US 7,397,574 B1 · Image processing controlling distribution of work among apparatuses based on apparatus performance

Abstract

In a system in which an image input apparatus and image forming apparatus are directly connected, the operation of the image input apparatus may stop during the operation of the image forming apparatus. The performance between the apparatuses is unbalanced, and the total throughput is low. According to this invention, in a system in which a plurality of apparatuses are connected via a serial bus, an apparatus having the node ID=0 upon bus reset in connection calculates a time required for each process in each apparatus for a plurality of processes forming a series of image processes. For a plurality of patterns (process roots) for distribution of image processing between the apparatuses, the processing time is calculated for each pattern. A series of image processes are executed based on a distribution pattern exhibiting the shortest time. In the image input apparatus, the format of image data to be transferred is switched in accordance with the empty state of a buffer in the image output apparatus. This enables efficient image forming processing in the system to increase the total throughput.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An image input apparatus for connecting with a printing apparatus via a serial bus, wherein the printing apparatus receives image data from an apparatus to which the printing apparatus is connected, and is capable of converting JPEG coded image data into image data for printing as an image when the received image data is JPEG coded image data, the image input apparatus comprising:

an input unit configured to input image data;
an obtaining unit configured to obtain information for enabling data communication with the printing apparatus, in response to the power on of the printing apparatus or a connection between the image input apparatus and the printing apparatus, wherein the information includes an identification of a type of the printing apparatus;
a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the image input apparatus should convert the JPEG coded image data into image data for printing using the printing apparatus, based on the type of the printing apparatus identified in the information obtained by said obtaining unit;
a conversion unit configured to convert the JPEG coded image data into the image data for printing when said determination means determines that the JPEG coded image data into the image data is to be converted for printing;
and
a communication unit configured to transmit the JPEG coded image data or the image data converted by said conversion unit, to the printing apparatus.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Image processing controlling distribution of work among apparatuses based on apparatus performance

Life of this patent

Image processing controlling distribution of work among apparatuses based on apparatus performance

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9