JPH06152889A - Picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively utilize storage capacity by transferring picture data to another storage device and returning it at the time of an output request so as to output it when picture data stored in a picture data storage part elapse a previously set time. CONSTITUTION:A control part 2 respectively receives reports from a transfer judging part 7 when the remaining storage capacity of the picture data storing part 6 becomes equal to or below a prescribed value or from a storage time clock part 9 when storage time elapses the set time. The control part 2 which receives the reports transfers stored picture data to the storage device of a work station connected to a network 12 with a network interface part 8. After that, picture data transferred from the transfer destination storage device is returned to the storage part 6 when the output of stored picture data is requested from an operation display part 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having image data storage means for use by being connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image processing apparatus has an image data storage unit for storing image data for the purpose of output sequence control, image data editing, or confidential functions of printing and facsimile. However, if the storage amount of confidential print image data and confidential facsimile image data increases, there is a problem that the storage capacity for editing image data by a storage job becomes insufficient. In response to these problems, processing such as transferring to another facsimile apparatus or deleting the job within a set time is performed.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-236761 discloses that when the storage capacity of the own facsimile device is insufficient,
It is disclosed that image data is transferred to another facsimile apparatus connected to a LAN, the image data is stored in a storage unit of the other facsimile apparatus, and then transmitted or output.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 104064/1990 discloses that when the storage capacity of the own facsimile device is insufficient,
It is disclosed that image data is transferred to another facsimile device connected by a telephone line, the image data is stored in a storage unit of the other facsimile device, and then transmitted or output.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-246956 discloses a device that erases accumulated image data when a set time has elapsed after being accumulated.

[0006]

In the prior art as described above, when the storage capacity is insufficient, image data to be newly stored is transferred. Therefore, unless the image data already stored in the storage unit is output. However, there is a problem that the image data storage unit cannot be used.

Further, if the confidential image data is recorded and output by another facsimile apparatus, there is a problem that the purpose using the confidential function cannot be achieved.

Further, since the storage section of another facsimile apparatus is used only when the storage section of the own facsimile apparatus is insufficient, there is a problem that the storage section of another connected facsimile apparatus cannot be effectively used. is there.

Further, since the storage sections of a plurality of other facsimile apparatuses connected to each other are shared, the facsimile apparatus must be added when the storage capacity of the storage section of the own facsimile apparatus is insufficient. Therefore, there is a problem that the cost is increased because the scanner unit and the printer unit are added to increase the storage capacity.

Further, in the above-mentioned prior art in which the accumulated image data is erased when a set time has elapsed since the image data was accumulated, there is no guarantee that the accumulated image data will be output reliably. There is a problem that the purpose of cannot be achieved.

An object of the present invention is to secure a sufficient storage capacity for confidential functions and image processing and to efficiently use the secured storage capacity in order to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. It is to provide an image processing device capable of performing the above at a minimum cost.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image data storage unit for storing read image data and an image data output unit for reading and outputting the image data stored in the image data storage unit, In an image processing device used by connecting to a network, means for detecting that image data has been stored in the image data storage unit and timing the image data storage time; and another storage device connected to the network. Associated with the storage time measuring means and the network interface means for transferring the data, and the image data accumulated in the image data accumulating section when the image data accumulating time exceeds a set time, through the network interface means. When data is temporarily transferred to the other storage device and an image data output request is input, Serial and via the network interface unit reads data from the other storage device, and a controlling means for so as to accumulate into the image data storage unit.

Further, according to the present invention, an image data storage unit for storing the read image data and an image data output unit for reading and outputting the image data stored in the image data storage unit are provided, and the image data storage unit is connected to a network. In the image processing device to be used as a storage device, a storage possibility determination unit that determines whether the remaining storage capacity of the image data storage unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and that image data is stored in the image data storage unit is detected. And a means to measure the image data storage time,
Network interface means for performing data transfer with another storage device connected to the network, and image data storage via the network interface means associated with the storage time measuring means, when the storage capacity is insufficient. The image data stored in the image data storage unit is temporally transferred to the other storage device in time order, and when the image data output request is input, the other storage device is sent via the network interface means. And a control means for reading the data from the image data storage unit and storing the data in the image data storage unit.

[0014]

According to the present invention, when the image data stored in the image data storage unit has passed a preset time,
Transfers the image data stored in the image data storage unit to another storage device connected via the network, and when the image data output request is input, returns the data to the image data storage unit for output. .

If the remaining storage capacity of the image data storage unit falls below a predetermined value before the preset time elapses, images are stored in other storage devices connected by the network in the order of the image data storage time. The image data stored in the data storage unit is transferred, and when the output request for the image data is input, the data is returned to the image data storage unit and output.

Therefore, even if the storage capacity of the image data storage unit increases due to image data stored for image composition, confidential print image data that is not output, confidential facsimile image data, and the like, another storage device will operate after a certain period of time. If the storage capacity is insufficient during a storage job, the image data with the longest storage time will be transferred to other storage devices connected to the network in order, so image data for image editing etc. A sufficient storage capacity can be secured, and the stored confidential print image data and confidential facsimile image data can be output as needed. That is, the function corresponding to the maximum storage amount of the storage device can be executed regardless of the current storage capacity.

Since another storage device is used, the image data can be stored without depending on the storage capacity of the image data storage unit of the image processing device.

Furthermore, when the image processing apparatus does not use the storage area of another storage apparatus, it can be used for normal processing such as numerical calculation and data processing, so that the other storage apparatus can be used efficiently.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus MC of this embodiment includes an operation display unit 1, a control unit 2, a scanner 3, a printer 4, an encoding / decoding unit 5, and an image data storage unit 6. , Transfer determination unit 7
, A network interface unit 8, an accumulated time counting unit 9, a communication control unit 10, and a code data expansion unit 11
And network line 12 and telephone line 13
Connected to. The operation of each constituent block will be described below.

The operation display unit 1 is composed of a display device for displaying operation input instructions and input data, a ten-key pad, and various operation keys.

The control unit 2 operates in accordance with the operation display from the operation display unit 1 and the instruction from the transfer determination unit 7 to perform the input operation from the scanner 3 and the output operation to the printer 4 and the input / output operation of the communication control unit 10. Take control. When the transfer determination unit 7 notifies that the remaining storage capacity of the image data storage unit 6 is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and when the storage time timer unit 9 notifies that the storage time has passed the set time, The image data stored in the image data storage unit 6 is transferred via the network interface unit 8 to a storage device of a workstation connected to a network, which will be described later. At this time, another storage device that is the transfer destination is stored. When there is a request to output the stored image data from the operation display unit 1, the transferred image data is transferred from the other storage device connected to the transfer destination network via the network interface unit 8 to the image data. It is returned to the storage unit 6.

When an operation input is made on the operation display unit 1, the scanner 3 sends the read image data to the encoding / decoding unit 5 according to an instruction from the control unit 2.

The printer 4 constitutes an output unit,
According to the instruction from the control unit 2, the decoded image data sent from the encoding / decoding unit 5 is printed out.

The encoding / decoding unit 5 encodes the image data read by the scanner 3 and outputs it to the image data storage unit 6 according to an instruction from the control unit 2. Also, the encoded image data output from the image data storage unit 6 is decoded and output to the printer 4.

In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 2, the image data storage unit 8 stores the encoded image data sent from the encoding / decoding unit 5 and the network interface unit 8 from another storage device connected to the network. The encoded image data transmitted via the communication control unit 10 and the encoded image data transmitted from the communication control unit 10 are accumulated.

The transfer determination section 7 determines whether or not the remaining storage capacity of the image data storage section 6 is less than or equal to a predetermined value.
When it is determined that the remaining storage capacity is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the control unit 2 is notified to transfer the data to another storage device via the network interface unit 8.

According to an instruction from the control unit 2, the network interface unit 8 transfers data from the image data storage unit 6 to another storage device connected to the network and stores image data from another storage device connected to the network. The data transfer to the part 6 is the IEEE. Follow 802.3.

The accumulation time counting section 9 is an image data accumulation section 6
It is detected that the image data has been stored in and the storage time is stored. When the storage time exceeds a preset time, the control unit 2 is notified to transfer the image data stored in the image data storage unit 6 to another storage device via the network interface unit 6.

The communication control unit 10 controls the transfer of image data with other facsimile machines via the telephone line 13.

The code data expansion unit 11 converts the code data into image data when the code data input from the network interface unit 8 is output to the printer 4 or sent to the communication control unit 10.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a network configuration example for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 2, the image processing device MC is an image processing device configured as shown in FIG. The image processing device MC is
It is connected to the network line 12. Further, the network line 12 has a plurality of workstations WS.
1, WS2, ... Are connected. Each of the workstations WS1 and WS2 has a storage device 14 and 1 respectively.
5 are provided. The image processing device MC transfers data to the storage device 14 or 15 of the workstation WS1 or WS2 connected to the network line 12 according to an instruction from the control unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow chart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Hereinafter, referring to the flow chart of FIG. 3, accumulation of the image processing apparatus MC will be described. The operation will be described.

In step 21, the image data is input through the scanner 3 and the network interface 8
The print data is input via the, or the facsimile reception image data is input via the communication control unit 10. After that, the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 6 as shown in step 22. When the data is accumulated, as shown in step 23, the accumulation time counting unit 9
The time accumulated in is stored. When the stored image data is output in step 24, it is recorded and output in the printer 4 or is transmitted to another facsimile apparatus via the communication control unit 10 as shown in step 25. The encoded image data read by the scanner and the received facsimile data are decoded and recorded and output. The print data input via the network interface 8 is converted from code data to image data by the code data expansion unit 11 and output.

On the other hand, if the data is stored without being output in step 24, the transfer determination unit 7 transfers the image data to another storage device via the network interface unit 8 as shown in step 27. It is determined whether or not. That is, the transfer determination unit 7 determines whether or not the remaining storage capacity of the image data storage unit 6 is less than or equal to a predetermined value. When it is determined that the remaining storage capacity of the image data storage unit 6 is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step 28, and the transfer determination unit 7 sends a transfer request to the control unit 2. In this case, the network interface unit 8
The image data is transferred to the storage device 14 or 15 of the workstation connected to the network via.
At this time, the control unit 2 stores which storage device is the transfer destination storage device.

Further, the transfer determination unit 7 determines whether or not image data is accumulated, as shown in step 29,
If the image data is accumulated, further step 3
As shown in 0, the set time is compared with the storage time, and for the stored image data that has passed the set time, a transfer request is sent from the storage time counting unit 9 to the control unit 2 as shown in step 31. Then, the image data is transferred to the storage devices 14 and 15 of the workstations connected to the network via the network interface unit 8.

[0037]

According to the present invention, since the image data can be transferred between the other storage device and the image processing device connected by the network and a sufficient storage capacity can be secured, the following effects can be obtained. is there.

1. The function corresponding to the maximum storage amount of the image processing apparatus can be executed regardless of the storage state of the image data storage unit.

2. Image data can be stored without depending on the storage capacity of the image data storage unit of the image processing apparatus.

3. When the image processing device is not used,
The other storage device can be used for normal processing such as numerical calculation and data processing, and the storage device can be used efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a network configuration diagram for explaining a storage operation of the image processing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart for explaining an operation of the image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[Description of Codes] 1 operation display unit 2 control unit 3 scanner 4 printer 5 encoding / decoding unit 6 image data storage unit 7 transfer determination unit 8 network interface unit 9 storage time timer unit 10 communication control unit 11 code data expansion unit 12 Network line 13 Telephone line MC Image processing device WS1 workstation WS2 workstation 14 Storage device 15 Storage device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location H04N 1/00 107 Z 7046-5C // G06F 12/00 580 9366-5B

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus having an image data storage unit for storing read image data and an image data output unit for reading and outputting the image data stored in the image data storage unit, which is used by connecting to a network. At
Means for detecting the accumulation of image data in the image data accumulating portion to measure the image data accumulation time; network interface means for transferring data to another accumulating device connected to the network; The image data stored in the image data storage unit is temporarily transferred to the other storage device via the network interface unit when the image data storage time is associated with the time counting unit and the set time has elapsed. However, when an image data output request is input, the control means reads out data from the other storage device via the network interface means and stores the data in the image data storage section. Image processing device. 2. An image processing apparatus having an image data storage section for storing read image data and an image data output section for reading out and outputting the image data stored in the image data storage section, which is used by connecting to a network. At
Storability determination means for determining whether or not the remaining storage capacity of the image data storage unit is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and detecting that the image data has been stored in the image data storage unit to measure the image data storage time. Means, network interface means for performing data transfer with another storage device connected to the network, and associated with the storage time measuring means, and via the network interface means when the storage capacity is insufficient. The image data accumulated in the image data accumulating unit in the order of the image data accumulating time is temporarily transferred to the other accumulating device, and when the image data output request is input, the other data is transmitted via the network interface means. Control means for reading out data from the storage device and storing it in the image data storage part. The image processing apparatus according to claim Rukoto.