Data I/O apparatus for outputting image data via a network

A data I/O apparatus comprising:

• an input control unit configured to input image data via a network;
• an output control unit configured to output image data via the network;
• an image data conversion unit connected to the network, configured to convert a codec format of image data into a different codec format;
• a first storage unit configured to store image data;
• a second storage unit configured to store meta-data of the image data stored in said first storage unit;
• a first storage control unit connected to the network, configured to control storing image data into said first storage unit;
• a second storage control unit connected to the network, configured to control storing the meta-data into said second storage unit;
• a switching unit configured to change a connection, based on a destination address, between said input control unit, said output control unit, said image data conversion unit, said first storage unit, and said second storage unit;
• and
• a path control unit configured to maintain a connection management table that represents connections involving the first storage unit and actual bandwidth of the first storage unit being used, and configured to control said switching unit to change the connection between any of said input control unit, said output control unit, said image data conversion unit, said first storage unit, and said second storage unit,
• a determining unit configured to determine whether the actual bandwidth being used becomes smaller than a transmission bandwidth capacity of the first storage unit, in a case where a connection represented in the connection management table is disconnected;
• wherein, upon receipt of a request for a new connection that involves the first storage unit:
• the path control unit decides to control the switching unit so as to create the new connection in the case that a sum of the actual bandwidth being used and the transmission bandwidth of the new connection is not larger than the transmission bandwidth capacity of the first storage unit, and
• the path control unit decides to control the switching unit so as to disconnect a connection represented in the connection management table and create the new connection in the case that said sum is larger than the transmission bandwidth capacity of the first storage unit, but the determining unit determines that the actual bandwidth being used becomes smaller than the transmission bandwidth capacity of the first storage unit after the connection represented in the connection management table is disconnected, and
• wherein the actual bandwidth being used is obtained from the connection management table.