Information processing device, information processing method, information processing program, and facsimile device

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a facsimile device that easily check the details of information on which a backup operation is performed.SOLUTION: In an information processing apparatus, an information acquisition unit 31 acquires folder names of folders formed in storage units, files stored in the folders, and additional information added to the files. A naming processing unit 32 as a storage and control unit forms, in an external storage unit, the same folders as the folders formed in the storage units (ROM 902a and HDD 909) based on the folder names acquired by the information acquisition unit, and stores and controls the files stored in the folders in the storage unit in the folders formed in the external storage unit as file names to which the additional information is added. Thus, seeing only the file names to which the additional information is added allows easy checking of the details of information on which a backup operation is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a facsimile machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Nowadays, there are facsimile machines that convert still images such as characters, figures, or photographs into electrical signals for transmission and reception. In these facsimile machines, transmitted and received facsimile information (e.g., reception date and time, facsimile telephone number, facsimile image, etc.) is stored in a storage unit. This allows the facsimile information stored in the storage unit to be reproduced and checked at any desired time.

[0003] Here, when the free space in the storage area of ​​the storage unit becomes small, it becomes difficult to store newly transmitted and received facsimile information. For this reason, for example, when the free space in the storage unit falls below a certain level, a backup process is performed in which the facsimile images stored in the storage unit are transferred to and saved in an external storage device or the like. By deleting the backed-up facsimile information from the storage unit, a free space of a certain level or more can be secured in the storage unit, making it possible to transmit and receive new facsimile information.

[0004] Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication 2008-72170 A) discloses a facsimile machine that performs such backup processing. In the case of this facsimile machine, the received facsimile data is encoded into the body data format of an e-mail and backed up to a mail server. This allows the received facsimile data to be backed up without depending on the storage capacity of the facsimile machine. The received facsimile data backed up to the mail server is sent to the destination facsimile machine in the data format of an e-mail, where it is encoded and reproduced. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when checking the contents of the facsimile information that has been backed up in this way, there is a problem in that it is necessary to carry out the troublesome work of obtaining and displaying the facsimile information from the server device or the like that is the backup source.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a facsimile device that enable the contents of backed-up facsimile information to be easily confirmed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a method for storing folder names of folders formed in a storage unit, files stored in the folders, and file Associate with and a storage control unit which forms, in the external storage unit, a folder identical to the folder formed in the storage unit based on the folder name acquired by the acquisition unit, and controls the storage of the file stored in the folder in the storage unit as a file name with the additional information added to the folder formed in the external storage unit, in which the acquisition unit further acquires the folder name of a sorting folder which is formed in the storage unit and sorted and stored based on predetermined sorting condition information, and sorting condition information corresponding to the sorting folder, and the storage control unit forms, in the external storage unit, a sorting folder identical to the sorting folder formed in the storage unit, and controls the storage in the external storage unit as a folder name with the sorting condition information added. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily check the contents of the backed-up facsimile information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the MFP according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the flow of backup processing of facsimile information in the MFP according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a backup process of facsimile information in the MFP according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the MFP according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the flow of backup processing of facsimile information in the MFP according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a backup process of facsimile information in the MFP according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] [First embodiment] (Configuration of multifunction device) 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 9 according to a first embodiment. The MFP 9 has a facsimile function that converts still images such as characters, figures, or photographs into electrical signals and transmits and receives them. The MFP 9 also has at least one of a copy function, a scanner function, and a printer function. The MFP 9 may also have only the facsimile function.

[0012] 1, the MFP 9 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, a network interface (network I / F) 950, and an external I / F 23.

[0013] The controller 910 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906. The controller 910 also has a local memory (MEM-C) 907, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 908, and an HDD 909. The NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0014] The CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP 9. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921. The NB 903 has a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0015] The MEM-P902 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902a, which is a memory for storing programs or various information that realize each function of the memory controller, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 902b, which is used for expanding programs or information, and as a drawing memory during memory printing, etc.

[0016] Although the details will be described later, the ROM 902a stores a backup processing program (an example of an information processing program) that performs backup processing of facsimile information transmitted and received by the facsimile function. Also, as an example, in the case of the MFP 9 of the embodiment, facsimile information transmitted and received by the facsimile function is stored in separate storage units as "FAX bibliographic information (an example of additional information)" such as the transmission and reception date and the facsimile number of the transmission and reception destination, and "FAX image information" such as characters, figures, or images. As an example, the FAX bibliographic information is stored in the ROM 902a, and the FAX image information is stored in the HDD 909 in association with the corresponding FAX bibliographic information. The ROM 902a and the HDD 909 are examples of storage units. Also, the FAX bibliographic information is an example of additional information.

[0017] The SB 904 is a bridge for connecting the NB 903 to PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 906 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing purposes that has hardware elements for image processing. The ASIC 906 acts as a bridge for connecting an AGP bus 921, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 922, an HDD controller 908, and a MEM-C 907.

[0018] This ASIC 906 has a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) which is the core of the ASIC 906, and a memory controller which controls the MEM-C 907. The ASIC 906 also has a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) which perform image rotation and the like using hardware logic or the like, and a PCI unit which transfers information between a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932 via a PCI bus 922. A USB interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface may be connected to the ASIC 906.

[0019] The MEM-C907 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The HDD909 is a storage for storing image information, font information used during printing, and forms. The HDD9 also stores FAX image information sent and received as described above. The CPU901 controls writing and reading of various information to the HDD909. The AGP bus921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing. The AGP bus921 can speed up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P902 with high throughput.

[0020] A short-range communication unit 920a, such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), is connected to the short-range communication circuit 920. The engine control unit 930 includes a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932.

[0021] The operation panel 940 has a display section 940a such as a touch panel that displays the current setting values ​​or a selection screen, etc., and receives input from the operator. The operation panel 940 also has an operation section 940b equipped with a numeric keypad for inputting setting values ​​for image formation conditions, such as density setting conditions, and a start key for issuing an instruction to start copying.

[0022] The controller 910 controls the entire MFP 9, for example, performing drawing control, communication control, and processing of input from the operation panel 940. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 has image processing functions such as error diffusion processing and gamma conversion processing.

[0023] The MFP 9 can sequentially switch among a document box function, a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function by using an application switching key on the operation panel 940. The MFP 9 goes into document box mode when the document box function is selected, and goes into copy mode when the copy function is selected. The MFP 9 goes into printer mode when the printer function is selected, and goes into facsimile mode when the facsimile mode is selected.

[0024] The network I / F 950 is connected to a network 21, which may be a public network such as the Internet or a private network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). A server device 22 is connected to the network 21. This server device 22 can be used as a storage unit for backing up transmitted and received facsimile information (FAX bibliographic information and FAX image information).

[0025] The external I / F 23 , the short-range communication circuit 920 , the engine control unit 930 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via a PCI bus 922 .

[0026] An external memory 24 is attached to the external I / F 23. As an example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface can be used as the external I / F 23. When a USB interface is used as the external I / F 23, a USB memory is attached as the external memory 24. The external memory 24 is an example of an external storage unit.

[0027] (Function block configuration) Next, in the case of the MFP 9 of the first embodiment, a so-called backup process is performed in which the transmitted and received facsimile information (fax bibliographic information and fax image information) is transferred to and stored in a storage unit outside the MFP 9. This backup process is executed by the CPU 901 based on a backup process program stored in the ROM 902a. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of each function realized by the CPU 901 executing the backup process program.

[0028] 2, the CPU 901 executes the backup processing program to realize the functions of the information acquisition unit 31 and the naming processing unit 32. The information acquisition unit 31 is an example of an acquisition unit, and acquires FAX bibliographic information to be backed up from the ROM 902a of the MFP 9. The information acquisition unit 31 also acquires FAX image information to be backed up from the HDD 909.

[0029] The naming processing unit 32 is an example of a storage control unit, and stores the FAX bibliographic information and FAX image information acquired by the information acquisition unit 31 in an external storage unit such as the server device 22 or the external memory 24. At this time, the naming processing unit 32 forms a folder structure in the external storage unit that is the same as the folder structure of the FAX image information stored in the HDD 909. The naming processing unit 32 also adds the FAX bibliographic information to the file name and stores it. This allows the MFP 9 of the first embodiment to check the contents of the file without playing the file.

[0030] In this example, the information acquisition unit 31 and the naming processing unit 32 are realized by software using a backup processing program. However, all or part of these may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC).

[0031] The backup processing program may be provided by recording it in the form of file information in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk (FD). The backup processing program may be provided by recording it in the form of file information in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk, or a semiconductor memory. The backup processing program may be provided by installing it via a network such as the Internet. The backup processing program may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like in the device.

[0032] (Facsimile information backup processing) Next, the backup process of facsimile information (FAX bibliographic information and FAX image information) in the MFP 9 of the first embodiment will be described. As described above, the server device 22 or the external memory 24 can be used as the external storage unit that is the backup destination. In the following, as an example, the backup process of facsimile information is performed on the external memory 24 attached to the external I / F 23. Note that the operation when performing backup process on the server device 22 is the same as when performing backup process on the external memory 24, so please refer to the following description.

[0033] 3 is a timing chart of the backup process of the MFP 9 according to the first embodiment. First, facsimile information transmitted and received by the MFP 9 is stored, and when the "predetermined timing" of the backup process of the stored facsimile information arrives, the information acquisition unit 31 requests the HDD 909 to acquire folder information (step S1). The "predetermined timing" may be, for example, when the main power supply for the MFP 9 is turned on (or off), or when the user designates execution of the backup process via the operation panel 940. Other examples of the "predetermined timing" may include the timing of switching to or returning from an energy saving mode, or the timing when new facsimile information is stored.

[0034] The HDD 909 that has received the folder information acquisition request supplies the folder information indicating the current folder structure to the information acquisition unit 31 (step S2). FIG. 4 shows the folder structure (storage form) of each folder stored in the HDD 909. In the case of the MFP 9 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, one or more folders such as a first folder, a second folder, an Nth folder (N is a natural number of 3 or more) are formed in the HDD 909. Each folder stores one or more pieces of image information, such as the 1st to 15th FAX image information or the 85th to nth FAX information (n is a natural number of 87 or more).

[0035] The HDD 909 supplies the folder information indicating at least the folder name of the folder formed on the HDD 909 to the information acquisition unit 31 in step S2.

[0036] Next, the information acquisition unit 31 requests the HDD 909 to acquire FAX image information, and also requests the ROM 902a to acquire FAX bibliographic information associated with each FAX image information (step S3). As a result, the FAX image information of each folder shown in Fig. 4 is supplied from the HDD 909 to the information acquisition unit 31, and each piece of FAX bibliographic information associated with each FAX image information is supplied from the ROM 902a to the information acquisition unit 31 (step S4).

[0037] Next, the information acquiring unit 31 supplies each folder name acquired from the HDD 909 to the naming processing unit 32 (step S5). The information acquiring unit 31 may supply all folder names acquired from the HDD 909 to the naming processing unit 32. Alternatively, the information acquiring unit 31 may supply only the folder names of folders in which FAX image information is stored, among the folders formed in the HDD 909, to the naming processing unit 32. In this case, as shown below, a folder in which no FAX image information is stored is formed in the external memory 24, and it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of the capacity of the external memory 24 being wasted.

[0038] The naming processing unit 32 names and forms folders in the external memory 24 with the same folder names as the folders formed in the HDD 909 (step S6). For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the first to Nth folders are formed in the HDD 909. Therefore, the naming processing unit 32 forms the first to Nth folders in the external memory 24 as shown in FIG. 4. As a result, folders with the same folder names as those in the HDD 909 are formed in the external memory 24.

[0039] Next, the information acquisition unit 31 supplies each piece of FAX image information and each piece of FAX bibliographic information acquired from the HDD 909 and the ROM 902a to the naming processing unit 32 (step S7). The naming processing unit 32 controls to store each piece of FAX image information in a folder having the same folder name as the HDD 909, which is formed in the external memory 24 (step S8).

[0040] Specifically, the first FAX image information shown in FIG. 4 was stored in a first folder in the HDD 909. Therefore, the naming processing unit 32 controls the storage of the first FAX image information supplied from the information acquisition unit 31 in a first folder formed in the external memory 24. Similarly, the 85th FAX image information shown in FIG. 4 was stored in an Nth folder in the HDD 909. Therefore, the naming processing unit 32 controls the storage of the 85th FAX image information supplied from the information acquisition unit 31 in an Nth folder formed in the external memory 24. As a result, each piece of FAX image information stored in the HDD 909 is stored in a folder formed in the external memory 24 and having the same folder name as the HDD 909.

[0041] Next, the naming processing unit 32 assigns the file name of each piece of FAX image information stored in each folder as a file name to which the associated FAX bibliographic information is added (step S8) as shown in FIG. The FAX bibliographic information is formed, for example, of the date and time of transmission / reception, the name of the user who is the transmission / reception destination and / or the FAX number. For this reason, for example, assume that the date and time of transmission / reception is "February 10, 2021", the name of the user who is the transmission / reception destination is "User A", and the FAX number is "03-1234-xxx". Also assume that the file name "005" was originally added to the FAX image information to which a file name will now be added.

[0042] In this case, the naming processing unit 32 adds the fax bibliographic information to the file name, for example, "20210210-User A-005," "20210210-03-1234-XXX-005," or "20210210-User A-03-1234-XXX-005." This allows the sending and receiving date and time of the fax image information, the sending and receiving user name, and the fax number can be recognized just by looking at the file name. This makes it possible to recognize the contents of the fax image information without playing it back.

[0043] After backing up the facsimile information stored in the HDD 909 to the external memory 24, the naming processing unit 32 erases the FAX image information stored in the HDD 909 and the FAX bibliographic information stored in the ROM 902a. This makes it possible to create free space in the HDD 909 and the ROM 902a for storing new FAX image information or FAX bibliographic information. The erasure process for the HDD 909 and the ROM 902a may not be performed by the naming processing unit 32, or may be performed at a predetermined timing such as a user's instruction.

[0044] (Effects of the First Embodiment) As is clear from the above description, the MFP 9 of the first embodiment forms a folder with the same folder name as that of the HDD 909 of the MFP 9 in an external storage unit that serves as a backup destination, such as the server device 22 or the external memory 24. The same fax image information is then stored in the same folder. At this time, fax bibliographic information, such as the transmission / reception date and time and the fax number, is added to the file name of the fax image information. This makes it possible to easily recognize the contents of the fax image just by looking at the file name, without having to perform troublesome operations such as playing the fax image information.

[0045] (Modification) The naming processor 32 may form thumbnail images of the fax image information and add the thumbnail images to the file names together with the fax bibliographic information, thereby making it easier to visually recognize the fax image information before playing it back.

[0046] [Second embodiment] Next, the MFP 9 of the second embodiment will be described. When a sorting folder for storing facsimile information transmitted and received from a specific destination is set in the HDD 909, the MFP 9 of the second embodiment creates the same sorting folder in the external memory 24. In this example, FAX bibliographic information is also added to the folder name of the sorting folder created in the external memory 24. Note that this is the only point that differs between the first embodiment described above and the second embodiment described below. Therefore, only the differences between the two will be described below, and overlapping explanations will be omitted.

[0047] Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of each function realized by CPU 901 of MFP 9 of the second embodiment executing a backup processing program. As shown in Fig. 5, in the case of MFP 9 of the second embodiment, CPU 901 realizes each function of folder allocation processing unit 33 as well as information acquisition unit 31 and naming processing unit 32 described above by executing the backup processing program.

[0048] When facsimile information of a specific user is sorted and stored in a folder different from facsimile information of other users, the user name or facsimile number of the specific user is set in advance as a sorting condition. The ROM 902a stores sorting condition information indicating such sorting conditions.

[0049] FAX bibliographic information transmitted to or received from a user designated by this sorting condition information is stored in a folder for that user formed in ROM 902a, and FAX image information is stored in a folder for that user formed in HDD 909. In response to an acquisition request from information acquisition unit 31, folder sorting processing unit 33 supplies sorting condition information to the information acquisition unit.

[0050] (Facsimile information backup processing) 6 is a timing chart of the backup process of the MFP 9 according to the second embodiment. First, when the backup process starts, the information acquisition unit 31 acquires folder information corresponding to the folder configuration of the HDD 909, FAX image information, and FAX bibliographic information from the HDD 909 and the ROM 902a (steps S1 to S4).

[0051] 7, in the case of the MFP 9 according to the second embodiment, sorting folders corresponding to specific users, such as a first sorting folder, an Nth sorting folder (N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2), etc., are provided in the HDD 909. Therefore, in steps S1 to S4, the information acquiring unit 31 acquires the folder information corresponding to these sorting folders, as well as the FAX image information and the FAX bibliographic information.

[0052] Next, in the case of the MFP 9 of the second embodiment, in step S11, the information acquisition unit 31 requests the folder allocation processing unit 33 to acquire allocation condition information. As described above, the ROM 902a stores allocation condition information indicating the user name or facsimile number of a specific user. The folder allocation processing unit 33 reads out the allocation condition information from the ROM 902a and supplies it to the information acquisition unit 31 (step S12).

[0053] Next, the information acquisition unit 31 supplies the folder name of the folder in which the FAX image is saved to the naming processing unit 32 (step S13). The information acquisition unit 31 may supply all of the folder names acquired from the HDD 909 to the naming processing unit 32. Alternatively, the information acquisition unit 31 may supply only the folder names of the folders in which FAX image information is stored, among the folders formed in the HDD 909, to the naming processing unit 32. In this case, as shown below, a folder in which no FAX image information is stored is formed in the external memory 24, and it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of the capacity of the external memory 24 being wasted.

[0054] 7, the naming processing unit 32 forms a folder in the external memory 24 with the same folder name as that of the HDD 909 (step S14). At this time, the naming processing unit 32 adds the sorting condition information acquired in steps S11 and S12 to the folder name of the sorting folder. That is, the naming processing unit 32 adds, for example, a user name and / or a fax number to the folder name of the sorting folder. This makes it possible to recognize, to some extent, the contents of the files stored in the sorting folder from the user name and fax number added to the folder name of the sorting folder.

[0055] Next, the information acquisition unit 31 supplies each piece of FAX image information and each piece of FAX bibliographic information acquired from the HDD 909 and the ROM 902a to the naming processing unit 32 (step S15). The naming processing unit 32 controls to store each piece of FAX image information in a folder having the same folder name as the HDD 909, which is formed in the external memory 24 (step S16).

[0056] At this time, the naming processing unit 32 assigns the file name of each piece of FAX image information stored in each folder to a file name to which the associated FAX bibliographic information is added (step S16) as shown in Fig. 7. This allows the user to recognize the date and time of transmission / reception of the FAX image information, the user name of the transmission / reception destination, and the FAX number just by looking at the file name. This makes it possible to recognize the contents of the FAX image information without playing it back.

[0057] (Advantages of the second embodiment) As is clear from the above description, when the MFP 9 of the second embodiment forms a folder in the external memory 24 with the same folder name as the HDD 909, it forms a sorting folder that is the same as the sorting folder formed in the HDD 909. Then, the user name and FAX number, etc. indicated in the sorting condition information are added to the folder name of the sorting folder. This makes it possible to recognize the contents, etc. of the files stored in the sorting folder to some extent, and also provides the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

[0058] Finally, the above-described embodiment is presented as an example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the above-described embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to the facsimile function of the MFP9, but the present invention may be applied to any device that performs information backup processing. Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications of each embodiment are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 9 Multifunction printer (MFP) 21 Network 22 Server equipment 23 External Interface (External I / F) 24 External Memory 31 Information Acquisition Department 32 Naming Processing Section 33 Folder sorting processing unit 901 CPU 902a ROM 902b RAM 909 HDD 930 Engine control unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0060] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-72170 A

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a folder name of a folder formed in a storage unit, a file stored in the folder, and additional information associated with the file; a storage control unit that forms, in an external storage unit, a folder identical to the folder formed in the storage unit based on the folder name acquired by the acquisition unit, and controls storage of the file stored in the folder in the storage unit as a file name to which the additional information is added, in the folder formed in the external storage unit; having The acquisition unit is formed in the storage unit, and further acquires a folder name of a sorting folder sorted and stored based on predetermined sorting condition information, and the sorting condition information corresponding to the sorting folder, The storage control unit forms, in the external storage unit, a sorting folder identical to the sorting folder formed in the storage unit, and controls storage in the external storage unit as a folder name to which the sorting condition information is added. An information processing device comprising:

2. The storage control unit forms, in the external storage unit, a folder in which a file is stored in the storage unit or a distribution folder.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. an acquisition step in which an acquisition unit acquires a folder name of a folder formed in a storage unit, a file stored in the folder, and additional information associated with the file; a storage control step of forming, in an external storage unit, a folder identical to the folder formed in the storage unit based on the folder name acquired by the acquisition unit, and controlling storage of the file stored in the folder in the storage unit as a file name to which the additional information is added, in the folder formed in the external storage unit by the storage control unit; having The acquiring step further acquires a folder name of a sorting folder that is formed in the storage unit and that is sorted and stored based on predetermined sorting condition information, and the sorting condition information corresponding to the sorting folder, The storage control step includes forming, in the external storage unit, a sorting folder identical to the sorting folder formed in the storage unit, and controlling storage in the external storage unit of the sorting condition information as a folder name to which the sorting condition information is added. An information processing method comprising:

4. Computer, an acquisition unit that acquires a folder name of a folder formed in a storage unit, a file stored in the folder, and additional information associated with the file; forming a folder in an external storage unit that is the same as the folder formed in the storage unit based on the folder name acquired by the acquisition unit, and functioning as a storage control unit that controls storage of the file stored in the folder in the storage unit as a file name to which the additional information is added, in the folder formed in the external storage unit; The acquisition unit is formed in the storage unit, and further acquires a folder name of a sorting folder sorted and stored based on predetermined sorting condition information, and the sorting condition information corresponding to the sorting folder, The storage control unit forms, in the external storage unit, a sorting folder identical to the sorting folder formed in the storage unit, and controls storage in the external storage unit as a folder name to which the sorting condition information is added. An information processing program characterized by:

5. A facsimile device that stores transmitted and received facsimile images and additional information in a folder formed in a storage unit, an acquisition unit that acquires a folder name of a folder formed in the storage unit, a facsimile image stored in the folder, and additional information including a transmission / reception date and time of the facsimile image and a facsimile number; a storage control unit that forms, in an external storage unit, a folder identical to the folder formed in the storage unit based on the folder name acquired by the acquisition unit, and controls the storage of the facsimile image stored in the folder in the storage unit as a file name to which the additional information is added, in the folder formed in the external storage unit; having The acquisition unit is formed in the storage unit, and further acquires a folder name of a sorting folder sorted and stored based on predetermined sorting condition information, and the sorting condition information corresponding to the sorting folder, The storage control unit forms, in the external storage unit, a sorting folder identical to the sorting folder formed in the storage unit, and controls storage in the external storage unit as a folder name to which the sorting condition information is added. A facsimile machine comprising:

6. The storage control unit forms a folder in which a facsimile image is stored or a distribution folder in the external storage unit.

6. The facsimile machine according to claim 5,

Images