JP4261763B2 - Image input / output system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image input / output system in which an image input / output device such as a digital copying machine or a remote scanner is connected to a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, networking of PCs (personal computers) and WSs (workstations) is rapidly spreading, and the construction of LANs in offices is progressing. Digital copiers have also been used as shared remote printers on PC and WS networks.
[0003]
On the other hand, a digital copying machine has a scanner function and is already directly connected to a PC or the like. However, in the case of a remote scanner connected to a network, there is a case where time is required. .
For example, when used as a remote scanner, an original is set in a digital copying machine, a scanner application is started on a remote PC, and an instruction for reading the original is issued. Next, it is necessary to return to the digital copier again and take the set document.
[0004]
The digital copying machine is often used as a copy by a plurality of people, and since the original remains on while the scanner is used, there is a problem that other people cannot use it. Another problem is that other people open the cover and reject the document without knowing it.
[0005]
As a conventional technique for solving this problem, for example, an automatic image transfer method of a scanner system reported in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-271535 is known. This technology is designed to allow manuscript setting, reading start instruction, and manuscript collection operations when using a remote scanner at a set position of the remote scanner.
[0006]
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-133094, data input by a scanner using an image input / output device is stored in an auxiliary storage device, storage information is stored in an IC card, and target data is stored in the IC card from other terminals. The method of taking over is shown.
[0007]
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-93376 discloses a technique for storing data input by a scanner with a digital copying machine offline in a detachable memory.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Among the above prior arts, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-271535 is such that the transfer destination is set in the scanner device in advance from a PC or the like, and then the remote scanner device is reached, and the scanner start button is pressed there. In this method, the image is transferred, returned to the PC again, and the image data is used. In addition, since all images are transferred, it may take a long transfer time, and may be interrupted due to a storage error on the PC side during reception, and it is necessary to scan the document again and read it again.
[0009]
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-133094, the user can access the image input / output device with the information and read the scanner data from the image input / output device when necessary after receiving the stored information. The image input / output device was not occupied until the image transfer was completed or until the image application processing was completed, but the data remains stored in the image input / output device, so forgetting to collect it due to work circumstances A case sometimes came out. If the storage expiry date or the total capacity that can be stored in the auxiliary storage device for the data input by the scanner with the image input / output device is likely to exceed the usable limit, it will end with an error or the old one will be deleted automatically. There was also.
[0010]
Furthermore, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-93376, data input by a scanner using a digital copying machine is stored offline in a removable memory. Therefore, when data is shared among groups, it must be read once by a PC or the like. There was a problem that it took time to transfer to the server.
[0011]
By the way, recently, with the spread of the Internet, software for browsing has been distributed free of charge, and is being commonly used as a groupware terminal-side browsing tool. In order to view with this browsing tool, it is necessary to send it to the terminal side in hypertext. This browse tool also has a mail function, and if there is a hypertext address in the content of the received mail, by clicking on the address with the mouse in the browse tool, a hypertext compatible image input / output device via the network Can be accessed.
[0012]
An object of the present invention is to provide an image input / output system capable of effectively using scanner data by using a general-purpose browser under such a background.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention, first storage unit storing data by scanning a document, a second storage device having a large capacity than the first storage device, the scanner input If there is no designated holder for storing the specified image data file, the creation means for creating the designated holder, the recording means for recording the expiration date in the created holder, and the holder already exists And a main control unit that configures an update unit that updates the expiration date of the holder to a specified expiration date and a management unit that collectively manages the image files in the holder, and the main control unit has passed the expiration date When the holder needs to be stored, the data stored in the first storage device is stored in units of holders in which the image data file is stored and the holder information for storage and the storage key for restoration are stored. Information is added and transferred to the second storage device, image data is converted from the image data file into a reduced image, stored in the first storage device, and storage information in units of holders based on each image file information A hypertext of an access list is created and stored in the first storage device, and a storage address of the hypertext of the storage information access list is notified to a designated user connected to the network, and the first storage device The present invention relates to an image input / output system that collectively deletes holders storing image data files .
[0015]
The invention of claim 2, wherein the main control unit constitutes the execution means to start the restore execution in hypertext of the storage information access list, and, by receiving the restoration request from the terminal side, the A restoration request is made to the second storage device, a holder to be restored is searched based on the storage key information, and the holder is transferred from the second storage device to the first storage device in units of holders for restoration. and, an image output system according to claim 1 Symbol mounting, characterized in that for transferring hypertext restore completion notification to the terminal.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 3, the second storage device, an image output system according to any one of claims 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a storage server apparatus connected to the network.
[0017]
The image input / output system of the present invention stores an image data file in a holder provided in a first storage device (external storage device 21 in FIG. 1 described later). The holder has an expiration date. When the expiration date comes, the holder is transferred to the second storage device (the external storage device 22 in FIG. 1 described later or the storage server device 34 in FIG. 2) in units of holders. If necessary, an image data file is called from the second storage device in units of holders to the first storage device and used.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital copying machine as an image input / output apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
The digital copying machine 1 stores a main control unit 2 that manages the entire apparatus, an operation unit 3, a scanner 4 that reads a document to be copied, a plotter 5 that records information on the read document on a recording sheet, and various control programs. A memory 6 that temporarily stores information of the read document, a compression / decompression unit 7 that encodes and decodes the read information, an external storage unit 8, a search unit 9, a file information storage unit 10, a LAN communication control unit 11, It has an external storage unit 12.
[0019]
The external storage unit 8 attaches a file number to the document information read by the scanner 4, and attaches to the digital copying machine 1, for example, an external storage device (first storage) composed of a large capacity hard disk such as a readable / writable optical file. Device) 21. The external storage unit 12 stores data in an external storage device (second storage device) 22.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an image input / output system (network image forming system).
A plurality of PCs 31, WS 32, FAX 33, and storage server device (second storage device) 34 are connected to the digital copying machine 1 having a network interface device via a LAN 35. The PC 31 and WS 32 have a CRT display device and a keyboard, and can select and execute a plurality of software processes by an intelligent function.
[0021]
A LAN communication control unit 11 in FIG. 1 controls communication between the digital copying machine 1 and other terminal devices.
The digital copying machine 1 can store data obtained by scanning a document in the external storage device 21 of the digital copying machine 1 or the storage server device 34 via the LAN 35.
[0022]
An external storage device 22 connected to the digital copying machine 1 or a storage device 36 (shown in FIG. 6 described later, which may be the same as the external storage device 22) connected to a storage server device 34 existing in the LAN 35 is used. The storage device is larger in capacity than the external storage device 21 and serves as a warehouse for storing data that is accessed less frequently. As an example, a tape device (tape autochanger) in which a tape cartridge is automatically replaced, or a CD-RW or DVD-RW autochanger device can be considered.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of the operation unit of the digital copying machine.
A hypertext pattern is designated using each key of the operation unit (operation console) 3.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing contents of the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing contents of the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing contents of the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing content of the fourth embodiment, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing content of the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing content of the sixth embodiment. FIG.
[0025]
In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, first, the hypertext pattern of the scanner input document is designated from the operation unit 3. At this time, the document title is also designated from the operation unit 3. Also, the storage mode is designated, and the work data holding number is designated. Next, the image data is stored in the external storage device 21 by the scanner input of the digital copying machine 1. Then, a designated reduced image is created from the designated hypertext pattern, and a storage address is set in the hypertext file 41. Then, the hypertext file 41 in which the storage information is embedded is stored in the external storage device 21.
[0026]
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the storage data is transferred from the external storage device 21 to the storage device (external storage device) 22. Also, a storage key is created by the digital copying machine 1. It also creates a reduced image file and hypertext for accessing stored information. Then, after creating the hypertext, the image file that is not designated for retention in the image data file is deleted. After the storage is completed, the designated user PC 31A is notified of the address and storage information of the created storage access hypertext.
[0027]
In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a storage request is issued to the storage server device 34, a storage key is created in the storage server device 34, and transferred to the digital copying machine 1. The storage data is transferred from the external storage device 21 to the storage device 36 of the storage server device 34. Then, each reduced image file and hypertext for storing information access are created. After the hypertext is created, the image data not designated for retention in the image data file is deleted. After the storage is completed, the designated user PC 31A is notified of the address and storage information of the created storage access hypertext.
[0028]
In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, browse software 53 is incorporated in the PC 31. This software designates the storage address of the storage information hypertext, downloads the holding work file, confirms the stored information and the reduced image, and designates restoration and printing. An image file transfer request is made between the digital copying machine 1 and the PC 31 by designating the address of the storage information hypertext.
[0029]
In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the PC 31 designates the storage information hypertext restoration method. In the storage device 22, the designated restoration data is transferred from the storage key to the external storage device 21. In the external storage device 21, the designated image data is added to the retained data and restored.
[0030]
In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the storage device 36 of the storage server device 34 is used instead of the storage device 22 of FIG.
[0031]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a document example of the storage notification and a terminal browser tool display example.
Click with the mouse to start the browser and access this image input / output system at the specified address.
[0032]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for storing and setting when storing scanner data.
In order to scan the original from the digital copying machine 1 and store the data, the operator brings the original to the digital copying machine 1 and sets the original in the digital copying machine 1 for scanner input (S10).
[0033]
The operation unit 3 of the digital copying machine 1 displays the user list on the operation panel according to the designation from the operator (S11). The operator selects a user from the user list and inputs a password. The operation unit 3 collates the input user and password with the data stored in the storage unit (S12).
[0034]
If the operator designates whether the input data can be accessed within the group from the menu from the operation unit 3 (S13), a group accessible flag is recorded (S14). A holder for storing input data is designated (S15). Whether or not the designated holder is an existing holder is searched (S16). If there is an existing holder, the existing expiration date is displayed on the operation unit 3 and can be changed (S17). If there is no designated holder, the holder is automatically created and the default expiration date is displayed on the operation unit 3 so that it can be changed (S18).
[0035]
When changing the expiration date of the holder, the operator inputs the expiration date from the operation unit 3 (S19). The holder name is stored in the file information storage unit 10. The expiration date of the holder to be automatically stored and the setting of the storage information hypertext pattern and the storage device (external storage device 22 or storage server device 34) to be stored are set (S20).
[0036]
A document is input from the scanner 4 of the digital copying machine 1 to the scanner (S21), the compression / decompression unit 7 compresses the input data (S22), and the data is stored in a designated holder (S23). If multiple pages are input (Yes in S24), the next original is input. If the scanner input is completed, this is confirmed (No in S24), and each file information is recorded in the file information storage unit 10 for each holder (S25).
[0037]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for storing image data in units of holders from an external storage device to an external storage device or storage server device.
The digital copying machine 1 periodically searches for an expired holder in the file information storage unit 10 and checks whether it needs to be stored (S30). If storage is necessary (S31), the specified storage setting is extracted from the information in the file information storage unit 10 (S32).
[0038]
If the storage device designation is the external storage device 22 (S33), a connection request is made to the external storage device 22, and a storage key for restoration is created (S34). If the storage device designation is the storage device 36 of the storage server device 34, a connection request is made to the designated storage server device 34, and a storage key for restoration is received from the storage server device 34 (S35). If the connection of the storage device [external storage device 22 or storage server device 34 (storage device 36)] is OK (S36), the holder information for storage and the storage key information for restoration are added to the external storage device. 22 or the storage server device 34 is transferred to the storage server device 34 (S37).
[0039]
The digital copying machine 1 confirms the completion of storage (S38). The hypertext format of the user-specified storage information is extracted from the data for storage, the stored image data is converted into a specified reduced image, stored in the external storage device 21, and the storage address is entered in the hypertext (S39). The storage information is extracted from the storage data file, the information is stored in the storage hypertext, and the storage hypertext for the storage data is created and stored in the external storage device 21.
[0040]
A storage hypertext is repeatedly created for each image file stored in the holder. A hypertext of a storage information access list for each holder is created from each file information (S40). The hypertext storage address of the created storage information access list is converted into mail data (S41). An email is transmitted to the designated user or group user (S42). When the above processing is completed normally, the data stored in the external storage device 21 is deleted (S43).
[0041]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for restoring image data from an external storage device or storage server device to an external storage device.
When the digital copy machine 1 clicks with the mouse a restore request button embedded in the hypertext displayed on the browser of the user PC via the LAN, the holder batch restore request is sent to the image input / output device (digital copy machine). 1).
[0042]
The digital copying machine 1 receives the holder batch restoration request and checks the validity of the designated storage key (S50). If the holder collective restoration is appropriate (S51), a designated restoration method is taken out from the storage key information (S52). If the storage device designation is the external storage device 22 (S53), a connection request is made to the external storage device 22, and the restoration holder is retrieved from the storage key (S54).
[0043]
If the storage device designation is the storage device 36 of the storage server device 34, a connection request is made to the designated storage server device 34, a storage key is designated, and a holder batch restoration is requested (S58). If the connection of the external storage device 22 is OK (S55), the stored holder is transferred from the external storage device 22 or the storage server device 34 in units of holders, and the designated holder is restored (S56). The digital copying machine 1 confirms the completion of restoration and transmits the hypertext indicating the completion of storage to the browser of the user PC (S57).
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first and third aspects, the user can easily manage the image data by storing the input image data in a holder. In addition, by setting an expiration date, it is possible to manage storage and restoration collectively.
[0045]
In addition, the user can know the location of the stored data, and can prevent loss of important image data files and forgetting to collect image data. In addition, the designated user can access the storage information list address of the image data input by the scanner using a general-purpose browser of the terminal, and can view a reduced image of the storage storage information of the image data. Image data restoration can be specified, and the restored data can be retrieved. Further, since the PC to be used is not limited, the designated user can use the scanner data effectively by using the general-purpose browser on the PC to be used at that time.
[0046]
According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, image data is restored in units of holders, and related image files can be taken out.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital copying machine as an image input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a network image forming system.
FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of an operation unit of the digital copying machine.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating processing contents of the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating processing contents of the second embodiment;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating processing contents of the third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating processing contents of the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating processing contents of a fifth embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating processing contents of a sixth embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a document example of a storage notification and a terminal browser tool display example.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for storing and setting when storing scanner data.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for storing image data in units of holders in an external storage device or a storage server device.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for restoring image data to an external storage device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copier 2 Main control part 3 Operation part 4 Scanner 5 Plotter 6 Memory 7 Compression / decompression machine 8 External storage part 9 Search part 10 File information storage part 11 LAN communication control part 12 External storage storage part 21 External storage device 22 External storage Device 31 PC
32 WS
33 FAX
34 Storage server device 35 LAN
36 Storage device 41 Hypertext file

Claims (3)

A first storage device for storing data obtained by scanning a document;
A second storage device having a larger capacity than the first storage device ;
If the holder designated to store image data files scanner there is no input, and creating means for creating a specified holder, and recording means for recording expiration date in the holder created, already holder is present In this case, the apparatus includes a main control unit that configures an update unit that updates the expiration date of the holder to a specified expiration date, and a management unit that collectively manages the image files in the holder .
When the main control means needs to store the holder after the expiration date,
The data stored in the first storage device is added to the second storage device by adding holder information for storage and storage key information for restoration to the holder unit storing the image data file. Forward,
Converting the image data from the image data file into a reduced image and storing it in the first storage device;
Create a hypertext of a storage information access list for each holder based on each image file information and store it in the first storage device,
Notifying the designated user connected to the network of the hypertext storage address of the storage information access list,
An image input / output system, wherein a holder storing an image data file in the first storage device is deleted at once . The main control unit constitutes the execution means to start the restore execution in hypertext of the storage information access list,
And by receiving the restoration request from the terminal side, the second to the restoration request to the storage device, searches the holder to restore on the basis of the storage key information, the second stores the holder with the holder units claim 1 Symbol placement image output system of the first transfer to restore to the storage device, and wherein the transfer of hypertext restore completion notification to the terminal from the device. The second storage device, an image output system according to any one of claims 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a storage server apparatus connected to the network.

Images