JPH0744429A - Picture processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a picture processing unit easily deciding a secondary storage means optimum to store a picture file. CONSTITUTION:An idle capacity of each hard disk device 3 and a size of a picture file to be stored in the hard disk device 3 read by an MOD device 4 are detected and a hard disk device 3 in matching with a predetermined optimum storage condition is selected and displayed among plural hard disk devices 3 based on the detected idle capacity and file size. Thus, the operator easily recognizes an optimum hard disk device 3 to store a picture file without referencing a list of capacity of the disks different from a conventional processing unit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus,
More specifically, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that has a plurality of secondary storage units, stores image files in the secondary storage units, and executes predetermined image processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image processing system such as a printing / plate-making processing system or a CAD system, the size of an image file to be handled is as large as several megabytes to several tens of megabytes. Therefore, when storing the offline media, the storage unit price per bit is low. (MOD, 8 mm magnetic tape, etc.) are often used. However, since the offline media as described above have a low access speed, they are not suitable for processing on a computer while the image files are stored in the offline media. Therefore, in order to work, it is necessary to transfer the image file to a secondary storage device (hard disk device, RAM disk device, etc.) having a high access time.

[0003]

In the conventional image processing system as described above, when the image file is transferred from the MOD to the hard disk, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the file icon (A to C) of the image file is displayed. It was designed to be dragged and dropped onto the hard disk icons (HD # 1 to HD # 3). GUI like this
The operation using (graphical user interface) has a feature that even a beginner can easily use it. However, since only icons can be seen on the screen, information such as free space on each hard disk cannot be known. Therefore, the image file cannot be efficiently stored in the hard disk.

As a method of knowing the free space of the hard disk, there is a method of displaying the disk capacity in a list form as shown in FIG. However, it was necessary to switch the mode from the icon display to the list display each time the free space was checked. Further, in order to efficiently store the image file, it is troublesome for the worker to check the free space of all hard disks to determine the optimum hard disk.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which can easily determine the optimum secondary storage means for storing an image file.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus in which the total capacity and free capacity of each secondary storage means can be easily known.

[0007]

The invention according to claim 1 is
An image processing apparatus that has a plurality of secondary storage means, stores image files in the secondary storage means, and executes predetermined image processing, and detects free space in each secondary storage means. Means for detecting the size of the image file to be stored in the secondary storage means, among the plurality of secondary storage means based on the detection result of the free space detection means and the detection result of the file size detection means. From the above, there is provided a selection means for selecting a secondary storage means that matches a predetermined optimum storage condition, and a selection result display means for displaying the secondary storage means selected by the selection means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the selecting means sets the secondary storage means having a free space that is close to and exceeds the file size of the image file to be stored as an optimum storage condition. Is selected as a secondary storage unit that matches

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the invention, a total capacity detecting means for detecting the total capacity of each secondary storage means, and an icon of a size corresponding to the total capacity of each secondary storage means are displayed based on the detection result of the total capacity detecting means. And a free space display unit for displaying the free space of each secondary storage unit detected by the free space detection unit in association with each icon displayed by the icon display unit. To do.

[0010]

In the invention according to claim 1, the free space of each secondary storage means and the size of the image file to be stored in the secondary storage means are detected, and the detected free space and file size are detected. Based on the above, the secondary storage means that matches the predetermined optimum storage condition is selected from the plurality of secondary storage means and displayed. This allows the operator to know the optimum secondary storage means for storing the image file without referring to the disk capacity list as in the conventional case.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the secondary storage means having a free space that exceeds and is closest to the file size of the image file to be stored is selected as the secondary storage means that meets the optimum storage condition. I am trying.

In the invention according to claim 3, the total capacity of each secondary storage means is detected, and based on the detection result, an icon of a size corresponding to each total capacity of each secondary storage means is displayed. I am trying to do it. Also, each 2
The free space of the next storage means is displayed in association with each displayed icon. As a result, the operator can know the total capacity and the free capacity of each secondary storage unit without referring to the disk capacity list as in the conventional case. Then, the operator determines the secondary storage means for storing the image file by referring to the selection result of the secondary storage means that matches the optimum storage condition and the total capacity and the free capacity of each secondary storage means. You can

[0013]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a plurality of workstations (hereinafter referred to as WS) 1 are connected to each other via a wireless or wired communication path 2 so that data can be transmitted. One or more hard disk devices 3 as an example of a secondary storage device are connected to each WS 1.
Further, a MOD device 4 capable of writing and reading image data to and from a MOD (optical magnetic disk), which is an example of an offline medium, is connected to the predetermined WS 1.

In the configuration as described above, the MOD device 4
A plurality of image files are stored in the MOD attached to the. At the start of the work, the image file stored in the MOD is read by the MOD device 4 and transferred to the hard disk device 3 selected by the operator. Each WS 1 performs predetermined image processing (processing / editing, etc.) on the image file stored in the hard disk device 3.
Give.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a more detailed structure of WS1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, CPU1
1, a RAM 12, a frame buffer 13, and a keyboard & mouse 14 are mutually connected via a system bus 15. Further, the hard disk device 3 and the MOD device 4 described above are connected to the system bus 15. C
The PU 11 executes a predetermined operation according to the program data stored in the hard disk device 3. RAM12
Is used as a working memory of the CPU 11. The frame buffer 13 has at least the CRT display 1
The image data for one frame of 6 is stored. The image data stored in the frame buffer 13 is given to the CRT display 16 and displayed there. keyboard&
The mouse 14 is operated by an operator and inputs various data or instructions to the CPU 11.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of icon display in the image processing system of FIG. Referring to FIG.
Each WS icon IC1 shows WS1 of FIG. 1, respectively. A hard disk icon IC2 corresponding to each WS icon IC1 is displayed in a subordinate format.

Next, the structure of the hard disk icon IC2 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, referring to FIG. 4, the hard disk icon has two areas α and β. The first area α shows the used amount, and the second area β shows the free capacity. This makes it possible to know how much the corresponding hard disk device 3 is used.

The horizontal size (horizontal size) W of the hard disk icon is proportional to the total capacity of the corresponding hard disk device 3. For example, if the horizontal size of the hard disk icon indicating a hard disk device having a capacity of 100 Mbytes is 10 dots as shown in FIG. 5A, the horizontal size of the hard disk icon indicating a hard disk device having a capacity of 1000 Mbytes is 10.
It becomes 0 dots (see FIG. 5B).

The ratio between the vertical size (vertical size) h of the area α of the hard disk icon and the vertical size H of the entire hard disk icon represents the usage rate of the corresponding hard disk device 3. That is, the usage rate (%) of the hard disk device = h × 100 / H 2. In the example of FIG. 6A, since the vertical size of the hard disk icon is 50 dots and the vertical size of the area α is 25 dots, the usage rate of the hard disk device = 25 × 1.
00/50 = 50%. Also, in the example of FIG. 6B, the vertical size of the hard disk icon is 50 dots,
Since the vertical size of the area α is 40 dots, the usage rate of the hard disk device is 40 × 100/50 = 80%.

In the image processing system of this embodiment,
Each hard disk device 3 constitutes a physically independent single hard disk device. However, one hard disk device is divided into a plurality of partitions, and each divided partition area is regarded as one hard disk device. It may be displayed by the hard disk icon IC2. In this case, a plurality of logical hard disk devices are present in one physical hard disk device.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The display operation of the hard disk icon in this embodiment will be described. First, the CPU 11 in the WS 1 obtains the total capacity from the hard disk device 3 that is the object of icon display, and stores it in the register TotalSiz in the RAM 12.
It is stored in e (step S1). Next, the CPU 11
The free space is obtained from the target hard disk device 3 and stored in the register FreeSize in the RAM 12 (step S2).

Next, the CPU 11 causes the register Tot described above.
The total capacity of the hard disk device 3 stored in alSize is divided by the number of bytes per dot UnitSizeX (which is fixedly set in advance), and the division result is set as the horizontal size W of the hard disk icon IC2 in the RAM.
The data is stored in a predetermined area within 12 (step S3). Next, the CPU 11 calculates the vertical size h of the area α of the hard disk icon IC2 based on the following equation (1), and R
It is stored in a predetermined area in the AM 12 (step S4). h = H · (TS-FS) / TS (1) In the above equation (1), H is the vertical size of the hard disk icon IC2, and is fixedly set in advance. TS is the total capacity of the hard disk device 3 stored in the register TotalSize, and FS is the free capacity of the hard disk device 3 stored in the register FreeSize. Next, the CPU 11 causes R
The hard disk icon IC2 is drawn on the CRT display 16 based on the horizontal size W of the hard disk icon IC2 and the vertical size h of the area α stored in the AM 12 (step S5).

The series of operations shown in FIG. 7 are sequentially executed for each hard disk device 3 in the system. At this time, the CPU 11 of each WS1 not only drives the hard disk device 3 connected to its own WS1,
The same operation as described above is executed for the hard disk device 3 connected to another WS1 existing in the system.
In the image processing system of this embodiment, each WS 1 in the system is a hard disk device 3 connected to itself.
This is because not only the image file stored in the HDD 1 but also the image file stored in the hard disk device 3 connected to another WS 1 can be read and processed. The names, total capacities, used capacities and free capacities of the respective hard disk devices 3 obtained as a result of the operation of FIG. 7 are tabulated as shown in FIG. 11 and stored in a predetermined area in the RAM 12.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a GUI environment for transferring an image file from the MOD device 4 to the hard disk device 3 in this embodiment will be described. First, FIG.
Referring to (a), the MOD icon IC3 is displayed on the screen of the CRT display 16 together with the WS icon IC1 and the hard disk icon IC2 shown in FIG. Next, when the operator clicks the MOD icon IC3 with the keyboard and mouse 14, FIG.
As shown in, the file window FW1 opens. In the file window FW1, a file icon IC4 indicating an image file stored in the MOD mounted on the MOD device 4 is displayed. Next, the operator clicks one of the file icons IC4 with the keyboard and mouse 14. Here, the file icon IC4 corresponding to the image file A is clicked.

Next, the optimum hard disk device 3 for storing the selected image file A is automatically selected, and the optimum hard disk device is indicated by the corresponding hard disk icon as shown in FIG. 8C. Is displayed. Here, a hard disk device of HD # 3 is selected as the optimum hard disk device 3, and a display is made such that the hard disk icon corresponding to it is surrounded by a frame. Next, the operator drags and drops the file icon IC4 of the image file A onto the hard disk icon IC2 corresponding to the storage destination hard disk device 3, as indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. At this time, as the storage destination hard disk device 3, not only the hard disk device 3 selected as the optimum hard disk device 3 but also other circumstances are considered,
Another hard disk device 3 may be selected as indicated by a dotted arrow.

Next, with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 9 and 10, the transfer operation of the image file in this embodiment will be described. First, the CPU 11 causes the file name of the image file clicked in FIG. 8B (in FIG. 8B,
The image file A) is stored in a predetermined area FNAM on the RAM 12.
It is stored in E (step S11 in FIG. 9). Next, CPU
11 is an MO attached to the MOD device 4 through the MOD device 4.
The file name of the image file stored in D is acquired and stored in a predetermined area M-FNAME on the RAM 12 (step S12). Next, the CPU 11 causes the area FN
Image file name stored in AME and area M-FNA
The image file name stored in the ME is compared to determine whether the two match (step S13). If the two image file names do not match, the CPU 11 returns to step S12 again, acquires the file name of the next image file from the MOD, stores it in the area M-FNAME, and stores it in the area FN.
The image file name stored in AME is compared (step S13). The operations of steps S12 and S13 are the same as the image file name stored in the area FNAME and the area M-
The process is repeated until the image file name stored in FNAME matches.

In step S13, the area FNAME
When the image file name stored in the area M-FNAME and the image file name stored in the area M-FNAME match, the CPU 11
Reads the image file corresponding to the image file name stored in the area M-FNAME from the MOD,
2 (step S14). Next, the CPU 11
Selects and displays the optimum hard disk device 3 for transferring the image file stored in the RAM 12 in step S14 (step S15; see FIG. 8C). Details of the subroutine of step S15 are shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of selecting and displaying the optimum hard disk drive will be described with reference to FIG. First, CPU1
1 reads the first hard disk device name (HD # 1 in this embodiment) from the table of FIG. 11 and stores it in the area HD of the RAM 12 (step S151). Next, CP
U11 initializes the value of the area Diff of the RAM 12 to ∞ (step S152). Next, the CPU 11 reads out the free space of the corresponding hard disk device (initially, the free space of the hard disk device HD # 1) from the table of FIG. 11 and stores it in the area HDFree of the RAM 12, and also at step S14 (FIG. 9) described above. RAM)
File size of the image file stored in 2 is RAM
The data is stored in the area FileSize of 12 (step S1).
53).

Next, the CPU 11 makes the area H of the RAM 12
The free space of the hard disk device stored in the DFree is compared with the file size of the image file stored in the area FileSize of the RAM 12 (step S).
154). CPU when the free space is equal to or larger than the file size (when HDFree ≧ FileSize)
11 is a value set in the area Diff of the RAM 12,
A value (HDFree-FileSize) obtained by subtracting the file size from the free space is compared (step S155). When the value set in the area Diff is larger than the difference between the free space and the file size [Diff> (HDFree-FileSize)], the CPU 11 sets the difference between the free space and the file size in the area Diff. The hard disk device name stored in the area HD at that time is stored in the RAM 1
The data is stored in the second area Target (step S15).
6). Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the hard disk device to be selected still exists (step S157). If the hard disk device to be selected still exists, the CPU 11 determines that the area HD of the RAM 12 is
After storing the next hard disk device name in (step S
158) and returns to the operation of step S153, and thereafter, the operations of steps S153 to S158 are repeated.

In step S154, R
When the free space of the hard disk device stored in the area HDFree of the AM12 is smaller than the file size of the image file stored in the area FileSize (HD
When Free <FileSize), the image file cannot be stored in the hard disk device, so C
The PU 11 skips the operations of steps S155 and S156, and proceeds to the operation of step S157. In step S155, if the value set in the area Diff is less than or equal to the difference between the free space of the hard disk device stored in the area HDFree and the file size stored in the area FileSize [Diff ≦ (HDFr
In the case of ee-FileSize), the CPU 11 determines that the hard disk device is not the optimum hard disk device, skips the operation of step S156, and proceeds to the operation of step S157.

When the operations of steps S153 to S158 are repeated and the selection operation for all hard disk devices 3 is completed, the CPU 11 proceeds from step S157 to step S159, at which time the RAM 12 is executed.
The hard disk device corresponding to the hard disk device name stored in the area Target of is displayed as the optimum hard disk device. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8C, the corresponding hard disk icon IC2 is surrounded by a frame. After that, the CPU 11 ends the operation of FIG. 10 and returns to the operation of step S16 of FIG.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the operator
As shown in (d), the hard disk device to which the image file is transferred is specified by the drag and drop operation (step S16). At this time, the operator may specify the hard disk device selected as the optimum hard disk device as the hard disk device to which the image file is transferred, or may select another hard disk device in consideration of other circumstances. Good. That is, the selection of which hard disk device to transfer the image file to is
Ultimately, it is up to the operator to decide. However, the selection result of the optimum hard disk device made by the CPU 11 is greatly referred to in the judgment of the operator, which enables an accurate and quick judgment. Next, CP
U11 writes the image file stored in the RAM 12 to the hard disk device 3 designated in step S16 (step S17). Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the writing of the image file to the designated hard disk device 3 is completed (step S18), and when it is completed, the operation of FIG. 9 is completed.

In the example of FIG. 8, there are two WS1 and five hard disk devices 3 on the network.
Here, as an example, the file size of the image data file A is 100 Mbytes. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 11, the hard disk device 3 of HD # 1 has 40 free space.
Since it is M bytes, the image file A cannot fit. HD
The free space of the hard disk device 3 of # 2 is 500 Mbytes, and the free space after inserting the image file A is 40 Mbytes.
It is 0 MB. The free space of the hard disk device 3 of HD # 3 is 150 Mbytes, and the free space after inserting the image file A is 50 Mbytes. The hard disk device 3 of HD # 4 has a free capacity of 200 Mbytes, and the free space after inserting the image file A is 100 Mbytes. The free space of the hard disk device 3 of HD # 4 is 400 Mbytes, and the free space after inserting the image file A is 300 Mbytes. HD like this
When the image file A is put into the hard disk device 3 of # 3, the free space becomes the smallest. Therefore, FIG.
On the screen of (c), the hard disk icon IC2 of HD # 3 is surrounded by a frame to indicate that the hard disk device most suitable for the worker is the hard disk device of HD # 3.

In the above embodiment, an image processing system in which a plurality of WS1s are network-connected is shown. However, in the present invention, a plurality of secondary storage devices (logically divided into one WS). The present invention can also be applied to a so-called stand-alone configuration image processing device to which a secondary storage device (including a secondary storage device) is connected.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the hard disk device which minimizes the free space after storing the image file is selected as the optimum hard disk device, but the optimum condition is not limited to this. Not,
For example, a hard disk device that has the maximum free space after storing an image file may be selected as the optimum hard disk device.

Further, in the above embodiment, the selected hard disk device is displayed by enclosing the hard disk icon IC2 in a frame. However, another method, for example, the hard disk icon IC2 is highlighted and selected. The optimum hard disk device selected may be displayed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the designation of the hard disk device to which the image file is transferred is ultimately left to the operator's judgment, but the image file is automatically stored in the selected optimum hard disk device. It may be transferred.

[0038]

According to the invention of claim 1, a plurality of two
Since the secondary storage means that matches a predetermined optimum storage condition is automatically selected and displayed from the next storage means, the operator switches the screen as in the conventional case and the secondary storage means is displayed. It is possible to know the optimum secondary storage means for storing the image file without referring to the list of the free space.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the secondary storage means having the free space that exceeds and is closest to the file size of the image file to be stored is selected as the secondary storage means that meets the optimum storage condition. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently store the image file.

According to the invention of claim 3, an icon of a size corresponding to the total capacity of each secondary storage means is displayed, and the free space of each secondary storage means is associated with each displayed icon. Since the capacity is displayed, the operator knows the total capacity and the free capacity of each secondary storage means without switching the screen and referring to the list of the free capacity of the secondary storage means as in the conventional case. be able to. As a result, the operator easily refers to the total storage capacity and the free storage capacity of each secondary storage unit together with the selection result of the secondary storage unit that matches the optimum storage condition, thereby facilitating the secondary storage unit for storing the image file. You can decide.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a WS in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of icon display in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a hard disk icon displayed in the embodiment of FIG.

5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the horizontal size of the hard disk icon displayed in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the total capacity of the hard disk device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the hard disk icon displayed in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the usage rate of the hard disk device.

7 is a flowchart showing a drawing operation of a hard disk icon in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a GUI environment when an image file is transferred from a MOD device to a hard disk device in the embodiment of FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing an operation when an image file is transferred from a MOD device to a hard disk device in the embodiment of FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing an operation when selecting a hard disk device most suitable for storing a specified image file in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a management table of each hard disk device stored in a RAM 12 in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI environment in a conventional image processing apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a disk list displayed by a conventional image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Workstation 2 ... Communication path 3 ... Hard disk device 4 ... MOD 11 ... CPU 12 ... RAM 13 ... Frame buffer 14 ... Keyboard & mouse 15 ... System bus 16 ... CRT display

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising a plurality of secondary storage means, storing an image file in the secondary storage means and executing a predetermined image processing, wherein an empty capacity of each of the secondary storage means. Based on the detection result of the free space detection means and the detection result of the file size detection means, the free space detection means for detecting the size of the image file to be stored in the secondary storage means, , Which matches a predetermined optimum storage condition among the plurality of secondary storage means 2
An image processing apparatus comprising: a selection unit that selects a next storage unit; and a selection result display unit that displays the secondary storage unit selected by the selection unit. 2. The selecting means selects a secondary storage means having a free space that exceeds and is closest to the file size of the image file to be stored as the secondary storage means that matches the optimum storage condition. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. A total capacity detecting means for detecting the total capacity of each secondary storage means, and a size corresponding to each total capacity of each secondary storage means based on the detection result of said total capacity detecting means. Icon display means for displaying an icon, and the free space of each of the secondary storage means detected by the free space detection means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising free space display means for displaying in association with each icon displayed by the icon display means.