JPH06203113A - Device for managing image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the capacity of a storage device on the side of each data processing terminal and to accelerate the valid operating speed of a program, as well in an image processing system to be operated in network environments. CONSTITUTION:Respective terminal EWS (clients) 101-10n are network-linked with a center EWS (server) 40 so as to enable data communication and respectively perform prescribed printing/make-up processing while sharing printing/ make-up data stored in a shared disk 50. Prescribed work is allocated to the respective terminal EWS 101-10n at every working day. Schedule data terminal EWS as allocated work contents are inputted from the terminal EWS as a JOB manager. According to the inputted schedule data, the center EWS 40 reads only the data required for executing the work from the shared disk 50 and transfers them to respective local disks 201-20n. Thus, the operational environments of respective terminal EWS 101-10n are used by using only the program data required for the work on that day.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a management device for an image processing system, and more particularly, to an image in which a center storage device for constructing a database and a plurality of data processing terminals operate in a network environment. In a processing system, the present invention relates to a device that manages a program that runs on each data processing terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a LAN (local area network) has been utilized by utilizing a small computer such as a personal computer or a workstation, which has a remarkably improved processing ability, in place of a conventional large general-purpose computer.
The movement to form such networks is becoming active. This shift to smaller machines is called "downsizing,"
Its main purpose is to reduce costs and shorten the development period. Even in the field of image processing such as printing and plate making, downsizing is gradually being advanced, and multiple data processing terminals distributed and operated in a network environment,
2. Description of the Related Art Image processing systems are becoming common in which various image data stored in a database are shared and predetermined image processing is executed in parallel.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional printing / printing system constructed as a client type or client / server type LAN.
It is a block diagram showing a configuration of a plate making processing system. Figure 7
In the case of a plurality of terminals EWS as data processing terminals
(Engineering workstation) 11-1n
Is coupled to the center EWS4 as a center processing device so as to be able to perform data communication via a wired or wireless data communication path 3. In this specification, the EWS means a small computer that executes an advanced program at high speed. Local disks 21 to 2n as external storage devices are connected to the terminals EWS11 to 1n, respectively. Further, the center EWS 4 is connected with a shared disk 5 as a center storage device for constructing a database. For the local disks 21 to 2n and the shared disk 5, a readable / writable large-capacity storage medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk is used.

In the printing / plate-making processing system as described above, in order to operate the printing / plate-making processing program on each of the terminals EWS11 to 1n, in addition to the application program, a library (dictionary, template, various tools, etc.), GUI ( A window system as a graphical user interface, fonts, etc. are required.

By the way, in recent years, it has become common to use a plurality of libraries for one application program in order to reduce the scale of the application program and improve the work efficiency. Also,
Recent application programs have a function of registering know-how (work environment, etc.) of each operator as a library during work. For example, in the case of a Japanese word processor program, this includes the word registration function in the Kana-Kanji conversion dictionary, the customization function of the input mode peculiar to each operator (the function that a user frequently uses is assigned to a specific key or menu), etc. Hit Thus, recently, programs tend to be individualized by each operator. This is similar to how craftsmen work on their work tools to suit their work.

In the printing / plate-making processing application program as well, it has become common to register the know-how, habits (input method, etc.) of each operator as a library in order to improve work efficiency. Therefore, the amount of information in the library in future printing / plate-making processing application programs may increase but never decrease. As described above, the print / plate-making processing program tends to become larger and larger in recent years, and recently, by storing window system data, library data, and font data for one application program, it is possible to store several tens of MB. In many cases, capacity is required. Therefore, in a network environment, when a plurality of printing / engraving processing programs are operated in each terminal EWS by a plurality of operators, unless the program data such as the library is efficiently managed, the external storage device of each terminal EWS is Significant capacity will be required to store the program data. This leads to an increase in the cost of the external storage device, which is a serious problem.

Conventionally, the following two methods have been implemented in order to manage the programs running on the respective terminals EWS11 to 1n in the above-mentioned printing / plate-making processing system.

The first conventional method is a method in which all the program data necessary for the printing / platemaking process is placed on the client side. That is, each local disk 21 to 2n has various processes (reading, correction, color correction,
All the program data necessary for executing editing, burning, etc.) are stored. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the program data includes application program data, library data, font data, window system data, and the like. On the other hand, the shared disk 5 stores printing / prepressing data (data of characters, figures, images, etc.) processed by each of the terminals EWS11 to 1n. The terminals EWS11 to 1n read necessary program data from the local disks 21 to 2n, respectively, and execute various data processes for printing and plate making. At that time, each of the terminals EWS11 to 1n reads out necessary printing / prepressing data from the shared disk 5 and processes it. The printing / engraving data processed by the terminals EWS11 to 1n is transferred to the shared disk 5 again and stored therein. Therefore, the printing / prepressing data mainly flows through the data communication path 3.

The second conventional method is a method of placing a part of the program data on the server side. For example, library data which is infrequently used and whose version is difficult to manage is stored in the shared disk 5, and other program data (application program data, font data, window system data) is stored in each local disk 2.
It is stored in 1 to 2n. In this case, each terminal EWS11-
1n accesses the library data from the shared disk 5 as needed and uses it. Therefore, the printing / prepressing data and the library data mainly flow through the data communication path 3. Note that each terminal EWS11 to 1n can easily access the library data stored in the shared disk 5 by using the mounting mechanism provided in a network tool such as UNIX.
Here, the mount means the EWS as shown in FIG.
The directory A2 existing in the external storage device of (i) is changed to E
This is a technique for making a virtual appearance under the directory B1 of WS (i + 1). With EWS (i + 1),
The files under the directory A2 of EWS (i) can be accessed by the same method as the normal access.

[0010]

In the first conventional method, all program data is stored in each local disk 21.
Since it is stored in ~ 2n, the access time of the program is shortened and the effective operation speed of the program is improved. However, on the other hand, each local disk 21-2
There is a problem that the capacity of n increases and the cost increases. Further, if the capacity of each of the local disks 21 to 2n is reduced in order to reduce the cost, there is a problem in that the capacity of the originally required printing / plate-making processing data storage area (data file in FIG. 8) is reduced.

In the second conventional method, since the library data is stored in the shared disk 5, the capacity of each of the local disks 21 to 2n can be reduced to some extent. However, the second conventional method has a problem in that the library data is accessed via the network, and the effective operating speed of the program is reduced. In addition, since the library data is frequently transferred on the data communication path 3, the amount of data traffic increases and printing / printing
There is also a problem that the transfer efficiency of plate-making data is reduced.

Further, in the first and second conventional methods, even if there is a printing / platemaking application program that rarely operates (for example, operates only once a month), each local disk 21 It is necessary to always store the application program data and so on in each of the local disks 21 to 2n.
However, there is a problem in that the storage capacity of is consumed in vain.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to manage an image processing system operated in a network environment so as to reduce the capacity of a storage device on the side of each data processing terminal and not reduce the effective operating speed of a program. It is to provide a device.

[0014]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A center storage device that constructs a database and a plurality of data processing terminals operate in a network environment, and each data processing terminal executes predetermined image processing in parallel while sharing the data stored in the center storage device. In such an image processing system, a device that manages a program running on each data processing terminal, and the center storage device is
Along with the data processed by each data processing terminal, various program data for image processing executed by each data processing terminal are stored. Schedule data indicating a schedule of work assigned to each data processing terminal is stored. Each data processing terminal is provided with a schedule data input means for inputting, and a data transfer means for reading only necessary program data from the center storage device and transferring it to each data processing terminal according to the schedule data input by the schedule data input means. By temporarily storing the program data transferred by the data transfer means, the operating environment adapted to the execution of the assigned work is set.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising timer means for measuring the present time, and the data transfer means is such that the timer means has a predetermined time before the work of each data processing terminal is started. In response to timing
Predetermined program data is transferred from the center storage device to each data processing terminal.

[0016]

According to the invention of claim 1, according to the schedule data input by the schedule data input means, only the necessary program data is read from the center storage device and transferred to each data processing terminal, whereby each data processing terminal is read. The operating environment of is managed based on the work schedule every time. as a result,
It is not necessary for each data processing terminal to store all the program data, and the capacity of the storage device is reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to access the program data such as the library from the center storage device via the network when executing the program, the effective operation speed of the program is improved. Further, since the amount of data traffic on the network can be reduced, the data transfer efficiency is improved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in response to the timer means measuring a predetermined time before starting the work of each data processing terminal, a predetermined program data is sent from the center storage device to each data processing terminal. I am trying to transfer. As a result, the program data can be transferred using the downtime of the work at each data processing terminal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the data transfer efficiency from decreasing during the operation of each data processing terminal.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing / platemaking processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention constructed as a client-type or client-server type LAN (local area network). In FIG. 1, a plurality of terminals EWS10 as data processing terminals
1 to 10n are communicatively coupled to a center EWS 40 serving as a center processing device via a wired or wireless data communication path 30. Terminal EWS 101-10
Local disks 201 to 20n as external storage devices are respectively connected to n. In addition, the center E
The WS 40 is connected to a shared disk 50 as a center storage device that builds a database. For the local disks 201 to 20n and the shared disk 50, a readable / writable large-capacity storage medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk is used.

In the initial state before the system operates, each local disk 201 to 20n does not store the program data for the printing / platemaking process.
On the other hand, in the shared disk 50, the terminals EWS 101 to 10
Printing / prepress data (characters, graphics,
In addition to image data), all program data (application program data, library data, font data, window system data, etc.) necessary for each process of printing and plate making are always stored.

It should be noted that any one of the terminals EWS101 to 10n or the center EWS40 is assigned as a JOB manager for inputting schedule data described later. In this embodiment, the terminal EWS10i
Is assigned as the JOB manager.

In operating the printing / plate-making processing system operating in the network environment as described above, the work schedule of each terminal EWS 101 to 10n is created in advance. Then, according to this work schedule, the work content of each terminal EWS 101 to 10n is determined for each work day. For example, on the terminal EWS10i, it is determined that the catalog of company A is retouched on the Xth and the Yth of ten points. Therefore, it is unlikely that one terminal EWS needs all of the printing / engraving processing programs in a relatively short period such as one day. Therefore,
In this embodiment, schedule data indicating work contents for each work day assigned to each terminal EWS 101 to 10n is input from the JOB manager, and only program data necessary for executing the work is input from the shared disk 50 according to the schedule data. Read each terminal EWS1
It transfers to 01-10n. As a result, the capacity of each local disk 201 to 20n can be significantly reduced.

2 to 4 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the printing / platemaking processing system shown in FIG. The operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, the operation of the terminal EWS 10i as the JOB manager will be described with reference to FIG. In step S1, the terminal EWS 10i inputs schedule data as shown in FIG. 5, for example, according to the operation of the schedule manager. This schedule data is data relating to the work content assigned to each of the terminals EWS 101 to 10n on the next work day,
The terminal number of each terminal EWS 101-10n, the work name,
An operator name for operating each terminal EWS 101 to 10n is included. In this embodiment, the schedule data is input on the day before each work day, but it may be input on a weekly or monthly basis. Next, in step S2, the terminal E
The WS 10i displays the work schedule of each of the terminals EWS 101 to 10n on a monitor such as a CRT based on the input schedule data. Next, in step S3, the terminal EWS 10i determines whether the schedule manager has instructed to change the work schedule. When the change is instructed, in step S4,
The terminal EWS10i performs a work schedule change process. After the operation of step S4, or when the change of the work schedule is not instructed in step S3, the terminal EWS10i transfers the input schedule data to the center EWS40 via the data communication path 30 in step S5. .

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the center EWS 40
The operation of will be described. In step S11, the center E
WS40 is a terminal EWS10 that is a JOB manager.
Receive schedule data from i. Next, in step S12, the center EWS 40 determines whether or not the current time matches the preset time. That is, the center EWS 40 has a timer function for measuring the current time, and determines whether or not the time measured by this timer matches a preset time. Here, the preset time is a daily work start time (for example, AM 9: 0 AM).
0) is selected at a time (for example, 7:00 AM) before a predetermined time. Next, in step S13, the center EW
S40 refers to an environment management table (for example, stored in the shared disk 50) as shown in FIG.
The type of program data to be transferred to each terminal EWS 101-10n is determined.

Now, the environment management table shown in FIG. 6 will be described. If the type of work executed by the terminal EWS is different, the program data required by the terminal EWS is different. Further, even if the work to be executed by the terminal EWS is the same, the program data (especially library data) required by the terminal EWS is different if the operator to operate is different.
The environment management table is a list of the types of program data required for a certain operator to perform a certain work on the terminal EWS for all combinations of the work and the operator. In other words, it can be said that the environment management table describes the operating environment of each terminal EWS for each work and each operator. In step S13 described above, each terminal EWS is accessed by accessing this environment management table using the work name and operator name included in the schedule data as addresses.
In 101 to 10n, the type of program data required for work execution is determined.

Next, in step S14, the center E
The WS 40 transfers the schedule data received in step S11 to each terminal EWS 101-10n. Also,
In step S14, the center EWS 40 reads the program data determined for each terminal EWS in step S13 from the shared disk 50 and transfers the program data to the corresponding terminals EWS 101 to 10n.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, each terminal EWS10
The operation of 1 to 10n will be described. At a predetermined time (for example, 7:00 AM) before the start of work, in step S21, each of the terminals EWS101 to 10n causes the center EWS4 to operate.
Receives schedule data and program data (application programs, libraries, window systems, fonts, etc.) necessary for work execution from 0. The received program data is stored in each of the local disks 201 to 20n. As a result, each of the terminals EWS 101 to 10n is set with an operating environment adapted to execute the work assigned in advance. Next, in step S22, each of the terminals EWS101 to 10n
Display the work schedule of the day and the types of executable programs on the monitor. Next, in step S23, each of the terminals EWS 101 to 10n activates the program data stored in each of the local disks 201 to 20n to execute the work assigned to each. At this time, each of the terminals EWS 101 to 10n is connected to the center EWS.
The print / plate-making data is read out from 40 and a predetermined process is performed. Upon completion of the assigned work, each of the terminals EWS101 to 10n transfers the processed printing / platemaking data to the center EWS40 in step S24. Next, in step S25, the terminal EWS101
10n are local disks 201 to 20 respectively
The program data stored in n is erased. As a result, each of the terminals EWS 101 to 10n prepares for setting the operating environment for the next work day.

Although the above embodiment is configured as a printing / plate-making processing system, the present invention is not limited to this. Other image processing systems operated in a network environment (for example, a semiconductor mask pattern creating apparatus and a computer graphic creating apparatus) , Architectural design drawing creation device).

[0029]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, only the necessary program data is read from the center storage device and transferred to each data processing terminal according to the input schedule data. The terminal side does not need to store all the program data. Therefore, the capacity of the storage device on the side of each data processing terminal can be reduced, and as a result, its cost can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to access the program data such as the library from the center storage device via the network when executing the program, the effective operating speed of the program can be improved. Further, since the amount of traffic on the network is reduced, the data transfer efficiency can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 2, the program data is transferred from the center storage device to each data processing terminal in response to the timer means measuring a predetermined time before the work of each data processing terminal is started. Because I am trying to
Program data can be transferred using the downtime of the work at each data processing terminal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the data transfer efficiency from decreasing during the work of each data processing terminal due to the transfer of the program data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing / platemaking processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of inputting schedule data of a terminal EWS assigned as a JOB manager in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of schedule management of the center EWS in the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of each terminal EWS at the time of performing work in the embodiment shown in FIG.

5 is an illustrative view showing one example of schedule data transferred from the JOB manager to the center EWS in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a shared disk 50 in the embodiment shown in FIG.
It is an illustration figure which shows the data structure of the environment management table stored in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional printing / platemaking processing system.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing one example of data stored in each local disk in a conventional printing / platemaking processing system.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing a directory mount structure adopted in a conventional printing / platemaking processing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30: Data communication path 40: Center EWS 50: Shared disk 101-10n: Terminal EWS 201-20n: Local disk

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location G06F 15/60 310 7623-5L

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A center storage device that constructs a database and a plurality of data processing terminals operate in a network environment, and each data processing terminal shares a predetermined amount of data in parallel while sharing the data stored in the center storage device. In an image processing system that executes image processing, a device that manages a program that runs on each data processing terminal, wherein the center storage device stores data processed by each data processing terminal together with each data processing. Various program data for image processing executed by a terminal are stored, schedule data input means for inputting schedule data indicating a schedule of work assigned to each of the data processing terminals, and the schedule data input means. The center storage device according to the schedule data input by Data transfer means for reading out only necessary program data from the data transfer terminal and transferring it to each of the data processing terminals, wherein each of the data processing terminals allocates by temporarily storing the program data transferred by the data transfer means. A management apparatus for an image processing system, wherein an operating environment adapted to the execution of the specified work is set. 2. The center further comprises timer means for counting the current time, wherein the data transfer means is responsive to the timer means for measuring a predetermined time before the work of each of the data processing terminals is started. The management device for an image processing system according to claim 1, wherein predetermined program data is transferred from the storage device to each data processing terminal.