Digital image management system having method for managing images according to image groups

摘要

A digital image management system is described which facilitates image archival with a unique method for grouping customer images and information. As applied to medical environments, the system creates a virtual film jacket and implements the unique method by modeling convention hospital film archival procedures. The invention facilitates archival to a variety of devices including a redundant array of independent disks, magneto-optical storage devices and digital linear tapes and eliminates the need for hospital staff to retrieve several tapes from archive in order for a radiologist to review a patient's study. The invention is applicable to any environment where customer images and information are continuously archived and retrieved.