JPH0746360B2 - File controller - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a file control device for controlling a plurality of file devices.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, a microfilm system has been used as a system for managing and utilizing an extremely large amount of non-coded information (image information). Microfilm has advantages such as economic efficiency, storability, and resolution, and has the advantage of being able to input a large amount of data at a high speed and to store and manage file information that increases year by year. Are suitable.

However, on the other hand, in recent years, office automation has been rapidly developed, and there is an increasing tendency for computers to be introduced into office equipment and for each equipment to be connected to each other through communication lines. In order to cope with the tendency toward computerization and communication, it is desirable that the information to be handled be stored in the form of electric signals as much as possible. Therefore, the electronic file system has been attracting attention in recent years. Since the electronic file system stores information in the form of electric signals, it has features such as high-speed retrieval and high-speed transmission that are not found in microfilm systems.

On the other hand, there are also aspects that impair the advantages of conventional microfilm systems. First of all, when inputting information, the conversion speed cannot be converted by the one-sailboat through the lens system like the microfilm system, and the input speed becomes slower because the raster scan is performed one by one.
Inability to copy less than several hundred sheets at high speed and economically, 10
For example, there is no record of sufficient long-term storage stability compared to microfilms that have a long-term storage stability of 0 years, and the legal evidence capability that microfilms have is not recognized.

An even bigger problem is that when an electronic file system is introduced, the databases and information built up using the conventional microfilm system cannot be used. As already mentioned, both the microfilm system and the electronic file system have their respective advantages.
In view of the recent trend toward office automation, it is clear that the electronic file system has many advantages, but the microfilm system cannot be ignored. This either forces the user to choose between two systems, or suffers the great inconvenience of having to use the two systems in parallel at the same time.

There are also multiple types of electronic file systems. For example, a system that uses a rewritable file medium and a system that uses a non-rewritable file medium use file media with different characteristics and utilize their respective characteristics. System is conceivable. However, even in this case, as described above, the user is forced to make an alternative, and it is difficult to make the characteristics of the two coexist.

〔Purpose〕

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, the microfilm and the microfilm can be treated equivalently a storage medium of a different storage form, it is possible to make use of the characteristics of each storage medium, further, An object of the present invention is to provide a file control device capable of easily transferring images of a plurality of frames of microfilm to another storage medium.

That is, the present invention relates to a first file means for reading image information of a desired frame from a microfilm storing a plurality of frame images, and a storage medium storing a plurality of image information in a storage form different from that of the microfilm. Is connected to the second file means for reading desired image information from the storage medium or storing the image information in the storage medium to control the first and second file means, and the first and second files. When outputting the image information from the means, in the file control device that outputs without passing through other file means, keyword information for searching the image information stored in the microfilm and the storage medium, and the image Identification information indicating whether information is stored in the microfilm or the storage medium, and a micro in which image information is stored. A management means for managing a search record having a format common to the microfilm and the storage medium, having address information of the film and address information on the storage medium, and a desired unit comprising a plurality of frames stored in the microfilm. Image information is output from the first file means according to the address information input by the input means, and the output image information is output by the second file means. The second file means is stored in a storage medium, the management means changes the contents of the identification information and the address information of the search record for the storage medium, and the address information is automatically updated. And a control means for outputting the image information of the next frame.

〔Example〕

 The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external connection diagram of an image processing system to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit (referred to as a workstation) having an internal memory composed of a microcomputer for system control, RAM, ROM and the like, and an external memory composed of a floppy disk or a magnetic disk.
Reference numeral 2 is an input section of the digital copying machine, which is a document reader for converting document information of a document placed on a platen into an electric signal by an image pickup device such as CCD, and 3 is an output section of the digital copying machine such as a laser beam printer. It is a high-speed printer that records an image on a recording material based on information converted into electric signals. An image file 4 has a storage medium such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk and can write and read a large amount of image information. Numeral 5 is a micro film file, and the micro film searching section and the image information on the searched micro film are about 36
It is equipped with a microfilm reader unit that converts an electric signal by an image sensor such as a 00-bit CCD. Reference numeral 6 has a photosensitive belt in which a photoconductive layer is provided on a transparent and conductive belt-shaped substrate, and the photoconductive layer is irradiated with laser light modulated in accordance with an input image signal, whereby the brightness of the image light is changed. To form a display image by developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive layer according to the above, and developing the formed latent image with a toner (developer) having conductivity and magnetism held on a toner carrier. It is a high resolution soft display. Reference numeral 7 is a printer device such as a laser beam printer similar to the printer 3, but is smaller and slower than the printer 3, and is installed as needed. Reference numeral 8 is a CRT device for displaying image information photoelectrically read by an input scanner (reader) of a digital copying machine and a micro film file, or system control information. A color display may be adopted so as to be compatible with color processing. Reference numeral 9 denotes a switching device for switching the connection between the respective input / output devices by a signal from the control unit 1. 10 to 18 are cables for electrically connecting the input / output devices. Reference numeral 20 denotes a keyboard provided in the control unit 1, and operating the keyboard 20 gives a command for operating the system. Further, it has a function of a word processor, an office computer or the like in combination with the CRT device 8. Further, 30 is a point device for instructing processing of image information on the CRT 8, and the operator moves the point device 30 to arbitrarily move the cursor on the CRT 8 in the X and Y directions to execute a command on the command menu. Select an image and give it instructions. 21 is an operation panel for issuing an operation command of the digital copying machine,
It has a setting key for the number of copies, a copy magnification, etc., a copy key 25 for instructing the start of copying, a numerical display and the like. Reference numeral 22 is a mode changeover switch which will be described later, and 23 and 24 are indicators formed of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for displaying the mode selection state of the mode changeover switch 22. In addition to the above-described devices, a word processor, a facsimile, etc., or a color reader and a printer, if necessary, can be connected to this system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the image processing system shown in FIG. Each block corresponding to FIG. 1 is assigned the same number as in FIG. First, each block in the control unit 1 will be described. Reference numeral 31 denotes a keyboard, which corresponds to the keyboard 20 shown in the first figure, and the operator inputs an operation command of the system using the keyboard 31 or the point device 30. A central processing unit (CPU) 32 is composed of a micro computer (for example, Motorola 68000). Reference numeral 33 is a read-only memory ROM in which a system control program has been written in advance, and the CPU 32 controls and operates according to the program written in the ROM 33. The random access memory RAM 34 is mainly used as a working memory of the CPU 32 and a page memory for storing image signals exchanged between the input / output units. Reference numeral 35 denotes an external memory composed of a magnetic disk, which stores a database for image retrieval from image files and microfilms, which will be described later, and the like. Reference numeral 36 is a communication interface, which makes it possible to exchange information with other workstations or other similar systems or terminals using a communication line such as a local area network or a digital facsimile communication line. Reference numeral 37 is an input / output interface that achieves information exchange between the control unit 1 and the switching device 9. Reference numeral 38 is a bit extraction circuit for thinning out image signals at a predetermined rate. 39 is an optical disk interface for exchanging information with the image file 4.
40 is a CRT interface for exchanging information with CRT8. 44 is a floppy disk device. Reference numeral 41 denotes a 16-bit bus, which transfers signals of each block of the control unit 1. Office equipment such as well-known word processors and office computers can be directly connected to this bus.
As described above, 10 to 18 are cables for electrically connecting the respective input / output devices, and control signals and image signals are transmitted.
The arrow on the cable indicates the flow of the image signal. Also, the flow of control signals is bidirectional in the cable. As is clear from the figure, the document reader 2 and the high-speed printer 3, the microfilm file 5, the soft display 6, and the small printer 7 of the digital copying machine 42 are provided with cables 11, 12, respectively.
It is connected to the switching device 9 by 15, 16 and 10, and is further connected to the input / output interface 37 of the control unit 1 by cables 13 and 14. In addition, the image file 4 and CRT8 are each cable 1
7, 18 connect to each interface 39, 40 of the controller 1. CRT8 is for display to store image information to be displayed
RAM43 is provided. Further, since the image signal input / output by the switching device 9 is a serial signal and the information on the bus 41 of the control unit 1 is a parallel signal, the input / output interface 37 has a serial-to-parallel interface for capturing an image signal. A register and a parallel → serial register for outputting an image signal are provided. Then, the parallel image signal is DMA-transferred on the bus 41.

The image signal output from the document reader 2 or the microfilm file 5 is input to the input / output interface 37 of the control unit 1 via the switching device 9 line by line. The input / output interface 37 receives the image signals input serially.
It is converted into a parallel signal for every 16 bits and output on the bus 41. The image signals output on the bus 41 are sequentially input to the image area of the RAM 34 for one page. RAM34 in this way
The image signal stored in the optical disk is output to the bus 41 again, is output to the outside via the communication interface 36, is sent to the image file 4 via the optical disk interface 39, and is written to the optical disk. , Is output to the switching device 9 via the input / output interface 37 and is selectively transmitted to the high speed printer 3, the soft display 6 or the small size printer 7 to form an image.

Further, the image signal read from the optical disk of the image file 4 is once written in the RAM 34, and then selectively switched to the high speed printer 3, the soft display 6 or the small printer 7 by the switching device 9 via the input / output interface 37. Be transmitted to.

The image signal from the document reader 2 or the micro film file 5 can be selectively transmitted directly to any one of the high speed printer 3, the soft display 6 and the small printer 7 from the switching device 9 without the control unit 1. . That is, when a mere copy operation is desired, the image file 4 or CRT8
Therefore, for example, the image signal from the document reader 2 is directly supplied to the high-speed printer 3 without passing through the control unit 4, and the real-time copy operation is executed.
This mode is called the pass mode.

The CPU 32 executes the above control related to the transmission of the image signal in accordance with the operation command input by the operator through the keyboard 31 or the point device 30.

A large number of documents are read by the document reader 2 and stored in the image file 4. As described above, the image file 4 is preferably a random access memory and a high-density and large-capacity memory, such as an optical disk, from the viewpoint of saving space. At the same time, the search data of each information stored in the image file 4 is stored on the magnetic disk 35.
And is managed by the workstation 1.

The search data for each top of the micro film stored in the micro film / file 5 is the image file 4
The data is stored in the magnetic disk 35 and managed by the workstation 1 in the same manner as the retrieval data of each information stored in.

FIG. 3 shows the format of the search data stored in the magnetic disk 35. This is called a search record. As described above, the magnetic disk 35 stores the search record corresponding to the image stored in the image file 4 made of the optical disk and the image of each frame of the microfilm of the microfilm file 5. However, the search records for different media of the image file 4 and the microfilm file 5 are also stored in the magnetic disk 35 in a mixed manner by using the format shown in FIG. 3 in common.

The format of the search record shown in FIG. 3 will be described.
As shown, this format is divided into 6 fields.

In the field 51, an identification mark DEV-ID indicating whether the image corresponding to the search record is present in the image file 4 or the microfilm file 4 is set.

In this embodiment, the microfilm file 5 is defined as 1, and the image file 4 is defined as 0.

In the field 52, address information ADD on the medium on which the image corresponding to this search record is recorded is set.

In the field 53, the size P-SIZ of the image corresponding to this search record is set.

In the field 54, resolution information P-RES of the image corresponding to this search record is set.

In the field 55, other various related information ODD such as the compression rate and positive / negative discrimination information regarding the image corresponding to this search record are set as necessary.

In the field 56, the keyword information KW corresponding to the image corresponding to this search record is set.

When the operator stores a desired image in the image file 4, these search records are input by the operator using the keyboard 31 of the workstation 1 corresponding to the image and written in the magnetic disk 35.

When an outsourcer is to record a large amount of images on an optical disk or microfilm, the outsourcer writes the search data on a floppy disk using a personal computer or the like according to a predetermined format. The disk search data is transferred from the floppy disk device 44 to the magnetic disk 35 for storage.

As described above, the search records for the respective images of the image file 4 and the micro film / file 5 are mixedly stored in the magnetic disk 35 according to the format shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the procedure of the image information search operation in this file system. This program is pre-written in the ROM 33 of the workstation 1 and executed by the CPU 32.

That is, using the keyboard 31 of the workstation 1
The operator inputs the keyword KW corresponding to the desired image to be searched (step S41). The CPU 32 searches the magnetic disk 35 for a search record having the input keyword KW (step S42). Then, the retrieved search record is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 34 (step S4
3).

Next, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the value of the identification mark DEV-ID of the search data stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 34 is 1 (step S44). As described above, the value of the identification mark DEV-ID indicates whether the image is recorded in the image file 4 or the micro film file 5. Therefore, if the value of the identification mark DEV-ID is 1, it is determined that the image is recorded in the microfilm file 5, and the corresponding image frame of the microfilm file 5 is searched according to the address information ADD of the search data. (Step
S45). Then, the image of the frame of the retrieved microfilm is read (step S46).

The image information read and output by the microfilm file 5 is stored in the RAM 34 of the workstation 1 for one page (step S49). Then, when the output device, for example, the high-speed printer 3 or the CRT 8 or the like is driven and the output is enabled, the image information stored in the RAM 34 is output to the output device.

On the other hand, if the value of the identification mark DEV-ID of the search record read from the magnetic disk 35 and stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 34 is 0, it is determined that the image is stored in the image file 4, The corresponding image of the image file 4 is searched according to the address information ADD (step S47). Then, the retrieved image information is read from the image file 4 (step S48).

The image information read out from the image file 4 is stored in the RAM 3 in the same manner as the image information from the microfilm file 5 described above.
After being stored in 4, it is output to the designated output device (steps S49, S50).

As described above, the image search using the keyword KW from the microfilm file 5 or the image file 4 is performed. That is, the format of the search records for the image file 4 and the micro film / file 5 is common, and the search records for both files are mixed and stored in the common magnetic disk 35. Then, an operator who performs an image search can obtain desired image information by inputting a keyword corresponding to an image to be searched, without considering a file to be searched for an image.

That is, since the file (medium) in which the image is actually recorded in the search record and the address in the file are managed, the operator does not have to be aware of the decoding medium when searching the image. Centralized image search becomes easy.

Next, transfer of the microfilm set on the microfilm / file 5 to the image file 4 will be described. As described above, the microfilm file 5 and the image file 4 have different advantages and disadvantages. Especially for image retrieval and output, an image file using an optical disk is more effective in terms of speed.

Therefore, it is desired to transfer the image recorded on the microfilm to the optical disk for use.

FIG. 5 shows the procedure of the transfer operation of the image information from the microfilm to the optical disk in this file system.
This program is similar to the one described above for workstation 1
Pre-written in ROM33 and executed by CPU32.

The operator sets the microfilm desired to be transferred to the optical disk on the microfilm file 5, and sets the optical disk having a sufficient storage area on the image file 4. Also, a magnetic disk on which a search record corresponding to the set microfilm is written is set.

Then, the operator uses the keyboard 31 of the workstation 1 to input the address information ADD in the microfilm of the image to be transferred (step S51). CPU3
2 retrieves the corresponding frame of the microfilm set in the microfilm file 5 according to the input address information ADD (= i) (step S52). Also,
DEV-ID 1 from the magnetic disk 35 (micro film
Indicates a file. ), ADD retrieves the retrieval record of i and stores this retrieval record in a predetermined area of the RAM 34 (steps S53, S54).

Next, the image of the frame of the microfilm whose address information ADD is i is read, and the image information obtained by reading is written in the RAM 34 for one page (steps S55, S56).

After the writing to the RAM 34 is completed, the CPU 32 sets the storage area of the image information in the optical disk set in the image file 4 and recognizes the address on the optical disk (step S5).
7). Then, the RAM 34 is stored in the storage area set in the optical disk.
The image information written in is stored (step S5
8).

After storing the image information on the optical disk, the CPU 32 identifies the DEV-ID of the retrieval record (which is stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 34 in step S54) corresponding to the read image of the frame of the microfilm. Is changed to 0 (indicating the image file 4) and the address information ADD is changed to an address on the optical disk (step S59). Then, the changed search record is stored again in the storage position of the search record searched in step S53 of the magnetic disk 35 (step S60). This completes the transfer of the image of the desired frame of the microfilm to the optical disk, and
The search record in the magnetic disk is also changed to indicate the storage location of the new medium (optical disk). Since the keyword KW and the like of the search record are rewritten as they are, the same image can be searched from the image file by using the same keyword KW used previously.

When the images of a plurality of frames of the microfilm are continuously transferred to the optical disk, the address information ADD is incremented by 1, the microfilm is advanced by one frame, and the next frame is read (step S61). When the value of the address information ADD exceeds the address of the frame desired to be transferred, or when the microfilm is finished, the transfer operation is finished. If further transfer operation is required, step
Returning to S53, the transfer operation similar to that described above is repeatedly executed (step S62).

As described above, the transfer of the desired image of one or more frames of the microfilm to the optical disk is executed. At the same time as the transfer of the image, the content of the search record in the magnetic disk 35 is changed. Further, since the keyword KW and the like in the search record are not changed, the conversion of the filtering media is performed without changing the logical management of the image file.

As described above, by transferring the image information between the files having different characteristics, it is possible to easily configure the filtering system according to the operator's request.

In this embodiment, as a file having different characteristics,
The transfer operation from the microfilm to the optical disk was explained in the system using the microfilm and the optical disk, but conversely, the search record is changed in the image transfer from the optical disk to the microfilm file. It is also possible to execute while doing. It is also possible to provide a rewritable file medium and a non-rewritable file medium as files having different characteristics, and execute image transfer between these media. Also at this time, the logical change of the search record for search is executed. Further, the number of file devices available (connectable) to the system can be increased or decreased as necessary.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[Effect]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to search for an image by treating the microfilms having different storage forms and the first and second file means having the other storage medium equivalently, and performing the image search. The characteristics of the storage medium other than that can be utilized.

Further, the images of a plurality of frames stored in the microfilm of the first file means can be easily transferred to the storage medium of the second file means, and thereafter, the keywords used in the first file means remain unchanged. A file controller that can be used and is easy to use can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external connection diagram of an image processing system to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the image processing system, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of a search record.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the search operation, and FIG.
The figure is a flow chart showing the procedure of the transfer operation.
Is a workstation, 4 is an image file, 5 is a micro film file, 32 is a CPU, 34 is RAM, and 35 is a magnetic disk.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first file means for reading out image information of a desired frame from a microfilm storing a plurality of frame images, and a storage medium storing a plurality of image information in a storage form different from that of the microfilm. Second, which reads desired image information and stores the image information in the storage medium
Of the first and second file means, and when the image information is output from the first and second file means, the image information is output without the other file means. In the file control device, the keyword information for searching the image information stored in the microfilm and the storage medium, and the identification information indicating whether the image information is stored in the microfilm or the storage medium And a management means for managing a record for retrieval in a format common to the microfilm and the storage medium, which has address information of the microfilm storing image information and address information on the storage medium, and the microfilm. Input means for inputting address information of desired image information composed of a plurality of frames stored in The image information is output from the first file means according to the address information input by the input means, the output image information is stored in the storage medium by the second file means, and the search means is used by the management means. Control means for changing the contents of the record identification information and the address information for the storage medium, automatically updating the address information, and outputting the image information of the next frame by the second file means; A file control device comprising: