JPS62108368A - Compound image filing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain a consolidated file management coupling a microfilm and an optical disc, and to attain the systematic management of a lot of retrieval information and an efficient operation process by providing a backup-only optical disc at every JOB program. CONSTITUTION:In a system consisting of an optical disc file 40, a microfilm file 50, and a work station, a hard disc 2 is provided at the work station. At the hard disc 2, a bit of retrieval information having a common format for the file 40 and the file 50 is stored at every image. And furthermore, the backup- only optical disc is provided, and a retrieval information record by every JOB or every day and time is stored as a backup one, and as other than that, a JOB program, etc., is stored. And when the JOB program is executed, it is loaded and processed on the disc 2 from the optical disc. Thereby, the consolidated file management can be attained coupling the microfilm and the optical disc organically, and the systematic management of a lot of retrieval information and the efficient operation process can be attained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a composite image file system consisting of, for example, a microfilm file and an optical disc file,
In particular, it relates to backing up composite image file systems.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a microfilm system has been used as a system for managing and utilizing an extremely large amount of non-code information (image information). Microfilm is excellent in terms of economy, storage stability, resolution, etc., and has the advantage of being able to make large numbers of copies at high speed with high manual labor, making it ideal for efficiently storing and managing file information that is increasing year by year. Are suitable.

However, on the other hand, office automation has progressed rapidly in recent years, and there is a growing tendency for computers to be introduced into office equipment and for devices to be interconnected through communication circuits. In order to respond to such trends in computerization and communication, it is desirable that the information handled be stored in the form of electrical signals as much as possible. Therefore, electronic file systems have been attracting attention in recent years. Because electronic file systems store information in the form of electrical signals, they have features that microfilm systems do not have, such as high-speed retrieval and high-speed transmission. On the other hand, electronic file systems also diminish some of the advantages of traditional microfilm systems.

The disadvantages are that when inputting information, it is not possible to convert images in one shot through a lens system like in a microfilm system, and the input speed is slow because raster scanning is performed one by one. Copying cannot be done quickly and economically, there is no track record of sufficient long-term storage stability compared to microfilm, which has a long-term storage stability of 100 years, and microfilm has no legal evidence capacity. The reason for this is that it has not been done yet.

An even bigger problem is that when an electronic file system is introduced, the databases and information that were built up using conventional microfilm systems can no longer be utilized.

As already mentioned, both microfilm and electronic file systems have their advantages. In view of the recent trend toward office automation, electronic file systems have many advantages, but it is clear that microfilm systems cannot be ignored. Therefore, users are forced to choose between the two systems, or are forced to use two systems simultaneously, which is extremely inconvenient.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Therefore, a composite image file system that combines a microfilm system and an optical disk file system is being developed. A file system that combines such different types of recording media is not just a combination, but an organic combination is desired. Furthermore, in an image file system that combines microfilm and optical disks, considering the amount of image files, it goes without saying that the amount of search information needed to search for those image files is enormous. The major challenge is how to systematically manage this huge amount of search information and efficiently process business operations using image file systems. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to combine a microfilm and one or more optical discs, and to enable unified file management.
The purpose of this invention is to propose a composite image file system that can systematically manage a huge amount of search information and efficiently carry out business processing involving image files.

[Means for Solving the Problems] For example, the configuration of the composite image file system of the embodiment shown in FIG. , a microfilm file 50 for reading data from microfilm, and a workstation 10.

The workstation 10 is equipped with, for example, a hard disk (HD) 2 as a storage means, and this HD 2 stores jobs.
Search information for file searching during program execution, which has a common format for microfilm files and optical disk files, is stored for each image. Furthermore, all of the above search information (search information for both microfilm and optical disc image files)
A backup area is reserved on a predetermined optical disk, and in this area, for example, backup files of search information registered in the previous JOB program execution are stored in a systemized manner for each program unit.

[Operation] Under the above structure, the search information has a structure as shown in FIG. 4(b), for example, and this format is common between the microfilm and optical disk media. Further, the backup files created in the backup area are stored in a systemized manner as shown in FIG. 18, for example. When a JOB program is executed on the workstation 10, first the backup file is called onto the HO2, and only the search information scheduled to be used for the JOB program is expanded onto the HO2.

(Left below) [Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<External appearance of the embodiment> FIG. 2(a) shows the external appearance of the embodiment. The external configuration of this embodiment according to FIG.
It is 0 etc.

The workstation 10 is equipped with auxiliary storage means such as a hard disk (hereinafter abbreviated as HD) 2, a floppy disk (FPD) 3, and a computer capable of directly viewing high-definition images.
It consists of an RT 4, a keyboard (KBD) 6, a pointing device (PD) 5, a control section 1 (FIG. 3), and the like.

The optical disk file 40 has a recording medium such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk, and is an image file in which a large amount of image information can be written and read.
2. Note that the image file referred to in this embodiment is one that naturally includes character information in addition to a pure image, and is
However, the word processing functionality is also impressive.

The microfilm file 50 includes a microfilm scanner (hereinafter referred to as MS) 51 that converts image information on the microfilm into electrical signals using an image sensor such as a CCD with approximately 36,000 pits, and an autochanger (hereinafter referred to as MS) 51 that automatically changes the microfilm cartridge. (hereinafter abbreviated as MA) 52.

The reader/printer section 30 includes an image scanner (IS) 31 that converts image information of a document placed on a document table into an electrical signal using an image sensor such as a CCO, and converts image information onto a recording material based on the information converted into an electrical signal into an electrical signal. An image printer (IP) 32 such as a laser beam printer records an image on the image.

To explain the components in more detail, the CRT4 is l531
And image information read photoelectrically by the MS 51, system control information, operator input, etc. are displayed.

Note that the CRT 4 may have a color display so that it can handle color processing. Also, by operating the KBD 6, system operation commands, etc. are issued. Also, KBD6
In combination with a CRT4, it has functions such as a word processor and an office computer. Also, PO2 is CRT4
This is a point device for manually inputting coordinate information such as icon (pictogram) instructions on the screen and cutting out the screen, and the operator can move this PO2 to
Move the upper cursor in the X and Y directions to select a command image on the command menu and issue the command.

<Configuration of Embodiment> Figure 732 (b) is a diagram illustrating the configuration of Figure 2 (a) above from the viewpoint of signal connections. It forms the core and is hereinafter abbreviated as WSIO. As explained in FIG. 2(a), the WSlo has the reader/printer section 30
, an optical disk file 40, and a microfilm file 50 are connected. The HD2 in WSlo is a relatively large-sized and high-speed magnetic disk, and has important roles in this embodiment, such as storing control programs and storing search information for file searches, as will be described later. That is,
The HD 2 stores search information of the optical disk file 40 and the microfilm file 50 as described later, and the WS
The search information is stored, updated, etc. in response to requests from LO.The HD2 uses magnetic bubble memory, wire memory, or battery-backed CMOS, for example, instead of a hard disk.
Anything that is non-volatile and relatively fast can be used, such as memory. Further, the FPD 3 is a storage location for backing up search information for microfilm files. Of course, the FPD 3 is also used to read the start program (IPL) for wsto. ws
There is a control section 1 in the to, the configuration of which is shown in detail in FIG.

Explaining according to FIG. 3, the control section 1 is the main control section of wsiO and has the following configuration. A microprocessor (MPU) 7.8 that controls memory and instructions to each I10 is an HD/FP interface for HD2 or FPD3.
DIF, 9 controls the operation of WSIO. PMEM9, which is a program storage memory (PMEM), is a RAM, for example.
The MPtJ7 reads a program into the PMEM9 and executes it from the HD2, which stores a control procedure program according to an embodiment such as the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later. 11 is a memory (IMEM) mainly for temporarily storing image information, and l5
31. MS51. for input image information from the optical disc file 40; It is for writing to and from IP32, outputting, etc. 12 is an interface (01) IF) of the optical disk file 40, and 13 is a communication interface (CO) connected to WSLO and other devices or LAN (Local Area Network).
MIF) Deatte, LAN, FAX, and HO3
This is a manual connection unit for communication that is connected to a T-computer, etc. 14 is KBD6. Interface for PO2 (KB
DIF), 19 is an interface Cl101F) that controls the input of image information from the MS51 and the output control to the IP32. 16 is bit manipulation of image information, that is, arithmetic processing for displaying a multi-window screen on the CRT 4, which will be described later, and moving a cursor in response to instructions from the PD 5, as well as rotation and enlargement of image information. , reduction and PMEM9, information on IMEMll and each I
10 is a pit manipulation unit (BMtJ) equipped with a function to control DMA operations, 15 is an interface (CRTIF) with a built-in VRAM (video RAM) for displaying image information, 18 is an image information compression unit,
Image compression unit (ICU) performs decompression.
), which mainly functions to compress and expand image information in order to increase the number of stored image information when transmitting and receiving information to and from 0D41.42.43 via IMEMI 1.0DIF13. 20 is a data memory (DMEM), M″P
It stores flags and the like used by the UT when executing the control program.

DMEM20 may be provided within DMEM9.

(HD2 memory map) FIG. 4(a) is a hard disk memory map.

It is. Its contents are a program area and a search information record storage area. FIG. 4(b) shows the format of the search information record stored in the HD2. As described above, the HD 2 stores both the images stored in the optical disk file 40 and the search information corresponding to the images of each frame of the microfilm in the microfilm file 50 (see FIG. 5). It should be noted that the search information for different media, the optical disk file 40 and the microfilm file 50, has a common format as shown in FIG. 4(b). By having a common format, management of search information on different recording media becomes efficient and easy. However, from the perspective of uniformly managing image files, it is not necessary to insist on having a common format; it is important to be able to distinguish between recording media.

The format of the search information record in FIG. m4 (b) will be explained. As shown in the figure, this format is divided into six fields. In the field 61, an identification mark (DEV-ID) indicating whether the image corresponding to this search information record exists in the optical disk file 40 or the microfilm file 50 is set. "1", optical disc image"
Address information ADD on the medium on which the image corresponding to this search information record is recorded is set in the field 62. If it is an optical disc, this ADD is the drive number and the address information in the optical disc. It includes the absolute address, etc., and if it is a microfilm, the cartridge number and frame number of the microfilm file are stored.

In the field 63, the size of the image (PSIZ) corresponding to this search information record is set. This indicates, for example, whether the output image is A4/A3, etc. In the field 64, resolution information P-RES of the image corresponding to this search information record is set.

The resolution is 400/300 at the time of input (registration) on the tree layer side.
/200dpi. field 65
The ODD contains various other related information such as compression ratio and positive/negative discrimination information regarding the image corresponding to this search information record.
is set as necessary. In the field 66, keyword information (KW) of the image file corresponding to this search information record is set. KW may be written in numbers, letters, or symbols.

When the operator stores a desired image in the optical disk file 40, these search information records are input using the KBO 2 of the workstation 10 in correspondence with this image and written to the HD 2. In addition, if you have an outsourced company record a large amount of images on optical disks or microfilm, have the outsourced company write the search data to a floppy disk using a computer or the like in accordance with a predetermined format. The search data is transferred and stored from the FPD 3 to the HD 2.

<Relationship of search information between each storage medium> The search information record for each image stored in the optical disk file 40 and the microfilm file 50 is the fifth one.
As shown in the figure, the data are mixed and stored in the HD 2 according to the format shown in FIG. 4(b). In the figure, "M" indicates a microfilm, and "OD" indicates an optical disc file. FIG. 5 illustrates a method for backing up search information records on the HDZ. That is, the backup of the search information record of the microfilm is stored in the FPD 3, and the backup of the search information record of the optical disk file 40 is stored in the optical disk drive. In addition to the individual backup method for each recording medium shown in FIG. 5, an embodiment of a backup method for backing up all search information records on the HD2 into a backup-only optical disk will also be disclosed (see FIG. 17 onwards). (Explained in ).

Below, the order of explanation of the embodiments is as follows: first, ts31 or MS51
An explanation of the operation for registering an image from the computer, an explanation of the operation for the registration accompanying the medium conversion from microfilm to an optical disk, and an explanation of the operation for starting or restoring based on the backup method shown in Fig. 5. Next, we will explain the backup method and operation for recovery in a system equipped with a backup-only optical disk.

<Data Structure of Optical Disk> Now, the relationship between the search information media is as shown in FIG. 5, and the relationship between the image file and the search information record in the optical disk file 40 is as shown in FIG. In Figure vI6, the optical disc file 40 stores four image files (their keywords 66 are "parts", "parts name", "parts", and "parts catalog") as an example. ADD of these image files The fields 62 are "lFFFF", "IEFFF", "IDFFF", respectively.
", "ICFFF". Here, ADD 62 is 5 digits for convenience, and its MSD is the drive number of the optical disk file 40. That is, in the example of FIG. 6, the drive number is "1". Inside, optical disk file 40
The addresses become higher from the top to the bottom of the page.Usually, lower addresses have higher credibility, so important data such as search information records are stored. In addition, there are two image files with the same keyword name ("parts") in the figure, but this is because the image file with the address "IFFFF" has undergone image processing and is registered as a new image file with the same keyword 66. It is what was done. The optical disk of this embodiment is of a so-called write-once type, and since old files cannot be erased, image files having the same keyword are allowed to exist. This coexistence of old and new files is an advantage of optical discs, as is their large capacity. In other words, the history can be traced from the search information record. To search for an image file on an optical disk, a method is usually used in which all the search information records in the HD 2 or the optical disk are read, and the read search information records are sequentially displayed on the CRT 4 and left to the operator's selection of search information records.

(Registration of image from IS31) Fig. 7 is a diagram explaining the concept of the operation in which a document image is read by l531 and stored and registered in the optical disk file 40.According to Fig. 7, the document read from l531 is The keyword 66, which is temporarily stored in the control unit 1 (IMEMll) and entered by the operator through the KBD 6 without visually checking the CRT 4, is registered in the HD 2 and the image is stored in the optical disk file 40. At this time, the search in the HDZ A backup of the information is taken on the optical disk file 40.

The above is an outline of the image file registration from 1531. Next, the registration control procedure will be explained according to the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, examples of the screen of the CRT 4 are illustrated at steps as necessary.

After setting the image original to be registered on the optical disk in rs31, the registration volume is specified in step S2. This registered volume is 10 (name) of the optical disc, etc. 6 Next, in step S4, according to the instructions displayed on the CRT 4, set the image reading mode (image file attributes), for example, the resolution (=200 dpi/300 dpi/400 dp
i) Specify the document size (A3.A4.B3.B4) using the PD5 via the menu screen. In step S6, the image is 1531 according to the specified attribute.
is read from and temporarily stored in IMEMII in wsto. The data stored in IMEMII is converted for display by the BMU 16 in step S8, and then
It is stored in the VRAM in the CRTIF 15 and displayed on the CRT 4. The operator visually checks the displayed image to confirm whether it has been read correctly. If the image has been read correctly, it is determined in step S12 whether the image just read is one page or the first page of a plurality of pages. This can be easily determined from the operator's instructions or the attribute designation made in step S4. The reason for making such a determination is to set the keyword 66 on the first page. Now, if it is determined in step S12 that the page is one page or the first page of a plurality of pages, a keyword 66 is set in step 514, and the input keyword 66 is temporarily stored in the DMEM 20. As mentioned above, the human power of keyword 66 is to visually check the CRT4 while
Performed through BD6. After being stored in DMEM20,
The keyword 66 and other information are formatted as shown in FIG. 4(b), and a search information record is written to the HD 2 in step S16, and the process advances to step 318. If the determination in step S12 is NO, immediately proceed to step S12.
The process then proceeds to step 518. Search information record HD2
When the storage, etc. in
The image information temporarily stored in II is written to the optical disc via ICU 18 and 0DIF 12.

Repeat the above operation until all pages are completed (step 520)
. When all pages are completed, the search information record of the image original is written to the optical disk file 40 as a backup in step S22. At this point, as shown in FIG. 6, a search information record for image file registration and backup has been stored in the optical disk file 40. If so,
Even if the search information record of the image information is destroyed due to some trouble in the HD 2, the same search information record exists on the optical disk file 4o, so it can be easily restored.

Other information added to the keyword 66 in the search information record includes information on whether the image information is an optical disc or microfilm, address information on where on the optical disc it is stored, size information such as A4 or A3, resolution information, and I Compression, etc. in CU 18, that is, the amount of information stored on the optical disk and whether it is negative information or positive information, is determined by WSIO.
is added to the beginning of the search information record based on information from the conversation with the operator and information from the optical disc.

Registration from an optical disc> What was described above was Rbi from 1531, but as mentioned above, it is conceivable that a trader or the like may register from an optical disc on which an image has already been written. In this case, keyword 66
In some cases, a trader writes images on an FPD or the like in the same way as writing images on an optical disk. In this case, in step S6 of FIG. 8, the images are sequentially read from the optical disk instead of the manual input from l531, and the search information is read from the FPD 3 in parallel with the image reading, and each time the image is read, the keyword 66 settings and search information H
All you have to do is register it to D2 and back it up to the optical disk.

<Registration of microfilm file> Registration of microfilm usually means reading the microfilm image that has already been made into film from the MS51.
A search information record including a cartridge number, frame number, etc. is created and registered on the HD 2. An outline of the operation is shown in FIG. The feature of this embodiment is that the search information record is 'fl 6!' on the HDZ. Along with being
A backup search information record is also stored in the FPD 3.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control procedure for microfilm registration. The operation of the microfilm file is first carried out by an operator setting each cartridge in the loading section 54 as shown in FIG. There is. Unlike optical discs, when registering a microfilm file, the frame number on the microfilm is used as an absolute address. Therefore, the cartridge number, frame number, etc. are input to the ADD 62 added to the search information record, which becomes the search information record. Furthermore, since the microfilm files are similar files, the area of HO2 can be reduced by providing one search information record for a plurality of consecutive frames of microfilm that should have the same keyword 66.

The control procedure when the MA 52 is not used will be explained according to FIG. First, a microfilm cartridge containing image information for which the keyword 66 should be registered is set in the loading section 54, and the image reading mode (image attributes) is instructed in step S30, similar to the manual operation of the image scanner (RS) described above. do. Reading is started in step S32, and the read image information of one frame is temporarily stored in IMEMII, and displayed on the CRT 4 in step S33. Check whether the reading was normal in the same way as when registering from l531 (step 534), step S
In step 36, it is determined whether the image file is a single frame, a series of frames, or a series of frames. In step S40, the operator issues a keyword 66 instruction, and in step S42, the search information record is stored in HO2. In step S44, a backup of the search information record is taken on the FPD 3.

For the first image information, the operator specifies the frame number of the microfilm, and if the information is to be registered sequentially, step S30 is performed.
The WSIO can advance the microfilm by one frame by adding +1 to the ADD field 62, and to record the search information of the input image intermittently, specify the frame number each time. Once registered in HO2, all search information records are managed in HO2, similar to the above-mentioned optical disc.

<Registration of composite image> Next, according to FIGS. 11(a) to (d), the image read from the microfilm and the image read from the optical disk file are combined, and the combined image is registered and the search information record is backed up. I will explain about it.

First, in step S50 of FIG. 11(a), an image is input from the microfilm. Next, in step S52, an image is input from the optical disc file 40.
50 and step S52 are subroutines whose details are shown in FIGS. 11(b) and 11(c), respectively. The only difference between these subroutines is the difference in the instruction keyword 66. A search subroutine (FIG. 11(d)) is executed in steps S72 and S76 of each subroutine.

The search subroutine searches the HDZ for a search information record having the specified keyword 66 (step 5).
80). The searched search information code is stored in the DMEM 20 (step 582), and in step S84 it is determined whether the image is in the microfilm file 50 or the optical disk file 40 based on the value of DEVID 61 in the search information record.

If the value of the identification mark DEV-ID61 is "1", it is assumed that the image is recorded in the microfilm file 50, and the address information ADD62 of the search data is
Accordingly, a search for a corresponding image frame in the microfilm file 50 is performed (step 586). Then, the image of the retrieved microfilm frame is read (step 588). If DEV-ID61 is '0', optical disc file 40 is created according to address information ADD.
(Step 590), and the image file is read (Step 592).

The image information read from the microfilm file 50 or the optical disk file 40 is sent to the workstation 1.
0(7) IMEMI I is written fQ for one page (step 594). This ends the search subroutine.

Returning to step S54 in FIG. 11(a),
Process the two images in I. This processing is BMU
16. If this processed image needs to be registered, the process advances to step S60, and a keyword 66 is set in order to create a new search information record. The processed image is stored in the optical disk file 40 in step S62, a new search information record is stored in ID2 in step S64, and a backup of the search information record is stored in the optical disk file 40 in step S66. To put the operations shown in FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d) in accordance with FIG. 6, for example, the image file "component" from the microfilm and the image file "component name" from the optical disk file 40 are combined. Thus, a new image file "parts catalog" is created on the optical disk file 40 (FIG. 12).

Incidentally, in the above explanation, the combination of images on a microfilm and an optical disc was explained, but it is also possible to transfer an image from a microfilm to an optical disc in the same way.

(Backup file load) Backup file load means, for example, when the search data on ID2 is destroyed due to a failure or the like, or during the initial processing of the JOB program in the embodiment described later, the backup file load is performed from the optical disk file 40 and FPD 3 as shown in FIG. As <I
This refers to the operation of reconfiguring search information records on D2.
FIG. 13 shows the concept of its operation. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the control procedure.

According to FIG. 14, first, in step 5100, the optical disk and FPD 3 to be restored are set in the drive. In step 5102, all search information records of the set optical disk are read out and stored on D2.This operation is performed for all optical disks that require restoration.Next, in step 3106, the microfilm file is similarly transferred from the FPD3. 50 search information records are restored.In this way, the search information records can be restored very easily.

(Deleting and restoring search information records) The above control procedure shows how to restore all search information records, but it is extremely difficult to specify a specific keyword 66 and restore only the search information records that have that keyword 66. Easy! # ÷ Yes. An example of this is the deletion of part of a search information record and the restoration of the deleted search information record from a backup. Figure 15 shows an example of deletion. In this case, the deletion is It goes without saying that only the search information records on the HDZ are deleted, as shown in Figure 16 (
Flowcharts of control procedures for deletion and restoration of search information records are shown in (a) and (b), respectively. Briefly, for the search information record to be deleted, first set a keyword 66 on the CRT 4, display the search information record in the HDZ with that keyword 66 on the CRT 4,
The operator deletes the desired search information record (first
Figure 6(a)). Similarly, the deleted search information record can be restored by setting the keyword 66.
The search information record obtained from the search information record is searched for in the optical disk file 40 or FPD 3 and restored (FIG. 16(b)).

<Effects of the above embodiment> In this way, the format of the search information record for the optical disk file 40 and the microfilm file 50 is made common, and the search information records for both files are mixed and stored in the common HD 2, so that image search is possible. The operator who performs this search can search for keywords corresponding to the image to be searched without considering the file to be searched for.
By inputting 6, the desired image information can be obtained.

That is, since the file (medium) in which the image is actually recorded and the address within that file are managed in the search information record, the operator does not have to be aware of the composite medium when searching for an image. This makes it easier to search for images centrally.

Also, back up the search report on an optical disk or FPD.
Since the number of backups is only 3, it is easy to restore searched information, and management is ensured by distinguishing backup media. Furthermore, by having a backup, you can safely delete infrequently used information or search information that is out of date, so you can secure free space on your hard disk and search for keywords for new image information. can be registered.

<Composite image file system with a dedicated back-depth optical disk> In the image file system explained above, the backup of the search information records on microfilm is performed on the FPD3.
The backup of the search information record of the optical disk file 40 was stored in the optical disk. In the composite file system described below, the above-mentioned search information records (including search information records for both a plurality of optical disks and microfilms) are stored in an optical disk exclusively for backup. The advantages of providing such an optical disk exclusively for backup are as follows. Of course, it goes without saying that image files can also be stored on this backup-only optical disk.

As the scale of the composite file system increases, the number of optical disks and microfilms naturally increases.

In such cases, the optical discs and microfilms to be used are separated by job (JOB). Optical discs and microfilms for ¥ are often used. Furthermore, the same J
Even in the case of OB, if there is a daily or monthly job, there are cases where it is desired to perform the job with the latest date and time or monthly file structure.

Furthermore, there are cases where it is desired to restart a JOB on a specific date. This takes advantage of the characteristic of optical discs that image files are stored one after another without being updated.

In such a case, if the search information records for each job or date and time (monthly) are backed up on a backup-only optical disk, the operator will not have to worry about which optical disk and microfilm are required for each job. The search information on the backup-only optical disk can be read out and processed. Furthermore, if the program of the relevant JOB is also stored on a backup-only optical disk, only the initial start program needs to be resident on the HO2, making it easy to start the JOB at the desired time.
You can restart OB.

Further, in a normal image file system, the keyword Wbf of an image file is essential, as described above. Since this registration work is a large amount, usually once registration is made on the HDZ, various JOB programs share and use the search information on the HO2.

Since these files are shared, it becomes difficult to manage files for each JOB program and each date as described above.

Further, these search information are not stored in an equivalent system, but are simply stored in the order of registration.

(Outline of JOB program) A backup-only optical disk is proposed based on the above requirements. Therefore, the JOB program of the composite image file system proposed in this embodiment has an outline as shown in Figure 'fS24. As shown in FIG. 24, each of the FPD 3 and the optical disk backup area for image files has a microfilm,
It is assumed that a backup file of search information for image files on the optical disk has already been created. First, the JOB program saves these backup files to the iJO+
Copy it onto HO2 as search information used by the 3 programs. When the JOB program ends, all search information on HO2 is copied again to the backup-only optical disk.6 The backup file copied to the backup-only optical disk is stored as search information belonging to that JOB program. Such backup files for each JOB program are stored one after another on a backup-only optical disk each time a different JOB program is run. Since the optical disk has a large capacity, it can withstand storing such backup files. When running the same JOB program, search information with the JOB program name is called from the backup optical disk onto the HO2, and image files are searched and reprocessed according to the search information.

Here, if we explain according to the flowchart in Fig. 23,
Clear the search information storage area on HO2 using the button 5170. In step 5172, it is determined whether the JOB program is an initial start. If it is an initial start, the process of loading the backup file described above (FIG. 14) is executed in step 5174. In step 5100 of this backup file loading, the relevant JO
All you have to do is load the floppy disk and optical disk necessary for B into the drive. With this backup file load, search information in units of JOB programs is reconfigured on HO2. Using this search information, perform the relevant business process in step 3178, and in step 3180, copy the latest search information developed on HO2 to the backup optical disk (Figure 20) (details of this flow) (will be discussed later). Therefore, when restarting the JOB program, NO is returned in step 5172, and a warm restart is performed in step 5176 (Figure 22).
Execute. This warm restart is to reconstruct the search information on the HO2 from the backup file on the backup-only optical disk, as will be described later.

<Structure of optical disc for back-up> Figure 17 (a)
-(e) show examples of record formats written on this backup-only optical disc. Figure 17 (a
) indicates a common format for each record. In the figure, 7
0 is the record type. Record type 70 is “0”
The records of each type are shown in FIGS. 17(b) to 3(e). FIG. 17(b) is a disc type record.The record type 70 of the disc type record is “0”, disk type 71
When it is "0", it means that the optical disc is a backup-only optical disc, and when it is "1", it means the above-mentioned normal optical disc.

FIG. 17(C) shows JOBL/:7-code, and the record type 70 for the JOB record is "1". The field 72 stores the JOB name, the field 73 stores the date on which the JOB record was written to the backup-only optical disk, and the field 74 stores the volume name of the optical disk used for the job. Figure 17 (
d) is a search information record. Its record type is "2". The search information shown in FIG. 4(b) is stored in the field 75. FIG. 17(e) shows a program record. 'The record type 70 is 3''. If the program is paged or segmented, it can be stored in a backup-only optical disc with a predetermined record length.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the arrangement of the records shown in FIGS. 17(a) to (e) within the backup-only optical disc. The disc type record 80 indicates that this optical disc is a backup-only optical disc, and the search information record 82 and subsequent records following the JOB record 81 contain all the search information for the optical disc file or microfilm used in the JOB. JOB program 83 has the relevant J
, OB programs are stored. JOB record 84 indicates that another JOB record and search information record newly follow.

Storage on a Backup-Only Optical Disk> Backup files are stored on a backup-only optical disk in consideration of priorities.

FIG. 19(a) shows the numbers of each drive of the optical disk connected to this composite image file system. The total number of optical disks connected to this composite file system is, for example, eight at maximum. FIG. 19(b) shows flags in the DMEM 20, and each flag indicates whether or not the corresponding optical disk drive is currently being used.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the order of determining which drive should be loaded with a backup-only optical disk under the optical disk configuration of FIG. 19. The reason why such flowchart control is necessary is to take into consideration the operator's usability when a large number of optical disk drives are connected as shown in FIG. 19. That is, wsto
independently determines the drive in which the backup-only optical disk should be loaded in the most convenient position from the operator's point of view,
The drive number is displayed on the CRT 4 to prompt the operator to load the backup optical disk.

First, in step 5ilo, it is checked whether all drives are empty.

If all the drives are empty, a message is displayed on the CRT 4 in step 5112 saying, ``Load a backup-only optical disk into drive No. 0''. “0”
The numbered drive is chosen because it is closest to the operator.

If the backup-only optical disk is loaded into the drive No. 0", a subroutine for saving to the backup-only optical disk is executed in step 5126. If any optical disk is in use in step Sl10, step 5116 to check whether all the optical disk drives are in use.If all the drives are in use, for the same reason, in order to load the backup-only optical disk into drive number 0, "Replace the drive" message is displayed on the CRT4. In step 5116, if any of the drives is free, identify the drive closest to the operator (the drive with the lowest number) and select "Load a backup-only optical disk into the drive".
The message will be displayed on the CRTJ. All of the above judgments are made with reference to the flags in FIG. 19(b).

FIG. 21 shows details of step 5126 of FIG. 20, which is the save subroutine. First, in step 5128, it is determined whether the loaded optical disc is a backup-only optical disc. This is a disk type record (first
This can be seen by examining Figure 7 (b)). A JOB record (FIG. 17(C)) is set in steps 3130 to 3134, and the JOB record is written to the backup-only optical disk in step 3136. Next, step 51
38. In step 5140, a search information record (FIG. 17(d)) and a program record (FIG. 17(e)) are written. As mentioned above, this embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that the microfilm search information record is also written.

<Warm restart> Warm restart reads the JOB record, search information record, etc. from the backup optical disk.
The job is expanded on the HDZ and the job is restarted. This restart is suitable for a system that uses different optical discs or microfilms for each job. The operator of that JOB can call up all search information from the backup-only optical disk using the JOB record corresponding to the JOB. By backing up this search information, there is no need to re-register the search information for each job, and the image file system can be used freely. It is also effective when data on the HDZ is unreliable.

FIG. 22 shows a flowchart of the warm restart control procedure. When this control program is stored in HD2, it is called from HD2 to PMEM9, but
The information is stored in advance in a ROM (not shown), etc., in consideration of cases where the reliability of the information may be unreliable. First, in step 5150, the drive number of the optical disk in which the backup-only optical disk is loaded is specified from the CRT 4. After confirming that the optical disk loaded in the drive is a backup-only optical disk (step 5151), in step 5152, the user manually enters the name and date of the 508 to be restarted. The JOB record corresponding to the 508 people input in step 5154 is searched in the backup-only optical disk, and if found, the search information record following the JOB record is read out and developed on the HDZ in step 3156. If necessary, the program is also read out and expanded on the HDZ in step 5158. In this way, the search information record can be very easily restored with a desired system configuration that matches the JOB. The operator displays the volume name in the JOB record on the CRT4 and selects the job.
Since you can know what kind of optical discs and microfilms are needed for the purpose, you can prepare the optical discs or microfilms according to the instructions.

Effects of the embodiment having a backup-only optical disk> As explained above, by using an image file system having a backup-only optical disk, (1) all search information and even programs can be stored.

(2) Since the file structure of the image file system can be reconstructed from a copy of the search information managed in the JOB record in the backup-only optical disk, it is possible to manage the JOB=file for each job and for each date. That is, JOB
It becomes possible to systematize program-oriented file management.

(Blank below) [Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, by having search information organized for each JOB program as a backup file in the optical disk, it is possible to connect microfilm and one or more optical disks. It is possible to propose a composite image file system that organically combines image files, and it is possible to manage image files in a systematic and unified manner, to efficiently carry out business processing that handles image files, and to maintain the confidentiality of image files between programs. can provide a composite image file system capable of

[Brief explanation of drawings]

7jS1 is a diagram explaining the principle of an embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 2(a) is an external view of the composite image file system of the embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is a connection diagram of the composite image file system of the embodiment. Figure 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the control unit, and Figure 4 (&) is a memory map diagram of the hard disk. FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing the format of a search information record, and FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining the relationship between files, search information, and backup files. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between search information and image files in an optical disc file, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are a conceptual diagram of an operation for registering an image file from an image scanner, and a control flowchart thereof, respectively. Fig. 9 and Fig. 1θ are respectively a conceptual diagram of an operation for registering an image file from a microfilm scanner and its control flow chart; Figs. 11 (a) to (d) and Fig. 12 are images from a microfilm FIG. 2 is a control flowchart for compositing images from an optical disc and an image from an optical disc, and a conceptual diagram thereof. Fig. 13 is a conceptual diagram of restoring search information from a backup stored on an optical disk or FPD, Fig. 14 is a flowchart of normal restart, Fig. 15 is a conceptual diagram of deleting search information only from hard disk L, Fig. 16 (a) and (b) are control flow cheats for deleting search information on the hard disk and restoring the deleted search information on the hard disk. Figures 17 (a) to (e) are examples of six backup files stored on a backup-only optical disk, and Figures 19 (a) and (b) respectively show the maximum configuration of the optical disk drive. FIG. 20 is a control flowchart for saving a backup file on a backup-only optical disk without taking priority into consideration. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the one-step subroutine of FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of warm restart, FIG. 23 is a flowchart of an overview of processing of the JOB program of the embodiment, and FIG. 24 is a conceptual diagram of processing of the JOB program of the embodiment. In the figure. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Control part, 2... Hard disk, 3... Floppy disk, 7... MPU, 10... Work station, 31... Image scanner, 32...
Image printer, 40... Optical disk file, 5
0...Microfilm file, 51...Microfilm scanner. Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd. Figure 4 (a) Figure 4 (b) Section 9 Figure 14 Figure 15 Figure 16 (0) Figure 16 (b) % to 0, / M Φ'-'
. Figure 21 Figure 22 Figure 23 Figure 24 Prisoner

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) It has one or more optical disks and a plurality of microfilms on which image files are recorded, and a workstation that registers, searches, and processes the image files on the optical disks and microfilms, and the workstation is configured to and storage means for storing search information for searching image files of a unified system among microfilms, and when a program is executed on the workstation, a backup stored in a partial area of the optical disk is provided. reading the backup file containing search information classified for each program to be executed from the optical disk, and reconstructing the search information of the image file used by the program on the storage means; A composite image file system featuring: (2) The search information for identifying a file includes at least information indicating the medium type (microfilm or optical disk medium), the media number and physical address of the optical disk in the case of an optical disk file, and the cartridge in the case of a microfilm file. 2. The composite image file system according to claim 1, wherein the composite image file system includes information specifying the number and frame number, and the name of the file. (3) The composite image file system according to claim 1, further comprising a backup of programs stored in the workstation in the optical disk.