JPS62110691A - Image information storing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent storage of the same index code by reading out the index code stored with a bit of image information, and displaying the presence of the index code which is coincident with an input index code. CONSTITUTION:When a registration mode is selected on a keyboard 21, a key operation corresponding to the registration mode is displayed at a display part 22 through a CPU8 in a main controller 1. And when the index code is inputted by the keyboard 21, the CPU8 operates a magnetic tape device 6, and positions a head at an index recording track on an endless tape. Following that, a recording and reproducing circuit 15 is operated by a reproduction instruction through a direct memory access control 14 corresponded to a command from the CPU8, and read out index code is stored directly at a RAM13. When a stored content and the input index code from the keyboard 21 are coincident a fact is displayed at the display part 22 through the CPU8, and the storage of the same index code at the device 6 can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for storing image information in an image information storage and retrieval device that can store image information such as a document and retrieve and output it as needed.

Conventionally, document images were stored and searched as they were.
There is a type of microfilm that records reduced images as is. However, recently, as an alternative to this, by using photoelectric exchange technology using laser light and CCD elements, document images are decomposed into pixels and converted into electrical image signals, and these image signals are transferred to optical disks. Devices that record data using laser light and devices that store data at high density 4 on magnetic storage media are being developed.

For example, in the case of the latter type of magnetic storage medium, dozens of A4-sized documents 17 can be stored on an endlessly wound magnetic tape with a length of about 36 m, making it possible to store documents in a document storage system. It is extremely convenient. The storage location of document images can also be stored as an index code on the same magnetic tape, and by inputting this index code as necessary, the document image corresponding to the index code can be searched/・-It can be taken out as a tocobee.

However, in this method, if the index code to be stored when image information is stored is previously stored on the same magnetic tape, there is no means to notify this. Therefore, there is a problem that image information having the same index code may be mistakenly stored on the same magnetic tape.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an image information storage method that can prevent the same index code from being stored.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show the configuration of an image information storage and retrieval device according to the present invention, in which a main control device e1 includes an input device 2 having a display function such as a keypad display.
Editing processing such as recording, playback, addition, insertion, and deletion of image information and index information is performed according to input information from the computer. Image information 3 such as a document is two-dimensionally optically scanned and photoelectrically converted by a two-dimensional scanning device 4, and this photoelectrically converted image information (video signal) is sent to the main controller 1.
The data is supplied to the recording device ffis or the magnetic tape device 6 via. The recording device 5 receives image information from the two-dimensional scanning device 4 or reproduced image information from the magnetic tape device 6, converts it into a two-dimensional visible image, and converts it into a hard copy 7.
Output as .

FIG. 3 schematically shows the cassette tape of the magnetic tape device 60 and its feeding mechanism. A fixed reel 22 that does not rotate is provided in the case 21, and the reel 22 has a width of, for example, 1. /2 inch (approximately 12.7 fl)
A magnetic chive 7''23 with a length of about 36 m is wound endlessly.When the cassette chive configured in this way is loaded, the innermost chie fzs wound on the reel 22 The peripheral tape is pulled out through a window 22m provided in the reel 22, and is pulled out at high speed (approximately 5 m/min) by a capstan 24 and a pinch roller 25 in the direction of arrow a in the figure.
5ee) and then rewound again to the outermost circumference of the tape 23. Therefore, Qi f2
3 rotates once in about 7.2 seconds. This chi f2
3, one rotation of the tape 23, as shown in FIG.
Confirmation is performed by optically detecting with a mark detector 27. Also, the output signals of the detector 27 are Q7', ? It is also used as a reference for detecting block positions on J (described later).

As shown in FIG. 4, the tape 23 has 200 recording tracks (track width approximately 40 μm, inter-track pitch approximately 52 μm) parallel to the running direction a.
28 is set. Here, the above recording track 28
are sequentially ro, 1.2. from the bottom track. ...
198, 199J are assigned track numbers, of which two are located approximately in the middle (track number ``99'').
, 100'', and the track number ``99'' is a gold-biased track)
is unique index information corresponding to one unit of image information (consists of an index code and a recording address, and the recording address consists of a track number and a block number)
Index recording track 281 for recording, remaining 1
98 tracks (track number "θ~98.101~199 J
, ) is an information recording track 28□ for recording image information. Each recording track 28 is divided into 256 blocks in the length direction of the tape as shown in FIG. 4, and each block is sequentially divided into ro, 1, 2, . ...254°255'' are assigned block numbers. Therefore, the recording or reproduction of information signals on the tape 23 is performed using the capstan 23.
A recording/reproducing head (a two-gap magnetic head with an erasing function) 29 provided near the recording track 4 is reciprocated in microns in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction a by a head access mechanism (not shown), and a desired recording track 28 is moved. This is done by selecting .

FIG. 5 shows the recording format of the index recording track 281. For 256 blocks, for example, every third block from the fourth block, that is, the fourth
．． 7th. 10th. 13th. ...Index information is recorded in each block, and these are recorded in the first frame (
IF), second frame (2F).

3rd frame (3F), 4th frame (4F),...
It is called. Note that the two blocks provided between each frame serve as invalid information areas (LG) for searching index information, which will be described later. In this embodiment, this invalid information area is a gap in which nothing is recorded, but for example, dummy information may be recorded therein. Therefore, each frame has a frame start code (EOL).
), 256 items from 1st to 256th (IT
), Mizuko's 41J check code (VP), recording gap (GAP), and end of frame code (EOF). In addition, each item is
An index code (IDC) consisting of alphanumeric symbols of up to 16 characters, a track number (TNO) in which image information with this index code name is recorded, and the first block number (B
It consists of NO). Therefore, in this example, 2
The 56 pieces of index information constitute one unit of index information group, and these are recorded in one frame. The alphanumeric symbol in the above index code consists of a 7-unit code and a 1-bit vertical parity check code, and the track number and block number each consist of a 7-unit code and a 1-bit vertical parity check code. It consists of a tea check code. In this index recording track 28X, index information with exactly the same content is recorded multiple times in order to shorten the search time for index information and eliminate the influence of dropouts. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the same index information is recorded four times for one revolution of the tape 23 every 21 frames. In the case of FIG. 6, the same index information is recorded for each of FD1 to FD, and FDI is the first frame.

FD! is the 22nd frame, FD3 is the 43rd frame, F
D starts from the 64th frame. Here, the above FD1
% F'I) is referred to as a file information group consisting of all index information for image information that can be recorded on one tape 23, respectively.

Now, how image information is stored and retrieved will be explained in more detail using FIGS. 1 and 2.

First, when the power is turned on, the CPU (central or processing unit) 8 displays the display section 22 as shown in Fig. 7 (a).
), display the guide text for "(R) Kensaku", r (S)
)Uroku”, “Ya)Sakujo”, “(C)Henkora”
The operator is guided and instructed to select the desired mode. Therefore, the operator uses the key date 21 to select the desired mode (i.e., press key R for search mode, press key S for registration mode, press key D for delete mode, etc.). Key C is pressed when in change mode.

In this way, when the new line key (NL) is pressed, C
The PU 8 checks whether the key S is pressed and determines whether the selected mode is the registration mode. As a result of this determination, if, for example, search mode, deletion mode, or change mode is selected, processing is performed in accordance with the selected mode. In addition, when the registration mode is selected, the CPU 8
The guidance text shown in FIG. 7(b) is displayed and the operator is instructed to input index information of the image information to be registered.

Therefore, the operator uses the key date 21 to input index information. At this time, display section 2! Index information is displayed next to the guidance instructions displayed on the screen.

When the initial key (INIT) is pressed in this way, C
The PU 8 displays the guidance text shown in FIG. 7 (,) on the display unit 22, and returns to the state where the mode can be specified. However, the initial key (INIT) was not pressed and the new line key (NL) was pressed.
When is pressed, it is determined whether index information has been input. As a result of this judgment, if index information has been input, the CPU 8 operates the magnetic tape device 6,
While running the tape 23, the head 29 is positioned on the index recording track 281, and the track 28 is
1 starts playing. Then, CPU 8 uses DMA (
Direct memory access control) By giving a transfer command for one frame to J4, DMA1
4 gives a reproduction command to the recording and reproduction circuit 15. Then, the recording/reproducing circuit 15 receives the reproduction signal from the head 29, and
Thereafter, the recording/reproducing circuit 15 records the last index information recorded on the index recording track 281. Recording start index information (consisting of a special code and a recording start address at which the next new image information should be recorded) added to the ninth When the DMA 14 detects the
The index information group in the frame in which the recording start index information accepted by the recording start index information exists is directly stored in the RAM (random access memory) 13. and CPU
8 is the index information input above and RAM J
The index information sequentially retrieved from the first item of the index information group stored in step 3 is compared with the index information to determine whether matching index information is recorded. As a result of this determination, for example, if matching index information exists, the CPU 8 displays the guidance text shown in FIG. 7(C) on the display unit 22, indicating that matching index information exists, The operator is prompted to select whether or not to erase the current image and replace it with the information that is currently being recorded. Therefore, the operator presses the knee line key (NL) and then presses the key Y in key date 21 when it is okay to erase the existing image information and replace it with the image information that is about to be recorded. Press the knee line key (NL) and then press the key N in key date 21. However,
When the new line key (NL) and key N are pressed, the CP
U8 again displays the guidance text shown in FIG. 7(b) on the display unit 2z, and instructs the operator to find the index information of the image information to be registered.

Then, the same operation is repeated. Also, when the new line key (NL) and key Y are pressed, the CPU, ! ? displays the guidance text shown in FIG. 7(d) on the display unit 22, and displays the image information 3.
The operator is guided and instructed to set the image on the two-dimensional scanning device 4. When image information 3 is set based on this guide, the CPU 8 confirms that it has been set, and sets the track number (TNO) and block number (BNO) that constitute the recording start address at which new image information should be recorded. is stored in the RAM 13 and read out from among the index information group. In response, the CPU 8 operates the two-dimensional scanning device 4, temporarily stores the image information from the two-dimensional scanning device 4 in the page buffer (PR) 12, and transfers the contents of the PR 12 to the magnetic tape device 6. supply to.

In the above operation, if there is no matching index information when checking the index information input from the key date 21 and the index information recorded in the image information recording section 6, then after recording the index information, The CPU 8 displays the guide characters shown in FIG. 7(d) on the display section 22, and instructs the operator to set the image information 3 in the two-dimensional scanning device 1t4, and thereafter starts operating in the same manner. ing.

By the way, the two-dimensional scanning device 4 two-dimensionally scans image information 3 such as a set document using Raded light and photoelectrically converts the image information 3. This photoelectrically converted image information is stored in the line buffer 10 via the selector 91 for each -scanning line. At this time, if one unit (one page) of image information is stored as it is, a very large capacity storage circuit is required.

However, since image information often contains a great deal of redundancy, it is advantageous to store it compressed (less redundant). Therefore, in this example:
By supplying the line information stored in the line buffer 10 to the signal compression circuit 11 via the selector 92,
Bandwidth compression is performed by well-known MH (Model 7 Ide-Hoffman) conversion, and the compressed line information is supplied to the page buffer 12 via the selector 93 and stored sequentially.

When all the image information for one unit is stored in the page buffer 12, the CPU 8 moves the head 29 to the information recording track 282 where new image information is to be recorded, and then the image information in the page buffer 12 is stored. The magnetic tape device 6,
By supplying the new image information to the head 29, the new image information starts to be recorded in the designated block, the block two blocks after the block in which image information has already been recorded.

After that, when all the image information for one unit has been recorded, C
The PU 8 reads the contents of a block counter (not shown) at that time and checks whether the value is smaller than the block number r254J of the last block that can be recorded. Here, the block counter is provided in the CPU a, is cleared by the output of the mark detector 27, and is counted up by a clock pulse (with a period of about 28 m5) generated in synchronization with the running of the chip f23. One revolution of the tape 23 counts from 0 to 255. As a result of the above check, if the value of the block counter is smaller than r254J, the content of the counter that has been successively mentioned above, that is, the block number is r+
3 J l, stored in RAM 13 as an index search memory along with the track number at the time of levering, r
If it is equal to 254J, the block number stored in the RAM 13 is set to "2" and the track number is incremented by "+1". That is, by doing this, the recording start address (track number, block number) at which the next new image information is to be recorded is stored in the RAM 13. Note that the contents of the block counter are l-25.
Even with 4J, there are 91 information recording tracks and 28.
If recording of image information for one unit is not completed even when the last block (block number r254) is reached, C
At that point, the PU 8 temporarily stops recording, moves the head 29 to the next new adjacent information recording track 282, continues recording the remaining image information, and when all is finished, stores the recording start address in the RAM in the same manner as above. 13. At this time, the CPU 8 displays the track number and block number of the recording start address on the display section of the input bag R2, thereby allowing the operator to know the remaining usable information recording tracks and blocks. Note that the head 29 determines from which block of which information recording track new image information should be recorded immediately after the tape 23 of the magnetic tape device 6 starts running.
The index recording track 281 is played back, and the recording start/index information added after the last index information recorded on the index recording track 281,
In other words, it detects the trunk number (TNO) and block number (BNO) in the last item (IT) in which a special code (other than alphanumeric symbols) unique to the index code (IDC) section is recorded, and stores them in RAM. IJ
This becomes possible by memorizing the information.

In this way, once new image information has been recorded,
In order to record the index information of the image information on the index recording track 281, the CPU 8 uses the head 2
9 is moved to the index recording track 281, and the above index information is recorded. In other words, assuming that the new image information just recorded is the 356th one (this means immediately after the tape 23 starts running, check what frame and what item number the item with the special code is). ), the 100th item of the second frame (2F) of file information group FD2 (
100IT), the 100th item (100IT) in the 23rd frame (23F) of the file information group FD2, the 10th item (100IT) in the 44th frame (44F) of the file information group FD3
0 item (100IT), 100th item (100I) of the 65th frame (65F) of file information group FD4
It is sufficient to repeatedly record a new picture ', index code of l information, track number, and block number four times for T). However, the index information that has already been recorded is
4 each second frame (2F, 23F, 44F
.

65F), and it is very difficult to record new index information in addition to this. Because, as mentioned above, tape 23
Because the is running at high speed, the 99th item and the 10th item
There is a gap between the 0 items and the item is likely to be discontinuous. Therefore, in this embodiment, a processing method as described below is used.

For example, if the invalid information area (LG) between the first frame and the second frame of the file information group FD 1 is passing through the head 29, the CPU 8 sends information to the DMA (direct memory access controller) 14. A transfer command for one frame is given to the transfer command. Then D.A.M.
14 receives a reproduction signal from the head 29 by giving a reproduction command to the recording and reproduction circuit 15, and when the recording and reproduction circuit I5 detects a frame start code (EOL), the DMA 14 temporarily stops the operation of the CPU 8. Finally, the reproduction signal received by the recording and reproduction circuit 15, that is, the index information group of the second frame, is directly stored in the RAM 1.
3. Store it in the designated area. Then, the recording/reproducing circuit 15
detects a frame end code (EOF), DM
A14 stops operating. Then, the CPU 8 starts operating again, detects the special code stored in the area corresponding to the m1oo item in the RAM IJ, and uses the recording start index information including the special code as new image information. Rewrite the index code (IDC), track number (TNO), and block number (BNO). When this process is finished, the CPU 8
In the area corresponding to the 101st item in MJS, record start index information consisting of a special code and a record start address (track number and block number) at which the next new image information stored above should be recorded. Write. When this process is finished, the CPU,! ? gives an erase command to the recording and reproducing circuit 15, and gives a reverse transfer command for one frame to the DMA 14, thereby deleting the second frame of each of the file information groups FD 1 to FD 4 (
2F, 23F, 44F, 65F) are erased by the head 29, and
1 edited again in RAM 13 as described above.
Recording and reproducing circuit 15 for recording new index information group for one frame
are sequentially recorded in the second frame of file information group FD Z, the 23rd frame of file information group F'D 2, the 44th frame of file information group FD 3, and the 65th frame of file information group FD 4. It is something.

In this way, the storage of one unit of image information and the registration of its in-7'nox information are completed. A flowchart of the main part of the above operation is shown in FIG.

Next, the search and reproduction output of the image information recorded as described above will be explained. Now, when a search command and an index code for necessary image information are input from the input device 2, the CPU 8 causes the tape 23 to run and the head 29 to move to the index recording track 281.
Position it on that track 28! Start playing. For example, now the third block of tape 23 (block number “
3'') is passing through the head 29, the CPU
8 gives a transfer command for one frame to DMA Z 4. Then, the DMA I 4 accepts the reproduction signal from the head 29 by giving a reproduction command to the recording and reproduction circuit 15, and when the recording and reproduction circuit 15 detects a frame start code (EOL), the DMA I 4 controls the CPU R. The reproduction signal is temporarily stopped, and the reproduction signal accepted by the recording and reproduction circuit 15, that is, the index information group of the first frame, is directly stored in a designated area of the RAM 13. and,
When the recording/reproducing circuit 15 outputs a frame end code (EFO) tl, the DMA 14 stops operating. Then C
The PU 8 sequentially extracts the same index code as the index code of the required image information from the index information group of the first frame transferred to the RAM 13, starting from the first item by comparing it with the input index code. Go. During this time, the invalid information area (LG) between the first frame and the second frame is passing through the head 29.

At this time, for example, for all the index codes in the first frame, if the first to fifth characters of the head are different from the required index code, that is, the input index code, then the index code for the first frame The search will be completed in a very short time. Therefore, in this case, the CPU & checks that the content of the block counter is less than "7" (it is below the 6th block) and then checks that the second frame has not yet passed through the head 29. After confirming that there is no
A transfer command for the next frame is given to the DMA 14 again. Then, through the same operation as in the case of the first frame described above, the index information group of the second frame becomes R.
AM 13, and the CPU 8 starts searching for it. At this time, for example, for most of the 256 index codes in the second frame, the first 14th character matches that of the input index code, the last 02 characters are different, and the second frame index If there is no index code identical to the input index code in the information group, searching for the index code for the second frame will take a very long time. therefore,
It is assumed that during this time, the third and fourth frames have already passed through the head 29, and the 14th block is reached when the search for the second frame ends. Then, the CPU 8 reads the contents of the block counter (at this time, it is "4") and remembers that the 7V-me that could not be retrieved will be deleted in the third and fourth frames. Similarly, this search operation is repeated for the fifth frame, the sixth frame, etc. until the same index code as the required index code is found.

However, if you cannot find an index code that is the same as the index code you need, and you search in the item trench where the index code is a special code, you will find that no more index information is recorded in the file. The search for information #FD 1 is terminated, and the CPU 8 starts searching for the third and fourth frames, which have become unsearchable. That is,
After the gap between the file information groups FD I and FD 2 passes through the head 29, the file information groups FD 2 to 3
The search is started for the th frame, that is, the 24th frame, and the fourth frame, that is, the 25th frame.

However, if there is no necessary index code even in the 24th frame and there are many similar codes, the search time will be long, and if the 25th frame has already passed through the head 29 by the time the search ends, the CPU 8
starts searching for the fourth frame of the next file information group FD30, that is, the 46th frame. At this time,
If an index code that is the same as the required index code (the input index code) is found, CPtJ 8 is the same as the index code (I
DC) The following track number (TNO) and block number (BNO) are read from the index information group (46th frame) in the RAM 13, and then stored in the RAM again.
13 designated areas. Then, the CPU 8 selects the information recording track 28 corresponding to the stored track number.
．． At t, the head 29 is moved and playback of that track is started. At this time, the block counter is operating, so when the count matches the block number stored above, the CPU 8 sends the playback signal from that point on, that is, the image information, to the page via the recording/playback circuit 15 and the selector 93.・Stored in Gutufa 12. When all the reproduced image information for one unit is stored in the R-zibuffer I2, the CPU 8 supplies the image information (compressed information) to the signal expansion circuit 16 for each scanning line, thereby performing inverse transformation. The image information is expanded to the original image information and sequentially supplied to the line buffer 10 via the selector 91. The line information supplied to the line buffer 10 is
The information is sequentially supplied to the recording device 5 via the selector 92 as a serial information signal synchronized with the recording timing of the recording device 5, so that the recording device 5 outputs reproduced image information as a hard copy 7.

In the above embodiment, the image information storage and retrieval device includes:
Although the case has been described in which the present invention is applied to a magnetic tape device for recording or reproducing image information such as documents, the present invention can be similarly applied to a magnetic tape device for recording or reproducing other information. In addition, although the case has been described in which it is applied to a magnetic tape device that uses an endless magnetic tape as a recording medium, for example, a magnetic chip device that uses a normal magnetic tape that is not endless, or a magnetic disk device that uses a magnetic disk as a recording medium, and furthermore, Optical disk devices that use optical disks as recording media, etc.
It can be similarly implemented in other similar information storage devices.

As detailed above, according to the present invention, an index code input from an input device is compared with an index code stored together with image information, and it is determined whether a matching index code is stored according to the comparison result. Since the index code that has been read out is displayed and a guide is displayed to prompt the user to select whether or not to delete the read index code, it is possible to provide an image information storage system that can prevent the same index code from being recorded.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings are only for explaining one embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a schematic configuration diagram of the image information storage and retrieval device.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the magnetic tape device's cartridge and its feeding mechanism; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the track configuration and block configuration of the magnetic tape; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the recording formant of the index recording track in detail, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the recording formant for the magnetic Chigou group of the index recording trunk, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Main control device, 2... Input device, 21... Keyboard, 22... Display unit, 3... Image information, 4...
... Two-dimensional scanning device, 5... Recording device, 6... Magnetic tape device, 7... Hard copy, 8... CPU,
13...RAM, J4...DMA, 15...
Recording/reproducing circuit, 23... Magnetic tape (recording medium), 2
8... Recording track, 281... Index recording track, 282... Information recording track, 29...
Recording/reproducing head (magnetic head), F... frame, L
G...Invalid, Information area, IT...Item, I
DC...index code, TNO...track number, BNO...block number, FD 1 to FD 4
...File information group. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An apparatus for storing image information together with an index code assigned to each piece of image information, comprising: means for reading out the stored index code; an input device for inputting the index code; means for comparing the index code input from the input device with the index code input from the input device; and when the comparison result by the means matches, it displays that a matching index code is stored, and the read index A method for storing image information, comprising: a means for displaying a guide to select whether or not to delete a code; and a method for storing image information.