Image forming apparatus, data transmission method, and data transmission system

A data transmission method implemented by an image forming apparatus that transmits data base to an external device, the image forming apparatus including a storage section that stores data therein, the method comprising:

• generating a replica of the data base stored in the storage section as a replicated data base;
• enciphering the replicated data base;
• transmitting the enciphered data base to the external device each time a predetermined time period elapses;
• generating a deciphering key for deciphering the enciphered data base;
• receiving disaster information;
• transmitting the deciphering key to the external device upon receipt of the disaster information;
• and
• suspending an operation of the image forming apparatus upon transmission of the deciphering key to the external device, wherein
• the disaster information includes earthquake information, an earthquake early warning, flood information, fire information, or lightning information,
• the data base is constituted by data including text information or image information,
• the deciphering key is transmitted to the external device in response to a switch being pressed,
• the external device is installed at a remote site from the image forming apparatus, thereby reducing the likelihood that the external device is affected by a disaster in the event that the disaster occurs in a site where the image forming apparatus is installed, and
• the data base is configured to be restored from the external device after occurrence of the disaster.

A data transmission system comprising an image forming apparatus that transmits data base stored therein, an external device that receives the transmitted data base, and a disaster information transmitter that transmits disaster information, wherein

• the image forming apparatus includes:
• a storage section that stores data base and computer programs therein;
• a controller including a processor;
• a transmitter;
• a receiver that receives the disaster information from the disaster information transmitter;
• and
• a switch,
• the processor executes the computer programs to function as a replication section, an encipherment section, a generation section, and a suspension section,
• the replication section generates a replica of the data base stored in the storage section as a replicated data;
• the encipherment section enciphers the replicated data base;
• the transmitter transmits the enciphered data base to the external device each time a predetermined time period elapses;
• the generation section generates a deciphering key for deciphering the enciphered data base,
• the transmitter transmits the deciphering key to the external device upon the receiver receiving the disaster information,
• the external device includes:
• a data receiver configured to receive the enciphered data base and the deciphering key from the image forming apparatus;
• and
• a controller configured to decipher the enciphered data base using the deciphering key,
• the disaster information includes earthquake information, an earthquake early warning, flood information, fire information, or lightning information,
• the data base is constituted by data including text information or image information,
• the transmitter transmits the deciphering key to the external device in response to the switch being pressed,
• the suspension section suspends an operation of the image forming apparatus upon transmission of the deciphering key to the external device,
• the external device is installed at a remote site from the image forming apparatus, thereby reducing the likelihood that the external device is affected by a disaster in the event that the disaster occurs in a site where the image forming apparatus is installed, and
• the data base is configured to be restored from the external device after occurrence of the disaster.