Apparatus and method of image processing, and recording medium storing image processing control program

An image processing apparatus, comprising:

• a user interface to receive a first processing request that requests the image processing apparatus to perform a first process with respect to an original document;
• a scanner device to scan the original document into scanned image data having a predetermined data format;
• a converter to convert the predetermined data format of the scanned image data to a data format that is suitable for the first process requested by the first processing request to generate converted image data;
• a storage device to store the scanned image data and the converted image data;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• execute the first process requested by the first processing request, using the converted image data having the data format that is suitable for the first process;
• determine whether a subsequent processing request that requests the image processing apparatus to perform a subsequent process that follows the first processing request is received with respect to the same original document;
• obtain one of the scanned image data and the converted image data from the storage device, the converted image data being obtained when the scanned image data is not successfully obtained from the storage device;
• convert, using the converter, the predetermined data format of the one of the scanned image data and the converted image data to a data format that is suitable for the subsequent process requested by the subsequent processing request to generate converted image data having the data format that is suitable for the subsequent process;
• and
• execute the subsequent process requested by the subsequent processing request, using the converted image data having the data format that is suitable for the subsequent process.

An image processing method performed by an image processing apparatus, the method comprising:

• receiving a first processing request that requests the image processing apparatus to perform a first process with respect to an original document;
• scanning the original document into scanned image data having a predetermined data format;
• storing the scanned image data in a memory;
• converting the predetermined data format of the scanned image data to a plurality of types of data formats of converted image data, the plurality of types of data formats including:
• (1) a data format that is suitable for the first process requested by the first processing request;
• and (2) at least one data format that is suitable for a process other than the first process requested by the first processing request;
• storing the converted image data in the memory;
• executing the first process requested by the first processing request, using the converted image data having the data format that is suitable for the first process;
• determining whether a subsequent processing request that requests the image processing apparatus to perform a subsequent process that follows the first processing request is received with respect to the same original document;
• obtaining the converted image data having a data format that is suitable for the subsequent process requested by the subsequent processing request from the memory;
• and
• executing the subsequent process requested by the subsequent processing request, using the converted image data having the data format that is suitable for the subsequent process.