JP2017076214A - Electronic apparatus, backup destination determination program, and backup program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus, backup destination determination program, and backup program that are capable of appropriately executing data backup.SOLUTION: An MFP capable of executing an application that executes data backup simultaneously with storing data determines a backup destination where data is backed up from among a plurality of storage destinations which include high-speed storage destinations for which an access speed is equal to or higher than a specific speed and low-speed storage destinations for which an access speed is lower than the specific speed; and when the determined backup destination is a low-speed storage destination (YES in S136) and when the data size of data to be backed up in response to a backup request from the application is equal to or larger than a specific size (YES in S137), compresses the data (S138) and backs it up to the low-speed storage destination (S139).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that also performs data backup when storing data, a backup destination determination program, and a backup program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic devices that store backup data in a backup memory are known as electronic devices that also perform data backup when storing data (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-079138 A

  However, in conventional electronic devices, when the backup memory capacity is small, for example, when an application that requires data backup is newly added, the data backup is executed properly due to the lack of backup memory capacity. There is a problem that it is not.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an electronic device, a backup destination determination program, and a backup program that can appropriately perform data backup.

  The electronic device of the present invention is an electronic device capable of executing an application that also executes backup of the data when storing the data, and determines a backup destination from which the data is backed up from a plurality of storage destinations A backup data management unit that backs up the data in response to the backup request from the application to the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination unit, and the plurality of storage destinations include: A high-speed storage destination whose access speed is equal to or higher than a specific speed, and a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is less than the specific speed, wherein the backup data management means is determined by the backup destination determination means If the backup destination is the low-speed storage destination, When the data size of the data to be backed up in response to a request of the backup from the application is not less than a certain size, characterized in that it backed up to the low-speed storage destination by compressing the data.

  With this configuration, the electronic device according to the present invention determines a backup destination from a plurality of storage destinations, so that a sufficient capacity for data backup is ensured compared to a configuration with only one backup destination. can do. Therefore, the electronic device of the present invention can appropriately perform data backup. In addition, when backing up data to a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is less than a specific speed, the electronic device of the present invention compresses the data when the data size of the data to be backed up is greater than a specific size. Since the backup is performed, the low-speed storage destination can be used efficiently.

  In the electronic device of the present invention, the backup destination determination unit determines the high-speed storage destination as the backup destination of the data whose usage frequency is equal to or higher than a specific usage frequency, and the usage frequency is less than the specific usage frequency. The low speed storage destination may be determined as the backup destination of the data.

  With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention determines the backup destination according to the data use frequency and the access speed of the storage destination, so that the efficiency of data backup can be improved.

  In the electronic device of the present invention, the backup destination determination unit executes user authentication before determining the backup destination, and receives a command to determine the backup destination. The backup destination may be determined only when an instruction to determine the backup destination is received.

  With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention determines the backup destination only when receiving a backup destination determination instruction from a specific user among the backup destination determination instructions. The possibility that the backup destination is changed by the user can be reduced.

  Moreover, the electronic device of the present invention may be capable of installing and uninstalling a backup destination determination program that causes the electronic device to function as the backup destination determination means.

  With this configuration, when the backup destination determination program is managed only by a specific user, the electronic device according to the present invention can uncheck the backup destination determination program when the specific user does not want to change the backup destination. Since the backup destination cannot be changed by being installed, the possibility that the backup destination is changed by an unauthorized user can be reduced.

  The backup destination determination program of the present invention is a backup destination determination program executed by an electronic device capable of executing an application that also executes backup of the data when storing the data. The electronic device functions as a backup destination determination unit that determines a plurality of storage destinations, and the electronic device responds to the backup request from the application to the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination unit. Backup data management means for backing up the data, and the plurality of storage destinations include a high-speed storage destination whose access speed is equal to or higher than a specific speed, and a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is lower than the specific speed; Including the backup data The management means, when the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination means is the low-speed storage destination, the data size of the data to be backed up in response to the backup request from the application is greater than a specific size The data is compressed and backed up to the low-speed storage destination.

  With this configuration, the electronic device that executes the backup destination determination program of the present invention determines a backup destination from among a plurality of storage destinations. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which there is only one backup destination, data backup is possible. Sufficient capacity can be secured. Therefore, the electronic device that executes the backup destination determination program of the present invention can appropriately execute data backup. In addition, when the electronic device executing the backup destination determination program of the present invention backs up data to a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is lower than a specific speed, the data size of the data to be backed up is a specific size or more. Since data is compressed and backed up, a low-speed storage destination can be used efficiently. In addition, the backup destination determination program of the present invention is managed by only a specific user, and when the specific user does not want to change the backup destination, the backup destination determination program is uninstalled from the electronic device. Since it is impossible to change the destination, the possibility that the backup destination is changed by an unauthorized user can be reduced.

  The backup program of the present invention is a backup program executed by an electronic device capable of executing an application that also executes backup of the data when storing the data, and the backup destination to which the data is backed up is a plurality of storage destinations And the electronic device as backup data management means for backing up the data in response to the backup request from the application to the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination means The plurality of storage destinations include a high-speed storage destination whose access speed is equal to or higher than a specific speed and a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is less than the specific speed, and the backup data management means The backer When the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination means is the low-speed storage destination, when the data size of the data to be backed up in response to the backup request from the application is equal to or larger than a specific size, the data is The compressed data is backed up to the low-speed storage destination.

  With this configuration, the electronic device that executes the backup program of the present invention determines a backup destination from among a plurality of storage destinations. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which there is only one backup destination, data can be backed up. Sufficient capacity can be secured. Therefore, the electronic device that executes the backup program of the present invention can appropriately execute data backup. In addition, when the electronic device that executes the backup program of the present invention backs up data to a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is less than a specific speed, when the data size of the data to be backed up is a specific size or more, Since data is compressed and backed up, a low-speed storage destination can be used efficiently.

  The electronic device, the backup destination determination program, and the backup program of the present invention can appropriately perform data backup.

1 is a block diagram of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the backup destination setting shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the backup destination determination table shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of functions of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when manually setting a backup destination. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when a backup destination is automatically set. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 during backup.

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

  First, the configuration of an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) as an electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of MFP 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 10 is a display device such as an operation unit 11 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations by a user and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. A display unit 12, a scanner 13 that is a reading device that reads image data from a document, a printer 14 that is a printing device that performs printing on a recording medium such as paper, an external facsimile apparatus and a public telephone line (not shown), and the like A fax communication unit 15 that is a fax device that performs fax communication via a communication line, a network communication unit 16 that is a network communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet, SD card The main memory unit 20 that is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory that stores various data, the sub storage unit 30 that is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory, and the MFP 10 as a whole. And a control unit 40.

  The main storage unit 20 is mounted on, for example, a substrate on which the control unit 40 is mounted (hereinafter referred to as “main substrate”). The sub storage unit 30 is mounted on, for example, a dedicated board (hereinafter referred to as “sub board”) that controls the printer 14. Since the main board and the sub board are important boards of the MFP 10, the main board and the sub board are robustly manufactured and hardly break down. Therefore, the main storage unit 20 and the sub storage unit 30 are unlikely to fail.

  The main storage unit 20 stores a backup program 21 for data backup. The backup program 21 may be installed in the MFP 10 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 10, may be additionally installed in the MFP 10 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or the MFP 10 from the network. It may be additionally installed.

  The backup program 21 includes a backup destination determination program 21a for determining a backup destination where data is backed up. The backup destination determination program 21a can be installed or uninstalled independently of the backup program 21 other than the backup destination determination program 21a.

  The main storage unit 20 can store various types of applications 22 that can be executed by the control unit 40. Each of the applications 22 may be installed in the MFP 10 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 10, may be additionally installed in the MFP 10 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB memory, or additionally installed in the MFP 10 from the network. May be.

  As the application 22, for example, a counter application for managing various counters such as a counter indicating the number of sheets scanned by the scanner 13, a counter indicating the number of sheets printed by the printer 14, and a communication function by the network communication unit 16 are managed. There are a network application, a language application for adding a new language to the MFP 10, and the like. Some applications 22 also perform data backup when data is stored in the main storage unit 20. For example, when the counter application stores data as a counter in the main storage unit 20, the counter application also executes a counter backup. Further, for example, when the network application stores a MAC (Media Access Control) address as data in the main storage unit 20, the network application also performs backup of the MAC address. The language application also performs backup of the language data for display on the display unit 12 when the language data for display on the display unit 12 is stored in the main storage unit 20, for example. Hereinafter, “the application 22 that also performs data backup when data is stored in the main storage unit 20” is referred to as a backup-compatible application.

  The main storage unit 20 can store a backup destination setting 23 indicating a backup destination.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the backup destination setting 23.

  The backup destination setting 23 shown in FIG. 2 indicates the backup destination for each backup-compatible application. For example, in FIG. 2, in the counter application, the sub storage unit 30 is set as a backup destination. In the network application, a server connected to the MFP 10 via the network communication unit 16 is set as a backup destination. In the language application, an SD card connected to the MFP 10 via the SD card reader 17 is set as a backup destination.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main storage unit 20 includes a backup destination setting method 24 indicating whether the backup destination is set manually or automatically, and usage frequency information 25 indicating the data usage frequency for each data. Can be stored.

  The main storage unit 20 can store a backup destination determination table 26 that indicates the correspondence between the data usage frequency and the data backup destination. The backup destination determination table 26 may be stored for each application 22. The backup destination determination table 26 may be stored in the MFP 10 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 10, may be additionally stored in the MFP 10 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB memory, or the MFP 10 from the network. May be additionally stored. The backup destination determination table 26 may be set by at least one of a device administrator who manages the MFP 10 and a service person. Here, the device administrator is a person on the general user side of the MFP 10. The service person is a person on the provider side of the MFP 10.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the backup destination determination table 26.

  The backup destination determination table 26 shown in FIG. 3 shows the correspondence between the data usage frequency and the data backup destination for each backup destination. For example, in FIG. 3, the sub storage unit 30 is determined as a backup destination of data whose usage frequency is a or more. The SD card connected to the MFP 10 via the SD card reader 17 is determined as a backup destination of data whose usage frequency is b or more and less than a. A server connected to the MFP 10 via the network communication unit 16 is determined as a backup destination of data whose usage frequency is c or more and less than b. Here, the sub storage unit 30 has a higher access speed from a backup data management unit 45 (to be described later) than an SD card connected to the MFP 10 via the SD card reader 17. Further, the SD card connected to the MFP 10 via the SD card reader 17 has a higher access speed from the backup data management unit 45 than the server connected to the MFP 10 via the network communication unit 16.

  Note that frequently used data is usually small in data size. For example, data such as the counter described above is often updated frequently, but the data size is small.

  On the other hand, data with low usage frequency usually has a large data size. For example, data such as a certificate used for security related to a network and a template file for printing by a user are not frequently changed after being set once, but the data size is often large.

  The control unit 40 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and various data, and a RAM (Random) as a memory used as a work area of the CPU. Access Memory). The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the main storage unit 20.

  The control unit 40 executes a program stored in the ROM or the main storage unit 20 to execute a user management unit 41 that manages users of the MFP 10 and an application management unit 42 that manages the applications 22 added to the MFP 10. , And functions as system management means 43 for managing the system of the MFP 10. Examples of the types of users managed by the user management unit 41 include general users of the MFP 10, device managers and service persons who manage the MFP 10.

  The control unit 40 executes the backup program 21 stored in the main storage unit 20 to determine a backup destination from a plurality of storage destinations, and a backup destination determination unit 44 determines the backup destination. It functions as backup data management means 45 that backs up data in response to a backup request from a backup-compatible application at the backup destination. In particular, the control unit 40 functions as the backup destination determination unit 44 by executing the backup destination determination program 21 a of the backup program 21.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the MFP 10 when setting the backup destination setting method 24 will be described.

  When the backup destination setting method 24 is designated via the operation unit 11, the system management unit 43 stores the designated backup destination setting method 24 in the main storage unit 20.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 when manually setting the backup destination will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of functions of the MFP 10. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP 10 when manually setting the backup destination.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the user logs in to the backup destination determination unit 44 via the operation unit 11, the backup destination determination unit 44 requests the user management unit 41 to authenticate the user (S101). ). For example, the backup destination determination unit 44 informs the user management unit 41 of user authentication information such as a user name and a password input by the user via the operation unit 11, thereby authenticating the user to the user management unit 41. Request. If the user management unit 41 manages the user associated with the authentication information transmitted from the backup destination determination unit 44, the user management unit 41 permits the user to log in. When permitting the user to log in, the user management unit 41 notifies the backup destination determination unit 44 of the result (S102).

  When the user is permitted to log in as a specific user, that is, a device administrator or a service person, the backup destination determination unit 44 sends the application 22 information managed by the application management unit 42 to the application management unit 42. A request is made (S103). When the information on the application 22 is requested in S103, the application management means 42 notifies the backup destination determination means 44 of only the backup compatible application among the applications 22 managed by the application management means 42 (S104). The backup destination determination unit 44 displays the notified backup compatible application on the display unit 12, and uses the backup compatible application that the user desires to specify the backup destination among the backup compatible applications displayed on the display unit 12. The user is designated via the operation unit 11.

  When a backup-compatible application is specified via the operation unit 11, the backup destination determination unit 44 requests backup destination candidate information from the backup data management unit 45 (S105). Therefore, the backup data management unit 45 confirms the backup destination candidate in the MFP 10 and is connected via the network communication unit 16 to the sub storage unit 30, the SD card 51 connected via the SD card reader 17. The server 52 is notified to the backup destination determination means 44 as a backup destination candidate (S106).

  The backup destination determination unit 44 confirms the backup destination setting method 24 with the system management unit 43 after the processing of S106 (S107). Accordingly, when the backup destination setting method 24 indicates that the backup destination setting is manually executed, the system management means 43 transmits to the backup destination determination means 44 that the backup destination setting is executed manually ( S108). When receiving in S108 that the backup destination setting is manually executed in S108, the backup destination determination unit 44 displays the candidates notified in S106 on the display unit 12, thereby using the candidates displayed on the display unit 12. The user designates a backup destination desired by the user via the operation unit 11.

  When the backup destination is specified via the operation unit 11, the backup destination determination unit 44 specifies the backup compatible application specified via the operation unit 11 immediately before S 105 and the current specification via the operation unit 11. The backup data management means 45 is requested to register with the backup destination (S109). Therefore, the backup data management unit 45 registers the combination of the backup compatible application and the backup destination requested to be registered in S109 in the backup destination setting 23. Here, when the backup compatible application in the combination requested to be registered in S109 is already included in the backup destination setting 23, the backup data managing means 45 is registered in the backup destination setting 23 in association with this backup compatible application. The existing backup destination is overwritten by the backup destination in the combination requested to be registered in S109. When the registration to the backup destination setting 23 is completed, the backup data management unit 45 notifies the backup destination determination unit 44 that the registration to the backup destination setting 23 is completed (S110).

  For example, the device administrator or service person can register the backup destination for the backup compatible application by the process shown in FIG. 5 after activating the installed backup compatible application after installing the backup compatible application in the MFP 10. .

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 when the backup destination is automatically set will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP 10 when the backup destination is automatically set.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the processing of S101 to S107 is the same as the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the system management unit 43 automatically sets the backup destination when the backup destination setting method 24 indicates that the backup destination setting is automatically executed after the process of S107. Is executed to the backup destination determination means 44 (S111).

  When the backup destination determination unit 44 receives in S111 that automatic setting of the backup destination is received in S111, the backup compatible application designated via the operation unit 11 immediately before S105 stores the data stored in the main storage unit 20. The usage status is confirmed with the system management means 43 (S112). Therefore, the system management unit 43 acquires the usage frequency of the data for which the usage status confirmation is requested in S112 from the usage frequency information 25, and transmits the acquired usage frequency to the backup destination determination unit 44 (S113).

  The backup destination determination unit 44 determines a backup destination based on the use frequency transmitted in S113 and the backup destination determination table 26, and the backup compatible application designated via the operation unit 11 immediately before S105. Then, the backup data management unit 45 is requested to register with the backup destination determined this time (S114). Therefore, the backup data management unit 45 registers the combination of the backup compatible application and the backup destination requested to be registered in S114 in the backup destination setting 23. Here, when the backup compatible application in the combination requested to be registered in S114 is already included in the backup destination setting 23, the backup data management means 45 is registered in the backup destination setting 23 in association with this backup compatible application. The existing backup destination is overwritten by the backup destination in the combination requested for registration in S114. When the registration to the backup destination setting 23 is completed, the backup data management unit 45 notifies the backup destination determination unit 44 that the registration to the backup destination setting 23 is completed (S115).

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 during backup will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the backup-compatible application also executes data backup when storing data in the main storage unit 20. Here, the backup compatible application requests the backup data management means 45 for data backup.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 10 during backup.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, when the backup data management means 45 receives a request for data backup from a backup compatible application, the backup data management means 45 sends the requested backup compatible application (hereinafter referred to as “target backup compatible application”). It is determined whether the associated backup destination is set in the backup destination setting 23 (S131).

  When the backup data management unit 45 determines in S131 that the backup destination is set in the backup destination setting 23, the backup destination set in the backup destination setting 23 is set as the target storage destination (S132).

  When the backup data management unit 45 determines in S131 that the backup destination is not set in the backup destination setting 23, the backup data management unit 45 determines whether or not there is an instruction for the backup destination from the target backup compatible application (S133).

  When the backup data management unit 45 determines in S133 that there is an instruction for the backup destination from the target backup compatible application, the backup destination specified by the target backup compatible application is set as the target storage destination (S134).

  When the backup data management unit 45 determines in S133 that there is no backup destination instruction from the target backup compatible application, the backup data management unit 45 sets the standard backup destination, that is, the sub storage unit 30, as the target storage destination (S135).

  When the process of S132, S134, or S135 ends, the backup data management unit 45 determines whether the target storage destination is the server 52 (S136).

  When the backup data management unit 45 determines in S136 that the target storage destination is the server 52, the backup data management unit 45 determines whether or not the data size of the data requested for backup from the target backup compatible application is equal to or larger than a specific size. (S137).

  If the backup data management unit 45 determines in S137 that the data size of the data requested for backup from the target backup compatible application is equal to or larger than the specific size, the backup data management unit 45 compresses the data requested for backup from the target backup compatible application. (S138).

  The backup data management unit 45 determines in S136 that the target storage destination is not the server 52, or determines in S137 that the data size of the data requested for backup from the target backup-compatible application is not equal to or greater than a specific size. Alternatively, when the processing of S138 is executed, the data requested for backup from the target backup compatible application is stored in the target storage destination in association with the MFP 10 and the target backup compatible application, that is, backed up (S139). . Therefore, MFPs other than the MFP 10 cannot use data stored in the target storage destination in association with the MFP 10.

  When the data is compressed in S138, the backup data management unit 45 backs up the data compressed in S138, not the data before compression in S138, in S139.

  When the process of S139 is completed, the backup data management unit 45 ends the operation shown in FIG.

  Note that the backup data management unit 45 sets the target board to be backed up at a specific timing, such as when the MFP 10 is activated or when a backup-compatible application stores data in the main storage unit 20. It is determined whether or not there is a data difference between the main storage unit 20 and the backup destination of the target data. The backup data management unit 45 then backs up the target data when the target data has a difference between the main storage unit 20 of the main board and the backup destination of the target data. By copying the target data that exists only in one of the destinations from one to the other, there is no data difference between the main storage unit 20 of the main board and the backup destination of the target data for the target data. .

  Therefore, the backup data management means 45, for example, if the main board fails, after the failed main board is replaced with a new main board, the target data stored in the backup destination is stored in the main storage unit of the main board. 20 can be reflected. Similarly, when the backup destination storage device fails, the backup data management unit 45 replaces the failed storage device with a new storage device, and then stores the target data stored in the main storage unit 20 of the main board. Can be reflected in a new storage device as a backup destination.

  As described above, the backup destination determination unit 44 of the MFP 10 serves as a backup destination for data whose usage frequency is a or higher, and the access speed from the backup data management unit 45 is faster than that of the SD card 51 and below the sub storage unit 30. Storage destination, for example, the sub storage unit 30 is determined. Further, the backup destination determination unit 44 uses the backup data management unit 45 as a backup destination of data whose usage frequency is not less than b and less than a, and the access speed from the backup data management unit 45 is faster than the server 52 and below the SD card 51 (hereinafter “speed B” The storage destination, for example, the SD card 51 that is less than the speed A is determined. Further, the backup destination determination unit 44 stores, as a backup destination of data whose usage frequency is c or more and less than b, the access speed from the backup data management unit 45 is the speed of the server 52 or less and less than the speed B. First, for example, the server 52 is determined.

  Therefore, since the MFP 10 determines a backup destination from a plurality of storage destinations (S114), it is possible to secure a sufficient capacity for data backup as compared with a configuration having only one backup destination. it can. Therefore, for example, even when a backup-compatible application is newly added, the MFP 10 can appropriately perform data backup.

  When the data is backed up to a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is lower than a specific speed (YES in S136), the MFP 10 determines that the data size of the data to be backed up is a specific size or more (YES in S137). Is compressed (S138) and backed up (S139), so the low-speed storage destination can be used efficiently. In particular, as described above, data with low frequency of use usually has a large data size. Therefore, a low-speed storage destination can be efficiently used by compressing and backing up data.

  When the data is backed up to a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is lower than a specific speed (YES in S136), the MFP 10 determines that the data size of the data to be backed up is a specific size or more (YES in S137). Is compressed (S138) and backed up (S139), so that the backup time to the low-speed storage destination can be prevented from being lengthened by reducing the data size of the data to be backed up.

  Even if the MFP 10 backs up data to a low-speed storage destination where the access speed is less than a specific speed (YES in S136), the MFP 10 still has a data size that is less than a specific size (NO in S137). ), Data compression (S138) is not performed. When the data size of data is small, the effect of data compression is small. Therefore, when the disadvantage of spending data compression time and data decompression time when restoring the data is greater than the advantage of reducing the data size of the data by compressing the data, the MFP 10 It is possible to suppress the compression.

  In this embodiment, when the target storage destination is the server 52 (YES in S136), the MFP 10 compresses the data when the data size of the data to be backed up is equal to or larger than a specific size (YES in S137). (S138). However, the MFP 10 is not limited to the server 52, and when backing up data to a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is less than a specific speed (YES in S136), the data size of the data to be backed up is a specific size or more. When (YES in S137), the data may be compressed (S138). For example, when the target storage destination is the server 52 or the SD card 51, the MFP 10 may compress the data when the data size of the data to be backed up is a specific size or more.

  When there are a plurality of “target storage destinations” for compressing data, the MFP 10 may set “specific size” for each “target storage destination”.

  Since the MFP 10 determines the backup destination according to the data use frequency and the access speed of the storage destination, the efficiency of data backup can be improved.

  The MFP 10 receives a backup destination determination instruction only when a backup destination determination instruction is received by a specific user identified by authentication, for example, a device administrator or a service person. Therefore, the possibility that the backup destination is changed by an unauthorized user such as a general user can be reduced.

  When the backup destination determination program 21a is managed only by a specific user, the MFP 10 uninstalls the backup destination determination program 21a when the specific user does not want to change the backup destination. Since the backup destination cannot be changed, the possibility that the backup destination is changed by an unauthorized user can be reduced.

  The MFP 10 can also register a plurality of backup destinations for each of the target backup compatible applications. When a plurality of backup destinations are registered for each of the target backup compatible applications, the MFP 10 can improve data maintainability by performing mirroring on the registered backup destinations.

  The MFP 10 includes a sub storage unit 30 as an internal backup destination. However, the MFP 10 may include a storage device other than the sub storage unit 30 as an internal backup destination. For example, the MFP 10 may include a built-in HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) as an internal backup destination.

  The MFP 10 includes an SD card 51 that is directly connected to the MFP 10 without going through a network as an external backup destination. However, the MFP 10 may include a storage device other than the SD card as an external backup destination that is directly connected to the MFP 10 without using a network. For example, the MFP 10 includes a USB memory connected to the USB connector of the MFP 10, an external HDD connected to the MFP 10 via a USB cable, and an SSD as an external backup destination that is directly connected to the MFP 10 without using a network. Also good.

  The MFP 10 includes a server 52 connected to the MFP 10 via a network as an external backup destination. However, the MFP 10 may include a storage device other than the server as an external backup destination connected to the MFP 10 via a network. For example, the MFP 10 may include a NAS (Network Attached Storage) as an external backup destination connected to the MFP 10 via a network.

  The backup destination determination program 21a can be installed or uninstalled independently of the backup program 21 other than the backup destination determination program 21a. However, the backup destination determination program 21a may not be installed or uninstalled independently of the backup program 21 other than the backup destination determination program 21a.

  The electronic apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than an MFP such as a printer dedicated machine, a copy dedicated machine, or a FAX dedicated machine, or an image forming apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer). Other electronic devices may be used.

10 MFP (electronic equipment)
21 Backup program 21a Backup destination determination program 22 Application 30 Sub storage unit (backup destination, high-speed storage destination)
44 Backup destination determination means 45 Backup data management means 51 SD card (backup destination, high-speed storage destination, low-speed storage destination)
52 servers (backup destination, low-speed storage destination)

Claims (6)

An electronic device capable of executing an application that also performs backup of the data when storing data,
Backup destination determination means for determining a backup destination from which the data is backed up from a plurality of storage destinations;
Backup data management means for backing up the data in response to the backup request from the application to the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination means;
The plurality of storage destinations include a high-speed storage destination whose access speed is equal to or higher than a specific speed, and a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is lower than the specific speed,
The backup data management means, when the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination means is the low-speed storage destination, the data size of the data to be backed up in response to the backup request from the application is a specific size When the above is true, the electronic apparatus is characterized in that the data is compressed and backed up to the low-speed storage destination.   The backup destination determining means determines the high-speed storage destination as the backup destination of the data whose usage frequency is equal to or higher than a specific usage frequency, and as the backup destination of the data whose usage frequency is less than the specific usage frequency The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the low-speed storage destination is determined.   The backup destination determination means executes user authentication before determining the backup destination, and receives an instruction to determine the backup destination by a specific user when receiving an instruction to determine the backup destination. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the backup destination is determined only when it is received.   4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a backup destination determination program that allows the electronic device to function as the backup destination determination unit can be installed and uninstalled. A backup destination determination program executed by an electronic device capable of executing an application that also executes backup of the data when storing data,
Causing the electronic device to function as a backup destination determination unit that determines a backup destination from which the data is backed up from a plurality of storage destinations;
The electronic device includes backup data management means for backing up the data in response to the backup request from the application to the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination means,
The plurality of storage destinations include a high-speed storage destination whose access speed is equal to or higher than a specific speed, and a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is lower than the specific speed,
The backup data management means, when the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination means is the low-speed storage destination, the data size of the data to be backed up in response to the backup request from the application is a specific size When it is above, the backup destination determination program which compresses the data and backs up to the low-speed storage destination. A backup program executed by an electronic device capable of executing an application that also executes backup of the data when storing data,
Backup destination determining means for determining a backup destination from which the data is backed up from a plurality of storage destinations; and
Causing the electronic device to function as backup data management means for backing up the data in response to the backup request from the application to the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination means;
The plurality of storage destinations include a high-speed storage destination whose access speed is equal to or higher than a specific speed, and a low-speed storage destination whose access speed is lower than the specific speed,
The backup data management means, when the backup destination determined by the backup destination determination means is the low-speed storage destination, the data size of the data to be backed up in response to the backup request from the application is a specific size When it is above, the data is compressed and backed up to the low-speed storage destination.

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