JP2009259052A - Image processing unit and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing unit and an image program system, performing efficient backup of image data. <P>SOLUTION: The image data obtained by reading manuscripts are stored in a memory of the image processing unit. The entire image data stored in the memory are fully backed up. After the full backup, among the image data stored in the memory of the image processing unit, only the increments of the image data newly stored after the full backup are incrementally backed up at a predetermined frequency. When restoring the image data having been backed up, the image data backed up in an external memory unit is restored to the memory of the image processing unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing system that efficiently back up image data.

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses such as MFPs (Multi Functional Peripherals) that combine facsimile transmission / reception functions, document copy functions, printer functions, and the like have come to be used. The MFP is configured so that image data received by a facsimile reception function and image data such as a document taken in by a copy function can be stored in a built-in storage unit. The MFP can also store image data transmitted for printing from an externally connected client computer in the storage unit. The MFP can print the image data stored in the storage unit using a printer function of the MFP. Further, the MFP can transmit the image data stored in the storage unit to an externally connected facsimile machine and client computer.

  In order to avoid a situation in which the storage unit of the MFP is unexpectedly damaged and the stored image data is lost, it is preferable to periodically back up the image data stored in the storage unit of the MFP. Technologies for backing up image data stored in an MFP or a facsimile are disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3. In the method described in Patent Document 1, an external computer connected to a facsimile network downloads image data stored in the facsimile, stores it in a predetermined folder provided in the storage unit of the external computer, and backs up the image data. . In the method described in Patent Document 2, when a predetermined amount of image data stored in a storage unit including a magneto-optical disk exceeds a predetermined amount, it is transferred to an external computer connected to a network for backup.

  In the method described in Patent Document 3, the user manually operates the MFP to transfer the image data stored in the MFP to a shared folder provided in a storage unit of an external computer connected to the network for backup. When all image data stored in the MFP is backed up every time, the transfer time of the image data in the backup, the processing time for data compression, and the like become long, and it is difficult to perform quick backup. In addition, a large-capacity storage unit is required to back up all image data every time.

  Here, after performing a backup of all data (full backup), a technology that reduces processing time and storage capacity related to backup by periodically backing up only data that has been newly stored or deleted and changed. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 4). There are a differential backup and an incremental backup as a method for backing up only data in which such a change has occurred. In a differential backup, every time a regular backup is performed, all data changed after the full backup is backed up.

In an incremental backup, only files that have changed since the last full backup or incremental backup are backed up. As a result, the processing time for incremental backup is shorter than that for differential backup, and the required storage capacity is reduced, so that efficient backup can be executed periodically (for example, Patent Document 5). reference).
JP 2007-13248 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-190903 JP 2006-155576 A JP-A-06-119400 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-111240

  However, the backup described in Patent Document 1 only describes a method for transferring image data to an external computer connected to a network for backup, and describes a method for performing backup efficiently and regularly. It has not been. In addition, the backup method described in Patent Document 2 performs backup according to the capacity of image data stored in the magneto-optical disk, and there is a problem that it is difficult to perform efficient backup regularly. Further, the backup method described in Patent Document 3 requires a manual operation by the user, and there is a problem that it is impossible to periodically perform an efficient backup without requiring an operation by the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and includes an overall backup unit that backs up all stored image data, and image data stored in the image processing apparatus for image data backed up by the overall backup unit. By providing an incremental backup unit that backs up the increment at a predetermined frequency, image data stored in the image processing apparatus can be periodically and efficiently backed up to an external storage device connected to the image processing apparatus. An object is to provide an apparatus and an image processing system.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, a communication unit that communicates with an external storage device, a document reading unit that reads a document to acquire image data, and a memory that stores image data acquired by the document reading unit A backup unit that backs up all image data stored in the storage unit to the external storage device connected to the communication unit, and the storage unit for image data backed up by the backup unit And an incremental backup unit that backs up the increment of the image data stored in the external storage device at a preset frequency.

  In the present invention, image data obtained by reading a document is stored in the storage unit of the image processing apparatus. All image data stored in the storage unit is fully backed up (entirely backed up) to an external storage device connected to the communication unit. After the full backup, among the image data stored in the storage unit of the image processing apparatus, only the increment of the image data newly stored after the full backup is incrementally backed up to the external storage device at a predetermined frequency.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the overall backup unit is configured to add an identifier indicating that backup has been performed to all the backed up image data, and the incremental backup unit is stored in the storage unit. The image data to which the identifier is not added is backed up among the existing image data, and the identifier is added to the backed-up image data.

  In the present invention, when image data stored in the storage unit is fully backed up and incrementally backed up to an external storage device, an identifier indicating that the image data has been backed up is added to each image data stored in the storage unit. Is done. Incremental backup is executed by acquiring image data increments by extracting image data without an identifier from image data stored in the storage unit.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the overall backup unit and the incremental backup unit are configured to create and back up management information including a list of image data stored in the storage unit, and are backed up. A management information selection unit that selects one management information among a plurality of management information; and a restoration unit that restores image data indicated by the management information selected by the management information selection unit from the external storage device to the storage unit. It is further provided with the feature.

  In the present invention, each time backup is performed, management information including a list of image data stored in the storage unit is created and backed up, and a plurality of management information is stored in the external storage device. One of the plurality of management information stored in the external storage device is selected, and the image data is restored from the external storage device to the storage unit based on the list of image data forming the selected management information.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the overall backup unit is configured to back up an archive file including the image data stored in the storage unit and the created management information, and the incremental backup unit includes: The management file selection unit is configured to back up an archive file including the increment of the image data and the created management information, and the management information selection unit includes management information included in one archive file among a plurality of backed up archive files. It is characterized by selecting.

  In the present invention, management information including a list of image data stored in the storage unit is created, and an archive file including all image data and management information is backed up to an external storage device, thereby being fully backed up. The After full backup, management information is newly created at a predetermined frequency, and an incremental backup is performed by backing up an archive file including the increment of image data newly stored in the storage unit and the management information to an external storage device. . One archive file is selected from a plurality of archive files backed up to the external storage device. Image data is restored from the archive file to the storage unit based on a list of image data forming management information included in the selected archive file.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the management information selection unit is configured to select management information included in an archive file that was last backed up.

  In the present invention, the management information included in the last backed up archive file is selected from among the plurality of archive files backed up to the external storage device. By restoring the image data based on the selected management information, the image data stored in the storage unit at the time of the last backup is restored.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the management information selection unit is configured to accept a selection operation and select management information.

  In the present invention, when restoring the image data backed up to the external storage device, the image is based on the management information included in the archive file selected by the user among the plurality of archive files sent from the external storage device. Data is restored.

  An image processing system according to the present invention includes an image processing device having a communication unit, and an external storage device that is connected to the communication unit and stores image data backed up by the image processing device. In the system, the image processing apparatus includes a document reading unit that reads a document to acquire image data, a storage unit that stores image data acquired by the document reading unit, and all image data stored in the storage unit. And an incremental backup unit that backs up the image data stored in the storage unit at a preset frequency with respect to the image data backed up by the overall backup unit, The external storage device includes all the image data backed up by the entire backup unit and the incremental backup unit, and Characterized in that it comprises a storage unit for storing the increment of the image data.

  In the present invention, image data obtained by reading a document is stored in the storage unit of the image processing apparatus. The entire backup unit of the image processing apparatus transmits all the image data stored in the storage unit to the external storage device, and the storage unit of the external storage device stores all the transmitted image data and performs a full backup. After the full backup, only the increment of the image data newly stored in the storage unit of the image processing device is transmitted to the external storage device at a predetermined frequency and stored in the storage unit of the external storage device.

  In the present invention, a whole backup unit for backing up all stored image data, and an increment for backing up image data stored in the image processing apparatus with respect to image data backed up by the whole backup unit at a predetermined frequency By providing the backup unit, the image data stored in the image processing apparatus can be periodically and efficiently backed up to an external storage device connected to the image processing apparatus.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram according to the first embodiment. Reference numeral 1 in the figure denotes an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The image processing apparatus 1 includes a storage unit 21 in which image data is stored, a control unit 10 that performs overall backup, incremental backup, and restoration of image data stored in the storage unit 21, and a communication unit 20. . The overall backup unit 101 included in the control unit 10 executes a process for full backup (overall backup) of video data stored in the storage unit 21 to the external storage device 3 connected to the communication unit 20. It is configured to work with.

  The incremental backup unit 102 included in the control unit 10 is configured to function when the control unit 10 executes a process of incrementally backing up video data stored in the storage unit 21 to the external storage device 3. The management information selection unit 103 and the restoration unit 104 included in the control unit 10 read out the video data backed up in the external storage device 3 based on the selected management information and restore the restoration to the storage unit 21. Is configured to work by running. In the first embodiment, the image processing device 1 and the external storage device 3 will be described in association with an MFP and a backup PC, which will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network including the MFP according to the first embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an MFP (image processing apparatus) having a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving data via a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). The MFP 1 also has a copy function for copying a document, and a printer function for recording image data given via a LAN (Local Area Network) on a recording medium such as a printing sheet. Further, the MFP 1 has a plurality of functions such as a scanner function for reading a document and acquiring image data.

  The MFP 1 is connected to the client PCs 4, 4,... Via the LAN, and can receive data from the client PCs (Personal Computers) 4, 4,. Further, the MFP 1 can transmit the image data of the document read by the scanner function to the client PCs 4, 4,... Via the LAN. The MFP 1 is also connected to a backup PC (external storage device) 3 via a LAN, and the image data stored in the MFP 1 is transmitted to the backup PC 3 for storage and backup. The MFP 1 is connected to the external MFP 5 and the facsimile apparatus 6 through the PSTN, and is configured to be able to transmit and receive image data using audio signals with these apparatuses.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example including internal configurations of the MFP 1 and the backup PC 3 according to the first embodiment. The MFP 1 includes a control unit 10 configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 10 is connected to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 12, an image memory 13 and the like via a bus 10a. The control unit 10 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) 14, a modem 15, a document reading unit 16, an image forming unit 17, an operation unit 18, an operation panel 19, a communication unit 20, and a hard disk drive (HDD) with a large storage capacity. Are connected to the storage unit 21 and the clock unit 22. The control unit 10 reads out a program stored in advance in the ROM 12 to the RAM 11 and executes it, thereby controlling the operation of each hardware unit in the MFP 1 via the bus 10a and realizing various software functions.

  In addition to the control program read from the ROM 12, the RAM 11 stores temporary data generated when the control unit 10 performs control processing or arithmetic processing of each unit. The NCU 14 is hardware that performs operations for closing and opening a line with the PSTN, and has an interface circuit between the PSTN and the modem 15. The modem 15 is hardware for performing facsimile communication with another MFP 5 or the facsimile apparatus 6 or the like via the PSTN. When the MFP 1 transmits data by facsimile communication, the modem 15 converts digital image data obtained by reading a document by a document reading unit 16 (to be described later) into an analog audio signal and transmits the analog audio signal. In addition, when the MFP 1 receives data, the modem 15 converts an analog audio signal received via the PSTN into digital image data.

  The MFP 1 includes a document reading unit 16 that reads a document when using a copy function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and the like, and an image that forms an image on a recording medium when using a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and the like. And a forming portion 17. The document reading unit 16 stores image data obtained by reading and acquiring a document with an optical system using, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) in the image memory 13. Although not shown, the document reading unit 16 has an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) so that a document of a plurality of pages can be automatically read.

  The image memory 13 is composed of a large-capacity memory device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a flash memory. The image memory 13 temporarily stores image data received by facsimile communication via the NCU 14 and modem 15, image data read by the document reading unit 16, and image data received by data communication via the communication unit 20. The image forming unit 17 is, for example, an electrophotographic printer device. The image forming unit 17 records an image based on the image data read from the image memory 13 as a hard copy on a recording medium such as a recording sheet of each size such as A3 portrait and B4 portrait. The operation panel 19 has a so-called touch panel configuration that includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and a touch sensor that detects contact with the display unit.

  The display unit of the operation panel 19 includes an operation state of the MFP 1, a selection menu for the user to select an operation of the MFP 1, a setting menu for the user to set setting values related to the operation, and information for notifying the user Etc. are displayed. When a selection menu, a setting menu, or the like is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 19, the touch sensor detects this when the user touches the display unit, so that menu selection or operation setting can be performed. It is. The operation panel 19 performs various displays on the display unit according to instructions from the control unit 10 and gives detection results by the touch sensor to the control unit 10.

  The operation unit 18 includes a plurality of keys, buttons, switches, or the like for accepting operations having contents different from the operations accepted by the operation panel 19. The operation unit 18 includes, for example, a start key for instructing start of document reading, a stop key for instructing interruption of various processes, a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values, and various function keys. The communication unit 20 has a connector for connecting a so-called LAN cable, and connects to an in-house LAN or a home LAN via a LAN cable connected to the connector. The communication unit 20 transmits / receives data to / from the backup PC 3 and the client PCs 4, 4,.

  Further, the MFP 1 appropriately stores image data received from the outside by facsimile communication and image data read from the document by the document reading unit 16 in the storage unit 21 so that various processes can be performed in parallel. . The MFP 1 is configured to appropriately store image data received from the client PCs 4, 4,... Via the LAN in the storage unit 21 as appropriate. The clock unit 22 gives the control unit 10 calendar date and time information indicating the date, day of the week, and time via the bus 10a. The copy function of the MFP 1 is realized by reading an original by the original reading unit 16 to acquire image data, and forming an image based on the acquired image data on a recording medium such as a recording sheet by the image forming unit 17. .

  The facsimile transmission function gives image data obtained by reading a document by the document reading unit 16 to the modem 15, and the modem 15 and the NCU 14 transmit the image data to the external MFP 5 or the facsimile apparatus 6 through the PSTN. This is realized. The facsimile reception function is realized by supplying image data received from the external MFP 5 or the facsimile apparatus 6 to the image forming unit 17 and forming an image on a recording medium by the image forming unit 17. The printer function is realized by giving image data received by the communication unit 20 from the client PCs 4, 4,... Via the LAN to the image forming unit 17 and forming an image on a recording medium by the image forming unit 17. When performing these processes, the image memory 13 is used as a buffer for temporarily storing image data.

  The scanner function of the MFP 1 is realized by reading an original by the original reading unit 16 to acquire image data, and transmitting the acquired image data from the communication unit 20 to the client PCs 4, 4,. The image data stored in the storage unit 21 can be read in response to a read request given to the MFP 1 from the client PCs 4, 4,. The storage unit 21 can delete image data stored in response to a deletion instruction from the user received by the operation unit 18 and the operation panel 19 of the MFP 1 or a deletion instruction from the client PC 4. Image data stored in the storage unit 21 is transmitted to the backup PC 3 via the LAN by a later-described backup process executed by the MFP 1.

  The backup PC 3 includes a control unit 30 configured by a CPU or MPU. The control unit 30 is connected to the RAM 31, the ROM 32, the storage unit 33, the communication unit 34, and the like via the bus 30a. The control unit 30 reads out a program stored in advance in the ROM 32 to the RAM 31 and executes it, thereby controlling the operation of each hardware unit in the backup PC 3 via the bus 30a and realizing various software functions. The backup process executed by the MFP 1 includes a full backup and an incremental backup executed at a predetermined frequency after the full backup. The full backup is performed by transmitting an archive file including all image data stored in the storage unit 21 to the backup PC 3 for storage. Incremental backup is performed by transmitting an archive file including an increment of image data newly stored in the storage unit 21 to the backup PC 3 and storing it after a full backup.

  In the MFP 1, the frequency of performing incremental backup is preset and stored in the storage unit 21. As the frequency of the incremental backup, for example, a predetermined date, a predetermined day of the week, a predetermined time, and the like are set, and the incremental backup is preferably performed every month, every week, and every day. Also, a time interval for performing incremental backup may be set. Further, the frequency of the incremental backup stored in the storage unit 21 may be changed by a user operation received by the operation unit 18 or the operation panel 19. When the execution of backup processing is instructed by a user operation, the MFP 1 creates management information including a list of all image data stored in the storage unit 21 and stores the management information in the created management information and the storage unit 21. Create an archive file consisting of all image data and compressed data.

  The MFP 1 encrypts the created archive file, transmits it to the backup PC 3, and stores it in the storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3 for full backup. An identifier indicating that the image has been backed up is added to all the image data that has been stored in the storage unit 21 and has been fully backed up. In accordance with the frequency of incremental backup stored in the storage unit 21, the MFP 1 extracts image data to which no identifier indicating that backup has been performed is extracted from the image data stored in the storage unit 21. The increment of the image data newly stored in the storage unit 21 after the full backup or the incremental backup executed in (1) is acquired.

  The MFP 1 creates management information including a list of all the image data stored in the storage unit 21, and creates an archive file that includes the management information and the increment of the image data and is subjected to data compression. Further, when the incremental backup is performed, the MFP 1 does not newly store image data in the storage unit 21 after the most recent full backup or incremental backup, and does not acquire the increment of the image data. Create an archive file with information only. The MFP 1 encrypts the created archive file, transmits it to the backup PC 3, and stores it in the storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3, thereby performing incremental backup.

  An identifier indicating that the image has been backed up is added to the image data stored in the storage unit 21 and incrementally backed up. The storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3 stores an archive file by full backup and a plurality of archive files that are backed up at a predetermined frequency until the latest incremental backup point. In addition, time information (time stamp) including calendar date information output by the clock unit 22 at the time of creation by the MFP 1 is given to the archive file.

  When the MFP 1 accepts the restoration operation, the storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3 stores it, reads all the archive files compressed in data, and finally backs up based on the time information given to each archive file. Select the archived file and decrypt it. The MFP 1 restores the management information included in the decrypted archive file. The MFP 1 restores the image data included in the restored management information from the archive file read to the storage unit 21. Since the management information included in the last backed up archive file is a list of image data stored in the storage unit 21 at the time of the last backup, the image stored in the storage unit 21 at the time of the last backup is stored. Data is restored.

  The image data deleted from the storage unit 21 of the MFP 1 before the last backup time is not restored in the storage unit 21 because it is not included in the management information of the read archive file. Incremental backup reduces the data capacity to be backed up compared to full backup each time. As a result, the processing time related to data compression and encryption, the traffic volume and transmission / reception time in the LAN, and the storage capacity necessary for storing backup data are reduced.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the archive file according to the first embodiment. 4A shows an archive file 211 stored in the storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3 when a full backup is performed. The archive file 211 includes image data A and B that form all image data stored in the storage unit 21 of the MFP 1 at the time of full backup, and management information that indicates the image data A and B.

  FIG. 4B shows archive files 211 and 212 stored in the storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3 when the first incremental backup is performed after the full backup. The archive file 212 indicates an archive file that is newly stored in the storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3 by the first incremental backup. The archive file 212 is management information indicating the image data C newly stored in the storage unit 21 of the MFP 1 after the full backup and the image data A, B, and C stored in the storage unit 21 at the time of the first incremental backup. It consists of.

  FIG. 4C shows archive files 211, 212, and 213 stored in the storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3 when the second incremental backup is performed. The archive file 213 indicates an archive file newly stored in the storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3 by the second incremental backup. The archive file 213 includes image data D and E newly stored in the storage unit 21 of the MFP 1 after the first incremental backup, and image data A, B, and B stored in the storage unit 21 at the time of the second incremental backup. Management information indicating C, D, and E.

  4D shows archive files 211, 212, 213 and 214 stored in the storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3 when the third incremental backup is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the image data C is stored in the storage unit in response to a deletion instruction from the user received by the operation unit 18 and the operation panel 19 of the MFP 1 after the second incremental backup or a deletion instruction from the client PCs 4, 4. 21 has been deleted. The archive file 214 indicates an archive file newly stored in the storage unit 33 of the backup PC 3 by the third incremental backup. The archive file 214 includes only management information indicating the image data A, B, D, and E stored in the storage unit 21 at the time of the third incremental backup.

  When the MFP 1 receives a restoration operation after the third incremental backup, the MFP 1 reads the archive files 211, 212, 213, and 214 stored in the backup PC 3. The MFP 1 selects and decrypts the last backed up archive file 214 based on the time information assigned to each archive file, and restores the management information included in the decrypted archive file 214 to the storage unit 21. The MFP 1 restores the image data A, B, D, and E indicated by the restored management information from the archive files 211, 212, and 213 to the storage unit 21, thereby storing them in the storage unit 21 at the time of the third incremental backup. Restored image data.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the backup process according to the first embodiment. The backup process is performed according to a control program executed by the control unit 10. The control unit 10 determines whether backup is started by the operation unit 18 or the operation panel 19 of the MFP 1 receiving a backup start operation by the user (step S11). When it is determined that the backup has not started (NO in step S11), the control unit 10 waits until the backup is started. When it is determined that the backup has started (YES in step S11), the control unit 10 executes a full backup process described later (step S12).

  The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 acquires calendar date information output from the clock unit 22 (step S13). The control unit 10 determines whether or not the acquired calendar date and time information indicates the timing of incremental backup determined from a predetermined frequency set in advance (step S14). When it is determined that the calendar date / time information does not indicate the time for incremental backup (NO in step S14), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S13 for acquiring the calendar date / time information. When it is determined that the calendar date / time information indicates the timing of incremental backup (YES in step S14), the control unit 10 executes an incremental backup process described later (step S15). The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 determines whether the operation unit 18 or the operation panel 19 has received a restoration operation (step S16).

  If it is determined that the restoration operation has not been accepted (NO in step S16), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S13 for acquiring calendar date information. When it is determined that the restoration operation has been accepted (YES in step S16), the control unit 10 executes a restoration process described later (step S17). The control unit 10 determines whether or not the backup is completed by the operation unit 18 or the operation panel 19 receiving a backup termination operation by the user (step S18). When it is determined that the backup has not been completed (NO in step S18), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S13 for acquiring calendar date information. If the control unit 10 determines that the backup has ended (YES in step S18), the control process ends.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the full backup process according to the first embodiment. The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 reads all image data stored in the storage unit 21 (step S31). The control unit 10 creates management information including a list of all image data stored in the storage unit 21 (step S32). The control unit 10 creates an archive file composed of all the read image data and the created management information and compressed in one file (step S33). The control unit 10 adds an identifier indicating that backup has been performed to all the image data stored in the storage unit 21 (step S34). The control unit 10 encrypts the archive file and transmits it to the backup PC 3 (step S35), and ends the full backup process. The control unit 30 of the backup PC 3 receives the archive file sent from the MFP 1 (step S36), and stores it in the storage unit 33 for storage (step S37).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the incremental backup process according to the first embodiment. The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 sets 1 to the counter C (step S41). The control unit 10 determines whether or not the counter C exceeds the total number of image data stored in the storage unit 21 (step S42). If the control unit 10 determines that it has not exceeded (NO in step S42), the control unit 10 reads C-th image data out of the image data stored in the storage unit 21 (step S43). The control unit 10 determines whether or not an identifier indicating that the backup has been completed is added to the read C-th image data (step S44). When it is determined that the identifier is not added (NO in step S44), the control unit 10 acquires the C-th image data as incremental image data (step S45).

  The control unit 10 adds an identifier to the C-th image data stored in the storage unit 21 (step S46). The control unit 10 increments the counter C (step S47), and returns the process to step S42 for determining whether the counter C exceeds the total number of image data. When it is determined in step S44 that determines whether or not an identifier is added (YES in step S44), the control unit 10 moves the process to step S47 that increments the counter C. When determining that the counter C has exceeded the total number of image data in step S42 (YES in step S42), the control unit 10 lists the image data stored in the storage unit 21. Management information consisting of is created (step S48).

  The control unit 10 creates an archive file composed of the acquired incremental image data and the created management information and compressed into one file (step S49). The control unit 10 encrypts the archive file and transmits it to the backup PC 3 (step S50), and ends the incremental backup process. The control unit 30 of the backup PC 3 receives the archive file sent from the MFP 1 (step S51), and stores the archive file in the storage unit 33 (step S52).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the restoration process according to the first embodiment. The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 transmits an archive file request to the backup PC 3 (step S61). The control unit 30 of the backup PC 3 receives the archive file request sent from the MFP 1 (step S62). The control unit 30 transmits all the archive files stored in the storage unit 33 to the MFP 1 (step S63). The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 receives all the archive files sent from the backup PC 3 (step S64). The control unit 10 decrypts the last backed up archive file based on the time information given to each archive file, and selects management information included in the decrypted archive file (step S65). The control unit 10 restores the selected management information to the storage unit 21 (step S66). The control unit 10 sets 1 to the counter C (step S67).

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not the counter C exceeds the total number of image data included in the management information (step S68). When determining that the number does not exceed (NO in step S68), the control unit 10 restores the C-th image data from the archive file to the storage unit 21 in the image data list indicated by the restored management information (step S69). . The control unit 10 increments the counter C (step S70). The control unit 10 returns the process to step S68 for determining whether or not the counter C exceeds the total number of image data. If the control unit 10 determines in step S68 that it is determined whether or not the counter C exceeds the total number of image data (YES in step S68), the restoration process ends.

  In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the backup process is started when the operation unit 18 or the operation panel 19 of the MFP 1 accepts a backup start operation by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is connected to a LAN. Alternatively, an instruction from the client PCs 4, 4,. Furthermore, although the case where the MFP 1 executes the incremental backup process at a predetermined frequency is shown, the MFP 1 may receive and execute an instruction from the client PCs 4, 4,.

  Further, in the incremental backup process, all the image data stored in the storage unit 21 are read out to determine whether or not an identifier indicating that the backup has been completed is added, and the image data that has not been added is determined as an incremental image. Although the case of acquiring as data has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and an identifier indicating incremental image data may be added instead of acquiring as incremental image data. In this case, when creating the archive file, it is preferable to extract the image data to which the identifier indicating the incremental image data is added and acquire it as the incremental image data.

Embodiment 2
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the restoration process according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, when the restoration operation is accepted in the first embodiment, the image data is restored based on the management information included in the archive file that was last backed up. The image data is restored based on the management information included in the archived file. The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 transmits an archive file request to the backup PC 3 (step S91). The control unit 30 of the backup PC 3 receives the archive file request sent from the MFP 1 (step S92). The control unit 30 transmits all archive files stored in the storage unit 33 to the MFP 1 (step S93).

  The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 receives all archive files sent from the backup PC 3 (step S94). The control unit 10 acquires time information given to each archive file (step S95). The control unit 10 displays the acquired time information as a list (step S96). The control unit 10 accepts selection of one time information from the time information displayed as a list (step S97). The control unit 10 determines whether time information has been selected (step S98). When it is determined that the control unit 10 is not selected (NO in step S98), the control unit 10 waits until it is selected. When it is determined that the control unit 10 has been selected (YES in step S98), the control unit 10 decrypts the archive file to which the selected time information is assigned, and restores the management information included in the storage unit 21 (step S99).

  The control unit 10 sets 1 to the counter C (step S100). The control unit 10 determines whether or not the counter C exceeds the total number of image data included in the management information (step S101). When determining that the number does not exceed (NO in step S101), the control unit 10 restores the C-th image data from the archive file to the storage unit 21 in the image data list indicated by the restored management information (step S102). . The control unit 10 increments the counter C (step S103). The control unit 10 returns the process to step S101 for determining whether or not the counter C exceeds the total number of image data. When it is determined in step S101 that the counter C exceeds the total number of image data (YES in step S101), the control unit 10 ends the restoration process.

  In the second embodiment, the case of accepting an operation for selecting one from the list of time information given to each archive file has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the file name given to the archive file, etc. You may select from the list of identification information.

  The second embodiment is configured as described above, and the other configurations, operations, and processes are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and process names, and detailed descriptions thereof are given. Omitted.

3 is a functional block diagram according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network including an MFP according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example including internal configurations of an MFP and a backup PC according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of an archive file according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of backup processing according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a full backup process according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of incremental backup processing according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of restoration processing according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of restoration processing according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image processing device (MFP)
3 External storage device (backup PC)
4 Client PC
5 MFP
6 Facsimile device 10 Control unit 10a, 30a Bus 11 RAM
12 ROM
13 Image memory 14 NCU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Modem 16 Document reading part 17 Image formation part 18 Operation part 19 Operation panel 20 Communication part 21 Memory | storage part 22 Clock part 30 Control part 31 RAM
32 ROM
33 Storage Unit 34 Communication Unit 101 Overall Backup Unit 102 Incremental Backup Unit 103 Management Information Selection Unit 104 Restoration Unit

Claims (7)

A communication unit for communicating with an external storage device;
An original reading unit that reads an original and obtains image data;
A storage unit for storing image data acquired by the document reading unit;
An overall backup unit for backing up all image data stored in the storage unit to the external storage device connected to the communication unit;
An incremental backup unit that backs up the image data stored in the storage unit to the external storage device at a preset frequency with respect to the image data backed up by the overall backup unit. Image processing device. The overall backup unit
An identifier indicating that the image data has been backed up is added to all the backed up image data,
The incremental backup unit includes:
Of the image data stored in the storage unit, back up the image data to which the identifier is not added,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identifier is added to the backed up image data. The overall backup unit and the incremental backup unit are:
It is configured to create and back up management information including a list of image data stored in the storage unit,
A management information selection unit for selecting one management information among a plurality of backup management information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a restoration unit that restores the image data indicated by the management information selected by the management information selection unit from the external storage device to the storage unit. . The overall backup unit
It is configured to back up an archive file composed of the image data stored in the storage unit and the created management information,
The incremental backup unit includes:
An archive file comprising the increment of the image data and the created management information is configured to be backed up,
The management information selection unit
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein management information included in one archive file is selected from a plurality of backed up archive files.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the management information selection unit is configured to select management information included in an archive file that was last backed up.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the management information selection unit is configured to receive a selection operation and select management information. In an image processing system comprising an image processing device having a communication unit and an external storage device connected to the communication unit and storing image data to be backed up by the image processing device,
The image processing apparatus includes:
An original reading unit that reads an original and obtains image data;
A storage unit for storing image data acquired by the document reading unit;
An overall backup unit that backs up all image data stored in the storage unit;
An incremental backup unit that backs up the image data stored in the storage unit at a preset frequency with respect to the image data backed up by the overall backup unit;
The external storage device is
An image processing system comprising: a storage unit for storing all image data to be backed up by each of the overall backup unit and the incremental backup unit, and an increment of the image data.

Images