JPH04362781A - Picture storage retrieval device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the change of the page order of register documents and to improve operability by instructing to change the page order for desired documents and changing the page order of documents within retrieval information. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 34 guides the input of the changed contents of the page order for a present page number corresponding to a designated document using a CRT display device 24. Next, in accordance with the guide, the changed contents of the page order is inputted from a keyboard 23. The CPU 34 displays the present page number corresponding to the designated document and the changed contents of the page order using a display device 24. In accordance with this display, when the confirmation is indicated by the keyboard 23, the CPU 34 changes (updates) the relation between the page number within a page control table 26b of a magnetic disk 26 and a record number according to the changed contents of the page other. For instance, the record number for the page number '2' within the page control table 26b is changed from '2' to '3' and the record number for the page number '3' is changed from '3' to '2'.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image storage and retrieval device such as an image filing device for registering and retrieving images.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, images such as documents, which are generated in large quantities, are read by a scanner (two-dimensional scanning device), the read images are stored on an optical disk, and any stored image is retrieved and read out. Output it to a device such as C
An image filing device that outputs images in a state that can be viewed visually with an RT display device or a recording device has been put into practical use.

[0003] In such a device, the page number of which document for each image registered on the optical disk is managed by a page management table in a document management table stored on the magnetic disk. In the above page management table,
A record number (image number) is stored for each page of one document, and one record number is stored for each page. In this page management table, pages are assigned in the order of registration. Page editing processing for registered documents includes adding images to the final page and inserting images between pages.

[0004] However, in order to rearrange the pages of registered documents, it is necessary to check the arrangement of the pages by displaying or printing an image for each page, and then inserting the page at the corresponding location. It was necessary to repeat this process and delete the extracted unnecessary images.

[0005]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, the present invention eliminates the disadvantages of complicated operations and poor operability when changing the page order of registered documents. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image storage and retrieval device that can be easily changed and has excellent operability.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The image storage and retrieval device of the present invention stores a plurality of images defined as a document with one or more pages as one unit, together with search information corresponding to each of these images, In an apparatus for searching for a desired image by specifying search information, an instruction means for instructing to change the page order of the desired document, and changing the page order of the document in the search information according to the instruction of the instruction means. It consists of changing means.

[0007]

[Operation] This invention stores a plurality of images defined as a document with one or more pages as one unit, along with search information corresponding to each of these images, and searches for a desired image by specifying the search information. In this system, an instruction is given to change the page order of a desired document, and the page order of the document in the search information is changed in accordance with this instruction.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image retrieval device, such as an electronic filing device, according to the present invention. That is, the electronic filing device includes a control module 10, a memory module 12, an image processing module 14, a communication control module 16, a scanner device 18, and an optical disk 20.
It also includes an optical disk device 22, a keyboard 23, a CRT display device 24, a printer device 25, a magnetic disk 26, a magnetic disk device 27, a mouse 29, a system bus 30, and an image bus 32.

The control module 10 includes a CPU 34 that performs various controls for image storage, retrieval, editing processing, etc.;
and optical disk device 22, magnetic disk device 27 and C
It is composed of an interface circuit 36 that connects the PU 34. Further, a keyboard 23 and a mouse 29 are connected to the CPU 34.

The memory module 12 includes a main memory 38 for storing various control programs such as image storage, retrieval, and editing, management information, etc., and an image memory having a storage capacity corresponding to images of several pages of an A4 size document. , a page memory 40 , a display memory 42 as a display interface, a display control section 44 , and the like. A buffer memory area 40a is provided in a part of the page memory 40. The page memory 40 is a memory that temporarily stores images stored on the optical disc 20 and images read from the optical disc 20, for example.

The display memory 42 is for temporarily storing images displayed by the CRT display device 24. This display memory 42 stores images that are enlarged, reduced, rotated, inserted, or An image that has undergone black-and-white inversion or the like is stored. The display control section 44 controls the display processing of the CRT display device 24 using the address control circuit 44a.

The image processing module 14 includes an enlargement/reduction circuit 46 that performs image enlargement/reduction processing, an aspect/horizontal conversion circuit 48 that performs image rotation processing, and an encoding processing that performs image compression (reducing redundancy). A compression/expansion circuit (CODEC) 50 that performs decoding processing that performs processing and expansion (returning reduced redundancy), a scanner interface 52 for the scanner device 18, a printer interface 54 for the printer device 25, and scaling. It is constituted by an internal bus 56 that connects the circuit 46, the vertical/horizontal conversion circuit 48, the compression/expansion circuit 50, the scanner interface 52, and the printer interface 54. The compression/expansion circuit 50 is a MH (Modified Huffm)
an) method or MR (Modified Read
) Bandwidth compression or band expansion is performed using methods such as

[0014] The communication control module 16 includes, for example, LA
BCP (Bus Communica-
The communication interface 58 is configured by a communication interface 58 such as a communication interface (processor). The communication control module 16 also includes an FCP (Facsimile Connection Mechanism) and a UCP (Universal Connection Mechanism) that is connected to external devices such as a personal computer via an interface.
Communication Processor)
may be provided.

The system bus 30 is a bus for control signals of various devices, and connects the control module 10, the memory module 12, the image processing module 14, and the communication control module 16. Further, the image bus 32 is a bus for images, and connects the memory module 12, the image processing module 14, and the communication control module 16.

The scanner device 18 is, for example, a two-dimensional scanning device that scans an original (document) two-dimensionally with a laser beam to obtain an electrical signal corresponding to an image on the original.

The optical disc device 22 includes a scanner device 18
The images read in are sequentially stored on the optical disk 20. It also searches the optical disc 20 for an image corresponding to a search code specified using the keyboard 23 or the like.

The keyboard 23 is used to input a unique search code corresponding to the image to be stored on the optical disc 20 and various operation commands such as storage, search, and editing processing. Further, the mouse 29 can be used, for example, by arbitrarily moving a cursor (not shown) displayed on the display window of the CRT display device 24 in vertical and horizontal directions, and by giving an instruction at a desired position. This function selects or instructs display contents (various operation modes, area designations for image editing, icons, etc.).

A CRT display device (cathode ray tube display device) 24 displays images read by the scanner device 18 and images retrieved from the optical disc 20. Icons and the like are displayed at the top, bottom, and right ends of the display window of the CRT display device 24.

The printer device 25 prints out (hard copy) an image read by the scanner device 18, an image retrieved from the optical disk 20, or an image displayed on the CRT display device 24.

The magnetic disk device 27 stores various control programs on a magnetic disk 26 attached to the magnetic disk device 27, and also stores a search code input from the keyboard 23 and an image corresponding to this search code. It stores search data (search information) consisting of storage addresses on the optical disc 20, image size, search frequency, etc.

[0022] The above search data is managed by a document management table, and this document management table includes a title management table 26a, a title management table 26a,
Page management table 26b and record management table 2
6c. The title management table 26a stores one document number corresponding to each search code (image name) made up of a plurality of search keys. In the page management table 26b, a record number is stored for each page of one document, and one record number is stored for each page.
Two record numbers are stored in correspondence. The record management table 26c stores, for each record number, the storage address (storage start position) of the image on the optical disk 19, document size (image size), image attributes such as compression method and resolution, and search frequency (access frequency). has been done. The above storage address is a logical address,
At the time of access, a physical track address and a physical sector address are calculated from this. Next, the operation of image storage and retrieval processing in the electronic filing device with such a configuration will be described.

First, image storage processing will be explained. For example, the user selects and sets the registration mode using the keyboard 23 and inputs a search code for an image to be stored on the optical disc 20. This search code consists of multiple search keys, and the contents of the search key items are as follows:
This is set in advance. The CPU 34 checks the validity of the input search code according to a predefined format. Further, the search code is compared with the search code already registered on the optical disc 20 to check for double registration. Depending on the result of this check, the entered search code is
is memorized.

Next, the original is set in the scanner device 18, and the CPU 34 operates the optical disk device 22 and the scanner device 18. The scanner device 18 two-dimensionally scans and photoelectrically converts an image of a set document or the like. The line information of this photoelectrically converted image is sequentially stored in the page memory 40. The image stored in page memory 40 is stored in display memory 42 and displayed on CRT display device 24. The user checks the skew, density, resolution, etc. of the image displayed on the CRT display device 24, and when the displayed image is satisfactory, inputs a memory key (not shown). Then, the CPU 34 converts the image stored in the page memory 40 into the well-known MR (M
Encoding processing is performed by band compression using a modified Read) method or the like. This encoded image is supplied to the optical disc device 22 and is stored on the optical disc 22.
is memorized.

When the storage of the image on the optical disk 20 is completed, the CPU 34 uses a search code (search information) and stored in the main memory 38. Next, the CPU 34 supplies the search data stored in the main memory 38 to the magnetic disk device 27. Thereby, the magnetic disk device 27 stores the supplied search data in each of the tables 26a to 26c within the magnetic disk 26.

Next, a search process for images stored on the optical disc 20 will be explained. First, a search mode is set using the keyboard 23, and a search code corresponding to the image desired to be searched is input. The CPU 34 sequentially compares and collates the input search code with the search codes stored in the title management table 26a (FIG. 2) of the magnetic disk 26, and determines whether a search code that matches the input search code is stored. Check the documents one by one and extract the corresponding document number. Thereby, the CPU 34 stores the extracted candidate document number in the main memory 38.

[0027]Then, the CPU 34 refers to the candidate document numbers in the main memory 38 and displays a list (
A search code) is created using the data read from the title management table 26a and displayed using the CRT display device 24. Based on this display, if the document for which the operator is to be searched is not found, the user re-enters the search code. If found, specify the image to search from the list (
(specify by document number, etc.) and instruct to execute the search.

The CPU 34 stores the record number corresponding to the designated image in the page management table 26b of the magnetic disk 26.
read the logical address corresponding to the read record number from the record management table 26c in the magnetic disk 26, calculate the physical track address and physical sector address corresponding to this address,
Using these addresses, the optical disc device 22 reproduces the image containing the search code from the optical disc 20.

Further, the CPU 34 supplies the image (compressed information) for each scanning line supplied from the optical disk device 22 to the compression/expansion circuit 50, performs band expansion processing, and sequentially supplies the image to the page memory 40. The image stored in the page memory 40 is reduced in size by an enlargement/reduction circuit 46 and output to the display memory 42, and the image is stored in the display memory 42. Therefore, the display control unit 44 controls the display memory 4
2 is displayed on the CRT display device 24.

Next, the process of changing the page order of a document will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. first,
The page order change processing mode is set using the keyboard 23, and a search code corresponding to the document to be changed is input. The CPU 34 sequentially compares and collates the input search code with the search codes stored in the title management table 26a (FIG. 2) of the magnetic disk 26, and determines whether a search code that matches the input search code is stored. Check the documents one by one and extract the corresponding document number. Thereby, the CPU 34 stores the extracted candidate document number in the main memory 38.

[0031]Then, the CPU 34 refers to the candidate document numbers in the main memory 38, and displays a list (
A search code) is created using data read from the title management table 26a and displayed using the CRT display device 24. This display allows the operator to re-enter the search code if the document for which the page order is to be changed is not found. If found, the document whose page order is to be changed is specified from the list (specified by document number, etc.) and the execution is instructed.

[0032] The CPU 34 is connected to the CRT display device 2.
4 is used to guide the input of changes to the page order for the current page number corresponding to the specified document. In accordance with this guidance, the contents of changing the page order are input using the keyboard 23. The CPU 34 uses the CRT display device 24 to
The current page number and page order change contents corresponding to the specified document are displayed. In response to this display, when confirmation is instructed by the keyboard 23, the CPU 34
The relationship between page numbers and record numbers in the page management table 26b is changed (updated) in accordance with the change in page order.

For example, when rearranging pages 2 and 3 of document number "1", as shown in FIG. 4, the record number for page number "2" in the page management table 26b is "2".
is changed from "3" to "3", and the record number for page number "3" is changed from "3" to "2".

Next, the page extraction process and the new document creation process after the page extraction process will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, a page extraction processing mode is set using the keyboard 23, and a search code corresponding to the document for which page extraction processing is to be performed is input. CPU3
Step 4 compares and checks the input search code with the search codes stored in the title management table 26a (FIG. 2) of the magnetic disk 26, and determines whether a search code that matches the input search code is stored. Check the documents one by one and extract the corresponding document number. As a result, the CPU 34
stores the document number of the extracted candidate in the main memory 38.

[0035]Then, the CPU 34 refers to the candidate document numbers in the main memory 38 and displays a list (
A search code) is created using data read from the title management table 26a and displayed using the CRT display device 24. This display allows the operator to re-enter the search code if the document for which the page order is to be changed is not found. If found, specify the document from the list (specify by document number, etc.) and instruct execution.

[0036] The CPU 34 is connected to the CRT display device 2.
4 to guide the input of the page to be extracted corresponding to the designated document. In accordance with this guidance, the number of pages is input using the keyboard 23. The CPU 34 stores the record number corresponding to the specified page in the page management table 26 of the magnetic disk 26.
The logical address corresponding to the read record number is read from the record management table 26c in the magnetic disk 26, the physical track address and physical sector address corresponding to this address are calculated, and these addresses are Accordingly, the image including the search code from the optical disc 20 is reproduced by the optical disc device 22.

Further, the CPU 34 supplies the image (compressed information) for each scanning line supplied from the optical disk device 22 to the compression/expansion circuit 50, performs band expansion processing, and sequentially supplies the image to the page memory 40. The image stored in the page memory 40 is reduced in size by an enlargement/reduction circuit 46 and output to the display memory 42, and the image is stored in the display memory 42. Therefore, the display control unit 44 controls the display memory 4
2 is displayed on the CRT display device 24.

From this display, it is confirmed whether or not the image is to be extracted. When an image to be extracted is specified using the keyboard 23, the CPU 34 stores the page number in the main memory 38. Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the image is to be extracted from other pages, and if the image is to be extracted, the page number is stored in the main memory 38.

When the end of the extraction page designation is instructed by the keyboard 23, the CPU 34 uses the CRT display device 24 to provide guidance on whether to register as a new page or as an additional page to an existing document. When new registration is instructed by the keyboard 23 in accordance with this guidance, the CPU 34
The display device 24 is used to guide the input of the search code. When the search code is input using the keyboard 23 in accordance with this guidance, the CPU 34 stores it in the main memory 38, checks for double registration, and then manages the page corresponding to the page number stored in the main memory 38. Search data for a new document is stored in each of the tables 26a to 26c in the magnetic disk 26 by sequentially reading the record numbers in the table 26b.

Further, when registration as an additional page of an existing document is instructed by the keyboard 23, the CPU 34 writes a corresponding record number as an additional page of the document in the page management table 26b. As described above, the process of changing the page order of a document, the process of extracting pages, and the process of creating a new document after the process can be performed arbitrarily.

[0041] This allows registration without having to be aware of the arrangement of pages or editing documents at the time of registration, and after registration, edit pages as necessary, or collect pages from any document and create a new document. By providing a function to automatically create documents, it is possible to improve user-friendliness for users and create an environment that improves the efficiency of document creation. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the page order of registered documents, and the system has very good operability.

[0042]

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to easily change the page order of registered documents, and to provide an image storage and retrieval device with very good operability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an electronic filing device in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a storage example of the document management table in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a process for changing the page order of a document.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the page order sorting state in the page management table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining page extraction processing and new document creation processing after the page extraction processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

20... Optical disk, 18... Scanner device, 22... Optical disk device, 23... Keyboard, 24... CRT display device, 25... Printer device, 26... Magnetic disk, 2
6a...Title management table, 26b...Page management table, 26c...Record management table, 27...Magnetic disk device, 34...CPU, 38...Main memory, 40...Page memory, 40a...Buffer memory, 42...Display memory, 44... Display control unit, 46...enlargement/reduction circuit, 50...compression/expansion circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: An image storage system that stores a plurality of images defined as a document with one or more pages as one unit, along with search information corresponding to each of these images, and searches for a desired image by specifying the search information. The search device is characterized by comprising an instructing means for instructing to change the page order of a desired document, and a changing means for changing the page order of the document in the search information in accordance with the instruction of the instructing means. Image storage and retrieval device.