the display screen 140 is shown in FIG.
Furthermore, the flowchart of FIG. 20 shows an outline of control of the search operation when the data management apparatus (user management) implemented in such a form is used to grasp the usage status of the target user's digital stencil printing machine. Based on
When the user selects the virtual switch “user search” 141 shown in FIG. 17, the data management apparatus 1 displays a character input screen of a front-end processor (PEP) (not shown) in step U1 of FIG. , And the search user name input by the user with the input means 122 of FIG. 1 is acquired. At this time, when a plurality of search user names are specified, the search user names are displayed separated by spaces. In step U2, the user management metadata file of the acquired search user name is read, and in step U3, the user name stored in the metadata is extracted based on the tag <name>.

The data management apparatus 1 matches and compares the search user name input by the user in step U4 with the user name extracted from the user management metadata file, and whether or not the user name corresponds to the target user name in step U5. Judging. When the corresponding user is hit, the user management data of the user is stored in the child node below the parent tag <name> including the tag <user>. Therefore, in step U6, the user management data of the user is read ( Acquired) and displayed on the touch panel 40 in step U7. When there is no corresponding user, blank user management data (not shown) (not shown) is displayed.
In this embodiment, an example of a cover screen 150 in which “Taro Yamada”, which is an example of a user name, is designated as a search user name and the search is hit and the user management data is displayed on the touch panel 40 is shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 19, the specific contents of the user management data store the data of the number of plate making and the number of printed sheets for each monochrome / color drum, but the color drum is further subdivided for each color. More detailed contents and items may be added, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The same applies to other embodiments below.
If the number of users is only a few or tens, we were able to cope with scrolling the screen and switching the display page as before, but when the number of orders increased to several hundred or more, In such a method, it takes time such as complicated page repetitive operations such as page turning until the target information is obtained, but by using a search using metadata like this form, these complicated repetitions are performed. No operation is required, the target stored document data can be retrieved in a short time, and can be used practically.

In addition, when the old digital stencil press used is discarded and replaced with a new digital stencil press, the user management data up to that point cannot be inherited, and user registration must be performed again from the beginning. There wasn't. This is because the conventional user management information is arranged in a non-volatile memory IC such as NVRAM and is stored and saved in a unique format.
However, as in the present embodiment, the user management data used so far is removed from the slot of the data input / output device 6 of the old printing press by removing the memory card 35 storing the user management metadata. It can be used continuously by simply inserting it into the slot of the data input / output device of the digital stencil printer. In addition, since a highly versatile XML format is applied as a metadata format, compatibility is possible not only with our own products but also with crystals from other companies if necessary.

  Even when the old digital stencil printing machine is only discarded, it is desirable that the information about the user stored in the printing machine is deleted from the viewpoint of information protection. In this embodiment, the user information is recorded (stored) in the memory card 35, so that the purpose can be achieved simply by removing the memory card from the slot of the data input / output device 6, and the security level is set to the conventional level. It is much higher than the configuration, and it is also effective in preventing confidential leaks.

In this way, by applying the data management apparatus 1 using the metadata file of this embodiment to a digital stencil printing machine, user management can be managed flexibly and finely in consideration of confidentiality and user management. The convenience of the user can be improved, such as the portability of data.
(Fourth embodiment)
An example in which the data management apparatus 1 of the digital stencil printing machine is applied to machine system management will be described mainly using FIGS. The data management apparatus 1 holds so-called machine system management information from the name of a machine (digital stencil printing machine) to motor control amount data in XML file format metadata. An example (part) of the machine system management metadata is shown in FIG.
As in the third embodiment, this file is physically stored on a memory card 35 inserted in one of the slots of the two data output devices 6 or 7 provided in the digital stencil printing machine. Saved. The data input / output device 6 is used exclusively for storing data used by the ACU 2. Therefore, the memory card 35 is always inserted into the slot of the data input / output device 6.

The outline of the operation when the user changes the system setting of the digital stencil printing machine using the data management apparatus 1 (machine system management) implemented in such a configuration will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the user wants to change the system setting of the digital stencil printing press, when the user selects a virtual switch “system initial setting” (not shown) displayed on the touch panel 40, the data management apparatus 1 performs the machine system management in V1 of FIG. The metadata file is read, system setting items to be displayed corresponding to the menu screen and their data values are extracted from the metadata file in step V2, and are displayed on the touch panel 40 in step V3. An example of the display screen 160 is shown in FIG.
In step V4, the data management apparatus 1 waits for (accepts) a setting change input from the user, acquires what setting item is changed to what value in step V5, and sets the changed value in step V6 to the touch panel. Redisplay on 40. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, a shaded “main body IP address” item 161 is assumed to be a setting change target.
In step V7, the data management device 1 searches the machine system management metadata file read in step V1, and extracts a tag indicating the setting change item stored in the metadata, here the tag <ip-add>. To do. In step V8, the value of this tag is replaced with the changed one. As a result, since the machine system management data has been updated, the metadata file is saved in step V9.
When the old digital stencil machine used is discarded and replaced with a new digital stencil machine, or when a new digital stencil machine is added, the machine system setting data until then is I couldn't take over, so I had to set it up again from the beginning. This is because the conventional machine system management is in the form of storing and saving in a unique format as a data array on a nonvolatile memory such as NVRAM as described above.
However, in this embodiment, the memory card 35 storing the machine system management metadata used so far is removed from the slot of the data input / output device 6 and inserted into the slot of the data input / output device of the new digital stencil printing press. Or by copying the machine system management metadata stored in the memory card 35 that has been used to another memory card and storing the memory card in the data input / output device of the target digital stencil printing machine. Just insert it into the slot and it can be used continuously. In practice, a slight setting change work may occur, but the work efficiency becomes much higher than when the setting is reset from the beginning.
Moreover, even when only the old digital stencil printing machine is discarded, it is desirable that the information about the machine system stored in the printing machine is deleted from the viewpoint of information protection. In this embodiment, since the machine system information is recorded on the memory card 35, the purpose can be achieved simply by removing the memory card from the slot of the data input / output device of the digital stencil printing machine. The level is significantly higher than that of the conventional configuration, and it is also effective in preventing confidential leakage.

In this way, by applying the data management apparatus 1 using the metadata file of this embodiment to a digital stencil printing machine, the machine system management can be managed flexibly and finely with excellent extensibility and with consideration for confidentiality. At the same time, the portability of machine system management data is also realized, and the convenience of the user can be improved.
The stored document management metadata described in the first and second embodiments, the user management metadata described in the third embodiment, and the machine system management data described in the present embodiment are independent from each other. It is mounted on the memory card 35 in the form of a metadata file for storing it. In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of practicality, maintainability, and extensibility, the metadata is individually made in this way. However, all of these metadata are integrated into one metadata file or two or more metadata. Even if the metadata is integrated into one metadata file, there is no problem, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The same applies to the following embodiments.
(Fifth embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the management metadata managed by the data management apparatus 1 of the digital stencil printing machine is encrypted and used, which will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 24, the management metadata managed by the data management apparatus 1 of the digital stencil printing machine (here, it is assumed that it is user management metadata) is stored on the memory card 35 mounted on the printing machine. It shows a state where it is encrypted and stored. At this time, a key (encryption key / cancellation key) related to encryption / plain culture of the management metadata is stored in the NVRAM 31 provided on the control system board 1 of the device body as an access code. And
In this state, even if a third party removes the memory card 35 and tries to view the user management metadata with an appropriate browser or editor, it cannot be viewed or falsified because it is encrypted. , Confidentiality is maintained. This is particularly important when the user management data is used for billing purposes.
The outline of the control contents of the security operation by the data management apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the user performs an operation to access the management metadata, the data management apparatus 1 first acquires an access code stored in the NVRAM 31 in the digital stencil printing machine in step W1 of FIG. In step W2, the encrypted user management metadata stored in the memory card 35 is accessed, and the management metadata is standardized using the access code acquired in step W1. Then, in step W3, it is determined whether or not it has been properly laid out. If it has been laid down, the management metadata is expanded in the RAM area in step W4. The RAM 18 of the ACU 2 is expanded.

Thereby, the subsequent access to the management metadata is performed on the metadata expanded in this RAM area in step W5. Even if the power is turned off at this time, the metadata developed on the RAM is lost, so that the metadata that is plainly stored in the printing press does not remain, which is excellent in terms of confidentiality.
The data management device 1 answers the request for access to the management metadata from the user, and determines whether or not the management metadata has been changed in step W6. If no management metadata has been changed (reference only), the process ends.

On the other hand, when the management metadata is changed, the management metadata changed in step W7, that is, the access code of the plain culture metadata is encrypted as an encryption key, and the management data encoded in step W8 is encrypted. The metadata is copied (replaced) to the memory card 35. Such user management processing is performed by the data management apparatus 1.
Here, as shown in FIG. 24, when the old digital stencil printer used is discarded and replaced with a new digital stencil printer, user management data up to that point cannot be inherited. This is because the conventional user management stores and saves data in a unique format as a data array on a non-volatile memory IC such as NVRAM of an old digital stencil printing press. Because there was.
However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, since the user management metadata used so far is stored in the memory card 35, the memory card 35 in which the user management metadata is stored is stored in the memory card 35. The data input / output device can be continuously used by simply removing the slot and inserting it into the data input / output device slot of a new digital stencil printing press.
However, in this case, it is expected that the access code of the new digital stencil printer is not set or is different from the old digital stencil printer. In that case, since the plain culture of the encrypted user management metadata fails in step W3 of FIG. 25, a screen for inputting an access code (not shown) is displayed on the touch panel 40.
In step W9, the user management data prompts the user to input an access code for plainening the encrypted user management metadata, that is, an access code used in an old digital stencil printer, and accepts the access code. It will be in a standby state. At this time, the access code entered by the user is used only for the encryption key (release key) for plainening the encrypted user management metadata, and this entered access code is used. As a new access code, registration is not changed in the main body of the new digital stencil printing machine. However, when the access code is unregistered or a default value, or as a result of considering the usage pattern frequency, the processing may be such that the registration change is permitted. Further, the access code for plain culture is accepted only once, but a specific number of re-inputs (retry) may be accepted, and the present invention is not limited to this form.
When the access code is input by the user, the data management apparatus 1 acquires the access code in step W10, and performs the above-described plain culture process using the access code in step W11. In step W12, the contents of the plain culture process are determined. If the plain culture process is correctly performed, the process proceeds to step W4, and the management metadata is expanded in the RAM area. Since the subsequent processing has already been described, description thereof will be omitted.

However, when the management metadata is changed, the changed management metadata is encrypted using the access code as an encryption key, and the encrypted management metadata is copied to the memory card 35 (replacement). However, the access code used for encryption at this time is an access code stored in a new digital stencil printing machine, not an access code input by prompting the user to input. As a result, the access code stored in this printing press is plainly written at the next and subsequent accesses, so that it is not necessary to input the access code every time.
Even when the old digital stencil printing machine is only discarded, it is desirable that the information about the user stored in the printing machine is deleted from the viewpoint of information protection. In this embodiment, since the user information is recorded on the memory card 35, the purpose can be achieved simply by removing the memory card 35 from the slot of the data input / output device 6, and the security level is higher than that of the conventional configuration. It is significantly improved and effective in preventing confidential leaks. Even if the user forgets to remove the memory card 35, the user information remains encrypted, and is not easily viewed by a third party.
In this way, by applying the data management apparatus 1 using the metadata file of this embodiment to a digital stencil printing machine and further encrypting the metadata file, user management is flexible, fine, and confidential. It is possible to improve the convenience of the user, for example, by taking account of management into consideration and realizing the portability of user management data.
In this embodiment, the security level is increased by restricting access to the metadata file stored in the memory card 35. However, the present invention is not limited to such an electronic locking method. For example, the memory card 35 The security level can be increased even if the memory card 35 is physically unremovable by providing the lock mechanism 170 shown in FIG. 26 which cannot be detached from the slot of the data input / output means 6. As the lock mechanism 170, for example, a shutter member 171 that can be moved to a position for closing and opening the slot 6a of the slot of the data input / output means 6 is disposed in the vicinity of the slot 6a. The structure which makes it open | release with the electromagnetic actuator 172 driven by inputting is mentioned.

  In the above embodiment, the tap panel 40 has been described as an example of the means for the user to recognize. However, instead of character display, image display may be used, or a known audio output device may be used.

It is a block diagram which shows one form of the control board common to the digital stencil printing machine which concerns on implementation of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the main screen of the touchscreen of the general digital stencil printing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touch panel at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touch panel at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touch panel at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touch panel at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touch panel at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touch panel at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the metadata for document registration which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the metadata for accumulation | storage document management which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process for demonstrating operation | movement of the data management apparatus (accumulation document registration) which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the main screen of the touchscreen of the general digital stencil printing machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touchscreen at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touchscreen at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touchscreen at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process for demonstrating operation | movement of the data management apparatus (accumulated document search) which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touchscreen at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows -example of the screen displayed on a touchscreen at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the metadata for user management which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process for demonstrating operation | movement of the data management apparatus (user search) which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the metadata for machine system management which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a touchscreen at the time of operation | movement of the data management apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process for demonstrating operation | movement of the data management apparatus (machine setting change) which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the aspect which encrypts and operates the metadata file which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process for demonstrating operation | movement of encryption / peace culture of the metadata file of the data management apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is an enlarged view which shows one form of a locking mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Data management device 6,7 Data input / output means 8 Mass storage device 13 Information terminal device 25 Image reading part 35 Portable mass storage device 122 Search condition designation means 170 Lock mechanism

Claims (14)

A function of storing digitized document data as accumulated document data in a mass storage device mounted in the device body;
Information for managing the stored document data and metadata including a document name for search, a user name or a word characterizing the contents of the document are stored and managed for each stored document data in association with the stored document data. Function to
A function of outputting accumulated document data stored in the mass storage device as document data to a portable mass storage device attached to the device body or an information terminal device connected via a network;
A function of taking in and outputting document data stored in the mass storage device or metadata accompanying document data output from the mass storage device;
An editing function for arbitrarily registering, deleting or changing the content of the metadata;
A function of converting the data format of document data stored in the mass storage device or stored document data output to the portable mass storage device or the information terminal device;
A function of searching for desired stored document data using the metadata based on a search condition specified by means for specifying a search condition for searching for desired stored document data from the stored document data; ,
A data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus, which has a function of causing a user to recognize corresponding stored document data in accordance with a search condition that matches the search condition or a preset search condition.   The digitized document data is stored in advance in original reading data read by an image reading unit provided in the device, transmission data transferred from the information terminal device, and the portable mass storage device. 2. The data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data management apparatus is at least one of data.   The metadata includes a document name, a user name, a registrant name, a document manager, a document management department, a document data format, a structure or configuration of a document data format, a confidential classification and its classification, an access authority, a document creation date, 3. The image according to claim 1, comprising at least one of a document registration date / time, a registration source, a document type, a word / phrase group characterizing the document, an access history, an access frequency, a storage period, and a contact address. Data management device for forming equipment. Data input / output means for inputting / outputting data to / from the portable mass storage device;
When document data is input into the device from the data input / output means, a document that is set in advance and stored in the portable mass storage device together with the document data as the stored document data 2. The data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all or part of the metadata is fetched as metadata corresponding to the data.   If the data format of the stored document data stored in the mass storage device and the document data stored in the mass storage device are different, based on the data format information included in the preset metadata The document data stored in the mass storage device is converted into the data format of the stored document data stored in the mass storage device, stored in the mass storage device, and the metadata is Data corresponding to the stored document data stored as the metadata corresponding to the stored document data, in which all or part of the data is captured and the format of the captured metadata is converted to the data format 5. The data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data management apparatus is converted into a format.   When the value included in the confidential classification of the metadata indicates a confidential document, the user is prompted to input authentication data when storing the document data in the mass storage device, and the input authentication data is 5. The data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data management apparatus is stored in a mass storage device and used for authentication when accessing the stored document data thereafter. Data input / output means for inputting / outputting data to / from the portable mass storage device;
When outputting accumulated document data stored in the mass storage device to the portable mass storage device via the data input / output means,
Output all or part of the stored document management metadata managed by the device corresponding to the stored document data to the portable mass storage device as metadata accompanying the stored document data. The data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When outputting the stored document data to a portable mass storage device, if the output stored document data requires a format different from the data format managed by the device,
The data format of the stored document data to be output is converted into the required data format and output, and the stored document management metadata managed corresponding to the stored document data is also output, and 8. A data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the stored document management metadata is updated or changed to a data format corresponding to the converted document data.   8. The data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an expression format of metadata relating to management and input / output of the stored document data is an XML format.   10. The data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for specifying a search condition for searching for the desired stored document data is a character or voice input device. .   11. The data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for recognizing the user is an apparatus that displays characters, displays an image, or outputs sound.   The preset search condition is at least one of the latest access order, access frequency order, user name order, document name order, document registration date order, and document creation date order. A data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1. User management information that saves and manages at least device usage status information for each user, and address book management information that stores and manages contact information, affiliation, identification number, and access authority attributes for users who use the device System management information that stores and manages information related to the attributes and settings of the device,
2. The data management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an expression format stored in the portable mass storage medium is managed by a metadata file in an XML format. The portable mass storage medium is detachable from the device body,
14. The image formation according to claim 13, further comprising: a lock mechanism that prevents the portable mass storage medium from being detached from the device main body, or means for restricting access to a metadata file stored in the portable mass storage medium. Device data management device.

Images