JPH0793110A - Recorded information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To handle plural optical disks while virtually regarding them as a single optical disk. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with a first table 66 where the one-side information of plural optical disks 23 inside an automatic changer 62 is linked with information for virtual single volume regarded as the single optical disk, second table 66 where information on one side of the optical disk is linked with a real cabinet inside the automatic changer 62, link means 64 for allocating the plural real cabinets linked on the first and second tables 66 through the single or plural automatic changers 62, and control means 65 for controlling the preparation, erase, addition or change of link information to the first and second tables 66 of the link means 64, for instructing to statically or dynamically allocate real cabinets inside the automatic changer 62 in and prescribed form for the virtual single volume based on the link information of the first and second tables 66 and for performing the control instructions of attachement/ detachment and registration or the like to the real cabinets.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic filing device, and more particularly, to a plurality of optical disks (multi-volumes) as recording media which can be handled virtually as a single optical disk (single volume). The present invention relates to a recording information processing device.

[0002]

As is well known, in an optical disk device represented by an electronic filing device, an optical disk drive is used as a large capacity optical disk recording device as a recording medium.

The optical disk drive is classified into an external mounting type and an auto changer type depending on its form. In the former, one drive is installed in the housing and one optical disk is fixedly loaded. Then, the user loads the target optical disc into the drive and instructs access,
Real images can be registered and searched.

In the latter, one or a plurality of drives are installed in a housing, and optical disks (a plurality of drives) are temporarily stored in a rack in an autochanger. Then, according to the user's access instruction, the housed optical disk is loaded into the drive, and thereafter, the actual image can be registered and searched.

The user has to define various kinds of information in advance for the target optical disk. For example,
It is called cabinet information for each side of the optical disc, binder information on the cabinet, etc. Specifically, the range of name accessability, the structure of key data linked to each image data, etc. correspond to them.

[0006]

However, in the conventional optical disk device, the recording device is an external type (one optical disk drive and one optical disk) and an autochanger type (multiple optical disk drives and multiple optical disks). However, since the actual image is recorded on an optical disk basis, the continuity of registration work is physically limited by its storage capacity.

In other words, when the remaining capacity of the target optical disk (one side) is insufficient, the current registration operation is terminated, a new optical disk is loaded into the optical disk drive, and an access operation to this is required. Is.

Naturally, various information is defined in advance on the new optical disc, or it is necessary to define it before resuming the registration work. Here, considering the influence of the restriction on the physical capacity, as a system, (1) an optical disk device is an optical disk drive (output device), and an ultra large capacity automatic paper feeder / automatic paper feeder / scanner (output device).
A system configured to automatically register desired images to an optical disc continuously without any user intervention from the start instruction to the end, (2) Connecting the optical disc device and an external computer to instruct the user After that, there is a system for continuously and automatically converting data on an external computer into an image and registering it on an optical disc.

Whether continuous operation is possible in both the systems (1) and (2) depends on the remaining capacity of the optical disk. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and makes it possible to treat a plurality of optical disks (multi-volumes) in an autochanger as virtually a single optical disk (single volume). An object is to provide a recording information processing device.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above problems, a single or a plurality of optical disk drives for driving an optical disk as an information recording medium, and a plurality of optical disks for the optical disk drive are provided. A single or multiple autochanger that selectively inserts and removes one side as a real cabinet, single-sided information of a plurality of optical disks in the autochanger, and information for a virtual single volume that considers the plurality of optical disks as a single optical disk. A plurality of real cabinets having a first table to be linked and information on one side of the optical disc and a second table to which the real cabinet in the autochanger is linked, and are linked on the first and second tables. For the single or multiple optical disk drives, the single or Link means that can be assigned through a number of autochangers, and control such as creation, deletion, addition, and change of link information for the first and second tables of the link means, and the first and second tables. Instructing to statically or dynamically allocate the real cabinet in the autochanger in a predetermined form for the virtual single volume based on the link information of the table of No. 2 and to attach / detach and register the real cabinet. A recording information processing apparatus is provided, which is provided with a control means for giving a control instruction.

[0011]

According to the above-mentioned solution means, a plurality of optical disks (multi-volumes) in the autochanger can be treated virtually as a single optical disk (single volume).

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic filing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic filing device 1 is connected to another electronic filing device 1 and an external computer 6 via the public line 2.
It is connected to 0. This electronic filing device 1 is
Control unit 10, scanner device 18, optical disk device 22,
Keyboard 23a, mouse 23b, CRT display device 24, printer device 25, and magnetic disk device 27
It is composed by.

The keyboard 23a and mouse 23b are connected to the CPU 34 of the control unit 10. The control unit 10
CPU 34 for performing various controls for image storage, retrieval, edit processing, etc., optical disk drive 22 and CPU
Optical disk interface (I / F) for connecting with 34
36, a magnetic disk interface (I / F) 37 that connects the magnetic disk device 27 and the CPU 34, a main memory 38 that stores various control programs such as image storage, search, and edit, and management information, and a CRT display. A display memory 4 which is a display interface (I / F) for temporarily storing pixels displayed by the device 24.
2, an image memory 50, an image processing unit 51, and a scanner interface (I / F) 52 for the scanner device 18.
And a printer interface (I
/ F) 54 and a network interface (I / F) 58 for connecting to an external device such as another electronic filing device, a facsimile device, a personal computer, a host computer, etc., and each unit is connected by a system bus 30. ing.

The scanner device 18 is a two-dimensional scanning device, which scans a document (document) two-dimensionally with light,
The electric signal (image data) corresponding to the image on the original is obtained.

Single or multiple optical disk drives 22
Is a device for sequentially storing the images of the original document read by the scanner device 18 on the optical disc, and the keyboard 2
The image corresponding to the search code designated by 3a or the like is searched from the optical disc.

The keyboard 23a has a unique search title corresponding to an image stored on the optical disk and storage, search,
It is for inputting various operation commands for editing processing and the like.
The mouse 23b is used to arbitrarily move a cursor displayed on the display window of the CRT display device 24 to select or instruct various operation modes, area designation for image editing, and the like.

The CRT display device 24 displays the image read by the scanner device 18 and the image retrieved from the optical disk. The printer device 25 is
The image read by the scanner device 18, the image retrieved from the optical disk, or the image displayed on the CRT display device 24 is printed out (hard copy).

The magnetic disk device 27 stores various control programs on the magnetic disk mounted on the magnetic disk device 27 and also stores the search title input from the keyboard 23a and the image corresponding to the search title on the optical disk. It stores search data including record addresses, image sizes, etc., that is, record information.

By the way, the basic configuration of the electronic filing apparatus has been described above, but in the present invention, the system bus 30 is further added.
Auto changer interface (I /
F) 61 and a single or a plurality of autochangers 62 coupled to the autochanger I / F 61.

The autochanger 62 selectively inserts and removes a plurality of optical disks 63 accommodated in a rack (not shown) into and out of a single or a plurality of optical disk drives 22. By the control, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of optical discs 23 (multi-volumes) in the auto changer 62 can be regarded as virtually a single optical disc (single volume) and handled.

FIG. 3 shows a CPU 34 and an autochanger I / F 61 which achieve such a virtual single volume.
The link system 6 is a conceptual representation of the control form by
By controlling the autochanger 62 by means of the control system 4 and the control system 65, it is possible to selectively insert or remove the plurality of optical disks 23 in the autochanger 62 into or from the single or plural optical disk drives 22 in a predetermined form.

The table 66 in FIG. 2 exists in the link system 64, but in reality, in the hard disk in which various kinds of definition information, which will be described later, is magnetically recorded by the magnetic disk device 27 in FIG. Exists in.

The link system 64 has a function of virtually linking a plurality of optical disks 23 as a single optical disk. Further, the control system 65 has a control function for handling the plurality of optical disks 23 linked by the link system 64 as a virtual single optical disk.

More specifically, the link system 64
As will be described later, has a table in which information on one side of a plurality of optical disks is linked to a virtual one optical disk and a table in which information on one side of the optical disk is linked to a real cabinet in the autochanger, thereby creating a vast continuous storage space. This can be realized, and a plurality of real cabinets linked on the table can be assigned to a plurality of optical disk drives.

As will be described later, the control system 65 controls creation / deletion / addition / change of a table in which a plurality of optical disk single-sided information and one virtual optical disk are linked, and the optical disk single-sided. Information and real cabinets are assigned statically or dynamically, and instructions for control of real cabinets such as definition, deletion, and change are given, and control instructions for loading, unloading, and registration of real cabinets are also given.

The definition / information stored in the table 66 for virtual single volume conversion will be described below. As described above, the link system 64 has a table 66 that defines information required for controlling virtual single volume conversion.

In the table 66, first, information as a cabinet of a virtual single volume that the user is aware of, that is, in the table 66, cabinet name, binder name, title structure, etc. are stored.

Further, in the table 66, as the information of the optical disk to be actually registered, a cabinet name / binder name derived from the virtual single volume (which becomes unique in this system by assigning a serial number after the name) , The title structure, the serial number, the remaining capacity, etc. are stored in a unit of one side of the optical disc.

The former information is the root of the virtual single volume and is linked to the latter information. The latter information is linked to the actually registered optical disc (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

Next, the control system 65 constructs the table 66 of the link system 64, or refers to the table 66 to statically allocate the actually registered optical disk 23 or conversely dynamically allocates the information. Is added to the table 66.

For convenience of explanation, the entire system for performing the above virtual single volume conversion will be referred to as the present system, and its operation and specific application examples will be described below. Operation of this system (1) Definition The user defines various information for each virtual single volume.

In this system, the control system 65 constructs the table 66 of the link system 64 based on the definition of the user (see the definition flow of FIG. 4). i) The user defines the cabinet name / binder name / title structure of the virtual single volume in the same manner as the definition of an ordinary optical disk.

Ii) In addition to i), how many cabinets (one side of the optical disk) are statically linked under the virtual single volume, how many cabinets are dynamically linked, or the front and back cabinets of the same optical disk are continuous. Define such as.

Iii) The control system 65 builds the table 66 of the link system 64 based on the user definitions of i) and ii). That is, a table 66 is created which is composed of virtual single volume information and information of one side of a plurality of optical disks based on the information, and both are linked.

Iv) Further, when the user specifies statically allocating one side of the optical disc under the virtual single volume and the actually registered optical disc 23 in advance, the control system 65 informs the information in the table 66 of the link system 64. The undefined optical disk 23 in the autochanger 62 is defined based on (2) Registration (see FIG. 7) The operation mode of registration differs depending on how many optical disk drives 22 in the auto changer 62 are occupied by this system, or whether a plurality of auto changers 62 are virtually treated as one.

I) Exclusive use of one optical disk drive 22 in the autochanger 62. This system has a table 66
Refer to to obtain the information about the one-sided optical disk whose remaining capacity is equal to or more than the predetermined value from the beginning.

Based on this, the actual cabinet stored in the autochanger 62 is loaded into the optical disk drive 22, and thereafter the actual registration is started. The remaining capacity of the disc is sequentially notified to the control system 65 on a document-by-document basis. When the disc capacity becomes less than the default value, the control system 65 instructs the optical disc to be removed, and then obtains the optical disc one-sided information and sends it to the optical disc drive 22. Load it.

After that, the actual registration is resumed. ii) The plurality of optical disk drives 22 in the autochanger 62 are exclusively used, and the optical disk drives 22 are sequentially registered.

The present system refers to the table 66 of the link system 64 to a plurality of assigned optical disk drives 22 and refers to the current registered optical disk and the next candidate 1 to the next candidate N.
To load.

After that, registration is started from the current registration destination optical disk, and when it is full, the registration target is moved to the next candidate 1. Further, the optical disc which has become full according to the instruction of the control system 65 is removed, and the optical disc drive 22 is
The next candidate N + 1 is loaded.

Iii) A plurality of optical disk drives in the autochanger are exclusively used, and the optical disk drives are registered in parallel. In this system, a plurality of optical disc drives 22 assigned are loaded with a plurality of optical discs to be registered, and the drives 1 to N are concurrently registered in document units for registration.

That is, the image data on the memory is transferred to the optical disk drive in which the image recording is not performed for each document and registered in the loaded optical disk. If, after registration, the remaining capacity of the optical disk falls below the default value, this is removed and the next candidate optical disk is loaded.

Iv) Virtually multiple auto changers
Treat as a stand. When the user statically and dynamically allocates the information on one side of the optical disk on the table 66 of the link system 64 and the link of the actual cabinet across the plurality of autochangers 62 at the time of definition, the above i), ii), iii) is
It can be operated beyond the limit of the number of optical discs that can be stored in a single autochanger.

Further, the operation mode of registration is different depending on whether the present system statically or dynamically links the actual cabinet in the autochanger 62 to the information on one side of the optical disk of the table 66 on the link system 64.

I) Static Link When the virtual single volume is defined, the virtual single volume on the link system 64 and the information on one side of the optical disk are linked, and the information on the one side of the optical disk and the actual cabinet in the autochanger are linked.

Therefore, the optical disks to be registered are limited to those linked in advance. ii) Dynamic linking When the virtual single volume is defined, the virtual single volume on the link system 64 and the information on one side of the optical disk are linked, but the information on the one side of the optical disk and the actual cabinet in the autochanger are not linked.

Therefore, at the time of registration, an undefined cabinet is secured and loaded in the optical disk drive, and after being defined based on the information on one side of the optical disk, it is statically linked.

Specific Application Example of This System (1) When a large-capacity paper feeder, an automatic paper feeder, and a scanner are connected as input devices.

The user defines a virtual single volume and gives an instruction to start registration of a document on the large-capacity sheet feeding device. However, it is not necessary to constantly monitor the remaining capacity of the actual cabinet in the autochanger during registration.

This is because the virtual single volume and the real cabinet are dynamically and statically linked by this system. Therefore, it is possible to perform automatic registration work without the user's intervention for a long period of time. (2) When an external computer is connected and the data on the external computer is converted into an image and registered in the actual cabinet.

In this case as well, the basic idea is the same as in (1), but an operation in which the scheduling function of the external computer 60 is also used will be described. Usually, the external computer 60 is used for real-time online processing.

Alternatively, the data editing / editing work of the original data registered in the actual cabinet may be operating. On the other hand, in the optical disk device, the search operation is operating regardless of whether it is the own node or another node.

Therefore, the shortening of the turnaround of these tasks is essential for ensuring usability.
Therefore, the image conversion / registration work improves the throughput of the system by activating the image conversion / registration work by using the scheduling function of the external computer during a time period (usually at night) when these operations are not in operation.

Further, by using this system together, the processing will not be interrupted even when the remaining capacity of the actual cabinet becomes less than the predetermined value. Also, by ensuring continuity during unattended operation of the system, the throughput can be further improved. (3) When another electronic filing device is connected to this system to copy media between other nodes, or when an electronic filing device with multiple autochangers connected to this system is connected, media can be transferred between the autochangers. When making a copy.

Similar to (1) and (2), continuous automatic registration work for a long time is possible without user intervention, and system throughput can be improved. The system as described above has many advantages as follows.

(1) It is possible to realize a continuous storage space without being restricted by the physical storage capacity of the cabinet (one side of the optical disk). As the capacity of magnetic disks increases, it is possible to secure the superiority of optical disks as large capacity storage media.
Even if the system handles optical discs with a relatively small diameter such as inches, by incorporating this system, a huge storage space can be virtually realized and the portability of the small-diameter optical disc can be maintained.

(2) By treating a plurality of autochangers virtually as one autochanger and incorporating the element of (1), it is possible to realize a larger-capacity continuous storage space.

(3) Improving the throughput of the entire system by loading real cabinets into a plurality of optical disk drives in the autochanger, treating them virtually as one cabinet, and registering image data in parallel. You can

(4) Since the recording unit is not the actual cabinet but the virtual optical disc unit, even if the remaining capacity of the actual cabinet becomes less than the predetermined value, the registration work is terminated and the definition to another optical disc is made. You don't have to.

(5) It is possible to perform automatic and continuous registration work with an external computer or the like without user intervention. (6) In this system, since real cabinets can be dynamically allocated, there is no need for real cabinets to exist at the time of definition, so that flexible system operation is possible.

(7) It is not necessary to define cabinet and binder information for each of a plurality of cabinets having the same title structure, and it is possible to define the virtual multi-volume only once.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of optical discs (multi-volumes) in an autochanger can be treated virtually as a single optical disc (single volume). It is possible to provide a recording information processing device capable of achieving the above virtual single volume.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural explanatory view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining virtual single volume conversion according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a system for performing virtual single volume conversion according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a definition flow for creating a virtual single volume according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a link system for creating a virtual single volume according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a management table of a link system for virtual single volume conversion according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a registration form in a virtual single volume according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic filing device, 2 ... Public line, 10 ... Control part, 18 ... Scanner device, 22 ... Optical disk drive,
23a ... Keyboard, 23b ... Mouse, 24 ... CRT display device, 25 ... Printer device, 27 ... Magnetic disk device, 34 ... CPU, 60 ... External computer, 6
1 ... Auto changer I / F, 62 ... Auto changer, 63 ... Optical disk, 64 ... Link system, 65 ... Control system, 66 ... Table.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A single or a plurality of optical disk drives for driving an optical disk as an information recording medium, and a single or a plurality of autochangers for selectively inserting and removing one side of each of the plurality of optical disks as an actual cabinet with respect to the optical disk drive. And a single-sided information of a plurality of optical disks in the autochanger and information for a virtual single volume that regards the plurality of optical disks as a single optical disk.
Table and information on one side of the optical disc and a second table in which the real cabinet in the autochanger is linked, and a plurality of real cabinets linked on the first and second tables are used as the single or Link means that can be assigned to a plurality of optical disk drives through the single or a plurality of autochangers, and link information creation, deletion, addition, change, etc. for the first and second tables of the link means. Performing control and instructing to statically or dynamically allocate a real cabinet in the autochanger in a predetermined form for the virtual single volume based on the link information of the first and second tables, and Control means for giving control instructions to the actual cabinet such as loading / unloading and registration. Record information processing device.