Image processing method and apparatus

Claim 2

An image processing method for reading an image recorded in an analog recording medium and then recording the read image in a digital recording medium, characterized in that a command data recording step and a digital image recording step are executed independently of each other, said command data recording step including inputting command data and recording the input command data in a command data recording medium, said command data having a retrieval data for allowing retrieval of image to be recorded in said digital recording medium and reading data for allowing said image to be read from said analog recording medium, said command data from said command data recording means, reading said image to be red from said analog recording medium in accordance with the read command data, and digitally recording the read image in said digital recording medium,

Claim 3

An image processing method according to Claim l, wherein said command data input in said command data recording step is displayed on a display device.

Claim 4

An image processing method according to Claim l, wherein said digital image recording step includes: a projecting step in which, after said command data is read from said command data recording medium, the image to be digitally recorded is projected in accordance with said command data; a threshold value determining step in which the projected image is pre-scanned and a threshold for discrimination between white and black is determined in accordance with the result of the pre-scan; and reading and recording step in which said image is read on the basis of said threshold value and recorded in said digital recording medium.

Claim 5

An image processing method according to Claim l, further comprising a command data checking step for checking said command data formed in said command data forming step for any error, by comparing said command data with data obtained by a frame-feed of said analog recording medium.

Claim 6

An image processing method according to Claim 4, wherein said data obtained by the frame feed of said analog recording medium is the data concerning whether a frame corresponding to the appointed address actually exists, as obtained by counting blip marks provided on a microfilm at positions corresponding to the frames of said microfilms.

Claim 7

An image processing apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein said data obtained by the frame feed of said analog recording medium is the data concerning frame size obtained by detecting the interval of blip marks provided on a microfilm at positions corresponding to frames on said microfilm.

Claim 8

An image processing method according to Claim l, wherein, in said command data forming step, said retrieval data and said reading data are formed on separate recording mediums, whereas, in said digital image recording step, said reading data is repeatedly utilized while said retrieval data is reformed each time said digital image recording step is executed.

Claim 9

An image processing apparatus having: input means A for inputting data concerning an image; recording means B for recording said data in a recording medium; digital conversion means C for reading image recorded on an analog recording medium and converting the read image into digital signals; and recording means D for recording said digital signal on a digital recording means; characterized in that said input means A (34-58) inputs retrieval data for retrieving the image to be recorded on said digital recording medium 54 and reading data for reading an image (l20) recorded on said analog recording medium; and that said digital conversion means C and said recording means D are provided independently from said input means A and said recording means B.

Claim 10

An image processing apparatus having: input means A for inputting data concerning an image; recording means B for recording said data in a recording medium; digital conversion means C for reading image recorded on an analog recording medium and converting the read image into digital signals; and recording means D for recording said digital signal on a digital recording means; characterized in that said input means A (34-58) inputs retrieval data for retrieving the image to be recorded on said digital recording medium 54 and reading data for reading an image (l20) recorded on said analog recording medium; and that said digital conversion means C and said recording means D are provided independently from said input means A and said recording means B.

Claim 11

An image processing apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said analog recording medium is a microfilm, and said image recorded on said analog recording medium is a micro-image.

Claim 12

l0. An image processing apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said command data recording medium is a floppy disk.

Claim 13

An image processing apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said command data recording medium is an optical disk.

Claim 14

An image processing apparatus for reading an image recorded on an analog recording medium and for digitally recording the thus read image on a digital recording medium, characterized by: (a) a first retrieval data recording medium storing first retrieval data for retrieving said analog image and second retrieval data correlated to said first retrieval data and adapted for specifying the position of said analog image; (b) analog image moving means for appointing, when said first retrieval data is input, an analog image by means of said second retrieval data corresponding to said first retrieval data and for moving the appointed image to a reading position; (c) reading and digital conversion means for reading said analog image moved by said analog image moving means to said reading position and converting the read image into digital signals; (d) digital recording means for recording, on said digital recording medium, said digital image obtained from said digital conversion means; and (e) a second retrieval data recording medium storing said first retrieval data and third retrieval data concerning said digital image on said digital recording medium, said third retrieval data being determined when said digital image is recorded by said digital recording means;

Claim 15

An image processing apparatus for reading an image recorded on an analog recording medium and for digitally recording the thus read image on a digital recording medium, characterized by: (a) a first retrieval data recording medium storing first retrieval data for retrieving said analog image and second retrieval data correlated to said first retrieval data and adapted for specifying the position of said analog image; (b) analog image moving means for appointing, when said first retrieval data is input, an analog image by means of said second retrieval data corresponding to said first retrieval data and for moving the appointed image to a reading position; (c) reading and digital conversion means for reading said analog image moved by said analog image moving means to said reading position and converting the read image into digital signals; (d) digital recording means for recording, on said digital recording medium, said digital image obtained from said digital conversion means; and (e) a second retrieval data recording medium storing said first retrieval data and third retrieval data concerning said digital image on said digital recording medium, said third retrieval data being determined when said digital image is recorded by said digital recording means;

Claim 16

whereby, when said first retrieval data is input, said analog image specified by said second retrieval data corresponding to said first retrieval data is moved to the reading position so as to be read, the read image being then converted into digital image and recorded in said digital recording medium, said first retrieval data and said second retrieval data being recorded in said second retrieval data recording medium in a certain relation to each other.

Claim 17

whereby, when said first retrieval data is input, said analog image specified by said second retrieval data corresponding to said first retrieval data is moved to the reading position so as to be read, the read image being then converted into digital image and recorded in said digital recording medium, said first retrieval data and said second retrieval data being recorded in said second retrieval data recording medium in a certain relation to each other.

Claim 18

An image processing apparatus according to Claim l2, wherein said analog recording medium is a microfilm and said analog image is a micro-image.

Claim 19

An image processing apparatus according to Claim l2, wherein said first retrieval data includes a keyword or a logical formula employing said keyword as a factor.

Claim 20

An image processing apparatus according to Claim l2, wherein said first retrieval data recording medium and said second retrieval data recording medium are separate floppy disks.