JP2009267618A - Image processor and processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor and an image processing system which back-up obtained image data in an external prescribed device, and read the backed up image data when the image data is requested. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor stores the obtained image data in a storage part, backs up the image data stored in the storage part in the external prescribed device, determines whether the requested image data is stored in the storage part or not when the obtained image data is requested, and reads the image data backed-up in the external prescribed device when the requested image data is not stored in the storage part, to transmit the read image data to a request source in response to the request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing system that back up acquired image data to a predetermined external device and read out the backed-up image data when image data is requested.

  An image processing apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral) that combines a facsimile transmission / reception function, a document scanning function and a copying function, a printer function, and the like is used. The MFP is configured to be able to store image data received by a facsimile reception function and image data such as a document captured by a copy function 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, it is possible to transmit the image data stored in the storage unit to the externally connected facsimile by the facsimile transmission function. The image data stored in the MFP can be browsed from a client computer that is communicably connected to the MFP.

  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 back up the image data stored in the storage unit of the MFP. In addition, when the storage capacity of the storage unit provided in the MFP is small, the image data is transferred to an external storage device or the like by erasing the backed-up image data from the storage unit in order to secure free space in the storage unit. Need to transfer. In Patent Document 1, image data stored in a storage unit of an MFP is transferred to a large-capacity storage unit included in an external storage device connected to a LAN, and in response to a request from a client computer connected to the external storage device via a LAN. The technology to be acquired is disclosed.

  The technique described in Patent Document 2 transmits image data read by a scanner function to an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server connected via a LAN. The image data transmitted to the FTP server is transmitted to and stored in an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) server serving as a mass storage device. A client computer connected to the HTTP server via the WEB (World Wide Web) can request and acquire image data stored in the HTTP server. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique in which a user manually operates an MFP to transfer image data stored in a storage unit to a shared folder included in an external computer serving as an external storage device connected via a LAN.

Client computers that are set to share with the shared folder of the external computer can acquire the image data stored in the shared folder. The techniques described in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3 are all configured such that a client computer requests image data from an external storage device connected to the MFP and acquires the image data.
JP 2001-136324 A JP 2006-203315 A JP 2006-155576 A

  However, when acquiring image data stored in the MFP, the user needs to make a request to the external storage device in consideration that the image data is stored in an external storage device different from the MFP. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a backup unit that backs up image data stored in the storage unit to a predetermined external device, and image data requested by the received transmission request is stored in the storage unit. The image data acquired by the image processing device by including a reading unit that reads from a predetermined external device and a transmission unit that transmits the read image data to the request source in response to a transmission request. To provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing system capable of making a request to an image processing apparatus without being aware of whether image data is backed up to a predetermined external apparatus. With the goal.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires image data, a storage unit that stores image data acquired by the acquisition unit, and image data stored in the storage unit to an external predetermined device. A backup unit that backs up, a reception unit that receives a transmission request that requests at least one of the image data acquired by the acquisition unit, and image data that is requested by the transmission request received by the reception unit A reading unit that reads from a predetermined device, and a transmission unit that transmits image data read by the reading unit to a request source in response to the transmission request.

  In the present invention, the image data acquired by the image processing apparatus is stored in the storage unit of the image processing apparatus. The image data stored in the storage unit is backed up to an external storage device. When an external device requests transmission of the acquired image data, the image processing device reads the image data backed up in the external storage device and transmits the image data to the external device that has requested transmission.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a determination unit that determines whether image data requested by a transmission request received by the reception unit is stored in the storage unit, and the reading unit includes the determination unit When the image data is determined not to be stored by the above, the image data is read from the predetermined external device.

  In the present invention, when an external apparatus requests transmission of image data acquired by the image processing apparatus, it is determined whether the requested image data is stored in the storage unit. When the image processing apparatus determines that the image data is not stored in the storage unit, the image processing apparatus reads the image data from the external storage apparatus in which the image data is backed up, and transmits the image data to the external apparatus that has requested transmission.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the backup unit backs up management information including a list of image data acquired by the acquiring unit to a predetermined external device, and the reading unit includes the management unit The information is configured to be read from the external predetermined device, and the receiving unit receives a transmission request for requesting at least one image data among the image data included in the management information read by the reading unit. It is configured.

  In the present invention, management information including a list of image data acquired by the image processing apparatus is also backed up to an external storage device. When the image processing apparatus receives a browse request for the acquired image data from an external apparatus, the image processing apparatus reads the management information that has been backed up and transmits the management information to the external apparatus. The external apparatus that has received the management information selects image data to be transmitted from the image data list included in the management information, and sends a transmission request to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus reads image data requested by the transmission request from an external storage device, and transmits the image data to the external apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the backup unit backs up image data that is not included in the management information read by the reading unit out of the image data stored in the storage unit. It is characterized by.

  In the present invention, by extracting image data not included in the management information read from the external storage device from the image data stored in the storage unit of the image processing device, an image that has not been backed up Data is backed up to an external storage device.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an erasing unit that erases image data backed up by the backup unit from the storage unit.

  In the present invention, the backed up image data is erased from the storage unit in order to secure a free space in the storage unit.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the backup unit encrypts and backs up the image data, and the reading unit decrypts the image data encrypted and backed up by the backup unit. It is configured to read out data.

  In the present invention, the image data is encrypted, transmitted to the external storage device, and backed up so as not to be browsed from the external storage device. The image processing apparatus decodes and reads backed up image data.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an authentication unit that authenticates the transmission request, and the reading unit, when the authentication unit authenticates the transmission request, transmits image data requested by the transmission request to the external predetermined If the authentication unit does not authenticate the transmission request, the image data requested by the transmission request is not read from the predetermined external device.

  In the present invention, when a transmission request is accepted from an external device, an input such as a password is accepted to authenticate the transmission request. When the image processing apparatus authenticates the transmission request, the image processing apparatus reads the image data requested by the transmission request and transmits it to an external apparatus in response to the transmission request. If the transmission request is not authenticated, the image processing apparatus does not read the image data requested by the transmission request and does not respond to the transmission request.

  An image processing system according to the present invention includes an image processing device and a storage device that are communicably connected. The image processing device acquires an image data acquisition unit, and the acquisition unit acquires the image data. A first storage unit that stores image data, a backup unit that backs up image data stored in the first storage unit to the storage device, and at least one image data among the image data acquired by the acquisition unit A receiving unit that receives a transmission request for requesting, a reading unit that reads image data requested by the transmission request received by the receiving unit from the storage device, and requests image data read by the reading unit in response to the transmission request An original transmission unit, and the storage device includes a second storage unit that stores image data to be backed up by the image processing device.

  In the present invention, the image data acquired by the image processing device is stored in the first storage unit of the image processing device. The image processing device backs up the image data stored in the first storage unit to the storage device. The storage device stores image data backed up by the image processing device in the second storage unit. When the image processing apparatus receives a transmission request for the acquired image data from an external apparatus, the image processing apparatus requests the storage apparatus to transmit the backed-up image data. The storage device transmits the image data stored in the second storage unit to the image processing device in response to the request. The image processing device reads the image data received from the storage device and transmits it to an external device in response to a transmission request.

  In the present invention, the backup unit that backs up the image data stored in the storage unit to a predetermined external device, and the image data required by the received transmission request are not stored in the storage unit. When the image data acquired by the image processing device is requested by including a reading unit that reads from the predetermined device and a transmission unit that transmits the read image data to the request source in response to the transmission request, It is possible to make a request to the image processing apparatus without being conscious of whether it is backed up by a predetermined external 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. The image processing apparatus 1 receives from an external device an acquisition unit 23 that acquires image data, a storage unit 21 that stores image data acquired by the acquisition unit 23, and a transmission request for image data acquired by the acquisition unit 23 And a transmission unit 25 that transmits image data in response to a transmission request accepted by the reception unit 24. The image processing apparatus 1 also includes a control unit 10 that performs backup and reading of image data stored in the storage unit 21, authentication of a transmission request received by the receiving unit 24, and the like. The image processing device 1 is communicably connected to an external storage device 3 that backs up image data stored in the storage unit 21.

  The control unit 10 includes a backup unit 101, a reading unit 102, an authentication unit 103, and a determination unit 104. The backup unit 101 is configured to back up the image data stored in the storage unit 21 to the external storage device 3. The authentication unit 103 authenticates the transmission request received by the reception unit 24. The determination unit 104 determines whether or not image data requested by a transmission request received from an external device is stored in the storage unit 21. When it is determined that the transmission request is authenticated and the image data requested by the transmission request is not stored in the storage unit 21, the reading unit 102 reads out the image data from the external storage device 3 and gives it to the transmission unit 25. It is like that. The first embodiment will be described by replacing the image processing apparatus 1 with an MFP 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 4, 4,. Further, the MFP 1 can transmit image data of a document read by the scanner function to the client PCs 4, 4,. The MFP 1 is also connected to the external storage device 3 via the LAN. The image data stored in the MFP 1 is transmitted to the external storage device 3 for backup, and the backed-up image data is received from the external storage device 3 and read out. It is like that. The MFP 1 is connected to the external MFP 5 and the facsimile apparatus 6 through the PSTN, and image data can be transmitted and received by audio signals to and from these apparatuses.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example including internal configurations of the MFP 1 and the external storage device 3 according to the first embodiment. The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and the like, and via a bus 10a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 12, an image memory 13, and the like. It is connected. The control unit 10 is connected to 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, a storage unit 21, and a clock unit 22. ing. The control unit 10 reads various programs stored in advance in the ROM 12 into the RAM 11 and executes them to execute various software including the functions of the backup unit 101, the reading unit 102, the authentication unit 103, and the determination unit 104 included in the control unit 10. In addition to realizing a functional function, the operation of each part of the hardware in the MFP 1 is controlled.

  In addition to the control program read from the ROM 12, the RAM 11 is configured to store 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 image data acquired 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 clock unit 22 outputs calendar date information to the control unit 10.

  The MFP 1 includes an original reading unit 16 that reads an original 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 the copy function, the facsimile function, a printer function, and the like. And a forming portion 17. The document reading unit 16 stores image data acquired by reading 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 NCU 14 and the modem 15 that receive and acquire image data from the outside by facsimile communication, the communication unit 20 that receives and acquires image data from the outside by data communication, and the document reading unit 16 that acquires image data read from the document Is an acquisition unit 23 that acquires image data. The communication unit 20 also functions as the reception unit 24 by receiving a transmission request or the like from the client PCs 4, 4,... And transmits the image data to the client PCs 4, 4,. 25 also functions.

  The image memory 13 is composed of a memory element 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, and the like for performing operations having contents different from those performed 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 external storage device 3 and the client PCs 4, 4,.

  The MFP 1 includes a storage unit 21 including a flash memory and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The MFP 1 appropriately stores image data received from the outside by facsimile communication and data communication and image data acquired by the document reading unit 16 in the storage unit 21 so that various processes can be performed in parallel. . The storage unit 21 stores management information including a list of image data acquired by the MFP 1, and image data is added to the management information each time image data is acquired and stored in the storage unit 21. . 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 transmits the image data to the external MFP 5 or the facsimile apparatus 6 or the like via the PSTN by the modem 15 and the NCU 14. 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 MFP 1 is configured to transmit the image data stored in the storage unit 21 to the external storage device 3 via the LAN for backup. The MFP 1 receives image data stored in the external storage device 3 via the LAN and reads it out to the storage unit 21. The external storage device 3 includes a control unit 30 configured with a CPU, MPU, or the like. 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 the 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 external storage device 3 and realizing various software functions. In addition to the control program read from the ROM 32, the RAM 31 is also configured to store temporary data generated when the control unit 30 performs control processing or arithmetic processing of each unit. The external storage device 3 stores image data backed up by the MFP 1 in the storage unit 33 when the communication unit 34 receives the image data. The backup executed by the MFP 1 may be executed based on a preset backup frequency and calendar date information output from the clock unit 22. As the backup frequency, for example, a predetermined date, a predetermined day of the week and a predetermined time, and a backup time interval may be set, and the backup may be performed every month, every week, every day, and at a predetermined time interval. Further, the preset backup frequency may be changeable by a user operation received by the operation unit 18 or the operation panel 19. Here, a backup procedure executed by the MFP 1 will be described.

  When the management information is not backed up in the external storage device 3, the MFP 1 encrypts all image data and management information stored in the storage unit 21 and transmits them to the external storage device 3, and the storage unit of the external storage device 3. 33 for backup. When management information is backed up in the external storage device 3, the MFP 1 extracts image data not included in the management information backed up in the external storage device 3 from the image data stored in the storage unit 21. The MFP 1 transmits the extracted image data and the management information stored in the storage unit 21 to the external storage device 3 for backup. The external storage device 3 stores the transmitted image data in the storage unit 33 and rewrites the management information stored in the storage unit 33 using the transmitted image data. Management information stored in the storage unit 21 at the most recent backup time is backed up in the external storage device 3. Next, a procedure for receiving a browsing request first when the MFP 1 receives a transmission request for image data from the client PCs 4, 4,.

  When the MFP 1 receives a transmission request for image data from the client PCs 4, 4,..., The MFP 1 receives a browsing request for requesting a list of image data acquired by the MFP 1 from the client PCs 4, 4,. When the MFP 1 authenticates the browsing request, the MFP 1 accepts a transmission request described later, thereby authenticating the transmission request. When the MFP 1 receives a browsing request from the client PCs 4, 4,... Via the LAN, the MFP 1 requests a password from the client PCs 4, 4,. The MFP 1 authenticates the browsing request when the password received from the client PCs 4, 4,... In response to the request matches the password for authenticating the browsing request. When the MFP 1 does not authenticate the browsing request, the MFP 1 transmits an error signal to the client PCs 4, 4,. When the MFP 1 authenticates the browsing request, the MFP 1 decrypts and reads the management information backed up in the external storage device 3 and transmits it to the client PCs 4, 4,. Next, a procedure for the MFP 1 to accept a transmission request and read out image data will be described.

  When the user operates the client PCs 4, 4,... To request display or download of desired image data from the image data list indicated by the management information, the client PCs 4, 4,. A transmission request is sent. If the image data requested by the transmission request is not stored in the storage unit 21, the MFP 1 requests the external storage device 3 to transmit the image data requested by the transmission request. The MFP 1 decodes and reads out the image data transmitted from the external storage device 3 in response to the request. In response to the transmission request, the MFP 1 transmits the image data requested by the transmission request to the client PCs 4, 4,.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of backup processing according to the first embodiment. The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 transmits a management information request to the external storage device 3 (step S11). The control unit 30 of the external storage device 3 receives the management information request given from the MFP 1 (step S12). In response to the management information request, the external storage device 3 transmits the management information to the MFP 1 when the management information is stored in the storage unit 33. If the management information is not stored, the external storage device 3 transmits a signal that does not include the management information. Is transmitted as management information (step S13). The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 receives the management information transmitted from the external storage device 3 (step S14).

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not the management information is acquired by determining whether or not the management information is included in the received management information (step S15). When it is determined that the management information has been acquired (YES in step S15), the control unit 10 decrypts the acquired management information using a preset key (step S16). The control unit 10 extracts image data not included in the decoded management information from the image data included in the management information stored in the storage unit 21, thereby determining whether there is image data that has not been backed up. Determination is made (step S17). When it is determined that there is image data that has not been backed up (YES in step S17), the control unit 10 encrypts the image data that has not been backed up using a preset key (step S18).

  When determining that the management information is not acquired in step S15 for determining whether or not the management information has been acquired (NO in step S15), the control unit 10 determines all the images stored in the storage unit 21. Data is encrypted using a preset key (step S19). The control unit 10 transmits the encrypted image data to the external storage device 3 (step S20). The control unit 30 of the external storage device 3 receives the transmitted image data (step S21). The control unit 30 stores the received image data in the storage unit 33 (step S22). The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 encrypts the management information stored in the storage unit 21 using a preset key (step S23).

  The control unit 10 transmits the encrypted management information to the external storage device 3 (step S24), and ends the backup process. The control unit 30 of the external storage device 3 receives the transmitted management information (step S25). The control unit 30 rewrites the management information stored in the storage unit 33 using the received management information (step S26). If the control unit 10 of the MFP 1 determines in step S17 that it is determined whether there is image data that has not been backed up (NO in step S17), the backup process ends. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the browsing request reception process according to the first embodiment. The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 determines whether or not a browsing request has been received from the client PCs 4, 4,... (Step S31). When it is determined that the browsing request has not been received (NO in step S31), the control unit 10 waits until the browsing request is received. When it determines with having received the browsing request (it is YES at step S31), the control part 10 transmits the request | requirement of a password to client PC4, 4, ... (step S32). The control unit 10 receives the password sent from the client PC 4, 4,... In response to the password request (step S33). The control unit 10 determines whether or not the received password matches a preset password that should permit a browsing request (step S34).

  If it is determined that they match (YES in step S34), the control unit 10 transmits a management information request to the external storage device 3 (step S36). The control unit 30 of the external storage device 3 receives the management information request given from the MFP 1 (step S37). In response to the management information request, the control unit 30 transmits the management information to the MFP 1 when the management information is stored in the storage unit 33. If the management information is not stored, the control unit 30 transmits a signal that does not include the management information. Is transmitted as management information (step S38). The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 receives the management information transmitted from the external storage device 3 (step S39). The control unit 10 determines whether or not management information is included in the received management information, and determines whether or not the backed-up management information has been acquired (step S40).

  When it is determined that the management information has been acquired (YES in step S40), the control unit 10 decrypts the acquired management information using a preset key (step S41). The control unit 10 transmits the decrypted management information to the client PCs 4, 4,... In response to the browsing request (step S42), and ends the browsing request reception process. If it is determined in step S40 that determines whether or not management information has been acquired (NO in step S40), the control unit 10 moves the process to step S42 in which the management information is transmitted. In addition, when it is determined that the received password does not match in step S34 for determining whether or not the received password matches a password that should be permitted to be browsed in advance (NO in step S34), the client 10 An error signal is transmitted to the PCs 4, 4... (Step S35), and the browsing request acceptance process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the reading process according to the first embodiment. The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 determines whether or not a transmission request has been received from the client PCs 4, 4... (Step S51). When it is determined that the transmission request has been received (YES in step S51), the control unit 10 determines whether the image data requested by the received transmission request is stored in the storage unit 21 (step S52). When determining that the data is not stored (NO in step S52), the control unit 10 transmits a data request to the external storage device 3 to request the image data requested by the transmission request (step S53). The control unit 30 of the external storage device 3 receives the data request transmitted from the MFP 1 (step S54). The control unit 30 reads out the image data requested by the data request from the storage unit 33 and transmits it to the MFP 1 (step S55).

  The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 receives the image data transmitted from the external storage device 3 (step S56). The control unit 10 decrypts the received image data using a preset key (step S57). The control unit 10 restores the decoded image data to the storage unit 21 (step S58). The control unit 10 transmits the restored image data, that is, the image data requested by the transmission request, to the client PCs 4, 4,... (Step S59). If the control unit 10 determines that the image data requested by the transmission request is stored in the storage unit 21 in step S52 (YES in step S52), the transmission request is received. The process proceeds to step S59 in which the requested image data is transmitted to the client PCs 4, 4,.

  The control unit 10 receives the browsing end signal transmitted from the client PCs 4, 4,... When the client PCs 4, 4,. Is determined (step S60). When it is determined that the client PCs 4, 4,... Have not finished browsing (NO in step S60), the control unit 10 performs a process in step S51 that determines whether a transmission request has been received from the client PCs 4, 4,. To return. When it is determined in step S51 that determines whether or not a transmission request has been received from the client PCs 4, 4,..., The control unit 10 determines that no transmission request has been received (NO in step S51), the client PCs 4, 4,. Moves the process to step S60 to determine whether or not browsing has ended. When it is determined that the client PCs 4, 4,... Have finished browsing (YES in step S60), the control unit 10 ends the reading process.

  In the first embodiment, even if the image data requested by the client PCs 4, 4,... Is not stored because the image data stored in the storage unit 21 is unexpectedly damaged or the like, Image data backed up in the storage device 3 is read and transmitted. Further, since the image data is encrypted and backed up in the external storage device 3, browsing from the external storage device 3 is prevented. Further, the client PCs 4, 4,... Are prevented from directly accessing the external storage device 3 via the LAN and browsing the backed up image data.

  Since the MFP 1 accepts browsing requests and transmission requests from the client PCs 4, 4,..., The user operating the client PCs 4, 4,... Needs to be aware of whether image data is backed up in the external storage device 3. There is no. Further, by authenticating the browsing request from the client PCs 4, 4,..., Browsing of the image data list acquired by the MFP 1 and acquisition of image data by the client PCs 4, 4,.

  In the first embodiment, the case of performing backup based on a preset backup frequency has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each time image data is stored in the storage unit 21 of the MFP 1, it may be backed up in the external storage device 3. Further, the backup may be executed according to a backup instruction received by the operation unit 18 or the operation panel 19 or a backup instruction received by the communication unit 20 from an external device such as the client PC 4, 4,.

Embodiment 2
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram according to the second embodiment. The control unit 10 of the image processing apparatus 1 includes an erasing unit 105 that erases the backed up image data from the storage unit 21. The second embodiment is configured to leave the image data backed up in the external storage device 3 in the storage unit 21 in the first embodiment, whereas the backup image data is deleted from the storage unit 21. It is. The function of the erasing unit 105 is configured to be realized based on a program executed by the control unit 10. Here, the backup procedure will be described.

  When image data is stored in the storage unit 21, the MFP 1 encrypts all image data and management information stored in the storage unit 21, transmits them to the external storage device 3, and backs up the image data. The external storage device 3 stores the transmitted image data in the storage unit 33 and rewrites the management information stored in the storage unit 33 by using the transmitted management information, so that all image data and management information are rewritten. Is backed up. The MFP 1 deletes all the backed up image data from the storage unit 21. Here, when the MFP 1 receives a transmission request for image data from the client PCs 4, 4,..., The procedure and the process for receiving the browsing request are the same as those described in the first embodiment and the flowchart shown in FIG. Since there is, description is abbreviate | omitted. Next, a procedure for the MFP 1 to accept a transmission request and read out image data will be described.

  When receiving an image data transmission request from the client PCs 4, 4,..., The MFP 1 requests the external storage device 3 to transmit the image data requested by the transmission request. In response to the request, the MFP 1 decodes and reads out the image data transmitted from the external storage device 3 and restores it to the storage unit 21. The MFP 1 transmits the image data requested by the transmission request to the client PCs 4, 4,... That have transmitted the transmission request. When the MFP 1 receives a browsing end signal indicating that the user has finished browsing the image data list from the client PCs 4, 4..., The MFP 1 deletes the restored image data in the storage unit 21.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a backup processing procedure according to the second embodiment. The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 determines whether there is image data stored in the storage unit 21 (step S71). When it is determined that there is stored image data (YES in step S71), the control unit 10 encrypts the stored image data using a preset key (step S72). The control unit 10 transmits the encrypted image data to the external storage device 3 (step S73). The control unit 30 of the external storage device 3 receives the transmitted image data (step S74). The control unit 30 stores the received image data in the storage unit 33 (step S75). The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 encrypts the management information stored in the storage unit 21 using a preset key (step S76).

  The control unit 10 transmits the encrypted management information to the external storage device 3 (step S77). The control unit 30 of the external storage device 3 receives the management information transmitted from the MFP 1 (step S78). The control unit 30 rewrites the management information stored in the storage unit 33 using the received management information (step S79). The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 deletes the backed up image data from the storage unit 21 (step S80), and ends the backup process. In addition, when it is determined in step S71 that determines whether there is image data stored in the storage unit 21 or not (NO in step S71), the control unit 10 performs backup processing. Exit.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the reading process according to the second embodiment. The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 determines whether or not a transmission request is received from the client PCs 4, 4,... (Step S91). If it is determined that the transmission request has been received (YES in step S91), the control unit 10 transmits a data request for requesting image data related to the transmission request to the external storage device 3 (step S92). The control unit 30 of the external storage device 3 receives the data request transmitted from the MFP 1 (step S93). The control unit 30 reads the image data requested by the data request from the storage unit 33 and transmits it to the MFP 1 (step S94). The control unit 10 of the MFP 1 receives the image data transmitted from the external storage device 3 (step S95).

  The control unit 10 decrypts the received image data using a preset key (step S96). The control unit 10 restores the decoded image data to the storage unit 21 (step S97). The control unit 10 transmits the restored image data to the client PCs 4, 4,... (Step S98). The control unit 10 receives the browsing end signal transmitted when the client PCs 4, 4,... Finish browsing, and determines whether or not the client PCs 4, 4,. ). When it is determined that the client PCs 4, 4,... Have not finished browsing (NO in step S99), the control unit 10 performs a process in step S91 that determines whether a transmission request has been received from the client PCs 4, 4,. To return.

  When it is determined in step S91 that determines whether or not a transmission request has been received from the client PCs 4, 4,..., The control unit 10 determines that no transmission request has been received (NO in step S91), the client PCs 4, 4,. The process proceeds to step S99 for determining whether or not browsing has ended. When it is determined that the client PCs 4, 4,... Have finished browsing (YES in step S99), the control unit 10 deletes the restored image data from the storage unit 21 (step S100), and ends the reading process.

  In the second embodiment, the image data stored in the storage unit 21 is deleted after the backup, so that the free space of the storage unit 21 is insufficient and the image data acquired by the MFP 1 cannot be stored. The situation is avoided. Further, since the MFP 1 accepts browsing requests and transmission requests from the client PCs 4, 4,..., The user operating the client PCs 4, 4, etc. is conscious of whether image data has been transferred to the external storage device 3. There is no need to do.

  The second embodiment is configured as described above, and the other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and processing names, and detailed description thereof is 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 the MFP and the external storage device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of backup processing according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a browsing request reception process according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of read processing according to the first embodiment. 6 is a functional block diagram according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of backup processing according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of read processing according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image processing device (MFP)
3 External storage device 4 Client PC
5 MFP
6 Facsimile device 10 Control unit 10a 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 Storage part 22 Clock part 23 Acquisition part 24 Reception part 25 Transmission part 30 Control part 30a Bus 31 RAM
32 ROM
33 storage unit 34 communication unit 101 backup unit 102 reading unit 103 authentication unit 104 determination unit 105 deletion unit

Claims (8)

An acquisition unit for acquiring image data;
A storage unit for storing image data acquired by the acquisition unit;
A backup unit that backs up image data stored in the storage unit to a predetermined external device;
A receiving unit that receives a transmission request for requesting at least one of the image data acquired by the acquiring unit;
A reading unit that reads out image data requested by a transmission request received by the receiving unit from the predetermined external device;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits image data read by the reading unit to a request source in response to the transmission request. A determination unit that determines whether image data requested by the transmission request received by the reception unit is stored in the storage unit;
The reading unit
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is read from the predetermined external device when the determination unit determines that the image data is not stored. The backup unit is configured to back up management information including a list of image data acquired by the acquisition unit to a predetermined external device,
The reading unit is configured to read the management information from the predetermined external device,
The said reception part is comprised so that the transmission request | requirement which requests | requires at least 1 image data among the image data contained in the management information read by the said read-out part may be received. An image processing apparatus according to 1.   The said backup part is comprised so that image data which is not contained in the management information which the said read-out part read out among the image data memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part may be backed up. Image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing unit that erases image data backed up by the backup unit from the storage unit. The backup unit
The image data is encrypted and backed up,
The reading unit
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the image data backed up by the backup unit is decrypted and read out. An authentication unit for authenticating the transmission request;
The reading unit
When the authentication unit authenticates the transmission request, the image data requested by the transmission request is read from the predetermined external device,
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the authentication unit does not authenticate the transmission request, the image data requested by the transmission request is not read from the predetermined external device. 8. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above. It is composed of an image processing device and a storage device that are communicably connected,
The image processing apparatus includes:
An acquisition unit for acquiring image data;
A first storage unit for storing image data acquired by the acquisition unit;
A backup unit that backs up image data stored in the first storage unit to the storage device;
A receiving unit that receives a transmission request for requesting at least one of the image data acquired by the acquiring unit;
A reading unit that reads out from the storage device the image data requested by the transmission request received by the receiving unit;
A transmission unit that transmits image data read by the reading unit to a request source in response to the transmission request,
The storage device
An image processing system comprising: a second storage unit that stores image data to be backed up by the image processing apparatus.

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