JP2008299446A - Data structure of management file, information processor including this management file, method of controlling information processor, information processor control program, and computer readable recording medium recording this program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data structure of a management file which, if the same data is stored in different storage devices, allows easily determining what kind of process is performed on the data, and an information processor including the management file. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor 10 for processing data stored in a plurality of storage devices including an external storage device 6 and an internal storage part 3 is provided. The management file including management information for managing the data stored in the plurality of storage devices is provided. The information processor 10, which stores in the internal storage part 3 the management file including one piece of management information, for common data stored in the plurality of storage devices, comprises a processing part 12 for processing the data stored in the plurality of storage devices, and a management file update part 9 for updating the management file when the processing part 12 performs processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention records a data structure of a management file, an information processing apparatus including the management file, in particular, an information processing apparatus to which an external storage device can be connected, a method for controlling the information processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus control program, and the program The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium.

  In recent years, with the digitization of various documents, materials, videos, and the like, various types of information including image information and audio information have been converted into data, and the number thereof has increased. And the data memorize | stored inside the information processing apparatus which processes information is also increasing dramatically. In addition, data that the user wants to store is increasing.

  However, the capacity that can be stored inside the information device is naturally limited, and various data cannot be stored indefinitely.

  Therefore, there is a method for solving the above problem by connecting an external storage device to the information processing device. Examples of the external storage device include an external hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk device, a CD-R (compact disk-recordable) device, a DVD (digital versatile disc) device, and a USB (universal serial bus) memory. Can be mentioned.

  Further, various types of information can be stored using a plurality of external storage devices instead of using only one of these external storage devices.

  However, when a plurality of external storage devices or a plurality of recording media are used, the presence or absence of processing such as output, change, and deletion of stored data cannot be easily recognized. In particular, when data is stored in an external storage device and the external storage device is not connected to its own device, the presence or absence of processing such as output, change, or deletion of the data cannot be recognized at all.

  For example, when outputting certain data, if the data exists in the external storage device, it is necessary to connect the external storage device in order to output the data. However, when the external storage device is not connected, the user cannot grasp whether or not the data to be output exists. Also, when erasing certain data, if the data exists in both the own device and the external storage device, even if the user only erases only the data of the own device, the data is completely erased. The above data may remain in the external storage device.

  The invention described in Patent Document 1 addresses the above problem in a data communication apparatus. That is, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, when data is recorded on a floppy (registered trademark) disk by the own device, management information of the data is stored in the own device. When the data stored in the floppy (registered trademark) disk is output from a data communication device different from the own device, a signal indicating that the data has been output is sent to the other data communication device. The device communicates with the own device, and the own device updates the internal management information.

The invention described in Patent Document 2 corresponds to the above-described erasure problem in the data processing apparatus. That is, when the same data is stored in both the own device and the external storage device, if the external storage device is removed from the own device, the data stored in the own device is deleted.
JP-A-4-329451 (Publication date: November 18, 1992) JP-A-4-3575761 (Publication date: December 10, 1992)

  However, the conventional configuration causes the following problems.

  That is, the invention described in Patent Document 1 does not consider the case where the same data is stored in both the own device and the external storage device. Therefore, when the data to be erased is stored in both the own device and the external storage device, when one data is erased and the other data remains, the data is completely erased. That is, it is impossible to grasp whether data is erased from both devices.

  Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, even when it is desired to store data in the own device, if the external storage device storing the same data is removed, the data is erased from the own device. End up. That is, the same data cannot be stored in both the own device and the external storage device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to easily determine what processing is performed on each data when the same data is stored in different storage devices. An object is to realize a data structure of a management file that can be grasped, an information processing apparatus including the management file, and the like.

  In order to solve the above problems, a data structure of a management file according to the present invention is a data structure of a management file including management information for managing data stored in a plurality of storage devices, and the management file Is characterized in that it includes one piece of management information for a family data group that is a plurality of data that is originally the same data and stored in the plurality of storage devices.

  For example, when management information is stored separately for each data, even if the data is the same, if the stored location is different, it is treated as separate data, so the same data has the same processing That is difficult to recognize.

  On the other hand, according to the structure of the invention according to claim 1 of the present application, one management information corresponds to the same data stored in a plurality of storage devices. Therefore, even if the devices storing the same data are different, if one piece of management information of the family data group corresponding to the data is referenced, what kind of processing is performed on the data having the same data You can easily grasp what is happening.

  In the data structure of the management file according to the present invention, the management information preferably includes data processing history.

  According to the above data structure, since the data processing history is included in the management information, the processing history of each data can be recognized. Here, the contents of the process include storing, changing, erasing and the like.

  For example, when data C is stored in the storage device A and the storage device B, if the change process is performed only on the data C stored in the storage device A, the management information related to the data C includes the storage device The changed history information is included for the data C stored in A, and the unchanged processing history is included for the data C stored in the storage device B. Thereby, the user can recognize the presence or absence of the past change about the data C memorize | stored in the some memory | storage device by referring one management information corresponding to the data C. FIG.

  Similarly, when the data C is stored in the storage device A and the storage device B, if the erasure process is performed only on the data C stored in the storage device A, the management information related to the data C includes Thus, the history information that has been erased is included in the data C stored in the storage device A, and the unerased processing history is included in the data C stored in the storage device B. Thereby, the user can recognize the presence or absence of the past deletion about the data C memorize | stored in the some memory | storage device by referring one management information corresponding to the data C. FIG.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that processes data stored in a plurality of storage devices including an external storage device and an internal storage unit, and has the data structure described above. The management file is stored in the internal storage unit.

  According to the above configuration, the information processing apparatus stores the management file in the internal storage unit. Thereby, even if the external storage device is not connected to the own device, the management information of the data stored in the external storage device can be grasped.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes processing means for processing data stored in the plurality of storage devices, and management file update means for updating the management file when the processing means performs processing. It is preferable that

  In order to solve the above problem, an information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that processes data stored in a plurality of storage devices including an external storage device and an internal storage unit. A management file including management information for managing data stored in each of the plurality of storage devices, the management file including one management information for common data stored in the plurality of storage devices A processing step for processing data stored in the plurality of storage devices, and when the processing is performed in the processing step, the management file is stored in the internal storage unit. And a management file update step for updating the file.

  According to the above configuration and method, the data stored in the plurality of storage devices is processed, and the management information of the management file is updated according to the contents of the processing. Thereby, the processed content is reflected in the management information, and the user can recognize the processing for the data from the management information.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the processing means erases one of the data corresponding to certain management information in the management file, the processing means also erases the remaining data corresponding to the management information. Also good.

  According to the above configuration, when data to be erased corresponding to certain management information is stored in a plurality of storage devices, the processing unit erases one data and then erases the remaining data. To do. Therefore, the erasure process can be reflected on the management information corresponding to the data to be erased and the data stored in the other storage device corresponding to the management information.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the management file update unit may delete the management information when all data corresponding to certain management information in the management file is deleted.

  According to the above configuration, management information corresponding to data that does not exist in any storage device is deleted. As a result, the user can recognize that data without management information has been completely erased.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the processing unit changes one of the data corresponding to certain management information in the management file, the remaining data corresponding to the management information is changed to the changed data. It may be.

According to the above configuration, when data to be changed corresponding to certain management information is stored in a plurality of storage devices, after changing one data, the remaining data is also changed to the changed data. Same thing. Therefore, the change process can be reflected on the management information corresponding to the data to be changed and the data stored in another storage device corresponding to the management information. The information includes the output history of the data,
When the processing means outputs one of data corresponding to certain management information in the management file, the management file updating means may make the management information output.

  According to the above configuration, when data to be output corresponding to certain management information is stored in a plurality of storage devices, if one is output, the management information corresponding to the output data is also output. It will be done. As a result, data output in the past from one storage device can be prevented from being output again from another storage device.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an external storage device control unit that determines whether or not the external storage device is connected, the data to be processed is stored in the external storage device, and the external storage device is When not connected, the external storage device control means preferably notifies that the external storage device is not connected.

  According to the above configuration, when the data to be processed is stored in the external storage device and the external storage device is not connected, the external storage device control means notifies that the external storage device is not connected. To do. As a result, when the data to be processed is stored in the external storage device but the external storage device is not connected, the user can recognize that the external storage device is not connected. .

  Here, examples of the notification include displaying a message indicating that the display unit is not connected to a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or outputting a warning sound from a sound output unit such as a speaker.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the external storage device is connected, the management file update unit searches for data stored in the external storage device and stores the data in the internal storage unit. It is preferable that the management information corresponding to the data is updated.

  According to the above configuration, when the external storage device is connected, the management file update unit searches for data stored in the external storage device. Then, the management information corresponding to the data is updated. As a result, when the data stored in the external storage device is subjected to some processing by a device different from the own device, the management information of the own device can correspond to the processing.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the management information includes identification information for identifying a plurality of the external storage devices.

  In this case, the data corresponding to the management information can be associated with the external storage device in which the data is stored.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, when processing data, when the identification information of the management information corresponding to the data does not correspond to the identification information of the connected external storage device, the processing means is the external storage device It is preferable to notify that there is a difference.

  According to the above configuration, when an external storage device different from the external storage device storing the data to be processed is connected, a notification that the external storage device is different is made. Thereby, the user can recognize that the external storage device in which the data to be processed is stored is different.

  The information processing apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, an information processing apparatus control program for causing the information processing apparatus to be realized by the computer by causing the computer to operate as the above-described means, and A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the data structure of the management file according to the present invention is a data structure of a management file including management information for managing data stored in a plurality of storage devices, and the management file Are the same data and include a piece of management information for a family data group that is a plurality of data stored in the plurality of storage devices.

  As a result, even if the stored device is different for the same original data, what kind of processing is performed on the same original data by referring to the management information corresponding to the data. There is an effect that it can be easily grasped.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that processes data stored in a plurality of storage devices including an external storage device and an internal storage unit, and that stores data stored in the plurality of storage devices. An information processing apparatus that includes management information for managing each of the data, and that stores a management file including one management information in the internal storage unit for common data stored in the plurality of storage devices And a processing means for processing the data stored in the plurality of storage devices, and a management file updating means for updating the management file when the processing means performs processing.

  The information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that processes data stored in a plurality of storage devices including an external storage device and an internal storage unit, and is stored in the plurality of storage devices. A management file that includes management information for managing each data, and that stores a management file including one management information in the internal storage unit for common data stored in the plurality of storage devices A processing device control method comprising: a processing step for processing data stored in the plurality of storage devices; and a management file update step for updating the management file when processing is performed in the processing step. It is the method of including.

  Thereby, since the processed content is reflected in the management information, the user can recognize the processing for the data from the management information.

  One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. When the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment performs processing such as output, change, and deletion on the data stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6 connected to the own apparatus, A history indicating the processing contents is stored in the internal storage unit 3. When processing is performed on the stored data, the processing is performed by determining where the data is stored.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a display unit 1, an operation unit 2, an internal storage unit 3, an input unit 4, a sensor 7, a control unit 8, and an output unit 11, and the control unit 8 further includes The configuration includes an external storage device control unit (external storage device control unit) 5, a management file update unit (management file update unit) 9, a processing unit (processing unit) 12, and a determination unit 13.

  The display unit 1 receives display data from the processing unit 12 and performs display based on the display data. The contents of the display data include the state of the information processing device 10, the content of the operation performed by the user on the information processing device 10 and the current operation status, and data stored in the internal storage unit 3 and the external storage device 6. And the management information of the data. The display unit 1 may be realized by any device as long as it can display data, and a specific example is a liquid crystal display device.

  The operation unit 2 accepts processing performed by the user for the information processing apparatus 10 and transmits instruction data indicating the accepted content to the processing unit 12.

  The internal storage unit 3 is a memory that stores data input from the input unit 4. Data input from the input unit 4 is stored in the internal storage unit 3 via the processing unit 12. The internal storage unit 3 also stores management information indicating a history of processing such as output, change, and deletion of the stored data and the data stored in the external storage device 6. Such management information is stored by the management file update unit 9. As an example of the internal storage unit 3, any nonvolatile memory may be used. For example, a flash memory may be mentioned.

  Here, the management information will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of the management information. As shown in FIG. 2, the management information includes a management number, the inside / outside of the stored device, the presence / absence of output, the presence / absence of erasure, the presence / absence of change, data size, accumulation date / time, input device, data type, storage directory , Information such as tag information (identification information) of the external storage device is included. The management information is created by the management file update unit 9 and stored in the internal storage unit 3 when the data is stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6. In addition, when processing such as output, change, or deletion of data is performed, the management file update unit 9 updates the management information by writing a history indicating the processing content in the management information. As shown here, the management information includes the inside and outside of the stored device. If the content of the data is the same, even if the stored device is different, it is stored in the same management information. The

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data stored in the internal storage unit 3 and a management file including a plurality of management information, data stored in the external storage device 6, and tag information corresponding to the external storage device 6. is there. Here, among the management information, the management number, the inside / outside of the stored device, the presence / absence of output, the presence / absence of deletion, the presence / absence of change, and tag information of the external storage device are shown.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, for example, the data whose management number is “A” is stored only in the external storage device 6 whose tag information is abc, and that the data is not output, deleted, or changed. Show. Further, the data with the management number “B” is stored in the internal storage unit 3 and indicates that the data has already been output. Furthermore, the data with the management number “C” is stored in both the external storage device 6 and the internal storage unit 3 whose tag information corresponds to abc, and the data stored in the external storage device 6 has been changed, The data stored in the storage unit 3 indicates that it has been output. Similarly, data with management numbers “D” and “E” are both stored in the external storage device 6 whose tag information corresponds to xyz, “D” has been changed, and “E” has not been processed. It shows no.

  Here, the data with the management number “C” is stored in both the external storage device 6 and the internal storage unit 3. The data stored in the external storage device 6 has been changed. However, the data originally stored in the external storage device 6 and the internal storage unit 3 are the same, and the data stored in the external storage device 6 is originally changed from the same data. Therefore, the data corresponding to “C” stored in the external storage device 6 and the data corresponding to “C” stored in the internal storage unit 3 are collectively referred to as a family data group.

  The input unit 4 receives input of data to be processed by the information processing apparatus 10. The received data is transmitted as input data to the processing unit 12. An example of the input unit 4 is a scanner.

  The external storage device control unit 5 controls data transmission / reception between the information processing device 10 and the external storage device 6 when the information processing device 10 and the external storage device 6 are connected. Specifically, the data received from the external storage device 6 is transmitted to the processing unit 12. The data received from the processing unit 12 is transmitted to the external storage device 6. If the data received from the processing unit 12 is data indicating that processing is performed on the data stored in the external storage device 6, the processing is performed on the data stored in the external storage device 6. . In addition, data indicating whether or not the external storage device 6 is connected received from the sensor 7 is transmitted to the processing unit 12.

  The sensor 7 detects whether or not the external storage device 6 is connected to the information processing device 10. Then, data indicating the detected result is transmitted to the external storage device control unit 5.

  The processing unit 12 performs processing of each unit of the information processing apparatus 10. Specifically, when the user performs an operation of storing certain data in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6 by the operation unit 2, the processing unit 12 is based on the instruction data received from the operation unit 2. Input data is received from the input unit 4. Then, the received input data is transmitted to the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device control unit 5. Further, data indicating the content transmitted to the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device control unit 5 is transmitted to the management file update unit 9. At the same time, the display unit 1 is transmitted to the display unit 1 to display the processing being performed by the user and the content of future processing.

  Further, when the user performs an operation of displaying data stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6 on the display unit 1 by the operation unit 2, the processing unit 12 sends the data to the determination unit 13. A signal for determining where the data is stored is transmitted. And the signal which shows the discrimination | determination result from the discrimination | determination part 13 is received. When the received determination result is the internal storage unit 3, the data is acquired from the internal storage unit 3 based on the instruction data received from the operation unit 2 and transmitted to the display unit 1 as display data. On the other hand, when the received determination result is the external storage device 6, the data is acquired from the external storage device 6 via the external storage device control unit 5 and transmitted to the display unit 1 as display data.

  In addition, when the user performs an operation of outputting data stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6 from the output unit 11 by the operation unit 2, the processing unit 12 indicates where the data is stored in the determination unit 13. A signal for determining whether it is stored is transmitted. And the signal which shows the discrimination | determination result from the discrimination | determination part 13 is received. When the received determination result is the internal storage unit 3, the data stored in the internal storage unit 3 is transmitted to the output unit 11 based on the instruction data received from the operation unit 2. On the other hand, if the received determination result is the external storage device 6, the data is acquired from the external storage device 6 via the external storage device control unit 5 and transmitted to the output unit 11. Then, data indicating the content of outputting the data is transmitted to the management file update unit 9.

  In addition, when the user performs an operation for performing change processing on data stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6 by the operation unit 2, the processing unit 12 stores the data in the determination unit 13 where. A signal is sent to determine whether or not And the signal which shows the discrimination | determination result from the discrimination | determination part 13 is received. When the received determination result is the internal storage unit 3, the data stored in the internal storage unit 3 is changed based on the instruction data received from the operation unit 2, and the display data indicating the change status is displayed on the display unit Send to 1. On the other hand, when the received determination result is the external storage device 6, the data stored in the external storage device 6 is changed via the external storage device control unit 5. Then, data indicating that the data has been changed is transmitted to the management file update unit 9.

  In addition, when the user performs an operation of deleting data stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6 by the operation unit 2, the processing unit 12 stores the data in the determination unit 13. A signal for determining whether or not And the signal which shows the discrimination | determination result from the discrimination | determination part 13 is received. When the received determination result is the internal storage unit 3, the data stored in the internal storage unit 3 is erased based on the instruction data received from the operation unit 2. On the other hand, when the received determination result is the external storage device 6, the data stored in the external storage device 6 is deleted via the external storage device control unit 5. When the data is stored in both the internal storage unit 3 and the external storage device 6, the above processing is performed in order, and the data stored in both is deleted. Then, data indicating that the data has been deleted is transmitted to the management file update unit 9.

  The management file update unit 9 creates management information from the data received from the processing unit 12 and indicating the processing for the data stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the processing for the data stored in the external storage device 6. The data is stored in the storage unit 3. Management information corresponding to data not stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6 is deleted from the internal storage unit 3.

  The output unit 11 outputs data based on the output data received from the control unit 8. An example of the output unit 11 is a printer.

  Based on the signal received from the processing unit 12, the determination unit 13 determines where the data indicated by the signal is stored using the management information in the internal storage unit 3. Then, a signal indicating the determined result is transmitted to the processing unit 12.

  The information processing apparatus 10 can be connected to the external storage device 6. The external storage device 6 is a storage device that can store data. Specific examples of the external storage device 6 include an external hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk device, a CD-R device, a DVD device, and a USB memory.

  Next, the flow of processing in the information processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing in the information processing apparatus 10.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of storing data in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when data is stored, first, the processing unit 12 determines whether or not the storage destination instructed by the data is the internal storage unit 3 (S401). If the instructed storage destination is the internal storage unit 3 (YES in S401), the data is stored in the internal storage unit 3 (S402). Then, management information indicating that the data has been stored in the internal storage unit 3 is stored in the internal storage unit 3 (S403). On the other hand, if the designated storage destination is not the internal storage unit 3 (NO in S401), the processing unit 12 determines whether the external storage device 6 is connected via the external storage device control unit 5 (S404). ). If the external storage device 6 is connected (YES in S404), the data is stored in the external storage device 6 (S405). Then, management information indicating that the data is stored in the external storage device 6 is stored in the internal storage unit 3 (S403). If the external storage device 6 is not connected in S404 (NO in S404), the processing unit 12 stores the data in the internal storage unit 3 (S402).

  5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing when erasing data stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6. FIG. 6 shows a case where a display indicating that the external storage device 6 is not connected is displayed on the display unit 1 when the external storage device 6 is not connected.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when erasing data, first, the processing unit 12 searches for management information corresponding to the data from the management file stored in the internal storage unit 3 (S501). Then, from the retrieved management information, the determination unit 13 determines whether the data exists in the external storage device 6 (S502). If the data exists in the external storage device 6 (YES in S502), the processing unit 12 next determines whether or not the external storage device 6 is connected via the external storage device control unit 5 (S505). ).

  If the external storage device 6 is connected (YES in S505), it is next checked whether or not the data exists in the external storage device 6 (S506). If the data exists in the external storage device 6 (YES in S506), the processing unit 12 deletes the data in the external storage device 6 (S507). Next, the determination unit 13 determines whether the data also exists in the internal storage unit 3 (S508). If the data does not exist in the internal storage unit 3 (NO in S508), the management file update unit 9 deletes the management information corresponding to the data (S504).

  On the other hand, as a result of searching the management information, if the data does not exist in the external storage device 6 (NO in S502), or if the data also exists in the internal storage unit 3 (YES in S508), the processing unit 12 Deletes the data existing in the internal storage unit 3 (S503). Then, the management file update unit 9 deletes the management information corresponding to the data (S504).

  If the external storage device 6 is not connected (NO in S505), the determination unit 13 determines whether the data also exists in the internal storage unit 3 (S509). If the data also exists in the internal storage unit 3 (YES in S509), the process proceeds to S503, and if it does not exist (NO in S509), the process ends.

  Next, the flow of processing when displaying that the external storage device 6 is not connected and not connected to the display unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Only differences from the processing flow in FIG. 5 will be described. Points other than the following are the same as in the description of FIG.

  In this process, the process up to the step of determining whether or not the external storage device 6 in FIG. 5 is connected (S505) is the same as the process shown in FIG. If the external storage device 6 is not connected (NO in S605, NO in S505 in FIG. 5), the processing unit 12 displays on the display unit 1 that the external storage device 6 is not connected (S609). Thereafter, if the connection of the external storage device 6 cannot be confirmed within a predetermined time (YES in S610), the determination unit 13 determines whether the data also exists in the internal storage unit 3 (S613). Thereafter, the same processing as that in step S509 in FIG. 5 is performed.

  On the other hand, if the external storage device 6 is connected (YES in S605), the determination unit 13 determines whether the data is stored in the external storage device 6 (S606). If the data is not stored in the external storage device 6 (NO in S606), the processing unit 12 causes the display unit 1 to display that the data does not exist in the external storage device 6 (S611). If the external storage device 6 storing the data is not connected within a predetermined time (YES in S612), the determination unit 13 determines whether the internal storage unit 3 also has the data. (S613). Thereafter, the same processing as that in step S509 in FIG. 5 is performed.

  Next, the flow of processing when data is output will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when outputting data stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6. As shown in FIG. 7, when outputting data, the processing unit 12 searches for management information corresponding to the data from the management file stored in the internal storage unit 3 (S701).

  Then, from the searched management information, the determination unit 13 determines whether or not the data exists in the internal storage unit 3 (S702). If the data exists in the internal storage unit 3 (YES in S702), the processing unit 12 causes the output unit 11 to output the data (S703). Then, the management file update unit 9 updates the management information by writing a history that the data has been output to the management information (S704). At this time, if the data is also stored in the external storage device 6, the management information corresponding to the external storage device 6 may be output.

  On the other hand, if the data does not exist in the internal storage unit 3 (NO in S702), the processing unit 12 determines whether the external storage device 6 is connected via the external storage device control unit 5 ( S705). If the external storage device 6 is connected (YES in S705), the processing unit 12 determines whether or not the data exists in the external storage device 6 (S706). If the data exists in the external storage device 6 (YES in S706), the processing unit 12 causes the output unit 11 to output the data (S707). Then, the management file update unit 9 updates the management information by writing a history that the data has been output to the management information (S704).

  If the external storage device 6 is not connected (NO in S705), the processing unit 12 causes the display unit 1 to display that the external storage device 6 is not connected (S708). If the external storage device 6 is not connected within a predetermined time or if the output is canceled (YES in S709), the processing is terminated as it is.

  If the data does not exist in the external storage device 6 (NO in S706), the processing unit 12 causes the display unit 1 to display that the data does not exist in the external storage device 6 (S710). If the external storage device 6 storing the data is not connected within a predetermined time or if the output is canceled (YES in S711), the processing is terminated as it is.

  Next, the flow of processing when changing data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when data stored in the internal storage unit 3 or the external storage device 6 is changed. As shown in FIG. 8, when changing data, the processing unit 12 searches the management file stored in the internal storage unit 3 for management information corresponding to the data (S801).

  Then, based on the retrieved management information, the determination unit 13 determines whether the data exists in the external storage device 6 (S802). If the data exists in the external storage device 6 (YES in S802), the processing unit 12 determines whether or not the external storage device 6 is connected via the external storage device control unit 5 (S805). If the external storage device 6 is connected (YES in S805), the processing unit 12 determines whether the data exists in the external storage device 6 (S806). If the data exists in the external storage device 6 (YES in S806), the processing unit 12 changes the data (S807).

  Next, the determination unit 13 determines whether the data also exists in the internal storage unit 3 (S808). If the data also exists in the internal storage unit 3 (YES in S808), or if the data does not exist in the external storage device 6 from the management information (NO in S802), the data is stored in the internal storage unit 3. The data is changed (S803). If the data does not exist in the internal storage unit 3 (NO in S808), the management file update unit 9 updates the management information by writing a history that the data has been changed to the management information (S804).

  On the other hand, if the external storage device 6 is not connected (NO in S805), the processing unit 12 causes the display unit 1 to display that the external storage device 6 is not connected (S809). If the external storage device 6 is not connected within a predetermined time (YES in S810), the determination unit 13 determines whether the data also exists in the internal storage unit 3 (S813). If the data exists in the internal storage unit 3 (YES in S813), or if the data does not exist in the external storage device 6 from the management information (NO in S802), the processing unit 12 3 is changed (S803). Then, the management file update unit 9 updates the management information by writing a history that the data has been changed to the management information (S804). If the data does not exist in the internal storage unit 3 (NO in S813), the process ends.

  If the data does not exist in the external storage device 6 (NO in S806), the processing unit 12 causes the display unit 1 to display that the data does not exist in the external storage device 6 (S811). If the external storage device 6 storing the data is not connected within a predetermined time (YES in S812), the determination unit 13 determines whether the data also exists in the internal storage unit 3. (S813). If the data exists in the internal storage unit 3 (YES in S813), the process proceeds to S803, and if it does not exist (NO in S813), the process ends.

  Next, the flow of management information update when the external storage device 6 is connected will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the external storage device 6 is connected. In the present embodiment, when the external storage device 6 is connected, the tag information of the external storage device 6 is recognized and the management information is updated.

  When the external storage device 6 is connected, the processing unit 12 searches the tag information of the external storage device 6 via the external storage device control unit 5 (S901). If the tag information does not exist in the external storage device 6 as a result of searching the tag information (NO in S902), the tag information is created in the external storage device 6 (S903). Then, the management file update unit 9 creates management information for all stored data stored in the external storage device 6 and stores the management information in the internal storage unit 3 (S904).

  On the other hand, if the tag information exists in the external storage device 6 (YES in S902), the processing unit 12 manages the management information stored in the internal storage unit 3 from the tag information, the storage directory of each storage data, the file name, and the like. The management information corresponding to the stored data exists (S905).

  If the corresponding management information exists (YES in S906), it is determined whether the time stamp of the stored data is different from the storage date and time of the corresponding management information (S907). If they are different (YES in S907), the processing unit 12 updates the management information by causing the management file updating unit 9 to write the changed history into the management information, assuming that the data has been changed. (S908).

  If the corresponding management information does not exist (NO in S906), this means that the data has been stored in another device. Therefore, the processing unit 12 newly stores the data in the management file update unit 9. Is created and stored in the internal storage unit 3 (S913). If the time stamp of the stored data is not different from the storage date and time of the corresponding management information (NO in S907), the search for the management information corresponding to the other stored data is continued as it is.

  When the search for whether or not the corresponding management information exists for all the storage data stored in the external storage device 6 is completed (YES in S909), the processing unit 12 determines that the external storage device 6 and the tag information It is determined whether or not there is management information that coincides with each other, but there is storage data corresponding to the management information that does not exist in the external storage device 6 (S910). If there is something not present (YES in S910), the processing unit 12 determines whether data corresponding to the management information is stored in the internal storage unit 3 (S911). If the data is not stored in the internal storage unit 3 (NO in S911), the management file update unit 9 deletes the management information (S912). If NO in S910 and YES in S911, the process ends.

  Next, a flow when processing is performed only on data to be subjected to various processing such as output, deletion, and change will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow when processing is performed only on target data. As shown in FIG. 10, when processing is performed only on target data, the processing unit 12 searches the management file stored in the internal storage unit 3 for management information corresponding to the data (S1001). .

  Then, the processing unit 12 determines whether or not the data stored in the external storage device 6 is a processing target (S1002). If the data stored in the external storage device 6 is a processing target (YES in S1002), the processing unit 12 determines whether or not the external storage device 6 is connected via the external storage device control unit 5. (S1005). If the external storage device 6 is connected (YES in S1005), the processing unit 12 determines whether or not the data exists in the external storage device 6 (S1006).

  If the data exists in the external storage device 6 (YES in S1006), the processing unit 12 processes the data (S1007). Then, the management file update unit 9 updates the management information by writing the history that the data has been processed into the management information (S1004).

  On the other hand, if the external storage device 6 is not connected (NO in S1005), the processing unit 12 displays on the display unit 1 that the external storage device 6 is not connected (S1008). If the external storage device 6 is not connected within a predetermined time (YES in S1009), the process is terminated as it is. If the data does not exist in the external storage device 6 (NO in S1006), the processing unit 12 causes the display unit 1 to display that the data does not exist in the external storage device 6 (S1010). If the external storage device 6 storing the data is not connected within a predetermined time (YES in S1011), the process is terminated as it is.

  If the data stored in the external storage device 6 is not a processing target (NO in S1002), the processing unit 12 processes the data stored in the internal storage unit 3 (S1003). Then, the management file update unit 9 updates the management information by writing the history that the data has been processed into the management information (S1004). Then, the process ends.

  Note that this embodiment can also be applied to a facsimile machine. When applied to a facsimile machine, data received through a communication line, data read by the machine, and the like can be stored in the machine or in an external storage device.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately changed within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the information processing apparatus 10, in particular, the external storage device control unit 5, the management file update unit 9, the processing unit 12, and the determination unit 13 constituting the control unit 8 may be configured by hardware logic. Alternatively, it may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program that implements each function, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program, and a random access memory (RAM) that expands the program. And a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the information processing apparatus 10 that is software that realizes the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the information processing apparatus 10 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  The information processing apparatus 10 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  When the same data is stored in different storage devices, it is easy to know what processing is being performed on each data, so devices that can store data other than their own devices, especially external storage devices It is suitable for a connectable information processing apparatus.

1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an information processing apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the content of the management information in the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the internal storage part and external storage device in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of memorize | storing the data in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of deleting the data in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of deleting the data in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of outputting the data in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of changing the data in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of connecting the external storage device in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow in the case of processing only with respect to the data used as the object in the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display part 2 Operation part 3 Internal storage part 4 Input part 5 External storage device control part (External storage device control means)
6 External Storage Device 7 Sensor 8 Control Unit 9 Management File Update Unit (Management File Update Unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information processing apparatus 11 Output part 12 Processing part (processing means)
13 Discriminator

Claims (15)

A data structure of a management file including management information for managing data stored in a plurality of storage devices,
A data structure of a management file, wherein the management file includes one management information for a family data group that is a plurality of data that is originally the same data and stored in the plurality of storage devices.   The management file data structure according to claim 1, wherein the management information includes a history of data processing.   An information processing apparatus that processes data stored in a plurality of storage devices including an external storage device and an internal storage unit, and stores a management file having the data structure according to claim 1 or 2 in the internal storage unit An information processing apparatus characterized by that. Processing means for processing data stored in the plurality of storage devices;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising management file update means for updating the management file when the processing means performs processing.   5. The information processing according to claim 4, wherein when the processing means deletes one of the data corresponding to certain management information in the management file, the processing means also deletes the remaining data corresponding to the management information. apparatus.   5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the management file update unit erases the management information when all data corresponding to certain management information in the management file is erased.   The processing means, when one of data corresponding to certain management information in the management file is changed, the remaining data corresponding to the management information is used as the changed data. 5. The information processing apparatus according to 4. The management information includes a data output history,
5. The management file updating unit sets the management information to be output when the processing unit outputs one of data corresponding to certain management information in the management file. Information processing device. An external storage device control means for determining whether or not the external storage device is connected;
When the processing means processes data, if the data to be processed is stored in the external storage device and no external storage device is connected, the external storage device control means is connected to the external storage device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information processing apparatus notifies that it has not been performed.   The management file update means searches the data stored in the external storage device when the external storage device is connected, and updates the management information corresponding to the data stored in the internal storage unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the management information includes identification information for identifying a plurality of the external storage devices.   When processing data, when the identification information of the management information corresponding to the data does not correspond to the identification information of the connected external storage device, the processing means notifies that the external storage device is different. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11.   An information processing apparatus control program for realizing the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 12 by a computer and causing the computer to function as each unit.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the information processing apparatus control program according to claim 13 is recorded. An information processing apparatus for processing data stored in a plurality of storage devices including an external storage device and an internal storage unit, and including a management file for managing each of the data stored in the plurality of storage devices An information processing apparatus control method for storing a management file including one management information in the internal storage unit for common data stored in the plurality of storage devices,
Processing steps for processing data stored in the plurality of storage devices;
A control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: a management file update step for updating the management file when processing is performed in the processing step.

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