JPH0787243A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image processing system by which a backup processing and a recovery processing of a secondary storage device can be conducted in a short time. CONSTITUTION:An image document deposited from a customer is transferred to each working/editing WS 13-1n and subjected to working/editing, after image information is read by image scanners 41-4k. As for the image document which is not returned to the customer, its recovery can be conducted by reading the image document by the image scanners 41-4k again, therefore, by backing up only an image file of the image document returned to the customer, the number of times and the time of a backup processing and a recovering processing can be shortened, and also, the storage capacity of a backup storage medium is saved. On the other hand, set-up of the image scanners 41-4k requires great skill, and also, it takes time, therefore, by retaining set-up data, as well of the image scanners 41-4k, and reutilizing it, set-up of the image scanners 41-4k can be conducted in a short time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system, and more particularly, to an image processing system for reading and processing / editing image information from an image document received from a client.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a movement to form a LAN (local area network) or the like by utilizing a small computer such as a personal computer or a workstation, which has a remarkably improved processing capacity, in place of a conventional large-sized general-purpose computer. It is becoming active. This shift to smaller machines is called "downsizing" and is mainly aimed at reducing costs and shortening the development period. Also in the field of image processing such as printing and plate making, downsizing is being rapidly promoted. For example, an image processing system in which a plurality of distributed image processing terminals operate in a network environment and execute predetermined image processing in parallel on various image data input to the system is generally used. Is becoming.

An image processing system that handles high-definition image data, such as a printing / platemaking processing system, requires a secondary storage device (such as a magnetic disk device) having an enormous storage capacity. For example, inputting a photo original with 400 / inch (8b
If you enter it / color, 4color), A4
In terms of size, the amount of data is about 60 Mbytes. A storage capacity of about 6 Gbytes is required to store 100 pages of A4 original in the secondary storage of the printing / platemaking processing system. Normally, data obtained by applying image processing such as retouching to the original image data input by the scanner is also stored at the same time, so that a larger capacity of the secondary storage device is required.

Therefore, in the conventional printing / plate-making processing system, a magnetic disk device, which is a secondary storage device that is relatively fast to access and inexpensive, is often used. However, the secondary storage device including the magnetic disk device is
Conventionally, the data in the secondary storage device has been stored in a cheaper storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk, an 8 mm magnetic tape, or a DAT for backup because the data may be inaccessible due to a failure.

[0005]

By the way, in many cases, the printing and plate-making process has a short delivery time. Especially in the plate making process,
It may take about one to two days to complete one order job.
Then, in the above process, a plurality of order jobs are processed in parallel. Therefore, in the printing / platemaking processing system, a large amount of image data is stored in the secondary storage device of the system in a relatively short storage period. It takes a lot of processing time to back up a large amount of image data. Further, since the printing / prepressing processing data is stored in the system for only a short time, it is necessary to execute the backup processing more times than in the system such as CAD. Therefore, the conventional printing / plate-making processing system has a problem that the cost for the backup processing (system occupancy time, worker labor cost, storage medium cost) becomes high.

On the other hand, the actual printing / platemaking processing system 2
When the secondary storage device fails and becomes unusable, so-called recovery processing is required to restore from the backup storage medium to another secondary storage device that has not failed. As mentioned above, the amount of data is huge, so it took a long time to recover.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of performing backup processing and recovery processing of a secondary storage device in a short time.

[0008]

The invention according to claim 1 is
An image processing system for reading and processing / editing image information from an image document received from a client, the image information reading unit reading image information from the image document, and the image information read by the image information reading unit as an image file. Image file transfer means for transferring on the network, image file storage means for storing image files transferred via the network, processing / editing means for reading and processing / editing image files from the image file storage means, each image file About the image corresponding to the returned image original by referring to the identification information setting registration means for setting and registering the identification information indicating whether or not the corresponding image original is returned to the requester, the registered identification information Read the file from the image file storage and write it to the backup storage medium. Image file writing means, setup data saving means for temporarily saving setup data when reading an image original, and image file corresponding to the image original returned from the backup storage medium when a failure occurs in the image file storing means When the failure of the image file restoration means for reading out and restoring the image file storage means occurs, the setup data saved in the setup data saving means is reused to set up the image information reading means for the unreturned image original. A setup execution means is provided for executing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the setup data corresponding to the unreturned image original is read out from the setup data storage means by referring to the set and registered identification information for backup. Setup data writing means for writing in a storage medium,
And when a failure occurs in the setup data storage means, the setup information corresponding to the unreturned image original is read from the backup storage medium by referring to the identification information registered in the setting, and transferred to the setup execution means via the network. The setup data transfer means is further provided, and the setup execution means reuses the setup data transferred from the setup data transfer means when a failure occurs in the setup data storage means, thereby reading the image information reading means for the unreturned image original. Perform the setup of.

[0010]

[Operation] After the image information is read by the image information reading means, the image original received from the client may or may not be returned to the client. An image document that is not returned to the requester can be recovered by reading the image document again by the image information reading unit without backing up the image file. Therefore, in the invention according to claim 1, by backing up only the image file of the image original returned to the client to the backup storage medium, the number and time of the backup process and the recovery process are shortened, and the backup process is performed. The storage capacity of the storage medium is saved. On the other hand, setting up the image information reading means requires skill and takes time. Therefore, in the invention according to the first aspect, the setup data of the image information reading unit is stored and reused, so that the setup of the image information reading unit can be performed in a short time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, not only the image file of the returned original document but also the setup data of the unreturned original document is written in the backup storage medium and backed up, and when the setup data storage means fails. The setup data is read from the backup storage medium and transferred to the setup executing means. As a result, the image information reading means can be set up even when a failure occurs in the setup data storage means.

[0012]

1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a printing / platemaking processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a plurality of workstations (hereinafter, abbreviated as WS) 11 to 1n are network-coupled via a wired or wireless communication path 2 so that data communication is possible. Each WS1
A plurality of magnetic disk devices 3 as secondary storage devices are preferably connected to each of 1 to 1n. In this embodiment, the WS 11 is used as a management WS for managing the order job and inputting the return information of the image original into the system. Further, the WS 12 is an image scanner 41.
Input WS for inputting image information read from an image original by 4k into the system as an image file
Used as. Further, WS13 to WS1n are used as processing / editing WS for processing / editing the image file transferred from the input WS12 via the communication path 2. The processing / editing WS 1n is connected with a backup device 5 that writes and reads image files and setup data to and from a backup storage medium (magneto-optical disk, 8 mm magnetic tape, DAT, etc.) not shown. That is, processing / editing WS1
In addition to the function of processing and editing the image file, n also has a function of performing backup processing and recovery processing of the image file and setup data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of each of the WS 11 to 1n shown in FIG. In Figure 2, CP
U101, main memory 102, frame buffer 10
3, a bar code reader 104, a keyboard 107, and a mouse 108 are connected via the system bus 100. The above-mentioned magnetic disk device 3 is also connected to the system bus 100. The magnetic disk device 3 stores various program data for an OS system, a window system, printing / platemaking processing.
The CPU 101 as a central processing unit operates according to the program data stored in the magnetic disk device 3.
The main memory 102 is used as a working memory of the CPU 101. The frame buffer 103 is a display memory and stores image data for one frame projected on the CRT display 110. Frame buffer 1
The image data stored in 03 is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 109, then applied to the CRT display 110 and displayed there. The barcode reader 104 is a device for reading a barcode attached to a work instruction sheet, for example. The keyboard 107 and the mouse 108 are devices operated by an operator to input commands and various data. Further, a communication interface 111 is connected to the system bus 100 with the communication path 2.

Next, the operation of the printing / platemaking processing system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Note that here, as an example,
A case where the plate making company executes the printing / plate making process based on the image document (photograph document, illustration document, etc.) entrusted by the customer will be described. When a customer receives an order for printing and plate making work, the process manager of the printing and plate making company first makes a plan for the printing and plate making process. At this time, the process manager assigns a JOB name to each of the ordered printed materials. Next, management WS1
The operator No. 1 operates the management WS 11 to input the JOB information according to the instruction from the process manager. This job
The information includes, for each JOB, the JOB name, delivery date, attribute information of the image file belonging to the corresponding JOB, and the like. The attribute information of each image file includes a file ID (identification code), a file name, a page number. (Information indicating to which page of the corresponding JOB the image file belongs),
Host name (processing / editing WS that processes the image file
(Identification name of) etc. Management WS11 is the input JO
The B information is stored in its own magnetic disk device 3, and is also input via the communication path 2 WS12, each processing / editing WS
13 to WS1n.

Next, the operator of the image scanners 41 to 4k sets the image original received from the customer in any of the image scanners 41 to 4k. The image scanner scans the set image original and reads image information in pixel units from the image original. Input WS12
Stores the image information read from the image original in its own magnetic disk device 3. At this time, the operator of the image scanner sets the reading characteristics of the image scanner to an optimum state before reading the image original in order to obtain a good reading result. The setting of the reading characteristics, that is, the setup of the image scanner must be performed for each image original in consideration of the state of the image original (exposure degree, color deviation, highlight point and shadow point, etc.). It takes skill and time. Then, the input WS 12 creates a setup data file as shown in FIG. 13 for each image original and stores it in its own magnetic disk device 3.

Further, the input WS 12 creates a setup data file management table as shown in FIG. 11 while referring to the above-mentioned JOB information and stores it in its own magnetic disk device 3. In this setup data file management table, the file ID, the file name of the corresponding image file, the image scanner name, and the setup data file name are described. Input WS
Preferably, 12 stores the same setup data file management table redundantly in a plurality of (for example, two) magnetic disk devices 3. As a result, the setup data file management table is mirrored, and even if one magnetic disk device 3 fails, the setup data file management table can be read from another magnetic disk device 3 that has not failed.

After that, the input WS 12 reads out each image information from the magnetic disk device 3 to create an image file, and transfers the image file to the processing / editing WS to which the processing / editing work is assigned in the JOB information. Each processing / editing WS1
3 to WS1n store the image files transferred from the input WS 12 in their own magnetic disk devices 3.

The input WS 12 creates a magnetic disk device management table as shown in FIG. 9 in order to know in which magnetic disk device of which processing / editing WS each image file is stored. This magnetic disk device management table includes a parent table shown in FIG.
And a plurality of child tables shown in (b). In the parent table, for each magnetic disk device 3 belonging to each processing / editing WS13 to WS1n, the host name of the corresponding processing / editing WS, the magnetic disk device name, and the address pointer of the corresponding child table (corresponding child table (Indicates the start address of)) is described. A child table is prepared for each magnetic disk device 3 of each processing / editing WS13 to WS1n, and each child table has a backup storage medium name (for backing up an image file in the corresponding magnetic disk device). The type of backup storage medium assigned is shown), the volume name (which shows the volume of the backup storage medium of the same type), and the number of image files (stored in the corresponding magnetic disk device). Number of image files) and the file ID of each image file stored in the corresponding magnetic disk device.

Further, the input WS 12 creates an image file management table as shown in FIG. In this image file management table, for each image file, the file ID, the JOB name of the corresponding JOB, and the page N
o. (Indicates which page of the corresponding JOB it corresponds to), file name, data amount, and document return flag (a flag that indicates whether or not the image document has been returned to the customer and is set later). And are described. Note that FIG.
As an example, 0 is a certain 1 that belongs to a certain processing / editing WS.
The image file management table for one magnetic disk device is shown, and the image file management table similar to FIG. 10 is created for the other magnetic disk devices.

The input WS 12 is a processing / editing W having a backup function for the magnetic disk device management table and the image file management table created as described above.
Transfer to S1n. Processing / editing WS1n is input WS1
The magnetic disk device management table and the image file management table transferred from No. 2 are stored in its own magnetic disk device 3. At this time, the processing / editing WS 1n preferably has a plurality of magnetic disk device management tables and image file management tables (for example, 2
(2) are duplicately stored in the magnetic disk device 3. As a result, the magnetic disk device management table and the image file management table are mirrored, and even if one magnetic disk device 3 fails, the magnetic disk device management table and the image file from another magnetic disk device 3 that has not failed. The management table can be read.

When the image scanners 41 to 4k finish reading the image original, the image original may or may not be returned to the customer. In this embodiment, whether or not to back up the corresponding image file is determined according to whether or not the image original is returned to the customer.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of inputting the document return information in the management WS 11 will be described. First, the operator of the management WS11
Is operated to input document return information indicating whether or not the image document read by the image scanners 41 to 4k has been returned to the customer (step S101). Next, management W
In step S11, the input document return information is transferred to the processing / editing WS 1n having a backup function (step S1).
02).

Next, referring to the flow chart of FIG.
The operation of setting the document return flag in the processing / editing WS 1n will be described. The processing / editing WS 1n receives the manuscript return message from the management WS 11 (step S20).
1) The original document return information is taken into the internal main memory 102 (step S202). Next, processing / editing WS1n
Sets the counter i to 1 and sets the number of all image files in all image file management tables in the register M (note that FIG. 10 shows the image file management table for one magnetic disk device 3). Set (step S203). Next, processing / editing WS1n
Sets the document return flag of the i-th image file in the image file management table (step S20).
4). That is, for example, "1" is set to the original return flag of the image file in which the image original is returned, and "0" is set to the original return flag of the image file in which the image original is not returned. Next, processing / editing WS1n
Increments the counter i by 1 (step S
205), it is determined whether the count value of the counter i is less than or equal to the set value of the register M (that is, the number of all image files in all image file management tables) (step S206). When the count value of the counter i is less than or equal to the set value of the register M, the operation returns to step S204 and the operation of setting the original return flag is repeated. On the other hand, when the count value of the counter i reaches the set value of the register M, the setting operation of all the document return flags in all the image file management tables has been completed, so
The edit WS 1n ends the operation.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The backup processing operation in the processing / editing WS 1n will be described. This backup processing operation is
Editing is performed for each magnetic disk device 3 of WS13 to WS1n. When the processing / editing WS 1n receives the backup processing request message for the magnetic disk device 3 of any of the processing / editing WS 13 to WS1n from the management WS 11 (step S301), it refers to the magnetic disk device management table (see FIG. 9). Then, the image file management table corresponding to the magnetic disk device to be backed up is read from its own magnetic disk device 3 and loaded into the internal main memory 102 (step S30).
2). Next, the processing / editing WS 1n is stored in the main memory 10
The image file management table stored in No. 2 is written in the backup storage medium using the backup device 5 (step S303). As a result, the image file management table of the magnetic disk device targeted for the backup process is backed up.

Next, the processing / editing WS 1n is operated by the counter i.
Is set to 1, and the number of all image files stored in the magnetic disk device 3 to be backed up is set in the register j by referring to the magnetic disk device management table (see FIG. 9) (step S304). ). Next, the processing / editing WS 1n determines whether the document return flag of the i-th image file in the backed up image file management table is set to “1” or “0”, that is, the image document is presented to the customer. It is determined whether it has been returned (step S305). When "1" is set in the document return flag of the i-th image file, that is, when the image document is returned to the customer, the processing / editing WS 1n becomes the backup processing target of the i-th image file. The data is read from the magnetic disk device 3 and written in the backup storage medium using the backup device 5 (step S306). As a result, the image file in which the image original is returned to the customer is backed up in the backup storage medium.

On the other hand, when "0" is set in the original return flag of the i-th image file, that is, when the original image is not returned to the customer, the processing / editing WS1n is performed.
Reads the i-th setup data file (see FIG. 13) from the magnetic disk device 3 of the management WS 11 and writes it in the backup storage medium using the backup device 5 (step S307). As a result, the setup data file in which the image original has not been returned to the customer is backed up in the backup storage medium. The i-th setup data file in the magnetic disk device 3 of the management WS 11 is specified by referring to the setup data file management table in FIG.

After step S306 or S307, the processing / editing WS 1n increments the counter i by 1 (step S309), and the count value of the counter i is the set value of the register j (that is, the magnetic disk to be backed up). It is determined whether or not it is less than or equal to the number of all image files stored in the device 3 (step S30).
9). When the count value of the counter i is less than or equal to the set value of the register j, the operation returns to step S305 again, and the backup process of the image file or the setup data file is repeated. On the other hand, if the count value of the counter i reaches the set value of the register j, the backup / processing for all the image files stored in the magnetic disk device 3 that is the target of the backup processing is completed, so The operation ends. The backup processing operation of the image file of FIG. 5 described above is also performed for the other magnetic disk device 3 in the processing / editing WS.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The recovery processing operation of the image file in the processing / editing WS 1n will be described. This recovery process is a processing / editing W
This is performed when a failure occurs in any of the magnetic disk devices 3 in S13 to WS1n. Processing / Editing WS1
First, n reads the image file management table (see FIG. 10) of the magnetic disk device to be subjected to the recovery process, that is, the magnetic disk device in which the failure has occurred, from the backup storage medium using the backup device 5 (step S401). Next, the processing / editing WS 1n causes the latest magnetic disk device management table (FIG. 9) of the magnetic disk device 3 targeted for recovery processing from its own magnetic disk device 3.
Reference) and image file management table (see FIG. 12)
Is read (step S402). This is because the latest magnetic disk device management table and image file management table also include management information of image files waiting for backup processing, even though the image originals have been returned, but backup processing has not been performed. This is because there is a possibility that As described above, since the latest magnetic disk device management table and image file management table are mirrored, even if one of the magnetic disk devices 3 of the processing / editing WS 1n fails, it does not fail. The latest magnetic disk device management table and image file management table can be read from another magnetic disk device 3.

Next, the processing / editing WS 1n is operated by the counter i.
Is set to 1, and the latest number of image files is set in the register k by referring to the latest magnetic disk device management table (step S403). Next, the processing / editing WS 1n displays the latest image file management table (see FIG. 12).
It is determined whether or not the i-th image file management information in (see) exists also in the image file management table (see FIG. 10) read from the backup storage medium (step S404). When the same image file management information as the latest image file management table also exists in the image file management table read from the backup storage medium, the processing / editing WS 1n sets the document return flag included in the image file management information. It is determined whether or not "1" is set in (step S405). If the original return flag is set to "1", the image original has been returned, and the processing / editing WS 1n reads the corresponding image file from the backup storage medium and is the failure subject to recovery processing. Transfer to the processing / editing WS equipped with the magnetic disk device (step S
406). The processing / editing WS stores the transferred image file in the magnetic disk device 3 which has not failed. As a result, the image file is recovered. Next, the processing / editing WS 1n increments the counter i by 1 (step S407).

On the other hand, if the original return flag is set to "0" in step S405, the recovery process of the image file is not performed, and the process is directly performed in step S40.
Proceed to the operation of 7. Even if the same image file management information as the latest image file management table does not exist in the image file management table read from the backup storage medium in step S404, the process directly proceeds to step S407. In this case, the image file is not recovered. Next, the processing / editing WS 1n determines whether the count value of the counter i is less than or equal to the set value of the register k (that is, the latest number of image files) (step S408). When the count value of the counter i is less than or equal to the set value of the register k, the process returns to step S404 again, and the image file recovery process is repeated.
On the other hand, when the count value of the counter i reaches the set value of the register k, the recovery processing for all the image files stored in the magnetic disk device 3 that is the target of the recovery processing has been completed, so the processing / editing WS 1n The operation ends.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The recovery processing of the setup data file in the processing / editing WS 1n will be described. This recovery processing is performed when a failure occurs in any of the magnetic disk devices 3 in the input WS 12. Here, the operation of each step in FIG. 7 is almost the same as the operation of each step in FIG. 6 except for step S506. That is, in steps S501 to S505 and S506 to S508, steps S401 to S405 and S406 to S of FIG. 6, respectively.
Processing similar to that of 408 is performed. Step S above
The process of 506 is executed when it is determined in step S505 that the document return flag is set to "0", that is, when the image document is not returned to the customer. In step S506, processing / editing WS1n
Reads the corresponding setup data file from the backup storage medium and transfers it to the input WS 12.

Next, the automatic setup operation of the image scanners 41 to 4k in the input WS 12 will be described. This automatic setup operation differs depending on whether the magnetic disk device targeted for the recovery process is a magnetic disk device belonging to the processing / editing WS13 to WS1n or a magnetic disk device belonging to the input WS12. In the former case, the input WS 12 reads the setup data file from its own magnetic disk device 3 and sets it in the corresponding image scanner. This automatically sets up the image scanner. The operator of the image scanner mounts an image document (image document whose image file is not backed up) corresponding to the automatically set up image scanner, and causes the image scanner to read it. On the other hand, in the latter case, the input WS12
Executes the automatic setup operation according to the flowchart of FIG.

Next, the automatic setup operation in the latter case will be described with reference to FIG. Input WS12 is
When the re-input request message from the editing WS 1n is received (step S601), the setup data file (the setup data file read from the backup storage medium in FIG. 7) transferred from the processing / editing WS 1n is received and It is taken into the main memory 102 (step S602). Further, at this time, the operator of the input WS 12 inputs the file name of the image original document for which the re-input request is made. Usually, a label containing a bar code or a file name is attached to the bag containing the image original, and the file name (bar code) and the image original are associated with each other. When the file name is pasted, the file name is input by the keyboard 107 of the input WS 12. If the barcode is attached, the barcode reader 104 of the input WS 12 reads the barcode information.
Next, the input WS 12 sets 1 in the counter i and sets the number of re-input files in the register t (step S603).

Next, the input WS 12 loads the i-th setup data file into the corresponding image scanner (step S604). Next, the operator of the input WS 12 sets the i-th image original on the corresponding image scanner and causes the image scanner to read the image original. The input WS 12 stores the read image information in its own magnetic disk device 3 which has not failed (step S605). As a result, the image file whose image original has not been returned is recovered. Then input W
In S12, the counter i is incremented by 1 (step S606), and the count value of the counter i is set in the register t.
It is determined whether or not it is less than or equal to the set value (that is, the number of re-input files) (step S607). If the count value of the counter i is less than or equal to the set value of the register t, step S is performed again.
Returning to the operation of 604, the automatic setup process of the image scanner and the reading process of the image original are repeated. On the other hand, when the count value of the counter i reaches the set value of the register t, the processing / editing WS 1n ends its operation because the reading processing of all the image originals for which the re-input request has been made is completed.

In the above embodiment, one of the processing / editing WS has the backup function. However, a dedicated WS for executing the backup process and the recovery process is used.
May be separately provided.

In the above embodiment, the distributed image processing system in which the image file input by the input WS 12 is directly transferred to each of the processing / editing WS 11 to 1n has been described. It is stored in a disk device (database), and each processing / editing WS is carried out as needed at any time.
The present invention can be applied to a centralized image processing system in which 11 to 1n read image files from a common magnetic disk device and process / edit the image files.

Further, although the above embodiment shows the image processing system configured as a printing / platemaking processing system,
The present invention can be widely applied to other image processing systems operated in a network environment (for example, a semiconductor mask pattern creation device, a computer graphic creation device, an architectural design drawing creation device).

[0038]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since only the image files whose image originals have been returned are backed up, the number of backup processes and recovery processes is reduced, and the processing time therefor is shortened. In addition, the capacity of the backup storage medium can be greatly saved. For image files that have not been returned,
Although the image information reading unit is made to read the image original again for recovery, the setup of the image information reading unit is executed by reusing the setup data stored in the setup data storage unit. The image information reading means can be set up in a short time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the setup data for which the image original has not been returned is also written in the backup storage medium to be backed up, even if the setup data storage means fails, the backup storage medium is also available. By reading the setup data from and reusing it, the image information reading means can be set up even when a failure occurs in the setup data storage means.

[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 block diagram showing a detailed configuration of each workstation shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of inputting document return information in management WS 11 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of setting a document return flag in the processing / editing WS 1n shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a backup processing operation of an image file in the processing / editing WS 1n shown in FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing an image file recovery processing operation in the processing / editing WS 1n shown in FIG.

7 is a flowchart showing a recovery processing operation of a setup data file in the processing / editing WS 1n shown in FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing an automatic setup operation of the image scanner in the input WS 12 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a magnetic disk device management table.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image file management table written in a backup storage medium.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a setup data file management table.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the latest image file management table before being written in a backup storage medium.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setup data file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... Management workstation 12 ... Input workstation 13-1n ... Processing / editing workstation 2 ... Communication path 3 ... Magnetic disk device 41-4k ... Image scanner 5 ... Backup device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system for reading and processing / editing image information from an image document received from a client, the image information reading unit reading image information from the image document, and the image information reading unit reading the image information. Image file transfer means for transferring the image information as an image file to the network, an image file storage means for storing the image file transferred via the network, an image file read from the image file storage means for processing / editing Processing / editing means, for each of the image files, identification information setting registration means for setting and registering identification information indicating whether or not the corresponding image original is returned to the requester, refer to the identification information registered for setting The image file corresponding to the returned image original is Image file writing means for reading from the storage and writing it in a backup storage medium; setup data saving means for temporarily saving setup data at the time of reading the image original; and backup memory when the image file storage means has a failure. An image file restoration means for reading and restoring an image file corresponding to the image original that has been returned from the medium, and when a failure occurs in the image file storage means,
An image processing system, comprising: a setup execution unit that executes setup of the image information reading unit for an unreturned image original by reusing the setup data stored in the setup data storage unit. 2. A setup data writing unit that reads out setup data corresponding to an unreturned image original from the setup data storage unit and writes the setup data in a backup storage medium by referring to the identification information registered and set. When a failure occurs in the setup data storage means, by referring to the identification information registered in the setting, the setup data corresponding to the unreturned image original is read from the backup storage medium, and the setup is executed via the network. Further comprising setup data transfer means for transferring to the means, wherein the setup execution means reuses the setup data transferred from the setup data transfer means when a failure occurs in the setup data storage means, thereby returning unreturned data. Run Setup for the image information reading means with respect to image original, the image processing system according to claim 1.