JPH1063558A - Server device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the deterioration of the efficiency of picture output even at the time of using a storage device (such as storage device with a changer mechanism) slow in accessing speed as a main storage device. SOLUTION: In an OPI(open prepress interface) client/server system, a picture file related to operation, namely a picture file to output to an output device 7, is known at the point of time an access request is sent from each client. In addition, there is a time difference between a time when a client sends the access request to a server and a time when the client sends the access request to the server. Then when the access request arrives from the client, the picture file is read from a changer device 43 to transfer to a hard disk device 42 but when the output request arrives from the client, a corresponding picture file is read from the device 42 at a high speed to output to the device 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a server device, and more particularly, to a server device which is communicably connected to a plurality of clients and which, in accordance with a work request sent from each client, data required for the client. And outputs a corresponding image file to an output device in accordance with an output instruction sent from the client after the work on the client is completed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the rapid development of computers in recent years, in the plate making industry, a processing system in which a plurality of clients (personal computers and the like) are connected to a server (work station and the like) (hereinafter referred to as a "client / server system"). ) Is often adopted. Generally, in a conventional server / client system, a plurality of real image data are stored in a server. Since the actual image data has a high pixel density and a large data amount, if the actual image data is handled as it is on the client side having a low processing capability, the processing efficiency is significantly reduced. Further, when performing layout processing or the like on the client side, it is sufficient that an image can be confirmed on a display provided in each client, and there is no need to use an actual image having a high pixel density.

Therefore, in the conventional server / client system, the server creates image data having a low pixel density (hereinafter referred to as coarse image data) by thinning out pixels from an actual image, and the client uses the coarse image data. To perform layout processing. Then, when the layout processing using the coarse image data is completed, the server replaces the coarse image data with the original actual image data, and then transfers it to an output device such as an image setter and outputs the image (for example, when an image is recorded). Film). In this way, the processing efficiency can be improved by reducing the load on the client, and a high-density image can be obtained at the time of output.

In this specification, as described above, layout processing is performed on the client side using coarse image data, and the processed coarse image data is replaced with real image data on the server side to improve processing efficiency. A series of processing is performed by OPI (Open Prepress Inter
face) processing.

In the OPI client / server system used in the plate making industry, the amount of data to be handled is large, and it is necessary to provide a large-capacity storage device in the server device. A hard disk device as a storage device is capable of high-speed access, but has a high unit price per bit, and has low reliability in data storage (for example, there is a high risk of data loss in a system trouble such as a head crash). Therefore, conventionally, a storage device with a changer mechanism that uses a plurality of storage media by switching with a changer mechanism is often used. In such a storage device with a changer mechanism, as a storage medium,
Storage media that can also be used as offline media (magneto-optical disk (MOD), compact disk (CD),
A storage medium, such as a cassette tape, which can be removed from the apparatus and carried around, is used. Such a storage medium has a lower unit price per bit and higher reliability in data storage than a hard disk device.

[0006]

However, since the storage device with a changer mechanism as described above has a changer structure, there is a problem that the access speed is much slower than that of a hard disk device.
When a storage device with a changer mechanism is applied to the server of the system for performing the OPI processing as described above, the speed at which the coarse image data after the layout processing is replaced with the actual image data and transferred to the output device is particularly problematic. Become. This is because if the transfer speed to the output device is low, even if the processing efficiency is increased on the client side, the processing in the output stage is delayed, so that the productivity of the entire system is reduced.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a server which does not reduce the use efficiency of an output device even if a storage device having a low access speed (for example, a storage device with a changer mechanism) is used as a main storage device. It is to provide a device.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, data necessary for a work is transmitted to a plurality of clients in accordance with a work request sent from each client, and the work is completed after the work in the client is completed. A server device that outputs a corresponding image file to an output device according to an output instruction sent from a client, and a main storage device that stores a plurality of image files in advance, and an access speed that is higher than the main storage device When a work request arrives from a client when a work request arrives from a client, an image file related to work performed by the client is
It has a transfer means for reading from the main storage device and transferring it to the sub-storage device, and an output means for reading a corresponding image file from the sub-storage device and outputting it to the output device when an output request arrives from the client.

In the client / server system to which the present invention is applied, at the time when a work request is sent from each client, an image file related to the work, that is, an image file to be output to the output device is known. There is a time difference between the time at which the client sends a work request to the server and the time at which the client sends an output request, the minute being equivalent to the time required for work at the client. Therefore, in the first invention, when a work request arrives from a client, an image file related to work performed by the client is read from the main storage device and transferred to the secondary storage device, and an output request arrives from the client. At this time, the corresponding image file is read from the secondary storage device and output to the output device. Since the access speed of the secondary storage device is higher than that of the main storage device, output processing can be performed faster than reading an image file from the main storage device after receiving an output request and outputting the image file to the output device.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, when a work request arrives from a client, an image file relating to a work performed by the client is directly output from a main storage device to an output device. The output mode and the second output mode for indirectly outputting to the output device via the secondary storage device further include a determination unit that determines which is more advantageous in processing efficiency, and the transfer unit includes: The judgment means is the second
Only when it is determined that the output mode is more advantageous in processing efficiency, the image file is transferred to the secondary storage device, and the output unit determines that the first output mode is more advantageous in processing efficiency. If it is determined, the corresponding image file is read from the main storage device and output to the output device.
When it is determined that the output mode is more advantageous in processing efficiency, the corresponding image file is read from the secondary storage device and output to the output device.

When the work time on the client is extremely short, it may be advantageous in terms of processing efficiency to output the data directly from the main storage device to the output device. Therefore, in the second invention, the first file for directly outputting the image file from the main storage device to the output device is provided.
And the second output mode indirectly outputting to the output device via the sub-storage device, it is determined which one is more advantageous in processing efficiency. Is transferred to the secondary storage device only when is advantageous in terms of processing efficiency. Thereby, the processing efficiency can be further increased.

In a third aspect based on the first or second aspect, the output means further comprises an erasing means for erasing unnecessary image files from the secondary storage device after outputting the image files to the output device. .

As described above, in the third aspect, after the output means outputs the image file to the output device, unnecessary image files are deleted from the secondary storage device.
Even if a small-capacity secondary storage device is used, the secondary storage device does not overflow.

[0015] In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the erasing means comprises:
An image file not related to any of the currently waiting work requests is deleted.

As described above, according to the fourth aspect, even if the image file has been output to the output device, the image file related to any of the currently waiting work requests is
Since it is known that the data will be output in the near future, the data is not erased from the secondary storage device. This eliminates the need to repeatedly transfer image files that have been duplicated between adjacent work requests, further improving processing efficiency.

In a fifth aspect based on the first or second aspect, the transfer means moves the mount point in the main storage device in which the image file to be transferred is stored in the secondary storage device. The image file in the main storage device is transferred to a moved mount point in the secondary storage device.

As described above, in the fifth invention, after the mount point in the main storage device in which the image file to be transferred is stored is moved to the secondary storage device, the image file in the main storage device is moved. Is transferred to the moved mount point in the secondary storage device, so that the client determines whether the image file targeted for the output request exists in the main storage device or the secondary storage device. You do not need to be conscious.

[0019]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention includes the following other embodiments. In other words, the first aspect is a server apparatus including a main storage device communicably connected to a plurality of clients and storing a plurality of image files in advance, and a sub-storage device having an access speed higher than that of the main storage device. Is used in accordance with a work request sent from each client, transmits data necessary for the work to the client, and, according to an output instruction sent from the client after completion of the work in the client, generates a corresponding image file. A program for outputting to an output device,
When a work request arrives from a client, a first program step of reading an image file related to work performed by the client from a main storage device and transferring the image file to a secondary storage device, and when an output request arrives from the client, A second program step of reading a corresponding image file from the secondary storage device and outputting the read image file to an output device.

A second aspect relates to a portable storage medium storing the above software program.

A third aspect relates to a method for supplying the above software program via a communication line.

[0022]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server device of the present embodiment is configured as a server device that performs an OPI process for plate making. In FIG. 1, a server device of the present embodiment includes a CPU 1, a work memory 2, a program memory 3, a database storage unit 4, a communication device 5,
And a system bus 6. The CPU 1, the work memory 2, the program memory 3, the database storage 4, and the communication device 5 are mutually connected via a system bus 6. Note that an output device 7 such as an imagesetter is also connected to the system bus 6.

The program memory 3 stores operation program data for the CPU 1. The CPU 1 controls the entire apparatus according to the program data stored in the program memory 3. The work memory 3 is a CPU
Various work data necessary for the operation of the first operation are stored. The database storage unit 4 includes two hard disk devices 41 and 42 and one storage device with a changer mechanism (hereinafter, referred to as a changer device) 43. The hard disk device 41 stores coarse image data, and forms a coarse image storage unit 401. The hard disk device 42 and the changer device 43 store real image data, and constitute a real image storage unit 402. The communication device 5 performs data communication between the CPU 1 and a plurality of clients (not shown) such as personal computers.

The program data may be stored in the program memory 3 in a nonvolatile manner when the server device is shipped, or when the server device is started up, a CD-ROM or a flexible disk may be stored in a drive device (not shown). Data may be read from a portable recording medium such as a disk or a MOD (magneto-optical disk), and the read program data may be stored in the program memory 3, or online from another system via the communication device 5. May be stored in the program memory 3.

Next, a schematic operation of the server device of the present embodiment will be described. The CPU 1 centrally manages data storage positions (hereinafter, referred to as mount points) in the hard disk devices 41 and 42 and the changer device 43. The mount point has the same concept as a so-called directory, and has a tree structure. The rough image data used for the layout processing is stored in the hard disk device 41. Actual image data for output corresponding to the coarse image data in a one-to-one relationship exists in the changer device 43.

FIG. 2 shows a mounting structure in the real image storage unit 402. As shown in FIG. 2, the changer device 43 can take two mount points, a default mount point (cdroms) and a second mount point (2ndROMS). In the changer device 43, these two mount points are not activated simultaneously, and the two mount points are selectively activated by a command from the CPU 1.
Note that there are two mount points for each medium (storage medium) handled by the changer device 43, but the only mount point that can actually store data is the default mount point. On the other hand, the second mount point is a virtual mount point in which only the mount point exists. Therefore, the amount of information stored in the changer device 43 does not increase even if the number of mount points increases.

On the other hand, the data storage position of the hard disk device 42 is managed by a mount point (cdroms) having the same name as the default mount point of the changer device 43. It should be noted that the simultaneous existence of a plurality of mount points having the same name in one server device must be prohibited because it causes confusion in data management. Therefore, in the real image storage unit 43, the default mount point of the changer device 43 and the corresponding mount point in the hard disk device 42 are not simultaneously activated. That is, when a certain default mount point in the changer device 43 is valid, the corresponding mount point in the hard disk device 42 is invalidated (unmounted). On the other hand, when a certain default mount point is invalidated in the changer device 43 (that is, when the corresponding second mount point is valid),
The corresponding mount point in the hard disk device 42 is valid.

As described above, the mount point indicating the file storage position of the actual image data is stored in the changer device 4.
3 and the hard disk device 42 are dynamically switched. Such switching of the mount point is executed in conjunction with the movement of the actual image data. That is, when an actual image file is read from a certain medium in the changer device 43 and copied to the hard disk device 42, the corresponding mount point in the changer device 43 is evacuated from the default mount point to the second mount point. Is done. At this time, the corresponding mount point in the hard disk device 43 is activated. Therefore, the hard disk drive 42
It is possible to read the actual image file from.

FIG. 3 shows media CD1, CD3 and CD4.
The actual image file included in the hard disk drive 42
4 shows a data configuration of the real image storage unit 402 when the data is copied into the inside. As shown in FIG.
The target actual image files included in CD3 and CD4 are copied to a predetermined mount point (that is, a mount point having the same name as the originally stored default mount point) in the hard disk device 42.

As described above, in the OPI client / server system, the client performs layout processing using the coarse image data. Therefore, when the layout processing is executed on the client side, the server device is always requested to retrieve (access) the coarse image data necessary for the layout. In the server device, by receiving an access request from the client,
It is possible to reliably determine which internal image data is used in the layout. Here, it is assumed that the client side requests the server device for necessary images related to a certain layout process collectively for each layout, and simultaneously notifies the server device of the scheduled output time of the layout process result at the time of the request. I do. FIG. 4 shows an example of an access request sent from a client to a server device.

The server stores the collective access request for each layout from the client side as list information for each layout. Hereinafter, this list information is described as Li. As a result, the server device
At least before the layout is completed, an output data file required for outputting the layout can be accurately confirmed.

When the list information Li includes data in the changer device 43, the server device lists media in the changer device including necessary output image information. Next, the server device temporarily unmounts the medium in the default mount state among the listed media, and immediately remounts the medium at the second mount point. These processes are performed by referring to the mount management table shown in FIG. After the remount, this management table is also updated appropriately.

In FIG. 5, the switch parameter is a flag indicating which point (default mount point or second mount point) each medium in the changer device is currently mounted, and this flag is set to “1”. When set, it is assumed that the corresponding media is mounted on the second mount point. However, whether to update the mount point is determined by calculating a transfer efficiency parameter described later. Here, which of the transfer efficiency parameters is advantageous as the processing time between the case of accessing the target information by changing the mount point and the case of accessing the target information without changing the mount point Is a parameter that indicates As a result of the calculation of the transfer efficiency parameter, if the medium of interest exists at the second mount point,
The mount point is updated only when it is determined that the transfer efficiency to the destination becomes high.

The server device unmounts only the medium in the changer device determined to need updating, and immediately remounts the medium at the second point. After that, the server device copies the file information existing in the second mount point among the files listed in the list information Li to the hard disk device 42 with the same path name as the default point.

Among the files listed in the list information Li, the files to be subjected to a series of file copy operations include the files remounted on the second mount point, and the files before the current layout output. This includes files that exist on changer media that have already been remounted at the second mount point. All of these files need to be copied to the hard disk drive 42 with the same path name as the default mount point prior to the current layout output. At this point, the data configuration in the real image storage unit 402 relating to this layout output is, for example, as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, the media CD1, CD3,
All the target files included in the CD 4 have been copied into the hard disk device 42. These media CDs
The files included in 1, CD3, and CD4 can exist in the hard disk device 42 because each medium has been moved to the second mount point based on the mount management table in FIG. That is, the information in the medium and the information in the hard disk device 42 have an exclusive relationship with each other, and cannot exist on the same path at the same time.

As a result of calculating the transfer efficiency parameter, when it is more efficient to output directly from the medium in the changer device 43, and the file which has not been mounted on the second mount point in the previous layout output is the current layout. In the output, the data is output directly from the medium in the changer device.

When a layout output is completed, the listing information Li relating to the layout output is deleted. The server device monitors the list information related to all the layout processes currently in progress, and if a medium in the changer not described in any list information is mounted on the second mount point, The mount point of the medium is returned to the default point to prepare for the subsequent update of the layout and storage information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the client side. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the mount point update control in the server device. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a layout output processing procedure in the server device. Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

First, referring to FIG. 6, when a client (not shown in FIG. 1) connected to the server device issues a layout processing request (step S101),
Access request information Li for images used in layout processing
Is transmitted to the server device (step S102). FIG.
Shows an example of the access request information Li transmitted by the client. As shown in FIG. 4, the access request information Li includes an output layout name, a scheduled output time (scheduled time at which layout processing is completed in the client), and a file name of an image file required for the layout processing. .

In the server device, upon receiving the access request information Li from the client, the CPU 1 reads the corresponding coarse image file from the hard disk device 41, and
Sent to the client that issued the access request.

The client that has received the coarse image file from the server device executes a predetermined layout process (step S103). When the layout process ends,
The client transmits a layout output request to the server device (Step S104). At this time, the layout output request includes the layout processing result. When there is a re-output request in the client (step S105), the layout output request is repeatedly transmitted to the server device. Next, the client transmits a request to delete the access request information Li to the server device (Step S106). Thereafter, the client ends the operation.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the server receives the access request information Li from the client, CPU 1 in the server determines that there is a request for adding access request information Li (step S201), and receives the request. The access request information Li is added (step S20).
2). Next, the CPU 1 calculates a transfer efficiency parameter Pi for the received access request information Li (step S203). Next, the CPU 1 determines whether the calculated transfer efficiency parameter Pi is “1” (step S204). As described later, the transfer efficiency parameter P
The fact that i is “1” means that the actual image data related to the layout processing is once copied to the hard disk device 42 and output to the output device 7, rather than directly output from the medium in the changer device 43 to the output device 7. (Ie, using the hard disk device 42 as a buffer) is advantageous in terms of transfer efficiency.

When the transfer efficiency parameter Pi is "1",
The CPU 1 checks the volume in the access request information Li that contains the used image and that exists on the default mount point (Step S).
205). Next, in the mount point management table shown in FIG. 5, the switch parameter of the corresponding volume is set to “1” (step S206). As a result, the corresponding volume has been saved to the second mount point. Next, the CPU 1 copies the used image file included in the access request information Li to the same folder as the original default mount point in the hard disk device 42 (step S20).
7). Thereafter, the CPU 1 ends the mount point update control operation. On the other hand, if the transfer efficiency parameter Pi is not “1”, the CPU 1 ends the mount point update control operation without copying the used image file to the hard disk device 42.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the server receives a layout output request from the client (step S).
301), the CPU 1 executes a layout output process (step S302). At this time, if the switch parameter of the image file corresponding to the output request is “1”, C
PU1 stores the image file in the hard disk drive 42
And transfers it to the output device 7. on the other hand,
If the switch parameter of the image file corresponding to the output request is not “1”, the CPU 1 reads the image file from the changer device 43 and transfers it to the output device 7. In any case, the CPU 1
The read image file is subjected to layout processing according to the layout processing result included in the layout output request, and then transferred to the output device 7.

Referring to FIG. 7 again, when the server device receives a request for erasing access request information Li from the client (step S208), CPU 1 is currently mounted on the second mount point in changer device 43. All volumes are listed (step S209). That is, the CPU 1 refers to all the access request information Li that is the target of the erasure request and other access request information that is currently being processed, and refers to all the volumes for which the switch parameter is set to “1”. Make a list. Next, the CPU 1
Among the listed volumes, the volumes described only in the access request information Li targeted for the erasure request are further listed (step S21).
0). Next, the CPU 1 selects the above-described step S2 from the actual image files copied to the hard disk device 42.
The real image file stored in the same folder as the default mount point of the volume listed in 10 is deleted (step S211). Next, CPU
1 sets the switch parameters of the volumes listed in step S210 to “0” (step S210).
212). As a result, the volumes listed in step S210 are remounted on the default mount points. Next, the CPU 1 erases the access request information Li targeted for the erase request from the monitored access request information (step S21).
3). Thereafter, the CPU 1 ends the mount point update control operation.

As described above, when an erasure request for access request information is issued, even if the image file is included in the access request information targeted for the erasure request, another image file currently waiting The copy information of the image file also included in the access request information is stored in the hard disk drive 4
2 so that it is not necessary to copy the image file from the changer device 43 to the hard disk device 42 when processing the other waiting access request information. Therefore, processing efficiency can be improved.

Next, an example of a method for calculating the transfer efficiency parameter Pi will be described. Here, as an example, the following three types of time variables T1, T2, and T3 are used.

The time variable T1 includes (1) the time required to change the mount point of the medium on which the output requested image file A exists, and (2) the mount point of the image file A from the changed medium before the change. And the time required for processing to copy to the storage area in the hard disk device 42 having the same path name as (3) the hard disk device 42
Is calculated as the sum of the time required to output the image file A from. The time variable T2 is the image file A
Directly from the media at the current mount point
Is calculated as the time required to output the data. The time variable T3 is calculated as the time difference between the time when the client needs the coarse image data for the layout processing and the time when the laid out real image data is actually output from the changer device 43 to the output device 7.

When T3> T1, the transfer efficiency parameter is always set to "1". If T3 ≦ T1, T1
The transfer efficiency parameter is set to “1” only when the condition of −T3 ≦ T2 is satisfied.

In the OPI client / server system environment to which the present embodiment is applied, when data is output from the server device, the time between the occurrence of the access request from the client and the output processing time for the output device is determined. There is a time lag. At the time when the access request is received from the client, the server device knows the data to be output to the output device in the future. And
Since the time variable T3 is at least longer than the time required for the layout operation as a client, in most cases, the relationship of T3> T1 holds.

In this embodiment, when the transfer efficiency parameter is “1”, when the image file A requested to be output is actually transferred to the output device 7 as a result of the dynamic mount point change, the output The target image file A exists in the hard disk device 42. Since the same image file A in the changer device 43 is already positioned under the alias mount point, the image file A is not output from the changer device 43. Therefore, in this case, the image file A is output from the hard disk device 42 to the output device 7.

By the above series of operations, an image file can be created in the hard disk device 42 having the same path as the image file existing in the changer device 43. As a result, the performance at the time of data output is This can be equivalent to the hard disk device 43.

Hereinafter, a more specific calculation example of the transfer efficiency parameter will be described. Here, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that all image files in the request information Li of the image used in the layout processing are “0”.

Now, various quantities M, N, Ci, t _CD , t _HD ,
where t _CH , t _A , and t _M are: M: the total number of media included in Li N: the total number of files included in Li Ci: the capacity of each file i t _CD : the data transfer speed of each media in the changer device 43 t _HD : Data transfer speed of the hard disk device 42 t _CH : media replacement time in the changer device 43 t _A : media drive access time t _M : media mount point change time If defined as above, the above time variables T1, T2, T3 Is as follows:

First, the time variable T1 is represented by the following equation (1). T1 = ta + tb + tc (1) In the above equation (1), ta is a time required for a process of changing a mount point of a medium in which data related to the layout requested to be output exists, and is expressed by the following equation (2). You.

(Equation 1) Further, tb is a time required for a process of copying only a file necessary for the layout from the changed medium to a path having the same name as the mount point, and is represented by the following equation (3).

(Equation 2) Further, tc is a time required for a process of outputting copy data from the hard disk device 42, and is represented by the following equation (4).

(Equation 3)

As described above, the time variable T2 is the processing time required when the mount point of the medium related to the layout requested to be output is output without being changed as it is. Since this processing time may be considered to be substantially equivalent to the above tb, the time variable T2 is expressed by the following equation (5). T2 = tb (5)

The time variable T3 is a time difference between the scheduled time of the layout output to the output device 7 and the current time.

When the following equation (6) or (7) is satisfied, the transfer efficiency parameter is set to "1". T3> T1 (6) T3 <T1 and T3> T1-T2 (7)

Since T1 = ta + tb + tc and T2 = tb, the above equation (6) becomes the following equation (8), and the above equation (7) becomes the following equation (9). T3> ta + tb + tc (8) T3> ta + tc (9)

After all, if the following equation (10) is satisfied, it is more advantageous in processing time to change the mount point to the second mount point.

(Equation 4)

This means that if the total time for changing the media related to the layout to the second mount point and the time for outputting from the hard disk device 42 after the change are shorter than the layout output waiting time, the transfer efficiency parameter is set to “ It is shown that 1 "is more advantageous.

For example, when outputting a layout of 50 pictures, if the pictures are scattered on 10 media and the total capacity of the pictures is 300 megabytes (MB), the transfer rate of the drive of the changer device 43 is assumed. Is 0.6 MB, the transfer rate of the hard disk device 42 is 3.0 MB, and the time required for changing the mount point is 40 seconds per medium, N = 50 M = 10 (Ci) = 300 MB t _M = 40 sec _CH : 30 sec _CD : 0.6 MB / sec _HD : 3.0 MB / sec, and the right side of the above equation (10) is calculated as the following equation (11).

(Equation 5)

Normally, the time required for the layout processing is 1
In this case, T3 is 3600 sec.
c, and it can be seen that in most cases, it is more advantageous to move the transfer efficiency to the second mount point.

Here, in order to verify the effect when the transfer to the second mount point is performed, the transfer performance after the transfer is performed is compared with the transfer performance when the transfer is not performed. First, a second mount point is set, and the required transfer time when the target data is output from the hard disk device 42 is expressed by the following equation (1).
It is represented by 2).

(Equation 6) Next, the time required for directly outputting from the changer device 43 without setting the second mount point is expressed by the following equation (13).

(Equation 7)

After all, in the case of this layout output, enabling the layout output from the hard disk drive 42 by moving to the second mount point requires processing which takes 2000 seconds (about 33 minutes) in the past.
It can be seen that the time has been reduced to about 00 seconds. In this example, the output performance is increased by about 20 times, but the output under other conditions can be expected to have approximately this effect.

In the above embodiment, the transfer efficiency parameter is calculated in consideration of only the transfer time. However, the transfer efficiency parameter may be calculated based on the free space of the hard disk device 43 and the number of times of output of information necessary for output processing such as layout output. The calculation may be made in consideration of such factors.

In the above-described embodiment, the changer device 43 is used as the main storage device. However, if the storage unit per bit is low and the stored data has high reliability, other storage devices can be used. It may be used. In the above embodiment, the hard disk device 42 is used as the secondary storage device. However, if the storage device can be accessed at high speed, another storage device (for example, a large-capacity semiconductor memory) is used. Is also good.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mount structure in a real image storage unit 402 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a real image storage unit 402 when a real image file included in media CD1, CD3, and CD4 is copied into a hard disk device 42.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an access request sent from a client to a server device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mount management table used in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure on the client side in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of update control of a mount point in the server device of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of layout output in the server device of the present embodiment.

[Brief description of reference numerals]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU 2 ... Work memory 3 ... Program memory 4 ... Database storage part 401 ... Coarse image storage part 402 ... Real image storage part 41, 42 ... Hard disk device 43 ... Changer device 5 ... Communication device 6 ... System bus 7 ... Output machine

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A communication device which is communicably connected to a plurality of clients, transmits data necessary for work to the clients according to a work request sent from each client,
A server device that outputs a corresponding image file to an output device in accordance with an output instruction sent from the client after the work in the client is completed, and a main storage device that stores the plurality of image files in advance. When the work request arrives from the client, an image file related to a work performed by the client is read from the main storage device, and the sub-storage device having a higher access speed than the main storage device is read from the main storage device. A server apparatus comprising: a transfer unit that transfers the image file to a storage device; and an output unit that, when the output request arrives from the client, reads a corresponding image file from the secondary storage device and outputs the image file to the output device. 2. A first output mode for outputting an image file related to an operation performed by the client from the main storage device directly to the output device when the operation request arrives from the client; In the second output mode in which the output is indirectly output to the output device via a storage device, the output unit further includes a determination unit that determines which is more advantageous in processing efficiency. Only when it is determined that the second output mode is more advantageous in processing efficiency, the image file is transferred to the secondary storage device, and the output unit determines that the first output mode is higher than the first output mode. If it is determined that the processing efficiency is advantageous, the corresponding image file is read from the main storage device and output to the output device, and the determination unit determines that the second output mode is more advantageous in processing efficiency. did If is characterized in that to the output unit reads the corresponding image file from the secondary storage device, the server device according to claim 1. 3. The server device according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing unit that erases an unnecessary image file from the secondary storage device after the output unit outputs the image file to the output device. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the erasing unit erases an image file which is not related to any of the currently-waiting work requests among the image files whose output to the output device has been completed. 3. The server device according to 3. 5. The transfer means, after moving a mount point in the main storage device in which an image file to be transferred is stored in the secondary storage device, transfers the image file in the main storage device to the secondary storage device. 3. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer is performed to a mounted mount point in the secondary storage device.