JP6314699B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that writes data to a mounted removable storage device.

  In recent years, information processing apparatuses such as MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) equipped with functions such as copying, printing, and scanning have a removable storage device connection unit such as an SD (Secure Digital) card, and are subject to printing. Some have a function of acquiring a file from a removable storage device and saving image data obtained by reading a document in the removable storage device.

  By the way, in January 2012, an SD card standardization organization (SD Association) announced the formulation of a Wireless LAN SD standard with a built-in wireless LAN (Local Area Network) connection function. Thus, when an SD card conforming to this standard (hereinafter referred to as a wireless SD card) is used, the wireless SD card can be used even if the apparatus does not have a wireless communication function like the MFP disclosed in Patent Document 1. Since it itself has a built-in wireless communication function, the contents of the wireless SD card can be read and written by wireless communication from a portable terminal or the like.

  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 mounted on the digital camera, and a portable terminal reads the image stored in the wireless SD card by wireless communication.

  As a technique for using a wireless SD card in an MFP, for example, there is a technique that allows a document in an external terminal to virtually appear in a wireless SD card and be printed by the MFP (described below). (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-202331 A JP 2011-034551A

  An information processing apparatus such as an MFP may run out of free space in the removable storage device while executing a job for transferring and saving data to the removable storage device. In such a case, with the above-described wireless SD card, the file can be deleted from the outside.

  However, since the conventional device is based on a removable storage device that does not have a wireless communication function, there is no free space in the removable storage device during the execution of a job that transfers image data to the removable storage device. The job execution was discarded. For this reason, the user must delete unnecessary files in the removable storage device to secure sufficient free space, and then make various settings again to re-submit the job. There was a problem of requiring.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and completes the job even when there is no free space in the removable storage device during the execution of the job for transferring and saving image data or the like to the removable storage device. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can be made to operate.

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

[1] and the connecting portion data wireless communication writing and erasable removable storage device from the outside is detachably connected,
A detection unit for detecting a free capacity of a removable storage device connected to the connection unit;
A first data writing unit for writing data to a removable storage device connected to the connection unit;
With
The first data writing unit interrupts the writing when an empty area of the removable storage device is insufficient during the writing,
The detection unit repeatedly detects the free space,
The first data writing unit prevents writing to the empty area by wireless communication when the free space detected by the detection unit after the interruption exceeds a predetermined amount , and the first data writing unit An information processing apparatus that resumes writing.

In the above invention, when the free space of the removable storage device is insufficient during the data writing, the writing is interrupted, the detection of the free space of the removable storage device is repeated, and the detected free space exceeds the predetermined amount. In addition, writing to the empty area by wireless communication is prevented and writing by the first data writing unit is resumed.

[2] The information processing apparatus according to [1], wherein the detection unit repeatedly detects the free capacity when the first data writing unit interrupts the writing.

  In the above invention, the detection of the free capacity of the removable storage device is repeatedly performed with the interruption.

[3] A document reading unit that optically reads a document and outputs image data is provided.
The information processing apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the data is the image data.

[4] The first data writing unit performs the writing in parallel with the document reading operation by the document reading unit,
The original reading unit temporarily stops the reading operation when an empty area of the removable storage device is insufficient during the writing by the first data writing unit, and the free space detected by the detection unit after the interruption. The information processing apparatus according to [3], wherein the reading operation is resumed when the value exceeds the predetermined amount.

  In the above invention, when the free space of the removable storage device is insufficient, the document reading operation is temporarily stopped, and when the free space becomes a predetermined amount or more after the interruption, the reading operation is resumed.

[5] A storage unit;
A second data writing unit for writing data to the storage unit;
The first data writing unit performs the writing in parallel with a document reading operation by the document reading unit,
The document reading unit continues and completes the document reading operation even when the first data writing unit interrupts the writing of the image data,
The second data writing unit outputs at least the remaining portion of the image data output from the document reading unit other than the portion written in the removable storage device by the first data writing unit before the interruption. Write to memory,
The information processing according to [3], wherein in the writing after the restart, the first data writing unit transfers the image data stored in the storage unit to the removable storage device and writes the image data. apparatus.

  In the above invention, even when writing of image data is interrupted due to a lack of free space in the removable storage device, the document reading operation is continuously completed, and the read data is temporarily stored in the storage unit. When a free space is created in the removable storage device, the data stored in the storage unit is transferred to the removable storage device.

[6] When the interruption occurs, the second data writing unit transfers the image data written in the removable storage device by the first data writing unit before the interruption to the storage unit, so that the removable storage is performed. Delete from the device, combine the transferred image data and the remaining image data to generate one file in the storage unit,
The predetermined amount is a free space capable of storing the file,
The information processing apparatus according to [5], wherein the first data writing unit writes the file into the removable storage device after the restart.

  In the above invention, even when interruption / resumption is performed, the image data is stored as one file in the removable storage device.

[7] A storage unit is provided,
The information processing apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the data written by the first data writing unit to the removable storage device is data stored in the storage unit.

[8] Saving the data written in the removable storage device by the first data writing unit before the interruption and the data written in the removable storage device after the restart as separate files in the removable storage device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5] and [7], characterized by:

  In the above invention, the data before the interruption and the data after the restart are saved as separate files in the removable storage device, so that the data before the interruption can be completed as a file at the time of interruption, The part can be read out from the outside at an early stage.

[9] The data written to the removable storage device by the first data writing unit before the interruption and the data written to the removable storage device after the restart are saved as one file in the removable storage device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [7].

  In the above invention, even when interrupted, the same result as that without interruption can be created in the removable storage device.

[10] An area securing unit for writing dummy data to the removable storage device when the free space detected by the detection unit increases after the interruption,
The first data writing unit uses the dummy data storage area to write the data when the data amount of the dummy data exceeds the predetermined amount, instead of the free space detected by the detection unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the information processing apparatus is restarted.

[11] The information processing apparatus according to [10], wherein the writing area securing unit writes the dummy data so that the free space of the removable storage device is exhausted.

  In the inventions described in [10] and [11] above, by creating a dummy file in the free space, it is possible to prevent the free space from being used for access by wireless communication from the outside.

[12] A management information update unit is provided that artificially secures a storage area by updating the management information of the storage area of the removable storage device when the free space detected by the detection unit increases after the interruption. And
The information according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the first data writing unit performs writing after the restart using the pseudo-reserved storage area. Processing equipment.
[13] The information processing apparatus according to [12], wherein the management information update unit updates management information of a storage area of the removable storage device so that a free capacity of the removable storage device is exhausted.

  In the inventions described in the above [12] and [13], it is possible to prevent the free area from being used for access by wireless communication from the outside by rewriting the management information.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention can complete a job even when there is no free space in the removable storage device during the execution of a job for transferring and saving image data or the like to the removable storage device.

It is a figure which shows the relationship between the image forming apparatus which fulfill | performs the function as an information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention, a wireless SD card, and a portable terminal. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention executes a scan job with a wireless SD card connected to an external memory connection unit as a storage destination. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 3. It is a flowchart which shows the process which pseudo-allocates an empty area by the 1st method. It is explanatory drawing which shows the internal structure of the storage area of a wireless SD card. It is a flowchart which shows the process which pseudo-allocates an empty area by a 2nd method. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process when the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment executes a scan job with a wireless SD card as a storage destination, and shows a different part from that shown in FIG. 3.

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

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a wireless SD card 5 that functions as a removable storage device, an image forming apparatus 10 that functions as an information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and a portable terminal 40 that performs wireless communication with the wireless SD card 5. .

  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 image data of the read document as a file, or transmits the image data to an external device, and 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 related to print data received from a personal computer) on a recording sheet and outputting it.

  The portable terminal 40 is an information processing terminal that can be carried around.

  The wireless SD card 5 is a portable storage medium. The wireless SD card 5 includes a wired connection connected via a connector and a wireless connection connected by wireless communication such as a wireless local area network (LAN) as an I / F (Interface) with the outside.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes an external memory connection unit 21 (see FIG. 2) for connecting the wireless SD card 5 by wire, and can read / write data from / to the wireless SD card 5 by wire connection. For example, it is possible to execute a scan job in which the image data storage destination is set in the wireless SD card 5 connected to the external memory connection unit 21.

  The portable terminal 40 is an information processing terminal that can be carried around. The portable terminal 40 can read / write data from / to the wireless SD card 5 wirelessly connected by wireless communication in accordance with an instruction received from the user. For example, a file stored in the wireless SD card 5 can be deleted from the outside.

  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, an image reading unit 17, a printer unit 18, A facsimile communication unit 19, a network communication unit 20, an external memory connection unit 21, 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.

  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 CPU 11 functions as a detection unit, a first data writing unit, a second data writing unit, an area securing unit, a management information updating unit, and the like.

  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 forming apparatus 10 may not include the hard disk device 15 depending on the model.

  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.

  The image reading unit 17 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The image reading unit 17 sequentially, for example, a light source that irradiates light on the document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a line-by-line reading position in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a moving unit for moving, a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, and a conversion unit for converting an analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data And so on.

  The image reading unit 17 has a function of sequentially feeding the originals one by one from a plurality of original bundles set on the original table, and sequentially reading these originals.

  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 device having a facsimile function through a public line.

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

  The external memory connection unit 21 includes a connector for connecting the SD card by wire. The connector connects the wireless SD card 5 detachably mechanically and electrically.

  The operation panel 30 includes a display unit 31 on which various operation screens and the like are displayed, and an operation unit 32 that receives various operations from the user. The display unit 31 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD ... Liquid Crystal Display). The operation unit 32 includes a hard switch such as a start button and a touch screen provided on the display surface of the display unit 31.

  Next, execution of a job in which the image forming apparatus 10 transfers and writes data to the wireless SD card 5 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 will be described.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 can execute a scan job using the wireless SD card 5 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 as the image data storage destination. In addition, a job for transferring and writing image data stored in the hard disk device 15 to the wireless SD card 5 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 can be executed.

  The image forming apparatus 10 has a function of completing a job without discarding the job halfway even if the free space of the wireless SD card 5 is insufficient during the execution of such a job (referred to as a write job). .

  The wireless SD card 5 can wirelessly communicate with the external mobile terminal 40 and the like while being connected to the external memory connection unit 21. Therefore, even if the free area of the wireless SD card 5 runs short during the execution of the write job, the free area increases if the mobile terminal 40 or the like deletes the file in the wireless SD card 5 from the outside.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 interrupts the writing job when the free space of the wireless SD card 5 runs short during the writing job. Then, triggered by this interruption, an operation of repeating detection of the free capacity of the wireless SD card 5 is started, and the change in the free capacity is monitored. When the free capacity of the wireless SD card 5 increases to a predetermined amount or more, the writing job is resumed. Note that the operation of repeating the detection of the free space of the wireless SD card 5 does not need to be interrupted. For example, if it is before the interruption, it may start from the start of execution of the write job, or the wireless SD card. It may always be performed while 5 is inserted.

  3 and 4 show the flow of processing when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a scan job with the wireless SD card 5 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 as a storage destination.

  When a document is set on the document table of the image reading unit 17 (step S101; Yes) and a job input operation is received, the image forming apparatus 10 receives the job from the wireless SD connected to the external memory connection unit 21. It is determined whether or not the scan job designates the card 5 as a storage destination (step S102). If it is not the scan job (step S102; No), the designated job is executed (step S103).

  When the input job is a scan job in which the wireless SD card 5 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 is designated as a storage destination (step S102; Yes), when a job execution start instruction is received by pressing the start key ( Step S104; Yes), the scan job is executed as follows.

  In other words, one document is fed out from the document bundle set on the document table, and the one document is optically read by the image reading unit 17 (step S105). Then, it is checked whether or not the wireless SD card 5 has a free area capable of storing image data obtained by reading the original (step S106). When the free area is sufficient (step S106; No), the CPU 11 as the first data writing unit transfers the image data acquired in step S105 to the wireless SD card 5 for writing and saving (step S107). If this document is not the last page (step S113; No), the process returns to step S105 to read the next one document.

  If the wireless SD card 5 does not have a necessary free space for storing the image data obtained by reading in step S104 (step S106; Yes), the writing to the wireless SD card 5 is interrupted, and the image forming apparatus 10 It is checked whether or not the hard disk device 15 is provided (step S108). When the hard disk device 15 is provided (step S108; Yes), the CPU 11 as the second data writing unit stores the image data acquired in step S105 in the hard disk device 15 (step S109). If this document is not the last page (step S113; No), the process returns to step S105 to read the next one document.

  Note that the image data that has been written to the wireless SD card 5 until “Yes” in step S106 is completed as one file. As a result, it is possible to immediately read the image data that has been written until the interruption from the outside by wireless communication.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 does not include the hard disk device 15 (step S108; No), reading of the document by the image reading unit 17 is temporarily stopped (step S110).

  Thereafter, the CPU 11 functioning as the detection unit of the image forming apparatus 10 starts an operation of repeatedly detecting the free area of the wireless SD card 5 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 and increases the free area of the wireless SD card 5. Is monitored (step S111).

  When the free space of the wireless SD card 5 increases (step S111; Yes), the CPU 11 virtually secures a free space of the wireless SD card 5 (step S112) and returns to step S106. By allocating a free area in a pseudo manner, the free area is prevented from being used from outside via wireless communication. Details of the process of allocating an empty area in a pseudo manner will be described later. In the subsequent step S106, the pseudo area (or the total of the pseudo area and the free area that has not yet been pseudo-allocated) is used as the free area of the wireless SD card 5 and the free area is stored. Determine the shortage.

  If the empty area increases while the reading of the image reading unit 17 is temporarily stopped and the latest image data acquired in step S105 can be stored in the wireless SD card 5 (step S106; No), the first data As a writing unit, the CPU 11 stores the image data in the wireless SD card 5 (step S107), and proceeds to step S113. This image data is stored in the wireless SD card 5 as a file different from that stored in the wireless SD card 5 before the reading of the image reading unit 17 is temporarily stopped.

  If this document is the last page (step S113; Yes), it is checked whether or not the image data (image to be moved) stored in step S109 exists in the hard disk device 15 (step S114). If it does not exist (step S114; No), this process is terminated.

  If the image data saved in step S109 exists in the hard disk device 15 (step S114; Yes), it is checked whether or not there is a free space in the wireless SD card 5 where all the image data to be moved can be saved. (Step S115). When the free space is sufficient (step S115; Yes), the CPU 11 as the first data writing unit moves the image data to be moved from the hard disk device 15 to the wireless SD card 5 and stores it (step S118). End the process.

  When the free space of the wireless SD card 5 is insufficient (step S115; No), the operation of repeating the detection of the free space of the wireless SD card 5 connected to the external memory connection unit 21 is started. The increase in free space is monitored (step S116).

  If the free space of the wireless SD card 5 increases (step S116; Yes), the free space of the wireless SD card 5 is virtually secured (step S117), and the process returns to step S115. In the subsequent step S115, a pseudo area (or a total of a pseudo area and a free area that has not been pseudo-allocated) is set as a free area of the wireless SD card 5 and an empty area is stored. Determine the shortage.

  When the wireless SD card 5 has enough free space to store all image data to be moved (step S115; Yes), the CPU 11 as the first data writing unit stores the image data to be moved on the hard disk device 15. To the wireless SD card 5 for storage (step S118), and this process ends.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 suspends the job when the free space of the wireless SD card 5 is insufficient during the execution of the scan job with the wireless SD card 5 as a storage destination, and the wireless SD card 5 Resume the job when free space is available. If the job is discarded when there is not enough free space in the wireless SD card 5, the user replaces the wireless SD card 5 or deletes unnecessary files, and then resets all originals again. And set the job. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the free space of the wireless SD card 5 is insufficient, the job is temporarily stopped, the increase in the free space of the wireless SD card 5 is monitored, and the necessary free space is found. Once secured, the job is automatically resumed, reducing the burden on the user and ensuring high convenience.

  Next, details of the process of allocating pseudo space (step S112 in FIG. 3 and step S117 in FIG. 4) will be described.

  As a method for pseudo-allocating a free area, there are a first method for actually writing a dummy file and a second method for rewriting management information for managing the use status of the storage area of the wireless SD card 5.

  FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing when pseudo space is reserved in the first method. This processing is performed by the CPU 11 that functions as an area securing unit. First, the size of the empty area of the wireless SD card 5 is calculated (step S201). Next, a dummy file having a size (or number) that fills the empty area is stored in the wireless SD card 5 (step S202). Note that not only the size (or number) of the free space is full, but also, for example, a dummy file corresponding to the size (or number) necessary for storing a file that needs to be written may be stored in the wireless SD card 5. Good.

  When this process is performed for the second time or later, a method for creating a new dummy file or a dummy file already created in the wireless SD card 5 is additionally written and the file size of the dummy file is set. Is increased by the size of the free area calculated in step S201, and any of them may be adopted.

  When writing data to the area that is virtually secured in step S112 of FIG. 3 or step S117 of FIG. 4, first, the dummy file is deleted, temporarily returned to the free area, and the data is stored in the free area. . Alternatively, the contents of the dummy file are rewritten with data to be saved.

  FIG. 6 shows the internal configuration of the storage area of the wireless SD card 5. The storage area of the wireless SD card 5 is divided into a management information area 41 and a data area 42. In the data area 42, the substance of data to be stored is stored. The management information area 41 stores management information such as file name and location information indicating where the entity is stored in the data area 42, directory structure, and attribute information.

  In FIG. 6A, the substance of file A, file B, file C, and file D is stored in the data area 42, the management information of file A, the management information of file B, and the information of file C are stored in the management information area 41. Management information and management information of file D are stored. There is an empty area in the data area 42. FIG. 6B shows a state in which this vacant area is virtually secured by changing the management information. In the management information area 41, management information (management information of the file E) corresponding to the case where the file E is stored in the empty area of the data area 42 is created. As a result, the file E apparently exists in the empty area of the data area 42, and this empty area cannot be used from the outside.

  FIG. 7 shows the flow of processing when pseudo space is reserved in the second method. This processing is performed by the CPU 11 serving as a management information update unit. First, referring to the management information area 41, a free area of the wireless SD card 5 is searched (step S301). Next, the management information in the management information area 41 is rewritten so that a pseudo file exists in all the free areas (step S302). The management information in the management information area 41 may be rewritten so that not all the free areas are present, but the pseudo file exists for the size necessary for saving the file that needs to be written.

  It should be noted that the position and size of the vacant area secured in a pseudo manner are separately stored. Then, based on this separately stored information, the determination in step S106 in FIG. 3 or step S115 in FIG. 4 is performed, or a pseudo-reserved area in step S107 in FIG. 3 or step S118 in FIG. To save images. In storing the image, the management information is rewritten to return the pseudo-allocated area to the empty area, and then the image is stored in the empty area. Alternatively, the entity of the image is stored in a pseudo-reserved area, and the management information is rewritten so as to correspond to this. For example, in the case of FIG. 6B, the content of the file E that is virtually secured may be rewritten to an image to be saved.

<Second Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, even when a write job is interrupted or restarted, the data before the interruption and the data after the restart are combined into one file and stored in the wireless SD card 5.

  FIG. 8 shows processing when the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment executes a scan job with the wireless SD card 5 as a storage destination, and shows a difference from that shown in FIG. Yes.

  When the result of step S108 in FIG. 3 is Yes, step S151 and subsequent steps in FIG. 8 are executed. First, the image data already stored in the wireless SD card 5 is transferred from the wireless SD card 5 to the hard disk device 15 (step S151). Then, the image data of the document read in the immediately preceding step S105 (see FIG. 3) is stored in the hard disk device 15 (step S152). At this time, the image data and the image data transferred from the wireless SD card 5 and stored in the hard disk device 15 in step S151 are combined into one file on the hard disk device 15.

  If this document is not the last page (step S153; No), one document is read (step S154), and the process proceeds to step S152. In step S152, the image data already stored in the hard disk device 15 and the image data newly obtained in step S154 are combined into one file.

  If this document is the last page (step S153; Yes), the process proceeds to step S114 in FIG. The processing after step S114 is the same as that in the first embodiment. That is, the increase in the free space of the wireless SD card 5 is monitored, and when a necessary amount of free space is generated, the file stored in the hard disk device 15 is transferred to the wireless SD card 5 and stored.

  In step S151, an empty area generated by transferring image data from the wireless SD card 5 to the hard disk device 15 is virtually secured by the same method as in step S112.

  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, the scan job in which the storage destination is the wireless SD card 5 has been described as an example. However, the present invention also applies to a job in which image data already stored in the hard disk device 15 is transferred to the wireless SD card 5 and stored. Applies as well. That is, when there is no free space in the wireless SD card 5 during the execution of the job, the job is temporarily interrupted, and the operation of repeating the detection of the free space in the wireless SD card 5 is started, and the free space in the wireless SD card 5 is increased. To monitor. Then, if a free area is generated, this is secured in a pseudo manner, and when a necessary amount of free area is secured, the job is resumed.

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

  Although the image forming apparatus 10 has been described as an example in the embodiment of the present invention, an information processing apparatus that performs a process of writing data to a connected removable storage device may be used.

  It may be configured to determine whether the storage medium connected to the external memory connection unit 21 is a wireless SD card 5 or the like having a wireless function, and to suspend and resume only when the storage medium has a wireless function. .

  In addition, when the image forming apparatus 10 interrupts the job due to insufficient space in the wireless SD card 5 in the middle of the job, a message to that effect or a message prompting the user to delete unnecessary files in the wireless SD card 5 is displayed. The user is notified through the operation panel 30 or the like.

5 ... Wireless SD card 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Non-volatile memory 15 ... Hard disk device 16 ... Image processing part 17 ... Image reading part 18 ... Printer part 19 ... Facsimile communication part 20 ... Network communication part 21 ... External memory connection part 30 ... Operation panel 31 ... Display part 32 ... Operation part 40 ... mobile terminal 41 ... management information area 42 ... data area

Claims (13)

A connecting portion for data radio communication writing and erasable removable storage device from the outside is detachably connected,
A detection unit for detecting a free capacity of a removable storage device connected to the connection unit;
A first data writing unit for writing data to a removable storage device connected to the connection unit;
With
The first data writing unit interrupts the writing when an empty area of the removable storage device is insufficient during the writing,
The detection unit repeatedly detects the free space,
The first data writing unit prevents writing to the empty area by wireless communication when the free space detected by the detection unit after the interruption exceeds a predetermined amount , and the first data writing unit An information processing apparatus that resumes writing. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit repeatedly detects the free space when the first data writing unit interrupts the writing. An original reading unit that optically reads an original and outputs image data;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is the image data. The first data writing unit performs the writing in parallel with a document reading operation by the document reading unit,
The original reading unit temporarily stops the reading operation when an empty area of the removable storage device is insufficient during the writing by the first data writing unit, and the free space detected by the detection unit after the interruption. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reading operation is resumed when the value exceeds the predetermined amount. A storage unit;
A second data writing unit for writing data to the storage unit;
The first data writing unit performs the writing in parallel with a document reading operation by the document reading unit,
The document reading unit continues and completes the document reading operation even when the first data writing unit interrupts the writing of the image data,
The second data writing unit outputs at least the remaining portion of the image data output from the document reading unit other than the portion written in the removable storage device by the first data writing unit before the interruption. Write to memory,
The information processing according to claim 3, wherein the first data writing unit transfers and writes the image data stored in the storage unit to the removable storage device in the writing after the resumption. apparatus. When the interruption occurs, the second data writing unit transfers image data written in the removable storage device by the first data writing unit before the interruption to the storage unit and deletes the image data from the removable storage device. And combining the transferred image data and the remaining image data to generate one file in the storage unit,
The predetermined amount is a free space capable of storing the file,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first data writing unit writes the file into the removable storage device after the restart. A storage unit,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data written to the removable storage device by the first data writing unit is data stored in the storage unit. The data written to the removable storage device by the first data writing unit before the interruption and the data written to the removable storage device after the restart are saved as separate files in the removable storage device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7. The first data writing unit stores the data written in the removable storage device before the interruption and the data written in the removable storage device after the restart as one file in the removable storage device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An area securing unit for writing dummy data to the removable storage device when the free space detected by the detection unit increases after the interruption;
The first data writing unit uses the dummy data storage area to write the data when the data amount of the dummy data exceeds the predetermined amount, instead of the free space detected by the detection unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is restarted. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the writing area securing unit writes dummy data so that a free capacity of the removable storage device is exhausted. A management information update unit that artificially secures a storage area by updating the management information of the storage area of the removable storage device when the free space detected by the detection unit increases after the interruption;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first data writing unit performs the writing after the restart using the pseudo-secured storage area. . The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the management information update unit updates management information of a storage area of the removable storage device so that a free capacity of the removable storage device is exhausted.

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