Data processing apparatus and processor selection method

A processor selection method in a data processing apparatus having a software processor for implementing prescribed data processing by software and a hardware processor for implementing the prescribed data processing by hardware, wherein bus means which the hardware processor uses in the prescribed data processing can be used in other processing means as well, said method comprising:

• a step of instructing the hardware processor to execute the prescribed data processing using test data;
• and
• a selection step of selecting, in dependence upon time required to execute the processing of the test data, the processor to be used in the prescribed data processing executed thereafter,
• wherein when the time required to execute the processing of the test data is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, said selection step includes judging that the bus means is under a heavy load which is caused by the other processing means using the bus means, and selecting the software processor which does not use the bus means.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a processor selection program used in a data processing apparatus having a software processor for implementing prescribed data processing by software and a hardware processor for implementing the prescribed data processing by hardware, wherein bus means which the hardware processor uses in the prescribed data processing can be used in other processing means as well, said storage medium having:

• a program for a step of instructing the hardware processor to execute the prescribed data processing using test data;
• and
• a program for a selection step of selecting, in dependence upon time required to execute the processing of the test data, the processor to be used in the prescribed data processing executed thereafter,
• wherein when the time required to execute the processing of the test data is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, said program for the selection step judges that the bus means is under a heavy load which is caused by the other processing means using the bus means, and selects the software processor which does not use the bus means.

A data processing apparatus comprising:

• a first processor for implementing a process of image data related to an image processing job which is input from a predetermined input source;
• a second processor capable of implementing the same process as said first processor;
• an image bus connected to said first processor for transferring the image data between the predetermined input source and said first processor;
• judging means for judging a data transfer load related to another image processing job on said image bus when the process of the image data related to the image processing job from the predetermined input source is implemented;
• and
• control means for controlling said second processor to implement the process of the image data related to the image processing job when said judging means judges that the data transfer load is heavy.