Image saving apparatus, image transfer apparatus and image transmission apparatus

Abstract

An image transfer system configured with an image transmission apparatus, an image transfer apparatus and the image saving apparatus. The image transmission apparatus transmits image data recorded in a storage medium to the image transfer apparatus. The image transfer apparatus receives the image data, records the image data into a first storage device and transfers the image data to the image saving apparatus in response to a request issued from the image saving apparatus. The image saving apparatus receives the image data and records the image data into a second storage device. The image saving apparatus includes: the second storage device; a communication unit; a recording control unit for controlling read/write of management information; a request receiving unit from a user; a decision-making unit as to whether or not target image data are recorded; an image requesting unit for the target image data; and an image recording unit.

1 . An image saving apparatus in an image transfer system configured with an image transmission apparatus, an image transfer apparatus and the image saving apparatus, wherein:
 the image transmission apparatus transmits image data recorded in a storage medium to the image transfer apparatus, the image transfer apparatus receives the image data transmitted from the image transmission apparatus, records the image data into a first storage device and transfers the image data to the image saving apparatus in response to a request issued from the image saving apparatus, and the image saving apparatus receives the image data transmitted from the image transfer apparatus and records the image data into a second storage device; and   the image saving apparatus, comprising:   the second storage device;   a communication unit engaged in communication with the image transfer apparatus;   a recording control unit for controlling read and write at the second storage device of management information indicating whether or not each set of image data is recorded in the storage medium and in the first storage device;   a request receiving unit for receiving an image transfer request from a user;   a decision-making unit for making a decision as to whether or not target image data, a request for which has been received at the request receiving unit, are recorded in the first storage device by referencing the management information read via the recording control unit;   an image requesting unit for issuing a transmission request for the target image data to the image transfer apparatus via the communication unit if the decision-making unit determines that the target image data are recorded in the first storage device, and issuing a transmission request for the target image data to the image transmission apparatus via the image transfer apparatus engaged in communication with the communication unit if the decision-making unit determines that the target image data are not recorded in the first storage device; and   an image recording unit for recording image data received via the communication unit based upon a request issued by the image requesting unit into the second storage device.