JP2005150994A - Image management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a box function in which the possibility of the generation a hard disc full state is low. <P>SOLUTION: An automatic erase time and backup by an image data base server are set previously in a user mode or the like, in units of boxes or box documents. When the automatic box erase function of a copy machine is actuated to erase a box document automatically, a document set to be backed up by the image data base is backed up and then automatic erasure is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically erasing and automatically backing up stored images in a digital copying machine or the like in which images are stored.

  Conventionally, image data read from a scanner or image data obtained by expanding PDL data sent from a host computer via a network into a bitmap is temporarily stored in a memory such as a hard disk, and image data of an arbitrary document is stored from the memory. A digital copying machine having a function of repeatedly reading and printing out is known.

  In addition to using this hard disk memory as a temporary image memory for print output, you can logically cut partitions for each user, department, etc. to put confidential documents and frequently used documents there. In addition, a box function has been realized that allows the user's password to be input and output from the operation panel of the copier when necessary, and to transfer documents in the box to another copier connected to the network. Yes.

  In addition, there is a copying machine that incorporates an automatic erasing function for automatically erasing an old document into a box function by setting an automatic erasing time for each partition so that a memory such as a hard disk is not pressed (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

Furthermore, a database server is known that is connected to a network, manages shared documents and shared images on the network, and can reference, search, and print shared documents from a plurality of hosts on the network. Recently, there have been document management applications for managing shared documents for database servers that can operate images on a hard disk such as a copying machine connected to a network.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-177787

  However, there is a problem that a document managed on the copying machine is erased regardless of the image database by the automatic erasure function. Also, although there is a system to back up memory such as hard disk on the copier, there is no automatic backup function for each document on the copier. There was a problem that the document was automatically erased by the erasing function and the document had to be read into the copying machine again.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional example described above, and an object of the present invention is to automatically input an image input to a hard disk on an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine at a user's set timing. It is intended to provide an image management system in which the amount of data on the hard disk is reduced by erasing the images, and frequently used images are backed up on an image database server on a network, so that necessary images of the user can be taken out at any time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by selecting whether to back up a file to the image database server at the time of automatic erasure of the file, it is possible to store a large amount of important image data without pressing the hard disk capacity on the copying machine. An image management system that can be managed can be provided.

(First embodiment)
An overall configuration of an image input / output system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  A reader unit (image input device) 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 having a function for transporting a document sheet.

  A printer unit (image output device) 300 conveys a recording sheet, prints image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper out of the apparatus. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 310 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 320 having a function of transferring and fixing image data onto the recording paper, and sorting and stapling the printed recording papers. And a paper discharge unit 330 having a function of outputting to

  The control device 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, and further connected to the image database server 107 and the host computer 180 via the network 400.

  The control device 110 controls the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document, and controls the printer unit 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet to provide a copy function. In addition, the image data read from the reader unit 200 is converted into code data and transmitted to the host computer via the network 400, the code data received from the host computer via the network 400 is converted into image data, A printer function for outputting to the printer unit 300 is provided.

  The operation unit 150 is connected to the control device 110, is configured with a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the image input / output system.

  The image database server 107 is accessible from the host computer 180 connected to the network 400 and other host computers, and holds shared documents and shared images on a large-capacity hard disk as a shared file server.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. The document feeding unit 250 of the reader unit feeds documents one by one on the platen glass 211 in order from the top, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 211 after the document reading operation is completed. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the lamp 212 is turned on, and the movement of the optical unit 213 is started to expose and scan the document. Reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 218 by mirrors 214, 215, and 216 and a lens 217. In this way, the scanned image of the document is read by the CCD 218. Image data output from the CCD 218 is transferred to the control device 110 after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  An image processing circuit unit 222 processes read image information as an electrical signal and outputs it as a print signal.

  The laser driver 317 of the printer unit 300 drives the laser light emitting units 313, 314, 315, and 316, and laser light corresponding to the image data output from the control device 110 is emitted from the laser light emitting units 313, 314, 315, and 316. To emit light. This laser light is irradiated to the photosensitive drums 325, 326, 327, 328 by mirrors 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, and the photosensitive drums 325, 326, 327, In 328, a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed. 321, 322, 323, and 324 are developing devices for developing a latent image with black (Bk), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) toners, respectively. The toner is transferred to a sheet and printed out in full color.

  The paper fed from any of the paper cassettes 329 and 330 and the manual feed tray 332 passes through the registration rollers 333 and is sucked onto the transfer belt 334 and conveyed.

  Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 329 or the cassette 330 and conveyed to the transfer belt 334, and the development adhered to the photosensitive drums 325, 326, 327, and 328. The agent is transferred to the recording paper. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 335, and the developer is fixed to the image recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 335. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 335 is discharged by the discharge roller 336, and the paper discharge unit 339 sorts the recording paper by bundling the discharged recording paper, and staples the sorted recording paper.

  If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 336, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 336 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 338 by the flapper 337. The recording sheet guided to the refeed conveyance path 338 is fed to the transfer belt 334 at the timing described above.

  The function of the control device 110 will be described based on the block diagram shown in FIG.

  The main controller 111 mainly includes a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, and various I / F controller circuits.

  The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 control the overall operation of the control device 110, and the CPU 112 operates based on a program read from the ROM 114 via the ROM I / F 115. The operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from the host computer and developing it into raster image data is also described in this program and processed by software. The bus controller 113 controls data transfer input / output from each I / F, and performs arbitration at the time of bus contention and control of DMA data transfer.

  The DRAM 116 is connected to the main controller 111 by a DRAM I / F 117, and is used as a work area for operating the CPU 112 and an area for storing image data.

  The Codec 118 compresses the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116 by a system such as MH / MR / MMR / JBIG / JPEG, and conversely decompresses the code data compressed and stored into raster image data. The SRAM 119 is used as a temporary work area of the Codec 118. The Codec 118 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 120, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred.

  The image processing unit 135 performs image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, and binarization on the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116, respectively. The SRAM 136 is used as a temporary work area for the image processing unit 135. The image processor 135 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 137, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred.

  The network controller 121 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 122 and is connected to an external network via the connector 122. The network is generally Ethernet (registered trademark).

  An expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O control unit 126 are connected to the general-purpose high-speed bus 125. A general-purpose high-speed bus is a PCI bus.

  The I / O control unit 126 is equipped with two channels of asynchronous serial communication controllers 127 for transmitting / receiving control commands to / from the CPUs of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. F circuits 140 and 145 are connected.

  The panel I / F 132 is connected to the LCD controller 131 and includes an I / F for displaying on a liquid crystal screen on the operation unit 150 and a key input I / F 130 for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys. Is done.

  The operation unit 150 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. A signal input from the touch panel or the hard key is transmitted to the CPU 112 via the panel I / F 132 described above, and the liquid crystal display unit displays image data sent from the panel I / F 520. The liquid crystal display unit displays function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the image forming apparatus.

  The real-time clock module 133 is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 134.

  The E-IDE interface 161 is for connecting an external storage device. In this embodiment, the hard disk drive 160 is connected via this I / F, and image data is stored in the hard disk 162 or image data is read from the hard disk 162.

  The connectors 142 and 147 are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, respectively, and are composed of a synchronized step serial I / F (143, 148) and a video I / F (144, 149).

  The scanner I / F 140 is connected to the reader unit 200 via the connector 142, and is connected to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141, and has a function of performing predetermined processing on the image received from the reader unit 200. And a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the reader unit 200 to the scanner bus 141.

  Data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

  The printer I / F 145 is connected to the printer unit 300 via the connector 147, and is connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146, and performs predetermined processing on the image data output from the main controller 111, It has a function of outputting to the printer unit 300, and further has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the printer unit 300 to the printer bus 146.

  Transfer of raster image data developed on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146 and the video I / F 149.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image processing unit 135. The image processing unit 135 includes modules that perform image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, and binarization, respectively. The SRAM 136 is used as a temporary work area for each module of the image processing unit 135. It is assumed that the work area is statically allocated for each module in advance so that the work area of the SRAM 136 used by each module does not compete. The image processor 135 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 137, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred.

  The bus controller 113 performs control for setting a mode and the like for each module of the image processing unit 135 and timing control for transferring image data to each module.

  Hereinafter, the role of each block is shown in detail for each image processing.

<Description of image rotation unit>
The processing procedure in the image rotation unit 401 is shown below.

  Setting for image rotation control is performed from the CPU 112 to the bus controller 113 via the I / F 137. With this setting, the bus controller 113 makes settings necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction, angle, etc.) to the image rotation unit 401. After making the necessary settings, the CPU 112 permits the bus controller 113 to transfer image data again. In accordance with this permission, the bus controller 113 starts transferring image data from the DRAM 116 or a device connected via each I / F.

<Explanation of image scaling unit>
The processing procedure in the image scaling unit 402 is shown below.

  Setting for image scaling control is performed from the CPU 112 to the bus controller 113 via the I / F 137. With this setting, the bus controller 113 performs settings necessary for image scaling (magnification / magnification in the main scanning direction, magnification / magnification in the sub-scanning direction, image size after magnification, etc.) for the image scaling unit 402. After making the necessary settings, the CPU 112 permits the bus controller 113 to transfer image data again. In accordance with this permission, the bus controller 113 starts transferring image data from the DRAM 116 or a device connected via each I / F.

  The image scaling unit 402 stores the received image data in the temporary SRAM 136, and uses this as an input buffer. The number of pixels and lines required for the stored data according to the magnification ratio of main scanning and sub-scanning The zoom processing is performed by performing interpolation processing for the amount of. The data after scaling is written back to the SRAM 136 again, and this is used as an output buffer. The image scaling unit 402 reads the image data from the SRAM 136 by the above-described reading method and transfers it to the bus controller 113.

  The bus controller 113 that has received the image data subjected to the scaling process transfers the data to the DRAM 116 or each device on the I / F.

<Description of color space converter>
The processing procedure in the color space conversion unit 403 is shown below.

  Setting for color space conversion control is performed from the CPU 112 to the bus controller 113 via the I / F 137. With this setting, the bus controller 113 performs settings necessary for the color space conversion processing (matrix operation coefficients described later, table values of the LUT 404, etc.) for the color space conversion unit 403 and the LUT (look-up table) 404. After making the necessary settings, the CPU 112 permits the bus controller 113 to transfer image data again. In accordance with this permission, the bus controller 113 starts transferring image data from the DRAM 116 or a device connected via each I / F.

  The color space conversion unit 403 first performs a 3 × 3 matrix operation represented by the following equation for each received pixel of image data.

In the above formula, R, G, B are input, X, Y, Z are output, a11, a12, a13, a21, a22, a23, a31, a32, a33, b1, b2, b3, c1, c2, c3 are Each is a coefficient.
Various color space conversions such as conversion from the RGB color space to the Yuv color space can be performed by the calculation of the above equation. Also, black and white conversion can be performed by changing the coefficient. For example, black-and-white conversion is performed by changing the coefficient so that a general expression such as (R + 2G + B) / 4 is obtained.

Next, conversion by the LUT 404 is performed on the data after the matrix calculation. As a result, non-linear conversion can also be performed. Of course, by setting a through table, it is possible to substantially not perform LUT conversion.
Thereafter, the color space conversion unit 403 transfers the image data subjected to the color space conversion processing to the bus controller 113.

  The bus controller 113 that has received the image data subjected to the color space conversion process transfers the data to the DRAM 116 or each device on the I / F.

<Description of image binarization unit>
The processing procedure in the image binarization unit 405 is shown below.

  Setting for binarization control is performed from the CPU 112 to the bus controller 113 via the I / F 137. With this setting, the bus controller 113 performs settings necessary for binarization processing (various parameters and the like according to the conversion method) for the image binarization unit 405. After making the necessary settings, the CPU 112 permits the bus controller 113 to transfer image data again. In accordance with this permission, the bus controller 113 starts transferring image data from the DRAM 116 or a device connected via each I / F.

  The image binarization unit 405 performs binarization processing on the received image data. In this embodiment, as a binarization method, image data is compared with a predetermined threshold value and is simply binarized. Of course, any method such as a dither method, an error diffusion method, or an improved error diffusion method may be used.

  Thereafter, the image binarization unit 405 transfers the binarized image data to the bus controller 113.

  The bus controller 113 that receives the binarized image data transfers the data to the DRAM 116 or each device on the I / F.

  FIG. 5 shows a key layout of the operation unit 150 of the digital copying machine. A power switch 501 controls energization to the main body. Reference numeral 502 denotes a preheating key, which is used to turn on / off the preheating mode. A copy A mode key 503 is used to select the copy A mode from a plurality of functions. A copy B mode key 504 is used to select the copy B mode from a plurality of functions. Copy A and Copy B have the same copy function, but if one of the copies has been read by the scanner, the next copy can be entered. It is divided. A box key 505 is used to select a box mode from a plurality of functions. The box function is a function that has a storage area in the memory in the copying machine for each user or department, puts PDL or scanned images in the memory area, and outputs it when desired. Reference numeral 506 denotes an extended key, which is used when performing an operation on the PDL. Reference numerals 503 to 506 are also used when calling each function screen of the LCD 516 described later, and the status of each job can be viewed on the LCD 516 display. Reference numeral 507 denotes a copy start key that is used to instruct the start of copying. Reference numeral 508 denotes a stop key which is used when copying is interrupted or stopped. A reset key 509 operates as a key for returning to the standard mode during standby. Reference numeral 510 denotes a guide key, which is used to know each function. A user mode key 511 is used when the user changes the basic setting of the system. 512 is an interrupt key, which is used to interrupt and copy during copying. Reference numeral 513 denotes a numeric keypad which is used when inputting numerical values. A clear key 514 is used to clear a numerical value. An ID key 515 is used when shifting to an ID input mode when using a copying machine. 516 is an LCD touch panel that consists of a combination of a liquid crystal screen and a touch sensor. Individual setting screens are displayed for each mode, and various detailed settings can be made by touching the drawn keys. It is. It also displays the operation status of each job. Reference numeral 517 denotes a tally lamp that indicates a communication state of the network. The tally lamp is normally green, blinks green when communicating, and turns red when a network error occurs. Reference numeral 518 denotes an ACS (auto color select) key, which is used to automatically determine whether a copy original is color or black and white and set a mode for scanning in color if it is color, or in black if it is black and white. A full color mode key 519 is used to set a full color scan mode regardless of the copy original. Reference numeral 520 denotes a black mode key, which is used to set a mode for scanning with a black color regardless of a copy original. 518 to 520 toggle, and one of them is always selected, and the selected key is lit.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a copy standard screen of the operation panel 516 in the present embodiment. The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is activated on the copy standard screen as a default when the power is turned on. Reference numeral 601 denotes a message line, which displays the status of the copy job as a message. Reference numeral 602 denotes a magnification display, which displays a magnification that is automatically determined according to a set magnification or a copy mode as a percentage. Reference numeral 603 denotes a paper size display, which displays the selected output paper. If automatic paper selection is set, a message “auto paper” is displayed. Reference numeral 604 denotes a numerical value display indicating how many copies are made. Reference numeral 605 denotes a reduction key, which is used when a reduction copy is desired. Reference numeral 606 denotes an equal magnification key which is used when it is desired to return to the same magnification when reduction or enlargement is set. Reference numeral 607 denotes an enlargement key, which is used when an enlarged copy is desired. Reference numeral 608 denotes a zoom key, which is used when a reduction copy or an enlargement copy is desired by setting a magnification in a fine unit. A sheet selection key 609 is used when an output sheet is designated. A finisher key 610 is used when setting a sorting or stapling mode. Reference numeral 611 denotes a double-sided key, which is used when setting the double-sided mode. Reference numeral 612 is a density display, which shows the current density. The left side shows a low density and the right side shows a high density. Further, the density display 612 is configured so that the display changes in conjunction with the light key 613 and the light key 615. 613 is a light key and is used when it is desired to reduce the density. An automatic key 614 is used when a mode for automatically determining the density is used. 615 is a rich key, which is used when it is desired to increase the density. A character key 616 is used to set a character mode that is automatically set to a density suitable for copying a character document. Reference numeral 617 denotes a character / photo key, which is used to set a character / photo mode that is automatically set to a density suitable for copying a document in which photographs are mixed. An application mode key 618 is used to set various copy modes that cannot be set on the copy standard screen. Reference numeral 619 denotes a system status key, which is used when it is desired to check the status of printing or scanning currently performed in the image input / output system 100. The system status key 619 always appears at this position as well as the copy standard screen, and the system status can be viewed at any time by pressing this key. Although not shown in the figure, an area 620 is a status line for displaying a low priority alarm that does not need to be displayed on the message line 601 and an execution status of other functions.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a logical usage method of the hard disk 162. In the present embodiment, the storage area of the hard disk is logically divided into a temporary area 701 and a box area 702 according to usage. Temporary area 701 is a memory that temporarily stores PDL development data and image data from a scanner so that the output order of image data can be changed, or even when multiple copies are output, the data can be output in a single scan. It is an area. A box area 702 is a storage area for using the box function, and is divided into a small number of registered storage areas such as 703 to 707. The boxes 703 to 707 are assigned to each user or department such as a company, and a box name and a password can be attached to each box. The user can input a PDL job or a scan job in each box by specifying the box, and by actually entering the password, the user can actually see the box, change settings, and print out.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of box registration in the present embodiment. Registration in the box includes registration of the PDL image from the image database server 170 and the host computer 180 and the scan image from the scanner, and the flow is as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, respectively. Note that S801 to S808 in the figure indicate steps.

  When registering a PDL image, in step S801, the user performs print settings on the PC 180, and the process advances to step S802. The contents of the print settings are the number of copies, paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, single-sided / double-sided, page output order, sort output, presence or absence of stapling.

  In S802, by setting a box number on the PC 180, an area in the box area 702 of the hard disk 162 is designated, and the process proceeds to S803. For example, when the box number is designated as 1, the personal box area 703 in the box area 702 is designated.

  In S803, a print instruction is given on the PC 180, and at the same time, the driver software installed on the PC 180 converts the code data to be printed into so-called PDL data, along with the print setting parameters set in S801, The PDL data is transferred to the control device 110 of the output device, and the process proceeds to S804.

  In S804, the transferred PDL data is developed (rasterized) into image data. When the development of the image data is completed, the process proceeds to S805.

  In S805, the developed image data is sequentially recorded in the box area area 702 of the hard disk 162. For example, when the box number is 1, it is stored in the area 703. The print setting parameters set in S801 are also recorded in the area 703. When the box numbers are 2 and 3, they are stored in areas 704 and 705, respectively.

  When registering a scanned image, first, a box number for inputting an image is designated in S806, and the process proceeds to S807.

  In S807, scan settings such as image processing are designated, and the process proceeds to S808.

  In S808, by issuing an instruction to start scanning, the reader unit 200 reads the document and proceeds to S809.

  In S809, the image read in S808 is stored in the box area designated in S806.

  FIG. 9 shows a display on the LCD 516 when the box key 505 on the operation panel in this embodiment is pressed. This screen is a screen for selecting a box, and 901 displays the box number, box name, and information on how much capacity the box takes up in the box area 702 of the hard disk 162. When the box number is pressed, the screen changes to the password input screen shown in FIG. Reference numerals 902 and 903 denote vertical scroll keys, which are used to scroll the screen when a number of boxes exceeding the display of 901 are registered.

  FIG. 10 is a password input screen of the operation panel in this embodiment. By inputting the password set in each box from this screen, the screen transits to the in-box screen shown in FIG. 11, and each box can be accessed. If the password is different, the screen changes to a warning screen (not shown) and the box cannot be accessed. Reference numeral 1001 denotes a cancel key, which returns to the screen of FIG. Reference numeral 1002 denotes an OK key. When this key is pressed, the entered password is confirmed and the password is verified.

  FIG. 11 shows an in-box screen of the operation panel in this embodiment. Reference numeral 1101 denotes a file list in the box, in which the registration date and file name of each file are displayed in a list. To select a file, press the file name, and the currently selected file is highlighted. A scan key 1102 is used to input an image from the scanner into the currently open box, and transitions to a scan setting screen (not shown). A print key 1103 is used when printing the file selected in 1101. A detailed information key 1104 is used to check the detailed information of the file selected in 1101, for example, the number of pages, the file capacity, the set print mode, and the like. An erasure key 1105 is used when erasing the file selected in 1101. Reference numerals 1106 and 1107 are vertical scroll keys, which are used to scroll the screen when a number of files exceeding the display of 1101 are registered. A close key 1108 is used to return to the screen of FIG.

  FIG. 12 is an image database server screen in the present embodiment. Reference numeral 1201 denotes an application screen of the image database server. Actually, if an application for accessing an image database is installed on a PC connected to the network 400, it is possible to access the image database server 170 from any PC on the same screen as this server screen. . Also, the document stored in the image database server 170 is handled as a shared document on the network 400, and the document on the image database server 170 is operated from the PC on the network 400 without having data in each PC. be able to. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a directory structure display screen. Here, the directory structure on the image database server 170 is displayed in a tree structure for easy understanding. The copying machine 100 on the network 400 is also displayed on the directory structure as shown at 1203, and the box area 702 can be viewed as if it were one directory on the image database server. Reference numeral 1204 indicates that the box 01 of the copying machine 100 is selected, and documents existing in the box 01 are displayed in a list in the window 1205. It is possible to select this document and perform document operations such as printing, deleting, copying, and moving.

  FIG. 13 shows an automatic deletion time and backup setting screen in the present embodiment. Although not shown, this screen is a part of the screen when the box is set inside the user mode where the user mode key 511 is enjoyed. In this embodiment, the setting on this screen is set for each box. However, this setting may be performed for each file. 1301 is an automatic deletion time setting, which can be set how long it will be deleted after registration. By using the up and down scroll keys 1302, the setting can be made in increments of 1 hour and 1 day, and it is possible not to set. If it is not set, [No setting] is displayed and the file is not automatically deleted. 1303 is a setting for whether to automatically back up the automatic deletion target file to the image database server 170 at the time of automatic deletion. There are two ways to set the value, not to set it, and use the up and down scroll keys of 1304 to set it. Reference numeral 1305 denotes an OK key, which validates the settings on this screen and closes this screen. Reference numeral 1306 denotes a cancel key, which returns the setting on this screen to the state before setting and returns to the previous screen.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of automatic erasure and backup in this embodiment. Note that S1401 to S1406 in the figure indicate each step.

  This flow is periodically performed for all boxes and files, and automatic deletion and automatic backup are performed.

  In S1401, it is determined whether there is a file for which the automatic deletion check has not ended in the box. If it exists, the process proceeds to S1402, and if it does not exist, the automatic deletion and backup processing ends.

  In S1402, data such as file registration time is read, and the process proceeds to S1403.

  In S1403, the registration time of the file data read in S1402 is compared with the automatic erasure time set in FIG. 13, and if the automatic erasure time has passed, the process proceeds to S1404, and if not, the process proceeds to S1401. . In this embodiment, the erasure time is set for each box, but the erasure time may be set for each document.

  In S1404, it is determined whether or not a file that has reached the automatic erasure time is backed up to the image database server 170. If it is set to back up, the process proceeds to S1405. If it is not set to backup, the process proceeds to S1406. Here, as with the automatic erasure time setting, it does not matter whether the backup is set for each box or the setting is for each file.

  In S1405, the file is transferred to the image database server 170, and the process proceeds to S1406. File transfer is implemented using well-known ftp. If a backup directory is created in advance on the image database server 170, it is automatically backed up to that directory.

  In S1406, the backup-completed file is actually deleted from the box, and the process proceeds to S1401.

(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the backup to the image database server 170 is performed at the time of automatic erasure of the box in the first embodiment. Perform file backup to 170.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of file backup at the time of manual file deletion in this embodiment. Note that S1501 to S1505 in the figure indicate each step.

  In S1501, the user selects an erase file, and the process proceeds to S1502.

  In S1502, an erasure instruction is issued for the file selected in S1501, and the process proceeds to S1503.

  In S1503, a screen for selecting whether or not to erase the erasure instruction document to the image database server 170 is displayed on the LCD 516. If the user selects backup, the process proceeds to S1504, and if not selected, the process proceeds to S1505. . In S1504, the file is backed up to the image database server 170 as in S1405, and the process proceeds to S1505. Here, the user may specify a backup destination directory.

  In S1505, the file for which the deletion instruction is actually issued is deleted.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of this apparatus. It is an external view of the reader part and printer part of this apparatus. It is a block diagram of the control-apparatus part of this apparatus. It is a block diagram of the image processing part of this apparatus. It is an operation part external view of this apparatus. It is the figure which showed the copy standard screen of the operation panel in a present Example. It is the figure which showed the logical usage method of the hard disk of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the box registration in a present Example. It is the figure which showed the box standard screen of the operation panel in a present Example. It is a password input screen of the operation panel in a present Example. It is the screen in a box of the operation panel in a present Example. It is an image database server screen in a present Example. It is an automatic erasing time and backup setting screen in the present embodiment. It is a flowchart of automatic erasure and backup in the present embodiment. It is a flowchart of the file backup at the time of the manual file deletion in a present Example.

Claims (4)

  An image database server connected to a network and capable of managing shared documents and shared images on the network, an image input means for inputting image data, and an image storage means for sequentially storing image data input from the image input means Image output means for sequentially printing out the image data stored in the image storage means, automatic erasure means for automatically erasing the image stored in the image storage means at a specified time, and images stored in the storage means Including an automatic backup means for automatically backing up to the image database server via a network, and automatically erasing the image by the automatic erasure means when the automatic erasure time is reached, Automatic backup that selects whether to perform automatic backup by automatic backup means Image management system characterized by having an up selection means.   2. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the automatic backup selection means can be set for each image stored in the image storage means.   2. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the automatic backup selection means can be set for each group of images stored in the image storage means. The image processing apparatus includes a manual image erasing unit that designates and erases an image stored in the image storage unit, and erases the image by the manual image erasing unit and performs backup by the automatic backup unit. 2. The image management system according to claim 1, wherein whether or not can be set.

Images