WO2018037464A1

WO2018037464A1 - Storage system, storage communication device, download method, and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2018037464A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/074411
Authority: WO
Inventors: 英起多田; 祥平糸山; 光宏新田
Original assignee: 株式会社エーピーコミュニケーションズ
Priority date: 2016-08-22
Filing date: 2016-08-22
Publication date: 2018-03-01

Abstract

[Problem] To facilitate smoothly providing a file based on a user's read-out instruction, even when carrying out an archiving process of replacing the file with a dummy file. [Solution] Provided is a storage system 1, on which, by an archiving process, a plurality of dummy files d1, d2, d3, …, dn are stored on a primary storage server 10, and real files f1, etc., which correspond to each of the dummy files d1, etc., are stored on a secondary storage server 20. When a read-out instruction of a file which is stored on the primary storage server 10 (dummy file) is issued from a user terminal 40, the primary storage server 10 downloads from the secondary storage server 20 the real file which corresponds to the dummy file of the read-out instruction, provides said real file to the user terminal 40, and pre-emptively downloads the real files which correspond to the remaining dummy files for which the read-out instruction has not been issued.

Description

Storage system, storage communication device, download method, and computer program

In the present invention, when a storage server that stores a dummy file receives a file read instruction from a user, the storage server downloads the actual file from another server that stores the actual file corresponding to the dummy file. A storage system, a storage communication device, a download method, and a download method that can be provided in advance by downloading in advance for an actual file having no file, and providing a user-desired file quickly if there is a user's read instruction, and It relates to a computer program.

Conventionally, there are systems in which various files are stored (stored) in a storage system provided on a network. Recently, various files are sometimes stored in the cloud system due to the development of the cloud system. In this type of storage system, in order to ensure file safety, a plurality of storage servers are connected via a network, and files are regularly backed up from one storage server to the other storage server. As an example of such a storage system, HSM (Hierarchical Storage Management) in which a plurality of storage devices are provided in a hierarchy is known.

In a storage system with multiple storage servers, use a storage device (called primary storage) on the storage server that receives access from the user that can read and write at high speed, and the side that backs up files. As a storage device (referred to as secondary storage) included in a storage server, a storage device that has a larger storage capacity than a primary storage but has a low reading / writing speed is often used.

In addition, in the above storage system, in order to increase the efficiency of primary storage usage, files stored in the primary storage for a certain period of time or files that are used infrequently are copied to the secondary storage, and the actual files (the contents of the files are stored). In the primary storage, the original file is stored as a temporary file (a file that does not have a file content and has information indicating the storage location of the actual file. A dummy file or a stub file) In the past, such processing is generally referred to as archiving (or archiving processing).

ダミー Dummy files have a smaller file capacity than the original files, so archiving is useful for securing free space in the primary storage. In addition, if the storage status of the primary storage that stores the dummy file is confirmed from the user terminal, the original file appears to be stored in the primary storage. The same operability as before can be maintained.

A specific example of a system in which a dummy file is used is a medical image management system (PACS). The following Patent Documents 1 to 3 show examples using dummy files (stub files), and the following Patent Document 4 shows an example of performing prospective storage management with hierarchical storage.

JP 2009-289252 A JP 2005-538469 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-340232 JP 2007-73039 A

In the medical image management system described above, for example, an archiving process is performed on an image file corresponding to a tomographic diagnosis image of a patient acquired by CT examination (Computed Tomography). Usually, an image file corresponding to about 1000 images is generated in one CT examination. When such about 1000 image files are stored in the medical image management system, a specific folder corresponding to the examination date of the patient is created in the primary storage, and about 1000 images are stored in the specific folder. A dummy file related to the image file is stored, and an image file (actual file) corresponding to about 1000 dummy files is stored in the secondary storage.

When a doctor who is a user views (confirms) a CT examination image of the patient in a state where about 1000 image files obtained by one CT examination are stored as described above, the primary storage is performed from the user terminal. And an instruction to read out one file in a specific folder corresponding to the examination date of the patient is issued to the system. When the system receives a read instruction, it means that one dummy file has been selected, sends a download request for the actual file corresponding to the selected dummy file to the secondary storage, and sends the actual file to the primary storage. Download and then provide the actual file to the user terminal.

If the doctor who has confirmed the file provided to the user terminal (the image file of the CT examination image) continues to check other images in about 1000 images, the doctor again checks the other images. A read instruction is issued, and the above-described download process is performed again on the system side. Since the doctor needs to carefully check the required number of images from about 1000 in order to visually check the patient's condition etc., the system side will issue instructions to read out many times. Since the download process described above is performed every time there is a reading instruction from a doctor, there is a problem that a waiting time for the download process occurs on the user side, and it becomes difficult to provide a user-desired image speedily. In addition, since every download process is triggered by a read instruction from the user, it is necessary for the system side to match the read instruction from the user side. There is also the problem of becoming larger.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when a file read instruction is received from the user side, other real files related to the read instruction are also downloaded in parallel. In this way, a relevant real file is prepared in the primary storage, and even if the user instructs to read the file many times, the desired file can be quickly presented to the user side, and the system It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage system, a storage communication device, a download method, and a computer program that can reduce the processing load on the computer side.

In order to solve the above problems, a storage system according to the present invention includes a storage communication device having a storage device that stores a plurality of temporary files, and a server device that stores a plurality of real files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files. And when the server device receives a download request for the real file from the storage communication device, the server communication device transmits the real file related to the received download request to the storage communication device. When a read instruction related to the temporary file is received, a means for transmitting a download request for the actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to the server device, and the one temporary file among the plurality of temporary files. Actual file corresponding to the remaining temporary file excluding the file A download request for requesting each; and a means for processing sequentially transmitted to the server device.

A storage system according to the present invention includes a storage communication device having a storage device for storing a temporary file, and a server device for storing a real file corresponding to the temporary file. In the storage system that transmits a real file related to the received download request to the storage communication device upon receiving a file download request, the storage communication device receives the read instruction related to one temporary file, Means for transmitting a request for downloading a real file corresponding to the temporary file to the server device; means for detecting whether a plurality of temporary files are stored in the storage device; and a plurality of temporary files stored. Multiple temporary frames. A download request for requesting each real file corresponding to the remaining temporary files except the temporary file in the of the one-yl, characterized in that it comprises means for performing a process of sequentially transmitted to the server device.

The storage system according to the present invention comprises a storage communication device having a storage device for storing a plurality of temporary files, and a server device for storing a plurality of real files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files, the server device In the storage system that receives a real file download request from the storage communication device and transmits the real file related to the received download request to the storage communication device, the storage communication device issues a read instruction related to one temporary file. Is received, means for transmitting a first download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to the server device, and the one temporary file among the plurality of temporary files. Multiple actual files according to the remaining multiple temporary files Means for transmitting a second download request that collectively requests to the server device, and when the server device receives the second download request, the server device includes a plurality of second download requests. Means for sequentially transmitting the real file to the storage communication device.

The storage communication device according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores a plurality of temporary files, and transmits a download request for the actual files to an external server device that stores a plurality of actual files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files. Thus, in a storage communication device that receives a real file from an external server device, when a read instruction related to one temporary file is received, a request for downloading the real file corresponding to the one temporary file is sent to the external server device. Means for performing a process of transmitting to the external server device, and a process of sequentially transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to each of the remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files. Means for performing.

A storage communication apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores a temporary file, and transmits an actual file download request to an external server apparatus that stores the actual file corresponding to the temporary file, thereby providing an external server apparatus. Means for performing a process of transmitting a download request for an actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to an external server device when a read instruction related to the one temporary file is received in the storage communication device that receives the actual file from A means for detecting whether or not a plurality of temporary files are stored in the storage device, and when the storage device detects that a plurality of temporary files are stored, the remaining one excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files Download requests that request actual files according to the temporary files Characterized in that it comprises a means for performing sequential transmission processing to.

In the storage communication device according to the present invention, when the plurality of temporary files are given an order, and when a read instruction regarding another temporary file is received during the process of sequentially transmitting the download request, If a real file corresponding to another temporary file has not been received, the download request to be sequentially transmitted is switched to a download request for requesting each real file corresponding to a series of temporary files after the order of the other temporary file. It is characterized by.

In the storage communication device according to the present invention, when the plurality of temporary files are given an order, and when a read instruction regarding another temporary file is received during the process of sequentially transmitting the download request, If a real file corresponding to another temporary file has not been received, means for switching a download request to be transmitted to a download request for a real file corresponding to the other temporary file, and a certain number from the rank of the other temporary file If a real file corresponding to the temporary file before the other temporary file has not been received, a series of temporary files from a certain number of prior ranks to the previous rank of the other temporary files from the rank of the other temporary files. A process of sequentially transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to the file to an external server device, and a sequence one after the other temporary file Characterized in that it comprises a means for performing sequential transmission processing to an external server a download request for requesting each real file in accordance with the following set of temporary files.

When the storage communication device according to the present invention performs a process of transmitting a download request for the temporary file of the last rank, a download request for requesting each real file corresponding to the temporary file in the rank range for which no download request has been made. Means is provided for performing a process of sequentially transmitting to an external server device.

In the storage communication device according to the present invention, when the plurality of temporary files are given an order, and when a read instruction regarding another temporary file is received during the process of sequentially transmitting the download request, If a real file corresponding to another temporary file has not been received, transmission processing of download requests to be sequentially transmitted is stopped, and a download request for requesting a real file corresponding to the other temporary file is sent to an external server device. Means for performing a transmission process, and means for resuming the transmission process of the download request to be sequentially transmitted that has been stopped when the process of transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to the other temporary file is completed. It is characterized by providing.

In the storage communication device according to the present invention, a specific folder is provided in the storage device, and the plurality of temporary files are stored in the specific folder.
The storage communication device according to the present invention is characterized in that the specific folder includes a related folder, and the plurality of temporary files are stored in the specific folder and the related folder.

In the storage communication device according to the present invention, a plurality of folders are provided in the storage device, and a plurality of temporary files are stored in each of the plurality of folders. One temporary file is included in a plurality of temporary folders stored in one of a plurality of folders, and is stored in another folder of the plurality during the process of sequentially transmitting the download request. Means for switching a download request to be transmitted to a download request for an actual file corresponding to another temporary file stored in the other folder when a read instruction relating to the other temporary file is received, and storing in the other folder Requesting the actual files corresponding to the remaining temporary files excluding the other temporary files from the plurality of temporary files Characterized in that it comprises a means for performing the sequential transmission to handle the download request to the external server that.

The storage communication device according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores a plurality of temporary files, and transmits a download request for the actual files to an external server device that stores a plurality of actual files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files. Thus, in the storage communication device that receives the actual file from the external server device, when a read instruction related to the one temporary file is received, the first download request that requests the actual file corresponding to the one temporary file And a second unit for collectively requesting a plurality of real files corresponding to a plurality of remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files. Means for performing a process of transmitting a download request to an external server device.

In the download method according to the present invention, a storage communication device including a storage device that stores a plurality of temporary files downloads the actual file to an external server device that stores a plurality of actual files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files. In the download method of receiving a real file from an external server device by transmitting a request, when the storage communication device receives a read instruction related to one temporary file, the real file corresponding to the one temporary file A process of transmitting a download request to an external server device, and a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to each of the remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files. And a step of performing processing of sequentially transmitting to the server device And features.

A computer program according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores a plurality of temporary files and a computer having a communication function, and an external server device that stores a plurality of actual files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files. In a computer program for performing a process of transmitting a download request for a real file and receiving the real file from an external server device, when the computer receives a read instruction relating to one temporary file, A step of performing a process of transmitting a download request of an actual file corresponding to the temporary file to an external server device, and an actual file corresponding to the remaining temporary file excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files, respectively Sequential download requests to external server devices Characterized in that and a step of performing a process signal to.

In the present invention, when a read instruction relating to one temporary file is received, a first download process of the actual file corresponding to the temporary file is performed, and a download of the actual file corresponding to the temporary file other than the read instruction is performed. Since the process is also performed, even if there is a read instruction related to another temporary file in the future, the download process has already started in advance when the instruction is given, so the file desired by the user The possibility that it can be provided smoothly is increased. That is, as in the medical image management system described above, since a plurality of related files are usually stored in the storage device together, when an instruction to read one of the files is issued from the user terminal, After that, since a new read instruction for another file is often issued, a file that is likely to be the target of such a new read instruction is downloaded in advance, so that the user side The actual file is prepared for a new read instruction.

In the present invention, it is detected whether a plurality of temporary files are stored in the storage device, and when a plurality of temporary files are stored, the remaining temporary files other than one of the temporary files are stored. Since the actual file download process corresponding to the file is performed, the preceding download process can be surely performed.

In the present invention, a plurality of temporary files are ordered (numbering), and when a read instruction is received for one temporary file, an actual file is being downloaded according to the remaining temporary files. When a new read instruction for another temporary file is received, if the download of the actual file corresponding to the other temporary file has not been completed at that time, the target of the download process is changed to the temporary file related to the new read instruction. Since the file is switched to a real file corresponding to a series of temporary files after the file order, even if a new read instruction is issued by the user during the prior download process, the download according to the new read instruction is performed. Thus, a flexible response with priority given to the user's instruction becomes possible.

In the present invention, a plurality of temporary files are ordered (numbering), and when a read instruction is received for one temporary file, an actual file download process corresponding to the remaining temporary files is performed. When a new read instruction is received for another temporary file, if the download of the actual file corresponding to the other temporary file is not completed at that time, the target of the download process is first set to the temporary file related to the new read instruction. To the actual file according to the new read instruction, the actual file corresponding to a series of temporary files before a certain number of orders from the temporary file according to the new read instruction, and the rank after the temporary file according to the new read instruction. Real file download processing corresponding to a series of temporary files is also performed, so readability is high. Consisting of file to be downloaded preferentially. That is, when a user reads out a new file, a read instruction is often issued subsequently for the files in the order range before and after the file. Therefore, when a download process corresponding to the new read instruction is performed, the new read out is performed. By starting the download process in advance of a certain number of files before the target file, the system can secure a situation where it is easy to smoothly provide a file that is likely to be the target of the user's read instruction. .

In the present invention, when a new file read instruction is received during the download process and the file to be downloaded is switched, the file is not downloaded even if the last temporary file download request is made. If a real file corresponding to a temporary file in a non-ranking range is detected, a download process is performed for an undownloaded real file, so that it is possible to reliably perform a prior download for all real files.

In the present invention, a plurality of temporary files are ordered (numbering), and when a read instruction is received for one temporary file, the actual file download process corresponding to the remaining temporary files is performed. When a new read instruction for another temporary file is received, if the actual file download corresponding to the other temporary file has not been completed at that time, the transmission processing of the download request to be sequentially transmitted is suspended. Then, a request for an actual file corresponding to another temporary file related to the new read instruction is made, and the transmission process of the download request to be sequentially transmitted after the request is completed is resumed. During a sequential process, even if there is a new read request from the user, it responds to the new read request in an interrupted manner. Since the process will allow the processing to respond quickly to the user of the read instruction.

Furthermore, in the present invention, since the plurality of temporary files are stored in a specific folder provided in the storage device, the diagnostic image file is stored in a specific folder corresponding to each examination date of the patient. This makes it easy to apply the present invention to a system such as a medical image management system.

In the present invention, since a plurality of temporary files are stored in a specific folder and related folders provided in the storage device, the present invention can be easily applied to a system in which a plurality of folders are provided in a hierarchy. That is, there are various allocation methods for storing a plurality of files in each folder, where at least one subfolder is provided below a specific folder, and a plurality of temporary files are stored in the specific folder and subfolder. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform a prior download process collectively for a plurality of temporary files stored in this way, and it is possible to ensure the convenience of the prior download process regardless of the folder structure.

Further, in the present invention, a plurality of temporary files are stored in a plurality of folders provided in the storage device, respectively, and a prior download process is performed on one of the plurality of folders. When a read instruction related to another temporary file stored in another folder is received during the process, the target of the previous download process is switched to an actual file corresponding to the other temporary file and stored in another folder. Since the prior download process is performed on the actual file corresponding to the remaining temporary file, the present invention can be applied to a system that stores a plurality of temporary files in each of a plurality of folders.

In the present invention, when the folder setting to be read is set to include the folder related to the specific folder, the actual file corresponding to the temporary file including the related folder is preceded by the preceding setting. Since the download process is performed, for example, even when a plurality of temporary files are stored in a hierarchical folder structure, the preceding download process can be performed up to the subfolder level. Also, in the present invention, when a setting is made not to include a folder related to a specific folder, a prior download process is performed only on the specific folder, so a folder is provided for each file characteristic. For example, a file having the same characteristics can be read in advance.

In the present invention, when a read instruction relating to one temporary file is issued, the actual file corresponding to the remaining temporary files in the plurality of temporary files is downloaded in advance, so that it is read by the user. A real file with a high possibility can be prepared in the storage communication device in advance, and a situation in which a new read instruction from the user can be quickly handled can be secured.

In the present invention, an order is given to a plurality of temporary files, and there is a new read instruction for another temporary file during a prior download process based on a read instruction related to one temporary file, If the download of the actual file corresponding to the other temporary file is not completed, the target of the download process is switched to the actual file corresponding to a series of temporary files after the order of the other temporary file related to the new read instruction. Even during the prior download process, it is possible to take a preferential treatment of the user's read instruction, avoiding the situation of waiting the user as much as possible, and contributing to securing a good user interface.

In the present invention, an order is given to a plurality of temporary files, and there is a new read instruction for another temporary file during a prior download process based on a read instruction related to one temporary file, If a real file corresponding to another temporary file has not been received, the target of the download process is switched to a real file corresponding to the other temporary file, and the temporary file that has a certain number of previous ranks from the rank of the other temporary file is also displayed. If the download of the actual file according to the file has not been completed, the other files are skipped from the certain number of the actual files before the order, and the prior download process is sequentially performed until the order of the other temporary files. Therefore, it is possible to quickly prepare real files located before and after the order related to the new read instruction, and to prepare real files that are highly likely to be read by the user. It is poised to be Ku offer.

In the present invention, a plurality of temporary files are ordered, and there is a new read instruction for another temporary file during a prior download process based on a read instruction related to one temporary file, If a real file corresponding to another temporary file has not been received, the previous download process is paused, a request for a real file corresponding to another temporary file related to a new read instruction is made, and then the temporary file is paused. Since the previous download process was resumed, a new read instruction from the user can be preferentially handled even during the previous download process, and the deterioration of the response to user operations due to the prior download process is suppressed. It is done.

In the present invention, when a new file read instruction is received during the download process and the file to be downloaded is switched, the file is not downloaded even if the last temporary file download request is made. If there is no actual file, download processing is performed for the undownloaded actual file, so that it is possible to reliably perform advance download for all the actual files, and to ensure that the user's read instructions can be handled quickly. it can.

In the present invention, a plurality of temporary files are stored in a specific folder provided in the storage device, so that a diagnostic image file is stored in a specific folder corresponding to each examination date of a patient. The present invention can be suitably used for a system such as an image management system.
Furthermore, in the present invention, a plurality of temporary files are stored in a specific folder and a related folder provided in the storage device. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably used for a system in which a plurality of folders are provided in a hierarchy.

Further, in the present invention, when a plurality of temporary files are stored in a plurality of folders provided in the storage device, a prior download process is performed on one folder among the plurality of folders. When a read instruction related to another temporary file stored in another folder is received during the process, the target of the previous download process is switched to an actual file corresponding to the other temporary file and stored in another folder. In the system that stores a plurality of temporary files in each of a plurality of folders, the prior processing that preferentially handles the user's read instruction is performed. Download processing can be realized.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(c) is the schematic which shows the processing condition according to the prior | preceding download process which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main internal structures of a primary storage server. It is a functional block diagram which shows each function by an agent. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the some folder provided in the primary storage hierarchically. It is the schematic which shows the condition of the some dummy file respectively stored in the some folder of a lower layer. (A) is the schematic which shows the file structure of a DICOM file, (b) is the schematic which shows the structure of the meta information contained in a DICOM file. It is the schematic which shows a folder setting menu screen. It is a block diagram which shows the main internal structures of a secondary storage server. It is a block diagram which shows the main internal structures of a user terminal. It is a 1st flowchart which shows a series of processing procedures which concern on the download method of this invention. (A)-(d) is the schematic which shows the example of the 1st-4th pattern as a file processing order concerning the contents of the prefetch list in prefetch processing (preceding download processing). (A)-(f) is the schematic which shows the 5th pattern of the file processing order which concerns on the content of the prefetch list | wrist in a prefetch process (preceding download process). (A)-(c) is the schematic which shows the process condition according to the prior | preceding download process which concerns on a modification. It is a 2nd flow chart which shows a series of processing procedures concerning a download method of a modification. It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the storage system which concerns on a modification. It is a block diagram which shows the main internal structures of the communication terminal device (it corresponds to a storage communication apparatus in this modification) concerning a modification.

FIG. 1 shows an overall outline of a storage system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The storage system 1 of this embodiment is basically composed of a primary storage server 10 (corresponding to a storage communication device) and a secondary storage server 20 (corresponding to a server device). The primary storage server 10 includes a primary storage 11 (corresponding to a storage device), and the secondary storage server 20 includes a secondary storage 21 (corresponding to a storage device).

When the storage system 1 stores a file in the primary storage 11 and satisfies a predetermined archiving condition (file is stored for a certain period of time, the frequency of use of the file is less than a certain number, etc.), the storage system 1 performs an archiving process. The file is uploaded to the secondary storage 21 of the secondary storage server 20 as a real file, and the primary storage 11 has information (reference information) indicating the storage location of the real file and the original file (corresponding to the real file) ), A dummy file (corresponding to a temporary file) having a significantly smaller capacity is stored. In FIG. 1, by performing such archiving a plurality of times, a plurality of first dummy files d1, second dummy files d2, third dummy files d3,... Nth dummy files dN are stored in the primary storage 11. The secondary storage 21 stores a plurality of first actual files f1, second actual files f2, third actual files f3,... Nth actual files fN corresponding to the dummy files d1 and the like. It shows the state that was done.

Further, the primary storage server 10 in the storage system 1 can be accessed from the user terminal 40 outside the system through the network, and when the user terminal 40 views the storage status of the primary storage 11 of the primary storage server 10. Each dummy file d1, d2, etc. stored in the primary storage 11 is presented as if a normal file is stored. Therefore, the user of the user terminal 40 can perform a read operation on each dummy file d1, d2, etc. stored in the primary storage 11 in the same manner as a normal file. Is performed, a read instruction is transmitted from the user terminal 40 to the primary storage server 10.

2A to 2C show an outline of a series of processing in the storage system 1 when the primary storage server 10 receives a read instruction from the user terminal 40. First, FIG. This shows a case where a read instruction is issued for one file (first dummy file d1) among a plurality of files stored in the primary storage 11.

In the primary storage server 10, an agent 15 that performs various processes is functionally generated by a program, and upon receiving and receiving a read instruction from the user terminal 40, the agent 15 receives the first dummy file d1 related to the read instruction. A process of transmitting a download request (first download request) of the first actual file f1 according to (corresponding to one temporary file) to the secondary storage server 20 is performed. Since each dummy file d1 and the like includes information (reference information) indicating the storage location of each real file f1 and the like corresponding to the dummy file d1 and the like, the agent 15 makes a download request based on this information. Is generated and transmitted to the secondary storage server 20.

Next, when the secondary storage server 20 receives the download request sent from the primary storage server 10, the file (first real file f1) that is the target of the download request from among a plurality of files stored in the secondary storage 21. ) Is specified and transmitted to the primary storage server 10 for downloading. When the primary storage server 10 downloads the first real file f1 from the secondary storage server 20, the primary storage server 10 provides the first real file f1 to the user terminal 40 that is the source of the read instruction (see FIG. 2B). When the agent 15 downloads the first actual file f1, the agent 15 replaces the first dummy file d1 with the downloaded first actual file f1, and transmits the replaced first actual file f1 to the user terminal 40. .

Further, as a feature of the present invention, the agent 15 also corresponds to a prior download request (a second download request) for a plurality of remaining files for which a read instruction has not been issued (the files after the second dummy file d2). ) Are generated and transmitted to the secondary storage server 20. In performing such a prior read process, the agent 15 generates a list of dummy files to be prefetched (a prefetch list indicating a prefetch order for a plurality of files for which a read instruction is not issued), Prefetch processing (preceding download processing) is performed in the order indicated by the prefetch list.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), even if the read instruction relating to the second dummy file d2 is not issued from among the plurality of files stored in the primary storage 11, the agent 15 performs the first operation described above. Following the download request for the first actual file f1 corresponding to the dummy file d1 (see FIG. 2A), a download request for the second actual file f2 corresponding to the second dummy file d2 is generated to generate the secondary storage server 20. Send to.

When receiving the second download request sent from the primary storage server 10, the secondary storage server 20 receives the second download request from the plurality of files stored in the secondary storage 21, similar to the first download request described above. The file (second actual file f2) that is the target of the download request is specified and transmitted to the primary storage server 10 for downloading (see FIG. 2C). When the primary storage server 10 downloads the second actual file f2, the agent 15 replaces the second dummy file d2 with the downloaded second actual file f2, and the second actual file f2 is stored in the user terminal 40. Since it is not a target for a read instruction, it is stored in the primary storage 11 for a certain period in preparation for a future read instruction without being transmitted to the user terminal 40.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, following the download request for the second actual file f2 described above, the agent 15 generates a download request for the third actual file f3 corresponding to the third dummy file to generate the secondary request. A process of sequentially transmitting to the storage server 20 is performed. After that, when the third actual file f3 is downloaded, the agent 15 replaces the third dummy file d3 with the downloaded third actual file f3 and stores it for a certain period of time. The (preceding download process) is basically performed sequentially up to the nth dummy file dn.

In this way, even if there is no read instruction, the actual download after the second real file f2 that is not subject to the read instruction is prepared in the primary storage 11 in advance by performing a prior download process by the agent 15. If there is, for example, a read instruction for the tenth dummy file after the read instruction for the first dummy file d1 shown in FIG. Is stored in the primary storage 11, the tenth actual file can be immediately provided to the user terminal 40, and the advantage of the present invention is that smooth reading can be provided to the user. Hereinafter, the primary storage server 10 and the like constituting the storage system 1 that performs the above-described processes will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 shows the main internal configuration of the primary storage server 10. A server computer is applied to the primary storage server 10 of the present embodiment, and various devices and the like are connected to the MPU 10a that performs overall control and various processes by an internal connection line 10h. Includes a communication module 10b, a RAM 10c, a ROM 10d, an input interface 10e, an output interface 10f, a storage unit 10g, a primary storage 11, and the like.

The communication module 10b is a communication device corresponding to a network connection module and conforms to a required communication standard (for example, a LAN module). The communication module 10b is connected to a network via a required communication device (not shown, for example, a router or the like), enables communication with the secondary storage server 20, and also includes a user terminal 40 and a management terminal. 45 (see FIG. 1) or the like is also possible. For the primary storage server 10, the secondary storage server 20 corresponds to an external server device.

The RAM 10c temporarily stores contents and files associated with the processing of the MPU 10a, and the ROM 10d stores programs and the like that define the basic processing contents of the MPU 10a. The input interface 10e is connected to a keyboard 10i, a mouse, and the like for receiving an operation instruction from a system administrator or the like of the primary storage server 10, and receives an operation instruction or the like received from the system administrator or the like of the primary storage server 10. Tell the MPU 10a. The output interface 10f is connected to a display 10j (display output device), and outputs contents associated with the processing of the MPU 10a to the display 10j so that a system administrator or the like can check the current processing contents. .

The storage unit 10g stores programs and the like. Specifically, the storage unit 10g also stores programs such as a server program P1 and a processing program P2, and a menu screen table T1 for various setting screens for a system administrator. ing. The server program P1 defines various processes according to the operating system for the server computer, and the primary storage server 10 functions as a server computer when the MPU 10a performs processes based on the defined contents. The processing program P2 is a computer program that defines that the MPU 10a controls various processes according to the present invention. In each of the processes shown in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (c), the primary storage server 10 The contents of the control process to be performed are programmed. In the present embodiment, the MPU 10a functions as an agent 15 that performs various processes depending on the program contents of the processing program P2.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing in block form each function performed by the MPU 10a as the agent 15 according to the specified contents of the processing program P2. The MPU 10a displays the contents (1) to (10) shown in FIG. Acts as a means to do. The functions of the agent 15 are “(1) file backup management function”, “(2) file archive management function”, “(3) file read detection function”, “(4) file addition / update / deletion detection function”. , “(5) File upload function”, “(6) Time management function”, “(7) Storage usage rate monitoring function”, “(8) Dummy file generation function”, “(9) File download function”, and “(10) File advance read function” and the like, and the MPU 10a performs processing corresponding to each of these functions as the agent 15, so that the various processing shown in FIGS. Be controlled.

The “(1) file backup management function” is a function related to backup processing of files stored in the primary storage 11, and a new file is added or updated to the primary storage 11 when the satisfaction of backup conditions is detected. If a new file has been added, it is a function corresponding to a process of uploading the file to the secondary storage 21 and backing it up.

“(2) File archive management function” is a function related to archive processing, and when the agent 15 detects that a predetermined archive condition is satisfied, an actual file that satisfies the archive condition (an actual file stored in the primary storage 11). Is a function to replace with a dummy file.

“(3) File read detection function” means that the agent 15 detects the presence or absence of reception of a file read instruction from the user terminal 40, and if the read target is a real file, the real storage stored in the primary storage 11 is performed. If the file to be read is sent to the user terminal 40 and the read target is a dummy file, the secondary storage is used as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B by using “(9) File download function”. The actual file stored as the backup file in 21 is downloaded to the primary storage 11, the dummy file is replaced with the downloaded actual file, and then the replaced actual file is sent to the user terminal 40.

"(4) File addition / update / deletion detection function" is for file backup by monitoring file access in the primary storage 11 and detecting an event of addition / update / deletion of a file by a user operation or the like. It is a function to generate file information. In FIGS. 2A to 2C, the file information to be generated is not shown in the primary storage 11 for simplification of illustration.

“(5) File upload function” is a function for uploading a file stored in the primary storage 11 to the secondary storage 21 and performing a backup. “(6) Time management function” means that when the agent 15 detects a backup period related to a preset backup condition, an archive period related to an archive condition, and the like, and detects this type of notification, “(1) This is a function for performing processing for operating the “file backup management function” and “(2) file archive management function”.

“(7) Storage usage rate monitoring function” means that the usage rate (or free capacity) of the primary storage 11 is monitored, and the preset usage rate has been exceeded (or has fallen below the preset free capacity). ) Is a function that activates “(2) File archive management function”.

“(8) Dummy file generation function” is a function for generating a dummy file for replacing an actual file when the satisfaction of the archive condition is detected. As described above, the generated dummy file includes reference information, and this reference information includes file name information including the file name of the original actual file, information necessary for reading the backup file, and the like.

Note that the secondary storage 21 of the present embodiment uses object storage (generally referred to as Amazon S3-compatible storage) in which an object corresponding to a file is directly written, or corresponds to NAS (Network-Attached Storage). In some cases, the dummy file includes a unique ID (object ID, corresponding to object identification information) as an object in the reference information.

This object ID is based on a 128-bit hash value from arbitrary length data generated by the hash function. If the hash value is recalculated and compared, and the compared files have different values, they are different. Can be detected. The specification of the object ID is: file_client ID (3-digit decimal number) _file name MD5_update date / time (yyyyMMddHHmmssSSS: year / month / day / hour / minute / second / millisecond) _file size (19-digit decimal number) _content MD5_serial number (6-digit decimal number) is conceivable. As an example, there is the content “file_001_c4ca4238a0b923820dcc509a6f75849b_20150101123045777_0000000000000000001_c81e728d9d4c2f636f067f89cc14862c_000001”. The contents of such an object ID are used as the file name of the copied file when a real file or a dummy file is copied to the primary storage 11.

Further, when NAS is used as the secondary storage 21, data is stored as a file in a directory (folder) based on a general file system, unlike the case of S3-compatible storage. When NAS is used for the secondary storage 21, as a dummy file storage directory, a directory indicating the date and time according to the processing at the time of upload or the like is arranged in the order of year, month, day, hour, and minute below the storage directory. A backup file having an object ID as a file name is recorded in the lower layer of the directory which is the lowest directory among them. As an example, the storage directory of the dummy file in the case of uploading at 12:00 on August 27, 2015 can be expressed as “¥¥ storage directory name ¥ 2015 ¥ 08 ¥ 27 ¥ 12 ¥ 00”, Such a dummy file storage directory and file name can be specified by the object ID.

“(9) File download function” means that a real file is transferred from the secondary storage 21 to the primary storage 11 in order to replace a dummy file stored in the primary storage 11 with a real file stored as a back file in the secondary storage 21. This is a function for downloading (backup file).

“(10) File pre-read function” is the above-mentioned “(3) File read detection function”, and when a pre-read condition is satisfied when a read instruction of a dummy file is detected, “(9) File download” This is a function for performing a prior download process shown in FIGS. There are two types of pre-reading conditions: a folder in which a dummy file to be read is stored (a specific folder or the like. Depending on the setting described later, only a specific folder and a specific folder and a related folder related to the specific folder are included. There are multiple dummy files. Next, the primary storage 11 provided with a folder related to such a preceding read condition will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the primary storage 11 is provided with a B / A target folder 12 (backup / archive target folder), a B / A non-target folder 13 (backup / archive non-target folder), and a work folder 14. ing. The B / A target folder 12 is an area in which a file to be backed up by the “(1) file backup management function” described above is stored, while the B / A non-target folder 13 is not a backup target. This is an area where files are stored, and the area where each file is stored is allocated based on the judgment of the agent 15. In addition, the work folder 14 is used as a work area (work area) when processing by the various functions of the agent 15 described above is performed.

FIG. 5 shows a structure of a plurality of folders (subfolders) formed hierarchically under (inside) the B / A target folder 12 provided in the primary storage 11, and the plurality of folders (subfolders). Is included in the B / A target folder 12. Although the folder structure of FIG. 5 shows the case where it is used for a medical image management system (PACS: Picture Archiving and Communication System) as an example, it is not limited to this application, and of course, it is applicable to a system for other applications Applicable.

In FIG. 5, when the B / A target folder 12 is the first hierarchy, the preceding read target folder 110 and the preceding read non-target are included in the second hierarchy immediately below the first hierarchy as subfolders of the B / A target folder 12. A folder 120 is provided. Also, in the third hierarchy immediately below the second hierarchy, a plurality of personal folders (personal 1 folder 111, person 2 folder 112... Person N folder 11N) are provided as a plurality of subfolders of the preceding read target folder 110. . Each of the personal folders is a folder corresponding to each individual (patient) stored in the medical image management system. By forming a folder for each individual in this way, a file related to the individual (for example, CT examination) , Image files corresponding to inspection images such as MRI inspection) can be managed.

Further, in the fourth layer (lowermost layer) immediately below the third layer, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a, the personal 1-date 2 folder 111b,... Personal 1-date, as at least one subfolder of each personal folder. N folder 111N, personal 2-date 1 folder 112a, personal N-date 1 folder 11Na... Personal N-date N folder 11Nn are provided. Each of these personal date folders is a folder for storing image files of inspection images such as CT inspection and MRI inspection for each inspection date.

FIG. 6 shows one folder 1 among a plurality of folder folders in the third hierarchy in the folder structure shown in FIG. 5, and a person 1-date 1 folder 111a and a person 1-date 2 folder under it. 111b... Shows the storage status of a plurality of dummy files in each of the individual 1-date N folder 111N. The lowermost individual 1-date 1 folder 111a is used for storing a dummy file corresponding to an image file related to an inspection image on a certain inspection day. In CT inspection, MRI inspection, etc., the inspection is performed once (one day). Since about 1000 images are taken, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a stores dummy files corresponding to about 1000 image files (actual files). Similarly, the personal 1-date 2 folder 111b stores about 1000 dummy files corresponding to image files relating to different examination dates, and the personal 1-date N folder 111N further includes another examination date. About 1000 dummy files corresponding to the image file are stored.

Each individual 1-date 1 to N folders 111a to 111N etc. are stored in various layers such as the personal 1 folder 111, which is a layer above (third layer). In this embodiment, for example, a user (doctor) compares them. For example, the extracted image file (including dummy files related to the image file) may be stored, and FIG. 6 shows a state where a plurality of dummy files are stored in the personal 1 folder 111. In addition, a plurality of dummy files may be stored in the preceding read target folder 110 in the second layer.

In addition, since the image file relating to the examination image such as the CT examination and the MRI examination as described above is a series of images in which the examination places (imaging places) of the patient are continuously changed, the examination order (imaging order). ), And specifically, the file name of the image file of the inspection image includes a number indicating the inspection order. When a dummy file corresponding to such an image file is generated, a number indicating the order included in the file name of the corresponding image file is included in the file name of the dummy file. -When 1000 dummy files are stored in the date N folder 111N, from the first dummy file da1 including the number "1" in the first file name in order, from the first dummy file da1 to the last (1000th) in order Thus, there are up to 1000th dummy file da1000 including the number of the file name “1000”. Note that generation of a dummy file including a number indicating the rank in the file name may also be performed by the processing of the agent 15.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the file structure of an image file of DICOM standard (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) used in an inspection image such as CT inspection as an example of an actual file. In the DICOM standard file format, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first 0 to 127 bytes range is the preamble storage area, and the 128 to 131 byte range is the prefix storage area. Meta information is stored in each of the predetermined ranges. The contents of the prefix stored in the range of 128 to 131 bytes are the character string of DICM (0x44, 0x49, 0x43, 0x4D), so by detecting the contents of 128 to 131 bytes, the file is a DICOM file. It can be detected (discriminated) whether or not there is. In addition, an actual file according to the DICOM standard is a dummy file.

FIG. 7B shows the configuration of the meta information stored in the above-described range of 132 bytes and beyond. Meta information is a content that repeats variable-length elements, and one meta-information basically consists of four elements: tag, VR (data type), data length, and data body. In some cases, not all elements are available.

The tag composing the meta information is 4-byte information indicating what information is contained in the data body, and is composed of a group of upper 2 bytes and an element of lower 2 bytes. When the group value is an even number, it is called a standard tag. The meaning of each tag value is determined by the DICIN standard. For example, if the tag is (0010, 0010), it represents the patient name. It is prescribed. In addition, when the group value is an odd number, it is called a private tag, and it is possible to use a value unique to the user. It is used to store information that cannot be covered by a standard tag. It is preferable not to use it as much as possible because the information becomes meaningless.

The VR (Value Representation) constituting the meta information is 2-byte value information indicating whether the data body is a character string or a numerical value as the “type” of the data body. The data length constituting the meta information means the number of bytes of the data body, and is a variable length of 2 bytes, 4 bytes, or 6 bytes. The number of bytes of the data length is determined by VR. presume. Data indicating the inspection image is stored in the data body constituting the meta information.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a folder setting menu screen 30 for setting a folder to be read ahead in the folder structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 described above, and a specific hierarchy (for example, the third hierarchy) is shown. It is a menu for the folder that is located. The folder setting menu screen 30 is generated by screen data included in the menu screen table T1 stored in the storage unit 10g of the primary storage server 10 of FIG. 3, and is displayed on the display 10j or the management terminal 45 (FIG. 1). The system administrator makes settings. When the system administrator can directly operate the primary storage server 10, the folder setting menu screen 30 is displayed on the display 10 j, and when managing the primary storage server 10 remotely, the management terminal 45 A folder setting menu screen 30 is displayed.

The folder setting menu screen 30 includes a folder target setting field 31 for setting a range of related folders to be read ahead. This folder target setting column 31 is used to set a folder range in which a plurality of dummy files that are targets of the above-mentioned “(10) File advance reading function” are stored in a specific folder (for example, the third hierarchy in FIG. 5). The subfolder under the one folder) is also set as the related folder (or only the subfolder is set as the related folder), and the first button 31a (including button) and the second button 31b (not including) are set. Button). Note that making a subfolder under a specific folder a related folder also means that when a dummy file in a specific folder is read, all dummy files in that special folder and all dummy files in the subfolder are prefetched. Means to target. In addition, assuming that only a subfolder is a related folder includes a folder located in the same group of the same hierarchy as a specific folder (for example, refer to the third hierarchy in FIG. 5), the dummy file in the folder is read. In this case, the dummy file in the folder is not prefetched, and when the dummy file in the subfolder included in the folder is read, all the dummy files in the subfolder included in the folder are prefetched. The folder setting menu screen 30 performs setting based on one of these two meanings according to the specifications and the like.

In the folder setting menu screen 30 in the example shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to set whether or not to include a fourth layer folder under the third layer folder in the related folder. One of the first button 31a (including button) and the second button 31b (not including button) provided on the screen 30 can be selected. When the first button 31a (including button) is selected, the setting is made so that the fourth folder under the third layer folder is included in the related folder, while the second button 31b (not including button) is selected. Is set so that the folder of the fourth hierarchy is not included in the related folder.

Specifically, when the first button 31a (including button) in the folder target setting column 31 is set to be selected, one folder (for example, individual 1) among a plurality of folders located in the third hierarchy is selected. When the primary storage server 10 receives a read instruction relating to a dummy file stored in the folder 111), one folder (for example, the individual 1 folder 111) to be read and all the folders (for example, the subordinate folder) , The personal 1-date 1 folder 111a, personal 1-date 2 folder 111b,... Personal 1-date N folder 111N) in the fourth hierarchy are folders to be read in advance (corresponding to specific folders and related folders). On the other hand, when the second button 31b (button not included) is selected and the setting does not include the related folder, the dummy file stored in one folder (for example, the personal 1 folder 111) located in the third hierarchy. When a read instruction relating to the read instruction is received, only one folder (for example, the personal 1 folder 111) related to the read instruction becomes a folder to be read ahead as a specific folder.

Note that the folder setting menu screen 30 in the example shown in FIG. 8 is for setting related folders for folders in the third hierarchy, so that reading of other hierarchies is usually performed regardless of the setting contents of the folder setting menu screen 30. As is the case with the folder to be read. For example, when the primary storage server 10 receives a read instruction relating to a dummy file stored in the B / A target folder 12 of the first hierarchy, the B / A target folder 12 becomes the preceding read target folder. Also, when the primary storage server 10 receives a read instruction related to a dummy file stored in the second-level preceding read target folder 110, the preceding read target folder 110 is not related to the setting contents on the folder setting menu screen 30. As a specific folder, it becomes a folder to be read ahead.

Then, the primary storage server 10 has received a read instruction relating to a dummy file stored in one folder (for example, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a) among a plurality of folders located in the fourth hierarchy (lowermost layer). At this time, one folder (for example, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a) related to the read instruction becomes a folder to be read ahead as a specific folder.

Note that the setting target of the folder setting menu screen 30 in the example shown in FIG. 8 is set to the third hierarchy when the folder configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is targeted. The hierarchy of folders to be set on the menu screen 30 also differs appropriately. If the folder structure is different from that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an item that allows the user to specify the folder hierarchy to be set is provided on the folder setting menu screen, and related folder settings are set for the folder of the hierarchy specified by the user. (In the case of a folder structure including many hierarchies such as 6 hierarchies or more, etc., the specification may be such that a plurality of hierarchies can be specified).

When there is a read instruction for a file (dummy file) stored in each folder included in the folder structure shown in FIG. 5, the download process and the preceding read process are performed as shown in FIGS. Although the agent 15 performs, if a new file (dummy file) reading process is received during the preceding reading process, the agent 15 appropriately performs the preceding downloading process so that the new reading instruction is preferentially handled. Switch target. The specific processing of the agent 15 when there is a new reading process during the preceding reading process will be described below with reference to the case shown in FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the second button 31b (button not included) in the folder target setting field 31 is selected on the folder setting menu screen 30 in FIG.

First, assume that the agent 15 receives an instruction to read the first dummy file da1 stored in the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a (specific folder) in FIG. In response to this instruction, the agent 15 downloads an actual file (for example, the first actual file) corresponding to the first dummy file da1 and transmits it to the instruction source, and also includes a plurality of dummy files in the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a. As a pre-read process (pre-download process), a download request for requesting each real file corresponding to the remaining dummy file is sequentially transmitted to the secondary storage server 20. Assume a situation where an actual file corresponding to the request is downloaded from the secondary storage server 20 to the primary storage server 10 for each download request to be transmitted.

In this situation, upon receiving a read instruction for the 600th dummy file da600 (dummy file having the 600th rank) stored in the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a (specific folder) as a new read instruction, the agent 15 Detects whether the actual file (600th actual file) corresponding to the 600th dummy file related to the new read instruction has been downloaded and stored in the primary storage 11. If stored, the agent 15 performs a process of transmitting the real file (600th real file) to the transmission source of the read instruction (user terminal 40).

On the other hand, if the real file (600th real file) has not been stored, the agent 15 performs a process of sequentially transmitting download requests for requesting real files corresponding to a series of dummy files after the 600th to the secondary storage server 20. Do. In this way, when there is a new read instruction, by switching to the preceding read process of the contents according to the new read instruction, it is possible to ensure a system that can provide the user's read instruction real file as quickly as possible. Yes.

Note that the above description has been made in the case where the setting does not include the related folder on the folder setting menu screen 30 in FIG. 8, but basically the same applies to the setting including the related folder. If there is a read instruction and the actual file related to the new read instruction has not been downloaded, the real files corresponding to a series of dummy files after the rank related to the new read instruction are stored in a plurality of folders ( The agent 15 sequentially transmits to the secondary storage server 20 download requests that are requested within the range included in the specific folder and the related folder.

The switching of the preceding reading process for the new reading instruction as described above is also performed when there is a reading instruction for a dummy file stored in another folder. Specifically, as in the case described above, the agent 15 receives an instruction to read the first dummy file da1 stored in the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a (one specific folder) in FIG. A real file (for example, the first real file) corresponding to one dummy file da1 is downloaded and transmitted to the instruction source, and a download request for requesting each real file corresponding to the remaining dummy files is sequentially transmitted and transmitted. Assume that a real file for each download request is downloaded from the secondary storage server 20 to the primary storage server 10.

In a situation where downloading of all the actual files corresponding to the remaining dummy files of the dummy file related to the read instruction is not completed, a new read instruction is given as the personal 1-date 2 folder 111b (in another specific folder). When receiving an instruction to read the second dummy file db2 stored in the corresponding), the agent 15 performs a process of transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to the second dummy file db2 to the secondary storage server 20 .

When the actual file is downloaded in response to the download request, the agent 15 performs a process of transmitting the actual file to the user terminal 40 that is the transmission source of the read instruction, and stores it in the personal 1-date 2 folder 111b (other specific folder). A process of sequentially transmitting download requests for requesting actual files corresponding to the remaining dummy files excluding the second dummy file db2 related to the read instruction to the secondary storage server 20 among the plurality of dummy files This is performed as a read process.

Even when the folder to be read is changed in this way, it is stored in the folder after the change by performing the preceding read process of the actual file according to the dummy file stored in the changed folder. The file read instruction is prepared in advance, and even when a new read instruction is issued, it is possible to secure an opportunity to provide a user-desired real file quickly. The contents when the above-mentioned folder to be read is changed have been described in the case where the setting does not include a related folder such as a subfolder. However, basically the same applies to the case where the setting includes a related folder. It becomes the contents. In other words, by sequentially transmitting to the secondary storage server 20 download requests for requesting actual files corresponding to dummy files included in a plurality of folders in the range to be read, a plurality of The agent 15 downloads files from the secondary storage server 30 in order. Next, the secondary storage server 20 constituting the storage system 1 will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a main internal configuration of the secondary storage server 20 (corresponding to the server device) constituting the storage system 1. Similarly to the primary storage server 10, a server computer is applied to the secondary storage server 20 of the present embodiment, and various devices and the like are connected to the MPU 20 a that performs overall control and various processing by an internal connection line 20 h. It has become. The various devices include a communication module 20b, a RAM 20c, a ROM 20d, an input interface 20e, an output interface 20f, a storage unit 20g, and a secondary storage 21.

Since the communication module 20b to the output interface 20f are equivalent to the communication module 10b to the output interface 10f of the primary storage server 10 shown in FIG. 3, description thereof will be omitted (the keyboard 20i and the output interface 20f connected to the input interface 20e). The display 20i connected to the same is the same as that of the primary storage server 10).

Further, the storage unit 20g of the secondary storage server 20 stores a server program P5, a storage program P6, and the like. The server program P5 defines various processes according to the operating system for the server computer. The server program P5 defines processes basically equivalent to the server program P1 of the primary storage server 10 shown in FIG. When the MPU 20a performs the processing based on the secondary storage server 20, the secondary storage server 20 functions as a server computer.

The storage program P6 defines the processing content performed by the MPU 20a of the secondary storage server 20 in response to the various processing performed by the MPU 10a (agent 15) of the primary storage server 10 described above. Main processing contents related to the present invention include processing related to storage of uploaded files, file transmission processing in response to download requests, and the like.

Specifically, when the secondary storage server 20 receives a file uploaded from the primary storage server 10, the storage program P6 performs a control process for storing the received file in the secondary storage 21 as a backup file of the file. It also defines what the MPU 20a does.

Further, when the secondary storage server 20 receives a download request for a specific file (for example, an actual file) from the primary storage server 10, the storage program P6 receives a backup file for the specific file that is the target of the download request (the actual file). The storage program P6 also prescribes that the MPU 20a performs a control process of reading out from the secondary storage 21 and transmitting it to the primary storage server 10.

In addition, a plurality of download requests may be sequentially transmitted from the primary storage server 10, but the MPU 20a sends the requested specific file (actual file) to the primary storage server for each received download request. 10 is transmitted. In such a download request, since the backup file is transmitted as described above, the specific file that is the target of the download request remains in the secondary storage 21 even after the transmission.

As described above, the secondary storage 21 (corresponding to the second storage device) included in the secondary storage server 20 is an Amazon S3-compatible storage called object storage, and the primary storage 11 (first storage) of the primary storage server 10. Compared with the primary storage 11, the secondary storage 21 has a slower file (data) read / write speed than the primary storage 11). Note that the secondary storage 21 may be a NAS. In this case, the file (data) is read and written by the file system function included in the server program P5.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the user terminal 40 which is a client terminal. As the user terminal 40, a communication terminal device capable of communicating with the primary storage server 10 and a file handling process can be applied. Specifically, a personal computer, a tablet, a smartphone or the like having a communication function can be used. It can be used as the user terminal 40. FIG. 10 shows a main configuration when a personal computer is used as the user terminal 40, but the basic configuration is the same as that of FIG. 10 even when a tablet, a smartphone, or the like is used as the user terminal 40.

The user terminal 40 is configured such that various devices and the like are connected to the CPU 40a that performs overall control and various processes by an internal connection line 40h. The various devices include a communication module 40b, a RAM 40c, a ROM 40d, an input interface 40e, an output interface 40f, and a storage unit 40g.

The communication module 40b is a communication device corresponding to a connection module with a network, and conforms to a required communication standard (for example, a LAN module), and a required communication device (not shown; for example, a router or the like). By connecting to the network via the network, communication with the primary storage server 10 is enabled.

The RAM 40c temporarily stores contents, files, and the like accompanying the processing of the CPU 40a, and the ROM 40d stores programs and the like that define the basic processing contents of the CPU 40a. The input interface 40e is connected to a keyboard 40i that accepts an operation instruction from the user, a mouse, and the like, and transmits the operation instruction received from the user to the CPU 40a. The output interface 40f is connected to the display 40j, and outputs the contents accompanying the processing of the CPU 40a to the display 40j so that the user can visually confirm the operation contents, the processing contents of the user terminal 40, and the like. .

The storage unit 40g is a storage device configured by an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores a basic program P20, an application program P21, and the like. The basic program P20 defines basic processing performed by the CPU 40a to cause the user terminal 40 to function as a computer. The basic program P20 includes file management (file viewing, copying, moving, changing, etc.). And a browser function for browsing websites and the like. Based on the file management function included in the basic program P20, the user instructs the primary storage server 10 from the user terminal 40 to operate the file (instruction to add a file, instruct to copy, etc.) or to read out a file for a predetermined file. Can be sent.

The application program P21 stored in the storage unit 40g is software corresponding to work individually performed by the user, such as a word processor, spreadsheet, figure drawing, and the like. Depending on the usage situation of the user, a plurality of application programs may be stored in the storage unit 40g. P21 will be installed.

Since the storage system 1 of the present embodiment is applied to the medical image management system as described above, an example of the application program P21 includes an examination image browsing program corresponding to the medical image management system. Therefore, by using this examination image browsing program, the user (doctor) selects and reads out a desired image of a desired patient from a plurality of examination images stored in the primary storage 11 of the primary storage server 10. It is possible to perform operations.

At this time, as described above, even if a dummy file is stored in the primary storage 11, the actual file (image file of the inspection image) is stored in the primary storage 11 in the user terminal 40 as described above. Therefore, at the normal operation interval, the user side displays the desired patient folder (for example, the individual 1 folder 111 in FIG. 5) or a subfolder under the desired patient folder (for example, the individual in FIG. 5). The read operation is performed by selecting a desired image file (for example, the first dummy file da1 in FIG. 6) from the 1-date 1 folder 111a).

When a read operation is performed, the CPU 40a performs a control process for transmitting a read instruction of an image (image file) that is a target of the read operation to the primary storage server 10, and accordingly, an image file (actual file) of the read instruction is received. Then, the CPU 40a performs a control process for displaying an image corresponding to the image file on the display 40j according to the contents specified by the inspection image browsing program. Further, the inspection image browsing program can accept a new operation for reading another image file at any time even in a state where the image is displayed, thereby appropriately switching the image that the user (doctor) wants to check, These images can be displayed side by side.

The management terminal 45 shown in FIG. 1 is basically the same as the user terminal 40 described above, and can communicate with the management server 30 through the network, and the management application program P31 is installed. Thus, the system administrator can remotely perform various settings related to the primary storage server 10.

The first flowchart of FIG. 11 shows a series of processing procedures related to the download method according to the preceding read processing (preceding download processing) of the storage system 1 described above, focusing on the processing performed by the primary storage server 10 (MPU 10a). It is a thing. At the start of the first flowchart, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of dummy files are stored in each folder, and the secondary storage 21 of the secondary storage server 20 has a primary storage. It is assumed that a plurality of actual files corresponding to the dummy files stored in 11 are stored. In the folder setting menu screen 30 of FIG. 8, it is assumed that the read folder does not include a related folder (a setting in which the second button 31b is selected).

First, the primary storage server 10 (MPU 10a) determines whether or not a file read instruction has been received (received) from the user terminal 40 (S1). When the read instruction is not received (S1: NO), the read instruction is waited. When the read instruction is received (S1: YES), it is determined whether or not the file related to the read instruction is a dummy file. The agent 15) determines (S2). When the file related to the read instruction is not a dummy file but a normal file (substantial file) (S2: NO), the MPU 10a reads the file related to the read instruction and transmits it to the user terminal 40 (S3). Note that the processing in step S3 is a normal file reading process. When the processing in step S3 is performed, the process returns to the first step S1, and it is determined whether or not a new reading instruction has been issued.

On the other hand, when the file related to the read instruction is a dummy file (for example, the first dummy file da1 shown in FIG. 6) (S2: YES), a download request (the first request for requesting an actual file corresponding to the dummy file) The MPU 10a performs a process of transmitting to the secondary storage server 20 (S4). By transmitting this download request, the secondary storage server 20 transmits the actual file that is the target of the download request to the primary storage server 10 (the same applies in the following cases). Although not shown in the first flowchart of FIG. 11, when the primary storage server 10 receives a real file that is the target of a download request from the secondary storage server 20, the primary storage server 10 performs a process of transmitting the real file to the user terminal 40. become.

In addition, the primary storage server 10 has a dummy file related to the read instruction in the step S1 in parallel with the reception process of the real file sent from the secondary storage server 20 and the transmission process of the real file to the user terminal 40 described above. It is detected whether or not a plurality of dummy files are stored in the stored folder (corresponding to a specific folder. For example, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a in FIG. 6) (S5). When a plurality of dummy files are not stored in the folder (specific folder) (S5: NO), the process returns to the first stage S1 and it is determined whether or not a new read instruction has been issued.

If a plurality of dummy files are stored in the specific folder (S5: YES), a list (prefetching) for prefetching the remaining dummy files excluding the dummy file that is the target of the reading instruction in the first stage S1. List) is generated, and the agent 15 sequentially issues download requests according to the prefetch list. Specifically, a process of transmitting a download request (corresponding to the second download request) for requesting an actual file corresponding to the second dummy file da2 which is the next order of the first dummy file da1 to the secondary storage server 20 ( The MPU 10a performs a preceding read process (S6). By transmitting the second download request, the secondary storage server 20 transmits the actual file that is the target of the download request by the preceding read process to the primary storage server 10 (the same applies in the following cases).

The primary storage server 10 receives the real file sent from the secondary storage server 20 and stores it in the primary storage 11 (S7), and determines whether or not all the real files that are the target range of the preceding read process have been received. (S8). For example, in this case, it is determined whether or not all real files stored in a specific folder (for example, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a in FIG. 6) have been received. When all the real files have been received (S8: YES), the process returns to the first stage S1 to determine whether or not a new read instruction has been received.

On the other hand, when all the real files have not been received (S8: NO), a new read instruction is issued during the preceding read process (during the process of sequentially transmitting the download request of the real file corresponding to the remaining dummy files). The MPU 10a determines whether it has been accepted (S9). If a new read instruction has not been received (S9: NO), the process returns to the step of S6, and a request is made for a real file according to the next order in the remaining dummy files (for example, a real file according to the third dummy file da3). A download request (second download request) to be transmitted, and thereafter, unless there is a new read instruction (as long as NO in step S9 continues), until all actual files are received (YES in step S8) , “From the stage of S6 to NO in the stage of S9” is repeated.

By repeating this, the MPU 10a sequentially transmits a download request (second download request) requesting each of the real files corresponding to the remaining dummy files to the secondary storage server 20 a plurality of times, and the secondary storage server 20 Each time an incoming download request is received, the actual file requested by the download request is transmitted to the primary storage server 10 (the same applies to the following cases).

When the MPU 10a sequentially transmits the download request as described above to the secondary storage server 20, when a new read instruction is received (S9: YES), the MPU 10a has a dummy file that is the target of the new read instruction. It is determined whether or not the stored folder is the same as the folder in which the dummy file that is the target of the read instruction received in step S1 is stored (S10).

If they are not the same folder (S10: NO), that is, the folder in which the dummy file that is the target of a new read instruction is stored (corresponding to another specific folder. For example, the personal 1-date 2 folder 111b in FIG. 6) When it is not the same as the folder (corresponding to one specific folder, for example, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a in FIG. 6) in which the dummy file that is the target of the read instruction received in step S1 is stored, the process returns to step S4. The target of the download request to be transmitted is switched, and a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to a dummy folder (dummy file stored in a different folder) related to a new read instruction is transmitted to the secondary storage server 20. .

In this case as well, although not shown in the first flowchart of FIG. 11, the primary storage server 10 becomes the target of the download request along with the transmission of the download request for the actual file corresponding to the dummy file related to the new read instruction. A real file is received from the secondary storage server 20, and a process of transmitting the received real file to the user terminal 40 is performed.

Then, as in the case described above, the MPU 10a detects whether or not a plurality of dummy files are stored in a folder (other specific folder) that is a target of a new read instruction (S5), and the plurality of dummy folders Is stored (S5: YES), a process of transmitting to the secondary storage server 20 an actual file download request corresponding to the remaining dummy files excluding the dummy file that is the target of a new read instruction (preceding read process) The MPU 10a performs (S6).

The processing after step S6 is the same as that described above, and unless there is a new read instruction (as long as NO continues at step S9), other specific folders (eg, personal 1-date 2) Until all real files stored in the folder 111b) are received (until YES in step S8), “from step S6 to NO in step S9” is repeated. Thereby, the MPU 10a sequentially transmits a download request (second download request) requesting each of the actual files corresponding to the remaining dummy files stored in the other specific folder to the secondary storage server 20 a plurality of times, Each time the secondary storage server 20 receives a download request sent thereto, the secondary storage server 20 transmits an actual file requested by the download request to the primary storage server 10.

On the other hand, the folder (specific folder; personal 1-date 1 folder 111a in FIG. 6) in which the dummy file that is the target of a new read instruction is stored in the stage of S10 is the target of the read instruction received in the stage of S1. When the same dummy folder is stored (corresponding to a specific folder, for example, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a in FIG. 6) (S10: YES), a specific order of a new read instruction target The agent 15 (MPU 10a) determines whether an actual file corresponding to the dummy file (for example, the 600th 600th dummy file da600 shown in FIG. 6) has already been downloaded and exists in the primary storage 11 (S11).

If a real file corresponding to a dummy file of a specific order that is a target of a new read instruction already exists in the primary storage 11 (S11: YES), the MPU 10a performs a process of transmitting the real file to the user terminal 40. (S12). Then, the process returns to the step S6 to continue the preceding read processing so far.

On the other hand, if there is no real file corresponding to the dummy file of a specific order in the primary storage 11 (S11: NO), the target of the download request is switched, and the dummy file of the specific order that is the target of a new read instruction The MPU 10a performs a process of transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to the secondary storage server 20 (S13). The secondary storage server 20 transmits the actual file that is the target of the download request to the primary storage server 10 by transmitting the download request of the actual file corresponding to the dummy file of the specific order. When the server 10 receives the actual file that is the target of the download request from the secondary storage server 20, the server 10 transmits the actual file to the user terminal 40.

Then, the process of the MPU 10a returns to the stage of S6, and as the remaining dummy files, the transmission process is switched from the specific order of the dummy file of the new read instruction to the actual file download request corresponding to the subsequent series of dummy files. Do. After that, as in the case described above, “from the stage of S6 to the case of NO in the stage of S9” will be repeated, whereby the MPU 10a responds to the dummy file of the rank after the specific rank. The download request (second download request) for requesting each real file is sequentially transmitted to the secondary storage server 20 a plurality of times.

Note that when a download request is made in step S13 and the process returns to step S6, a new read instruction is issued even if an actual file download request corresponding to the last-ranked dummy file is made. The actual file corresponding to the dummy file included in the previous rank range may not be downloaded. In such a case, after the last actual file is downloaded, NO is obtained in step S8 in the first flowchart. Therefore, the request for downloading the actual file corresponding to the dummy file in the rank range not requested for download is indicated in “step S6”. To “NO in S9” is repeated, and the MPU 10a sequentially transmits to the secondary storage server 20.

It should be noted that the actual file downloaded and stored in the primary storage 11 is not read out even after a predetermined period of time, if a predetermined archive condition (file is stored for a certain period, the frequency of use of the file is less than a certain number, etc.) ) Is satisfied, and the real file in the primary storage 11 is replaced with a dummy file by the “dummy file generation function” of the agent 15 shown in FIG. 4 (in this case, the real file remains in the secondary storage 21). Therefore, the process of uploading the actual file of the primary storage 11 to the secondary storage server 20 can be omitted).

In the description of the first flowchart described above, the setting in which the related folder is not included in the read folder is described in the folder setting menu screen 30 in FIG. 8, but the setting including the related folder in the read folder (the first button 31 a is selected). In the case of (setting), only the range of the folder to be read is changed, and the basic processing flow is the same as described above.

In other words, the target for determining whether or not it is stored in a plurality of files in the stage of S5 is a specific folder (a folder in which a dummy file to be read is stored. For example, the individual 1 folder 111 located in the third hierarchy in FIG. In addition to the folder related to the specific folder (related folder. For example, the personal 1 date 1 folder 111a in the 4th hierarchy under the personal 1 folder 111 in the 3rd hierarchy shown in FIG. 111N), and even when a download request for an actual file corresponding to the remaining file (dummy file) is transmitted in step S6, the remaining file (dummy file) is stored. The range is a specific folder and a related folder. Further, in the step of S10, in determining whether the dummy file related to the new read instruction is stored in the same folder, the range of the same folder is a specific folder and a related folder.

As described above, the primary storage server 10 of the storage system 1 according to the present embodiment performs the preceding read process (for example, the process including the transmission of the download request at the stage of S6), and thereafter, the read instruction from the user terminal 40 If the file related to the received read instruction is already stored in the primary storage 11 by the preceding read process, the stage of S2 becomes NO and the process of the stage S3 immediately leads to the user terminal 40. Since a real file corresponding to the read instruction can be quickly provided, the convenience for the user can be enhanced. In addition, if a new read process is received from the user terminal 40 during the preceding read process, a process for switching to a process for requesting an actual file according to the read instruction is performed (the step of S9 is S4 after YES) In step S13, the request can be switched to a download request), and it is possible to perform a pre-read process that can handle the user's read instruction preferentially and flexibly handle it.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Various modifications can be considered. For example, in the above description, when an actual file is downloaded from the secondary storage server 20 to the primary storage server 10, the dummy file corresponding to the actual file is replaced with the downloaded actual file. Alternatively, the dummy file and the downloaded actual file may be stored in the primary storage 11 in a coexisting state. In this case, it is necessary to prevent both file names from being duplicated, and if they are duplicated, the agent 15 performs a process of adding distinguishing information to one of the file names.

Further, the configuration (hierarchical configuration) of each folder provided in the storage device 11 is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and a necessary folder can be provided as appropriate according to the application, specifications, and the like. is there.

Further, in the first flowchart shown in FIG. 11, after a plurality of dummy files are stored in the specific folder (S5: YES), the remaining files excluding the dummy file that is the target of the read instruction in the stage of S6. As a method of sequentially transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to each of the dummy files to the secondary storage server 20 (a method of a prior download process) (from the step S6 to the case of NO in the step S9) is repeated. Thus, a plurality of patterns can be considered depending on the order of dummy files.

12A to 12D show four types of patterns as the contents of the prefetch list in the prior download process in the step S6 of the first flowchart. It should be noted that these patterns include S1 for one specific folder (for example, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a in FIG. 6) in which 1000 dummy files with ranks 1 to 1000 are stored. This is the case where there is an instruction to read the 500th dummy file (for example, the 500th dummy file da500) from the user terminal at the stage, and the folder setting menu screen 30 in FIG. 8 does not include the related folder in the read folder. It is assumed that the setting is set (the setting in which the second button 31b is selected).

In the first pattern shown in FIG. 12A, when a read instruction for the 500th dummy file is received, a download request for an actual file corresponding to the dummy file is made in step S4 of the first flowchart of FIG. After that, the actual file download request corresponding to the first to 1000th dummy files is repeated from “S6 to NO in the step S9”, so that the rank is changed from the smallest to the largest. It shows that it transmits to the secondary storage server 20 sequentially.

However, in this first pattern, the actual files corresponding to the 500th dummy file in the middle have already been downloaded at the stage of the prior download process, so the first to 1000th dummy files The download request for the actual file corresponding to the dummy file corresponding to the 500th is excluded in the sequential transmission of the download request for the actual file corresponding to Since such a first pattern sequentially requests real files corresponding to dummy files from the first rank to the last rank, the real file is downloaded most orthodoxly. This is a pattern suitable for setting as a default in setting the download order in the download process.

In the second pattern shown in FIG. 12B, when a read instruction for the 500th dummy file is received, a download request for an actual file corresponding to the dummy file is made in step S4 of the first flowchart of FIG. Then, the secondary storage server 20 is repeated by repeating the download request of the actual file corresponding to the 501st to 1000th (last ranking) dummy files “from the stage of S6 to NO in the stage of S9”. When the actual file download request corresponding to the 1000th dummy file is transmitted, the actual file download request corresponding to the first to 499th dummy files remaining at that time is sent to the “step S6”. To the case of NO at the stage of S9 "is repeated again, so that the secondary storage It has become a pattern that sequentially transmits to over bus 20.

In the second pattern, after a download request of a real file corresponding to a dummy file related to a read instruction from the user terminal is made, the real file corresponding to the subsequent dummy file following the order of the dummy file of the read instruction is sequentially Therefore, it becomes a pattern suitable for a type of user who has a high possibility of browsing a series of subsequent files from a file desired to be read.

In the third pattern shown in FIG. 12C, when a read instruction for the 500th dummy file is received, a download request for an actual file corresponding to the dummy file is made in step S4 of the first flowchart of FIG. After that, one of the specific ranks from a rank (for example, the 450th rank before the 50th order) a certain number before the dummy file rank (specific rank, 500th in this example) related to the read instruction. Request the dummy files up to the previous one and the actual files corresponding to the dummy files from one after the specific rank to the rank after the specific rank (for example, the 550th rank after the 50th). The download request to be transmitted is sequentially transmitted to the secondary storage server 20 by repeating “from the step S6 to NO in the step S9”. Then, an actual file download request corresponding to the dummy file from the above-mentioned fixed number of ranks (for example, the 550th rank) to the 1000th (last rank) dummy file is made “from the stage of S6 to the stage of S9. By repeating “until the case of NO”, the file is sequentially transmitted to the secondary storage server 20, and when the download request for the actual file corresponding to the 1000th dummy file is transmitted, the first to 449th files (the above-mentioned ones) remaining at that time By sequentially repeating the download request of the actual file corresponding to the dummy file of the order one order prior to a certain number of orders (from the step S6 to the case of NO in the step S9), the secondary storage server 20 is sequentially accessed. It is a pattern to send.

Such a third pattern is a dummy file included in a certain range before and after the rank of the dummy file of the read instruction after making a download request of the actual file corresponding to the dummy file according to the read instruction from the user terminal. First, a real file corresponding to the file is requested, and then a series of real files after the certain range are requested, so the possibility of browsing the files included in the certain range from the file you want to read This is a pattern suitable for a type of user who has the highest possibility of browsing files after a certain range.

The fourth pattern shown in FIG. 12 (d) is the third pattern described above that preferentially requests real files before and after a certain range of the specified order (500th) of the dummy file to be read. After that, the download request for the actual file corresponding to the dummy file from the first (first) to the 449th (the order one order before the above-mentioned constant number) is made “from S6 to S9. By repeating “until the case of NO in the stage”, the data is sequentially transmitted to the secondary storage server 20, and then the remaining range is the range from the 550th (rank after a certain number) to the 1000th (last rank) By repeating the download request for the actual file corresponding to the dummy file included in the file from the step S6 to the case of NO in the step S9, It has become a pattern that sequentially transmits to Jisaba 20.

In the fourth pattern, similar to the third pattern, first, an actual file corresponding to a dummy file included in a certain range before and after the order of the dummy file of the read instruction is requested, and then, before the certain range, Since a series of actual files included in the range is requested, it is most likely that the files included in a certain range will be browsed from the file that is desired to be read. This pattern is suitable for a type of user who has a high browsing possibility.

FIGS. 13A to 13F show a fifth pattern different from the first pattern to the fourth pattern described above, and this fifth pattern is also a prior download process in the step S6 of the first flowchart. An example of a pattern is represented. In the fifth pattern of FIG. 13, for the sake of brevity, a total of 10 dummy files (first files) are stored in a specific folder to be read (for example, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a in FIG. 6). In this example, a dummy file to a tenth dummy file are stored. In the fifth pattern, when a read instruction related to another temporary file is received during the process of sequentially transmitting a prior download request, an actual file corresponding to the other temporary file related to the read instruction is received. If not, the transmission process of the prior download request is temporarily stopped, a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to another temporary file is transmitted to the secondary storage server 20 (external server device), and the download request is transmitted. When the process is completed, the transmission process of the preceding download request is resumed from the dummy file in the stopped order.

FIG. 13A shows that the user has instructed to read the third dummy file first. In this case, the agent 15 of the primary storage server 10 transmits a download request for the actual file (third actual file) corresponding to the third dummy file to the secondary storage server 20, and then download processing prior to the first dummy file. Generate a look-ahead list for sequential execution.

13B and 13C, according to the generated prefetch list, the agent 15 performs prefetch processing (processing for transmitting a prior download request to the secondary storage server 20) for the first dummy file, and then 2 shows that prefetch processing is performed on the dummy file. In FIGS. 13A to 13F, the dummy file that has been instructed to be read or the dummy file that has been subject to the pre-read process is replaced with the actual file that is downloaded as described above. In the stage, the illustration is deleted.

Further, in FIG. 13D, the fourth dummy file is pre-read and a download request for the actual file (fourth actual file) corresponding to the fourth dummy file is transmitted to the secondary storage server 20 in the middle of the process. This shows a state where the primary storage server 10 has received a new read instruction relating to the eighth dummy file from the user. In this case, in the prefetching process, the agent 15 stops the transmission process of the download request for the real file (fifth real file) corresponding to the fifth dummy file in the next order, and the eighth dummy for which a read instruction has been issued. A process of transmitting a download request of the actual file corresponding to the file to the secondary storage server 20 with priority is performed.

In this way, when a preferential download request corresponding to a new read instruction is made interruptively, the agent 15 performs maintenance (correction) of the prefetch list and performs a new read from the prefetch list. Processing for deleting the instructed dummy file (in this case, the eighth dummy file) is performed. When the transmission process of the preferential download request is completed, the agent 15 resumes the prefetching process that has been stopped.

FIG. 13E shows a situation in which the prefetching process that has been paused is resumed. The agent 15 prefetches the fifth dummy file according to the modified prefetching list (previous download request to the secondary storage server 20). Next, as shown in FIG. 13F, prefetch processing is performed on the sixth dummy file. Even after FIG. 13F, the agent 15 sequentially performs the prefetch processing of the seventh dummy file, the ninth dummy file, and the tenth dummy file in accordance with the modified prefetch list. In the example of the fifth pattern described above, since a new read instruction from the user can be preferentially handled even during the pre-reading process, there is an advantage that deterioration of the response to the user operation can be suppressed.

The preceding download process of the first pattern to the fifth pattern described above is preferably configured so that a desired pattern can be appropriately set according to an instruction from the user terminal 40 or the management terminal 45 shown in FIG. Further, when the specification is specified to some extent, any one of the first to fifth patterns may be fixed to one pattern. In addition, when any one of the third and fourth patterns described above is used, an instruction from the user terminal 40 or the management terminal 45 is used to specify a desired number for the number within a certain range before and after the order to be read. Therefore, it is preferable to be able to set as appropriate. As these constants, for example, numerical values such as “25”, “100”, “150”, and “200” can be used in addition to “50” described above.

Further, when a download request is made in the step S6 after the step S13 in the first flowchart of FIG. 11 described above, a dummy for a new read instruction is provided as in the second pattern in FIG. 12B. A download request for requesting a real file corresponding to each dummy file after the file order (specific order) is sequentially transmitted to the secondary storage server 20, and then the actual file corresponding to the last dummy file is downloaded. When the request is made, the download request of the scared real file is sent to the dummy file according to the remaining range. However, as in the third or fourth pattern described above, a certain number of times is added to the specific order. Send a download request requesting each real file corresponding to a series of dummy files included in the range Thereafter it may be specifications sequentially transmits a download request for requesting each real file corresponding to the dummy file included in the remaining range.

In the first flowchart of FIG. 11, when there is a new read instruction in the step S9, there is a possibility that the user has registered a file included in a certain rank range and is reading. Therefore, when the prefetching process is performed in the step S6 after the step S13, the user can preferentially perform a prior download process for a certain range of files with respect to the order of registration. However, it is possible to prepare in the primary storage 11 in advance a file that is likely to be read.

Further, in the first flowchart shown in FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the prior read process is performed in step S5, in which a plurality of dummy files are stored in the folder (specific folder) in which the dummy file to be read is stored. The condition is whether or not the file is stored, but the condition may be further limited to determine whether or not a plurality of files of the same type as the file to be read are stored.

For example, if the dummy file to be read is a file corresponding to a specific type (or file format) of an image file, whether or not a plurality of dummy files corresponding to a real file of the same type are stored is used as a condition. Also good. The detection of a real file of the same type is determined by whether or not a specific character string or information is included in a range of a predetermined number of bytes, as in the example of the file name extension or the DICOM file in FIG. It becomes possible. In this way, it is used to detect whether or not a plurality of dummy files of the same type are stored in a predetermined folder in a state in which the stored dummy files are properly distinguished and arranged in each of the plurality of folders. It is suitable when it is not stored.

If it is certain that a plurality of dummy files are stored in the folder to be read, a plurality of specific files (or storage devices 11) are included in the specific folder (or storage device 11) in step S5 of the first flowchart of FIG. The detection process of whether or not the dummy file is stored may be omitted.

FIGS. 14A to 14C show an outline of a prefetch process (preceding download process) of still another modified example. In the above description, in the prefetch process (preceding download process), one actual file is requested in one download request. However, in the modification shown in FIG. The feature is that a plurality of real files are requested.

FIG. 14A is the same as the case of FIG. 2A described above. The primary storage server 10 receives a read instruction related to the first dummy file d1 from the user terminal 40, and stores the first dummy file d1 in the first dummy file d1. The case where the download request (corresponding to the first download request) of the corresponding first actual file f1 is transmitted to the secondary storage server 20 is shown.

14B, when the secondary storage server 20 transmits the requested first real file f1 to the primary storage server 10, and the primary storage server 10 downloads (receives) the first real file f1. The first dummy file d1 is replaced with the downloaded first actual file f1, and the replaced first actual file f1 is transmitted to the user terminal 40.

FIG. 14 (b) shows that the agent 15 also corresponds to the preceding download request (second download request) for the remaining plurality of files for which no read instruction has been issued (a plurality of files after the second dummy file d2). ) Is generated and transmitted to the secondary storage server 20. This second download request is a single download request, and is a second request corresponding to the second dummy file d2 to the nth dummy file dn. It differs from the content shown in FIG. 2B in that the real file f2 to the nth real file fn are requested. As a result, the primary storage server 10 side does not need to send a download request for the number of dummy files to be prefetched in the prior download process (prefetch process). There is an advantage that the transmission processing load of the download request can be reduced.

When the secondary storage server 20 receives the download request (second download request) having the contents as described above, a plurality of real files to be downloaded (a plurality of real files after the second real file f2) are processed as a modification process. File) is sequentially transmitted to the primary storage server 10.

FIG. 14C shows the intermediate stage of the process in which the secondary storage server 20 sequentially transmits each real file. The case where the second real file f2 is transmitted and then the third real file f3 is transmitted. To express. When the primary storage server 10 receives each real file from the secondary storage server 20, the primary storage server 10 replaces the corresponding dummy file with the received real file and stores it in the primary storage 11. It prepares for a read instruction.

The second flowchart shown in FIG. 15 shows a series of processing procedures in the download method corresponding to the prefetch processing (preceding download processing) of the modified example shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, and the primary storage server 10 (MPU 10a). The processing from S21 to S25 is the same as S1 to S5 in the first flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S26, a plurality of real file download requests (corresponding to the second download request) corresponding to the plurality of remaining dummy files excluding the dummy file that is the target of the read instruction in the first step S21 are transferred to the secondary storage. The MPU 10a performs a process to be transmitted to the server 20 (preceding read process). By transmitting the second download request, the secondary storage server 20 sequentially transmits the actual file that is the target of the second download request to the primary storage server 10 (the same applies to the following cases).

The primary storage server 10 receives the actual file sequentially sent from the secondary storage server 20 and stores it in the primary storage 11 (S27), and the actual storage subject to the second download request transmitted in the step S26. It is determined whether all the files have been received (S28). When all the real files have been received (S28: YES), the process returns to the first step S21 to determine whether or not a new read instruction has been received.

On the other hand, when all the real files have not been received (S28: NO), the MPU 10a determines whether or not a new read instruction has been accepted during the preceding read process (S29). When a new read instruction has not been received (S29: NO), the process returns to the step S27, and the process of receiving the actual file sequentially sent from the secondary storage server 20 and storing it in the primary storage 11 is continued.

When a new read instruction is received (S29: YES), the MPU 10a stores the dummy file that is the target of the read instruction received in step S21 as the folder in which the dummy file that is the target of the new read instruction is stored. Is the same as the stored folder or not (S30). If they are not the same folder (S30: NO), that is, a folder (corresponding to another specific folder, for example, personal 1-date 2 folder 111b in FIG. If it is not the same as the folder (corresponding to one specific folder, for example, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a in FIG. 6) in which the dummy file that is the target of the read instruction received in step S21 is stored, return to step S24. Then, a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to the dummy folder related to the new read instruction is transmitted to the secondary storage server 20.

With the transmission of the download request at the above-described step S24 again, the primary storage server 10 receives the actual file from the secondary storage server 20 although it is not shown in the second flowchart of FIG. The actual file is received and transmitted to the user terminal 40. Then, as in the case described above, the MPU 10a detects whether or not a plurality of dummy files are stored in the folder (other specific folder) that is the target of a new read instruction (S25), and the plurality of dummy folders Is stored (S25: YES), a request for downloading a plurality of real files corresponding to the remaining dummy files excluding the dummy file that is the target of the new read instruction received in step S29 is sent to the secondary storage server 20. The MPU 10a performs a transmission process (preceding read process) (S26). The processing after step S26 is the same as that described above.

On the other hand, the folder (specific folder, personal 1-date 1 folder 111a in FIG. 6) in which the dummy file that is the target of a new read instruction is stored in step S30 is the target of the read instruction received in step S21. In the case where the dummy file is stored (corresponding to a specific folder. For example, the personal 1-date 1 folder 111a in FIG. 6) (S30: YES) The agent 15 (MPU 10a) determines whether or not the actual file corresponding to the dummy file (for example, the 600th 600th dummy file da600 shown in FIG. 6) has already been downloaded and stored in the primary storage 11 (S31). .

If a real file corresponding to a dummy file of a specific order that is the target of a new read instruction is already stored in the primary storage 11 (S31: YES), the real file is transmitted to the user terminal 40 (S32), and thereafter Will return to the stage of S27 and continue to receive the actual files sequentially sent from the secondary storage server 20.

On the other hand, if there is no real file corresponding to the dummy file of a specific rank in the primary storage 11 (S31: NO), a plurality of dummy files corresponding to a series of dummy files subsequent to the specific rank to be the target of a new read instruction. The MPU 10a performs a process of transmitting a download request (corresponding to a third download request) requesting an actual file to the secondary storage server 20 (preceding read process) (S33). By transmitting this third download request, the secondary storage server 20 switches the transmission target to the actual file related to the third download request and continuously transmits the actual file.

Then, after transmitting the third download request, the primary storage server 10 receives the actual file from the secondary storage server 20 according to the new read instruction dummy file, and sends the actual file to the user terminal. 40 (S32), and thereafter, the process returns to the step S27, and the real files sequentially switched from the secondary storage server 20 to which the order of transmission targets is switched are continuously received and stored in the primary storage 11. (S27) After that, it is determined whether or not all the real files that are the targets of the transmitted download request (third download request) have been received (S28), and thereafter, the above-described processing is repeated.

Note that the modified examples of the various processes described above can be appropriately combined. For example, in the modified examples of FIGS. 14A to 14C, the secondary storage server 20 sequentially transmits to the primary storage server 10. As the order of the actual files, any order of the patterns as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12D can be used.

FIG. 16 shows an overall outline of a storage system 70 which is a modification of the hardware configuration of the system. The storage system 70 of this modification is characterized in that the primary storage server 10 and the user terminal 40 in the storage system 1 shown in FIG. 1 are combined and aggregated to form a communication terminal device 80 (corresponding to a storage communication device). Yes. The communication terminal device 80 corresponds to a terminal (computer, tablet, smartphone, etc.) having a communication function used by the user (client), and the communication terminal device 80 which is a client terminal used by the user is also an element constituting the storage system 70. It has become. The secondary storage server 20 in this modified example is equivalent to the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 shows a main internal configuration when a general personal computer is used as the communication terminal device 80 used in the storage system 70 of the modification, and basically the configuration of the user terminal 40 shown in FIG. It is equivalent. That is, the communication terminal device 80 connects various devices such as the communication module 80b, the RAM 80c, the ROM 80d, the input interface 80e, the output interface 80f, and the storage unit 80g to the CPU 80a that performs overall control and various processes. The various devices 80b to 80g are basically equivalent to the user terminal 40 of FIG.

The communication module 80b is communicable with the secondary storage server 20 by connecting to the network via a required communication device (not shown, for example, a router or the like). The input interface 80e is connected to a keyboard 80i for receiving operation instructions from the user, a mouse, and the like, and transmits the operation instructions received from the user to the CPU 80a. The output interface 80f is connected to the display 80j, outputs the contents accompanying the processing of the CPU 80a to the display 80j, and allows the user to visually confirm the operation contents and the processing contents.

The storage unit 80g is a storage device configured by an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) or the like. In this modification, the storage unit 80g functions as a primary storage, and as shown in FIG. A target folder 82, a B / A non-target folder 83, and a work folder 84 are formed, and a folder structure as shown in FIG. 5 is formed under the B / A target folder 82 as an example. .

Further, the storage unit 80g stores a terminal processing program P22 in addition to the basic program P20 and the application program P21 stored in the storage unit 40g of the user terminal 40 shown in FIG. This terminal processing program P22 is a modification of the server processing program P2 stored in the storage unit 10g of the primary storage server 10 shown in FIG. Is equivalent to the processing program P2 shown in FIG. 3, and the CPU 80a functions as an agent 85 (see FIG. 16) as in the first embodiment, based on the contents defined by the terminal processing program P22.

The processing performed by the CPU 80a functioning as the agent 85 is equivalent to the functions (1) to (10) shown in FIG. 4, but the instruction (read instruction) received from the user terminal 40 shown in FIG. 85 is directly received via the input interface 80e, and the file to be read is sent from the primary storage server 10 to the user terminal 40 with respect to the file read instruction from the user. Although the processing of the CPU 80a functioning as the agent 85 is different from that of the MPU 10a shown in FIG. 3 in details, such as simply reading the file to be read from the storage unit 80g, the basic points are the same.

As an example of the different contents, in this modified example, it is detected whether or not a read instruction of a file (dummy file) sent from the user terminal 40 is received in the step S1 in the first flowchart of FIG. The agent 85 detects whether an instruction to read a file (dummy file) stored in the storage unit 80g (primary storage) is received via the input interface 80e. Further, regarding sending the actual file downloaded from the secondary storage 20 to the user terminal 40, in this modification, the agent 85 (CPU 80a) performs processing to output the downloaded actual file to the display 80j via the output interface 80f. It will be.

In such a modification, since the primary storage server 10 and the user terminal 40 shown in FIG. 1 are combined into one as the communication terminal device 80 that is a client terminal, the client terminal level that does not use the server (primary storage server) is used. There is an advantage that the storage system 70 including the communication terminal device 80 can be constructed with a simple configuration, and there is no need for communication between the user terminal 40 and the primary storage server 10 performed in the system of FIG. 1 via communication. Thus, there is an advantage that the preceding read processing can be performed at a level close to the user. In addition, even in such a hardware modification, various modifications regarding the above-described processing can be applied.

The present invention is a case where a dummy file is stored on one side of a storage connected by communication and an actual file is stored on the other side by archive processing, and when a read instruction is issued from a user, Since the actual file that is not the target of the read instruction is downloaded in advance by the prior read process, it can be suitably used for easily responding to the user's read instruction.

1, 70 Storage system 10 Primary storage server (storage communication device)
11 Primary storage 15 Agent 20 Secondary storage server (server device)
21 Secondary storage (storage device)
40 user terminal 45 management terminal 80 communication terminal device (storage communication device)
80g Storage unit (storage device)
P1 server program P2 processing program P6 storage program P20 basic program P21 application program P22 terminal processing program

Claims

A storage communication device having a storage device for storing a plurality of temporary files; and a server device for storing a plurality of actual files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files. Upon receiving the file download request, in the storage system that transmits the actual file related to the received download request to the storage communication device,
The storage communication device
Means for performing a process of transmitting a download request for an actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to the server device when a read instruction related to the one temporary file is received;
Means for sequentially transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to each of the remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files, to the server device. Storage system.
A storage communication device having a storage device for storing a temporary file; and a server device for storing a real file corresponding to the temporary file, and the server device receives a download request for the real file from the storage communication device, In the storage system that transmits the actual file related to the received download request to the storage communication device,
The storage communication device
Means for performing a process of transmitting a download request for an actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to the server device when a read instruction related to the one temporary file is received;
Means for detecting whether a plurality of temporary files are stored in the storage device;
When it is detected that a plurality of temporary files are stored, a download request for requesting actual files corresponding to the remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files is sequentially sent to the server device. A storage system comprising: means for performing transmission processing.
A storage communication device having a storage device for storing a plurality of temporary files; and a server device for storing a plurality of actual files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files. Upon receiving the file download request, in the storage system that transmits the actual file related to the received download request to the storage communication device,
The storage communication device
Means for performing a process of transmitting a first download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to the server device when a read instruction relating to the one temporary file is received;
Means for transmitting a second download request for collectively requesting a plurality of real files corresponding to a plurality of remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files to the server device; With
The server device
A storage system comprising: means for sequentially transmitting a plurality of real files related to the second download request to the storage communication device when the second download request is received.
By providing a storage device for storing a plurality of temporary files, and sending an actual file download request to an external server device storing a plurality of actual files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files, from the external server device In a storage communication device that receives real files,
Means for performing a process of transmitting a download request for an actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to an external server device when a read instruction related to the one temporary file is received;
And means for sequentially transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to each of the remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files, to an external server device. Storage communication device.
A storage communication device comprising a storage device for storing a temporary file and receiving a real file from an external server device by transmitting a download request for the real file to an external server device storing the real file corresponding to the temporary file In
Means for performing a process of transmitting a download request for an actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to an external server device when a read instruction related to the one temporary file is received;
Means for detecting whether a plurality of temporary files are stored in the storage device;
When it is detected that a plurality of temporary files are stored, a download request for requesting actual files corresponding to the remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files is sent to the external server device. A storage communication device comprising: means for performing a sequential transmission process.
The plurality of temporary files are ordered.
During the process of sequentially transmitting the download request, if a real file corresponding to the other temporary file has not been received when a read instruction related to the other temporary file is received, the download request to be sequentially transmitted, 6. The storage communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the storage communication device is switched to a download request for requesting actual files corresponding to a series of temporary files after the order of other temporary files.
The plurality of temporary files are ordered.
When a read instruction relating to another temporary file is received during the process of sequentially transmitting the download request, if a real file corresponding to the other temporary file has not been received, the download request to be transmitted is A means of switching to a download request for an actual file corresponding to the temporary file of
If an actual file corresponding to a certain number of temporary files before the order of the other temporary files has not been received, the order of the other temporary files from the order of a certain number of orders before the order of the other temporary files. A process of sequentially transmitting a download request for requesting each real file corresponding to a series of temporary files up to the previous order to an external server device, and a series of subsequent orders after the order of the other temporary files The storage communication device according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising: a unit configured to sequentially transmit a download request for requesting each real file corresponding to the temporary file to an external server device.
Processing for sequentially transmitting download requests for requesting real files corresponding to temporary files in the rank range for which no download request has been made, to the external server device when processing for downloading the temporary file download request for the last rank is performed. The storage communication apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising:
The plurality of temporary files are ordered.
If a read instruction relating to another temporary file is received during the process of sequentially transmitting the download request, if a real file corresponding to the other temporary file has not been received, the download request transmission process is sequentially transmitted. Means for performing a process of transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to the other temporary file to an external server device;
6 or 5, comprising means for resuming the transmission processing of the download request to be sequentially transmitted that has been stopped when the processing of transmitting the download request for requesting the actual file corresponding to the other temporary file is completed. The storage communication device described in 1.
The storage device has a specific folder,
The storage communication device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of temporary files are stored in the specific folder.
The specific folder has a related folder,
The storage communication device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of temporary files are stored in the specific folder and related folders.
The storage device has a plurality of folders,
A plurality of temporary files are stored in each of the plurality of folders;
The one temporary file according to the read instruction is included in a plurality of temporary files stored in one folder among a plurality of folders,
During the process of sequentially transmitting the download request, when a read instruction related to another temporary file stored in another folder in the plurality is received, the download request to be transmitted is stored in the other folder. A means of switching to a download request for an actual file corresponding to the temporary file of
A process of sequentially transmitting download requests for requesting actual files corresponding to the remaining temporary files excluding the other temporary files from the plurality of temporary files stored in the other folder to an external server device. The storage communication apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9, further comprising: means.
By providing a storage device for storing a plurality of temporary files, and sending an actual file download request to an external server device storing a plurality of actual files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files, from the external server device In a storage communication device that receives real files,
Means for performing a process of transmitting a first download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to an external server device when a read instruction relating to the one temporary file is received;
Means for transmitting a second download request for collectively requesting a plurality of real files corresponding to a plurality of remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files to an external server device A storage communication device comprising:
A storage communication device comprising a storage device for storing a plurality of temporary files sends an actual file download request to an external server device storing a plurality of actual files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files, Download method for receiving a real file from a server device of
The storage communication device
A step of performing a process of transmitting a download request for an actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to an external server device when a read instruction related to the one temporary file is received;
Performing a process of sequentially transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to each of the remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files, to an external server device. How to download.
A real file download request is transmitted to an external server device storing a plurality of actual files corresponding to each of the plurality of temporary files to a computer having a storage device for storing a plurality of temporary files and having a communication function. In a computer program for causing processing to receive an actual file from an external server device,
In the computer,
A step of performing a process of transmitting a download request for an actual file corresponding to the one temporary file to an external server device when a read instruction related to the one temporary file is received;
Performing a process of sequentially transmitting a download request for requesting an actual file corresponding to each of the remaining temporary files excluding the one temporary file from the plurality of temporary files, to an external server device. A computer program.