U.S. patent application number 10/883672 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-02 for network management system, computer system, copy server, file server, network copy file management method, and computer readable medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hidaka, Takeo, Hirabayashi, Shinji.
Application Number | 20040243648 10/883672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27315249 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040243648 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hidaka, Takeo ; et
al. |
December 2, 2004 |
Network management system, computer system, copy server, file
server, network copy file management method, and computer readable
medium
Abstract
Image data gathered by a scanner portion is stored into an image
file, and stored into a hard disc. A client terminal requests a
copy server to send management information of the image files in
the hard disc. A control portion that receives the file management
information request reads out file management information on the
image files in a requested directory, from the hard disc, and sends
it to a client terminal. An operator selects an image file on the
basis of the management information, and the copy server is
requested to down load a corresponding image file.
Inventors: |
Hidaka, Takeo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Hirabayashi, Shinji; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
27315249 |
Appl. No.: |
10/883672 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10883672 |
Jul 6, 2004 |
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09563816 |
May 3, 2000 |
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6782402 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/32358 20130101;
H04N 2201/0087 20130101; Y10S 707/99954 20130101; Y10S 707/99933
20130101; H04N 2201/0081 20130101; H04N 2201/0082 20130101; H04N
2201/0086 20130101; H04N 2201/33378 20130101; H04N 1/32443
20130101; H04N 2201/3288 20130101; H04N 1/00204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/200 |
International
Class: |
G06F 012/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 6, 1999 |
JP |
P. HEI 11-126074 |
May 6, 1999 |
JP |
P. HEI 11-126075 |
May 6, 1999 |
JP |
P. HEI 11-126076 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A network copy file management system comprising a copy system,
a terminal and a third network device which are interconnected
through a common network, (A) the copy system comprising: an image
reading portion that reads out an original copy to obtain image
data; an image file storing portion that converts image data
obtained by the image reading portion into a image file format and
stores the image file on a disk; a management information
responding portion that, upon request of a terminal, transmits the
requested multiple pieces of management information of image files
within a predetermined range to the terminal through the network;
and an image file transmitting portion that, upon request of a
terminal, reads out the requested image files from the disk and
transmits the files to the third network device specified by the
terminal through the network; and (B) the terminal comprising: a
management information requesting portion that requests management
information of image files within a predetermined range from the
copy system through the network; a display portion that displays
multiple pieces of management information transmitted from the copy
system upon request; an input portion that accepts data input by an
operator, the data specifying any of image files indicated
respectively by multiple pieces of management information displayed
on the display portion, and data input by an operator, the data
specifying a third network device to which image file is to be
transmitted; and an image file transmission requesting portion that
requests the copy system to transmit any of image files specified
by data input accepted by the input portion of image files
indicated respectively by multiple pieces of management information
displayed on the display portion to the specified third network
device through the network.
2. A network copy file management system according to claim 1,
wherein a plurality of directories are defined in the disk and the
image file is stored in any of the directories.
3. A network copy file management system according to claim 2,
wherein the predetermined range is the range of the directory.
4. A network copy file management system according to claim 3,
wherein when low hierarchical directory is defined within the
predetermined range, the management information responding portion
transmits management information of the low hierarchical directory
to the terminal, and the display portion displays a directory
structure based on management information of the directory.
5. A network copy file management system according to claim 1,
wherein the display portion displays management information of a
third network device communicable with the copy system.
6. A network copy file management system according to claim 5,
wherein the input portion accepts data input by an operator, the
data specifying any of image files of management information of the
third network device displayed on the display portion, and the
image file requesting portion requests the copy system to transmit
any of the image files specified by the data input accepted by the
input portion to the third network device.
7. A network copy file management system according to claim 6,
wherein the input portion comprises a pointing device.
8. A network copy file management system according to claim 1,
wherein the image file is a JPEG file, and the image file storing
portion generates JPEG data by JPEG compressing the image data to
store the JPEG data into the JPEG file.
9. A network copy file management system according to claim 1,
wherein the image file storing portion generates JPEG data for fine
image by JPEG compressing the image data and generates JPEG data
for rough image by JPEG compressing the image data whose resolution
has been reduced, and combines the JPEG data for fine and rough
images to store the data into one JPEG file.
10. A network copy file management system according to claim 9,
wherein when an original copy of a plurality of pages exists, the
image file storing portion combines JPEG data for fine and rough
images generated for each page to store the data into one JPEG
file.
11. A network copy file management system according to claim 1,
wherein the image file is a TIFF file, and the image file storing
portion stores the image data into the TIFF file.
12. A network copy file management system according to claim 1,
wherein the image file storing portion generates JPEG data for
rough image by JPEG compressing the image data whose resolution has
been reduced and combines the image data and the JPEG data for
rough image to store the data into one TIFF file.
13. A network copy file management system according to claim 12,
wherein when an original copy of a plurality of pages exists, the
image file storing portion combines image data of each page and
JPEG data for rough image generated for each page to store the data
into one TIFF file.
14. A network copy file management system according to claim 1,
wherein management information of the image file transmitted to the
terminal by the management information responding portion is a file
name of the image file.
15. A network copy file management system according to claim 9,
wherein the copy system further comprises a rough image JPEG file
responding portion for extracting, upon request of the terminal,
the rough image JPEG data from the requested image files and
storing the extracted rough image JPEG data into a rough image JPEG
file to transmit the file to the terminal, the terminal further
comprises a rough image JPEG file requesting portion for requesting
the rough image JPEG file regarding the image file within a
predetermined range from the copy system, and the display portion
displays rough image based on the rough image JPEG data in the
rough image JPEG file transmitted from the copy system, upon
request.
16. A network copy file management system according to claim 12,
wherein the copy system further comprises a rough image JPEG file
responding portion for extracting, upon request of the terminal,
the rough image JPEG data from the requested image files and
storing the extracted rough image JPEG data into a rough image JPEG
file to transmit the file to the terminal, the terminal further
comprises a rough image JPEG file requesting portion for requesting
the rough image JPEG file regarding the image file within a
predetermined range from the copy system, and the display portion
displays rough image based on the rough image JPEG data in the
rough image JPEG file transmitted from the copy system, upon
request.
17. A network copy file management system according to claim 10,
wherein the copy system further comprises a rough image JPEG file
responding portion for extracting, upon request of the terminal,
the rough image JPEG data for the requested page from the requested
image files and storing the extracted rough image JPEG data into a
rough image JPEG file to transmit the file to the terminal, the
terminal further comprises a rough image JPEG file requesting
portion for requesting the rough image JPEG file for any page
regarding any of image files specified by data input accepted by
the input portion from the copy system, and the display portion
displays rough image based on the rough image JPEG data in the
rough image JPEG file transmitted from the copy system, upon
request.
18. A network copy file management system according to claim 13,
wherein the copy system further comprises a rough image JPEG file
responding portion for extracting, upon request of the terminal,
the rough image JPEG data for the requested page from the requested
image files and storing the extracted rough image JPEG data into a
rough image JPEG file to transmit the file to the terminal, the
terminal further comprises a rough image JPEG file requesting
portion for requesting the rough image JPEG file for any page
regarding any of image files specified by data input accepted by
the input portion from the copy system, and the display portion
displays rough image based on the rough image JPEG data in the
rough image JPEG file transmitted from the copy system, upon
request.
19. A copy system comprising a scanner for reading out an original
copy and a printer for printing based on image date read out by the
scanner, the copy system being communicable with a terminal and a
third network device through a common network, the copy system
comprising: an image file storing portion that converts image data
obtained by reading out an original copy by the scanner into an
image file format and stores the image file on a disk; a management
information responding portion that transmits the requested
multiple pieces of management information of image files within a
predetermined range to the terminal through the network when the
terminal requests management information of image files within a
predetermined range stored on the disk; an image file transmitting
portion that reads out the requested image files from the disk and
transmits the files to the third network device specified by the
terminal through the network when the terminal requests
transmission of image file corresponding to any of plural pieces of
management information transmitted to the terminal to the third
network device; a computer readable medium that stores a program
causing a computer of the terminal to request management
information of image files within a predetermined range from the
management information responding potion through the network,
causing the computer to display the plural pieces of management
information transmitted from the management information responding
portion upon this request, and causing the computer to request the
image file transmitting portion through the network to transmit the
image file corresponding to the specified management information to
the specified third network device when any of plural pieces of
management information being displayed is specified by an operator
of the terminal and a third network device to which the image file
is to be transmitted is specified by an operator of the terminal;
and a program transmitting portion that transmits the program
stored into the computer readable medium to the terminal through
the network upon request of the terminal.
20. A copy server which constitutes a copy system in which a
scanner for reading out an original copy and a printer for printing
based on a image date read out by the scanner are connected
thereto, the copy server being communicable with a terminal and a
third network device through a common network, the copy server
comprising: an image file storing portion that converts image data
obtained by reading out an original copy by the scanner into an
image file format and stores the image file on a disk; a management
information responding portion that transmits the requested
multiple pieces of management information of image files within a
predetermined range to the terminal through the network when the
terminal requests management information of image files within a
predetermined range stored on the disk; an image file transmitting
portion that reads out the requested image files from the disk and
transmits the files to the third network device specified by the
terminal through the network when the terminal requests
transmission of image file corresponding to any of plural pieces of
management information transmitted to the terminal to the third
network device; a computer readable medium that stores a program
causing a computer of the terminal to request management
information of image files within a predetermined range from the
management information responding potion through the network,
causing the computer to display the plural pieces of management
information transmitted from the management information responding
portion upon this request, and causing the computer to request the
image file transmitting portion through the network to transmit the
image file corresponding to the specified management information to
the specified third network device when any of plural pieces of
management information being displayed is specified by an operator
of the terminal and a third network device to which the image file
is to be transmitted is specified by an operator of the terminal;
and a program transmitting portion that transmits the program
stored into the computer readable medium to the terminal through
the network upon request of the terminal.
21. A network copy file management method of managing image file
obtained by reading out an original document by a copy system in a
network copy system comprising the copy system, a terminal and a
third network device which are interconnected through a common
network, wherein the terminal requests management information of
image files within a predetermined range from the copy system
through the network, the copy system transmits the requested
multiple pieces of management information of image files within a
predetermined range to the terminal though the network, the
terminal displays the transmitted multiple pieces of management
information, the terminal requests the copy system to transmit
image file corresponding to management information specified by an
operator of multiple pieces of management information being
displayed to the third network device specified by an operator
through the network, and the copy system transmits image files
requested by the terminal to the third network device specified by
the terminal through the network.
22. A computer readable medium storing a program which causes a
computer which constitutes a copy system that includes a scanner
for reading an original copy and a printer for printing based on
image data read out by the scanner which are connected each other
and that is communicable with a terminal and a third network device
through a common network: to convert image data obtained by reading
out an original copy by the scanner into an image file format and
store the image file on a disk; to transmit, when the terminal
requests management information of image file within a
predetermined range stored on the disk, the requested plural pieces
of management information of image files within a predetermined
range to the terminal through the network; and to read out the
requested image file from the disk and transmit the file to the
third network device through the network when the terminal requests
transmission of image file corresponding to any of the plural
pieces of management information transmitted to the terminal to the
specified third network, and the program causes a computer
constituting the terminal: to request management information of
image files within a predetermined range from the computer
constituting the copy system through the network; to display
multiple pieces of management information transmitted from the
computer constituting the copy system upon request; and to
transmit, upon request of the terminal, an Applet program for
requesting the computer constituting the copy system, through the
network, to transmit image file corresponding to specified
management information to the specified third network device to the
terminal when any of the plural pieces of management information
being displayed is specified by an operator of the terminal and a
third network device to which image file is to be transmitted is
specified by an operator of the terminal.
23. A network copy file management method for managing image files
obtained by reading image information on an original document in a
network copy file management system including a copy system and a
terminal which are interconnected through a network so as to be in
direct communication with one another via the network, wherein said
terminal requests said copy system to send management information
for one or more image files within a predetermined range; said copy
system sends to said terminal one or more data items of the
management information for the image files within the predetermined
range; said terminal displays the transmitted data items of the
management information; said terminal requests said copy system to
send the image files corresponding to the data items of the
management information specified by an operator; and said copy
system sends the requested image files to said terminal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a network copy-file
management system which is made up of a copy system and terminals,
both being interconnected through a computer network, and sends
image data read out information from an original document in the
copy system to the terminals, a copy system forming such a network
copy file management system, a copy server serving as one of major
components of such a copy system, a file server, a network copy
file managing method by the network file management system, and a
computer readable medium which stores a program causing a computer
to function as the copy server.
[0003] The present application is based on Japanese Patent
Applications No. Hei. 11-126074, 11-126075 and 11-126076, which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A conventional copy system is of the analog type in which an
image on an original document located on a document table is
directly imaged on a photosensitive drum, and is developed onto a
copy sheet by use of electrophotography process. With development
of recent digital technology, to realize higher level image
processing, a copy system of the digital type gradually takes the
leading place in the market. In the digital copy system an image on
the original document is read in the form of digital image data,
the read image is appropriately processed, and printed.
[0006] The digital copy system is made up of an image reader for
reading image information from an original document, a printing
device for printing, and a copy server which controls those devices
and appropriately controls image data received from the image
reader and sends the processed one to the printing device. Of those
devices, the image reader and the printing device operate on the
basis of the same principles as of the scanner and the printing
device, which are used in the computer system. If the architecture
as of the computer system, such as a PC-AC, is employed for the
architecture of the copy system, the scanner and the printer may be
used for the image reader and the printing device. A general
personal computer into which a print control program is installed
or a dedicated computer may be used for a copy server.
[0007] Where a personal computer, such as a PC-AT, is thus used for
the copy control unit, the copy system and the terminals may be
interconnected through a computer network by giving the copy server
a communication protocol, such as TCP/IP (transmission control
protocol/internet protocol) or HTTPD (hypertext transfer protocol
demon) and a network hardware. When the copy system and the
terminals are thus interconnected in a communicative manner, the
computer may be utilized in various ways by use of a terminal with
a computer being capable of executing various types of processes in
accordance with programs to be executed. If image data read out
from the original document of the copy system is stored in the copy
server, and if the readout rough image data may be displayed on a
display screen of the terminal on an as-needed base, and it may be
down-loaded into the terminal, it is possible to actually confirm
states (e.g., optical density, resolution, disposition, coloring,
etc.) of an image to be copied and printed on a printing sheet on
the screen of the terminal, on the basis of image data. This leads
to prevention of useless copies, paper saving, and eventually
contribution of earth environment protection.
[0008] If image data read by the copy system is stored in the copy
server, and if a list of image data pieces are displayed, when
necessary, on the display screen of the terminal and specific image
data designated by the terminal is transmitted (moved, copied) to a
network device, the image data may be transmitted to a necessary
network device. Therefore, an image can be transmitted to a single
or a plurality of remote network devices at much higher speed and
image quality than by a conventional FAX mail service or in much
simpler manner than when image data is transmitted by a PC
communication.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a network copy file system in which image data that a copy
system obtains through the reading of an original document is
stored in the form of image files into a disc in a copy system,
management information of a plurality of image files within a range
requested is displayed on the screen of the terminal in response to
a request from a terminal connected through a computer network to
this copy system, and the terminal is caused to down load the image
files corresponding to specific management information, which are
requested by an operator on a terminal, which belong to those
management information displayed, a copy system forming such a
network copy file management system, a copy file server as a major
portion of such a copy system, a network copy file management
method by use of such a network copy file management system, and a
computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to
function as a copy system as mentioned above.
[0010] To solve the above problems, the present invention uses the
following constructions.
[0011] A network copy file management system according to a first
aspect of the present invention, comprises a copy system and
terminals which are interconnected through a network, wherein
[0012] (A) the copy system comprises:
[0013] a scanner for reading information from an original copy;
[0014] a printer for printing;
[0015] an operation panel which accepts execution commands for a
copy process to cause the printer to print image data read out by
the scanner;
[0016] a control unit for executing the copy process, wherein the
copy system may communicate with the terminal through the net
work;
[0017] image data converting means for converting image data read
out from information on the original by the scanner into a image
file format;
[0018] a storage portion for storing the image file, wherein the
operation panel further accepts execution commands for an
image-file storing process, after image data read out of the
original by the scanner is converted into the image file format,
the image file being stored into the storage portion by the
image-file storing process, and wherein, when the operation panel
accepts execution commands for the image-file storing process, the
control unit causing the data converting means to convert image
data into the format of image files, and then storing the image
files into the storage portion;
[0019] a management information responding portion, when one of the
terminal requests management information of image files within a
predetermined range stored in the storage portion, the management
information responding portion sending the requested management
information of image files within the predetermined range to the
terminal; and
[0020] an image file transmitting portion, when the terminal
requests an image file corresponding to any of the management
information transmitted to the terminal, the image file
transmitting portion reads out the requested image file from the
storage portion and sending the readout image file to the terminal;
and
[0021] (B) each of the terminals comprises:
[0022] a management information request portion for requesting the
copy system to send management information of image files within a
predetermined range;
[0023] a display portion for displaying management information that
the copy system sends in response to a request;
[0024] an input portion which accepts data input by an operator,
the data to specify any of image files indicated by the management
information displayed on the display portion; and
[0025] an image file request portion for requesting any of image
files specified by the input data accepted by the input portion for
the copy system.
[0026] With such an arrangement, the scanner reads image
information from the original document, and image data gathered by
the document reading operation is converted to a format of the
image file and stored into the storage portion. Accordingly, when a
number of original documents are read, a number of image files are
stored into the storage portion. When in a state that the image
files are stored in the storage portion, the management information
request portion of a client terminal requests to the copy system to
send management information of the image files within a range, the
management information responding portion of the copy system reads
out the management information of all the image files within a
request range, and sends it to the client terminal. In the client
terminal, the display portion displays the received management
information. When at the terminal, the operator inputs to the input
portion the data indicating that any of the management information
displayed by the display portion is specified, the image file
request portion requests the copy system to send an image file
corresponding to the specified management information. In the copy
system, the image file transmitting portion reads out the image
file requested by the client terminal from the storage portion, and
sends it to the client terminal. When the image file is thus sent
to the client terminal, the client terminal is placed in a state
that it is capable of displaying an image on the basis of the image
data stored in the image file. Therefore, a state of the image can
be checked before the image is printed on a printing sheet.
[0027] The image data may be monochromatic binary image data,
multi-tone gray scale image, RGB multi-tone data, YMCK multi-tone
data, or color pad data. The image file may be a JPEG file, a TIFF
or a GIF file. The management information of the image file may be
the file name, file size, file attributes, and time stamp of the
image file, and one or all pages of the image data stored in the
image file. The network may be LAN, such a public telephone network
as a telephone network and a packet switching network, internet or
intranet. The storage portion may be a disc such as a hard disc, a
RAM disc, a floppy disc, or a magneto-optical disc. The input
portion may be a keyboard or a pointing device, such as a computer
mouse or a touch panel.
[0028] A copy system according to a second aspect of the present
invention, comprises:
[0029] a scanner for reading information from an original copy;
[0030] a printer for printing;
[0031] an operation panel which accepts execution commands for a
copy process to cause the printer to print image data read out by
the scanner;
[0032] a control unit for executing the copy process, wherein the
copy system may communicate with a terminal through a network;
[0033] image data converting means for converting image data read
out from information on the original by the scanner into a image
file format; and
[0034] a storage portion for storing the image file, wherein the
operation panel further accepts execution commands for an
image-file storing process, after image data read out of the
original by the scanner is converted into the image file format,
the image file being stored into the storage portion by the
image-file storing process, and wherein, when the operation panel
accepts execution commands for the image-file storing process, the
control unit causing the data converting means to convert image
data into the format of image files, and then storing the image
files into the storage portion;
[0035] a management information responding portion, when the
terminal requests management information of image files within a
predetermined range stored in the storage portion, the management
information responding portion sending the requested management
information of image files within the predetermined range to the
terminal; and
[0036] an image file transmitting portion, when the terminal
requests an image file corresponding to any of the management
information transmitted to the terminal, the image file
transmitting portion reads out the requested image file from the
storage portion and sending the readout image file to the
terminal.
[0037] Preferably, the above copy system further comprises:
[0038] a computer readable medium storing a program for causing the
computer of each the terminal to request the management information
responding portion to send management information of image files
within a predetermined range, to display the management information
received from the management information responding portion in
response to the request, and to request the image file transmitting
portion to send the image files corresponding to the specified
management information when one of the management information
pieces being displayed is specified by the operator; and
[0039] a program transmitting portion for the program stored in the
computer readable medium to the terminal in response to a request
from the terminal.
[0040] Preferably, in the above copy system, wherein
[0041] the program is Java Applet,
[0042] the computer readable medium storing hypertext data which is
requested by a web browser of the terminal and executed by a
processor of the terminal executing the web browser, thereby to
cause the program transmitting portion to request the down load of
the reference program.
[0043] Preferably, in the copy system according to the second
aspect of the present invention,
[0044] the image data converting means converts image data into an
image file of its own or unique format,
[0045] the image file transmitting portion which, in response to an
image file transmission request, converts the image file into an
image file of general format, and then sends the resultant.
[0046] Preferably, in the above copy system, the unique format is a
JPEG file formed in a manner that image data is JPEG compressed to
generate fine image JPEG data, and rough image JPEG data is
generated by reducing a resolution of the image data and then JPEG
compressing the image data, and the fine and rough image data are
combined into one image data. Or in the above copy system,
preferably, when original documents of a plurality of pages exist,
the unique format is a JPEG file formed in a manner that fine and
rough image JPEG data generated for each page are combined into one
data.
[0047] A copy server according to a third aspect of the present
invention, comprises:
[0048] an image data input portion for inputting image data read by
a scanner;
[0049] a print data output portion for outputting print data to a
printer;
[0050] an operation panel connecting portion for accepting various
execution commands;
[0051] a network control portion communicable with a terminal
through a network;
[0052] image data converting means for converting image data input
from the image data input portion into a image file format;
[0053] a storage portion for storing the image file;
[0054] a management information responding portion, when the
terminal requests management information of image files within a
predetermined range stored in the storage portion, the management
information responding portion sending the requested management
information of image files within the predetermined range to the
terminal;
[0055] an image file transmitting portion, when the terminal
requests an image file corresponding to any of the management
information transmitted to the terminal, the image file
transmitting portion reads out the requested image file from the
storage portion and sending the readout image file to the
terminal;
[0056] a computer readable medium storing a program for causing the
computer of each the terminal to request the management information
responding portion to send management information of image files
within a predetermined range, to display the management information
received from the management information responding portion in
response to the request, and to request the image file transmitting
portion to send the image files corresponding to the specified
management information; and
[0057] a program transmitting portion for the program stored in the
computer readable medium to the terminal in response to a request
from the terminal.
[0058] Preferably, in the above copy server,
[0059] the program is Java Applet,
[0060] the computer readable medium storing hypertext data which is
requested by a web browser of the terminal and executed by a
processor of the terminal executing the web browser, thereby to
cause the program transmitting portion to request the down load of
the reference program.
[0061] Preferably, in the above copy server, the Java Applet
received by the terminal displays incoming management information
and the management information of the image files in the terminal.
Or in the above copy server, preferably, the network control
portion is communicable with a third network device, the management
information responding portion transmits the third network device
information, the Java Applet received by the terminal requests the
third network device to send management information according to
the third network device information, causes reception of the
management information, and displays incoming management
information, the management information of the image files in the
terminal and the management information of the third network
device.
[0062] Preferably, in the copy server according to the third aspect
of the present invention,
[0063] the image data converting means converts image data into an
image file of its own or unique format,
[0064] the image file transmitting portion which, in response to an
image file transmission request, converts the image file into an
image file of general format, and then sends the resultant.
[0065] Preferably, in the above copy server,
[0066] the unique format is a JPEG file formed in a manner that
image data is JPEG compressed to generate fine image JPEG data, and
rough image JPEG data is generated by reducing a resolution of the
image data and then JPEG compressing the image data, and the fine
and rough image data are combined into one image data. Or in the
above copy server, preferably, when original documents of a
plurality of pages exist, the unique format is a JPEG file formed
in a manner that fine and rough image JPEG data generated for each
page are combined into one data.
[0067] A file server according to a fourth aspect of the present
invention, comprises:
[0068] an image data input portion for inputting image data and a
network control portion communicable with a terminal through a
network;
[0069] image data converting means for converting image data input
from the image data input portion into a image file format;
[0070] a storage portion for storing the image file;
[0071] a management information responding portion, when the
terminal requests management information of image files within a
predetermined range stored in the storage portion, the management
information responding portion sending the requested management
information of image files within the predetermined range to the
terminal;
[0072] an image data transmitting portion, when the terminal
requests the image data transmitting portion to send an image file
corresponding to any of the management information transmitted to
the terminal, the image data transmitting portion reading out the
requested image file from the storage portion and sending the
terminal;
[0073] a computer readable medium storing (i) Java Applet for
causing the computer of each the terminal to request the management
information responding portion to send management information of
image files within a predetermined range, to display the management
information received from the management information responding
portion in response to the request and the management information
of the image files in the terminal, and to request the image file
transmitting portion to send the image files corresponding to the
specified management information when one of the management
information pieces of the file server being displayed is specified
by the operator, and (ii) hypertext data which is requested by a
web browser of the terminal and read into a processor of the
terminal executing the web browser to thereby cause transmission
request of the Java Applet; and
[0074] a program transmitting portion for sending the Java Applet
stored in the computer readable medium to the terminal in response
to the request of the terminal.
[0075] A computer readable medium according to a fifth aspect of
the present invention, stores:
[0076] (A) a program causing a computer having an image data input
portion for inputting image data, a network control portion
communicable with a terminal through a network, and a storage
portion for storing the image file to convert data input from the
image data input portion into a image file format,
[0077] to store the image data into the storage portion,
[0078] when the terminal requests management information of image
files within a predetermined range stored in the storage portion,
to send the requested management information of image files within
the predetermined range to the terminal, and
[0079] when the terminal requests the sending of an image file
corresponding to any of the management information sent to the
terminal, to read out the requested image file from the storage
portion and to send the terminal;
[0080] (B) Java Applet to cause the computer of each the terminal
to request the sending of management information of image files
within a predetermined range, to display the management information
received from the management information responding portion in
response to the request and the management information of the image
files in the terminal, and to request the computer to send the
image files corresponding to the specified management information
when one of the management information pieces of the computer being
displayed is specified by the operator; and
[0081] (C) hypertext data which is requested by a web browser of
the terminal and read into a processor of the terminal executing
the web browser, thereby to cause transmission request of the Java
Applet.
[0082] A network copy file management method according to a sixth
aspect of the present invention, for managing image files obtained
by reading image information on an original document by a network
copy file management system including a copy system and terminals
which are interconnected through a network, wherein
[0083] the terminal requests the computer system to send the
management information of image files within a predetermined
range,
[0084] the copy system requests the terminal to send the requested
management information of image files within a predetermined
range,
[0085] the terminal displays the transmitted management
information,
[0086] the terminal requests the copy system to send image files
corresponding to the management information of the displayed
management information specified by an operator, and
[0087] the copy system sends the requested information to the
terminal.
[0088] Features and advantages of the invention will be evident
from the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments described in conjunction with the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0089] In the accompanying drawings:
[0090] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a
network copy control system which is an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0091] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit arrangement of a
client terminal shown in FIG. 1;
[0092] FIG. 3 is a program configuration showing tasks executed by
the copy servers and client terminals in the copy systems shown in
FIG. 1;
[0093] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process executed by a
operation panel portion;
[0094] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process executed by a
management portion;
[0095] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process executed by a
management portion;
[0096] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a process executed by a
scanner portion;
[0097] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a process executed by a
scanner portion;
[0098] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a process executed by an HDD
control portion;
[0099] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
HDD control portion;
[0100] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
HDD control portion;
[0101] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
HDD control portion;
[0102] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
HDD control portion;
[0103] FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
HDD control portion;
[0104] FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
HDD control portion;
[0105] FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a process executed by a web
browser;
[0106] FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
Java Applet;
[0107] FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
Java Applet;
[0108] FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
Java Applet;
[0109] FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
Java Applet;
[0110] FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
Java Applet;
[0111] FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
Java Applet;
[0112] FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
Java Applet;
[0113] FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
Java Applet;
[0114] FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the
Java Applet;
[0115] FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing a process executed by a
network reception portion;
[0116] FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing a process executed by
control portions;
[0117] FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing a process executed by
control portions;
[0118] FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing a process executed by
control portions;
[0119] FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing a process executed by
control portions;
[0120] FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing a process executed by
control portions;
[0121] FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing a process executed by
control portions;
[0122] FIG. 33 is a flow chart showing a process executed by
control portions;
[0123] FIG. 34 is a flow chart showing a process executed by
control portions;
[0124] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a copy mode basic operation
user interface displayed on the LCD screen;
[0125] FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a scan mode basic operation
user interface displayed on the LCD screen;
[0126] FIG. 37 is a format of a JPEG single page file;
[0127] FIG. 38 is a format of a JPEG multi-page file;
[0128] FIG. 39 is a format of a single page TIFF file;
[0129] FIG. 40 is a format of a multi-page TIFF file;
[0130] FIG. 41 is a concept diagram showing a control portion
management table;
[0131] FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an initial display by the Java
Applet;
[0132] FIG. 43 is a menu bar when a display type is selected and
the number of display thumbnails is set;
[0133] FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a file list display;
[0134] FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a thumbnail display;
[0135] FIG. 46 is a time chart showing a message transmission when
scan data is stored;
[0136] FIG. 47 is a time chart showing a message transmission for a
file list display for a directory in a primary copy system;
[0137] FIG. 48 is a time chart showing a message transmission for a
file list display for a directory in a secondary copy system;
[0138] FIG. 49 is a time chart showing a message transmission for a
file list display for a directory in a primary copy system;
[0139] FIG. 50 is a time chart showing a message transmission for a
file list display for a directory in a secondary copy system;
[0140] FIG. 51 is time chart showing a message transmission when an
image file is down loaded from the primary copy system;
[0141] FIG. 52 is time chart showing a message transmission when an
image file is copied in the primary copy system;
[0142] FIG. 53 is a time chart showing a message transmission when
an image file is copied from the primary copy system to the
secondary copy system;
[0143] FIG. 54 is a time chart showing a message transmission at
the time of retrieving in the primary copy system;
[0144] FIG. 55 is a time chart showing a message transmission at
the time of retrieving in the secondary copy system;
[0145] FIG. 56 is a time chart showing a message transmission at
the time of deleting in the primary copy system;
[0146] FIG. 57 is a time chart showing a message transmission at
the time of deleting in the secondary copy system;
[0147] FIG. 58 is a time chart showing a message transmission at
the time of renaming in the primary copy system; and
[0148] FIG. 59 is a time chart showing a message transmission at
the time of renaming in the secondary copy system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0149] An embodiment of a network copy control system according to
the present invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0150] I. Overall Construction
[0151] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall arrangement of
a network copy control system constructed according to the present
invention. The network copy control system of the embodiment is
made up of a plurality of copy systems 1 and 1' interconnected by a
network, such as LAN or internet, and a number of (or one) client
terminals 2. Since the copy systems 1 and 1' are exactly the same
in construction, the copy system 1 will typically be described in
detail.
[0152] The copy system 1 is made up of a copy server (file server)
10 consisting of a dedicated computer or a general personal
computer, and a scanner 20 and a printer 21, both being connected
to the copy server 10.
[0153] The copy server 10 is composed of a CPU 17, a RAM 11, an
input/output control unit 12, a hard disc 13, a communication
device 14, an SCSI (small computer system interface) interface 15,
and a centronics interface 16, those being interconnected by buses,
a touch panel 18 connected to the input/output control unit 12, an
LCD (liquid crystal display) 19, and a keyboard 23.
[0154] Of those components, the CPU 17 is a processor (computer)
for controlling the overall copy server 10. The CPU 17 functions as
an image reading portion, an file storage portion, a program
transmitting portion, a management information responding portion,
an image file transmitting portion, and an rough-image JPEG file
responding portion. The RAM 11 is a random access memory into which
a work area used by the CPU 17 is developed.
[0155] The communication device 14 performs a packet-basis data
exchange to and from the client terminals 2 and another copy system
1'. When a network NW is a LAN (local area network), a LAN card is
used for the communication device 14. When the network NW is an
internet, a serial interface, a modem, a LAN card or a DSU is used
for the communication device 14.
[0156] The SCSI interface 15 is connected to an SCSI cable
connecting to the scanner 20, and controls the data exchange
(transmission of various information pieces and commands to the
scanner 20, and reception of various information pieces and scan
data from the scanner 20) performed between it and the scanner 20.
The centronics interface 16 is connected to a centronics cable
connecting to the printer 21, and controls the data exchange
(transmission of various information pieces, commands and print
data to the printer 21 and reception of various information pieces
from the printer 21) between it and the printer 21.
[0157] The hard disc 13 as a computer readable medium stores
control programs (including an operation system program) 131 to be
read and executed by the CPU 17, a number of hypertexts (one of
them is #WebExplore.html" 132) and Java Applet delivered from the
client terminals 2 in response to the client terminal 2 and the
class file 133 of the Java Applet. Those control programs are down
loaded into the hard disc 13 through a CD-ROM drive (not shown),
for example. An image file area 134 for storing various types of
image files (JPEG files and TIFF files) is secured in the hard disc
13 as a disc.
[0158] The image file area 134 is given a drive name proper to it,
and its internal structure logically takes a tree structure. The
whole of it is defined as a route directory. The whole or a part of
the route directory is defined as 0 or a plurality of
subdirectories of the lower layer. The whole or a part of the route
directory is defined as 0 or a plurality of subdirectories of the
lower layer. Each directory is given a name. Accordingly, all the
subdirectories may be specified by tracing the names of the
directories, which are branched from the route directory in a tree
fashion. A chain of directory names assigned to a series of
subdirectories thus ranging from the route to an intended
subdirectory is called "path name". The route and the subdirectory
will be generally called "directory". The image files may be stored
in any of the directories defined in the image file area 134. The
image file stored in any of the directory is specified by its file
name and a path name of the stored directories.
[0159] The image files stored in the image file area 134 are
classified into JPEG files and TIFF files. In the present
invention, the formats of the original JPEG (joint photographic
experts group) files and the original TIFF (tagged image file
format) files are uniquely modified. According to the original JPEG
specifications, one JPEG file consists of a header and JPEG data of
one page. In the embodiment, the format of the JPEG file is
modified such that JPEG data pieces of plural pages (detail image
JPEG data) and JPEG thumbnail data pieces corresponding
respectively to those pages (rough image JPEG data generated by
reducing the resolution of the original JPEG data) are both stored
in one JPEG file. According to the TIFF specifications, one TIFF
file consists of one header and bit map data of plural pages. In
the present embodiment, the format of the TIFF file is modified
such that bit map data of plural pages and thumbnail data (rough
image JPEG data) corresponding respectively to the pages of the bit
map data are stored in one FIFF file.
[0160] FIG. 37 diagrammatically shows a format of a JPEG file (JPEG
single page file for storing JPEG data of a single page) which is
used in the embodiment. The JPEG single page file contains a "total
JPEG data area" 60, a "size of JPEG thumbnail area" 61, a "JPEG
thumbnail area" 62, an "offset of total JPEG data area" 63, an
"offset of JPEG thumbnail area" 64, a "No. of pages area" 65, and a
"marker area" 66. In this file format, those areas are allocated in
this order from its head. Of those areas, the "total JPEG data
area" 60 corresponds to that for the original JPEG file prescribed
according to the JPEG. Therefore, it stores JPEG data consisting of
the header and one page. The size of the "total JPEG data area" 60
depends on a size of image data before the image data is compressed
or a compression rate of the image data. In the embodiment, its
size is 100 Kbytes by way of example. The next "size of JPEG
thumbnail area" 61 indicates the size of the "JPEG thumbnail area"
62 subsequent to it by use of 4 bytes. The size of the "JPEG
thumbnail area" 62 is fixed at 1024 bytes, and hence its value is
"1024". The "JPEG thumbnail area" 62 stores JPEG thumbnail data
indicating a rough image of the JPEG data, which is stored in the
"total JPEG data area" 60. The offset of total JPEG data area" 63
indicates a quantity of an offset of the JPEG file of the "total
JPEG data area" 60 from the head of it. In the JPEG single page
file, the "total JPEG data area" 60 is only one in number.
Therefore, the offset value is "0". The "offset of JPEG thumbnail
area" 64 indicates a quantity of offset from the head of the JPEG
file of the "JPEG thumbnail area" 62. In the JPEG single page file,
the "JPEG thumbnail area" 62 is only one in number, and the offset
value is "100 K+4". The "No. of pages area" 65 indicates the number
of the "total JPEG data areas" 60 contained in the JPEG file. In
the JPEG single page file, the "total JPEG data area" 60 is only
one in number. Hence, its number is 21". The "marker area" 66
indicates that the JPEG file has a unique format. In this area,
"Color Copy Station" as the name of the copy server 10 is
described.
[0161] FIG. 38 diagrammatically shows a format of another JPEG file
(JPEG multi-page file for storing JPEG data of X pages) used in the
embodiment. When comparing with the FIG. 37 JPEG single page file,
this JPEG multi-page file contains an X number of sets each
consisting of the "total JPEG data area" 60, the "size of JPEG
thumbnail area" 61 and the "JPEG thumbnail area" 62 are repeatedly
allocated. Further, it further an X number of offset of total JPEG
data areas" 63 and the same number "offset of JPEG thumbnail areas"
64 are contained. A value of the "Offset of total JPEG data area"
63-n on a page (n page) is a quantity of offset from the head of
the JPEG file of the "total JPEG data area" 60-n corresponding to
the n page, i.e., (n-1).times.(100 K+4+1024). A value of the
"offset of JPEG thumbnail area" 64-n on a page (n page) is a
quantity of offset from the head of the JPEG of the "JPEG thumbnail
area" 62-2 corresponding to the n page, i.e., (n-1).times.(100
K+4+1024)+100 K+4. A value of the "No. of pages area" 65 is a
number of the "total JPEG data areas" 60 contained in the JPEG
file, i.e., "X"
[0162] FIG. 39 diagrammatically shows a format of a TIFF file (a
single page TIFF file for storing bit map data of one page) used in
the embodiment. The single page TIFF file contains a "TIFF
header+data area" 70, a "size of JPEG thumbnail area" 71, a "JPEG
thumbnail area" 72, an "offset of TIFF data area" 73, an "offset of
JPEG thumbnail area" 74, a "No. of pages area" 75, and a "marker
area" 76. In this file format, those areas are allocated in this
order from its head. Of those areas, the "TIFF header+data area" 70
corresponds to an area for storing the data of one page in the
original TIFF file, and stores the header and bit map data of one
page. The next "size of JPEG thumbnail area" 71 is an area for
indicating the size of the "JPEG thumbnail area" 72 subsequent to
it. The "JPEG thumbnail area" 72 is an area for storing JPEG
thumbnail data indicating a rough image of the bit map data stored
in the "TIFF header+data area" 70. The "offset of TIFF data area"
73 is an area for indicating a quantity of offset of the bit map
data stored in the "TIFF header+data area" 70 from its head. The
"offset of JPEG thumbnail area" 74 is an area for indicating a
quantity of offset of the TIFF file in the "JPEG thumbnail area" 72
from its head. The "No. of pages area" 75 is an area indicating a
number of bit map data pieces contained in the TIFF file, and its
number is "1". The "marker area" 76 is an area indicating that the
TIFF file has a unique format, and "Color Copy Station" as the name
of the copy server 10 is described in the area.
[0163] FIG. 40 diagrammatically shows a format of a TIFF file (a
multi-page TIFF file for storing bit map data of X pages) used in
the embodiment. The multi-page TIFF file contains a "TIFF
Header+page 1 data area" 70-1 for the bit map data of page 1, a
"size of page 1 JPEG thumbnail area" 71-1, a "JPEG thumbnail for
page 1 area" 72-1, and "TIFF page n data areas" 70-n allocated
repeatedly "X-1" times for the bit map data of pages 2 to X, a
"size of page n JPEG thumbnail area" 71-n, and a set of "JPEG
thumbnail for page n areas" 72-n, an X number of "offset of TIFF
page n data areas" 73-n, an X number of "offset of JPEG thumbnail
page n areas" 74-n, a "No. of pages area" 75, and a "marker area"
76. In the multi-page TIFF file, those areas are allocated in this
order from its head. Of those areas, the "TIFF header+page 1 data
area" 70-1 corresponds to an area for storing the data of page 1 in
the original TIFF file, and hence stores the header and the data of
page 1. The next "size of page 1 JPEG thumbnail area" 71-1 is an
area for indicating the size of the "JPEG thumbnail for page 1
area" 72-1 subsequent to it. The next "JPEG thumbnail for page 1
area" 72-1 is an area for storing JPEG thumbnail data indicating a
rough image of the bit map data stored in the "TIFF header+page 1
data area" 70-1. The "TIFF page n data areas" 70-n are areas for
storing the data of page n in the original TIFF file. The next
"size of page n JPEG thumbnail area" 71-n is an area for indicating
the size of the "JPEG thumbnail for page n areas" 72-n subsequent
to it. The "JPEG thumbnail for page n areas" 72-n is an area for
storing the JPEG thumbnail data indicating a rough image of the bit
map data stored in the "TIFF header+page n data areas" 70-n. The
"offset of TIFF page 1 data area" 73-1 to the "offset of TIFF page
X data area" 73-X are areas for indicating quantities of offset of
the TIFF files of the bit map data of those pages from their head.
The "offset of JPEG thumbnail page n areas" 74-n is an area for
indicating a quantity of offset of the TIFF file of the "JPEG
thumbnail for page n areas" 72-n of the corresponding page number
from its head. The next "No. of pages area" 75 is an area for
indicating a number of bit map data pieces contained in the TIFF
file, and its number is "X". The "marker area" 76 is an area for
indicating that the TIFF file has a unique format, and "Color Copy
Station" as the name of the copy server 10 is described in this
area.
[0164] Returning to FIG. 1, the LCD (liquid crystal display) 19 is
fit to the upper surface of the copy server 10. The touch panel 18,
which form parts of a destination setting section and a copy
condition setting section, is superposed on the surface. This LCD
19 is a dot-matrix liquid crystal, monochromatic display panel of
bi-level. It is driven by the input/output control unit 12 and
displays an operation image generated by the CPU 17.
[0165] FIG. 35 diagrammatically shows an operation display (copy
mode basic operation display; referred to as a "copy mode basic
operation user interface") presented on the screen of the LCD 19 in
an initial state. As shown in FIG. 35, the copy mode basic
operation user interface is segmented into three columns; left,
center and right columns. Of those columns, the left column 50
contains tabs (magnification, sheet type, destination, and memory)
representative of kinds of main parameters. The center column 51
contains the currently set contents of the parameters (in the
instance of FIG. 35, those parameters are set such that image data
is output, at 100% magnification, onto a normal paper of A4 size
set to a local printer, i.e., the printer 21 of the copy system 1).
A copy mode button 52 and a scan mode button 53 are presented at
the upper left corner on the copy mode basic operation user
interface. The copy mode basic operation user interface is
presented when the copy server 10 is set in a copy mode. Because of
this, the copy mode button 52 is shaded to indicate that the copy
mode is set at present.
[0166] FIG. 36 shows an operation display (scan mode basic
operation display; referred to as a "scan mode basic operation user
interface") which is first presented on the screen of the LCD 19
when the copy server 10 is set in a scan mode. As shown in FIG. 36,
the scan mode basic operation user interface is segmented into
three columns; left, center and right columns. Of those columns,
the left column 50 contains tabs (user, document, resolution, mode
and preset) indicating kinds of main parameters. The center column
51 contains the current set contents of the parameters (in the FIG.
36 instance, the parameters are set such that the copy system 1
reads image information on a document of A4 size at 360 dpi of
resolution, and stores the readout image information into the hard
disc 13 of the copy system). The copy mode button 52 and the scan
mode button 53 are displayed at the left upper corner on the scan
mode basic operation user interface. Since the copy system is
currently in the scan mode, the scan mode button 53 is shaded to
show that the current operation mode of the copy system is the scan
mode.
[0167] Returning to FIG. 1, the touch panel 18 is a pressure
sensitive area sensor superposed on the LCD 19. A signal
corresponding to a position on the touch panel which is pressed
with an operator's finger is input to the input/output control unit
12. To press down a position on the touch panel which corresponds
to each item on the LCD 19 will be referred to "to depress the
item". When each tab on the basic operation user interface is
depressed, a list of choices of the parameter designated by the
corresponding tab are displayed in the center column 51 of the copy
mode basic operation user interface, under control of the CPU 17.
When the scan mode button 53 is depressed in the copy mode basic
operation user interface, the copy server 10 is set in the scan
mode under control of the CPU 17, and the copy mode basic operation
user interface is displayed on the screen of the LCD 19. When the
copy mode button 52 is depressed in the scan mode basic operation
user interface, the copy server 10 is set in the copy mode under
control of the CPU 17, and a copy mode basic operation user
interface is displayed on the screen of the LCD 19.
[0168] The keyboard 23 includes a start key, ten keys and the like,
which are located adjacent to the touch panel 18 on the top surface
of the frame of the copy server 10. A signal corresponding to a key
depressed by an operator is generated and applied to the
input/output control unit 12.
[0169] The input/output control unit 12 appropriately drives the
LCD 19 in accordance with image data received from the CPU 17.
Further, the control unit 12 analyzes a signal received from the
touch panel 18 and inputs a corresponding position signal to the
CPU 17. Additionally, it analyzes a signal received from the
keyboard 23 and a corresponding code signal to the CPU 17.
[0170] A hardware arrangement of each of the client terminals 2
will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2,
each client terminal 2 is made up of a CPU 30, a ROM 31, a RAM 32,
a communication device 33, a bus controller 34, a disc drive
controller DDC 35, a display controller 36, and an input interface
37, those being interconnected by a bus B, and a hard disc 38 and a
floppy disc drive 39, which are connected to the DDC 35. Further,
the client terminal 2 includes a display device 40 connected to the
display controller 36, and a keyboard 41 and a computer mouse 42,
both being connected to the input interface 37.
[0171] The bus controller 34 manages a status of the bus B, and
allows data to be transferred among the respective circuits by way
of the bus B. The DDC 35 drives each of the disc drives 38 and 39
under control of the CPU 30, to thereby write data into or read
data out of the disc (hard disc 38, a floppy disc 43).
[0172] The hard disc 38 is given a drive name proper to it. The
hard disc 38 stores an operation system program (Windows 95 (trade
mark) manufactured by Microsoft corporation) to be executed by the
CPU 30, communication programs and web browsers. The hard disc 38
is also segmented into a number of directories logically configured
in a tree fashion, like the hard disc 13 of the copy server 10. An
image file down loaded from the copy server 10 (10') of any of the
copy systems 1 and 1' and an image file received from any of other
client terminals 2 may be stored into each directory. A viewer
used, if compatible with the multi-page TIFF, can recognize only
those areas, the "TIFF header+page 1 data area" 70-1 and the "TIFF
page n data areas" 70-n, from the multi-page TIFF file having the
FIG. 40 format, which forms the embodiment of the invention.
Therefore, the TIFF files shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 are stored as
intact into the hard disc 38. However, a general JPEG compatible
viewer cannot read the JPEG files having the FIGS. 37 and 38
formats. For this reason, only the "total JPEG data area" 60 is
extracted and stored into the hard disc 38.
[0173] The display controller 36 which forms a display section
causes, under control of the CPU 30, the display device 40 to
display various images in accordance with display data that is
generated by the CPU 30.
[0174] The input interface 37 which forms an input section encodes
a signal received from the computer mouse 42 or the keyboard 41,
and inputs information that is entered by the user (a signal
representative of a depressed key, vector information input by the
computer mouse 42, and a click signal input by the computer mouse
42) to the CPU 30.
[0175] The CPU 30 is a processor (computer) for entirely
controlling the client terminal 2, and functions as a management
information request portion, a rough image JPEG file request
portion, and an image file request portion. The RAM 32 is a memory
used as a work area by the CPU 30. An operation program and a web
browser 301 that the CPU 30 reads out of the hard disc 38 are
developed into this work area. This CPU 30 reads a BIOS program
from the ROM 31 at the time of power on, and executes it to read
the operation system program and the web browser from the hard disc
38 and develops them into the RAM 32. Further, it executes the
operation system program to control the overall copy server 10 and
performs a packet-basis communication between it and the copy
server 10 of the copy system 1.
[0176] By executing this operation system, the CPU 30 displays a
cursor and moves it on the screen of the display device 40 in
accordance with vector information input through the input
interface 37. When a click signal is input, an item on which the
cursor is overlaid at that time on the display screen is specified,
and it is recognized that the overlaid item is selected (when the
item is a command, its command is input) (corresponding to a part
of an input section). In the description to follow, an action to
overlay the cursor on an item and to input a click signal in this
state will be described simply as "to click the item". When vector
information is input during the continuous inputting of a click
signal, it is recognized that an object having overlaid on the
cursor at the start of the inputting of the click signal is
dragged, and that it is dropped onto the item having overlaid on
the cursor at the time of the termination of the click signal.
[0177] By executing the web browser, the CPU 30 down loads
hypertext data ("WebExplore.html" 132) and the class files of the
Java Applet 133 from the copy server 10 into the RAM 32, and
generates display data to display the contents of the hypertext
data ("WebExplore.html" 132), and executes the Java Applet.
[0178] When a network NW is a LAN (local area network), a LAN card
is used for the communication device 33. When the network NW is an
internet, a serial interface, a modem, a LAN card or a DSU is used
for the communication device 33.
[0179] FIG. 3 shows a software configuration showing relationships
between tasks and programs when the CPUs 17 of the copy servers 10
of the copy systems 1 and 1' read control programs 131 from the
hard discs 13, and develops them into the RAMs 11, and each client
terminal 2 reads the operation system and the web browser from the
hard disc 38 and develops them into the RAM 32. As shown in FIG. 3,
tasks that the CPU 17 of the copy server 10 executes are a network
reception portion 111, 25 number of control portions 112 exixting
in parallel, an HDD control 113, a management portion 114, a
scanner portion 115, a printer portion 116, and an operation panel
portion 118. Tasks that the CPU 30 of each client terminal 2
executes are the web browser 301 and a communication portion 302.
Communication is performed between each copy server 10 and each
client terminal 2 in accordance with the TCP/IP protocol.
Accordingly, those copy servers 10 and the client terminals 2 are
given their own IP addresses, respectively.
[0180] The network reception portion 111 of the copy server 10 is a
task for an internet server which controls the network adapter 14
and terminates the TCP/IP protocol and the HTTP (hypertext transfer
protocol). When receiving data (URL, various messages) being packed
in packets from the network NW, it drives any of the control
portions 112 being idle and transfers those data pieces to the
driven control portion 112. FIG. 41 is a table constructed in the
RAM 11 for managing statuses of the control portions 112, i.e.,
idle states and busy states (engaging in executing another
process). The network reception portion 111 searches for an idle
control portion 112 while referring to this table.
[0181] Each control portion 112 sends the class files of the Java
Applet 133 to the client terminal 2 in accordance with a kind of
data received from the network reception portion 111 (corresponding
to a program transmitting portion). The control portion 112
responsively sends the management information of image files stored
in the hard disc 13 to the client terminal 2 and another or
secondary copy system 1' (corresponding to a management information
responding portion). The control portion 112 requests the HDD
control 113 to down load, copy, retrieve, delete, rename, and read
out the image file in the hard disc 13. The control portion 112
stores the image file received from the secondary copy system 1'
into the HDD 113, and sends the image file to the client terminal 2
and the copy system 1' (corresponding to a image file transmitting
portion). The control portion 112 sends to the secondary copy
system a thumbnail file storing JPEG thumbnail data of the image
file (corresponding to a rough image JPEG file responding portion).
The control portion 112 sends to the secondary copy system 1'
requests of down loading, copying, retrieving, deleting, renaming
and reading out the image data.
[0182] The operation panel portion 118 controls the input/output
control unit 12, and generates operation user interface data to be
displayed by the LCD 19 and commands the input/output control unit
12 to display the operation user interface on the basis of the
generated data. When receiving position data indicative of a
depressing position on the touch panel 18 from the input/output
control unit 12, the operation panel portion specifies a displayed
item overlaid on the depressing position in the operation user
interface that is being displayed on the screen of the LCD 19 at
that time, and executes a process corresponding to the operated key
(viz., it executes a process corresponding to the depressed display
item). When receiving a signal indicative of a depressed key of the
keyboard 23 from the input/output control unit 12, it executes a
process corresponding to the kind of the depressed key. For
example, when the copy mode button 52 or the scan mode button 53 is
depressed, the operation panel portion 118 informs the management
portion 14 of the key depression. When any of the tabs is
depressed, it displays a display for selecting a parameter
corresponding to the tab depressed. When any of the parameters is
depressed, it determines the parameter and stores it. When the
start key is depressed, it informs the management portion 114 of
the key depression and each parameter held. In accordance with a
message from the management portion, the operation panel portion
118 displays on the screen of the LCD 19 a user interface (copy
mode basic operation user interface, the scan mode basic operation
user interface, etc.) corresponding to a display number specified
in the message.
[0183] The management portion 114 places the copy system
selectively to a copy mode or a scan mode in accordance with the
information of the depression of the copy mode button 52 or the
scan mode button 53, which is received from the operation panel
portion 118. In the copy mode, the management portion causes the
scanner portion 115 and the printer portion 116 to perform a copy
operation through their control. In the scan mode, it controls the
scanner portion 115 to acquire image data, converts the image data
into a JPEG file or a TIFF file, and requests the HDD control 113
to store the converted file into the hard disc 13.
[0184] The scanner portion 115 as an image reader contains an SCSI
driver for controlling the SCSI interface 15 and a scanner driver
for controlling the scanner 20. The scanner portion operates the
scanner 20 in accordance with an instruction derived from the
management portion 114, and receives image data gathered by reading
image information on an original document. In the copy mode, the
image data received is transferred to the printer portion 116, and
in the scan mode, the image data is transferred to the HDD control
113.
[0185] The HDD control 113 as an image file storage portion is a
task to make an access to the hard disc 13 upon request by the
management portion 114 and the control portion 112, and to store,
read out, copy, move, retrieve, and delete the image file.
[0186] The communication portion 302 of the client terminal 2
controls the network adapter 33 and terminates the TCP/IP protocol
and the HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol). It receives data (hyper
text data ["WebExplore.html" 132, etc.,], the class files of the
Java Applet, and image files, which are transmitted through the
network NW while being packed in packets, and transfers them to the
web browser 301 (or the Java Applet 133 driven on the web browser
301). Further, it packs into packets data (URL, and various
messages) that are sent from the web browser 301 (or the Java
Applet 133 driven on the web browser 301) to the copy server
10.
[0187] The web browser 301 requests the communication portion 302
to send various data pieces (URL, various messages), in accordance
with an instruction that an operator issues by use of the computer
mouse 42 or the keyboard 41. In accordance with a hyper text
("WebExplore.html" 132, etc.,) down loaded from any of the servers
in accordance with URL, the web browser displays an image on the
screen of the display device 40. Further, it develops each class
file of the Java Applet into the RAM 32, whereby the Java Applet
(program) 133 is reproduced, and displays an image generated by the
Java Applet 133.
[0188] Of the hyper text, in particular the "WebExplore.html" 132
contains Applet class file names for identifying the class files of
the Java Applet 133, information for securing an area for
displaying the image generated by the Java Applet 133, and
definitions of various parameters given to the Java Applet 133
(e.g., the names of the secondary copy system 1' and the client
terminals 2, which are registered as image-file communication
parties in the copy server 10 of the copy system 1 which has
transmitted the "WebExplore.html" 132, for example). When the web
browser 301 sends an URL corresponding to the "WebExplore.html" 132
in the copy server 10 of either of the copy systems 1 and 1', and
down loads the "WebExplore.html" 132 and the class file of the Java
Applet 133 from the copy server 10, the Java Applet 133 activated
performs a communication with the copy server 10 from which those
are down loaded, and directly sends a message to that copy server
10 alone.
[0189] FIG. 42 diagrammatically shows an image (initial dialog box
80 of the WebExplore) that the web browser 301 displays on the
screen of the display device 40 in accordance with the
"WebExplore.html" 132 and the Java Applet 133. The initial dialog
box 80 takes the form of a standard application window by Windows
95 (trade mark by Microsoft corporation). As shown, a title bar 81
extends along the top line in the initial dialog box 80; a menu bar
82 extends along the next line; and a tool bar 83 extends along the
line next to the above. A status bar 84 extends along the bottom
line in the initial dialog box 80. An area between the tool bar 83
and the status bar 84 is segmented into two windows 85 and 86.
[0190] The title bar 81 contains the title "WebExplore" of the Java
Applet 133, a normal control box, a minimizing button, a maximizing
button, and a close button.
[0191] The menu bar 82 contains items of "file", "edit", "display",
"tool", and "help". When the "file" is clicked, a pull down menu
containing "delete", "rename" and the like appears. When the "edit"
is clicked, a pull down menu containing "copy", "paste" and so on
appears. When the "display" is clicked, a pull down menu containing
"file list" and "thumbnail" appears as shown in FIG. 43 in an
enlarged fashion. When "thumbnail" is clicked on the pull down
menu, a menu for choosing one of "3", "6", and "9" is displayed.
When the "tool" is clicked, a pull down menu containing "retrieval"
and other items is displayed.
[0192] The tool bar 83 contains a cut button 83a, a copy button
83b, a retrieval button 83c, a delete button 83d, and the like.
[0193] The status bar 84 contains a disc capacity or space that may
be used by a selected directory.
[0194] The left window 85 contains a tree structure of directory
names that the Java Applet 133 may refer to in a state that
"Network" is located at the top of the tree. In this window, the
self-client terminal 2, the "WebExplore.html" 132, the Java Applet
133, the copy server 10 as the sender of the "WebExplore.html" 132
and the class file of the Java Applet 133, the copy server 10 and
the client terminal 2 of the secondary copy system 1', which are
registered in the copy server 10 of the sender belongs to one
directory. Therefore, the operator can handle the files in the same
manner, unconsciously of the type of the device. In an initial
state, the left window 85 displays, as the subdirectory of the
"Network", the name of the copy server 10 as the sender of the
"WebExplore.html" 132, the names of the copy server 10 and the
client terminal 2 in the secondary copy system 1', which are
registered in the sender copy server 10, and "My Computer" meaning
the self-client terminal 2. In the example of FIG. 42, "ODAE241" as
the name of the copy server 10 as the sender of sending the
"WebExplore.html" 132, and "ODAE240" and "ODAE145" of the names of
the copy server 10 of the secondary copy system 1', which are
registered in the "ODAE241", and "My Computer" are displayed.
[0195] Items displayed in the right window 86 are files of a
directory selected by clicking in the left window 85, and an icon
corresponding to the subdirectory and its name are enumerated. A
previous page button 86a and a next page button 86b are located
under the right window 86. Those buttons will be described in
detail later.
[0196] II. Processes by the Tasks
[0197] The operations of the tasks and the programs will be
described in order subsequently.
[0198] (1) Operation Panel Portion
[0199] A process of the operation panel portion 118 will first be
described with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 4. In a step
S001 immediately after the operation panel portion 118 is
activated, the task displays a copy mode basic operation user
interface shown in FIG. 35 on the screen of the LCD 19.
[0200] In the next step S002, the operation panel portion 118
checks if it receives some message from the management portion 114.
If not receiving any message, it checks if any of the buttons on
the display screen or any of the keys of the keyboard 23 is
depressed. If any button or any key is not depressed, it returns to
the step S002.
[0201] When the copy mode button 52 or the scan mode button 53 on
the screen display is depressed during the repeating of the
execution of a loop process of the steps S002 and S003, the
operation panel portion 118 checks which button or key is
depressed. When the start key of the keyboard 23, and the copy mode
button 52 or the scan mode button 53 on the screen is depressed,
the operation panel portion advances to a step S006. When a key or
button other than the above is depressed, it advances to a step
S005. In the step S005, a process corresponding to the depressed
key or button is executed. When any of the tabs on the copy mode
basic operation user interface of FIG. 35 or the scan mode basic
operation user interface of FIG. 36 is depressed, a list of choices
of the parameters corresponding to the tab depressed is displayed
on the center column 51. When a specific set value on the center
column 51 is depressed, the choice is set as its parameter in the
RAM 11. When the execution of the step S005 ends, the operation
panel portion returns to the step S002.
[0202] In the step S006, the operation panel portion 118 sends a
key information message corresponding to the depressed key or
button to the management portion 114. Specifically, when the copy
mode button 52 or the scan mode button 53 is depressed, the
operation panel portion 118 sends a key information message
indicting a kind of the depressed key to the management portion
114. When the start key is depressed, it sends to the management
portion 114 a key information message storing the depression of the
start key and the set values of the parameters that are currently
set in the RAM 11. When the execution of the step S006 ends, the
operation panel portion 118 returns to the step S002.
[0203] When it is judged that some message is received from the
management portion 114 (step S002), the operation panel portion 118
checks the contents of the received message in a step S007. When
the received message is a display select message (see S105, S109,
S111, S122, S124), the operation panel portion 118 executes the
displaying of a display number in the received display select
message in S008. When a display number corresponding to the scan
mode basic operation user interface is described in the received
display select message, the scan mode basic operation user
interface is displayed on the screen of the LCD 19. When a display
number corresponding to the scan mode basic operation user
interface is not described in the received display select message,
the copy mode basic operation user interface is displayed on the
screen of the LCD 19. Upon completion of executing the step S008,
the operation panel portion 118 returns to the step S002.
[0204] In a step S009, the operation panel portion 118 executes
another process corresponding to the received message. Upon
completion of the execution of the step S009, the operation panel
portion 118 returns to the step 002.
[0205] (2) Management Portion
[0206] Next, a process by the management portion 114 will be
described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In a step S101, the
management portion 114 waits for a message from the operation panel
portion 118, the HDD control 113, the scanner portion 115 or the
printer portion 116.
[0207] When receiving a message from any of those tasks, the
management portion 114 checks a kind of the received message in a
step S102. When a key information message is received from the
operation panel portion 118 (see S0006), the management portion 114
advances to a step S107. When receiving a process end message from
the scanner portion 115 or the HDD control 113 (see S219, S363,
S374), it advances to a step S103. When receiving a scanner
operation status notifying information from the scanner portion 115
(see S203), it advances to a step S121. When receiving an error
message from the scanner portion 115 (see S207), it advances to a
step S117, and when receiving another message, it advances to as
step S120.
[0208] In the step S107, the management portion 114 checks a kind
of the depressed key or button contained in the key information
message. When information of the depression of the copy mode button
52 is contained, the management portion 114 sets the present mode
to a copy mode in the step S108. In the step S109, it sends to the
operation panel portion 118 a display select message in which a
display number to display the copy mode basic operation user
interface (FIG. 35) is set. Upon completion of the step S109
execution, the management portion 114 returns to the step S101.
[0209] When the step S107 judges that the depression of the scan
mode button 53 is contained, the management portion 114 sets the
present set mode to the scan mode in a step S110. In the next step
S111, the management portion 114 sends to the operation panel
portion 118 a message in which a display number to display the scan
mode basic operation user interface (FIG. 36) is sent to the
operation panel portion 118. Upon completion of the S111 execution,
the management portion 114 returns to the step S101.
[0210] When the step S107 judges that the depression of the start
key is contained, the management portion 114 checks as to whether
the currently set mode is the copy mode or the scan mode in a step
S112. When the scan mode is set, the management portion 114 sends a
scan operation check message to the scanner portion 115 in a step
S114. When the copy mode is set up, the management portion 114, in
a step S113, sends a copy execution request to the scanner portion
115 and the printer portion 116, and transfers image data (scan
data) obtained from the scanner 20 to the printer portion 116, and
activates the printer portion 116 to cause the printer 21 to print
according to the scan data. In either case, the management portion
114 returns to the step S101 after the process ends.
[0211] In a step S121 executed when the scanner operation status
notifying message from the scanner portion 115 is received (S203),
the management portion 114 checks whether the scanner contained in
the scanner operation status notifying message is busy or idle.
When it is busy, the management portion 114 sends to the operation
panel portion 118 a display select message in which a display
number for displaying a busy status is set, in a step S122. After
the step S122 execution, the management portion 114 returns to the
step S101.
[0212] When it is idle, the management portion 114 a "scan and HDD
storage request message" to the HDD control 113 in a step S123. The
scan and HDD storage request message contains the parameters stored
in the key information message: a document size parameter, a
resolution parameter, a storage format parameter (indicates whether
it is binary image data, 256-tone level gray scale image data or
24-bit RGB image data, or whether it is stored into a TIFF file or
a JPEG file), an optical density parameter, a RGB adjustment
parameter, a chroma and hue adjustment parameter, a sheet feed
position parameter (indicates whether an original document is
located on a flat bed or an ADF of the scanner), and a parameter
for designating a one-side scan or a both-side scan.
[0213] In the next step S124, the management portion 114 sends a
display select message in which a display number for displaying the
scanning progress to the operation panel portion 118. After the
S124 execution ends, the management portion 114 returns to the step
S101.
[0214] In a step S103 executed upon receipt of a process end
message (see S219, S363, S374) from the scanner portion 115 or the
HDD control 113, the management portion 114 checks whether or not
the current operation mode of the copy system is the scan mode.
When it is not the scan mode (viz., it is the copy mode), the
management portion 114 executes a process corresponding to the copy
mode and then returns to the step S101.
[0215] When the present operation mode of the copy system is the
scan mode, the management portion 114 checks whether or not process
end messages are received from both the scanner portion 115 and the
HDD control 113. When not receiving the messages from both the
tasks, the management portion 114 returns to the step S101. When
receiving the same, it advances to a step S105. In the step S105,
the management portion 114 sends to the operation panel portion 118
a message in which a display number for displaying the ordinary
scan mode basic operation user interface (FIG. 36). After the S105
execution ends, the management portion 114 returns to the step
S101.
[0216] In a step S117 which is executed when an error message is
received from the scanner portion 115 (see S207), the management
portion 114 checks whether or not the copy system is currently put
in the scan mode. When it is not in the scan mode (viz., it is in
the copy mode), the management portion 114 executes a process
corresponding to the copy mode and then returns to the step
S101.
[0217] When it is currently put in the scan mode, the management
portion 114 sends a cancel message to the scanner portion 115 and
the HDD control 113 in a step S118. When the s118 execution ends,
the management portion 114 returns to the step S101.
[0218] In a step S120 executed when another message is received,
the management portion 114 executes a process corresponding to the
message. When the S120 execution ends, the management portion 114
returns to the step S101.
[0219] (3) Scanner Portion
[0220] Next, a process by the scanner portion 115 will be described
with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The scanner portion 115, in a step
S201, waits for a message from the management portion 114 or the
HDD control 113.
[0221] When receiving a message from either of them, the scanner
portion 115 checks a kind of the received message in a step S202.
When receiving a scanner operation check request message from the
management portion 114 (S114), the scanner portion 115 advances to
a step S203. When receiving a scanner request message from the HDD
control 113 (see S303), the scanner portion advances to a step
S204. When receiving a cancel message from the management portion
114 (see S118), it advances to a step S208. When receiving a copy
execution request from the management portion 114 (S113), it
proceeds to a step S209. When receiving another message, it
advances to a step S210.
[0222] In the step S203, the management portion 114 checks whether
or not the scanner 20 is operating (busy) or waiting (idle), and
sends a scanner operation status notifying message in which the
check result is set to the management portion 114. When the S203
execution ends, the scanner portion 115 returns to the step
S201.
[0223] When receiving a scan request message from the HDD control
113, the scanner portion 115 checks whether a sheet feed position
of the printer 21 is on a flat bed or an ADF (automatic document
feeder). When the sheet feed position is on the flat bed, he
scanner portion 115 directly advances to a step S211. When it is
the ADF, the scanner portion 115, in a step S205, checks whether or
not an original document is located. When the original is not
located, the scanner portion 115, in a step S 207, sends an error
message attached with reason (no original) to the management
portion 114. Upon completion of the S207 execution, the management
portion 114 returns to the step S201. When an original is put on
the ADF, the management portion 114 controls the scanner 20 such
that it feeds an original document set to the ADF to a sheet read
position. After completion of the S206 execution, the management
portion 114 goes to a step S211.
[0224] In a step S21, the management portion 114 controls the
scanner 20, whereby it executes a scan defined by the parameters in
the scan request received from the HDD control 113.
[0225] In the next step S212, the management portion 114 waits for
the acquisition of scan data (binary image data, 256-tone-level
gray scale image data or 24-bit RGB image data) of "n" number of
lines from the scanner 20. When it acquires the scan data of "n"
lines, the management portion 114 goes to a step S213.
[0226] In a step S21, the management portion 114 stores the n-line
scan data acquired from the scanner 20 into a message, and sends it
to the HDD control 113.
[0227] In the next step S214, the scanner portion 115 checks if a
sheet of an original document has scanned for all the lines. If not
yet, the scanner portion 115 returns to the step S212. When the
original is scanned for all the lines, the scanner portion 115
advances to a step S215.
[0228] In the step S215, the scanner portion 115, like the step
S204, checks if the sheet feed position is on the flat bed or the
ADF (automatic document feeder). When the sheet feed position is on
the flat bed, the scanner portion 115 advances to a step S218. When
it is on the ADF, the scanner portion 115 checks if the original
document has been set on the ADF is still left thereon in the step
S216. When it is left there, the scanner portion 115 sends a scan
end message of "sheet being left" to the HDD control 113, and
returns to the step S201. When it is not left, the scanner portion
115 goes to a step S218.
[0229] In the step S218, the scanner portion 115 sends a scan end
message of "no sheet being left" to the HDD control 113. In the
next step S219, the scanner portion 115 sends a process-end message
to the management portion 114. Upon completion of the S219
execution, the scanner portion 115 returns to the step S201.
[0230] In the step S208 executed upon reception (see step S118) of
a cancel message from the management portion 114, the scanner
portion 115 stops the operation of the scanner 20, and returns its
status to an idle status. Upon completion of the S208 execution,
the scanner portion 115 returns to the step S201.
[0231] In the step S209 executed upon receipt (S113) of a copy
request from the management portion 114, the scanner portion 115
causes the scanner 20 to read out image information on an original
document, and acquires scan data from the scanner, and transfers
the acquired scan data terminates to the printer portion 116, and
returns to the step S201.
[0232] In the step S210 executed when the message is received, the
scanner portion 115 executes a process corresponding to the
message. Upon completion of the step S210, the scanner portion 115
returns to step S201.
[0233] (4) HDD Control Portion
[0234] A process by the HDD control portion 113 will be described
with reference to FIGS. 9 through 15. The HDD control portion 113
waits for a message from the management portion 114 or the scanner
portion 115.
[0235] When receiving some message, the HDD control portion 113
checks a kind of the received message in the next step S302. When
receiving a "scan and HDD storage request" message from the
management portion 114 (S123), the HDD control portion advances to
a step S303. When receiving scan data from the scanner portion 115
(S213), the HDD control portion advances to a step S304. When
receiving a scan end message from the scanner portion 115 (see S217
and S218), the HDD control portion advances to a step S305. When
receiving a cancel message from the management portion 114 (S118),
the HDD control portion 113 advances to a step S306. When receiving
another message, it advances to a step S307.
[0236] In the step S303, the HDD control portion 113 sends a scan
request message to the scanner portion 115. The scan request
message stores as intact the parameters stored in the "scan and HDD
storage request": a document size parameter, a resolution
parameter, a storage format parameter, an optical density
parameter, a RGB adjustment parameter, a chroma and hue adjustment
parameter, a sheet feed position parameter, and a parameter for
designating a one-side scan or a both-side scan. Upon completion of
the S303 execution, the HDD control portion 113 returns to the step
S301.
[0237] In the step S304 executed upon receipt of scan data from the
scanner portion 115 (S213), the HDD control portion 113 checks
whether a file designated by the storage format parameter stored in
the "scan and HDD storage request" message from the management
portion 114 is the JPEG file or the TIFF. When the JPEG file is
designated, the HDD control portion advances to a step S308. When
the TIFF file is designated, the HDD control portion advances to a
step S331.
[0238] In the step S308, the HDD control portion 113 checks if the
received scan data is that containing the first page on a certain
page. If it contains the first page on a certain page, the HDD
control portion 113 advances to a step S309.
[0239] In the step S309, the HDD control portion 113 checks if it
receives the scan data of the first page after it sends the scan
request message to the scanner portion 115 in the step S303. When
receiving scan data of the second page or the subsequent one, the
HDD control portion 113 advances to a step S314. When receiving the
first page scan data, it advances to a step S310.
[0240] In the step S310, the HDD control portion 113 clears to 0
the areas corresponding to "Offset of total JPEG data areas 63-1 to
X corresponding to the total pages of original documents in the
work area provided on the RAM 11 (viz., sets 0 to the numerical
values).
[0241] In the next step S311, the HDD control portion 113 clears to
0 the areas corresponding to "Offset of JPEG thumbnail areas 64-1
to X corresponding to the total pages of original documents in the
work area provided on the RAM 11 (viz., sets 0 to the numerical
values).
[0242] In the next step S312, the HDD control portion 113 clears to
0 the area corresponding to the "No. of pages area" 65 in the work
area of the RAM 11 (viz., it sets 0 to the numerical value).
[0243] In the next step S313, the HDD control portion 113 sets
"Color Copy Station" the area corresponding to the "marker area" 66
in the work area of the RAM 11, and advances to a step S314.
[0244] In the step S314, the HDD control portion 113 clears to 0
the area corresponding to the "size of JPEG thumbnail area" 61 in
the work area of the RAM 11 (viz., it sets 0 to the numerical
value).
[0245] In the next step S315, the HDD control portion 113 forms a
header portion to be stored into the "total JPEG data area" 60 for
a page corresponding to the received scan data.
[0246] In the next step S316, the HDD control portion 113 JPEG
compresses the received scan data.
[0247] In the next step S317, the HDD control portion 113 forms a
data portion to be stored in the "total JPEG data area" 60 for a
page corresponding to the received scan data on the basis of the
JPEG compressed data, in a step S316.
[0248] In the next step S318, the HDD control portion 113 merges
the header portion formed in the step S315 and the data portion
formed by the step S317 into a JPEG file, and give the JPEG a
temporary file name "Actual Data.JPG" and stores it into the root
of he image file area 134 in the hard disc 13.
[0249] In the next step S319, the HDD control portion 113 forms a
header portion to be stored into the "JPEG thumbnail area" 62 for a
page corresponding to the received scan data.
[0250] In the next step S320, the HDD control portion 113 JPEG
compresses the received scan data while reducing its resolution for
the thumbnail.
[0251] In the next step S321, the HDD control portion 113 merges
the header portion formed in the step S319 an the JPEG data by the
JPEG compressing process into a JPEG file, and attaches a temporary
name "ThumData.JPG" to the JPEG file and stores it into the root to
the image file area 134 in the hard disc 13.
[0252] In the next step S322, the HDD control portion 113 sets a
data length of the JPEG file for thumbnail that is formed in the
step S321, in an area corresponding to the "size of JPEG thumbnail
area" 61 for a page corresponding to the received scan data, which
exists in the work area provided on the RAM 11. Upon completion of
the S322 execution, the HDD control portion 113 returns to the step
S301.
[0253] When the step S308 judges that the received scan data is not
the scan data containing the first line of any of pages, the HDD
control portion 113 advances to a step S323. In the step S323, the
HDD control portion 113 JPEG compresses the received scan data.
[0254] In the next step S324, the HDD control portion 113 reads out
the JPEG file "ActualData.JPG" from the image file area 134 of the
hard disc 13, and adds the compressed JPEG data to the data
portion.
[0255] In the next step S325, the HDD control portion 113
overwrites the ActualData.JPG" added in the step S324 into the hard
disc 13.
[0256] In the next step S326, the HDD control portion 113 JPEG
compresses the received scan data while reducing its resolution for
the thumbnail.
[0257] In the next step S327, the HDD control portion 113 reads out
the JPEG file "TbumbData.JPG from the image file area 134 of the
HDD control portion 113 and adds the JPEG data compressed in the
step S326 to the data portion.
[0258] In the next step S328, the HDD control portion 113
overwrites the JPEG file "TbumbData.JPG added in the step S326 on
the hard disc 13.
[0259] In the next step S329, the HDD control portion 113 sets the
JPEG file overwritten in the step S328 in an area corresponding to
the "size of JPEG thumbnail area" 61 for a page corresponding to
the received data. Upon completion of the S329 execution, the HDD
control portion 113 returns to the step S301.
[0260] In a step S331, the HDD control portion 113 checks if the
received scan data is the scan data containing the first line of a
certain page. If it the scan data containing the first line of a
certain page, the HDD control portion 113 returns to the step
S332.
[0261] In the step S332, the HDD control portion 113 checks if it
receives the scan data of the first page after the scan request
message is sent to the scanner portion 115 in the step S303. When
it receives scan data of the second page and the subsequent ones,
the HDD control portion 113 advances to a step S340. When it
receives the scan data of the first page, the HDD control portion
113 advances to a step S333.
[0262] In the step S333, the HDD control portion 113 clears to 0
the areas corresponding to the "offset of TIFF data areas" 73-1 to
X of the total pages of an original in the work area provided on
the RAM 11 (viz., it sets 0 to the numerical values).
[0263] In the next step S334, the HDD control portion 113 clears to
0 the areas corresponding to the "offset of JPEG thumbnail areas"
74-1 to X of the total pages of an original in the work area
provided on the RAM 11 (viz., it sets 0 to the numerical
values).
[0264] In the next step S335, the HDD control portion 113 clears to
0 the area corresponding to the "No. of pages area" 75 in the work
area provided on the RAM 11 (viz., it sets 0 to the numerical
values).
[0265] In the next step S336, the HDD control portion 113 sets
"Color Copy Station" in the area corresponding to the "marker area"
66 in the work area provided on the RAM 11.
[0266] In the step S337, the HDD control portion 113 clears to 0
the area corresponding to the "size of JPEG thumbnail area" 71-1
for the first page in the work area provided on the RAM 11 (viz.,
it sets 0 to the numerical values).
[0267] In the next step S338, the HDD control portion 113 forms a
header portion to be stored in the "TIFF header+page 1 data area"
70-1 for the first page.
[0268] In the next step S338, the HDD control portion 113 merges
the received scan data and the header portion formed in the step
S338 into a TIFF file, and attaches a temporary file name
"ActualData.Tif" to the TIFF file and stores the resultant into the
root of the image file area 134. Upon completion of the S339
execution, the HDD control portion 113 advances to a step S342.
[0269] In a step S340, the HDD control portion 113 clears to 0 the
area corresponding to the "size of page n JPEG thumbnail area" 71-n
corresponding to the received scan data in the work area provided
on the RAM 11 (viz., it sets 0 to the numerical values).
[0270] In the next step S341, the HDD control portion 113 converts
the received scan data to the format of the TIFF file, and attaches
a temporary file name "ActualData.Tif" and stores the resultant
into the root of the image file area 134. Upon completion of the
S341 execution, the HDD control portion 113 advances to a step
S342.
[0271] In the step S342, the hard disc 13 forms a header portion to
be stored into the "JPEG thumbnail areas 72-1 to X for age
corresponding to the received scan data.
[0272] In the next step S343, the HDD control portion 113 JPEG
compresses the received scan data while reducing its resolution for
the thumbnail.
[0273] In the next step S344, the HDD control portion 113 merges
the header portion formed in the step S342 and the JPEG data
compressed in the step S342 into a JPEG file, and temporary name
"ThumbDat.JPEG" to the JPEG file and stores it in the root of the
image file area 134 in the hard disc 13.
[0274] In the next step S345, the HDD control portion 113 sets a
data length of the JPEG file for the thumbnail formed in the step
S344 in the areas corresponding to the "size of JPEG thumbnail
areas" 71-1 to X for a page corresponding to the received scan
data. Upon completion of the S345 execution, the HDD control
portion 113 returns to the step S301.
[0275] When the step S331 judges that the received scan data is not
the scan data containing the first line of a certain page, the HDD
control portion 113 advances to a step S346. In this step, the HDD
control portion 113 reads out the TIFF file "ActualData.Tif" from
the image file area 134 of the hard disc 13, and adds the received
scan data into its data portion.
[0276] In the next step S S347, the HDD control portion 113
overwrites the TIFF file "ActualData.Tif added in the step S346
into the hard disc 13.
[0277] In the next step S348, the HDD control portion 113 JPEG
compresses the received scan data while reducing its resolution for
the thumbnail.
[0278] In the next step S349, the HDD control portion 113 reads out
the JPEG file "TbumbData.JPG" from he image file area 134 of the
hard disc 13, and adds the JPEG data compressed in the step S348 to
its data portion.
[0279] In the next step S350, the HDD control portion 113
overwrites the JPE file ThumbData.JPG" added in the step S349 into
the hard disc 13.
[0280] In the next step S351, the HDD control portion 113 sets a
data length of the JPEG file overwritten in the step S350 in the
areas corresponding to the "size of JPEG thumbnail areas" 71-1 to X
for a page corresponding to the received scan data, in the work
area provided on the RAM 11. Upon completion of the S351 execution,
the HDD control portion 113 returns to the step S301.
[0281] In the step S305 executed upon reception of the scan end
message from the scanner portion 115 (see S217 and S218), the HDD
control portion 113 checks which of the JPEG file or the TIFF file
is designated by the storage format parameter stored in the "scan
and HDD storage request" from the management portion 114. When the
JPEG file is designated, it advances to a step S352, and when the
TIFF file is designated, it advances to a step S364.
[0282] In the step S352, the HDD control portion 113 sets a proper
value of an offset quantity of the "total JPEG data area" 60 for
the page (total data length of "total JPEG data area" 60 of the
total pages previous to that page, "size of JPEG thumbnail area" 61
and the "JPEG thumbnail area" 62) to an area corresponding to the
"Offset of total JPEG data area" 63 for the scan ended page the
work area provided on the RAM 11.
[0283] In the next step S353, the HDD control portion 113 sets a
proper value of an offset quantity of the "offset of JPEG thumbnail
area" 64 for the page (total data length of "total JPEG data area"
60 of the total pages previous to that page, "size of JPEG
thumbnail area" 61 and the "JPEG thumbnail area" 62+total data
length of the "total JPEG data area" 60 and the "size of JPEG
thumbnail area" 61) to an area corresponding to "offset of JPEG
thumbnail area" 64 for the scan ended page the work area provided
on the RAM 11.
[0284] In the next step S354, the HDD control portion 113
increments by one a value of the area corresponding to the "No. of
pages area" 65 in the work area provided on the RAM 11.
[0285] In the next step S356, the HDD control portion 113 checks
which of "sheet being left" or "no sheet being left" is left in the
received scan end message. When the "sheet being left" is set, it
advances to a step S357. When "no sheet being left" is set, it
advances to a step S360.
[0286] In the step S357, the HDD control portion 113 checks if the
scan ended page is the first page. If it is the first page, the HDD
control portion 113, in a step S358, combines a JPEG file
"ActualData.JPG" and another JPEG file "TbumbData.JPG" in the hard
disc 13 into a JPEG file, and attaches a temporary name
"PreviousData.JPG" to the file and stores it into the root of the
image file area 134 in the hard disc 13. After completion of the
S358 execution, the HDD control portion 113 returns to the step
S301.
[0287] If it is not the first page, the HDD control portion 113, in
a step S359, successively connects the JPEG file "ActualData.JPG"
and the JPEG file "TbumbData.JPG" in the hard disc 13 to the JPEG
file "PreviousData.JPG" in the hard disc 13, to thereby update the
JPEG file "PreviousData.JPG" in the hard disc 13. Upon completion
of the s359 execution, the HDD control portion 113 returns to the
step S301.
[0288] In the step S360 executed when the "no sheet being left" is
set (the scanning of the final page ends), the HDD control portion
113 checks if an original document consists of a single page. When
the original consists of a single page (the scan ended page is the
first page), the HDD control portion 113, in a step S361, combines
in predetermined format (format of he JPEG single page file shown
in FIG. 37) the JPEG file "ActualData.JPG" and the JPEG file
"ThumbData.JPG in the hard disc 13, and each management data on the
RAM 11 (data set in the areas corresponding to the "size of JPEG
thumbnail area" 61, the "Offset of total JPEG data area" 63, the
"offset of JPEG thumbnail area" 64, the "No. of pages area" 65, and
the "marker area" 66). And it attaches to it a file format name
corresponding to the file format (in this case, the JPEG file)
designated by the storage format parameter in the "scan and HDD
storage request" message received from the management portion 114,
and stores the resultant into the root of the image file area 134
in the hard disc 13. Upon completion of the S361 execution, the HDD
control portion 113 advances to the step S363.
[0289] When the step S360 judges that the original consists of a
plurality of pages (the scan ended page is not the first page), the
HDD control portion 113, in the step S362, combines the JPEG file
"PreviousData.JPG" and the JPEG file "ActualData.JPG" in the hard
disc 13, and each file management data on the RAM 11 (i.e., data
stored in the areas corresponding to "size of JPEG thumbnail area"
61-1 for each page, "Offset of total JPEG data area" 63-1 for each
page, "offset of JPEG thumbnail area" 64-1 for each page, "No. of
pages area" 65, and "marker area" 66) into a predetermined format
according to a predetermined format (in this case, the format of
the JPEG multi-page file shown in FIG. 38). And the HDD control
portion 113 attaches to it a file name corresponding to a file
format (in this case, the JPEG file format) designated by the
storage format parameter in the "scan and HDD storage request"
message received from the management portion 114, and stores the
resultant to the root of the image file area 134 of the hard disc
13. Upon completion of the S362 execution, the HDD control portion
113 advances to a step S363.
[0290] In the step S363, the HDD control portion 113 sends a
process end message to the management portion 114. Upon completion
of the S363 execution, the HDD control portion 113 returns to the
step S303.
[0291] In the step S364, the HDD control portion 113 sets a proper
value of the "TIFF header+Data area" 70 (70-1) for the page ("TIFF
header+Data area" 70 (70-1) for the entire page previous to that
page or the total data length of the "TIFF header+page n area"
70-n, the "size of JPEG thumbnail area" 71 and the "JPEG thumbnail
area" 72) in the area corresponding to the "offset of TIFF data
area" 73 for the scan ended page in the work area provided on the
RAM 11.
[0292] In the next step S365, the HDD control portion 113 sets a
proper value of an offset of the "JPEG thumbnail area" 72 for the
page ("TIFF header+Data area" 70 (70-1) for the entire page
previous to that page or the total data length of the "TIFF
header+page n area" 70-n, the "size of JPEG thumbnail area" 71 and
the "JPEG thumbnail area" 72+total data length of the "TIFF
header+Data area" 70 (70-1) for the page or the "TIFF page n data
area" 70-n and the "size of JPEG thumbnail area" 71) into the
"offset of JPEG thumbnail area" 74 for the scan ended page in the
work area provided on the RAM 11.
[0293] In the next step S366, the HDD control portion 113
increments by one a value of the area corresponding to the "No. of
pages area" 75 in the work area provided on the RAM 11.
[0294] In the step S367, the HDD control portion 113 checks which
of "sheet being left" or "no sheet being left" is set in the
received scan end message. If the "sheet being left" is set, it
advances to a step S358. If the "no sheet being left" is set, it
advances to a step S371.
[0295] In the step S368, the HDD control portion 113 checks if the
scan ended page is the first page. If it is the first page, the HDD
control portion 113 combines a TIFF file "ActualData.tiff", a JPEG
file "ThumbData JPG" into a file, and attaches a temporary name
"PreviousData.Tif" to it, and stores it into the root of the image
file area 134 of the hard disc 13.
[0296] When it is not the first page, the HDD control portion 113,
in a step S370, successively connects the TIFF "ActualData.Tif" and
the JPEG file "ThumbData.JPG" in the hard disc 13 to the TIFF file
"PreviousData.Tif" in the hard disc 13, to thereby update the TIFF
file "PreviousData.Tif" in the hard disc 13. Upon completion of the
S370 execution, the HDD control portion 113 returns to the step
S301.
[0297] In the step S371 executed when the "no sheet being left"
(the final page scan ends), the HDD control portion 113 checks if
the original document consists of a single page. If it is judged
that it consists of a single page (viz., the scan ended page is the
first page), the HDD control portion 113, in the step S372,
combines the TIFF file "ActualData.Tif" and the JPEG file
"ThumbData.JPG" in the hard disc 13, and each file management data
on the RAM 11 (i.e., data set in the areas corresponding to the
"size of JPEG thumbnail area" 71, "offset of TIFF data area" 73,
"offset of JPEG thumbnail area" 74, "No. of pages area" 75 and
"marker area" 76) according to a predetermined format (format of
the single page TIFF file shown in FIG. 39). Ant it attaches to the
combined one a file name corresponding to the file format (in this
case, the TIFF file format) designated by the storage format
parameter in the "scan and HDD storage request" message received
from the management portion 114. Upon completion of the S372
execution, the HDD control portion 113 advances to a step S374.
[0298] When the step S371 judges that it consists of a plurality of
pages (viz., the scan ended page is not the first page), the HDD
control portion 113, in a step S373, combines the TIFF file
"PreviousData.Tif", the TIFF file "ActualData.Tif", and the JPEG
file "TbumbData.JPG" in the hard disc 13, and each file management
data (data stored in the areas corresponding to "size of JPEG
thumbnail areas" 71-1 to X for the pages, "offset of TIFF data
areas" 73-n to X for the pages, "offset of JPEG thumbnail areas"
74-1 to X for the pages, a "No. of pages area" 75, and a "marker
area" 7) on the RAM 11 in a predetermined format (format of the
JPEG multi-page file shown in FIG. 40). And it attaches to the
combined one a file name corresponding to the file format (in this
case, that of the JPEG file) designated by the storage format
parameter in the "scan and HDD storage request" received from the
management portion 114, and stores the resultant into the root of
the image file area 134 of the hard disc 13. Upon completion of the
S373 execution, the HDD control portion 113 advances to a step
S374.
[0299] In the step S374, the HDD control portion 113 sends a
process end message to the management portion 114. Upon completion
of the S374 execution, the HDD control portion 113 returns to the
step S301.
[0300] In the step S306 executed upon receipt of the cancel message
from the management portion 114, the HDD control portion 113
deletes the files concerning the document having been scanned (JPEG
file "PreviousData.JPG" or bfiff file "PrviousData.Tif", JPEG file
"ActualData.JPG" and JPEG file "ThumbData.JPG") from the hard disc
13. Upon completion of the S306 execution, the HDD control portion
113 returns to the step S301.
[0301] In the step S307 executed when another message is received,
the HDD control portion 113 executes a process corresponding to the
message. Upon completion of the S307 execution, the HDD control
portion 113 returns to the step S301.
[0302] (5) Web Browser
[0303] A process executed by the web browser 301 in each client
terminal 2 will be described with reference to a flow chart shown
in FIG. 16. Description will be given placing emphasis on a case
where the URL of "WebExplore" is input. When the URL of
"WebExplore" is input by the operator, the web browser 301, in a
step S401, sends the URL to the copy server 10 of the copy system 1
by way of the communication portion 302. The copy system 1 to which
the URL is sent will be referred to as a "primary copy system".
[0304] When the copy server 10 of the primary copy system 1 sends a
hypertext "WebExplore" in response to the URL transmission, the web
browser 301, in the step S302, receives the hypertext
"WebExplore".
[0305] Then, the web browser 301, in a step S403, secures a display
area for an image by the Java Applet in accordance with the
hypertext "WebExplore", and requests the copy server 10 of the
primary copy system 1 to send the class files of the Java Applet
designated by its Applet class file names in the hypertext
"WebExplore".
[0306] Then, the web browser 301 waits till all the class files of
the Java Applet requested in the step S404 have been received. Upon
receipt of all the class files, it reconstructs the Java Applet 133
from all the received class files, and activates the Java Applet.
Subsequently, the web browser 301 continues an ordinary
process.
[0307] (6) Java Applet
[0308] Next, a process by a Java Applet 133 designated by the
Applet class file name in the hypertext "WebExplore" in the present
embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 through
25.
[0309] The Java Applet activated in the step S405, in the step
S101, displays the initial dialog box 80 shown in FIG. 42. At this
time point, the right and left windows 85 and 86 in the initial
dialog box 80 are left blank.
[0310] In the next step S502, the Java Applet 133 displays the
names of the primary copy system 1, the secondary copy system 1",
and other client terminals 2, and icons in a tree structure on the
left window 85 of the initial dialog box 80 in accordance with
various parameters described in the hypertext "WebExplore" received
in the step S402. Further, it accesses the hard disc 38 of the self
client terminal 2 to add characters of "MY Computer" and icons to
the display in the left window 85.
[0311] In the next step S503, the Java Applet 133 judges whether or
not some operation event occurs in response to an input signal from
the input interface 37. When some operation event occurs, the Java
Applet 133, in a step S504, checks a kind of the operation
event.
[0312] When the S504 judges that a select operation of the display
type occurs, that is, when the "Display" in the menu bar 82 is
clocked, "File list" "Thumbnail" in the pull down menu to
subsequently displayed are clicked, the Java Applet 133 advances to
a step S505. In the step S505, the Java Applet 133 stores the
display type selected, viz., "File list display" or "Thumbnail
display corresponding to the name clicked. Upon completion of the
S505 execution, the Java Applet 133 returns to the step S503.
[0313] When the step S504 judges that a display thumbnail number
change operation occurs, the "Displat" in the menu bar 82 of the
initial dialog box 80 is clicked, the "thumbnail" in the pull down
menu subsequently displayed is clicked, and "3", "6" or "9" in the
menu subsequently displayed is clicked, the Java Applet 133
advances to a step S506. In the step S506, the Java Applet 133
stores the selected thumbnail number, i.e., the number of clicking
operations. Upon completion of the S506 execution, the Java Applet
133 returns to the step S503.
[0314] When the step S504 judges that a click operation of a
directory occurs, viz., a display is present in the left window 85
of the initial dialog box 80, the Java Applet 133 advances to a
step S508. In the step S508, the Java Applet 133 links to the copy
system 1 and sends a file list packet designating a path name
corresponding to the clicked directory thereto (corresponding to a
management information request portion).
[0315] In the next step S509, the Java Applet 133 waits a response
of file information to the file request packet transmitted in the
step S508 (see S715). The file information (file management
information) contains directory names of the subdirectories in a
directory indicated by the path name in the file list request
packet, file names of the files stored in the directory indicated
by the path name, file size, file attributions, time stamps, page
numbers, and a disc space that may be used by the directory
indicated by the path name.
[0316] When this file information responds, the Java Applet 133
advances from the step S509 to the step S510. In this step S510,
the Java Applet 133 displays a free disc space on the status bar 84
of the initial dialog box 80 on the basis of the free disc space
contained in the file information. Further, it updates the tree
contents displayed in the left window 85 of the initial dialog box
80 on the basis of the subdirectory names contained in the file
information. As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, the subdirectory names
and their icons are displayed in a tree fashion in the lower layer
of the clicked directory.
[0317] In the next step S511, the Java Applet 133 checks if the
display type stored in the step S505 is a file list display or a
file name display. When the file list display is stored, a step
S512 performs a file list display on the basis of the file
information responded in the step S509. As shown in FIG. 44, file
names of files contained in the file information, file size, file
attributes, time stamps and page numbers are listed in this order
from the top in the right window 86 of the initial dialog box 80
(corresponding to a display portion). Upon completion of the S512
execution, the Java Applet 133 returns to the step S503.
[0318] When the step S511 judges that a thumbnail display is
stored, the Java Applet 133, in a step S513, specifies the first
file name contained in the file information responded in the step
S509. Upon completion of the S509 execution, the Java Applet 133
advances to a step S510.
[0319] In the step S510, the Java Applet 133 initializes a variable
"n" to "0". Subsequently, the Java Applet 133 executes a loop
process of steps S515 to S520 in order to receive a JPEG thumbnail
data corresponding to the file names contained in the file
information.
[0320] In the first step S515 in this loop process, the Java Applet
133 links to the primary copy system 1, and sends a full down load
request packet which designates the file name specified in the
steps S513, S521, S524 or S525, its path name, and a requested file
type (here, JPEG thumbnail file) to the copy system (corresponding
to a rough image JPEG file request portion).
[0321] In the next step S516, the Java Applet 133 waits for a
response of a JPEG thumbnail file (rough image JPEG file) to the
full down load request packet transmitted in the step S515 (see
S727).
[0322] When the JPEG thumbnail file responds, the Java Applet 133
advances from the step S516 to the step S517. In the step S517, the
Java Applet 133 saves the received thumbnail JPEG file in the RAM
32.
[0323] In the next step S518, the Java Applet 133 increments by one
a variable "n".
[0324] In the next step S519, it checks if the full down load
request packet is transmitted (S515) for all the file names
contained in the file information received in the step S509. When
the full down load request packet is not transmitted yet, the Java
Applet 133 advances a step S520.
[0325] In the step S520, the Java Applet 133 checks if the variable
"n" is equal to the number of thumbnails. When the variable "n"
does not reach the number of thumbnails, the Java Applet 133
specifies the next file name in the file information in a step
S521. Then, it returns to the step S515 to send the full down load
request packet concerning a file name specified anew.
[0326] When the loop process of the steps S515 to S521, and the
transmission of the full down load request packet for all the file
names in the file information is completed, the Java Applet 133
advances from the step S519 to a step S522. When the variable "n"
does not reach the number of thumbnails, the Java Applet 133
advances from the step S520 to a step S522.
[0327] In the step S522, the Java Applet 133 displays thumbnails in
the right window 86 of the initial dialog box 80 as shown in FIG.
45, on the basis of the JPEG thumbnail file saved in the RAM 32
(corresponding to the display portion). In this case, for the file
name of a file in which the number of page in the file information
is "1", as indicated by A in FIG. 45, a thumbnail image (rough
image) 87, responded for its file name, which is based on the JPEG
thumbnail data in the JPEG thumbnail file, first page of the page
(page 1 OF 1), its file name 89, and full size 90 are displayed
while being vertically arranged. For a file name for the multiple
pages (X pages, for example) in the file information, as indicated
by B in FIG. 45, the upper edges and the right edges of the
thumbnail image 87 are fringed (denoted as 87a) so to present an
image overlapping view. Page Y of the page X (Page Y of X) 91 is
displayed between the thumbnail image (rough image) 87 and the file
name 89. Y indicative of "page number" is displayed in a text box
88b attached with a scroll bar 88a. Accordingly, by operating the
scroll bar 88a by a mouse, a value of Y displayed in the text box
88b may be incremented or decremented within values of X. Upon
completion of the S522 execution, the Java Applet 133 returns to
the step S503.
[0328] When the step S504 judges that a click operation event of
the previous or next page occurs, that is, the previous page button
86a or the next page button 86b displayed in the right window 86 in
the thumbnail display is clicked as shown in FIG. 45, the Java
Applet 133 advances to a step S523.
[0329] In the step S523, the Java Applet 133 checks which of the
previous page button 86a and the next page button 86b is clicked.
And the Java Applet 133 advances to a step S524 when the previous
page button 86a is clicked. When the next page button 86b is
clicked, it advances to a step S525. In the step S524, the Java
Applet 133 specifies a file name next to the final file name of
which the thumbnail is currently displayed in the right window 86,
from the file information responded for the present directory in
the latest step S509. In the step S525, the Java Applet 133
specifies a file name preceding to the first file name of which the
thumbnail is displayed in the right window 86 by the number of
thumbnails stored in the step S506. In either case, the Java Applet
133 advances to a step S514. The process of the step S514 and the
subsequent ones was already described, and hence its description is
omitted here.
[0330] When the step S504 recognizes that a display page No.
updating operation for a plurality of page files occurs, that is,
when the scroll bar 88a of any of the thumbnails displayed in the
right window 86 is operated by the computer mouse 42 and as a
result, the page number Y displayed in the text box 88b is
increased or decreased, the Java Applet 133 advances to a step
S526.
[0331] In the step S526, the Java Applet 133 links to the primary
copy system 1, and sends to the latter a file down load request
packet which designates a file name to be updated (i.e., a file
name described under the text box 88b in which the page number is
increased or decreased), its path name, a file type (in this
instance, JPEG thumbnail file), and a requested page number (page
number Y after increased or decreased) (corresponding to the rough
image JPEG file request portion).
[0332] In the next step S527, the Java Applet 133 waits for a
responses of the JPEG thumbnail file (rough image JPEG file) to the
file down load request packet that is sent in the step S526 (see
S727).
[0333] When the JPEG thumbnail file responds, the Java Applet 133
advances from the step S527 to a step S528. The Java Applet 133, in
this step S528, saves the received thumbnail JPEG file in a RAM
32.
[0334] In the next step S529, the Java Applet 133 updates the
thumbnail image 87 displayed above the text box 88b in which the
page number Y is increased and decreased on the basis of the JPEG
thumbnail file saved in the RAM 32. As a result, the thumbnail
image (rough image) 87 corresponding to the increased or decreased
page number Y is displayed. Upon completion of the S529 execution,
the Java Applet 133 returns to the step S503.
[0335] When the step S504 recognizes that a file drop operation
occurs, that is, when one (and the icon or the thumbnail image 87
corresponding to it) of the file names displayed in the right
window 86 is drugged and dropped onto one of the directory names
(or its icon) displayed in the left window 85, the Java Applet 133
advances to a step S530.
[0336] In the step S530, the Java Applet 133 advances to a step
S531 when the place to which the file name is dropped is My
Computer (or a directory belonging to its lower layer), and
advances to a step S535 when that place is another directory
name.
[0337] In the step S531, the Java Applet 133 links to the primary
copy system 1 sends to the same a file down load request packet
which designates an original file name (i.e., the dragged file
name) and its path name, a to-be-copied drive name (i.e., a drive
name of the hard disc 38 of the self client terminal 2 belongs to
the directory to which the file name is dropped) and its path name,
and a file type (in this instance, an image file containing all
data pieces) (corresponding to the image file request portion).
[0338] In the next step S532, the Java Applet 133 waits for a
response of an image file (JPEG file or TIFF file) to the file down
load request packet sent in the step S531 (see S727).
[0339] When the image file responds, the Java Applet 133 advances
from the step S532 to a step S533. In this step S533, the Java
Applet 133 writes the received image file into a directory
indicated by the to-be-copied path name in the to-to-copied
drive.
[0340] In the next step S534, the Java Applet 133 checks if it
receives all the image files to the file down load request sent in
the step S531. When it does not yet receive all the image files, it
returns to a step S532. When it receives all the image files, the
Java Applet 133 returns to the step S503.
[0341] In the step S535, the Java Applet 133 links to the primary
copy system 1, and sends to it a file copy request packet which
designates an original file name (i.e., a file name dragged) and
its path, and a to-be-copied drive name (i.e., a drive name of each
hard disc 13 (38) of the copy server 10 to which the directory to
which the file name is dropped or another client terminal 2) and
its path name.
[0342] In the next step S536, the Java Applet 133 waits for a
response to the file down load request packet sent in the step
S535. When it receives a response, the Java Applet 133, in the next
step S step S537, checks if the response is that the copy is
normally accepted (see S730, S733, S736, S740) or it is an error.
When it is an error response, the Java Applet 133, in step S542,
displays an error on the display screen, and returns to a step
S503. When the response is that the copy is normally accepted, the
Java Applet 133 advances to a step S538. In this step S538, the
Java Applet 133 links to the primary copy system 1, and sends to it
a copy status check packet for checking a copy end. The copy status
check packet contains the following parameters; a process number,
an original file name and its path name, a to-be-copied drive name
and its path name.
[0343] In the next step S539, the Java Applet 133 checks the
contents of a response (see S742, S746) to the copy status check
packet sent in the step S538. When the response is an error
response, the Java Applet 133, in a step S542, displays an error on
the display screen, and returns to the step S503. When the response
is a copy progress (i.e., process progress<100%), the Java
Applet 133, in the step S540, displays a copy progress and a
process progress on the display screen, and returns to the step
S538. When the response is a copy end (i.e., process
progress=100%), the Java Applet 133 displays a copy end on the
screen, and returns to the step S503.
[0344] When the step S504 judges that a file retrieval operation
occurs, "edit" is clicked in the menu bar 82 of the initial dialog
box 80. When a retrieval path and a to-be-retrieved file name or a
to-be-retrieved directory name is input to a retrieval dialog box
(not shown), which is displayed by clicking "Retrieval" to then be
displayed in the pull down menu or the retrieval button 83c of the
tool bar 83, the Java Applet 133 advances to the step S542.
[0345] In the step S542, the Java Applet 133 checks if a retrieval
path input to the retrieval dialog box contains a drive name in the
self client terminal 2. When the retrieval path does not contain
the drive name of the self client terminal 2, the Java Applet 133
directly advances to a step S544. When the retrieval path contains
the drive name of the self client terminal 2, the Java Applet 133,
in a step S543, executes a file retrieval in the hard disc 38 of
the self client terminal 2, and advances to a step S544.
[0346] In the step S544, the Java Applet 133 links to the primary
copy system 1, and sends to it a file retrieval request packet
containing the following parameters; a retrieval range (range of a
path for retrieval) input the retrieval dialog box (not shown), a
to-be-retrieved file name, or a to-be-retrieved directory name.
[0347] In the next step S545, the Java Applet 133 waits for a
response to the file retrieval request packet sent in the step S544
(see S751). When receiving a response, the Java Applet 133, in the
next step S546, check if the retrieval normally ended on the basis
of the response contents. When it abnormally ended, the Java Applet
133, in a step S548, displays an error on the display screen, and
returns to a step S503.
[0348] When the retrieval normally ended, the Java Applet 133
displays all the retrieval results (retrieval results in the step
S543 and those contained in the response) on the display screen.
Upon completion of the S547 execution, the Java Applet 133 returns
to the step S503.
[0349] When the step S504 judges that a file delete operation
occurs, that is, when a file name displayed in the right window 86
or a directory name in left window 85 is clicked and then "file" in
the menu bar 82 of the initial dialog box 80 is clicked, and
"delete" in the pull down menu to subsequently be displayed, or
when a file name or a directory name is clicked and then the delete
button 83d in the tool bar 83 is clicked, the Java Applet 133
advances to a step S549.
[0350] In the step S542, the Java Applet 133 checks if the delete
path (i.e., a path corresponding to a file name or a directory name
clicked) contains a drive name in the self client terminal 2. When
the delete path contains a drive name in the self client terminal
2, the Java Applet 133, in a step S552, deletes a file to be
deleted (file indicated by the clicked file name) or a directory to
be deleted (directory indicated by the clicked directory from the
hard disc 38 of the self client terminal 2. Upon completion of the
S552 execution, the Java Applet 133 advances to a step S553.
[0351] When the delete path does not contain the drive name of the
self client terminal 2, the Java Applet 133, in a step S550, links
to the primary copy system 1, and send to it a file delete request
packet containing parameters of a file name or a directory name to
be retrieved and its path name. In the next step S551, the Java
Applet 133 waits for a response to the file delete request packet
sent in the step S550 (see S756). When receiving a response, the
Java Applet 133 advances to a step S553.
[0352] In the step S553, the HDD control portion 113 checks if the
file is normally deleted on the basis of the result of executing
the file delete process performed in the step S552 and the response
from the primary copy system 1. When the file deleting is not
normal, the Java Applet 133, in a step S55, displays an error on
the display screen and returns to a step S503.
[0353] When the file deleting is normal, the Java Applet 133, in a
step S554, changes a free disc space displayed on the status bar 84
to that after the file is deleted, on the basis of the result of
executing the file deleting process performed in the step S552 or a
parameter contained in the response received from the primary copy
system 1. Upon completion of the S554 execution, the Java Applet
133 returns to the step S503.
[0354] When the step S504 judges that a file name operation occurs,
that is, when a file name displayed in the right window 86 or a
directory name in the left window 85 is clicked, then "file" on the
menu bar 82 of the initial dialog box 80, "rename" in the pull down
menu to subsequently be displayed, and a new file name or a
directory name is entered from the keyboard 41, the HDD control
portion 113 advances to a step S556.
[0355] In the step S556, the Java Applet 133 checks if a rename bus
(i.e., bus corresponding to the clicked file name or directory
name) contains a drive name of the self client terminal 2. When the
rename bus contains the drive name of the self client terminal 2,
the Java Applet 133, in a step S559, changes the actual name of the
renamed file (file indicated by the clicked file name) or the
renamed directory (directory indicated by the clicked directory
name) in the hard disc 38 to the name entered from the keyboard 41.
Upon completion of the S559 execution, the HDD control portion 113
advances to a step S560.
[0356] When the rename path does not contain the drive name of the
self client terminal 2, the Java Applet 133, in a step S557, links
to the primary copy system 1, and send to it a file name request
packet containing a parameter of the renamed file name or the
renamed directory and its but name, and the name entered from the
keyboard 41. In the next step S558, the Java Applet 133 waits for a
response to the file name request packet sent in the step S557 (see
S761). When receiving a response, the HDD control portion 113
advances to a step S560.
[0357] In the step S560, the HDD control portion 113 checks if the
file naming is normally performed on the basis of the result of
executing the rename process of the step S559 or the response
received from the primary copy system 1 in the step S558. When the
renaming is not normal, the Java Applet 133, in a step S562,
displays an error on the screen and then returns to the step
S503.
[0358] When the renaming operation is normal, the Java Applet, in a
step S 561, changes the clicked file name or directory name to the
name entered by the keyboard 41. Upon completion of the S561
execution, the Java Applet 133 returns to the step S503.
[0359] When the step S504 judges that another even occurs, the Java
Applet 133, in a step S507, executes a process corresponding to the
event, and returns to a step S503.
[0360] (7) Network Reception Portion
[0361] A process by the network reception portion 111 executed on
the copy server 10 will be described by use of a flow chart shown
in FIG. 26. As shown in FIG. 26, the network reception portion 111,
in a step S601, waits for a packet from the copy server 10 (control
portion 112) any of the client terminals 2 or another copy system
1' by way of the network NW. When receiving a packet, it selects an
idle control portion 112 on the basis of a control management table
(FIG. 41) stored in the RAM 11, in a step S602.
[0362] In the step S603, for the control portion 112 selected in
the step S602, the network reception portion 111 changes the
information recorded in the control portion management table from
"idle" to "busy".
[0363] In the next step S604, the network reception portion 111
takes a message from the packet received in the step S601, and
sends it to the control portion 112 selected in the step S602. Upon
completion of the S604 execution, the network reception portion 111
returns to the step S601, and waits for the next incoming
packet.
[0364] (8) Control Portion
[0365] Next, a process by the control portion 112 will be described
by use of flow charts shown in FIGS. 27 through 34. Each control
portion 112 waits for a message (see S604) from the network
reception portion 111, in a step S701.
[0366] When receiving a message from the network reception portion
111, the control portion 112, in a step S702, checks a kind of the
received message. When the received message is the URL (see S401)
of the "WebExplore", the control portion 112 advances from the
process from the step S702 to a step S703.
[0367] In the step S703, the control portion 112 dynamically forms
hypertext data "WebExplore.html" on the basis of the contents
stored in the copy server 10 of the self system (the names and IP
addresses of another copy system 1" and the client terminals 2,
which are previously registered as the devices to and from which
the image files are transmitted and received, class file names of
the Java Applet 133, and other parameters).
[0368] In the next step S704, the control portion 112 sends the
hypertext "WebExplore.html" formed in the step S703 to the
request-originating client terminal 2 (web browser 301).
Thereafter, the control portion 112, in a step S710, changes its
own information stored in the control portion management table
(i.e., information corresponding to a use control portion number
received from the network reception portion 111) from "busy" to
"idle", and returns to the step S701.
[0369] When the message received from the network reception portion
111 is a class file request message of the Java Applet (see s403),
the control portion 112 advances from the step S702 to a step
S705.
[0370] In the step S705, it receives class files requested in the
class file request message from the HDD control portion 113, and
successively sends them to the client terminal 2 requesting them
(communication portion 302) (corresponding to a program
transmitting portion). Thereafter, the control portion 112, in a
step S710, changes its own information recorded in the control
portion management table from "busy" to "idle", and returns to the
step S701.
[0371] When the message received from the control portion 112 is a
file list request from the Java Applet 133 or the another copy
system 1' (see S508, S712), the control portion 112 advances from
the step S702 to a step S711.
[0372] In the step S711, the control portion 112 checks if the bus
name designated by the file list request contains the drive name of
the self system. When it contains the drive name of the self
system, the control portion 112, in a step S712, links to the
request-originating copy system 1 (secondary copy system) indicated
by the bus name, and transfers a file list request packet to it.
The control portion 112, in the next step S713, waits for a
response of the file information to the file list request packet
transferred in the step S712, and when receiving a response, it
advances to a step S715.
[0373] When the bus name designated by the file list request
contains the drive name of the self system, the control portion
112, in a step S714, reads out file information of the file
information indicated by the bus name, and advances to a step
S715.
[0374] In the step S715, the control portion 112, in a step S714,
sends the file information read out b the control portion per se in
the step S714 to the Java Applet 133 which originates a file list
request or the primary copy system 1 (corresponding to the
management information responding portion) or it sends the file
information that is received from the secondary copy system 1' in
the step S713, to the Java Applet 133 from which a file list
request originates (corresponding to the management information
responding portion). Thereafter, the control portion 112 changes
its own information recorded in the control management table from
"busy" to "idle", and returns to the step S701.
[0375] When the message received from the control portion 112 is a
file down load request (see S511, S526, S531, S717) from the Java
Applet 133 or another copy system 1', the control portion 112
advances from the step S702 to a step S716.
[0376] In the step S716, the control portion 112 checks the path
name designated by the file down load request (path name designated
as a copy originator in the case of the file down load request sent
in the step S531) contains the drive name of the self system. When
it does not contain the drive name of the self system, the control
portion 112, in a step S717, links to a request originating copy
system (secondary copy system) 1' indicated by the path name, and
sends a file down load request packet to it. The control portion
112 waits for a response of the image file to the file down load
request packet transferred in the step S717, and when receiving a
response, it advances to a step S727.
[0377] When the path name designated by the file down load request
contains the drive name of the self system, the control portion
112, in a step S719, checks if a file type designated by the file
down load request is JPEG thumbnail file or an image file
containing all data items. When the JPEG thumbnail file is
designated (see S515, S526, S717), it advances to a step S720.
[0378] In the step S720, the control portion 112 checks if the file
download request contains a page number designation. When it does
not contain the page number designation (see S515, S717), the
control portion 112, in a step S721, reads out a JPEG file or a
TIFF file corresponding to the file name designated by the file
down load request from the hard disc 13, and takes the JPEG file
data from the "JPEG thumbnail area" 62, 72 for the first page, and
stores those into the JPEG file (JPEG thumbnail file) (rough image
JPEG file). Upon completion of the S721 execution, the control
portion 112 advances to a step S727.
[0379] When the file down load request contains the page number
designation (see S526, S717), the control portion 112, in a step
S722, reads a JPEG file or a TIFF file corresponding to the file
name designated by the full down load request, takes JPEG thumbnail
data from the "JPEG thumbnail areas" 62, 72 for the page of the
designated page number, and stores it into the JPEG file (JPEG
thumbnail file) (rough image JPEG file). Upon completion of the
S722 execution, the control portion 112 advances to a step
S727.
[0380] When a file type designated by the file down load request is
an image file containing all data pieces (see S531, S717), the
control portion 112 advances from the step S719 to step S723. In
the step S723, it reads out a JPEG file or TIFF file corresponding
to the path name or file name designated as a copy originator in
the file down load request, from the hard disc 13.
[0381] In the next step S724, the control portion 112 checks if the
image file read out in the step S723 is a JPEG file or a TIFF file.
When it is a TIFF file, it advances to a step S727. When it is a
JPEG file, the control portion 112, in step S725, checks if it is a
JPEG multi-page file (see FIG. 38) or a JPEG single page file (see
FIG. 37). When it is the JPEG single page file, the control portion
112 advances to a step S727. When it is the JPEG multi-page file,
the control portion 112 advances to a step S112.
[0382] In the step S726, the control portion 112 decomposes the
JPEG multi-page file read out in the step S723 into a plurality of
JPEG files consisting of "total JPEG data areas" 60-1 to X for the
individual pages. Upon completion of the S726 execution, the
control portion 112 advances to a step S727.
[0383] In the step S727, the control portion 112 sends a JPEG file
storing the JPEG thumbnail data extracted in the step S721 or S722,
a JPEG file or a TIFF file read out in the step S723, or a
plurality of JPEG files decomposed in the step S726 to the Java
Applet 133 or the primary copy system 1' (corresponding to image
file sending portion, rough image JPEG file reponding portion). Or
it sends a JPEG file or a TIFF file that is received from the
secondary copy system 1' in the step S718 to the Java Applet 133
from which the file down load request originates (corresponding to
the rough image JPEG file responding portion). Thereafter, the
control portion 112, in a step S710, changes its own information
recorded in the control portion management table from "busy" to
"idle", and then returns to the step S701.
[0384] When a message received from the control portion 112 is a
file copy request (see S535, S739) from the Java Applet 133 or
another copy system 1', the control portion 112 advances from the
step S702 to a step S728.
[0385] In the step S728, the control portion 112 checks if the copy
originating path name or the copy terminating path name designated
by the file copy request contains the drive name of the self
system. When the copy originating path name or the copy terminating
path name contains the drive name of the self system, the control
portion 112, in a step S729, reads out a copy originating file
(JPEG file or TIFF file) specified by the copy originating path
name or file name designated by the file copy request, and writes
it into a directory in the hard disc 13 that is specified by the
copy terminating path name. In the next step S730, the control
portion 112 sends a response that the copy is normally accepted to
the Java Applet 133 only when it is directly requested by the Java
Applet 133.
[0386] When the copy originating path name or copy terminating path
designated by the file copy request contains a drive in another
system, the control portion 112 advances to a step S731. In the
step S731, the control portion 112 checks if the copy originating
path name designated by the file copy request contains the drive
name of the self system, and the copy terminating path name
contains the drive name of another system. When the copy
originating path name contains the drive name of the self system,
and the copy terminating path name contains the drive name of
another system, the control portion 112, in a step S732, links to
the copy terminating system (secondary copy system) 1', and reads
out a copy originating file (JPEG file or TIFF file) specified by
the copy originating path name or file name designated by the file
copy request from the hard disc 13, and designates a copy
terminating path and sends it to the terminating system. In the
next step S S733, the control portion 112 sends a response that the
copy is normally accepted tot he Java Applet 133 only when it is
directly requested by the Java Applet 133.
[0387] When the copy originating path name designated by the file
copy request contains the drive name of another system, the control
portion 112 advances to a step S734. In the step S734, the control
portion 112 checks if the copy originating path name designated by
the file copy request contains the drive name of the another
system, and the copy originating path name contains the drive name
of the self system. When the copy originating path name contains
the drive name of the another system, and the copy originating path
name contains the drive name of the self system, the control
portion 112, in a step S735, links to the copy originating system
(secondary copy system) 1', and sends to it a file transfer request
packet designating the copy originating file name and the copy
terminating path name. In the next step S736, the control portion
112 sends a response that the copy is normally accepted to the Java
Applet 133. In the next step S737, the control portion 112 waits
till the copy originating system responds to the file transfer
request file sent in the step S736, and sends the image file (JPEG
file or TIFF file) to the control portion. When the response of the
image file (see S708), the control portion 112, in the next step
S738, writes the received image file data into a directory
corresponding to the copy terminating path name designated by the
file copy request.
[0388] When the copy terminating path name designated by the file
copy request contains the drive name in another system, the control
portion 112 advances to step S739. In this step, the control
portion 112 links to the copy originating system (secondary copy
system) 1', and send a file copy request packet to it. In the next
step S740, the control portion 112 sends a response that the copy
is normally accepted to the HDD control portion 113.
[0389] When any of S730, S733, S738, and S740 ends, the control
portion 112, in step S710, changes the information recorded in the
control management table from "busy" to "idle", and returns to the
step S701.
[0390] When the message received from the control portion 112 is an
image file sent by another copy system 1', the control portion 112
advances from the step S702 to a step S706.
[0391] In the step S706, the control portion 112 writes the
received image file data into a directory corresponding to the copy
terminating path designated. In the next step S707, the control
portion 112 checks if the image file data reception ends. If not
yet, it returns to the step S706, and when the data reception ends,
it changes its own information recorded in the control portion
management table from "busy" to "idle" in a step S710, and returns
to the step S701.
[0392] When the message received from the control portion 112 is a
file transfer request (see S735) from another copy system 1', the
control portion 112 advances from the step S702 to step S708.
[0393] In the step S708, the control portion 112 reads out a
copying originating path name designated by a file transfer request
and a copy originating file (JPEG file or TIFF file) specified by
the file name, and sends them to the copy terminating system
(primary copy system) from which the request originates. In the
next step S709, the control portion 112 checks if the entire file
data transmission ends. When not yet, it returns to the step S708,
and when the entire data transmission ends, it changes, in a step
S701, its own information recorded in the control portion
management table from "busy" to "idle", and returns to the step
S701.
[0394] when the message received from the control portion 112 is a
copy status check from the Java Applet 133 or another copy system
1' (see S538, S744), the control portion 112 advances from the step
S702 to a step S741.
[0395] In the step S741, the control portion 112 checks if the copy
originating path name designated in the copy status check and the
copy terminating path name contain both the drive name of the self
system. When the copy originating path name and the copy
terminating path name contain both the drive name of the self
system, the control portion 112, in a step S742, checks a progress
of the copying operation on the basis of a process number, copy
originating path name and its file name, and a copy terminating
path name, which are designated in the copy status check. And it
returns its process progress (%) to the Java Applet 133.
[0396] When either of the copy originating path name designated in
the file copy status check and the copy terminating path name
contains the drive name of another copy system, the control portion
112 advances to a step S743. In a step S743, the control portion
112 checks whether a request originator of the copy status check is
the Java Applet 133 or another copy system 1'. When it is the Java
Applet 133, the control portion 112, in a step S744, sends an
additional copy status check to the another copy system 1' as the
copy terminator or copy originator. In the next step S745, the
control portion 112 waits for a response (see S747) from the
another copy system 1' which receives a copy status check packet
sent in the step S744. When a response is received, the control
portion 112 advances to a step S746.
[0397] In the step S746, the control portion 112 checks a copy
operation progress in the self system and a copy status (process
progress) responded from the another copy system in the step S745,
on the basis of the process number, copy originating path name and
its file name, and a copy terminating path name, which are
designated in the copy status check, and returns its process
progress (%) to the Java Applet 133.
[0398] When the request originator of the copy status check is
another copy system (primary copy system) 1', the control portion
112, in a step S747, checks a copy operation progress on the basis
of the process number, copy originator path name and its file name,
and copy terminator path name, which are designated in the copy
status check, and sends its process progress (%) to the primary
copy system 1" as the request originator.
[0399] When any of S742, S746, and S747 ends, the control portion
112, in the step S710, changes its own information recorded in the
control portion management table from "busy" to "idle", and returns
to the step S701.
[0400] When the message received from the control portion 112 is a
file retrieval request from the Java Applet 133 or another copy
system 1' (see S544, S752), the control portion 112 advances from
the step S702 to a step S748.
[0401] In the step S748, the control portion 112 checks if a
retrieval range designated in the file retrieval request is that of
the self system or another system. When it is that of another
system, the control portion 112, in a step S749, links to another
system (secondary copy system), and sends a file retrieval request
packet to it. The control portion 112, in the next step S750, waits
for a response of the retrieval result (see S751) to the file
retrieval request packet sent in the step S749, and when receiving
a response, it advances to a step S751.
[0402] When the retrieval range designated in the file retrieval
request is that of the self system, the control portion 112, in a
step S752, executes a file retrieval in the hard disc 13 of the
self system in accordance with the retrieval range designated in
the file retrieval request and the file name or directory name of
an object to be retrieved. After the step S752 is executed, the
control portion 112 advances to a step S751.
[0403] In the step S751, the control portion 112 sends the
retrieval result acquired by the file retrieval in the step S752 to
the Java Applet 133 as the file retrieval request originator or the
primary copy system 1. Or it sends the file retrieval result that
is received from the secondary copy system 1' in the step S70 to
the Java Applet 133 as the file retrieval request originator.
Thereafter, the control portion 112, in step S710, changes its own
information recorded in the control portion management table from
"busy" to "idle", and returns to a step S701.
[0404] When the message received from the control portion 112 is a
file delete request from the HDD control portion 113 or the another
copy system 1' (see S550, S754), the control portion 112 advances
from the step S702 to a step S753.
[0405] In the step S753, the control portion 112 checks if the path
name of the deleted file or directory designated in the file delete
request contains the drive name of the self system. When it
contains the drive name of another system, the control portion 112,
in a step S754, links to another system (secondary copy system),
and transfers a file delete request packet to it. The control
portion 112, in the next step S755, waits for a response of the
delete result to the file delete request packet transferred in the
step S754 (see S756), and when receiving a response, it advances to
a step S756.
[0406] When the path name of the deleted file or directory
designated in the file delete request contains the drive name of
the self system, the control portion 112, in a step S757, deletes
the deleted file or the directory in accordance with the file name
of the path name and the deleted file or the directory designated
in the file delete request. After executing the step S757, the
control portion 112 advances to a step S756.
[0407] In the step S756, the control portion 112 sends the result
of the deletion in the step S757 (including information of a free
disc space in which the deleted file or directory and a total disc
space or space) to the Java Applet 133 of the file delete request
or the primary copy system 1. Or it sends, in a step S755, the file
deletion result received from the secondary copy system 1' to the
Java Applet 133 as the file deletion request originator.
Thereafter, the control portion 112, in a step S710, changes its
won information recorded in the control portion management table
from "busy" to "idle", and returns to a step S701.
[0408] When the message received from the control portion 112 is a
file name request from the Java Applet 133 or the secondary copy
system 1', the control portion 112 advances from the step S702 to a
step S758.
[0409] In the step S758, the control portion 112 checks the path
name of the renamed file or directory designated in the file name
request contains the drive name of the self system or another
system. When the path name contains the drive name of another
system, the control portion 112, in a step S759, links to another
system (secondary copy system), and sends a file rename request
packet to it. The control portion 112, in the next step S760, waits
for a response of the result of renaming for the file rename
request packet transferred in the step S759 (see S761), and when
receiving the response, it advances to a step S761.
[0410] When the path name of the renamed file or directory
designated in the file rename request contains the drive name of
the self system, the control portion 112, in the step S762,
specifies the path name and file or directory name of the renamed
file designated in the file rename request, in accordance with the
path name and the file or directory name of the renamed file
designated in the file rename request. And it changes their names
to new names designated in the file rename request. After the step
S762, the control portion 112 advances to a step S761.
[0411] In the step S761, the control portion 112 sends the renaming
result (the renaming normally ends) (S762) to the Java Applet 133
or the copy system 1 as the file rename request originator. Or it
sends the file renaming result received from the secondary copy
system 1' in the step S760 to the Java Applet 133 as the file name
request originator. Subsequently, the control portion 112, in a
step S710, changes its own information recorded in the control
portion management table from "busy" to "idle", and returns to a
step S701.
[0412] III. Operations
[0413] Exemplar operations of the network copy file management
system thus arranged will be described in detail. In the
description to follow, it is assumed that a first copy system 1 is
located near a client terminal 2 operated by an operator, and a
second copy system 1'. The operator will set an original document
on the scanner 20 of the first copy system 1, and operate the touch
panel 18 and the keyboard 23. Further, it is assumed that the first
copy system 1 serves as a "primary copy system" and the second copy
system 1' serves as a "secondary copy system".
[0414] (1) Storing of the Image File in a Scan Mode
[0415] To begin with, an operation of the network copy file
management system when the first copy system 1 is placed to a scan
mode, and image information on the original is read, will first be
described with reference to a time chart shown in FIG. 46. In this
case, before operation, the operator depresses the scan mode button
53 displayed on the touch panel 18, and sets various parameters on
the scan mode basic operation user interface (FIG. 36), and sets an
original document on the flat bed or the ADF of the scanner 20.
[0416] After the above preparatory operation, the operator
depresses the start key of the keyboard 23. Then, the operation
panel portion 118 sends a key information message containing those
parameters and key depression to the management portion 114 (S006).
Upon receipt of the key information message, the management portion
114 holds those parameters contained in the key information message
and sends a scanner operation check request message to the scanner
portion 115 (S114). Upon receipt of the scanner operation check
request message, the scanner portion 115 responsively sends the
scanner 20 being busy or idle to the management portion 114 (S203).
The management portion 114, after receiving the response, operates:
When the response is a busy status, it sends a display select
message in which a display number for busy display to the operation
panel portion 118, when the response is an idle status, sends a
display number for scan progress to the same (S122, S124). The
operation panel portion 118, after receiving the display select
message, carries out a display process according to the display
number (S008).
[0417] When the response from the SCSI interface 15 is an idle
status, the management portion 114 sends a "scan and HDD storage
request message" attached with various parameters contained in the
key information message to the HDD control portion 113 (S123).
After receiving the "scan and HDD storage request message" from the
management portion 114, the HDD control portion 113 sends a scan
request message attached with the parameters that are attached to
the "scan and HDD storage request message" to the scanner portion
115 (S303). In turn, the scanner portion 115 instructs the scanner
20 to scan original documents that are located on the flat bed or
the ADF of the scanner 20 page by page in accordance with those
parameters attached to the scan request message (S211).
[0418] The scanner portion 115 sends scan data to the HDD control
portion 113 every time it receives scan data of a predetermined
number of lines from the scanner 20 (S213). When the sending of the
scan data of the final line of pages ends, the scanner portion 115
sends a scan end message to the HDD control portion 113 (S217,
S218). When no page is left, the HDD control portion 113 which
sends a process end message to the management portion 114 (S219)
forms a JPEG file or a TIFF file in accordance with the file
parameters contained in the "scan and HDD storage request message".
When original documents of a plural number of pages are set in
either image file, image data (JPEG data or 24-bit RGB data) is
formed every page by use of the scan data received from the scanner
portion 115, and stored into the image file. Further, it forms JPEG
thumbnail data which is compressed reducing the resolution of the
scan data, and stores into the image file. When the image file is
formed in this way, the HDD control portion 113 sends a process end
message to the management portion 114 (S363, S374).
[0419] When receiving a process end message from both the scanner
portion 115 and the HDD control portion 113, the management portion
114 sends a display select message in which a display number for
displaying the ordinary scan mode basic operation user interface to
the operation panel portion 118 (S105). Upon receipt of the display
select message, the operation panel portion 118 displays the
original scan mode basic operation user interface on the screen of
the LCD 19 (S008).
[0420] (2) File Operation from the Client Terminal
[0421] Next, a file operation to the primary copy system 1 from the
web browser 301 on the client terminal will be described. In this
case, the operator actuates the web browser 301 on the client
terminal 2, and inputs a URL of "WebExplore" of the primary copy
system 1 on the web browser 301, and sends it through the
communication portion 302 to the network NW (S401). In turn, the
network reception portion 111 which is executed in the copy server
10 of the primary copy system 1 receives the URL, and transfers it
to any of the control portions 112 which is managed as an idle one
in the control portion management table (S601 to S604).
[0422] In turn, the control portion 112 dynamically forms hypertext
"WebExplore.html" containing information of the P addresses and
names another copy system and another client terminal 2 which are
registered as a terminating station of the image file in the self
system 1, class file names of the Java Applet, and the like
(S704).
[0423] Upon receipt of the hypertext "WebExplor.html", the web
browser 301 sends to the copy server 10 a request of sending the
class files of the Java Applet in which the Applet class file names
are described in the hypertext "WebExplore.html" (s403). Upon
receipt of the request, the network reception portion 111 transfers
the request to any of the control portions 112 being in a standby
state (S601, S604). Upon receipt of the class file request, the
control portion 112 successively reads out the requested class
files from the hard disc 13 in accordance with the Applet class
file names, and transfers them to the web browser 301 of the client
terminal 2 (S705).
[0424] When all the class files necessary for the activation are
arranged on the RAM 32 of the client terminal 2 in this way, the
web browser 301 activates the Java Applet 133 (S405). The Java
Applet 133 is displayed on a specified area on the display screen
by the web browser 301, and displays an initial dialog box 80 shown
in FIG. 42.
[0425] (A) File List Display
[0426] An operation of the network copy file management system when
any of the directory names is selected under the display of the
initial dialog box (S505), and the directory name is clicked, will
be described.
[0427] When the directory name of the primary copy system 1 is
clicked, and in this state, the primary copy system 1 or the
directory name of its lower layer displayed in the initial dialog
box 80 is clicked by the operator, the Java Applet 133, as shown in
FIG. 47, sends to the primary copy system 1 a file list request
packet which designates a path name corresponding to the clicked
directory name (S508). Upon receipt of the file list request
packet, the input/output control unit 12 reads out file information
(subdirectory names, and filenames, file size, time stamp, file
attributes and the number of pages of image files) in the directory
corresponding to the path name designated in the file list request
packet, from the hard disc 13 (S714), and responsively sends the
file information to the Java Applet 133 (s715). The Java Applet
133, upon receipt of the file information, displays subdirectory
names, which are based on the received file information, in a tree
fashion in the lower layer of the directory name clicked by the
operator in the left window 85 (S510). At the same time, the HDD
control portion 113, as shown in FIG. 44, displays a list of
received file information (file list display) in the right window
86 of the initial dialog box 80 (S512).
[0428] When the directory name of the primary copy system 1 is
clicked and in this state, a secondary copy system 1' or the
directory names under it displayed in the left window 85 of the
initial dialog box 80, the Java Applet 133, as shown in FIG. 48,
sends a file list request packet designating the path name
corresponding to the clicked directory name to the primary copy
system 1 (S508).
[0429] The control portion 112 which received the file list request
packet sends a file list request packet corresponding to the path
name designated in the file list request packet to the secondary
copy system 1' (S712).
[0430] The control portion 112 of the secondary copy system 1',
which receives the file list request packet, reads out of the hard
disc 13 file information (subdirectory names, and fine names, file
size, time stamps and attributes and the number of pages of the
image files) of the directory corresponding to the path name
designated in the file list request packet (S714), and responsively
sends the file information to the primary copy system 1 of the
request originator (S715).
[0431] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1, which
receives the file information, responsively sends the received file
information to the Java Applet 133 of the request originator
(S715). The Java Applet which receives the file information
displays a tree structure of subdirectory names on the basis of the
received file information in the lower layer of the directory name
clicked by the operator in the left window 85 of the initial dialog
box (s510). At the same time, the HDD control portion 113, as shown
in FIG. 44, displays a list of the received file information in the
right window 86 of the initial dialog box (S512).
[0432] (B) Thumbnail Display
[0433] An operation of the network copy file management system when
the thumbnail display is selected (S505) and a directory name is
clicked in a state that the initial dialog box is displayed, will
be described.
[0434] When the directory name in the primary copy system 1 is
clicked, and in this state, the operator clicks the primary copy
system 1 displayed in the left window 85 of the initial dialog box
80 and the directory names in the lower layers, the file
information, as shown in FIG. 49, is responsively applied to the
Java Applet 133 as in the case of the file list display, and is
displayed in a tree structure in the left window 85 of the initial
dialog box 80 (S508, S714, S715, S509, S510).
[0435] Subsequently, the Java Applet 133 sets a display type
parameter as a thumbnail on the first file name contained in the
received file information, and sends a file down load request
packet in which a path name and a file name are set to the primary
copy system 1 (S515). The control portion 112 which receives the
file down load request packet reads out an image file corresponding
to the path name and file name designated in the file down load
request packet from the hard disc 13, and extracts JPEG thumbnail
data of the first page from the image file, and sends the JPEG
thumbnail data of the first page in the image file to the Java
Applet 133 of the request originator (S721, S727). When a plurality
of file names are contained in the file information, the file down
load request packet transmission (S515) and the JPEG thumbnail file
transmission (S727), which are described above, are repeated on the
fist file names to a given number of file names (equal to the
number of display thumbnails set in advance by the operator).
[0436] When receiving the JPEG thumbnails on a predetermined number
or all of the file names in the file information, the Java Applet
133, as shown in FIG. 45, displays the thumbnails on the basis of
the JPEG thumbnail files already received, in the right window 86
of the initial dialog box 80.
[0437] When the directory name in the secondary copy system 1', and
in this state, the operator clicks a secondary copy system 1' and a
directory name in the lower layer thereof, displayed in the left
window 85 of the initial dialog box 80, the file information, as
shown in FIG. 50, is responsively sent to the Java Applet 133 as in
the case of the file list display, and a tree structure is
displayed in the left window 85 of the initial dialog box 80 (S508,
S712, S714, S715, S509, S510).
[0438] Subsequently, the Java Applet 133 sets the display type
parameter as a thumbnail on the fist file name of those contained
in the file information received and sends a file down load request
packet in which the path name and its file name are set to the
primary copy system 1 (S515).
[0439] The control portion 112 which receives the file down load
request packet sends a file down load request packet to the
secondary copy system 1' corresponding to the path name designated
in the file down load request packet (S717).
[0440] The secondary copy system 1', which receives this down load
request packet, reads out from the hard disc 13 an image file
corresponding to the path name and file name designated in the file
down load request packet, extracts the first, true JPEG thumbnail
data from the image file, and sends the JPEG thumbnail file storing
the JPEG thumbnail data to the primary copy system 1 of the request
originator (S721, S727).
[0441] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1, which
receives the JPEG thumbnail file, sends the received thumbnail file
to the Java Applet 133 of the request originator (S727).
[0442] When a plurality of file names is contained in the file
information, the file down load request packet transmission and
transfer (S515, S717), and the JPEG thumbnail file transmission
(S727) which are described above, are repeated on the fist file
names to a given number of file names (equal to the number of
display thumbnails set in advance by the operator).
[0443] When receiving the JPEG thumbnail files on a predetermined
number of or all of the file names in the file information, the
Java Applet 133, as shown in FIG. 45, displays the thumbnails on
the basis of the respective thumbnail files received and saved in
the right window 86 of the initial dialog box 80.
[0444] (C) File Copy
[0445] An operation of the network copy file management system when
a file list display or a thumbnail display is performed, and in
this state, any of the file names is drugged and dropped onto a
directory name, will be described.
[0446] When the directory of the dragged file name is in the
primary copy system 1 and the dropped directory is my computer or
the directory in its lower layer, the Java Applet 133, as shown in
FIG. 51, sets the dragged file name and its path name as a copy
originator, and sends a file down load request packet in which the
path name corresponding to the dropped directory in the self client
terminal 2 is set as a copy terminator to the primary copy system 1
(S531).
[0447] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 which
receives the file down load request packet reads out the path name
and file name designated as a copy originator in the file down load
request packet from the hard disc 13 (S723), and sends it to the
Java Applet 133 (S727).
[0448] The Java Applet 133 which receives the image file writes the
received image file into a directory corresponding to the path name
designated as the copy terminator in the hard disc 38 (S533).
[0449] When the directory of the dragged file name is in the
primary copy system 1 and the dropped directory is in the primary
copy system 1, the Java Applet 133, as shown in FIG. 52, sets the
dragged file name and its path name as a copy originator, and sends
a file down request packet in which the path name corresponding to
the dropped directory in the primary copy system 1 as a copy
terminator to the primary copy system 1 (S531).
[0450] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 which
receives the file down load request packet reads out from the hard
disc 13 an image file corresponding to the path name and file name
designated as the copy originator in the file down load request
packet, and writes them into a directory corresponding to the path
name designated as the copy terminator in the hard disc 13 (S729).
At the same time, the control portion 112 responsively sends a
message that the copy is accepted to the Java Applet 133
(S730).
[0451] The Java Applet 133 which receives the message sends a copy
status check packet in which the file name and path name of the
copy originator and the path name of the copy terminator to the
primary copy system 1 (S538).
[0452] The control portion 112 which receives the copy status check
packet returns a copy progress status (error or progress
information) to the hard disc 13 of the request originator
(S742).
[0453] The Java Applet 133 which receives the copy progress status
performs an error display (S542), an in-progress display (540) or
an end display (S541) in accordance with the copy progress
status.
[0454] When the directory of the dragged file name is in the
primary copy system 1 and the dropped directory is in the secondary
copy system 1', the Java Applet 133, as shown in FIG. 53, sends to
the primary copy system 1 a file down load request packet in which
the dragged file name and its path name are set as a copy
originator, and the path name corresponding to the dripped
directory in the secondary copy system 1' is set as a copy
terminator (S531).
[0455] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 which
receives the file down load request packet reads out an image file
corresponding to the path name and file name designated as a copy
originator in the file down load request packet from the hard disc
13, and sends the image file attached with the copy originator path
name to the secondary copy system 1' corresponding to the copy
originator path name (S732).
[0456] The control portion 112 of the secondary copy system 1'
which receives the transmission file writes the received image file
into a directory corresponding to the path name designated as the
copy originator in the hard disc 13 (S706).
[0457] At the same time, the control portion 112 of the primary
copy system 1 responsively sends a message that the copy is
accepted to the Java Applet 133 (S733).
[0458] The Java Applet 133 which receives this message sends a copy
status check packet in which the file name and path name are set
for the copy originator and the path name is set for the copy
terminator to the primary copy system 1 (S538).
[0459] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 which
receives this copy status check packet sends a copy status check
packet to the secondary copy system 1' corresponding to the path
name designated as the copy terminator (S744).
[0460] The control portion 112 of the secondary copy system 1'
which receives the copy status check packet returns a copy progress
status (error or progress information) to the primary copy system 1
of the request originator (S747).
[0461] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 which
receives the copy progress status determines a total copy progress
status (error or progress information) on the basis of the received
copy progress status of the secondary copy system 1' and the copy
progress status in the self system, and returns the copy progress
status to the Java Applet 133 (S746). The Java Applet 133 that
receives the copy progress status carries out an error display
(S542), a progress display (S540), or an end display (S541).
[0462] (D) File Retrieval
[0463] Next, an operation of the network copy file management
system when a retrieved file name or directory name and a retrieval
range are input into a retrieval dialog (not shown) under the file
list display and thumbnail display, will be described.
[0464] When the input retrieval range is in the primary copy system
1, the Java Applet 133, as shown in FIG. 54, sends to the primary
copy system 1 a file retrieval request packet in which the input
retrieval range and retrieved file name or directory name in the
primary copy system 1 are set (S544).
[0465] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 which
receives the file retrieval request packet retrieves a directory
having a file having a retrieved file name designated in the file
retrieval request packet and a directory having a retrieved
directory name designated in a retrieval range designated in the
file retrieval request packet (S752). And it responsively sends the
retrieval result to the Java Applet 133 (S751).
[0466] The Java Applet 133 which receives the retrieval result
displays the retrieval result (S547).
[0467] When the input retrieval is in the secondary copy system 1',
the Java Applet 133, as shown in FIG. 55, sends a file retrieval
request packet in which the input retrieval range in the secondary
copy system 1' and the retrieved file or directory name are set to
the primary copy system 1 (S544).
[0468] The control portion 112 that receives the file retrieval
request packet transfers the file retrieval request packet to the
secondary copy system 1' (S749).
[0469] The control portion 112 of the secondary copy system 1'
which receives the file retrieval request packet retrieves a file
of a retrieved file name designated within a retrieval range
designated in the file retrieval request packet or a directory
having a retrieved directory name designated within the same range
(S752). And it responsively sends the retrieval result tot he
primary copy system 1 of the request originator (S751).
[0470] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 which
receives the retrieval result sends the retrieval result to the
Java Applet 133 (S751).
[0471] The Java Applet 133 which receives the retrieval result
displays the received retrieval result (S547).
[0472] (E) File Delete
[0473] An operation of the network copy file management system when
the file list and the thumbnail are displayed and in this state, a
file name or a thumbnail is clicked and then "delete" of the "file"
is clicked in the tool bar 83 or the delete button 83d is clicked,
will now be described.
[0474] When the clicked deleted file or directory exits in the
primary copy system 1, the Java Applet 133, a shown in FIG. 56,
sends a file delete request packet in which the clicked deleted
file name or directory name, and its path name are set to the
primary copy system 1 (S550).
[0475] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 which
receives the file delete request packet deletes from the hard disc
13 a deleted file corresponding to the path name and deleted file
name designated by the file delete request packet or the deleted
file corresponding to the deleted directory name (S757). And it
responsively sends the deleted result (including information of a
free disk space that may be used by the directory specified by the
path name) to the Java Applet 133 (S756).
[0476] The Java Applet 133 that receives the delete result displays
a free disc space in the delete result received on the status bar
84 (S554).
[0477] When the clicked deleted file or directory exists within the
secondary copy system 1', the Java Applet 133, as shown in FIG. 57,
sends a file delete request packet in which the clicked deleted
file name or directory name and its path name are set to the
primary copy system 1 (S550).
[0478] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 which
receives the file delete request packet sends a file delete request
packet to the secondary copy system 1' (S754).
[0479] The control portion 112 of the secondary copy system 1'
which receives the file delete request packet deletes from the hard
disc 13 a deleted file corresponding to a path name designated by
the file delete request packet and a deleted file name or directory
(S757). And it sends the delete result (information including a
free disc space that may be used by a directory specified by the
path name and a total disc space) to the primary copy system 1 of
the request originator (S756).
[0480] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 that
receives the delete result sends the delete result to the Java
Applet 133 (S756).
[0481] The Java Applet 133 that receives the delete result displays
a free disc space in the received delete result on the status bar
84 (S554).
[0482] (F) File Rename
[0483] An operation of the network copy file management system when
a file name or a thumbnail is clicked under the file list display
or thumbnail display, and then the delete button 83d is clicked,
and a new file name or directory name is input, will be
described.
[0484] When the clicked renamed file or directory is in the primary
copy system 1, the Java Applet 133, as shown in FIG. 58, it sends
to the primary copy system 1 a file rename request packet in which
the clicked renamed file or directory name and its path name, and a
new file or directory name are set (S557).
[0485] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 which
receives the file rename request packet changes the file or
directory names corresponding to the path name and the renamed file
or directory specified in the file rename request packet to new
names designated by the file rename request packet in the hard disc
13 (S762). And it sends the renamed result to the Java Applet 133
(S761).
[0486] The Java Applet 133 that receives the rename result renews
the names displayed on the renamed file or directory on the basis
of the renaming result received (S561).
[0487] When the clicked renamed file or directory is in the
secondary copy system 1', the Java Applet 133, as shown in FIG. 59,
sends the file rename request packet in which the clicked renamed
file or directory name and its path name, and the new file or
directory name are set to the primary copy system 1 (S557).
[0488] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 that
receives the file rename request packet sends the file rename
request packet to the primary copy system 1 (S759).
[0489] The control portion 112 of the secondary copy system 1' that
receives the file rename request packet changes the path name
specified by the file rename request packet and the file or
directory name corresponding to the renamed file or directory name
to new names designated by the file rename request packet, in the
hard disc 13 (S762). And it responsively sends the renaming result
to the primary copy system 1 (S761).
[0490] The control portion 112 of the primary copy system 1 that
receives the renaming result is transferred to the Java Applet 133
(S761).
[0491] The Java Applet 133 that receives the renaming result renews
the name displayed on the renamed file or directory (S561).
[0492] (3) Effects of the Embodiment
[0493] As described above, in the network copy file management
system of the embodiment, the operator depresses the scan mode
button 53 of the touch panel 18 of the copy server 10 and the start
key of the keyboard 23. Data of image information of an original
document located on the flat bed or the ADF of the scanner 20 is
read. However, the image information is not immediately printed on
a print sheet by the printer 21, but the image data is stored into
an image file (JPEG or TIFF file), and stored into the hard disc
13. Then, the operator down loads the class files of the Java
Applet 133 from the copy server 10, and the Java Applet 133 is
executed. As a result, management information of image files (file
names, file size, time stamps, file attributes, the number of pages
of image data stored in the image files) and rough images of image
data stored in the image files (thumbnails), which are stored in
the hard disc 13 of the copy server 10, are selectively displayed
on the display device 40 of the client terminal. Further, a
specific image file per se stored in the hard disc 13 of the copy
server 10 may be down loaded into the client terminal 2.
Accordingly, the operator on the client terminal 2 may display an
actual image by the image data stored in the image file, and
visually check its state (density, resolution, arrangement, color
tone, etc.).
[0494] As seen from the foregoing description, the image reading
portion of the copy system reads image information on an original
document to produce image data. The image data is stored in the
form of image files into the disc of the copy system. In response
to a request connected to the copy system through a computer
network, management information of a plurality of image files
within a requested range may be displayed on the display screen.
When any of the thus displayed management information pieces is
specified by the operator, the copy system is requested to down
load the image file corresponding to the specified management
information, and the requested image file may be down loaded into
the client terminal. As a result, an image by the image data in the
image file may be displayed on the display screen of the client
terminal. Therefore, the operator can check a state of the image
before it is printed on a print sheet by the printer.
[0495] Although the invention has been described in its preferred
form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that
the present disclosure of the preferred form can be changed in the
details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of
parts without departing from the spirit and the scope of the
invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *