JPH0793195A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the complicated processing and managing work of operator when plural image files are stored scattering in the secondary memory devices of plural image processing terminals. CONSTITUTION:Storing schedule directories for image data are generated in the magnetic disk devices 2 of WSs #1-#4 as the image processing terminals in advance, and when the image data to be stored is generated, data amount is calculated, and it is discriminated whether or not it can be stored in a partition to which a corresponding storing schedule directory belongs. When it is discriminated that the image data can be stored, it is stored in the partition, and when it is not, the data is stored in the optimum partition by selecting from another partition in each magnetic disk device 2. Furthermore, the image data can be managed as if it is stored in the storing schedule directory even when the image data is stored in the partition different from the storing schedule directory by setting link information which regulates a data path between the partition in which the image data is stored actually and the corresponding storing schedule directory.

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 specifically, a plurality of image processing terminals are communicatively coupled via a network, and each image processing terminal stores image data. The present invention relates to an image processing system including such a secondary storage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in place of a large-scale general-purpose computer, a small computer such as a personal computer or a work station whose processing capacity has been remarkably improved has been actively used to form a LAN (local area network). ing. The transition to such a small machine is
It is called "downsizing", and its main purpose is to reduce costs and development time. 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.

By the way, an image processing system that handles high-definition image data such as a printing / platemaking processing system requires a secondary storage device (a magnetic disk device or the like) having an enormous storage capacity. For example, a photographic manuscript has an input line number of 175
/ Inch (8bit / color, 4color / pi
When inputting in "cture", the amount of data becomes about 60 Mbytes in A4 size. Therefore, the A4 original 100
A storage capacity of about 6 Gbytes is required to store pages in the secondary storage device of the printing / platemaking processing system.

If a server is installed in the system and a large amount of image data as described above is stored in the secondary storage device of the server for centralized management, a very high speed and high performance computer (workpiece) is used as a server machine. Stations, etc.), which increases the price of the system. Therefore, the image data is distributed and stored in the secondary storage device of each image processing terminal connected to the network,
It is preferable that image data be distributed and managed by each image processing apparatus.

Conventionally, the following method has been adopted when the image data is distributed and stored in the secondary storage device of each image processing terminal. (1) A first method is a method in which an operator stores a secondary storage device storing image data and a directory inside the secondary storage device, and moves the image data to a work area at the time of use. (2) The second method uses a virtual directory technique (for example, called mount) supported by a recent OS (operating system),
This is a method of managing image data. The virtual directory technique is a technique for causing a directory in a secondary storage device of another image processing terminal to appear as virtually under a directory in its own secondary storage device. By using such a method, a file under a directory in the secondary storage device of another image processing terminal can be accessed by the same method as a normal access.

[0006]

However, according to the conventional distributed storage method as described above, the following various problems are pointed out. (1) Problems with the first method Each time the image data is stored, the operator must store or write down the numbers or names of the image processing terminal and the secondary storage device storing the image data and the directory name. Therefore, the work burden on the operator is increased. Also,
Human error is likely to occur in the management of image data, and the risk of accidentally modifying or deleting different image data increases.

(2) Problems common to the above-mentioned first and second techniques, each time image data is stored, the data amount of the image data, and
The free capacity of the secondary storage device to be stored must be checked to determine whether or not the image data can be stored in the secondary storage device, which increases the work load on the operator. Particularly in recent image processing systems, it is general to create and store thinned data and icon data together with an image file, and calculation of the amount of image data to be stored is complicated.

(3) Problems with the above-mentioned second method In order to use the above-mentioned virtual directory technique, the operator uses an OS (operation system) command to execute a software operation for each image file. It is necessary to carry out the work of establishing various links, which increases the work load on the operator. In addition, operation mistakes are more likely to occur.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system which can reduce the operator's troublesome processing and management work when a plurality of image files are distributed and stored in the secondary storage devices of a plurality of image processing terminals. Is to provide.

[0010]

The invention according to claim 1 is
An image processing system in which a plurality of image processing terminals are communicatively coupled via a network, and each image processing terminal includes a secondary storage device for storing image data. Scheduled storage directory creating means for creating a scheduled storage directory for image data in the secondary storage device beforehand, and data amount calculation means for calculating the data amount of the image data when image data to be stored in the secondary storage device is generated. A determination unit that determines whether or not the image data can be stored in a storage area secured for a corresponding storage planned directory based on the calculation result of the data amount calculation unit; If the image data can be stored in the storage area secured for the corresponding storage planned directory, the image data is stored in the storage area. As a result of the determination by the storage unit 1 and the determination unit 1, if the image data cannot be stored in the storage area secured for the corresponding storage planned directory, the image data is selected from other storage areas in each secondary storage device. Second storage means for selecting an optimum storage area and storing the image data in the selected storage area, a storage area in which the image data is actually stored by the second storage means, and a storage planned directory creation A link information setting means is provided for setting link information for associating with the storage planned directory created by the means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the second storage means investigates another storage area in each secondary storage device in an order in accordance with a predetermined priority order to obtain image data. Is characterized by selecting the storage area with the highest priority that can store

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the invention, a storage schedule directory for image data is created in advance in the secondary storage device of the image processing terminal, and when image data to be stored is generated, the data of the image data is stored. The amount is calculated to determine whether or not the image data can be stored in the storage area secured for the corresponding storage planned directory. if,
If the image data can be stored in the storage area secured for the corresponding storage planned directory, the image data is stored in the storage area. On the other hand, when the image data cannot be stored in the storage area secured for the corresponding storage planned directory, the optimum storage area is selected from the other storage areas in each secondary storage device, and The data is stored in this selected storage area. This saves the operator the trouble of calculating the data amount of the image data and the free space of each storage area in each secondary storage device and finding the optimum storage area in which the image data can be stored. Furthermore, by setting link information that associates the storage area where the image data is actually stored with the corresponding storage planned directory, the data path between the storage area and the storage planned directory is automatically specified. To do. As a result, even when the image data is stored in a storage area different from the storage planned directory, the image data can be treated as if stored under the storage planned directory.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the other storage areas in each secondary storage device are examined in the order according to the predetermined priority order, and the storage area with the highest priority order capable of storing image data is optimized. By selecting it as a storage area,
Image data can be stored with the best access efficiency and work efficiency.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement 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) # 1 to WS # 4 as image processing terminals are communicatively coupled via a wired or wireless network 1. A plurality of magnetic disk devices 2 as secondary storage devices are connected to each of WS # 1 to WS # 4. Also,
A magneto-optical disk device (hereinafter abbreviated as MOD) 3 as an offline storage medium is connected to each of WS # 1 to WS # 4. Further, an 8 mm magnetic tape 4 as an offline storage medium is connected to WS # 3 and # 4. Further, a plurality of image scanners 5 for reading image information from an original image such as a photographic original is connected to WS # 1. Image data is distributed and stored in each magnetic disk device 2.

Next, the operating environment of the operator and the GUI (graphical user interface) environment realized by the printing / platemaking processing system of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows WS # 1 to W
It shows an example of an initial screen displayed on a display device (not shown) in S # 4. In FIG. 2, the initial screen of the display device is a job window JW,
It includes a page window PW, a tool window TW, and a device window DW.

In the job window JW, job icons indicating jobs existing in the system (denoted as Job in the figure) are displayed. In FIG. 2, as an example, job icons JI1 to represent jobs 1 to 4 are shown.
JI4 is displayed. Note that a job refers to a predetermined work management unit that is set so that the WS # 1 to WS # 4 share the image processing work on a plurality of printed materials. For example, the work for one catalog is managed as one job. In the page window PW,
A page icon indicating the page included in the selected job is displayed. In FIG. 2, as an example, the job icon JI1 is selected and page 1 included in job 1 is selected.
Page icons PI1 to PI8 representing ~ 8 are displayed. The job and the pages included in the job are managed in a directory hierarchical structure on the magnetic disk device 2. For example, below the directory corresponding to job 1, there are subdirectories corresponding to pages 1 to 8 included in job 1.

In the tool window TW, a tool icon indicating application software used when processing image data is displayed. In FIG. 2, as an example, tool icons TI1 to TI5 representing the tools A to E are displayed. In the device window DW, device icons related to input / output of image data are displayed. In FIG. 2, as an example, an input station icon DI1 representing an input station, a MOD icon DI2 representing a MOD, and an 8 mm icon D representing an 8 mm magnetic tape.
I3 and a trash can icon DI4 representing a trash can for deleting data are displayed.

FIG. 3 shows a display device (not shown) in the WS when the image file stored in the MOD 3 is stored in a directory belonging to a predetermined page of a predetermined job by operating the WS. It shows how the display state changes. In addition, the flowchart of FIG.
7 shows an operation procedure of the operator when the image file stored in (1) is stored in a directory belonging to a predetermined page of a predetermined job. In the following, as an example, the image file A. The operation procedure for storing CT in the directory belonging to page 4 of job 1 will be described. However, the same operation is performed when storing other image files in directories belonging to other pages of another job. I will point out in advance.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the operator first operates the mouse (attached to each WS), which is an example of a pointing device, to perform the positioning operation displayed on the screen of the display device. A pointer or cursor for moving the mouse over the MOD icon DI2 and double-click the mouse button (step S
1). Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the MOD window MW opens on the screen of the display device. This M
The MOD selected at that time is displayed in the OD window MW.
A file icon indicating the image file stored in No. 3 is displayed. In FIG. 3, as an example, the image file A. CT, B. CT, C.I. CT, D.I. LW and E. P
File icons representing G FI1, FI2, FI3, F
I4 and FI5 are displayed.

Next, the operator selects the image file A. C
The pointer is moved onto the file icon FI1 corresponding to T and the mouse button is pressed (step S2).
As a result, as the image file to be stored in the magnetic disk device 2, the image file A. CT is selected. Next, the operator operates the mouse to drag and drop the file icon FI1 onto the page icon PI4 corresponding to the storage destination page 4 (step S3). As a result, the image file A. The job name (job 1) and page number (page 4) in which the CT is stored are fixed (step S4).

As described above, the image file A. CT
When the job name and page number of the storage destination of the image file A. The CT is automatically stored under a pre-created storage planned directory (that is, the page 4 directory belonging to the job 1 directory). At this time, the free space of the partition corresponding to the storage planned directory is small, and the image file A. C
If T cannot be stored in the partition, all WS
Other partitions in the magnetic disk devices 2 of # 1 to WS # 4 are searched to select the optimum partition,
Image file A. CT
Is stored. Here, the partition is a logical unit for managing the storage area of each magnetic disk device 2, and the storage area of one magnetic disk device 2 is divided into one or more partitions. Thus, the reason why the storage area of each magnetic disk device 2 is managed with the partition as one unit is that the address space that can be handled simultaneously by the OS is limited.

Image file A. When the CT is stored in another partition different from the partition corresponding to the storage planned directory, a soft link is automatically set between the storage directory in the other partition and the storage planned directory, Image file A. The CT is managed as if it were stored under the storage planned directory (the page 4 directory under the job 1 directory). This saves the operator from having to remember or write down the partitions and directories where the image files are stored, and from using OS commands to set the link information.

As described above, in the printing / platemaking processing system of this embodiment, the operator does not have to be aware of the size of the image file to be stored and the free space of the storage destination partition, and the job name of the storage destination of the image file. You just need to specify the page number. Therefore, the work load on the operator is significantly reduced, and the possibility of human error in management operation is significantly reduced.

The following further explains, with reference to the drawings, how the printing / platemaking processing system of this embodiment realizes the above-mentioned operating environment and GUI environment. First, the operation of creating the storage directory of the image file will be described. Before creating the storage planned directory, the operator inputs the job information into a predetermined WS. Here, as an example, a case where job information is input to WS # 1 will be described. In this case, the operator selects the job menu JM displayed on the upper part of the job window JW (see FIG. 2) displayed on the display device (not shown) of WS # 1 with the mouse attached to WS # 1 (see FIG. 2). (Not shown), etc. Then, a pull-down menu PDM (see the left end of FIG. 2) is displayed below the job menu JM. Next, the operator selects the creation menu PDM1 from the pull-down menu PDM with a mouse or the like. Then, the job information input window JIW as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed at a predetermined position on the screen of FIG. Next, the operator uses the keyboard (not shown) attached to WS # 1 or the like to display the job information (that is, the job name,
Enter the number of pages the job has and the work deadline for the job. When the input of the job information is completed, the operator is prompted to enter the job information input window JIW.
Select the OK icon OI in the box with a mouse or the like. As a result, the input job information is temporarily stored in the internal memory (not shown) of WS # 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation when the WS to which the job information is input as described above creates a storage schedule directory corresponding to the input job information. For example, when the job information is input to the WS # 1, the WS # 1 acquires the job information from its own internal memory (step S11). Next, WS # 1
In the magnetic disk device 2, the partition with the largest free space is searched (step S12). Then WS
The # 1 creates a storage planned directory corresponding to the input job information in the searched partition (step S13). FIG. 7 shows an example of the storage planned directory created in step S13. In Figure 7,
A directory for job 1 is created under the partition directory P10, and directories for pages 1-8 are created under the directory (see the part surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 7). Next, WS # 1 stores the job name input at that time and the path information to the storage schedule directory created for that job in the job / storage schedule path correspondence table of FIG. And information that defines the route to the directory) (step S
14). The job / planned storage path correspondence table is stored in WS # 1.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the internal operation of the WS according to the operation of FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the subroutine step S103 of FIG. FIG. 11 shows the subroutine step S106 of FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing the details of FIG. Below, these FIG.
The image file storage operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, as an example, W
S # 1 is the image file A.D in MOD3. The operation of storing CT in the directory belonging to page 4 of job 1 will be described, but the same processing is performed in advance when storing other image files in directories belonging to other page of another job. I will point out.

Referring to FIG. 9, WS # 1 is the storage target image file A.A. which is first determined in step S4 of FIG. CT
Storage destination job name (= job 1) and page number (= page 4) are acquired (step S101). Then WS
# 1 is path information (= root → P10) to the storage planned directory corresponding to the acquired job name (= job 1)
Is acquired from the job / planned storage path correspondence table of FIG. 8 (step S102). Next, WS # 1 sends the image file A. The total data amount of CT and its attribute data (thinned image data, icon data) is calculated (step S103).

The details of step S103 are shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, WS # 1 is the storage target image file A. Various image information of CT (format, size in main / sub-scanning direction, data amount, etc.) is acquired (step S201). Next, WS # 1 calculates the data amount of the thinned image data (step S202). Here, the thinned-out image data is data of an image created by thinning out pixels of the storage target image file, and is created in order to make an image file having a large data amount displayable on the display device. The data amount of the thinned-out image data is obtained by the following equation (1), for example. Thinned-out image data amount = (header size) + (number of pixels of original image in main scanning direction) × (number of pixels of original image in sub-scanning direction) × (thinning rate) ² × (number of colors) (1) The header size in (1) is the size of the header included in the thinned-out image data. In addition, the thinning rate is obtained by the following equation (2), for example. Thinning rate ≈ thinning input line number / original image input line number (2)

Next, WS # 1 calculates the data amount of the icon data (step S203). Here, the icon data is data obtained by converting the storage target image file into an icon, and is created to display the rough contents of the image file to the operator without displaying the thinned-out image data on the display device. The data amount of the icon data is obtained by the following equation (3), for example. Icon data amount = (header size) + (number of pixels in main scanning direction of icon) × (number of pixels in sub scanning direction of icon) × (number of colors) (3) Note that the header size in the above equation (3) is , The size of the header included in the icon data.

Next, WS # 1 stores the storage target image file A.A. The total of the data amount of CT, the data amount of the thinned-out image data calculated in step S202, and the data amount of icon data calculated in step S203 is calculated (step S204). When the operation of step S204 ends, the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

Referring again to FIG. 9, WS # 1 stores the storage target image file A.A. The CT and its attribute data (thinned-out image data, icon data) are stored in the image file A. C
It is determined whether the data can be stored in the partition corresponding to the storage planned directory of T (obtained in step S102) (step S104). At this time, WS # 1
Indicates that the free space of the partition corresponding to the storage planned directory is the storage target image file A.A calculated in step S204. If there is more data than the total data amount of CT and its attribute data, the storage target image file A.
It is determined that the CT and its attribute data can be stored in the partition. If it is determined that it can be stored,
In the partition, the image file A.WS is stored under the storage directory. The CT and its attribute data are stored (step S105). On the other hand, when it is determined that the storage is impossible, the WS # 1 creates the storage priority table as illustrated in FIG. 14 (step S106).

The details of step S106 are shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 11, WS # 1 is currently W
Information for identifying which WS the MOD3 operated in S # 1 is connected to (that is, the name of the WS to which the MOD3 storing the storage target image file A.CT belongs) It is acquired (step S301).
In the system of the present embodiment, the MOD connected to a certain WS
Since the storage file of No. 3 can be operated by another WS, it is necessary to specify the WS to which the MOD 3 to be operated belongs.

Next, WS # 1 acquires the unique priority table from the WS corresponding to the WS name acquired in step S301 (step S302). This unique priority table is initialized in advance in each of WS # 1 to WS # 4, and lists the priority order of partitions suitable for storing image files from the corresponding WS. . Although various criteria can be adopted as the criteria for determining the priority order, in the present embodiment, the determination is made by emphasizing the access efficiency and work efficiency of the image file. Therefore, in the unique priority table of each WS # 1 to WS # 4, the priority of the partition in its own magnetic disk device 2 becomes higher than the priority of the partition in the magnetic disk devices 2 of other WS. There is. This is because it is better to store image files that are likely to be processed by a certain WS in the magnetic disk device 2 of that WS as much as possible, because the image files can be handled without using the network, access efficiency, This is because the work efficiency becomes high. FIG. 12 shows an example of the unique priority table initially set in WS # 1. Next, WS # 1 creates a work environment table as illustrated in FIG. 13 (step S303). This work environment table lists the partitions of the magnetic disk device 2 currently used by all the WS # 1 to WS # 4 in the system. The WS # 1 creates the work environment table as described above by monitoring the operating statuses of itself and the other WS # 2 to WS # 4.

Next, WS # 1 initializes (all clears) the storage priority table (step S304).
As will be described later, this storage priority table is a list of priorities of partitions of image file storage destinations, and is created based on the unique priority table and the work environment table. FIG. 14 shows an example of the created storage priority table. Then WS
# 1 sets the number of partitions registered in the unique priority table of FIG. 12 in the internal counter M, and
The initial value 1 is set to the internal counter i (step S30
5).

Next, WS # 1 determines whether the i-th (i = count value of the internal counter i) priority partition registered in the unique priority table is registered in the work environment table of FIG. It is determined whether or not (step S306). If the i-th priority partition is not registered in the work environment table, WS # 1 stores the information (terminal name, partition name, path name) regarding the i-th priority partition in the storage priority table. Register in the bottom row. Next, WS # 1 increments the count value of the internal counter i by 1 (step S308), and determines whether the count value of the internal counter i is larger than the set value of the internal counter M (step S309). . When the count value of the internal counter i is less than or equal to the set value of the internal counter M (when i ≦ M), WS
The step # 1 returns to the operation of step S306 again. In step S306, if the i-th priority partition registered in the unique priority table is registered in the work environment table, WS # 1 skips the operation of step S307 and operates in step S308. To execute.

When the operations of steps S306 to S309 are repeated, information about the partitions registered in the storage priority table and in the unique priority table, but not in the work environment table, is stored in the unique priority table. Are registered in the order of priority registered in. Then, in step S309, when the count value of the internal counter i becomes larger than the set value of the internal counter M (when i> M), WS # 1 has not been registered in the storage priority table and is unique. Information on the partitions registered in the priority table is registered from the lowest row of the storage priority table in the order of priority registered in the unique priority table (step S3).
10). Therefore, the priority of the partition registered in the work environment table becomes lower than the priority of the partition not registered in the work environment table. When the operation of step S310 is completed, the storage priority table as shown in FIG.
Step # 1 returns to the main routine of FIG. 9 again.

The reason why the priority of the partition registered in the work environment table is lowered as described above is as follows. That is, because work is currently in progress in that partition, if an image file is to be stored in that partition, the work load of the corresponding WS becomes heavy and the storage time of the image file becomes long.

Referring again to FIG. 9, WS # 1 sets the internal counter M to the number of partitions registered in the storage priority table of FIG.
The initial value 1 is set to (step S107). Then W
S # 1 is the storage target image file A. It is determined whether the CT and its attribute data can be stored in the i-th (i = count value of the internal counter i) priority partition registered in the storage priority table (step S1).
08). At this time, WS # 1 stores the storage target image file A.A. Data amount of CT and its attribute data (step S
If the free space of the i-th priority partition is larger than that of the storage target image file A. CT and its attribute data
It is determined that the data can be stored in the partition with the second highest priority.

In step S108, the storage target image file A. When it is determined that the CT and its attribute data cannot be stored in the i-th priority partition, the WS # 1 increments the count value of the internal counter i by 1 (step S109). Then W
S # 1 determines whether the count value of the internal counter i is larger than the set value of the internal counter M (step S).
110). When the count value of the internal counter i is less than or equal to the set value of the internal counter M (when i ≦ M), WS # 1
The process returns to step S108 again.

The operations of steps S108 to S110 are repeated to store the image file A. When it is determined that the CT and its attribute data can be stored in the i-th priority partition, WS # 1 determines that the image file A. A directory for storing CT is created (step S111). Figure 1
FIG. 5 shows an example of the directory created in step S111. In FIG. 15, the image file A. A directory (Temp-Job 1-Page 4) is created as a directory for storing CT. Then WS
The image file A. The CT is stored in the i-th priority partition and under the directory created in step S111 (step S11).
2). Next, WS # 1 is the image file A. A path between the CT storage planned directory (in FIG. 15, the directory of page 4 of job 1 in partition n) and the directory of partition n + 1 (Temp-job 1-page 4) created in step S112 is defined. The link information is set under the storage planned directory (step S113). As a result, the image file A. CT
Are managed as if they were stored under the storage planned directory.

Even if the operations of steps S108 to S110 are repeated, the image file A. If no partition capable of storing CT is found, step S11
At 0, the count value of the internal counter i becomes larger than the set value of the internal counter M (i> M), and WS # 1 is
Error processing is executed (step S114). After the step S113 or S114, the WS # 1 finishes its operation.

In the above embodiment, the priorities of the partitions storing the image files are dynamically determined based on the unique priority table of FIG. 12 and the work environment table of FIG. You may make it determine statically only using the intrinsic | native priority table of FIG.

Further, in the above embodiment, the operation when the image file stored in the MOD 3 is stored in the partition in the magnetic disk device 2 has been described, but other storage media (8 mm magnetic tape 4, other flexible tape). Even when an image file stored in a disk, a semiconductor memory or the like) is stored in a partition in the secondary storage device, the same operation as above is performed.

Further, although the above embodiment is constructed as a printing / plate-making processing system, the present invention is not limited to printing / plate-making, but can be applied to other image processing systems such as a CAD system.

[0045]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the image data to be stored is generated, whether or not the image data can be stored in the storage area secured for the storage scheduled directory created in advance. If the image data is storable, the image data is stored in the memory area, and if the image data is not storable, the optimum memory area is selected from other memory areas in each secondary memory device, Since the data is stored in the selected storage area, the operator calculates the data amount of the image data and the free space of each storage area in each secondary storage device to optimize the storage of the image data. You can save the trouble of finding a suitable storage area. Further, since the link information for associating the storage area where the image data is actually stored with the corresponding storage planned directory is set, the image data is stored in the storage area different from the storage planned directory. Even in this case, the image data can be treated as if it were stored under the storage planned directory.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the other storage areas in each secondary storage device are examined in the order according to the predetermined priority order, and the storage area with the highest priority order capable of storing image data is optimized. Since it is selected as a storage area, image data can be stored so that access efficiency, work efficiency and the like are in the best state.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen displayed on a display device in each WS in the system of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows how the display state of a display device in the WS of FIG. 1 transits when an image file storage operation is performed in the system of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an operator when performing an image file storage operation in the system of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing the internal operation of the WS for creating a storage scheduled directory for image files in the system of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a job information input window displayed for inputting job information in the system of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a storage planned directory created according to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a job / scheduled storage path correspondence table in which information related to a planned storage directory created according to the flowchart of FIG. 5 is registered.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the internal operation of the WS according to the operation of FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing details of a subroutine step S103 in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of a subroutine step S106 of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a unique priority table initially set in each WS in the system of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a work environment table describing the usage status of each partition in the system of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a storage order table created based on a unique priority order table and a work environment table in the system of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a directory structure when image files are stored in a partition other than the storage planned directory in the system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 WS # 1 to WS # 4 ... Workstation 1 ... Network 2 ... Magnetic disk device 3 ... MOD 4 ... 8 mm magnetic tape 5 ... Image scanner

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Koshida No. 1 Tenjin Kitamachi 4-chome, Tenjin Kitamachi, Kami-ku, Kyoto, Japan

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system in which a plurality of image processing terminals are communicatively coupled via a network, and each image processing terminal includes a secondary storage device for storing image data. A scheduled storage directory creating means for creating a scheduled storage directory of image data in the secondary storage device of the image processing terminal in advance, when the image data to be stored in the secondary storage device is generated, the amount of the image data A data amount calculation means for calculating, a determination means for determining whether or not the image data can be stored in a storage area secured for a corresponding storage planned directory, based on a calculation result of the data amount calculation means, As a result of the determination made by the determination means, the image data can be stored in the storage area secured for the corresponding storage planned directory. A first storage means for storing the image data in the storage area; and when the determination result of the determination means cannot store the image data in a storage area secured for a corresponding storage planned directory, Second storage means for selecting an optimum storage area from other storage areas in each secondary storage device and storing the image data in the selected storage area,
And link information setting means for setting link information for associating the storage area in which the image data is actually stored by the second storage means and the storage planned directory created by the storage planned directory creation means. , Image processing system. 2. The second storage means investigates another storage area in each of the secondary storage devices in an order according to a predetermined priority order and stores the highest priority storage area capable of storing the image data. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein an area is selected as the optimum storage area.