JP2005044345A - File management device, file management system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a drop in access speed due to increased files present on the same path when a file system having a directory system is used. <P>SOLUTION: When files to be present in one directory specified by an externally input pathname exceeds a given number, one or more subdirectories are created under the original directory, and a plurality of files to be present in the original directory are sorted for internal management to the plurality of subdirectories so that files entered in each directory do not exceed the given upper limit number. The entries in the subdirectories are concealed from the outside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a file management apparatus that improves access speed in a file system that performs file management in a storage device such as a hard disk device using a directory structure, and in particular, a function of storing image data obtained by reading a document. The present invention relates to a file management apparatus suitable for an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a digital multi-function peripheral, and an image forming apparatus including the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine having a copy function and a digital multifunction machine having a scanner function, a printer function, a facsimile function, etc. added thereto, a read original image is converted into electronic data (image data) as a hard disk device ( And a function of storing in a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD). Using this function, image data stored in the storage device can be transmitted to an external device via a communication line or reprinted later based on a user instruction. .

  A large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk device requires a longer time to access data than a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, so that the access time is shortened so as not to hinder the operation of the image forming apparatus. Various proposals have been made.

  For example, in view of the fact that the data transfer speed of the hard disk device becomes slower as the track to be accessed approaches the inner circumference, the data is classified according to the required transfer speed, and the data required for high-speed transfer is assigned to the outer tracks. There is an image forming apparatus configured as described above (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-319662 JP-A-11-291564

  When data is stored in a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk device, the data is generally handled in a file format using a file system in terms of ease of management, expandability, and versatility. The file system has a directory system and manages the location of files hierarchically by a tree structure. To specify a file from the outside, a path name and file name representing the position of the file in the tree structure are used.

  The file system stores and manages management information indicating in which path each file exists in the tree structure in the storage device itself. When acquiring the configuration information of a file existing in the directory specified by the path name or opening the file, the file system accesses the storage device to acquire necessary management information, rewrites it, or accesses it later Or copy it to main memory. Therefore, the deeper the tree structure and the longer the path, the greater the number of accesses to the storage device and the longer it takes to obtain the desired file information. On the other hand, even when the number of files existing in the same path increases, the number of accesses to the storage device increases, and it may take a long time to acquire file configuration information and the like.

  When an image forming apparatus such as a digital multi-function peripheral allocates one directory for each original and performs processing such that one page of each original is stored in that directory as one file, the number of pages increases in one directory. Files will exist. For example, if more than 1000 or 10,000 files are entered in one directory, it takes several minutes to several tens of minutes to acquire the configuration information of the file existing in the directory by specifying the path name or to delete the file. In some cases, the user may have to wait for a long time, or a specific application may cause a timeout error.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems of the conventional technology, and a file management system capable of reducing a decrease in access speed accompanying an increase in the number of files existing in the same path, An object of the present invention is to provide an applied image forming apparatus.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
The invention according to claim 1 distributes a plurality of files that should exist in one directory specified by a path name from the outside to a plurality of subdirectories so that the number of files existing in each directory is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number. The file management device is characterized by internal management.

  According to the above invention, a plurality of files that should exist in one directory specified by a path name from the outside are allocated to a plurality of subdirectories so that the number of files existing in each directory is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number. to manage. By internal management, the path using the subdirectory is managed only by the file management apparatus and hidden from the outside. In this way, even when a large number of files exist in one directory when viewed from the outside, the files are distributed to a plurality of subdirectories within the file management device so that the number of files existing in each directory does not exceed the upper limit. Therefore, a decrease in access speed due to an increase in the number of files is prevented.

  The invention according to claim 2 creates one or two or more directories as subdirectories under the directory when the number of files that should exist in one directory specified by a path name from the outside exceeds a predetermined number, Internal management by distributing a part or all of a plurality of files that should exist in one directory specified by a path name from the outside to the sub-directory so that the number of files existing in each directory is less than a predetermined upper limit. A file management apparatus characterized by

  According to the above invention, a plurality of files that should exist in one directory specified by a path name from the outside are distributed and managed internally in one or more subdirectories created under the original directory. Since a subdirectory is created under a directory specified by a path name from the outside, internal management by the subdirectory becomes easy. In addition, since the path to the original directory is common, path search is not wasted.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the file management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each time a file belonging to a newly created subdirectory reaches the upper limit number, the next new subdirectory is created. is there.

  According to the above invention, since subdirectories are sequentially created and increased as necessary, a decrease in access speed due to an increase in subdirectories is suppressed.

  The invention according to claim 4 stores file path division information representing a correspondence relationship between a file name including an externally designated path name and a subdirectory name to which the file belongs, in which data is stored under the directory structure. 4. The file management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the file management apparatus is stored in a storage medium accessible at a higher speed than the medium.

  According to the above invention, file path division information indicating the correspondence between a file name including an externally specified path name and a subdirectory name to which the file belongs can be quickly read and acquired, and converted into a subdirectory. Therefore, high-speed access is secured.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a storage device that stores various data including image data obtained by reading a document, and a file that manages data to be stored in the storage device in a file format and uses a path to specify a file. An image forming apparatus comprising: a system; an external system that accesses the file system; and the file management apparatus according to claim 1, which is interposed between the file system and the file management apparatus. .

  According to the above invention, in an image forming apparatus having a function of storing image data obtained by reading a document in a storage device managed by the file system, between the external system accessing the file system and the file system There is a file management device in between. This ensures high-speed access even when a document having a large number of pages is stored.

The invention according to claim 6 has a first directory therein, and storage means for storing files and / or subdirectories in the first directory;
A first management table storing a first path name corresponding to each of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory and indicating a name and a storage location thereof;
A control unit for controlling the file and / or the subdirectory,
When creating a new file or a new subdirectory in the first directory, the control unit stores a first path name corresponding to the new file or the new subdirectory in the first management table;
The file management system is characterized in that an upper limit number of files and / or subdirectories that can be stored in the first directory is preset.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the situation where the number of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory is equal to the upper limit number, the control unit creates a new file in the first directory. The control unit creates a new subdirectory in the first directory, and moves at least the new file and the file and / or the subdirectory into the subdirectory. 7. The file management system according to claim 6, wherein the number of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory is set to be equal to or less than the upper limit number.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the situation where the number of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory is equal to the upper limit number, the control unit creates a new file in the first directory. The control unit creates a new subdirectory in the first directory, and moves at least a part of the file and / or the subdirectory into the subdirectory. 7. The file management system according to claim 6, wherein the number of the files and / or the subdirectories stored in the first directory is set to be equal to or less than the upper limit number.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the situation where the number of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory is equal to the upper limit number, the control unit creates a new file in the first directory. The control unit moves the at least the new file and the file and / or the subdirectory to move the file and / or the subdirectory stored in the first directory. 7. The file management system according to claim 6, wherein the number of files is less than or equal to the upper limit number.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the situation where the number of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory is equal to the upper limit number, the control unit creates a new file in the first directory. The control unit moves at least a part of the file and / or the subdirectory, thereby moving the file and / or the subdirectory stored in the first directory. The file management system according to claim 6, wherein the number is less than or equal to the upper limit number.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the control unit includes a first path name indicating a moved storage location for the moved new file, the file, or the subdirectory, and the first directory. 11. A second management table for generating a second path name indicating a storage location of the first path name and storing the first path name and the second path name in association with each other. File management system.

  The invention according to claim 12 is directed to the file reference unit when the control unit is electrically connected to the file reference unit that refers to the file or the directory stored in the storage unit. The file management system according to claim 11, wherein the second path name is provided.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when an instruction to open a file stored in the storage unit is given based on the second path name provided to the file reference unit, the control unit performs the second management. 13. The file according to claim 12, wherein a first path name corresponding to the second path name is read with reference to a table, and the file is controlled to be opened based on the first path name. It is a management system.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when the file opened by the control unit is instructed to save the file based on the second path name provided to the file reference means, the control unit Refers to the second management table, reads the first path name corresponding to the second path name, and controls to save the file based on the first path name. A file management system according to claim 13.

  In the invention according to claim 15, when an instruction to delete a file or directory stored in the storage unit is given based on the second path name provided to the file reference unit, the control unit The second management table is referred to read out the first path name corresponding to the second path name, and control is performed to delete the file or the directory based on the first path name. A file management system according to claim 12.

  In the invention according to claim 16, when an instruction to output an image of a file stored in the storage unit is given based on the second path name provided to the file reference unit, the control unit 13. The file management according to claim 12, wherein the first path name corresponding to the second path name is read with reference to the second management table, and the file is controlled to output an image based on the first path name. System.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the file management system according to any one of claims 6 to 16, wherein the upper limit number that can be stored in the first directory is variable.

  The invention according to claim 18 is the file management system according to claim 6, wherein the first management table is stored in the storage means.

  The invention according to claim 19 is the file management system according to any one of claims 8 to 18, wherein the second management table is stored in the storage means.

  An invention according to claim 20 is an image forming apparatus comprising the file management system according to any one of claims 6 to 18.

  The invention according to claim 21 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising the file reference means.

  According to the file management apparatus, the file management system, and the image forming apparatus using the file management apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of files that should exist in one directory specified by a path name from the outside, Since it is distributed and managed internally in multiple subdirectories so that it is less than the predetermined upper limit, even if there are many files in the same directory when viewed from the outside, a decrease in access speed due to an increase in the number of files is prevented Is done.

  In addition, in the case of internally managing multiple files that should exist in one directory specified by the path name to one or more subdirectories created under the original directory, internal management by subdirectories Becomes easier. In addition, since the path to the original directory is the same, there is no useless path search, contributing to speeding up access.

  Whenever the number of files belonging to the newly created subdirectory reaches the upper limit, the next new subdirectory is created and the subdirectories are created and increased as necessary. The decrease in speed is suppressed.

  File path division information indicating the correspondence between a file name including an externally specified path name and a subdirectory name to which the file belongs is stored in a storage medium that can be accessed at higher speed than a storage medium used for normal file management. In this case, file path division information can be acquired quickly, overhead associated with conversion to a subdirectory is reduced, and high-speed access is ensured.

  In an image forming apparatus to which the file management apparatus is applied, high-speed access is ensured even when a document having a large number of pages is stored.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 including a file control unit as a file management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 is configured as a digital multifunction machine having a scanner function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like in addition to a copy function for reading a document and forming and outputting a corresponding image on a recording sheet. Also, a function for compressing and storing image data obtained by reading a document, a function for transmitting stored image data to an external device using e-mail or FTP (File Transfer Protocol), It has a function to call out and print the image.

  In order to realize such a function, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 30 as a control unit that performs overall control of the operation of the entire apparatus, a ROM (read only memory) 11, and a RAM (random memory). (Access memory) 12 and the main part. The ROM 11 stores programs executed by the CPU 30 and various fixed data. The RAM 12 functions as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 30 executes a program, and a page memory that stores at least one page of image data for performing a rotation process.

  The reading unit 13 has a function of reading a document image and taking in corresponding image data. The reading unit 13 includes a light source that irradiates the document, a line image sensor that reads the document for one line in the width direction thereof, a moving unit that moves the reading position in units of lines in the length direction of the document, and reflected light from the document. And an optical path composed of a lens and a mirror for guiding the light to a line image sensor to form an image. The line image sensor is composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The analog image signal output from the line image sensor is A / D converted, further binarized by error diffusion processing, etc., and output as digital image data.

  The printing unit 14 functions to form and output an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. The printing unit 14 is configured as a so-called laser printer having a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. ing. The facsimile unit 15 is a part that functions as a facsimile. It fulfills the function of compressing / decompressing image data with a compression method compatible with facsimile and the function of controlling various communication procedures for facsimile transmission / reception.

  The display operation unit 16 includes a liquid crystal display having a touch panel on the surface and various operation switches, and has a function of performing various guidance displays and status displays to the user and receiving various operations from the user. Yes. The communication unit 17 has a function of communicating with a telephone line or various networks.

  The compression means 18 functions to compress the image data, and the expansion means 19 functions to expand the compressed data to the original image data. The auxiliary storage device 20 is a large-capacity storage device. Here, a hard disk device is used. The auxiliary storage device 20 is used for storing compressed image data and various management data.

  The CPU 30 as the control unit functions as a file system 31 and a file control unit 32. The file system 31 performs a management function for storing various data in the auxiliary storage device 20 in a file format. The file system 31 plays a role of creating a directory for storing a file and its entry in the auxiliary storage device 20, moving or deleting the file, and managing file attribute information. The location of the file or directory in the file system 31 is managed by a tree structure having the root directory as a vertex, and the path from the vertex to the target file or directory along the tree structure is a path, and this route is described. Things are path names.

  The number of passes is equal to the number of files. The first path name indicating the name and storage location of the file and / or directory is stored in the first management table 80 having the configuration shown in FIG. For example, when a directory “subdirectory 1” exists immediately under a directory “path 1” and a file “file 1” exists immediately below the directory, the path name is “path 1 / subdirectory 1 / file”. 1 ".

  When an application opens a new file or acquires file configuration information, the application accesses the file system 31 by specifying a file name including a path name. For example, when the file system 31 receives a request to open a file that already exists from the application, the file system 31 acquires the file control block of the file from the auxiliary storage device 20 based on the specified path name, and moves it to the main memory. Return the identification number (file handle) of the file control block to the application. Thereafter, the application uses this file handle to read / write the file. In the file control block, the path name and file name of the file, address information in the auxiliary storage device 20 storing the actual state of the file, and various attribute information are registered.

  The file control unit 32 serves as a file management device in the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a hierarchical structure of software related to the auxiliary storage device 20, and the relevance to the hardware becomes stronger toward the center. The center of the hierarchical structure is an HDD driver 41 that handles input / output commands to the auxiliary storage device 20, and a file system 31 exists outside the HDD driver 41.

  The file control unit 32 is outside the file system 31 and is interposed between the application 42 and the file system 31. The file control unit 32 creates subdirectories so that there is no file exceeding a predetermined upper limit number in a single directory managed by the file system 31, and assigns the storage locations of the files to them, It fulfills the function of managing the location internally.

  That is, when the number of files that should exist in one directory (hereinafter referred to as the original directory) specified by the path name from the external application 42 exceeds a predetermined upper limit number, that is, the number of files equal to the predetermined upper limit number When a new file and / or directory is created under the condition of existing in one directory, one or more directories are created as subdirectories under the original directory, and one subdirectory is created. It fulfills the function of sorting and saving a plurality of files that should exist in the original directory so that the number of existing files is less than or equal to the upper limit. The fact that the file is sorted and stored in the subdirectory is hidden from the external application 42 so that the external application 42 seems to have the file in the original directory.

  FIG. 1 shows a comparison between a file storage state viewed from the external application 42 and a file storage state internally managed by the file control unit 32. In the figure, the right side frame 50 shows the storage state of the file as viewed from the application 42, and the left side frame 60 shows the storage state of the file internally managed by the file control unit 32. From the external application 42, it seems that the files from “1” to “2M” and the subdirectory K are stored in the original directory 51 represented by the path 1.

  On the other hand, on the file system 31, a plurality of subdirectories 61 from “1” to “K” are created under the original directory 51 and viewed from the outside, “1” to “2M” stored in the original directory 51. And the sub-directory K are distributed and stored in a plurality of sub-directories 61 (sub-directory 1 and sub-directory 2). In the example of FIG. 1, the upper limit number of files stored in one subdirectory 61 is “m”. Here, M <m, and m is not a physically manageable number, but is determined in advance in consideration of a decrease in speed when acquiring file information, displaying or saving a file, as described above. It is a numerical value. Note that m is variable.

  As described above, for the files and / or subdirectories that have been moved so that the number of files and / or subdirectories existing in one directory is less than or equal to m, the storage location after the move (actual storage location) Is stored in the first management table 80, and a second path name indicating a storage location (virtual storage location) in the original directory before movement is generated. Then, the second management table in which the first path name and the second path name are associated with each other is stored in the RAM 12 as the file path division information 70.

  For the external application 42 (file reference means), when the second path name is provided as information on the file and / or subdirectory, the file and / or subdirectory is displayed on the external application. It is displayed as if it was stored in the storage location before the movement.

  On the other hand, since the number of files and / or subdirectories existing in one directory is set to m or less, it is necessary to obtain file information, display and save files, etc. In addition, the speed is not reduced more than the allowable range.

  The first path name includes a path name indicating an actual storage location (hereinafter also referred to as a split path name) and a file name, and the second path name is a path name indicating a virtual storage location (hereinafter referred to as an original). Path name) and file name.

  When the file control unit 32 creates a new file in the subdirectory 61, the second path name of the file and the first path name of the file are associated with each other and registered in the file path division information 70. When a request for opening a file or acquiring file configuration information is received from the external application 42 by designating the second path name, the designated second path name is referred to the file path division information 70. The file system 31 is converted to the first path name, and the file system 31 is accessed using the converted first path name.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the file path division information 70. Each second path name (file name including the original path name) is registered in association with the first path name (subdirectory name and file name) in which the file is stored. In the example shown in FIG. 4, 100 files from “file1” to “file100” stored in the directory represented by the original path name “AAA / BBB” as viewed from the external application 42 are actually Are stored in a subdirectory “Sub1” created under the original path. In addition, the file after “file 101” stored in the directory represented by the original path name “AAA / BBB” as viewed from the external application 42 is actually a sub-name “Sub2” created under the original path. It is registered that it is stored in the directory.

  Next, the operation flow of the file control unit 32 will be described. As described above, since the file operation is performed by the file handle after the file is opened, the file control unit 32 is related only when the file is opened and when the file configuration information is acquired.

  FIG. 5 shows an operation flow of the file control unit 32 when a file save command (write / open command) is received from the external application 42. The file path division information 70 is searched with the original path name specified by the application 42, and the corresponding original path is divided (a subdirectory is created under the original path, or the first path name and the second path name correspond to each other). It is checked whether it has been managed) (step S101).

  If it is divided (step S102; Y), a file path conversion process for converting the original path name into the divided path name is executed (step S103). Then, the data requested by the application 42 is written in the file specified by the division path name and the file name (step S106). When the original path is not divided (step S102; N), it is determined whether the number of files existing in the original path has reached a predetermined upper limit number (step S104). For example, the upper limit number is set to “100”.

  If the upper limit number has not been reached (step S104; N), the data requested by the application 42 is written to the file specified by the designated original path name and file name (step S106). If the number of files has reached the upper limit (step S104; Y), create a subdirectory under the directory indicated by the original path name, add the subdirectory name, and convert the original path name to a split path name. (Step S105). Thereafter, the data requested by the application 42 is written in the file specified by the division path name and the file name (step S106).

  In any case, when a file exceeding a preset upper limit number is generated in one directory, the file and / or subdirectory in one directory is controlled by performing the above-described control. Is set to be less than or equal to the upper limit. Although the number of files already stored is determined at the timing of writing, it may be performed at an initial stage.

  FIG. 6 shows the flow of the file path conversion process. The file path name designated by the application 42 is divided into a file name and a path name (original path name) (step S201), and an entry is made in a subdirectory created under the directory represented by the original path name. A file whose number has not reached the upper limit is searched (step S202).

  If there is no empty subdirectory in the entry (step S203; N), a subdirectory creation process is executed to create a new subdirectory (step S204). When a subdirectory created in this way or an empty subdirectory is found, the original file path is converted into a divided path so that entry is made in that subdirectory (step S205). For example, when the original path name is “AAA / BBB”, the file name is “file101”, and the subdirectory name is “Sub1”, the divided path name after conversion is “AAA / BBB / Sub1 / file101”.

  FIG. 7 shows the flow of subdirectory creation processing. First, the entry information in the parent directory of the subdirectory created this time is acquired with reference to the file path division information 70 (step S301). Then, a subdirectory having a name that does not overlap with an existing subdirectory name is created (step S302). For example, if the number of created subdirectories is used as the subdirectory name, the processing is simplified.

  FIG. 8 shows the flow of the subdirectory creation / file path conversion process called in step S105 of FIG. The entry information in the parent directory of the subdirectory to be created this time is acquired with reference to the file path division information 70 (step S401), and a subdirectory having a name that does not overlap with the existing subdirectory name is created (step S402). Then, the file path conversion process shown in FIG. 6 is executed, and the process ends. That is, a new subdirectory is created, and the file path is converted so as to be entered in the subdirectory.

  FIG. 9 shows a flow of operations of the file control unit 32 when receiving an instruction to acquire file configuration information from the external application 42. The file path division information 70 is searched with the original path name designated by the application 42, and it is checked whether or not the original path is divided (step S501). If it is divided (step S502; Y), a file path conversion process for converting the original path name into a divided path name is executed (step S503), and a file structure creation process is executed (step S504).

  FIG. 10 shows the flow of the file structure creation process. First, an actual file path configuration is acquired from the file system 31 (step S601). That is, all the subdirectory names created under the original path are recognized by the previously executed file path conversion process, and all the file names entered in these subdirectories are extracted.

  Next, the subdirectory name portion is deleted from the acquired actual file path name to change the file path name (step S602). Then, the file path configuration is changed using the changed file path name (step S603). For example, when the split path name is “AAA / BBB / Sub1 / file1”, the sub-directory name “Sub1” is deleted and the file path is changed to “AAA / BBB / file1”.

  If the original path is not divided in step S502 of FIG. 9 (N), the composition information drawn using the original path name is acquired (step S505).

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are included in the present invention. It is. For example, in the embodiment, the subdirectory is created under the original path designated by the application 42, but the subdirectory may be created in another location.

  When the control unit gives an instruction to create a new file in the first directory in a situation where the number of files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory is equal to the preset number, It is possible to do the following.

  (1) The control unit creates a new subdirectory in the first directory, and moves at least the new file and the files and / or subdirectories already stored in the subdirectory to move the first directory. The number of files and / or subdirectories stored in the file may be set to a predetermined upper limit or less.

  (2) The control unit creates a new subdirectory in the first directory, and moves at least a part of the already stored files and / or subdirectories into the subdirectory. The number of files and / or subdirectories stored in the file may be set equal to or less than the predetermined upper limit number.

  (3) The control unit moves at least new files and files and / or subdirectories that are already stored, thereby limiting the number of files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory in advance. The number may be less than the number.

  (4) The control unit moves at least a part of the already stored files and / or subdirectories to thereby set a predetermined upper limit number of files / and subdirectories stored in the first directory. The following may be used.

  Furthermore, when an instruction to delete a file or directory stored in the storage unit is given based on the second path name provided to the file reference unit, the control unit refers to the second management table and performs the second operation. The first path name corresponding to the path name may be read, and the file or directory may be deleted based on the first path name.

  When an instruction to output an image of a file stored in the storage unit is given based on the second path name provided to the file reference unit, the control unit refers to the second management table and sets the second path name. A corresponding first path name may be read out, and a file may be output as an image based on the first path name.

  Image output refers to an act of printing a file stored in a storage unit by the image forming apparatus and an act of transferring or transmitting the file.

  In addition, the first management table and the second management table (file path division information 70) are stored in the RAM 12, and the file path division information 70 is reconstructed by the initial process when the power is turned on. The information 70 may be stored in the auxiliary storage device 20. Further, the first management table and the second management table may be stored in different storage means, or the first management table and the second management table may be stored in separate storage means. Furthermore, in the embodiment, when a subdirectory is created, all the files entered in the original directory indicated by the original path name are moved to the subdirectory. You may comprise so that it may move.

  In the other embodiments, the case where the file management apparatus is applied to the image forming apparatus 10 has been described as an example. However, the file management apparatus can be configured independently or applied to another apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 30 having the file system 31 and the file control unit 32 is provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and the application 42 is provided in an external personal computer or the like. An example has been described in which information on a file in the auxiliary storage device 20 is acquired, displayed, or a selected file is printed while being electrically connected to the image forming apparatus 10. It is not limited to this.

  The application 42 may be provided inside the image forming apparatus 10, and a file in the auxiliary storage device 20 may be displayed on a display device provided in the image forming apparatus 10 or a selected file may be printed. .

  In addition, the auxiliary storage device 20 that stores each file and / or each directory, and a storage unit that stores the first management table and the second management table may be provided inside the image forming apparatus 10, or What is necessary is just to be connected from the system 31 and the file control part 32 so that handling is possible.

  That is, a file management system having the control unit 30 including the file system 31 and the file control unit 32, the auxiliary storage device 20, the storage unit, and the application 42 may be provided inside the image forming apparatus 10, or may be controlled. The unit 30, the auxiliary storage device 20, and the storage unit may be provided inside the image forming apparatus 10, and the application 42 may be provided externally so as to be connectable to the image forming apparatus 10, thereby constituting a file management system. The control unit 30 and the application 42 may be provided inside the image forming apparatus 10, and the auxiliary storage device 20 and the storage unit may be provided outside so as to be connectable to the image forming apparatus 10, or the control unit 30 may be provided in the image forming apparatus. 10, the auxiliary storage device 20, the storage means and the application 42 are It may be provided externally to be connectable to the image forming apparatus 10.

It is explanatory drawing which represented the storage state of the file seen from the external application at the time of applying the file management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the storage state of the file managed internally. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a file control unit as a file management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the hierarchical structure of the software in the image forming apparatus containing the file control part as a file management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the file path division | segmentation information which the file management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention produces and refers. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when the file control part as a file management apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention receives the preservation | save command of a file from an external application. It is a flowchart which shows the file path conversion process which the file control part as a file management apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subdirectory creation process which the file control part as a file management apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subdirectory creation / file path conversion process which the file control part as a file management apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when the file control part as a file management apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention receives the command which acquires the structure information of a file from an external application. It is a flowchart which shows the file structure creation process which the file control part as a file management apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the 1st management table which the file management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention produces and refers to.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... ROM
12 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Reading part 14 ... Printing part 15 ... Facsimile part 16 ... Display operation part 17 ... Communication part 18 ... Compression means 19 ... Expansion means 20 ... Auxiliary storage device 30 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... File system 32 ... File control part 41 ... HDD driver 42 ... Application 50 ... Area | region which shows directory structure seen from the outside 51 ... Original directory 60 ... Area | region which shows directory structure managed internally 61 ... Subdirectory 70 ... File path Division information (second management table)
80: First management table

Claims (21)

It is characterized in that a plurality of files that should exist in one directory specified by a path name from the outside are internally managed by distributing them to a plurality of subdirectories so that the number of files existing in each directory is less than a predetermined upper limit. File management device. When the number of files that should exist in one directory specified by a path name from the outside exceeds a predetermined number, one or more directories are created as subdirectories under the directory, and the files existing in each directory are predetermined. The file management is characterized in that part or all of a plurality of files that should exist in one directory specified by a path name from the outside is distributed to the sub-directory and managed internally so that the number is less than the upper limit apparatus. The file management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a new new subdirectory is created each time a file belonging to a newly created subdirectory reaches the upper limit number. File path division information indicating the correspondence between the file name including the path name specified from the outside and the subdirectory name to which the file belongs can be accessed at higher speed than the storage medium storing the data under the directory structure. The file management apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the file management apparatus is stored in a medium. A storage device for storing various data including image data obtained by reading a document;
A file system that manages data to be stored in the storage device in a file format and uses a path to specify a file;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the file management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the file management apparatus is interposed between an external system that accesses the file system and the file system. A storage means having a first directory therein and storing files and / or subdirectories in the first directory;
A first management table storing a first path name corresponding to each of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory and indicating a name and a storage location thereof;
A control unit for controlling the file and / or the subdirectory,
When creating a new file or a new subdirectory in the first directory, the control unit stores a first path name corresponding to the new file or the new subdirectory in the first management table;
An upper limit number of files and / or subdirectories that can be stored in the first directory is set in advance.   When the control unit gives an instruction to create a new file in the first directory in a situation where the number of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory is equal to the upper limit number The control unit creates a new subdirectory in the first directory, and moves at least the new file and the file and / or the subdirectory into the subdirectory. The file management system according to claim 6, wherein the number of the stored files and / or the subdirectories is set to the upper limit number or less.   When the control unit gives an instruction to create a new file in the first directory in a situation where the number of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory is equal to the upper limit number The control unit creates a new subdirectory in the first directory, and moves the file and / or a part of the subdirectory into the subdirectory, thereby storing the subdirectory in the first directory. 7. The file management system according to claim 6, wherein the number of the files and / or the subdirectories to be set is equal to or less than the upper limit number.   When the control unit gives an instruction to create a new file in the first directory in a situation where the number of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory is equal to the upper limit number The control unit moves at least the new file and the file and / or the subdirectory so that the number of the file and / or the subdirectory stored in the first directory is less than or equal to the upper limit number. The file management system according to claim 6.   When the control unit gives an instruction to create a new file in the first directory in a situation where the number of the files and / or subdirectories stored in the first directory is equal to the upper limit number The control unit moves at least a part of the files and / or the subdirectories so that the number of the files and / or the subdirectories stored in the first directory is equal to or less than the upper limit number. The file management system according to claim 6.   The control unit includes, for the moved new file, the file, or the subdirectory, a first path name indicating a destination storage location that has been moved, and a second path indicating a storage location in the first directory. 11. The file management system according to claim 7, further comprising: a second management table that generates a name and stores the first path name and the second path name in association with each other.   The control unit provides the second path name to the file reference unit when electrically connected to the file reference unit that refers to the file or the directory stored in the storage unit. The file management system according to claim 11, wherein:   When an instruction to open a file stored in the storage unit is given based on the second path name provided to the file reference unit, the control unit refers to the second management table, and 13. The file management system according to claim 12, wherein a first path name corresponding to the two path names is read and the file is controlled to be opened based on the first path name.   When the file opened by the control unit is instructed to save the file based on the second path name provided to the file reference means, the control unit displays the second management table. 14. The file management according to claim 13, wherein a reference is made to read out a first path name corresponding to the second path name and to store the file based on the first path name. system.   When an instruction is given to delete a file or directory stored in the storage unit based on the second path name provided to the file reference unit, the control unit refers to the second management table. 13. The file management according to claim 12, wherein the first path name corresponding to the second path name is read and the file or the directory is controlled to be deleted based on the first path name. system.   When an instruction to output an image of a file stored in the storage unit is given based on the second path name provided to the file reference unit, the control unit refers to the second management table, 13. The file management system according to claim 12, wherein a first path name corresponding to the second path name is read out, and the file is controlled to be output as an image based on the first path name.   17. The file management system according to claim 6, wherein the upper limit number that can be stored in the first directory is variable.   18. The file management system according to claim 6, wherein the first management table is stored in the storage unit.   19. The file management system according to claim 8, wherein the second management table is stored in the storage unit.   An image forming apparatus comprising the file management system according to claim 6. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising the file reference unit.

Images