JPH0537747A - Picture storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the job efficiency by predicting a picture data quantity in advance and issuing warning when an idle capacity of a storage means is not sufficient so as to prevent the picture memory from being fully occupied by plural original files in advance. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 12 of the device main body 5 calculates the estimated data quantity of the entire original from an estimated picture data quantity per one original and number of sheets of the original and compares the estimated data quantity with an idle capacity of a magneto-optical disk set to a disk drive unit 20 of a magneto-optical disk drive 4. When the estimated data quantity is in excess of 80% of the idle capacity, warning is displayed on a display section of an operation panel 10. Thus, it is possible to prevent in advance the picture memory from being fully occupied during storage of plural sheets of originals and then the job efficiency is enhanced. Moreover, it is desired to set the estimate data quantity based on the relation between the original sheet number and the data quantity in the past processing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image storage device having a function of storing an image in a storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electronic file system for filing various images, image data is sequentially stored in a magneto-optical disk or the like while reading a document image with a scanner.

[0003]

By the way, in the conventional electronic file system, when the capacity of the magneto-optical disk becomes full during image reading, the storage operation is interrupted and the magneto-optical disk has no free space. I was informing the user.

Therefore, particularly when a plurality of originals are stored, it becomes impossible to store the originals even though the originals have been stored for a relatively long time. Therefore, if the data is stored in another magneto-optical disk midway, the subsequent management becomes complicated. Further, when the data is newly stored from the beginning, there is a drawback that the working time until then is wasted.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image storage device capable of preventing the image memory from becoming full while storing a plurality of originals and improving work efficiency.

[0006]

The present invention manages input means for inputting a document image, storage means for storing image data input by the input means in a storage medium, and free space data of the storage medium. Based on the management means, the detection means for detecting the number of original images input from the input means, the data amount of a part or a specific page of the actually read original document, or the data amount per original document based on past results. Setting means for setting an expected data amount per original, and an arithmetic means for calculating the expected data amount of the entire original image based on the number of originals by the detecting means and the expected data amount by the setting means, It has a comparison means for comparing the free space by the management means with the expected data amount by the calculation means, and a warning means for issuing a warning based on the comparison result. That.

[0007]

1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

In this image forming apparatus, a scanner 1, a printer 2 and a document feeder (hereinafter referred to as DF) are provided in a main body 5 of the apparatus.
6, the document set in the DF 6 is normally read by the scanner 1 and the image data is output from the printer 2. When filing the image data read from the scanner 1, the data is transferred to the magneto-optical disk drive 4 via the communication line 3.
The image forming apparatus of this embodiment can process the read image data with a digital signal, and can handle various image processes.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration for controlling the filing operation in such an image forming apparatus.

The device body 5 has a CP for controlling the entire device.
A U12, an image processing unit 21 that controls various image processes on the image data, a scanner controller 16 that controls the scanner 1, and an operation panel 10 that performs various inputs and displays are provided.

On the other hand, on the magneto-optical disk drive 4 side,
A filing unit 11 as shown is provided, and the filing unit 11 includes a CPU 15 that controls the magneto-optical disk drive 4, a disk controller 19 that controls the operation of the magneto-optical disk drive 4, and a magneto-optical disk. Disk drive unit 20 for reading / writing data with the disk set detachably
And a memory 18 for expanding image data.

A filing interface 13 connects between the apparatus body 5 and the filing unit 11.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the operation panel 10.

The operation panel 10 has a file operation key 40 for instructing filing of image data, an LCD display section 41 for displaying various operation screens, an enlargement / reduction key 43, and cursor / set keys 43 to 46. A numeric keypad 47, a reset key 48, a start key 49, etc. are provided. Further, the operation screen as the image forming apparatus is usually displayed on the display unit 41.

In the above structure, when performing a normal operation, the CPU 1 is operated based on the input from the operation panel 10.
The scanner controller 16 which receives the instruction from 2 controls the scanner 1 to perform the reading operation of the document set in advance, and sends the read multivalued image data to the image processing unit 21.

In the image processing unit 21, each pixel of the multi-valued image data is compared with a predetermined threshold value to be converted into binary image data, or the spatial frequency of the image is analyzed to convert the original into a character data portion. It is possible to separate into halftones or halftone dots, or to extract only a specified area from the read image.

Next, FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation when inputting and filing image data.

First, press the file operation key 40 (S
1), the menu selection screen shown in FIG. 3 is called on the display unit 41 (S2). If you select image input here (S
3) shifts to the image number input screen shown in FIG. 4 (S4),
The image number 3 is input with the ten keys 47 (FIG. 5). Then, by pressing the "#" key 43 (S5), the image input operation is started.

First, the bottom original among the originals set in the DF 6 is set at the image reading position of the scanner 1 (S6). While the document is being conveyed, the DF 6 measures the size (width, length) of the document by a sensor (not shown) (S
7). The measurement data is sent to the CPU 12 and stored in the internal memory.

Next, the DF 6 returns the size-measured document to the top of the document on the DF 6 (S8). Then, sequentially feed the originals from the bottom, count the number of originals,
The result is sent to the CPU 12 and stored in the internal memory (S9). At this time, the DF 6 is designed to be able to distinguish the original placed on the top and the original returned to the DF 6 by an original detection lever (not shown). Thus, the number and size of originals can be determined.

Further, the CPU 12 always calculates the average data amount per sheet of the original document read in advance and stores it in the internal memory. In the following description, it is assumed that the document size to be filed is A4 and the past average data amount of A4 size is 16 megabytes.

On the other hand, the CPU of the filing unit 11
Reference numeral 15 reads the free space of the magneto-optical disk set in the disk drive unit 20 and notifies the CPU 12 via the filing interface 13.

Therefore, the CPU 12 calculates the expected data amount of the entire document from the past average data amount of A4 size and the number of documents (S10) and compares it with the free space of the magneto-optical disk (S11). As a result, when the estimated data amount is 80% or more of the free space (S12), a warning is given by the display shown in FIG. 6 (S13). The number of documents is 5
If the number of sheets is one, the average data amount of one sheet is 16 megabytes, and therefore the total original is expected to be 80 megabytes.
Therefore, if the free space is 100 megabytes or less, the above warning is issued.

In this embodiment, when the above warning is issued, the magneto-optical disk can be replaced and the "#" key 43 can be pressed (S19) to file the image data on a new disk.

If the estimated data amount does not exceed 80% of the free space (S12), the originals are sequentially read (S12).
14) and sends the image data to the filing unit 11 via the filing interface 13 (S).
15). Therefore, the CPU 1 of the filing unit 11
5 stores the image data in the magneto-optical disk set in the disk drive unit 20 via the disk controller 19 (S16).

At this time, the CPU 15 calculates the capacity of the disk used for each original and informs the CPU 12 (S
17), the CPU 12 obtains and stores the average value of the average data stored in the past and the data sent this time (S18).

On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an image output operation.

When outputting image data on the magneto-optical disk, the file operation key 40 is pressed (S2
1) When the screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed (S22) and the image output is selected (S23), the screen shifts to the image selection screen shown in FIG. 4 (S24). Then, as shown in FIG.
Select the desired image data (S25) and press the "#" key 43
When is pressed (S26), the CPU 12 sends the instruction to the CPU
The image data stored in the magneto-optical disk by being transmitted to the image recording medium 15 is transmitted to the image processing unit 21 through the filing interface 13 (S27). This gives C
The PU 12 outputs the image data (S28).

In the above embodiment, when the warning is given in S13, the magneto-optical disk should be replaced.
As a second embodiment, when it is determined in S12 that the magneto-optical disk has a small free space, the image processing unit 21
The image data may be converted from the original multi-valued data into binary data and stored. For example, if the original multi-valued image has one pixel of 8 bits, one pixel has one bit by binarization, and the data amount is reduced to 1/8. Further, when the data is binarized and stored as described above, the fact that the data is converted into the binary data and stored is notified by a message display shown in FIG. Note that in the present invention, such a message display is also included as a warning.

In the above embodiment, the expected data amount is obtained from the number of original documents and the average data amount in the past. Instead of this, a part of the original document is read and the expected area amount and the data amount are estimated. The amount of data may be calculated.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the image filing operation in this case.

First, S31 to S37 are S in FIG.
The same as 1 to S7.

However, in this embodiment, the scanner 1 partially reads the document whose size is measured in S37 (S38). This is, for example, 30 from the edge of the document.
Scanning is performed from the area of 60 mm to 60 mm, and the data amount obtained by this reading is calculated by the CPU 1
2 internal memory. In this case, the scanning is
It is designed to be performed at a higher speed than a normal reading operation.

Thereafter, the DF 6 returns the size-measured originals to the top of the originals on the DF 6 (S39) in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, sequentially feeds the originals from the bottom, and counts the number of originals. The result is stored in the internal memory of the CPU 12 (S40).

On the other hand, the CPU of the filing unit 11
Reference numeral 15 reads the free space of the magneto-optical disk set in the disk drive unit 20 and notifies the CPU 12 via the filing interface 13.

Therefore, the CPU 12 calculates the expected data amount of the entire original from the number of originals, the size, and the partial data amount (S41), and compares it with the free space of the magneto-optical disk (S42). After that, by the same operation as that of the first embodiment, a warning is given or a filing operation is executed according to the comparison result.

The other processing can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Also in the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, when the free space of the magneto-optical disk is small, multi-valued data can be converted into binary data and stored.

In the third embodiment, a part of the original is read to obtain the total expected data amount. Alternatively, one page of the original may be read to obtain the entire expected data amount. .

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the image filing operation in this case.

First, S51 to S56 are the same as S in FIG.
The same as 1 to S6.

However, in this embodiment, the first original document from the bottom is returned to the DF 6 without measuring the size (S5).
7). Then, after that, the originals are sequentially sent to count the number of sheets (S58), and in this operation, the scanner 1 reads one page of the second page from the bottom (S5).
9). Then, the number of sheets and the data amount for one page are stored in the internal memory of the CPU 12. In this case, the second page from the last is read because the image of the last page is often cut off in the middle and is not suitable as a standard for the expected data amount. It should be noted that the scanning for one page is performed at a higher speed than a normal reading operation, as in the third embodiment.

On the other hand, the CPU of the filing unit 11
Reference numeral 15 reads the free space of the magneto-optical disk set in the disk drive unit 20 and notifies the CPU 12 via the filing interface 13.

Therefore, the CPU 12 sets the number of originals to 1
An expected data amount of the entire original is calculated from the data amount of the page (S61) and compared with the free space of the magneto-optical disk (S61).
62). After that, by the same operation as that of the first embodiment, a warning is given or a filing operation is executed according to the comparison result.

The other processes can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Also in the fourth embodiment, when the magneto-optical disk has a small free space as in the second embodiment, multi-valued data can be converted into binary data and stored.

As a warning when the free space of the magneto-optical disk is small, not only the display but also an alarm sound may be used. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the alarm is issued under the condition that the data amount of the document is 80% or more of the empty area, but this is an example, and the determination may be performed under other conditions. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when the free space of the magneto-optical disk is small, multi-valued data is converted into binary data, but the data may be reduced by using another image compression method.

[0048]

According to the present invention, when a plurality of originals are filed in a storage means such as a magneto-optical disk, the amount of image data is predicted in advance, and a warning is issued when the free space in the storage means is insufficient. As a result, it is possible to prevent the image memory from becoming full while storing a plurality of originals, and it is possible to improve work efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration for performing a filing operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an image selection screen of the display unit in the first embodiment.

5 is a plan view showing a state in which an image number is designated on the image selection screen shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a warning message screen on the display unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a filing operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an image output operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a message display on the display unit in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a filing operation of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a filing operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Scanner, 2 ... printer, 3 ... communication line, 4 ... Magneto-optical disk drive, 5 ... Device body, 6 ... Document feeder (DF), 10 ... Operation panel, 11 ... Filing unit, 13 ... Filing interface, 12, 15 ... CPU, 16 ... Scanner controller, 18 ... memory, 19 ... Disk controller, 20 ... Disk drive unit, 21 ... Image processing unit, 40 ... File operation key, 41 ... Display, 43 ... Enlargement / reduction key, 43-46 ... cursor / set key, 47 ... numeric keypad, 48 ... Reset key, 49 ... Start key.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Input means for inputting an original image; storage means for storing image data input by the input means in a storage medium; management means for managing free space data of the storage medium; Detecting means for detecting the number of input original images; setting means for setting an expected image data amount per original; based on the original number by the detecting means and the expected image data amount by the setting means Computing means for calculating an expected image data amount of the entire original image to be read; comparing means for comparing the free space by the managing means with the expected image data amount by the computing means; and a warning based on the comparison result An image storage device, comprising: 2. The image storage according to claim 1, wherein the expected data amount setting means calculates the expected data amount based on the relationship between the number of documents and the data amount in past processing. apparatus. 3. Input means for inputting a document image; storage means for storing image data input by the input means in a storage medium; management means for managing free space data of the storage medium; Measuring means for measuring the data amount of a part of the input original image; Size detecting means for detecting the size of the original image; Prediction of the entire original image based on the partial data amount of the original image and the size of the original image A calculation means for calculating a data amount; a comparison means for comparing the free space by the management means with an expected data amount by the calculation means; and a warning means for issuing a warning based on the comparison result. Image storage device. 4. Input means for inputting a document image; storage means for storing image data input by the input means in a storage medium; management means for managing free space data of the storage medium; Detecting means for detecting the number of originals to be input; measuring means for measuring the amount of data of a predetermined original page input by the input means; based on the number of originals by the detecting means and the amount of data by the measuring means, Computing means for calculating the expected data amount of the entire original image; comparing means for comparing the free space by the managing means with the expected data amount by the computing means; warning means for issuing a warning based on the comparison result; An image storage device comprising: 5. The compression rate according to claim 1, wherein when the comparison result indicates that the amount of data to be read is larger than the free space of the storage medium, the compression rate of the image data is large. An image storage device characterized in that the height is increased and stored. 6. The image data according to claim 1, wherein when the comparison result indicates that the amount of data to be read is larger than the free space of the storage medium, the image data is multivalued. An image storage device, characterized in that the data is converted into binary data and stored.