JP2011165080A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent user's waiting time for data processing from becoming long while raising security by overwriting and erasing data generated by the data processing in an electronic apparatus such as an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In the electronic apparatus 1, a job management unit 31 moves a file 52 for erasure generated in the data processing (in job execution) to a trash box directory 23. An overwrite erasure unit 32 monitors the trash box directory 23, and when there is a file in the trash box directory 23, the erasure unit overwrites and erases the file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device.

  When an electronic device such as an image forming apparatus having an embedded system generates temporary data having a relatively large size during data processing, the temporary data is stored in a file in a storage device such as a hard disk drive, and the file is deleted after the processing is completed. To do.

  The image forming apparatus accepts jobs such as copy, print, and document storage, and sequentially executes the accepted jobs. When the temporary data generated in each job becomes unnecessary in the job, the file including the temporary data is deleted (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Also, in some image forming apparatuses, so as to prevent unauthorized reading of data after the end of a job, when erasing a file, so-called overwrite erasure is performed in which data is erased after overwriting meaningless data.

JP 2006-287871 A

  However, since overwrite access often causes write access to a storage device such as a hard disk drive, when a file is overwritten and erased in data processing (job), the data processing (job) and subsequent data processing (job) As a result, the user's waiting time until the end of the data processing (job) becomes long.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an electronic apparatus that can improve security by erasing overwriting and does not increase a user's waiting time for data processing.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

  The electronic device according to the present invention monitors a data processing unit that moves a file to be deleted generated during data processing to a predetermined trash can directory, and the trash can directory. An overwriting erasure unit for erasing the book.

  As a result, the data processing unit for processing data such as jobs only moves the files to be erased, so that there is almost no delay in data processing for jobs and the like. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the waiting time of the user for data processing while improving security by overwriting. That is, since the overwrite erasure is not performed in the data processing (job), it is not necessary for the user to feel a long waiting time due to the delay caused by the overwrite erasure.

  In addition to the above electronic device, the electronic device according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the data processing unit and the overwriting erasing unit are each realized by executing a program on a computer, and the overwriting erasing unit is realized by executing a program resident in the background.

  Thus, since it is not necessary to call the overwriting erasure unit from the data processing unit for erasing the file, the amount of work when the data processing unit erases the file can be reduced.

  Moreover, in addition to any of the electronic devices described above, the electronic device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, each of the data processing unit and the overwrite erasing unit is realized by executing a program on a computer. The overwriting erasure unit operates in a thread or process separate from the data processing unit.

  Thereby, in multi-thread or multi-process, the overwriting erasure unit performs overwriting erasure using a resource allocated separately from the data processing unit, so that the delay due to overwriting is caused by the data processing unit. Less likely to occur in data processing.

  Moreover, in addition to any of the electronic devices described above, the electronic device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, when the data processing unit receives a job execution request, the data processing unit sequentially executes the jobs and moves the files to be erased generated in the job to the trash can directory. The overwriting erasure unit then overwrites the files in the trash can directory when the data processing unit is not executing a job.

  As a result, overwriting erasure is executed without hindering the use of hardware resources such as a processor by the data processing unit, and therefore a delay due to overwriting erasure hardly occurs in data processing by the data processing unit.

  Moreover, in addition to any of the electronic devices described above, the electronic device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, when there are a plurality of files in the trash can directory, the overwriting erasure unit confirms that the data processing unit is not executing a job before overwriting erasure of each file.

  As a result, if a job occurs during overwriting of multiple files, the overwriting of the remaining files will be postponed until the job is completed. However, it is less likely to occur in data processing by the data processing unit.

  Moreover, in addition to any of the electronic devices described above, the electronic device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the overwriting erasure unit monitors the remaining capacity of the storage device in which the file is stored, and when the remaining capacity falls below a predetermined threshold, overwrites the file in the trash can directory.

  As a result, even if a large amount of data processing such as many jobs occurs continuously, it is possible to prevent the data processing from being interrupted due to insufficient remaining capacity of the storage device.

  According to the present invention, in an electronic device, it is not necessary to increase the waiting time of the user while improving security by overwriting.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining overwriting erasing of a file in the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the overwrite erasing unit in FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a built-in computer, executes various programs, and executes data processing, control of internal devices, and the like. In this embodiment, the electronic device 1 is an image forming apparatus having an embedded system.

  In the electronic apparatus 1, the display device 11 is a device that displays an operation screen or the like. For example, a liquid crystal display is used as the display device 11. The input device 12 is a device for inputting an operation on the operation screen. As the input device 12, for example, a touch panel or a key switch is used. The display device 11 and the input device 12 are installed in a housing of the electronic device 1 as an operation panel, for example. Specifically, a graphic circuit (not shown) performs drawing processing and outputs a video signal, the display device 11 displays a screen according to the video signal, and an interface (not shown) provides data to and from the input device 12. Send and receive.

  The interface 13 is a circuit that is connected to an internal device and performs data communication. A controller for controlling internal devices such as a print engine and a scan engine is connected to the interface 13, and various operation commands for the internal devices are supplied from the job management unit 31 of the CPU 15 to the controller via the interface 13.

  The storage device 14 includes a file system 21 and is a control program 22 that controls internal devices of the electronic apparatus 1 and executes predetermined data processing, and an auxiliary storage device that stores various data. In the file system 21, a trash box directory 23 used for overwriting erasing files is provided. As the storage device 14, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive device, a disk array device, or the like is used.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15 is a processor that executes processing described in a program. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 16 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and data in advance. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 17 is a main memory that temporarily stores the program and data when the program is executed. The CPU 15, the ROM 16 and the RAM 17 are connected to each other via a bus and a controller chip, and further to the storage device 14, the interface 13, the graphic circuit of the display device 11, and the interface of the input device 12 via the bus and a control chip. It is connected.

  The CPU 15 loads a program stored in the storage device 14 or the ROM 16 into the RAM 17 and executes it. When the electronic device 1 is activated, the CPU 15 loads and executes an operating system program (not shown), a control program 22 and the like. When the control program 22 is executed by the CPU 15, the job management unit 31 and the overwrite erasure unit 32 are realized.

  The job management unit 31 is a processing unit that executes jobs in order when a job execution request is received, and moves a file to be deleted generated at the time of job execution to the trash can directory 23. This file move does not involve copying or erasing the file, but only the file path is changed. The job execution request is generated by a user operation on the input device 12 or the like.

  The overwriting erasure unit 32 is a processing unit that monitors the trash can directory 23 and, when there is a file in the trash can directory 23, overwrites the file.

  Next, the operation of the electronic device 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining overwriting erasure of a file in the electronic apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  When the electronic apparatus 1 is activated, the CPU 15 executes an operating system program (not shown). This operating system can execute a program in multiple threads.

  Then, the CPU 15 loads and executes the control program 22 and the like, executes the job management unit 31 with the thread 41, and executes the overwrite erasure unit 32 with another thread 42. The overwriting erasure unit 32 is realized by executing a program resident in the background among the control programs 22.

  Immediately after startup, the job management unit 31 waits for acceptance of a job execution request, and the overwriting erasure unit 32 starts monitoring the trash box directory 23 (that is, monitoring whether there is a file in the trash box directory 23). . For example, the overwriting erasure unit 32 periodically reads out the trash can directory 23 and checks whether there is a file.

  When the job management unit 31 receives one or more job execution requests, the job management unit 31 sequentially executes the jobs specified by the job execution request. Examples of the job include a copy job, a print job, and document storage (scan image data storage) in a document box. For example, in the case of a copy job, in the job, the job management unit 31 supplies an operation command to the controller via the interface 13 to cause the scan engine and the print engine to read an image and print the read image.

  When a job is executed, a file 52 including temporary data such as scanned image data is stored in a certain directory 51 in the file system 21. Then, when the temporary data becomes unnecessary in the job, the job management unit 31 moves the file 52 to the trash can directory 23 without deleting it.

  When the overwriting erasure unit 32 detects the file in the trash box directory 23, the overwriting erasure unit 32 executes overwriting erasure of the file.

  Here, details of the operation of the overwrite erasure unit 32 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the overwriting erasure unit 32 in FIG.

  After being activated, the overwriting erasure unit 32 starts monitoring the trash can directory 23 (step S1). When a file in the trash can directory 23 is found, at that time, there is a job being executed in the job management unit 31. Is determined by inquiring of the job management unit 31 (step S2). If there is no job being executed at that time, the overwriting erasure unit 32 overwrites the file in the trash box directory 23 (step S3). After overwriting and erasing all files in the trash can directory 23, the overwriting erasure unit 32 returns to monitoring the trash can directory 23 (step S1).

  On the other hand, if there is a job being executed when a file in the trash box directory 23 is found, the overwrite erasure unit 32 determines that the remaining capacity of the storage device 14 is a predetermined threshold (for example, the file system 21 of the storage device 14). It is determined whether or not it is equal to or less than 10 percent of the total capacity or a predetermined size (step S4).

  If the remaining capacity of the storage device 14 is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold, the overwriting erasure unit 32 executes overwriting erasure even if there is a job being executed (step S3). After overwriting and erasing all files in the trash can directory 23, the overwriting erasure unit 32 returns to monitoring the trash can directory 23 (step S1). When the remaining capacity of the storage device 14 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, the overwriting erasure unit 32 checks the remaining capacity every time each file is overwritten, and the remaining capacity exceeds a predetermined threshold. The overwriting erasure may be terminated and the remaining unerased files may be left as they are.

  On the other hand, if the remaining capacity of the storage device 14 is not less than the predetermined threshold value, the overwriting erasure unit 32 does not perform overwriting erasure even if there is a file in the trash can directory 23 and monitors the trash can directory 23. Return to (Step S1). Therefore, if the remaining capacity of the storage device 14 is not less than the predetermined threshold value, the files in the trash box directory 23 are overwritten and erased after there is no job being executed.

  When there are a plurality of files in the trash can directory 23, the overwriting erasure unit 32 may confirm that the job management unit 31 is not executing a job before overwriting erasure of each file. Good. That is, the overwriting erasure unit 32 may execute overwriting erasure of one file in step S3, and after erasing one file overwriting, may return to monitoring of the trash directory 23 (step S1). In this way, when there are a plurality of files to be erased and the job execution is started during the overwriting erasure, the overwriting erasure is interrupted and the job execution is prioritized.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the job management unit 31 moves the file 52 to be deleted generated during data processing to the trash directory 23. The overwriting erasure unit 32 monitors the trash can directory 23 and, if there is a file in the trash can directory 23, overwrites the file.

  As a result, the job management unit 31 that executes a job only moves the file 52 to be erased, so that the job is hardly delayed. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the waiting time of the user while improving the security by overwriting.

  The above-described embodiments are preferred examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the job management unit 31 and the overwrite erasure unit 32 may be executed in separate processes.

  In the above embodiment, the overwriting erasure unit 32 may be an optional function of the electronic device 1 so that the overwriting erasure unit 32 can be switched. Further, for example, if the program of the overwriting erasure unit 32 can be additionally installed in the storage device 14 and the program of the overwriting erasure unit 32 is installed, the job management unit 31 can delete the file 52 as described above. If only the movement of the file is executed and the program of the overwrite erasure unit 32 is not installed, the file 52 may be normally erased without being moved. Since the overwriting erasure unit 32 operates in a thread 42 different from the job management unit 31, it can be additionally installed as a separate program without relatively affecting the job management unit 31.

  The present invention can also be applied to an electronic apparatus having an embedded system other than the image forming apparatus. In this case, the above-described job is a unit of data processing in the electronic device.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a multifunction peripheral.

1 Electronic Device 22 Control Program 23 Trash Bin Directory 31 Job Management Unit (Data Processing Unit)
32 Overwrite eraser 41, 42 Thread 52 File

Claims (6)

A data processing unit that moves a file to be deleted generated during data processing to a predetermined trash directory;
Monitoring the trash directory, and if there is a file in the trash directory, an overwrite erasure unit that overwrites the file;
An electronic device comprising: The data processing unit and the overwriting erasure unit are each realized by executing a program on a computer,
The overwriting erasure unit is realized by executing a program resident in the background,
The electronic device according to claim 1. The data processing unit and the overwriting erasure unit are each realized by executing a program on a computer,
The overwriting erasure unit operates in a thread or a separate process from the data processing unit;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: When the data processing unit receives a job execution request, the data processing unit sequentially executes the job, moves a file to be deleted generated in the job to the trash directory,
The overwriting erasure unit overwrites the files in the trash directory when the data processing unit is not executing a job;
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein   The overwriting erasure unit, when there are a plurality of files in the trash directory, confirms that the data processing unit is not executing a job before overwriting erasure of each file. The electronic device according to claim 4.   The overwriting erasure unit monitors the remaining capacity of the storage device in which the file is stored, and when the remaining capacity falls below a predetermined threshold value, the overwriting erasing unit overwrites the file in the trash directory. The electronic device of any one of Claims 1-5.

Images