JP2015207102A - Information processing device, program, and file taking-in method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device capable of switching a removable storage device connected to the own device and having a wireless communication function between a state used as a wireless interface and a state used as a storage medium according to the situation, its program, and a file taking-in method.SOLUTION: The information processing device having a connection unit capable of connecting with wire to the removable storage device having the wireless communication function monitors whether a new file is written from the outside with wireless communication to the removable storage device having the wireless communication function and connected the connection unit. When the new file is written to the removable storage device, the information processing device copies the file to its own storage section, determines whether to execute a first control for deleting the file in the removable storage device, and when it is determined to execute the first control, executes the first control.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus to which a removable storage device having a wireless LAN function is mounted, a program thereof, and a file capturing method.

  January 2012 SD Association, the SD Card (SD Memory Card) standardization organization, announced the creation of a Wireless LAN SD standard with a built-in wireless LAN (Local Area Network) connection function. As a result, when an SD card compliant with this standard (hereinafter referred to as a wireless SD card) is used, the wireless SD card itself has a wireless communication function even if the device in which the wireless SD card is mounted does not have a wireless communication function. Because it has a built-in card, the contents of the wireless SD card can be read and written by wireless communication from a portable terminal or the like. The wireless SD card is a storage device that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body (removable).

  Usually, a wireless SD card is used to acquire an image taken with a digital camera or the like with a portable terminal. That is, an image obtained by photographing with a digital camera is stored in a wireless SD card attached to the digital camera, and a portable terminal reads the image stored in the wireless SD card by wireless communication.

  However, conversely, a method of using (writing) a file by wireless communication from a portable terminal to a wireless SD card is also possible. In Patent Document 1, when a wireless SD card is attached to an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a file is stored in the wireless SD card by wireless communication from a portable terminal, and the file in the wireless SD card is read by a panel operation of the MFP. A method for printing is described (see Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 2 describes a method in which when a digital camera is set in a cradle, the cradle automatically moves data in the digital camera to a storage medium of the own device (see Patent Document 2). In Patent Document 2, data in the digital camera is deleted during the movement.

JP 2011-034551A JP 2002-209175 A

  Since the wireless SD card has a wireless communication function, if the wireless SD card can also be used as a wireless interface, for example, it is convenient for a device that does not have a wireless communication function, particularly as a wireless SD card (one storage medium). If it is possible to switch between use and use as a wireless interface according to the situation, the convenience is further enhanced.

  However, in Patent Document 1, the wireless SD card is used as one storage medium like a normal SD card. In other words, even if a new file is written from the outside by wireless communication, this file is only stored in the wireless SD card, and in order for the MFP to read the file, an instruction and operation for reading the file are separately required. become.

  In Patent Document 2, the cradle automatically reads data in the digital camera. However, since the cradle of Patent Document 2 reads only when the cradle is attached to the cradle, even if a new file is written to the wireless SD card in the digital camera by wireless communication after the attachment, the file is automatically read. Never read.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, depending on whether a removable storage device having a wireless communication function connected to its own device is used as a wireless interface or a single storage medium. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can be switched in accordance with the information processing apparatus, its program, and a file capturing method.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A connection unit that can be connected to a removable storage device having a wireless communication function by wire,
A monitoring unit that monitors whether a new file has been written from the outside by wireless communication to the removable storage device connected to the connection unit;
A storage unit;
Whether to execute a first control for copying the file to the storage unit and deleting the file in the removable storage device when the monitoring detects that a new file has been written to the removable storage device A control unit that executes the first control when it is determined whether to execute the first control;
An information processing apparatus comprising:

  In the above invention, it is monitored whether or not a new file has been written from the outside by wireless communication in a removable storage device having a wireless communication function connected to the own device. When a new file is written, it is determined whether or not to execute the first control for copying the file to the storage unit of the own device and deleting the file in the removable storage device. When it is determined that one control is to be executed, the first control is executed. Since it is determined whether or not the first control is executed when a new file is written, switching between using the removable storage device as a wireless interface or a storage medium can be performed according to the situation. it can.

  Further, when executing the first control, the new file written in the removable storage device by wireless communication is immediately copied and the new file in the removable storage device is deleted. The security of a new file written in is easily ensured without providing a password or the like.

[2] When the control unit determines not to execute the first control, the control unit determines whether to copy the file in the removable storage device to the storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to [1], wherein the file is copied.

  In the above invention, when the first control is not executed, it is determined whether or not the file newly written in the removable storage device by wireless communication is copied to the storage unit of the own device. Duplicate the file. Thereby, in combination with the first control, three types of operations of selectively deleting a new file, holding a new file, holding a new file and creating a copy in the information processing apparatus are selectively performed. Can be done. When a new file is held and a copy is created in the information processing apparatus, the trouble of reading the file from the removable storage device can be omitted.

[3] A setting unit that receives a setting as to whether or not to execute the first control is further provided,
The information processing apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the control unit determines whether or not to execute the first control based on the setting.

  In the said invention, the setting of whether to perform 1st control is received beforehand, and it is judged whether 1st control is performed based on the setting. For example, when the setting for executing the first control is received, it is determined that the first control is executed.

[4] The control unit determines that the first control is to be executed when the extension of the file is a predetermined extension. Any one of [1] to [3] The information processing apparatus described in 1.

  In the above invention, it is determined that the first control is executed when the extension of the file newly written to the removable storage device by wireless communication is a predetermined extension. The predetermined extension corresponds to a printable file such as an image file or a document file such as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file.

[5] The control unit according to [1] to [4], wherein the control unit determines to execute the first control when the file includes an instruction to execute the first control. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.

  In the above invention, when the file newly written in the removable storage device by wireless communication includes an instruction to execute the first control, it is determined that the first control is executed.

[6] The monitoring unit performs the monitoring by periodically checking whether or not a new file has been written from outside by wireless communication in the removable storage device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of [5].

  In the above invention, whether or not a new file has been written to the removable storage device is monitored by periodically checking whether or not a new file has been written to the removable storage device from the outside.

[7] The monitoring unit detects that the writing of the file to the removable storage device is completed,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the control unit executes the first control when the monitoring unit detects completion of the writing.

  In the above invention, when it is detected that writing of a new file to the removable storage device by wireless communication is completed, the first control is executed when it is detected that the writing is completed.

[8] The control unit executes the first control so as to start copying the written part of the file being written to the removable storage device, and sequentially delete the part that has been copied. The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [6].

  In the above-described invention, the first control is executed so as to start copying the written part of the file being written to the removable storage device, and sequentially delete the part that has been copied. As a result, the data written in the removable storage device is immediately copied and deleted, so that the period in which the file exists in the removable storage device is reduced, and the first control is performed after all the data has been written. Security is improved compared to execution.

[9] The information processing apparatus according to [8], wherein in the first control, predetermined data is overwritten on a portion of the file being written that has been copied.

  In the above-described invention, the portion that has been duplicated in the first control is deleted by overwriting predetermined data. As the predetermined data, for example, appropriate data such as 0 data or random data may be used.

[10] The apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether the removable storage device connected to the connection unit has a wireless communication function,
The monitoring unit performs the monitoring when the determination unit determines that the removable storage device connected to the connection unit has a wireless communication function [1] to [9] ] The information processing apparatus as described in any one of.

  In the above invention, it is determined whether or not the removable storage device connected to the own device has a wireless communication function. Only when it is determined that the removable storage device has a wireless communication function, the removable storage device is newly added to the removable storage device by wireless communication. Monitor whether or not a correct file has been written. Therefore, when it is determined that the wireless communication function is not provided, the monitoring process is not performed wastefully.

[11] An information processing apparatus having a connection unit that can be wired and connected to a removable storage device having a wireless communication function,
A program that functions as the information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [10].

[12] An information processing apparatus having a connection unit that can be connected by wire to a removable storage device having a wireless communication function writes a new file from the outside to the removable storage device connected to the connection unit by wireless communication A monitoring step for monitoring whether or not
When the monitoring detects that a new file has been written to the removable storage device, the information processing device copies the new file to the storage unit of the device and the file in the removable storage device. Determining whether to execute the first control to delete the file, and executing the first control when it is determined to execute the first control;
A file import method characterized by comprising:

[13]
In the file capturing step, if it is determined not to execute the first control, the file in the removable storage device is determined to be copied to the storage unit, and if it is determined to be copied, The file capturing method according to [12], wherein the file is duplicated.

[14] A setting step of accepting a setting as to whether or not to execute the first control is further provided,
In the file capturing step, it is determined whether or not to execute the first control based on the setting. The file capturing method according to [12] or [13].

[15] In any one of [12] to [14], in the file capturing step, it is determined that the first control is executed when the extension of the file is a predetermined extension. File import method described in 1.

[16] In the file fetching step, it is determined that the first control is executed when the file includes an instruction to execute the first control. [12] to [15] The file capturing method according to any one of the above.

[17] In the monitoring step, the monitoring is performed by periodically confirming whether a new file has been written to the removable storage device from outside by wireless communication. 16] The file capturing method according to any one of [16].

[18] In the monitoring step, it is detected that the writing of the file to the removable storage device is completed,
The file capturing method according to any one of [12] to [17], wherein in the file capturing step, the first control is executed when the completion of the writing is detected.

[19] In the file fetching step, for the file being written to the removable storage device, copying of the written part is started, and the first control is executed so as to sequentially delete the part where the copying has been completed. The file capturing method according to any one of [12] to [17].

[20] The file capturing method according to [19], wherein in the first control, predetermined data is overwritten on a portion of the file being written that has been copied.

[21] The information processing apparatus further includes a determination step of determining whether or not the removable storage device connected to the connection unit has a wireless communication function,
In the monitoring step, the monitoring is performed when it is determined in the determination step that the removable storage device connected to the connection unit has a wireless communication function [12] to [ 20]. The file capturing method according to any one of [20].

  According to the information processing apparatus, the program thereof, and the file import method according to the present invention, whether the removable storage device having the wireless communication function connected to the own device is used as a wireless interface or a storage medium Can be switched according to

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing system including an image forming apparatus, a wireless SD card, and a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless SD card according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a portable terminal, when establishing wireless communication between a portable terminal and a wireless SD card. It is a figure which shows a mode that the file transmitted to a wireless SD card is selected with a portable terminal. It is a figure which shows a mode that an image forming apparatus performs 1st control. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the storage area in an image forming apparatus and a wireless SD card until writing of a new file and 1st control are started. It is a figure which shows the storage area in an image forming apparatus and a wireless SD card in the case of executing the first control while writing a new file. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a storage area in an image forming apparatus and a wireless SD card when writing of a new file is completed. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the image forming apparatus in the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 that functions as an information processing apparatus according to the present invention, a wireless SD card 60 that functions as a removable storage device connected to the image forming apparatus 10 by wire, and a wireless SD card 60. 2 shows a configuration example of a printing system 5 including a mobile terminal 40 that functions as an external terminal that performs wireless communication.

  The wireless SD card 60 is a portable storage device that can be carried around. The wireless SD card 60 includes a wired I / F (interface) unit 64 for accessing the storage unit 62 (see FIG. 3) of the device itself via wired communication, and the storage unit 62. And a wireless I / F unit 63 for accessing by wireless communication. The wireless SD card 60 is a connector of the wired I / F unit 64 and is detachably wired to the external memory connection unit 21 (see FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The wireless SD card 60 can be wirelessly connected to the portable terminal 40 by wireless communication such as wireless LAN using the wireless I / F unit 63. Devices connected to the wireless SD card 60 by wire or wireless, such as the image forming apparatus 10 and the portable terminal 40, can access the storage unit 62.

  The portable terminal 40 is an information processing terminal that can be carried around. The portable terminal 40 reads / writes data by accessing the wireless SD card 60 by wireless communication in accordance with an instruction received from the user.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is a copy job that optically reads a document and prints a duplicate image on a recording sheet, a scan job that saves the image data of the read document as a file, or sends it to an external device, a PC This is a so-called multi-function machine having a function of executing a job such as a print job (print job) for printing an image relating to data sent from the printer on a recording sheet. In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 reads data in the wireless SD card 60 wired to the external memory connection unit 21 (see FIG. 2) and executes printing based on the data, Image data obtained by a scan job can be stored in the wireless SD card 60.

  For example, in the printing system 5, data such as an image file is transmitted from the portable terminal 40 to the wireless SD card 60 and stored, and the image forming apparatus 10 reads the stored data from the wireless SD card 60 and prints it. be able to.

  The image forming apparatus 10 monitors whether or not a new file has been written by wireless communication from the external terminal (the portable terminal 40 in the embodiment) to the wireless SD card 60 wired to the external memory connection unit 21. . Hereinafter, a new file written to the wireless SD card 60 by wireless communication is referred to as a new file.

  When a new file is written in the wireless SD card 60, the image forming apparatus 10 copies the new file to the hard disk device 15 (see FIG. 2) of its own device and deletes the new file in the wireless SD card 60. It is determined whether or not to execute the first control, and the first control is executed when it is determined that the first control is to be executed.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 executes the first control, the new file written in the wireless SD card 60 is automatically transferred to the image forming apparatus 10 (duplicated and deleted from the wireless SD card 60). The wireless SD card 60 functions as a wireless interface. When the first control is not executed, the new file written in the wireless SD card 60 is held in the wireless SD card 60, so that the wireless SD card 60 functions as a storage medium. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 can switch whether to use the wireless SD card 60 connected to the apparatus as a wireless interface or as a storage medium depending on the situation. The convenience of the user is improved as compared with a device that does not perform the operation.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The CPU 11 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, a hard disk device 15, an image processing unit 16, a scanner unit 17, a printer unit 18, and a facsimile via a bus. A communication unit 19, a network communication unit 20, an external memory connection unit 21, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22, an authentication unit 23, and an operation panel 30 are provided.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, and executes middleware, application programs, and the like. The CPU 11 also functions as a control unit that controls the display content of the operation panel 30.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by the CPU 11 executing various processes according to these programs. The ROM 12 stores a program for the CPU 11 to execute a series of controls of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes processing based on a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information.

  The hard disk device 15 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores an OS program, various application programs, user information, print data, image data, job history, and the like.

  The image processing unit 16 performs processing such as image enlargement / reduction, rotation, rasterization processing for converting print data into image data, image data compression / decompression processing, and the like. In the embodiment of the present invention, a thumbnail image or the like is generated based on data stored in the wireless SD card 60.

  The scanner unit 17 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The scanner unit 17 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light to a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a reading position in line units in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a moving unit, a lens or a mirror that guides the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor and forms an image, a conversion unit that converts the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is configured with.

  The printer unit 18 has a function of forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. Other methods may be used for image formation.

  The facsimile communication unit 19 performs a function of transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external apparatus having a facsimile function through a public line.

  The network communication unit 20 performs a function of communicating data with an external device through a network such as a LAN.

  The ADF 22 functions as an automatic document feeder that continuously feeds a plurality of documents to the document table of the scanner unit 17 when reading an image. It is possible to set about 30 originals at a time, and it is possible to save the trouble of setting the original on the original table each time the original is read.

  The external memory connection unit 21 is an I / F for connecting the wireless SD card 60 to the image forming apparatus 10 by wire, and includes a connector for connection. In the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 11 determines whether the removable storage medium connected to the external memory connection unit 21 is a wireless SD card 60 having a wireless communication function or a normal SD card having no wireless communication function. Judgment.

  The authentication unit 23 has a function of performing user authentication. Specifically, user authentication is performed when a user logs in, and a login user is specified. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that login is required to use the image forming apparatus 10 and user authentication is always performed before use. The user authentication method may be any suitable method such as user ID (Identification) and password authentication or fingerprint authentication.

  The operation panel 30 includes a display unit 31 and an operation unit 32. The operation unit 32 includes a switch unit 33 such as a start button and a return button, and a touch panel unit 34. The display unit 31 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 performs control of display contents displayed on the operation panel 30 and control related to reception of operations by the operation panel 30.

  The touch panel unit 34 is provided on the display unit 31. The touch panel unit 34 detects a touch position (coordinate position) on the display unit 31 pressed with a touch pen or a finger. The CPU 11 recognizes a flick operation, a drag operation, and the like from the continuously detected touch position change (operation information).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the wireless SD card 60. The wireless SD card 60 includes a control unit 61, a storage unit 62, a wireless I / F unit 63, and a wired I / F unit 64.

  The control unit 61 performs overall control of the operation of the wireless SD card 60. The control unit 61 is configured by a CPU, a Flash ROM, which is a memory whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off. Then, each function of the wireless SD card 60 is realized by the CPU executing processing according to the program stored in the Flash ROM.

  The storage unit 62 is a memory (FlashROM) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is connected to the storage area of the storage unit 62 using the wireless I / F unit 63 or the wired I / F unit 64. Data read / written from the devices to be read / written (the portable terminal 40 and the image forming apparatus 10) is stored.

  The wireless I / F unit 63 performs a function of communicating with an external terminal such as the portable terminal 40 through a network such as a wireless LAN. The wired I / F unit 64 is an I / F for connecting an external device such as the image forming apparatus 10 to the storage unit 62 by wired communication so as to be accessible by wired communication, and includes a connector for connection.

  Next, a procedure for the mobile terminal 40 to write a new file to the wireless SD card 60 will be described. FIG. 4 shows a screen displayed on the display unit 51 of the portable terminal 40 when the portable terminal 40 and the wireless SD card 60 are connected by wireless communication.

  First, the user attaches the wireless SD card 60 to the image forming apparatus 10. Next, a dedicated application is launched on the portable terminal 40. The mobile terminal 40 that executes the application detects devices capable of wireless communication with the mobile terminal 40 and displays the list 70 on the display unit 51. The user selects the wireless SD card 60 as a connection destination from the list 70 (S1).

  When the connection destination is selected, the portable terminal 40 displays the password input screen 71 and accepts the password input (S2). When a preset password is input and authentication with the password is completed, wireless communication is established with the wireless SD card 60 (S3). After the establishment of wireless communication, a screen for selecting a mark 72 indicating that wireless communication has been established or a file to be transmitted to the wireless SD card 60 at a location indicating the wireless SD card 60 in the list 70 described above. A transition button 73 for transitioning to is displayed.

  After establishing wireless communication with the wireless SD card 60, the portable terminal 40 can transmit and write a new file to the wireless SD card 60 by wireless communication.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the mobile terminal 40 writes a new file to the wireless SD card 60 and a screen displayed on the display unit 51 of the mobile terminal 40 when the file to be written is selected. When the transition button 73 is pressed, the portable terminal 40 transitions the screen to the file selection screen 74. On the file selection screen 74, a file that can be transmitted to the wireless SD card and a transmission button 75 are displayed. The user selects a file to be transmitted to the wireless SD card 60 on the file selection screen 74 and presses the transmission button 75. In the example of FIG. 5, the transmission button 75 is pressed with File 2 selected, and the mobile terminal 40 transmits File 2 to the wireless SD card 60. When the image forming apparatus 10 detects that a new file has been written in the wireless SD card 60, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not to execute the first control.

  Next, a case where the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether to execute the first control will be described. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 makes the determination by the following three determination methods.

<Judgment method 1>
Based on the setting of whether to execute the first control, it is determined whether to execute the first control based on the setting. In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 receives the setting on the operation panel 30. For example, when the user sets the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 10 on the operation panel 30 to the first control execution mode in which the first control is executed when a new file is written in the wireless SD card 60. When a new file is written in the wireless SD card 60, the device 10 determines to execute the first control, and executes the first control.

<Judgment method 2>
The extension of the new file written in the wireless SD card 60 is checked, and if the extension is a predetermined extension, it is determined that the first control is to be executed. The predetermined extension may be determined in advance or may be set by the user. In the embodiment of the present invention, the extension of a printable file such as a still image file such as a PDF file or a document file corresponds to the predetermined extension. The determination method 2 and the determination method 1 may be combined. That is, the first control is executed when the setting of the determination method 1 is set to execute the first control and the extension of the new file is a predetermined extension.

<Judgment method 3>
When the instruction to execute the first control is included in the new file, it is determined that the image forming apparatus 10 executes the first control, and the first control is executed. The determination method 3 may be combined with the determination method 1 or the determination method 2, or the determination method 1 and the determination method 2. That is, the first control is executed when the setting of the determination method 1 is set to execute the first control and the new file includes an instruction to execute the first control (determination method). 1 + determination method 3), or the first control is executed when the extension of the new file is a predetermined extension and the new file includes an instruction to execute the first control (determination method 2 + determination method) 3) Alternatively, the setting of the determination method 1 is set to execute the first control, the extension of the new file is a predetermined extension, and the first control is executed on the new file. If the instruction is included, the first control is executed (determination method 1 + determination method 2 + determination method 3).

  When the image forming apparatus 10 determines not to execute the first control, the image forming apparatus 10 further determines whether or not to copy the new file to the hard disk device 15, and performs the copying when it is determined that the new file is to be copied. Also good. When duplication is performed, the new file remains in both the image forming apparatus 10 and the wireless SD card 60. If replication is not performed, the new file remains only on the wireless SD card 60. The determination as to whether or not to perform duplication may be performed by a method according to an instruction received from the user, or may be another method.

  Next, an outline of processing performed when the image forming apparatus 10 performs the first control will be described. FIG. 6 shows how the image forming apparatus 10 executes the first control.

  The image forming apparatus 10 checks the storage area in the wireless SD card 60 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 every predetermined time (performs polling), and monitors whether a new file has been written (S11). ).

  When it is detected that a new file has been written, it is determined whether or not the first control is to be executed. When it is determined that the new control is to be executed, the new file is immediately copied to the hard disk device 15 and a new file in the storage unit 62 is stored. The file is deleted (S12). In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 analyzes the copied file when the new file has been copied. If the file is a printable file, the image forming apparatus 10 performs printing based on the file. .

  When executing the first control, the image forming apparatus 10 immediately copies the new file written in the wireless SD card 60 to the hard disk device 15 and deletes the new file in the storage unit 62. After the completion of the first control, it becomes impossible for an external device (another device) to read a new file written in the wireless SD card 60 by wireless communication. File security is easily secured without providing a password or the like.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether the SD card connected to the external memory connection unit 21 is the wireless SD card 60 or a normal SD card having no wireless communication function. To do. A new file is not written in a normal SD card having no wireless communication function. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 monitors whether or not a new file has been written only when it is determined that the wireless SD card 60 is connected to the external memory connection unit 21.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the communication speed between the devices is as follows.
・ Wireless communication speed of wireless SD card 60 = 1.25MB / S
・ Wireless communication speed of wireless SD card 60 = 10MB / S
-Writing speed to the hard disk device 15 = 43.37 MB / S
The communication speed of wired communication is about 8 times faster than the communication speed of wireless communication of the wireless SD card 60, and the writing speed to the hard disk device 15 is more than that. That is, the time required for copying and deleting a new file in the first control is shorter than the time required for an external device to read a new file from the storage unit 62 by wireless communication (about 1/8). Therefore, once the deletion of the new file is started, it becomes impossible for the external device to read the new file.

  For example, when the image forming apparatus 10 checks a file in the wireless SD card 60 every several milliseconds, the deletion of data is started in addition to the several milliseconds at the longest after the writing of the new file is completed. Until this time, the external device can read the new file. However, at the wireless communication speed (1.25 MB / S) of the wireless SD card 60, the amount of data that can be read within the above-described period (several milliseconds + time until data deletion is started) is small. The reading of the new file by the external device is almost impossible. To give a specific example, the average size of a general image file or document file is about several megabytes, and even a small one may have several hundred kilobytes, but the above-mentioned period was set to 10 milliseconds. In this case, the amount of data that can be read by the external device during that time is 12.5 Kbytes.

  FIG. 7 shows processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10. First, a file in the wireless SD card 60 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 is periodically checked to check whether there is a newly written file (new file) (step S101). If there is no new file (step S102; No), the process returns to step S101 and continues.

  If there is a new file (step S102; Yes), it is determined whether or not to execute the first control (step S103). When it is determined that the first control is not to be executed (step S103; No), this process ends. That is, when the first control is not executed, the new file is left in the wireless SD card 60 as it is.

  If it is determined that the first control is to be executed (step S103; Yes), the new file is read from the wireless SD card 60, copied to the hard disk device 15 of the own device (step S104), and the new file in the storage unit 62 is copied. It deletes (step S105). Here, the data of the new file is overwritten with 0 data and the file management information of the new file is deleted.

  Thereafter, the file copied to the hard disk device 15 is analyzed, and if printing is possible, printing is performed based on the file (step S106), and this processing is terminated.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 monitors whether or not a new file has been written to the wireless SD card 60 that is wired to the external memory connection unit 21. When a new file is written, it is determined whether or not the first control is to be performed. When it is determined that the first control is to be performed, the first control is performed. Since it is determined whether or not to execute the first control, it is possible to switch between using the wireless SD card 60 as a wireless interface or as one storage medium depending on the situation.

  When executing the first control, the new file written in the wireless SD card 60 is immediately copied and the new file in the wireless SD card 60 is deleted. Therefore, the new file written in the wireless SD card 60 is deleted. Security can be easily secured without providing a password or the like.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 performs duplication and deletion (first control) for a new file that has been written to the wireless SD card 60. In the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 performs a new process. A description will be given of a case where, during file writing, in parallel with the writing, copying of the written part is started, and the first control is executed so as to sequentially delete the part where the copying is completed.

  In the second embodiment, the hardware configurations of the image forming apparatus 10 and the wireless SD card 60 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of the same parts will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the second embodiment, an outline of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. The image forming apparatus 10 checks a file in the wireless SD card 60 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 every predetermined time (performs polling), and monitors whether there is a new file being written. After that, if a new file being written is detected, it is determined whether or not to execute the first control. If it is determined to execute, the replication of the written data for the new file is started and the replication is completed. The first control is executed so as to sequentially delete the parts that have been performed.

  Since the written data is quickly copied and deleted while the new file is being written, there is almost no period in which the entire new file exists in the wireless SD card 60 in a complete form. It becomes impossible to read a new file from 60, and the security of the new file written to the wireless SD card 60 can be easily secured without providing a password or the like.

  If the polling cycle is a few milliseconds, the entire new file will be deleted until the end of the period only when the writing of the new file is completed within the period until the deletion of data starts in addition to the few milliseconds. It exists in the wireless SD card 60 in a complete form. However, at the wireless communication speed (1.25 MB / S) of the wireless SD card 60, writing of a new file is rarely completed within the above-described period (several milliseconds + until data deletion is started). It is. To give a specific example, the average size of a general image file or document file is about several megabytes, and even a small one may have several hundred kilobytes, but the above-mentioned period was set to 10 milliseconds. In this case, the amount of data that can be written during that time is 12.5 Kbytes.

  In the first embodiment, the shorter the time until polling is executed after the writing of a new file is completed (the shorter the polling cycle is), the higher the security of the new file is. In the embodiment, since the first control is started as soon as a new file being written is detected, the security of the new file is ensured if the polling cycles overlap during the writing of the new file. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the polling cycle (predetermined time) can be extended to the time required for writing a new file.

  Next, a case where the first control is performed in parallel with the writing of a new file will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 8 to 10 show how data is rewritten in the hard disk device 15 and the storage unit 62 when the first control is executed in the second embodiment. In the figure, the hard disk device 15 is referred to as an HDD, and the storage unit 62 is referred to as an SD card.

  FIG. 8A shows data in the hard disk device 15 and the storage unit 62 before starting to write a new file. In FIG. 8A, data before writing (denoted as X in the figure) is written in both storage areas. FIG. 8B shows a state in which writing of a new file is started from the mobile terminal 40 by wireless communication. In FIG. 8B, post-write data (indicated as Y in the figure) is written in part of the storage unit 62.

  FIG. 9C shows a state where the post-write data written in the storage unit 62 in FIG. 8B is copied to the hard disk device 15. Writing of new files to the storage unit 62 is continuously performed, and data after writing is increased as compared with the case of FIG.

  FIG. 9D shows a state where copied data is deleted from the storage unit 62. The zero data is overwritten at the place where the data copied from the hard disk device 15 in the storage unit 62 exists. Writing of new files to the storage unit 62 is continuously performed, and the overwriting and the writing are performed in parallel.

  FIG. 10E shows how data that has not been replicated in the new file is copied to the hard disk device 15 after the writing of the new file to the storage unit 62 is completed.

  FIG. 10F shows a state in which data that has been copied and has not yet been deleted is deleted after the data has been copied to the hard disk device 15. When all the portions where the new file has been written in the storage unit 62 are overwritten with 0 data, the image forming apparatus 10 completes the execution of the first control.

  FIG. 11 shows processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10 in the second embodiment. First, a file in the wireless SD card 60 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 is periodically checked to check whether there is a file being written (step S201). If there is no file being written (step S202; No), the process returns to step S101 and continues.

  If there is a file being written (step S202; Yes), it is determined whether or not to execute the first control (step S203). When it is determined that the first control is not to be executed (step S203; No), this process ends. That is, when the first control is not executed, the file written in the wireless SD card 60 is left as it is.

  If it is determined that the first control is to be executed (step S203; Yes), the data of the file being written is read from the wireless SD card 60 and copied to the hard disk device 15 (step S204). Data such as “0” is overwritten and deleted from the wireless SD card 60 (step S205). Until all the data of the file being written is copied (step S206; No), the process returns to step S204 and continues.

  When copying and deletion of all data in the file being written is completed (step S206; Yes), this file is deleted from the wireless SD card 60 (step S207). Here, the file information of the file for which all data has been copied and deleted is deleted from the file management information of the wireless SD card 60. Thereafter, a file composed of the replicated data is analyzed, and if printing is possible, printing is performed based on the file (step S208), and this process ends.

  In step S202, when a new new file that has already been written is detected instead of the file being written, the processing from step S203 is performed on the new file.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 monitors whether or not there is a new file being written to the wireless SD card 60 that is wired to the external memory connection unit 21. When there is a new file being written, it is determined whether or not the first control is to be performed, and when it is determined that the first control is to be executed, the first control is executed.

  In the second embodiment, in parallel with the writing of the new file, replication of the written part is started, and the first control is executed so as to sequentially delete the part that has been copied. As a result, there is almost no period in which the entire new file exists in the wireless SD card 60 in a complete form, and it is impossible for an external device to read the new file written in the wireless SD card 60 by wireless communication. Become. Therefore, the security of a new file written to the wireless SD card 60 can be easily ensured without providing a password or the like.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the wireless SD card 60 has been described as an example of the removable storage device, but a removable storage device other than the SD card may be used. For example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory having a wireless communication function may be used.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, when data in the wireless SD card 60 is deleted in the first control, 0 data is overwritten on the data, but other data may be overwritten. For example, random data or the like may be overwritten.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 has been described as an example. However, in the present invention, the information processing apparatus alone, which functions as the image forming apparatus 10, and the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment are used. 10 includes a program that functions as 10 and a file import method.

5 ... Printing system 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Nonvolatile memory 15 ... Hard disk device 16 ... Image processing part 17 ... Scanner part 18 ... Printer part 19 ... Facsimile communication part 20 ... Network communication part 21 ... External memory connection part 22 ... ADF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 ... Authentication part 30 ... Operation panel 31 ... Display part 32 ... Operation part 33 ... Switch part 34 ... Touch panel part 40 ... Portable terminal 51 ... Display part 60 ... Wireless SD card 61 ... Control part 62 ... Memory | storage part 63 ... Wireless I / F part 64 ... Wired I / F part 70 ... List 71 ... Password input screen 72 ... Mark 73 ... Transition button 74 ... File selection screen 75 ... Send button

Claims (21)

A connection unit that can be wired and connected to a removable storage device having a wireless communication function;
A monitoring unit that monitors whether a new file has been written from the outside by wireless communication to the removable storage device connected to the connection unit;
A storage unit;
Whether to execute a first control for copying the file to the storage unit and deleting the file in the removable storage device when the monitoring detects that a new file has been written to the removable storage device A control unit that executes the first control when it is determined whether to execute the first control;
An information processing apparatus comprising: When the control unit determines not to execute the first control, the control unit determines whether to copy the file in the removable storage device to the storage unit. When the control unit determines to copy, the file is copied. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A setting unit for receiving a setting as to whether or not to execute the first control;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether to execute the first control based on the setting. The information processing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit determines to execute the first control when an extension of the file is a predetermined extension. apparatus. 5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines to execute the first control when the file includes an instruction to execute the first control. 6. The information processing apparatus described. The monitoring unit performs the monitoring by periodically checking whether or not a new file has been written to the removable storage device from outside by wireless communication. The information processing apparatus according to one. The monitoring unit detects that the writing of the file to the removable storage device is completed,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the first control when the monitoring unit detects completion of the writing. The control unit executes the first control so as to start duplicating a written part of the file being written to the removable storage device, and sequentially delete the part in which the duplication is completed. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein in the first control, predetermined data is overwritten on a portion of the file being written that has been copied. A determination unit for determining whether the removable storage device connected to the connection unit has a wireless communication function;
The monitoring unit performs the monitoring when the determination unit determines that the removable storage device connected to the connection unit has a wireless communication function. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above. An information processing apparatus having a connection unit that can be connected to a removable storage device having a wireless communication function by wire,
A program that functions as the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Whether an information processing apparatus having a connection unit that can be connected to a removable storage device having a wireless communication function by wire has been written to the removable storage device connected to the connection unit from outside by wireless communication A monitoring step for monitoring
When the monitoring detects that a new file has been written to the removable storage device, the information processing device copies the new file to the storage unit of the device and the file in the removable storage device. Determining whether to execute the first control to delete the file, and executing the first control when it is determined to execute the first control;
A file import method characterized by comprising: In the file capturing step, if it is determined not to execute the first control, the file in the removable storage device is determined to be copied to the storage unit, and if it is determined to be copied, The file capturing method according to claim 12, wherein the file is duplicated. A setting step of receiving a setting as to whether or not to execute the first control;
The file capturing method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein in the file capturing step, it is determined whether to execute the first control based on the setting. The file according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein in the file fetching step, it is determined that the first control is executed when an extension of the file is a predetermined extension. Capture method. 16. The file importing step according to claim 12, wherein when the file includes an instruction to execute the first control, it is determined that the first control is to be executed. File import method described in. The monitoring is performed by periodically checking whether or not a new file has been written from the outside by wireless communication in the removable storage device. The file capturing method according to claim 1. In the monitoring step, it is detected that the writing of the file to the removable storage device is completed,
The file capturing method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein, in the file capturing step, the first control is executed when the completion of the writing is detected. In the file capturing step, for the file being written to the removable storage device, replication of the written part is started, and the first control is executed so as to sequentially delete the part where the replication has been completed. The file capturing method according to any one of claims 12 to 17. The file capturing method according to claim 19, wherein, in the first control, predetermined data is overwritten on a portion of the file being written that has been copied. The information processing apparatus further includes a determination step of determining whether or not the removable storage device connected to the connection unit has a wireless communication function,
21. The monitoring step includes performing the monitoring when it is determined in the determination step that the removable storage device connected to the connection unit has a wireless communication function. The file capturing method according to any one of the above.

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