KR900008403B1 - Image data search network system - Google Patents

Abstract

No content.

Description

Image Information Retrieval Network System

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of an image information retrieval network system of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of an advanced work station (AWS) shown in FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of the image information processing apparatus (IIP) shown in FIG.

4A to 4C are diagrams showing the operating states of a retrieval program, an image file transfer program and a print program at the time of image information retrieval processing, respectively.

5A to 5H each show a change caused by an image information processing instruction between an area displayed on AWS of the image information and the area display thereof.

6 shows the display of function keys and their meanings.

7 is an overall flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

8A is a flowchart showing the transfer of a control data file in the generation of a search operation boot command.

Fig. 8B is a flowchart showing up to the display of control data in the control data file.

9 is a flowchart showing the setting of a search condition when executing a function search.

10 is a flowchart of file searching.

11 is a flowchart at the time of page search.

Fig. 12A is a flowchart showing generation of recall information processing instructions for display page image information.

12B is a flowchart showing processing after instruction generation.

Fig. 13A is a flowchart at the time of file printing.

Fig. 13B is a flowchart when printing a page.

14A to 14G show changes in image display during image information search.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1: Image information filing device 2: Search station

3: terminal controller 4: communication line network

5: image information processing apparatus 6: file directory apparatus

11,42 controller 12 CRT display

13: key board 14: scanner

15: printer 16: optical disk drive device

17: magnetic disk drive device 20: distributed processing terminal control device

21: image information file storage 22: control data file storage

23: graphics printer 31: microprocessor

32: page memory 36: bit mover

37: arithmetic unit 38: parallel serial conversion circuit

45,46,52: Interface 53: Character pattern generator

54: graphic pattern generator 55: buffer memory

56 decoding controller 58: image data decoder

60,62: Extractor 59,63: Converter

64: image data encoder

The present invention relates to an image information retrieval network system configured to be connected to an image information filing apparatus (image information bank station) using an optical disc via a communication line network and share at least one image retrieval terminal. Recently, an image filing device using an optical disc as a recording medium has been widely used and used. This kind of image filing device aims to store a large number of image images and to retrieve and output them at high speed. However, it is conventionally used as a so-called stand alone configuration in which the apparatus is used alone. Therefore, if the frequency of using the devices with each other is relatively high, for example, in a department relatively far from an office or the like, the devices had to be individually disposed at each place. This caused various problems in terms of installation space, cost or operational efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been studied in view of the above circumstances, and is a network for sharing an image information filing device using an image information filing device as an image information bank station, and a device containing a plurality of image retrieval terminals as a retrieval station. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image information retrieval network system in which a plurality of relatively separated departments can receive a common search and supply of image information filed in an image filing apparatus.

The network system stores a plurality of image information files connected to a communication line network and the line network and composed of at least one page of image information, and in response to an image information transmission request input through the communication line network. Image information bank station means for reading out and outputting the read image information to the communication line network, file directory means for storing management information of the image information file stored in the image information bank station means, Image information processing means for processing image information input in response to the image information processing command, and connected to the communication line network, for processing the search command and the image information to retrieve the image information file according to the control data file. Generating an image information processing command, and responding to the generated search command Accessing the directory means reads out management information, outputs an image information transmission request conforming to the management information to the image information bank station means via the communication line network, and from the image information bank station means in response to the image information transmission request. And retrieving station means for storing and displaying image information input through said communication line network, and outputting image information stored with said image information processing instruction to said image information processing means for reading and displaying the processed image information. do.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of retrieving image information that can reduce overhead of a communication line network in an image information retrieval network system constructed using a communication line network, the method comprising: image information designated at one retrieval station. Generating a search command for the image information, outputting the image information transmission request to the image information bank station through the communication line network, and reading the image information in response to the image information transmission request from the image information bank station, Outputting the read image information to the communication line network according to the image information transmission request, storing the image information input through the communication line network in response to the retrieval command, and generating an image information processing command to generate the image information processing command. Processing the image information to be stored in response to the received patterned image information; It consists of storing and displaying.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an image information retrieval network system capable of reducing the overhead of a communication line network. The network system includes a communication line network; Generates a search instruction and an image information processing instruction for the designated image information, stores the image information input in response to the search instruction, outputs the image information stored with the image information processing instruction, and processes in response to the image information processing instruction. Terminal means for inputting, storing and displaying the patterned image information; The image information transmission request is outputted to the image information bank station via the communication line network in response to the search command according to the search command inputted from the terminal means, and the image information input through the communication line network is stored. Outputting the designated image information to the terminal means, inputting an image information processing instruction and image information from the terminal means, processing the input image information in response to the image information processing instruction, and processing the processed patterned image information into the terminal. Terminal control means for outputting to the means; Image information bank station means for reading out the image information in response to the image information transmission request and outputting the read image information to the communication line network in accordance with the image information transmission request.

As described above, according to the image information search network system according to the present invention, the same effects as described below can be obtained.

The image information file storage device of the retrieval station installed in a plurality of relatively remote locations connected using a communication line network can receive the supply of the image information filed to the image information filing device as the image information bank station in common. By using the image information filing device effectively, an image information retrieval network system capable of reducing installation space and cost can be constructed.

Further, the image information file storing apparatus stores a predetermined number of page information, for example, three pages of image information for each of the plurality of image information retrieval terminals connected to the terminal control relay, and each image information retrieval terminal. As AWS, a designated one page of image information is stored and displayed so that the overhead of the communication line network and the terminal control relay can be reduced.

In addition, a file directory device that stores management information for retrieving image information stored in the image information filing device can be provided in some of the retrieval stations, and can be used in other retrieval stations. This can simplify the system.

In addition, the image information processing apparatus may directly access the image information retrieval terminal as well as the terminal control relay. This makes it possible to flexibly configure the system according to the frequency of use of the individual image information retrieval terminals.

The terminal control relay apparatus is a distributed processing type and executes a search process for each image information search terminal. The image file transfer process and the print process can be driven separately from the search process. As a result, the connected image information retrieval terminal, the printing device, and the storage devices of the image information file and the control data file can be controlled independently.

The retrieval processing time is shortened because the search condition is set by combining the retrieval items of the image information, the relevant image information is examined, and the specified image information is transmitted.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image information retrieval network system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the configuration of one embodiment of a network system will be described in detail. The network system includes an image information filing unit (IFU) 1 to an image information bank station for storing image information, and a retrieval station 2 for searching for necessary image information. connection via a local area network (4).

Here, for example, when referring to the search station 2, the search stations 2-a, 2-b,... Represents. The same is true for other cases. The IFU 1 includes a controller (CTRL) 11 that controls the control of the entire filing device, a CRT display (CRT) 12 used for image display / operation guidance / trouble indicators, and an alpha nuume to input various data. Key board (KB) provided with leak keys, pen keys, cursor keys, image information processing keys for processing such as enlargement / reduction / rotation / inversion of image information, and function keys including Kana Kanji conversion (13) ), A scanner (SCN) 14 for inputting a document to be filing, a printer (PRT) 15 for printing and outputting image information and lists, and an optical disk drive apparatus (OPD) for recording image information files ( 16) a magnetic disk drive (MDK) 17 for storing control data files and the like for retrieving image information files registered in this OPD 16, and an optical disk storage (not shown) for storing optical disks. do.

In response to the control data file transfer request from the retrieval station, the CTRL 11 outputs the control file stored in the MDK 17 via the communication line network 4 to the retrieval station indicated in the transfer request.

In addition, when an image information transmission request including management information is input from a search station, the CTRL 11 accesses the OPD 16 and reads out the corresponding image information according to the image information via the communication line LAN 4. The read image information is outputted to the retrieval station displayed on the transfer request.

The CTRL 11 reads the control data file stored in the MDK 17 by the instruction from the KB 13 and outputs it to the CRT 12 for display or to the PRT 15 for printing. As described above, the control data file displayed on the CRT 12 may be corrected or a new control data file may be created and stored in the MDK 17. Similarly, the image information stored in the OPD 16 can be output to the PRT 15 or the CRT 12.

In addition, the image information from the SCN 14 is stored in the OPD 16 by the instruction from the KB 13. At this time, since the image information input from the SCN 14 is only quantized, the CTRL 11 outputs and encodes the input quantized image information to a predetermined IIP 5 which will be described later, and inputs the encoded image information to OPD. We store in (16). In this way, it is possible to update and add image information stored in the OPD 16.

The retrieval station 2 includes an advanced work station (AWS) 30 as an image information retrieval terminal, a terminal control relay unit (TCR) 3 to which the AWS 30 is connected, and It is composed of a graphic printer (GP) 23 for connecting to the TCT 3 and for printing the search results.

The retrieval station 2, like the station 2-a, is used for retrieving image information stored in the image information processing apparatus (IIP) 5 and the IFU 1 for processing image information. There is a file directory device (FD) 6 for storing the information.

The TCR 3 is a distributed terminal control device (DP) 20 for controlling a retrieval operation such as transmission control of image information in response to a command from the AWS 30, and an image information file for storing image information. File storage unit comprising an IP (image information file storing unit) 21 and a control data file storing unit (CF) 22 for storing a control data file for retrieval. It consists of (7).

The DP 20 is composed of a distributed processing computer, for example, a DP10 type commercially available from Toshiba, and is connected to a LAN 4 through a communication control device (ECP) (not shown). Connected. The DP 20 reads a plurality of pages of image information from the IPU 1, and in this embodiment, three pages of image information in accordance with a search condition input from the connected AWS 30, and communicates with a communication line network (LAN) ( The process for blowing into the file storing part 7 via 4) is performed.

The IF 21 and the CF 22 are connected to the DP 20, the IF 21 stores the image information for three pages read out, and the CF 22 stores the control data file for the retrieval processing. do. In the example of the present embodiment, in the search station 2-a, the IF 21-a is all image search terminals AWS 30-a-1 and 30-a- controlled by the DP 20-a. 2) each has three pages of image information file storage areas. Those three pages are the pages displayed and the pages before and after them.

The graphic printer (GP) 23 prints the image information file read out from the file storage section 7-a in response to a print command from the AWS 30. The image information stored in the AWS 30 can also be read out and printed.

The FD 6 is connected to one of the search stations in the system and is shared by other search stations. That is, the search station 2-a has a file directory device 6-a, but the search station 2-b does not have a file directory device, and when it is necessary to obtain management information, The DP 20-b can refer to the file directory 6-a of the station 2-a by outputting the management information transmission request to the station 2-a via the communication line network 4. At this time, the DP 20-a sends the obtained management information to the station 2-b which generated the management information transmission request.

Further, when a management information transmission request is generated from another search station, for example, station 2-b, the DP 20-a of the station 2-a refers to the FD 6-a to manage information. Obtains and sends the image information transmission request to the IFU (1-a) accordingly. At this time, the DP 20-a may display the station 2-b as a transfer place of the image information searched for the image information transfer request. By doing in this way, the processing time in another station can be shortened.

When the frequency of use of the communication line network 4 and the FD 6-a is not very high, such a configuration can reduce the cost of the system. When the frequency of use is high and a high speed search is required, a file directory 6 may be installed in each station.

The image information processing apparatus (IIP) 5 is also similar to the FD 6, but the IIP 5 generally has a higher frequency of use than the FE 6. In addition, since the time required for the processing of the image information is required, in the case of a specific image information retrieval terminal (AWS) such as the IIP (5-a-2) of the retrieval station 2-a, the AWS 30-a-2 It can be connected and used exclusively. As a result, when the frequency of use of the connected AWS 30-a-2 is high, high-speed processing of both image information becomes possible, which is particularly effective. As described above, in the image information retrieval network system according to the present invention, the configuration of the system can be made flexible.

The operation of the search station will be described taking the station 2-a as an example.

The DP 20-a generates a control data file transfer request in response to a retrieval operation boot command generated from an image information retrieval terminal, for example, AWS 30-a-1. The control data file transfer request is output to, for example, the IFU 1-a via the communication line network 4. The control data file sent from the IFU 1-a in response to the request is stored in the CF 22-a.

The control data of the control data file stored in the CF 22-a is code data and is not displayed as it is. Therefore, when it is necessary to display the control data, for example, the control data is sent to the IIP (5-a-1), returned to the patterned data, and then sent to the image information retrieval terminal that issued the search operation boot command. Is displayed.

Also, the DP 20-a boots an image file transfer program in response to the image information retrieval command from the AWS 30-a-1. In response to the input search command, the FD 6-a is accessed to obtain management information, and an image information transmission request is output to the IFU 1. In response to the request, the image file read out from the IFU 1 is stored in the IF 21-a. The image file storage device can store three pages of image information, but when the file search command is executed, only the first two pages of the searched image file are read out and stored in the IF 21-a. Since the DP 20-a is a decentralized device, the image information is stored in the IF 21-a, and the image information corresponding to the first page is sent to the search terminal AWS 30-a-1 which generated the file search command. do.

When the page search command is input from the AWS 30-a-1, the DP 20-a responds to the image corresponding to the page specified by the page search command among the image files stored in the IF 21-a. The information is sent to AWS 30-a-1. At the same time, the image file transfer program is booted. The FD 6-a is accessed in accordance with the input search command to obtain management information, and the image information transmission request is output to the IFU 1. In response to the request, an image file corresponding to the next or previous page specified by the page search command is read. That is, when the next page is designated by the page search command, the next page of the next page or the page specified by the page search command designates the page preceding the page on which the current page is displayed. . The image information file read out from the IFU 1 is stored in the IF 2l-a. When the image information command is input from the AWS 30-a-1, for example, the DP 20-a reads the image information from the AWS 30-a-1 to the IIP 5-a-1. Output The IIP (5-a-1) processes the input image information according to the image information processing instruction, and temporarily stores the processed patterned image information. The patterned image information is sent to the AWS 30-a-1 via the DP 20-a for display.

The image information sent to the image information retrieval terminal 30 by a file retrieval command or a page retrieval command is encoded image information in this embodiment. Therefore, after being sent to AWS 30, it is displayed after patterning processing by the above image information processing instruction.

When a page command occurs in the AWS 30, image information corresponding to a printing program is read out from the IF 6. The read image information is patterned in the IIP (5-a-1) and then output to the GP 23-a. This results in the printing result of the desired image information.

At this time, it may print using the image information stored in AWS30.

When the file print command is generated in AWS 30, the print program and the image file transfer program are booted. The image information is read out from the IFU 1 and stored in the IF 21-a in the same manner as in the image information search command. The stored image information is sent to the IIP (5-a-1), processed in the same manner as when printing the page, and then output to the GP 23-a for printing. In this embodiment, since the storage area for one page is prepared for printing, the image file is transmitted every page, and the image information is transferred from the IF 21-a to the IIP 5-a-1. Image information corresponding to the page is sent from the IFU 1.

In this method, the frequency of use of the communication line network and the IFU 1 increases, but if a storage capacity of the IF 2-1 a can be increased, a larger amount of image information can also be collectively transmitted.

In the case of the AWS 30-a-2, the process followed by the image information processing instruction is executed by the IIP 5-a-2. In response to the image information processing request from the IFU 1, the DP 20-a obtains quantized image information from the IFU 1, outputs it to the IIP (5-a-1), and encodes it. The encoded image information is sent to the IFU 1 through the communication line network 4.

In the above description, the search station 2-a has been described, but the case of the search station 2-b is as follows.

In this embodiment, when the retrieval of image information is required for the IFU 1, for example, when the file retrieval command, page retrieval command, and file print command are executed, the FD of the retrieval station 2-a is used to obtain management information. See (6-a). For example, when the image information processing instruction is executed, the IIP (5-a-1) of the search station 2-a is referred to.

If a file directory device / or image information processing device is provided in the retrieval station 2-b, the retrieval operation speed of both retrieval stations 2-a and 2-b can be improved.

Next, the image retrieval terminal (AWS) 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. AWS 30-a-1 and 30-b-1 have the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, the AWS 30 is connected to the AWS bus 49 and has a microprocessor (μCPU) 31 that controls its own terminal device. The AWS 30 also has a page memory (PM) 32 for storing image information and the like of a designated page to be displayed, which is input via the interface 45 connected to the AWS bus 49. The bit mover (BMV) 36 connected to the AWS bus 49 transfers the patterned data input from the outside to the bitmap memory (BMM) through the graphic display controller (GDC) 34 connected to the AWS bus 49. 35 to control the high-speed transmission. The BMM 35 stores display image patterning data for one screen (partial area of the page) displayed on the display screen of the CRT display unit 33. The arithmetic unit 37 simultaneously inputs the patterned data read out from the BMM 35 and the patterned data transmitted by the BMV 36 according to the instruction of the μCPU 31, takes their logical sums, and outputs them to the BMM 35. To store.

The GDC 34 is an LSI that manages the interface between the AWS bus 49 and the CRT display unit 33, and is configured using, for example, PD7284 made in Japan Electric. The patterned data stored in the BMM 35 is read out from the BMM 35 under the control of the GDC 34 and the CRT through a parallel-to-serial conversion circuit (P / S) 38 for converting into a bit serial video signal. It is supplied to 33 and displayed.

An input device 40 composed of an input unit 41 such as a key board (KB) and a controller (KBC) 42 is also connected to the AWS bus 49.

The AWS 30-a-2 has an interface 46 connected to the AWC bus 49 in addition to the above configuration, and is configured to enable data transfer between the IIPs 5-a-2.

The retrieval station 2 using the image information retrieval terminal 30 having the above configuration uses the image information processing apparatus 5 to display the control data and to pattern the character code data and the graphic code data. . However, if the pattern generator 47 has a pattern generator 47 and there is room in the storage area of the page memory 32 as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 2, the control data can be displayed by a high-speed patterning process.

Next, the operation of the image information retrieval terminal shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

When the KB 41 is operated by the operator, the operation is output by the KBC 42 to the µCPU 31 via the AWS bus 49 as corresponding code data. The micro CPU 31 determines whether the corresponding code data corresponds to a command or is simple data. When the input code data corresponds to the command, the command is generated and sent to the DP 20 through the interface 45. When the input code data is simple data, it is displayed on the CRT 33 and sent to the DP 20-a.

When the data input from the input device is a file search command or a page search command, the command is sent to the DP 20 via the interface 45. Patterning control data corresponding to the control data is input via the interface 45 until the image information corresponding to the command is input. The BMV 36 stores the patterning control data input by the instruction from the µCPU 31 in the BMM 35.

Thereafter, one page of image information is transferred from the DP 20 to the PM 32 for storage. When the storing is completed, an image information processing instruction is issued from the µCPU 31, and the image information processing instruction is transmitted to the IIP 5 via the interface 45 and the DP 20 together with the image information stored in the PM 32. Is sent to. At this time, the µCPU 31 sends a command, passes control to the BMV 31, and performs data transfer. Further, arithmetic instructions are output to arithmetic unit 37.

When the processing at the IIP 5 is completed, the processed patterning data is read by the DP 20 and input to the AWS 30. In the AWS 30, the BMV 36 transmits data according to an instruction from the µCPU 31. The address to store the data sent by the BMV 36 is accessed by the CDC 34. The data stored at the address is read and input to one side of the computing device 37. Data to be transmitted under the control of the BMV 36 is input to the other input of the computing device 37, and a logical sum is taken by the computing device 37, and the result is stored in the above address.

The BMM 35 is then accessed by the GDC 34 and displayed on the CRT 33 via the PS 38.

When the data input from the input device 40 is an image information processing instruction, it is the same as the above case.

When the command input from the input device 40 is a page print command, the command is sent to the DP 20. In the DP 20, a print program is booted, the image information stored in the IF 21-a is read out, and the image information is printed. When the command input from the input device 40 is a file print command, the command is sent to the DP 20 so that the image file transfer program and the print program are booted, and the image file is read from the IFU 1 and printed. .

In the case of the page print command and the file print command, the image information stored in the IF 21-a is encoded image information, and therefore it is necessary to perform decoding processing by the IIP (5-a-1).

When the data input from the input device 40 is a response to the control data, the data is sent to the DP 20 via the interface 45. In response to the reply, the DP 20 sends the next control data to the AWS 30 or performs other processing. If the data to be sent next is control data, and the graphic data does not need to be changed, the control data is patterned by the IIP 5, and then the BMM ( It is written in two kinds on the data stored in 35).

When the IIP 5-a-2 is directly connected to the AWS 30-a-2, the µCPU 31 sends processing instructions to the IIP through the interface 46, and the same as above without passing through the DP 20. Execute the action.

The IIP 5 will be described below with reference to FIG. The basics thereof are described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-228528 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-2285530 "Image Data Processing" for the same applicant as the present invention, but the image information retrieval network system according to the present invention. I think it will be helpful to understand the content of the following description.

The IIP 5 is connected to the internal bus 69, and is connected to the CPU 51 for controlling the overall operation and to the internal buses 69 and 70, respectively, and an interface 52 for exchanging data with the outside. And 66, a buffer memory 55 connected to the internal bus 70 for storing data, and a processing unit interposed between the internal buses 69 and 70. The processing unit includes a character pattern generator 53 for converting the character code data into the character pattern data, a graphic pattern generator 54 for converting the graphic code data into the graphic pattern data, a decoding processing unit 71 and an encoding processing unit ( 72). The decoding processing unit 71 includes an image data input port 57 for inputting image data to be processed, an image data decoder 58 for decoding input image data, and an image data decoder for encoding input image data. A coder 58, a converter 59 for density conversion, enlargement and reduction, an extractor 60 for extracting data of a required range, an image data input port 57, and an image data decoder 58 , A decoder 59, and a decryption controller 56 for controlling the extractor 60. In addition, the encoding processing unit 72 includes an extractor 92 for extracting data in a required range, a converter 63 for density conversion, enlargement and reduction, an image data encoder 64 for encoding input image data, and image data. And an encoding controller 61 for controlling the extractor 62, the converter 63, the image data encoder 64, and the image data output port 65 for outputting the image data output port 65. .

Next, the operation will be described. Data and processing instructions are input from the outside via the interface 52. The CPU 51 outputs a control command in response to the processing command. For example, when the input command is a character code data conversion processing instruction, the input character code data is output to the character pattern generator 53 and converted into pattern data. The converted pattern data is stored in the buffer memory 55. When the input command is a graphic code data conversion processing command, it is the same as the character code data conversion processing command.

When the inputted command is an image information processing command according to a retrieval command and a file retrieval command, the CPU 51 instructs the decoding controller 56 to perform decoding processing, density conversion processing, and the CRT 33 of the AWS 30. When it is displayed on the screen, the control command is outputted so that the page and the upper left partial area are displayed.

The image information input via the interface 52 is input to the decoding processing unit 71 and processed according to the control command. The processed image information patterning data is stored in the buffer memory 55.

Other image information processing instructions, for example, an enlargement processing instruction, are also processed in the same manner as the above instructions.

When the processing of all the image information is completed, the CPU 51 informs the DP 20 of the completion of the processing. The DP 20 instructs AWS 30 to transmit the processing data in response to the processing completion. When the preparation in the AWS 30 is completed, the DP 20 reads the patterned image information from the buffer memory 55 through the interface 66 and transmits it to the AWS 30.

When the input command is an image information processing instruction relating to encoding, the CPU 51 outputs an instruction to the encoding processing unit 72. The image information input via the interface 66 is input to the buffer memory 55 and stored.

The stored image information is read in accordance with the instruction of the CPU 51 and output to the coding processing unit 72. When all the input image information is encoded, the extractor 62 is passed and density-converted by the converter 63. The density-converted image information is input to the image data encoder 64 and encoded, and then output to the outside through the image data output port 65 and the interface 52.

Various processing of the image information input as mentioned above is performed.

The operation of the embodiment of the image information retrieval network system of the present invention will be described below.

Now, a retrieval operation boot instruction is generated from the workstation as the image information retrieval terminal, for example, AWS 30-a-1. As a result, a control data file transfer request is generated, and as shown in step S1 in FIG. 7, the control data file is for example a magnetic disk drive (MDK) 17-a of the image data bank station 1-a. ) Is transmitted to the terminal control relay (TCR) (3-a) of the search station (2-a) via the communication circuit (4), and the control data file storage of the file storage unit (7-a). (CF) 22-a. It is then read by the DP 20-a, patterned by the image information processing apparatus (IIP) 5-a-1, and output to the AWS 30-a-1 in step S2.

The above description will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8A. When the key board (KB) 41 of the input device 40 of FIG. 2 is operated, the result is coded by the key board controller KBC 42 and output to the µCPU 31. The micro CPU 31 determines the code data from the input device 40 and generates a search operation boolean command as shown in step S30 of FIG. 8A. The generated search operation boolean command is sent to the distributed processing type terminal controller DP 20-a through the interface 45. When the DP 20-a receives the search operation boot command, it generates a control data file transfer request in step S32 in response to it.

In step S32, the DP 20-a sends a control data file transfer request to the image filing device IFU 1-a via the communication line network 4 in accordance with a predetermined transmission frame format. Upon receiving a control file transfer request from the DP 20-a, the controller CTRL 11-a of the IFU (1-a) drives the magnetic disk drive MDK 17-a to read the control data file to control data. A search station that has received a file transfer request, in this example, transmits a control data file to the station 2-a.

The DP 20-a of the TCR 3-a stores the received control data file in the control data file storage CF 22-a as indicated in step S34.

A part of the control data of the control data file stored in the CF 22-a in step S50 is read by the DP 20-a and supplied to the image processing apparatus IIP 5-a-1. The DP 20-a also outputs a code conversion command to the IIP 5-a-1.

The CPU 51 of the IIP 5-a-1 instructs the character pattern generator 53 to send input data in response to the code conversion command. The buffer memory 55 is also instructed with an address or the like for storing patterned data. Therefore, the character code data of the control data input to the IIP (5-a-1) is received via the interface 52 and supplied to the character pattern generator 53. Thus, in step S52, the data is converted into patterned character pattern data. The converted character pattern data is stored in the buffer memory 55 via the bus 70.

When the patterning process of the series of control data is finished, the CPU 51 of the IIP (5-a-1) informs the DP (2-a) of the end of the code conversion process. The DP 20-a outputs an indication to the AWS 30-a-1. The µCPU 31 of the AWS 30-a-1 receives an instruction through the interface 45 and drives the bit mover BMV 36 accordingly. The CPU 31 outputs a transmission ready signal to the DP 20-a via the interface 45.

As a result, the DP 20-a reads the patterned data from the buffer memory 55 of the IIP 5-a-1 through the interface 66 and outputs the same to the AWS 30-a-1. In step S54, the BMV 36 receives the patterned data from the DP 20-a through the interface 45 and sends it to the bitmap memory BMM 35 under the control of the graphic display controller GDC 34. Fill in.

The patterned data written in the BMM 35 is controlled by the GDC 34 and output to the parallel-serial converter PS 38. The PS 38 outputs the input data to the CRT 33 and displays it on the screen of the CRT 33. In this way, the main menu for image information search is displayed on the screen of the CRT 33 as shown in FIG. 14A.

If a search operation boolean command is issued at any part of the image information retrieval terminal AWS 30 connected to the DP 20, and the control data file is stored in the CF 22, from another AWS 30 in the same station. Even if the search operation boolean command is issued, the control data file is not transferred and immediately the flow of step S50 or below is executed to display the main menu.

The state of execution of the program at this time is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the distributed processing terminal controller DP 20 executes a retrieval program, an image file transfer program, and a print program. Their programs can be run independently without using the same constructs. In the transfer of the control data file and the display of the control data, a retrieval program is executed as shown in FIG. 4A.

In addition, when the pattern generator 47 is provided in the AWS 30, the control data can be directly transmitted to the AWS 30 without transmitting the control data to the IIP 5. The operation at that time deletes the place related to the IIP 5 in the above fluorine.

When the retrieval process is executed by the retrieval station, for example, the station 2-b, the IIP (5-a-1) of the station 2-a is used to pattern the control data of the control data file. Will be used.

Next, the main menu shown in FIG. 14A will be described.

The upper half of the figure shows the type of image information to be searched. The bottom half of the name displays the input method for selecting the search method.

In this example, the search target is the abstract of Japanese Patent Publication and Utility Model Publication or the Abstract of US Patent Publication. In addition, the search conditions include direct search and function search by some kind of function, and the applicant's code table and technical term code table are displayed by selection to assist the direct search. When the end is selected, the search process is terminated and the search program is closed for the AWS 30.

At this time, after the search object is designated by the operation of the input device 40, the search method can be selected. After the selection of the search method is made, a message " determine selection " is displayed in the message display area at the bottom of the screen. By answering this question, the transition to the next screen is achieved.

When "Japanese Patent Publication and Utility Model Publication" is selected as the search target of the image information, "direct search" becomes possible under the following search condition. If "Abstract Green" or "Abstract US Green" is selected as the search target of the image information, "Direct Search" and "Function Selection" are possible in selecting a search condition.

If "direct search" is specified as the search condition, a message for promoting the designation of the notification number is displayed in the message display area of the screen. In response to the question, the search process is executed.

When the function search is selected, the screen changes as shown in Fig. 14B. At this time, the character code data of the control data is written in the BMM 35 of the AWS 30-a-1 in the same manner as the main menu. Control data is read from the CF 22-a by the DP 20-a and supplied to the I IP 5-a-1. The CPU 51 of the IIP 5-a-1 receives the control data via the interface 52 in response to the instruction from the DP 20-a and outputs it to the graphic pattern generator 54. The graphic pattern generator 54 stores the patterned data in the buffer memory via the bus 70.

The DP 20-a outputs an indication to the AWS 30-a. The μCPU 3l of the AWS 30-a-1 controls the BMV 36 to send patterning data in response to the indication. At the same time, the arithmetic operation of the patterned data is instructed to the arithmetic unit 37. As a result, the patterned data transmitted by the BMV 36 is input to the computing device 37 instead of the BMM 35. The computing device 37 is also supplied with patterning data stored at the address of the BMM 35 in which the patterning data is to be stored.

The calculating unit 37 calculates the logical sum of two input patterning data and writes the result of the calculation at the designated address. Thus, it becomes the double description of patterning data. The data stored in the BMM 35 are then controlled by the GDC 34 and displayed on the CRT 33 via the PS 38. As described above, the information displayed in FIG. 14B is displayed on the screen.

When the function search condition is clear, enter the technical term code or the applicant code in the column displayed at the top half of the screen. Only one condition can be entered for the deadline. In this way, the function search condition is specified, that is, a technical term code, an applicant code, or a deadline. In the present embodiment, when a plurality of codes are input to one search item as a function search condition, they are searched by taking their logical sum. When a plurality of items are specified, the search process is performed logically.

Further, a search operation instruction may be inputted to each code to output an image information file name corresponding to the search operation instruction in which the image information file name corresponding to the code is examined.

In the above, when the operator does not know the code, the code table can be viewed by operating the HELP key. That is, the HELP key is operated by adjusting the cursor to the technical term code or the applicant code column. For example, if the cursor is aligned with the terminology code column, for example, a terminology code table as shown in FIG. 14C is displayed.

As shown in Fig. 14C, the items of the table are displayed at the top of the code table. Below the code table, the difficulty for entering the technical term code is displayed, and below it the function key. Among the function keys, PF1 to PF3 and PF15 are enabled. Here, PF1 is for specifying a search condition, that is, a technical term code. When PF2 is pressed, the previous page can be viewed, and when PF3 is operated, the next page can be seen. Operating PF15 terminates the input of the technical term code and changes the screen display to the state shown in FIG. 14B.

In fact, in the present embodiment, the technical term code table is hierarchica I tree structure. Therefore, the table shown in Fig. 14C is the technical term code table of the third layer.

That is, on the first floor, an item corresponding to the code "A" is selected from various technical terms. Next, by operating the PF3 key of the function key, the following hierarchical tree is displayed as shown in Fig. 14C. Here, when the operator selects the code "AA" again and the function key operates the PF3, the technical term code shown in Fig. 14C is displayed. The technical term code selected as the second hierarchical tree is indicated by "AA" at the top of the table. In other words, the code "AA" indicates a thing about the CPU.

If the function key PF2 is selected here, the display returns to the period portion of the hierarchical tree, that is, the second hierchical tree. In contrast, when the PF3 key is operated, the display proceeds to the leading end of the hierarchical tree, that is, the fourth hierarchical tree. In addition, a search condition can be specified by moving the cursor to the column of the item to be specified and operating the function key PF2 or inputting the code by operating the function key PF1. When specifying a search condition, the same condition may be repeated.

In order to add a search condition by the applicant, the applicant's code may be input in FIG. 14B. If the applicant code is unknown, the HELP key can be manipulated by setting the cursor to the applicant code. As a result, the display shown in FIG. 14D is obtained. The display screen is shown in FIG. 14C, and the applicant's code table, input fields of the applicant's code, and function keys are displayed. Function keys are the same as in the technical term code table.

Here, Applicant code is not a hierarchical tree structure, unlike the previous technical term code table. It's just a lot of data. Therefore, in order to examine the applicant code, the function key can be examined from the front and back pages by operating PF2 or PF3.

Next, details of the operation when the function search is specified in FIG. 14A will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S60, the submenu shown in 14Bb is displayed. The message display area displays a question as to whether a search condition has been entered. The operation without a reply to this question is determined as NO in step S62, and the flow advances to step S64.

That is, in step S64, the specification of the technical term code, the applicant code, or the period is selected.

Upon inputting the search condition by the technical term code, steps S66 and S68 are executed to determine whether the HELP key has been operated. If No in step S68, it means that the technical term code is input directly, the technical term code is input in step S70. The technical term code input in step S72 is linked to the technical term code already input. Thereafter, step S60 is repeated.

When the HELP key is operated in step S68, the technical term code table is displayed in step S74, and the function is selected by the function key in step S76.

When the next or previous tree is selected in step S80, the flow returns to step S74, and the technical term code table of the indicated hierarchial tree is displayed.

In step S76, when desig is specified, the technical term code is input in step S84, and is linked with the technical term code already input in step S86.

When the end is selected, the input of the technical term code is judged to be finished, and the flow returns to step S60.

When the applicant code is selected in step S64, it is the same as the technical term code.

Upon inputting the search condition by the applicant code, steps S90 and S92 are executed and it is determined whether the HELP key has been operated. No in step S92 means that the direct applicant code is input, and in step S108 the technical term code is input. The technical term code input in step S110 is linked to the technical term code already input. Thereafter, step S60 is executed again.

When the HELP key is operated in step S92, the applicant code table is displayed in step S94, and the function is selected by the function key in step S96.

When the next or previous page has been selected, the flow returns to step S94, and the indicated applicant code table is displayed.

When desig is specified in step S96, the applicant code is input in step S104, and the applicant code already input is linked in step S106.

When the end is selected, the input of the applicant code is judged to be finished, and the flow returns to step S60.

When a period is specified in step S64, a period is input in step S114, and then step S60 is executed.

In this embodiment, since the Japanese and US patents and utility models are search objects as image information, the search object is designated once. However, when there are many kinds of image information to be searched, or to shorten the search time by further limiting the search range, the image information to be searched may be a hierarchical tree instrument as described above. .

After the search condition by the function search is input, the display screen returns to FIG. 14B. When the question displayed in the message display area is answered, a search operation is started.

At this time, the input device 40 of the AWS 30-a-1 is operated, and the input code is determined by the µCPU 31 as a file search command. This file retrieval command is sent to the DP 20-a via the interface 45. The DP 20-a immediately starts an image file transfer operation when direct search is selected as the search method.

When a function search is selected as the search method, the DP 20-a searches and displays an image information file meeting the already entered search condition in response to the code. The result is shown in FIG. 14E.

That is, when the DP 20-a is a function search, the file names of the image information files that meet the respective search conditions are searched with reference to the FD (6-a), and logical operation is performed on them to find the list of the image information files designated by the function search. Obtain it and output it to AWS 30-a-1 for display. The display method is the same as that of the control data described above.

In addition to the list of image information files, the function keys are displayed on the screen, and the message display area is displayed as "Press one of the PF keys." The function keys will be described later in detail.

Here, when the function key PF 1 is operated in accordance with the list to be viewed by the cursor or the SEO number is input, the DP 20-a starts a file search condition.

The code input from the input device 40 of the AWS 30-a-1 is sent to the DP 20-a through the determination door interface 45 as a file search command by the micro CPU 31, and the file search is performed. The process starts.

That is, when the KB 41 of the AWS 30-A-1 is manipulated and returned to the question of FIG. 14B, the code is sent to the µCPU 31 through the KBC 42. In step S12 of Fig. 7, the micro CPU 31 judges the code and generates a file search command. In step S14, a new image file is transferred and searched.

Next, details of the file search operation will be described with reference to FIG. If the code input from the input device 40 by the micro CPU 31 is determined in step S120, a file search command is generated in step S122. The file search command is sent to the DP 20-a via the interface 45, as indicated in step S124. The DP 20-a boots the image file transfer program in response to the file search command in step S128. The DP 20-a outputs a search condition to the FD 6-a in accordance with the image file transfer program in step S130 to obtain management information. The image information transmission request is then output to the IFU 1-a via the communication line LAN 4 in accordance with the management information. At this time, the station 2-a is instructed as a place to send the retrieved image information to the image information transmission request.

In the IFU 1-a, the OPD 16-a is accessed by the CTRL 11-a according to the image information transfer request, and the image file designated by the request is read. The read image information is output from the CTRL 11-a and input to the terminal control apparatus of the station that has generated the image information transmission request via the communication line network 4, in this example, the DP 20-a. In step S132, the DP 20-a stores the input page information of two pages in the IF 21-a.

The DP 20-a receives image information as described above and simultaneously sends image information corresponding to the first page to the AWS 30-a-1 in step S126.

The image information of the first page sent is stored in the page memory PM 32 by the micro CPU 31. When the transmission of the image information for one page is completed, the AWS 30-a-1 generates a decryption extraction processing command and outputs it to the DP 20-a. At this time, since it is the first display of the image information, the display area is designated so that the upper left area of the screen is displayed.

As shown in step S170 of FIG. 12B, the DP 20-a reads image information from the PM 32 of the AWS 30-a-1 in response to the decryption extraction processing command, thereby making the IIP (5-a-) Output to 1). In step S172, the CPU 51 of the IIP 5-a-1 outputs a control command to the controller 56 in response to the decryption extraction processing command from the µCPU 31 of the AWS 30-a-1. do. The IIP 5-a-1 processes the input image information according to the input command, and stores the processing result in the buffer memory 55 in the IIP 5-a-1 in step S174.

At this time, the image information is input to the image data input port 57 via the interface 53 of the IIP 5-a-1 via the DP 20-a. The data is decoded by the image data decoder 58, density-converted by the converter 59, and supplied to the extractor 60. The image information extracted by the extractor 60 is stored in the buffer memory 55. When the process is finished, the end of the process is notified to the DP 20-a. In response to this, the DP 20-a outputs an instruction to the μCPU 31 of the AWS 30-a-1. The µCPU 31 outputs instructions to the computing device 37 and the BMV 36. In step S176, DP 20-a reads data from IIP 5-a-1 and sends it to AWS 30-a-1. In the AWS 30-a-1, the BMV 36 transmits the input data to the arithmetic unit 37, and logically sums the already stored data and stores the data in the BMM 35 (step S178).

Thereafter, it is displayed on the CRT 33 via the PS 38 read by the GDC 34. The image information thus retrieved is displayed as shown in Fig. 14F.

The operating states of two programs at this time, that is, a search program and an image file transfer program, are shown in FIG. 4A. When the transfer of the image file is executed, it is understood that two programs are executed in parallel, and the transfer of the image file and the display of the retrieved image information are simultaneously performed.

The image information of the first page of the image information file retrieved by the file retrieval command is displayed as shown in Fig. 14F. A description of the function keys is displayed on the right side of the screen, and below that, the total number of pages of the retrieved image information file and the number of pages currently displayed are displayed. Below that, a display area pattern for indicating the display area of the currently displayed page is displayed.

Description of the function keys will be described with reference to FIG. At this time, the function keys PF1 to PF15 and the HELP key are displayed on the right side of the screen.

The PF1 key has several functions. 14C to 14E indicate designation, and in the case of FIG. 14F, the number of another image file is displayed. When a plurality of image information files are retrieved by the function search, numbers other than the image information file currently displayed are displayed. Each time the PF1 key is operated, the display number changes, and when the image information file having the number is to be displayed, the return key is pressed. Thereby, a file search command is generated, and the same operation as described above is executed.

The PF2 key is used to display the image information of the previous page. It will not function when the first page is displayed as it is. The PF3 key is a function key used to display the next page. The PF4 key is used to specify the page you want to display. The PF5 key is used to print the entire retrieved image information file. The PF6 key is used to print the page currently displayed on the CRT 33.

The PF7 key is used to enlarge the displayed area. In other words, it is used to display a wider display area. The PF8 key is used to reduce the displayed area as opposed to the PF7 key. In other words, it is used to display a narrower display area. The PF13 key is used to move the display area up, down, left, or right. For example, when a function key operates PF10, it is used to display the area above the current display area.

When the PF14 key is operated, the details of the image information corresponding to the notification number are displayed when the currently displayed image information is green.

When the PF15 is operated, it returns to the initial state in which the upper left portion of the currently displayed page of image information is displayed. When the HELP key is operated, it returns to the main menu.

At this time, a description will be given when the function key PF2 or PF3 is operated. As shown in FIG. 7, the page search is selected in step S20, and the flow advances to step S22. In step S22, page designation is made, and the image file transfer program is booted so that the designated page of image information is read out and displayed on the screen. Details of this operation will be described with reference to FIG.

If, for example, the function key PF3 of the keyboard KB 41 is operated in step S140, the data is sent to the µCPU 31 via the keyboard controller KBC 42. If the CPU 31 determines that the code data is a page search command in step S142, it outputs the page search command to the distributed processing unit DP 20-a through the interface 45 in step S144. In step S146, the DP 20-a indicates image information designated by a page search command among the image information stored in the IF 21-a, in this case image information corresponding to the next page of the currently displayed page. It is read from the IF 21-a and sent to the PM 32 of the AWS 30-a-1.

The µCPU 31 of the AWS 30-a-1 performs image information processing using the IIP 5-a-1 in the same manner as in the file search.

The DP 20-a also boots an image file transfer program when a page search command is input in step S148. In step S150, the DP 20-a refers to the file directory 6-a to obtain management information for reading the image information of the designated page. At this time, since the image file containing the image information is already known, management information is obtained only by outputting the designated page.

In step S152, image information indicated by the page search command is read from the IFU 1-a and stored in the IF 21-a in the same manner as when the file search command is executed according to the image file transfer program.

In this manner, the image information of the next page is displayed by the operation of the function key PF3. The state of the operation of the search program and the image file transfer program at this time is shown in FIG. 4B. In the page search processing operation, the search program and the image file transfer program are executed in parallel in the same manner as the file search processing.

The operation when the function keys PF7 to PF13 are operated will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 12A. In FIG. 14F, the display area of the image information displayed on the screen of the currently designated page is displayed in the lower right of the screen. In this example, the upper left portion of the page is displayed.

If the function keys PF7 to PF13 are operated in step S156, steps S158 to S169 are executed according to the operated keys. Thereafter, the flow shown in FIG. 12B is executed.

For example, when the function key PF11 is operated, the? CPU 31 judges the operation as a downward movement command. In step S166, the? CPU 31 generates a downward movement processing instruction and sends the downward movement processing instruction along with the corresponding page image information stored in the PM 32 via the DP 20-a to the IIP ( Send to 5-a-1). In the IIP 5-a-1, the corresponding page image information is processed in the same manner as when the file search command is executed, and the processed image information is stored in the buffer memory 55.

Subsequently, image information processed downward is displayed on the CRT 33 of the AWS 30-a-1. As a result, the image information of the display area shown in FIG. 5C is displayed on the screen, and the area display on the lower right of the screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 5C. The operation of other function keys is the same.

When the function key PF7 has been operated, an enlargement processing instruction is generated in step S158. When the function key PF8 is operated, a reduction processing instruction is generated in step S160. When the function key PF8 is operated, a rotation processing command is generated in step S162.

When the function key PF10 is operated, an upward movement processing instruction is generated in step S164, and when the function key PF11 is operated, a downward movement reduction processing instruction is generated in step S166. When the function key PF12 is operated, the right shift processing instruction is generated in step S168, and when the function key PF13 is operated, the left shift processing instruction is generated in step S169. The page image information stored in the PM 32 in response to each of these commands is processed by the IIP 5-a-1, and executed as shown in Fig. 12B.

As described above, the state when the function keys are operated from PF7 to PF13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5H.

In Fig. 5A, the figure on the left shows an area in the displayed page, and the right shows an area display pattern. In the displayed area, the portion of the page image information stored in the PM 32 that is indicated by the diagonal lines is displayed on the CRT 33.

When displayed as in FIG. 5A, when the PF11 key is operated, the displayed area moves downward, and the area display changes as in FIG. 5B. When the PF8 key is operated in this state, the displayed area is enlarged to change as shown in FIG. 5C. At this time, the left area is selected as the displayed area.

At this time, when the PF13 key is operated, the state changes as shown in FIG. 5d. The area size does not change and the area on the right side is displayed. When the PF7 key is operated in this state, the displayed area as shown in Fig. 5E is enlarged and thus the display data is reduced.

Next, when the PF10 key is operated, the displayed area size remains as it is, and the displayed area moves upward. When the PF7 key is operated again in this state, image information of the entire page is displayed on the screen. When the PF8 key is operated in this state, the upper area is selected among the displayed areas and changes as shown in Fig. 5h.

Next, when the function key PF14 is operated, the publication corresponding to the currently displayed green color is displayed as shown in FIG. 14G. At this time, the same operations as for the file search command are executed for AWS, DP, and IFU.

At this time, the description, the number of pages, and the area display of the function keys are displayed on the screen together with the image information of the publication as in the screen shown in Fig. 14F.

The case where the function key PF6 is operated will be described.

In step S24 of Fig. 7, when the function key 6 or 7 is operated, the print processing is executed in step S26. First, page printing will be described with reference to FIG. 13B.

When the PF6 key of the keyboard KB 13 of the AWS 30-a-1 is manipulated, the code data is supplied to the µCPU 31 through the keyboard controller KBC 42. In step S202, the? CPU 31 determines its code data to generate a page print command.

The page print command is supplied to the distributed terminal controller DP 20-a via the interface 45. The DP 20-a boots the print program in step S204 and corresponds to the page displayed in the CRT 33 of the current AWS 30-a-1 in the IF 21-a in step S206. The page image information to be read is transmitted to the IIP (5-a-1). This is because the image information stored in the PM 32 is a coded image and cannot be printed as it is.

The image information transferred to the IIP (5-a-1) is decoded in step S208 and stored in the buffer memory 55. The decoded image information is read from the buffer memory 55 by the DP 20-a, sent to the graphic printer GP 23-a, and printed.

The following describes the case where the function key PF5 is operated.

When the PF5 key of the KB 41 is operated, the µCPU 31 judges the code data in step S180 to generate a file print command. The CPU 31 outputs a file print command to the DP 20-a via the interface 45. When the DP 20-a receives the file print command, the DP 20-a boots the image file transfer program and the print program in step S182.

The DP 20-a obtains management information by referring to the FD 6-a in accordance with the image file transfer program in step S184. The image information transmission request is sent to the IFU 1-a in accordance with the management information.

The image information stored in the OPD 16-a of the image information filing device IFU 1-a is read out by the CTRL 11-a in step S186, in the same manner as in the case of page retrieval. Is sent to. The image information stored in the IF 21-a is decoded in the same manner as in the execution of the page print command in step S190, and stored in the buffer memory 55 in step S192. The image information stored in the buffer memory 55 is read by the DP 20-a and printed by the GP 23-a in step S194.

When the printing of the first page is finished, the image information of the next page is transferred to the IIP (5-a-1), and the same processing is executed. At the same time, the image information of the next page is read out from the IFU 1-a and stored in the IF 21-a. The above operation continues until printing of the entire image file is finished. If there is room in the storage area of the IF 21-a, several pages of image information can be transferred without data transfer every time one page is printed. It can reduce the propagation time of telecommunication network.

4C shows the operating states of three programs when the function keys PF5 and PF6 have been operated, namely, a search program, an image file transfer program and a print program. According to Figure 4c, it can be seen that three programs can be operated simultaneously.

Although the description of the operation of the image information network system according to the present invention has been described using AWS 30-a-1 as the image information retrieval terminal, it is used by AWS 30-a-1 or (30-b-1). The same can be said for the case. In such a case, it is conceivable that image information and the like are supplied to the IIP or the FD via a communication line network or transmitted directly to the IIP without going through a DP, considering the connection relationship.

As described above, when the pattern generator is provided in the image information retrieval terminal, the IIP is not used to pattern the control data, and the retrieval processing can be executed at a higher speed.

As described above, in the image information retrieval network system according to the present invention, the system configuration can be flexibly achieved.

In the above embodiment, three pages of image information storage areas are secured in the IF 21 for the one image information retrieval terminal 30, and one page of image information is stored in the page memory of the image information retrieval terminal 30. Although configured to be stored in the PM 32, it can be arbitrarily set with a waste paper unit in consideration of the memory capacity of the entire system. In the above embodiment, the image information before decoding is stored in the page memory 32. If the memory capacity permits, the configuration may be such that image information in units of pages after decoding is stored.

Claims (2)

Communication line network 4; A plurality of image information files connected to the communication line network 4 and containing at least one page of image information are stored, and image information is read in response to an image information transmission request input through the communication line network 4. Image information bank station means (1) for outputting the read image information to the communication line network; File directory means (6) for storing management information of an image information file stored in said image information bank station means (1); Image information processing means (5) for processing the input image information in response to the input image information processing instruction; The file directory connected to the communication line network 4, generating a search command for searching an image information file according to a control data file, and an image information processing command for processing image information and in response to the generated search command. Accessing means 6 reads out management information, outputs an image information transmission request conforming to the management information to the image information bank station means 1 via the communication line network 4, and sends the image information transmission request to the image information transmission request. Responsively storing and displaying image information input from said image information bank station means 1 via said communication line network 4, and displaying image information stored with said image information processing instruction (5). And a search station means (2) for reading out and displaying the processed image information. System. 2. The search station means (2) according to claim 1, wherein the search station means (2) generates a search command and an image information processing command to store image information input in response to the search command, and stores the image information stored with the image information processing command. A retrieval terminal means (30) for outputting and inputting and storing patterned image information processed by said image information processing means (5), and for storing the received image information The file directory means 6 in response to a search command generated by the search terminal means 30 by controlling the search terminal means 30 in accordance with an image information means 21 and a control data file 22. ), Obtains management information, outputs an image information transmission request conforming to the management information to the image information bank station means 1 via the communication line network 4, and the communication line network 4 Outputting image information input from the image information bank station means 1 to the image information storing means 21, and generating a search command for a part of the image information stored in the image information storing means 21; Output to the retrieval terminal means 30, output image processing instructions and image information input from the retrieval terminal means 30 to the image information processing means 5 for processing, and read out the processed patterned image information. And a terminal control means (20) for outputting an image information processing command to said search terminal means (30).

Images