JP2000041126A - Image processing unit and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maximize utilization of performance of output processing such as print processing. SOLUTION: In a system where plural printers 11-14 are connected to a reader 10, the priority of a print job is decided based on image data received by the reader 10 and print conditions (the number to be printed and print mode or the like) and the number of printers to be operated is decided depending on the priority of the print job and a print job of a prescribed amount is sent to the printer to be operated, which carrys out the job.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention enables high-speed processing of transferring image data read from, for example, a reader unit of one digital copying machine to another connected digital copying machine and outputting the same. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the digitization and speeding up of copying machines, a plurality of digital copying machines have been connected, and image data read from a reader section of one digital copying machine has been transferred to a printer of another plurality of digital copying machines. There is a system that transfers the print data to a print unit.

[0003] By using such a system,
The number of prints per unit time can be increased.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional system, the image data read from the reader unit is transferred to a plurality of other connected printer units and printed, whereby the number of copies per unit time is increased. The emphasis is on increasing the number.

For this reason, when an image of a document read by a certain copying machine is transmitted to another copying machine and the images of the document are simultaneously output by a plurality of printers, a double-connected state is established, and all printers are restricted. Will be.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of maximizing the performance of output processing such as print processing.

[0007]

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for transferring image data to a plurality of external output devices, comprising: setting means for setting output conditions of the image data;
Priority determining means for determining the priority of the output job according to the set output condition; and operation determining means for determining the number of output devices to be operated according to the priority of the determined output job. A job allocating unit for allocating the contents of the output job to each of the active output devices, and a unit for transmitting the allocated output job to each of the active output devices, An image processing device is configured.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for transferring image data obtained by reading an original image to a plurality of external printing apparatuses, comprising: setting means for setting print conditions for the original image; Priority determining means for determining the priority of the print job in accordance with the set print conditions; and operation determining means for determining the number of printing apparatuses to be operated in accordance with the determined priority of the print job; By providing a job allocating unit for allocating the contents of the print job to each of the activated printing devices, and a unit for transmitting the allocated print job to each of the activated printing devices, Construct a processing device.

The present invention also relates to an image processing system for exchanging information between an image processing device for creating image data and a plurality of output devices to which the image data is transferred, wherein the image processing device Setting means for setting an output condition of the image data; priority determining means for determining a priority of the output job according to the set output condition; and a priority of the determined output job. In response to the,
Operation determining means for determining the number of output devices to be operated,
For each of the active output devices, a job allocating unit that allocates the contents of the output job, a unit for transmitting the allocated output job to each of the active output devices, and a plurality of output devices. An image processing system comprising: means for receiving the output job transferred from the image processing apparatus; and output means for executing a predetermined output process based on the received output job. I do.

The present invention also relates to an image processing system for exchanging information between an image reading device for reading a document image and a plurality of printing devices to which the read image data is transferred, wherein Setting means provided in the reading device for setting print conditions of the original image; priority determining means for determining a priority of the print job according to the set print conditions; and According to the priority, operation determining means for determining the number of printing apparatuses to be operated, job allocating means for allocating the contents of the print job to each of the operating printing apparatuses, and the allocated print job, Means for transmitting to each of the operating printing devices; and a plurality of printing devices, wherein the plurality of printing devices are provided and transferred from the image reading device. Means for receiving the print job, based on the print job received; by comprising a printing means for performing printing,
An image processing system is configured.

Further, the present invention is an image processing method for transferring image data to a plurality of output devices, wherein the step of setting the output condition of the image data includes the steps of: Determining the priority of the output job; determining the number of output devices to be operated according to the determined priority of the output job; And a step of transmitting the allocated output job to each of the operating output devices, thereby providing an image processing method.

The present invention is also an image processing method for transferring image data obtained by reading a document image to a plurality of printing apparatuses, wherein the step of setting printing conditions for the document image includes the steps of: Determining the priority of the print job according to the set printing conditions;
A step of determining the number of printing apparatuses to be operated in accordance with the determined priority of the print job; a step of allocating the contents of the print job to each of the operating printing apparatuses; and Transmitting a job to each of the operating printing apparatuses, thereby providing an image processing method.

The present invention also relates to an image processing method for exchanging information between an image processing apparatus for creating image data and a plurality of output devices to which the created image data is transferred, In the processing device, a step of setting an output condition of the image data, a step of determining a priority of an output job according to the set output condition, and a step of determining a priority of the determined output job, A step of determining the number of output devices to be operated, and a step of allocating the contents of the output job to each of the operated output devices,
Transmitting the allocated output job to each active output device; receiving the output job transferred from the image processing device at the plurality of output devices; and Based on the job
Performing a predetermined output process to provide an image processing method.

The present invention also relates to an image processing method for exchanging information between an image reading device for reading a document image and a plurality of printing devices to which the read image data is transferred, wherein In the reading device, a step of setting a print condition of the original image, a step of determining a priority of a print job according to the set print condition, and a step of determining a priority of the determined print job, A step of determining the number of printing apparatuses to be operated; a step of allocating the contents of the print job to each of the operated printing apparatuses; and a step of transmitting the allocated print job to each of the operated printing apparatuses. Receiving the print job transferred from the image reading device at the plurality of printing devices. Based on the reception print job, by comprising a step of performing printing,
An image processing method is provided.

Further, the present invention provides a computer
A medium in which a program for controlling transfer of image data to a plurality of output devices is recorded, the control program causes a computer to set output conditions of the image data, and according to the set output conditions, And determining the priority of the output job, determining the number of output devices to be operated according to the determined priority of the output job, and allocating the contents of the output job to each of the output devices to be operated. And transmitting the allocated output job to each of the operating output devices, thereby providing a medium on which an image processing control program is recorded.

The present invention also provides a computer
A medium storing a program for controlling transfer of image data to a plurality of printing apparatuses, the control program causing a computer to set print conditions of the original image, and according to the set print conditions. Determining the priority of the print job, determining the number of printing apparatuses to be operated according to the determined priority of the print job, and allocating the contents of the print job to each of the operated printing apparatuses. And transmitting the allocated print job to each of the operating printing apparatuses, thereby providing a medium in which an image processing control program is recorded.

Here, as the priority of the output job is higher, the number of output devices to be operated can be increased.

The higher the priority of the print job, the more
The number of printing apparatuses to be operated can be increased.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Outline) First, an outline of the present invention will be described.

According to the present invention, in a system including a reading device for reading a document image and a plurality of printing devices capable of printing the read image data, printing conditions (for example, the number of copies of a document image, a sort Means for specifying a copy mode of a group, etc.), means for determining the priority of a copy job according to the specified copy mode, and the number of printing apparatuses to be operated according to the priority of the determined copy job. Means for deciding, means for allocating the contents of the copy job to the operating printing apparatus, and means for transmitting the allocated copying job to each operating printing apparatus. .

Hereinafter, a specific example will be described.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(System Configuration) First, the configuration of the system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of a system according to the present invention.

A copying apparatus 1 includes a reader 10 and a printer 11.

The reader 10 reads a document image. The printer 11 receives image data read by the reader 10 and forms an image on paper, and has a sorter 11a.

A plurality of printers 12 to 14 are connected to the copying apparatus 1 via a video interface 310 (see FIGS. 6 and 9).

With this system, between the reader 10 and the printer 11, and between the reader 10 and the printers 12-1.
Transfer of video data, transmission and reception of commands, and the like are performed between the control unit 4 and the server 4.

(Structure of Copying Apparatus)
A description will be given based on FIGS.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the reader 10 and the printer 11.

First, the configuration of the reader 10 will be described.

Documents fed from the automatic document feeder 142 are sequentially placed on predetermined positions on the document table glass 101.

The original placed on the original platen glass 101 is exposed by an original illumination lamp 102 composed of, for example, a halogen lamp.

Reference numerals 103, 104 and 105 denote scanning mirrors, which are accommodated in the optical scanning unit A and guide the reflected light from the document to the CCD unit 106 while reciprocating.

The CCD unit 106 includes an image forming lens 107 for forming an image of the reflected light from the original on the CCD, and a CCD
An image sensor 108 composed of a CD and an image sensor 108
And a CCD driver 109 for driving the same. The image signal output from the image sensor 108 is converted into, for example, 8-bit digital data, and then input to the controller 139 of the printer 11, where various image processing is performed. An operation unit 140 issues an instruction for an image forming operation.

Next, the configuration of the printer 11 will be described.

The controller 139 includes a microcomputer and an image processor 206, as shown in FIG.
And the like, and performs an image forming operation in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 140.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a photosensitive drum, which is discharged by a pre-exposure lamp 112 in preparation for image formation. 111
Is a cleaner for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 110. Reference numeral 113 denotes a primary charger, and the photosensitive drum 11
0 is uniformly charged.

Reference numeral 117 denotes a laser unit as exposure means. The laser unit 117 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser or the like, and forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the photosensitive drum 110 based on image data processed by a controller unit 139 that performs image processing and control of the entire apparatus. . 1
Reference numeral 18 denotes a developing device which contains a black developer (toner). Reference numeral 119 denotes a pre-transfer charger, which is a photosensitive drum 1
High voltage is applied before the toner image developed on 10 is transferred to paper.

Reference numerals 120, 122, and 124 denote paper feed units. The transfer paper is fed into the apparatus by driving the paper feed rollers 121, 123, and 125, and the registration rollers 1 are provided.
The image forming apparatus temporarily stops at the arrangement position 26, and is re-fed at a timing of writing with the image formed on the photosensitive drum 110.

Reference numeral 127 denotes a transfer charger, which is a photosensitive drum 1
The toner image developed in Step 10 is transferred to a fed transfer sheet. Reference numeral 128 denotes a separation charger, which separates the transfer paper having undergone the transfer operation from the photosensitive drum 110. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 110 without being transferred is the cleaner 1
11 to be collected.

Reference numeral 129 denotes a conveyor belt which conveys the transfer sheet having undergone the transfer process to the fixing device 130, where the transfer sheet is fixed by, for example, heat. Reference numeral 131 denotes a flapper, which controls the transport bus for the transfer sheet having undergone the fixing process in one of the arrangement directions of the staple sorter 132 or the intermediate tray 137.

The paper discharged to the staple sorter 132 is sorted into each bin, and the staple unit 141 staples according to an instruction from the controller unit 139. When a bookbinding device (glue binder) 145 is mounted instead of the staple sorter 132, a spine and a bundle of paper that have been glued in advance are glued by the binder unit 143 according to an instruction from the controller unit 139, and the stacker is stacked. 14
4. Store the bundle of paper after binding.

Reference numerals 133 to 136 denote feeding rollers, which transfer the transfer paper once the fixing process is completed to the intermediate tray 137.
(Inverted (multiple) or non-inverted (both sides)). 13
Reference numeral 8 denotes a re-feed roller, which conveys the transfer sheet placed on the intermediate tray 137 again to the position where the registration roller 126 is provided.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the controller unit 139.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire image processing apparatus, and a control procedure (control program) for the apparatus main body.
Are sequentially read from the read-only memory 203 (ROM) in which is stored and executed. An address bus and a data bus of the CPU 201 are connected to respective loads via a circuit 202 including a bus driver and an address decoder.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a random access memory (RAM) as a main storage device used for storing input data, a working storage area, and the like. Reference numeral 205 denotes an I / O interface, which is an operation unit 140 for performing key input by an operator and displaying the state of the apparatus using liquid crystal and LEDs, and motors 207 for driving a paper feed system, a transport system, and an optical system. , Clutches 208, solenoids 209, and paper detection sensors 210 for detecting the paper being conveyed.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a remaining toner detection sensor for detecting the amount of toner in the developing unit 118. The toner residual detection sensor 211 is disposed in the developing device 118, and an output signal thereof is input to the I / O port 205.

Reference numeral 215 denotes a high-voltage unit,
1, the primary charger 113 and the developing device 1
18. The high voltage is output to the pre-transfer charger 119, the transfer charger 127, and the separation charger 128.

An image processing unit 206 includes a reader image processing unit 206a and a printer image processing unit 206b. In the image processing unit 206, the CCD unit 10
The image signal output from 6 is input, performs image processing described later, and outputs a control signal of the laser unit 117 according to the image data. The laser beam output from the laser unit 117 irradiates and exposes the photosensitive drum 110, and the beam detection sensor 213 in the non-image area.
The light emitting state is detected by the (light receiving sensor), and the output signal is input to the I / O port 205.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the image processing section 206 in the controller section 139.

The analog signal of the image signal converted into the electric signal by the CCD 108 in the CCD unit 106 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 300 in the reader image processing unit 206a. Next, after the variation between pixels is corrected by the shading circuit 301, the data is thinned out at the time of reduced copy by the scaling circuit 302, and the data is interpolated at the time of enlarged copy. Next, in the edge enhancement circuit 303, second differentiation is performed in, for example, a 5 × 5 window, thereby enhancing the edges of the image.

The image data output from the reader image processing unit 206a is stored in the image memory 307 via the memory controller 306. The image memory 307
It is composed of a memory such as a RAM and a hard disk, and can store a plurality of pages of images.

The memory controller 306 controls the image memory 307, receives image data from the CCD 108, stores the image data in the image memory 307, reads an image from the image memory 308, and transfers the image to the video interface controller 308. Or image transfer to the printer devices 12-14.

The image data once stored in the image memory 307 is transmitted to the video interface 31 via the video interface controller 308.
Output to 0. Via this video interface 310, it is connected to other printers 12 to 14 to transmit and receive data.

The image processing unit 20 for performing each of these processes
6 can access the memory at high speed,
Further, by arranging the memories in the respective interface sections, it is possible to control without waiting even when accesses from the external printers 12 to 14 overlap.

The image data output from the memory controller 306 is input to the luminance / density conversion unit 304. Since this image data is luminance data, the γ conversion circuit 304a of the luminance / density conversion unit 304 performs data conversion by table search in order to convert the image data into density data to be output to the printers 12 to 14. The image data converted to the density data is input to the PWM circuit 304b to convert the image data into a signal of laser emission intensity, and outputs a pulse width according to the image density to the laser unit 117.

(Configuration of Printer) The configuration of the printers 12 to 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the printers 12 to 14. The configuration in FIG. 7 is substantially the same as the configuration of the printer 11 in FIG. 4 described above, and here, the configuration of the controller unit 150 is different.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the controller 150 of the printers 12 to 14. The controller unit 150 is the same as the controller unit 1 shown in FIG.
39 differs from 39 in that the configuration of the image processing unit 216 and the operation unit 140 are deleted.

FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the image processing section 216 of the printers 12 to 14.

The image processing unit 216 manages the memory controller 306 and the image memory 307 similarly to the image processing unit 206 shown in FIG. 6 described above, and is input from the copying apparatus 1 via the video interface controller 308. The image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 307, and the image data is output in a timely manner in response to a print job request. Since image data is stored in the image memory 307 as luminance data, the image data is converted into density data by the luminance / density conversion unit 304, converted into a signal of a predetermined emission intensity, and the image is printed on paper using the laser unit 117. It is formed.

(System Operation) Next, an image forming process according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows the operation of the reader 10 in the copying apparatus 1.

In this case, for one reader 10, 4
The following describes the execution level of a copy job to be executed and the method of determining image transfer when one printer, that is, the printers 11 to 14 are connected. The job level is lowest at level 1 and higher as the numerical value is higher.
Indicates the highest.

In step S51, the operator sets print conditions, that is, a copy mode (for example, a sort mode or a group mode) and the number of copies on the operation unit 140, and presses a start key. Thus, the reader 10 starts reading the document.

The number of the read originals and the operation unit 14
From the number of prints set to 0, the total number of prints is calculated.

In step S52, print job levels are classified based on the calculated total number of prints (in other words, the priority of the print job is determined).

<Total number of prints> (1) 2001 or more ... Level 4 (2) 1001 or more and 2000 or less ... Level 3 (3) 101 or more and 1000 or less ... Level 2 (4) 100 or less ... Level 1. The priority of the print job is determined by dividing the levels (1) to (4) in this manner.

In step S53, the operator can set the level on the operation unit 140, and changes the level according to the setting.

The operation unit 140 selects one of three modes: "auto", "high", and "low". “Auto” indicates an automatic mode according to the level determined in step S52, and “high” indicates step S52.
Indicates that the level is increased by one from the level determined by.
When level 2 is input, the level is changed to level 3. However, since level 4 is the highest, it does not change when level 4 is determined in step S52.

In step S54, the level is changed according to "whether or not the total number operation mode". This is the operation unit 1
40 is a mode in which it is possible to set whether or not to operate all units for one job. In other words, when the total number of print jobs may be operated for one print job, even for a single print job, it is necessary to wait until the print job being executed is completed. Therefore, the job level is changed according to the set mode. Therefore, in the all-units operation mode,
Do not change the job level determined by the previous steps. However, when the mode is not the all-units operation mode, even if the job of level 4 is determined, it is changed to the job of level 3. This eliminates the need to operate all units in one job.

In step S55, the operating status of the connected printers 11 to 14 is grasped.

In step S56, the process waits until a usable (operable) printer for the determined number of levels can be secured. In other words, at level 1, until one usable printer can be secured,
Wait until one printer becomes available.

In step S57, usable printers are finally determined.

In step S58, it is determined whether the copy mode set by the operator on the operation unit is the sort mode or the group mode. In the case of the sort mode, the process proceeds to step S59, and in the case of the group mode, the process proceeds to step S60.

In the sort mode, for example, for a 10-page document, a copy output is made into a bundle of 1 to 10 pages, and a specified number of copies are output.
In the group mode, the designated number of pages are output, and then the designated number of pages is outputted.

Step S59 is a case of the sort mode, in which the designated number of output copies (print job) is divided into operating printers according to the determined level (priority). If the number of output copies is too large at the time of division, the output is added to the printers that operate in the order of the printers 11 to 14.

For example, it is assumed that printers 11 to 13 are selected when outputting 20 copies (print job) of 100 pages of document at level 3 (priority). At this time, the number of output copies is set to 7 for the printer 11 and the printer 12.
Printing is performed by allocating each copy and allocating 6 copies to the printer 13.

On the other hand, step S60, which is the case of the group mode, divides the number of pages (print job) into the operating printers according to the determined level (priority). Pages are arranged in the order of the printers 11 to 14,
Too many pages if they cannot be divided,
Add in order of 11.

For example, 100 page originals are 2
It is assumed that the printers 11 to 13 are selected when outputting at 0 (print job) and level 3 (priority). At this time, the printer 11 allocates 20 copies from page 1 to page 33, the printer 12 allocates pages from page 34 to page 66, and the printer 13 allocates 20 copies from page 67 to page 100. Will do.

In step S61, the reader 10 transmits the print job, such as the print mode and page, determined in this way to the operating printer.

In step S62, the image data is transferred from the image memory on the transmission side to the image memory of the operating printer.

In step S63, the printing status from the printer is obtained and displayed to indicate which printer is performing the output of the document read by the operation unit 140.

In step S64, if all the numbers are output,
Terminates the specified job.

FIG. 2 shows the operation of the operating printer.

In step S71, it is checked whether or not there is a request for an operation status from the reader 10. If there is an operation request, the process proceeds to step S72. If there is no operation request, the process proceeds to step S73.

In step S72, the print status is transmitted.

In step S73, it is determined whether or not the printer is printing. If not printing, step S
Proceed to 74, and if printing is in progress, proceed to step S77.

In step S74, since the printer is not in the middle of printing, a print job wait state is set. If a print job has occurred, the process proceeds to step S75.

Step S75 is a case where a print job has occurred, and the contents of the job are received from the reader 10.

In step S76, image data is received.

On the other hand, in step S77, the printer is in the process of printing, and prints the received image according to the job content.

In step S78, the print progress is transmitted to the reader 10. Thereby, the reader 10 displays the print status on the operation unit 140.

Although the present embodiment has been described using an electrophotographic printer as a printer, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the same can be applied to a case where an ink jet printer is used.

In this example, the reader 10 of the copying apparatus 1
And a system including a plurality of printers 11 to 14, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any system may be used as long as the system includes an apparatus having the processing function of FIG. 1 and an apparatus having the processing function of FIG. Therefore, the present invention can be applied not only to the printing process but also to the display process and the like.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer).
The present invention may be applied to an apparatus including two devices (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile machine).

Further, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. Then, a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or M) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
PU) can read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium, so that the effects of the present invention can be enjoyed.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM
(A mask ROM, a flash EEPROM, or the like) can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS (Operating System) running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program codes. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a function expansion port inserted into the computer or a memory provided in a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0104]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a system in which a plurality of printers are connected to a reader, the priority of a print job is determined based on image data input to the reader and printing conditions (number of copies, print mode, etc.), and according to the priority of the print job. The number of printers to be operated is determined, and a print job is sent to the printer to be operated for printing, so that image data can be flexibly output according to print conditions, print jobs, etc. The flexible operation of the forming system can be dramatically improved, thereby making it possible to maximize the performance of output processing such as print processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing processing on a reader side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the printer side corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the present system.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the entire configuration of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of the printer.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 10 Reader 11-14 Printer 139 Controller 150 Controller 206 Image processing part 216 Image processing part 307 Image memory

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 BB10 HJ10 HK05 HN04 HN16 HN18 HP06 HQ17 HR07 2H027 EJ11 FA02 FA23 5B021 AA19 BB00 CC04 CC05 EE05 QQ04 5C062 AA05 AA27 AB22 AB41 AC42 BC03 AC04

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for transferring image data to a plurality of external output devices, comprising: a setting unit configured to set output conditions of the image data; Priority determining means for determining a priority; operation determining means for determining the number of output devices to be operated according to the determined priority of the output job; and outputting the output to each of the operating output devices. An image processing apparatus comprising: a job allocating unit that allocates job contents; and a unit that transmits the allocated output job to each of the active output devices. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the higher the priority of the output job, the greater the number of output devices to be operated. 3. An image processing apparatus for transferring image data obtained by reading an original image to a plurality of external printing apparatuses, comprising: setting means for setting print conditions for the original image; Priority determining means for determining the priority of the print job according to a condition; operation determining means for determining the number of printing apparatuses to be operated according to the determined priority of the print job; An image processing apparatus comprising: a job allocating unit that allocates the contents of the print job to a printing device; and a unit that transmits the allocated print job to each of the operating printing devices. . 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the higher the priority of the print job, the greater the number of operating printing apparatuses. 5. An image processing apparatus for creating image data,
An image processing system for exchanging information with a plurality of output devices to which the created image data is transferred, provided in the image processing device, a setting unit configured to set an output condition of the image data, Priority determining means for determining the priority of the output job according to the set output condition; and operation determining means for determining the number of output devices to be operated according to the priority of the determined output job. A job allocating unit for allocating the contents of the output job to each of the active output devices; a unit for transmitting the allocated output job to each of the active output devices; and the plurality of output devices Means for receiving the output job transferred from the image processing apparatus; and an output means for executing a predetermined output process based on the received output job. An image processing system, characterized in that it comprises and. 6. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the higher the priority of the output job, the larger the number of output devices to be operated. 7. An image processing system for exchanging information between an image reading device for reading a document image and a plurality of printing devices to which the read image data is transferred, provided in the image reading device. Setting means for setting print conditions of the original image; priority determining means for determining a priority of a print job in accordance with the set print conditions; and a priority in accordance with the determined priority of the print job. Operation determining means for determining the number of printing apparatuses to be operated; job allocating means for allocating the contents of the print job to each of the operating printing apparatuses; and Means for transmitting to a printing device, provided in the plurality of printing devices, and transferred from the image reading device Means for receiving lint job, based on the print job to the received image processing system, characterized in that it comprises a printing means for performing printing. 8. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the higher the priority of the print job, the greater the number of operating printing apparatuses. 9. An image processing method for transferring image data to a plurality of output devices, comprising: setting an output condition of the image data; and outputting an output job according to the set output condition. A step of determining a priority; a step of determining the number of output devices to be operated according to the determined priority of the output job; and allocating the contents of the output job to each of the operated output devices. Process and the assigned output job,
Transmitting to each of the active output devices. 10. The higher the priority of the output job is,
10. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the number of output devices to be operated is increased. 11. An image processing method for transferring image data obtained by reading an original image to a plurality of printing apparatuses, comprising: setting print conditions for the original image; A step of determining the priority of the print job according to the condition; a step of determining the number of printing apparatuses to be operated according to the determined priority of the print job; and Allocating the contents of the print job; and transmitting the allocated print job to each of the operating printing apparatuses. 12. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein the higher the priority of the print job, the greater the number of operating printing apparatuses. 13. An image processing method for exchanging information between an image processing device that creates image data and a plurality of output devices to which the created image data is transferred, wherein: Setting the output condition of the image data; determining the priority of the output job in accordance with the set output condition; and operating the output device in accordance with the determined priority of the output job. Determining the number of the output jobs, allocating the contents of the output job to each of the active output devices, and transmitting the allocated output jobs to each of the active output devices, A step of receiving the output job transferred from the image processing apparatus; and performing a predetermined output process based on the received output job. And an image processing method. 14. The higher the priority of the output job is,
14. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein the number of output devices to be operated is increased. 15. An image reading device for reading a document image,
An image processing method for exchanging information with a plurality of printing devices to which the read image data is transferred, wherein the image reading device sets a print condition of the document image; Determining the priority of the print job according to the determined printing conditions; determining the number of printing apparatuses to be operated according to the determined priority of the print job; and each of the operating printing apparatuses Allocating the contents of the print job, transmitting the allocated print job to each of the operating printing devices, and transferring the plurality of printing devices from the image reading device. Receiving the print job, and performing printing based on the received print job. An image processing method is characterized in that comprises and. 16. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein the higher the priority of the print job, the greater the number of operating printing apparatuses. 17. A medium recording a program for controlling transfer of image data to a plurality of output devices by a computer, the control program causing the computer to set output conditions of the image data, In accordance with the set output conditions, the priority of the output job is determined.In accordance with the determined priority of the output job, the number of output devices to be operated is determined. A medium for recording an image processing control program, wherein the output job is allocated to the output job, and the allocated output job is transmitted to each of the operating output devices. 18. The higher the priority of the output job is,
18. The medium according to claim 17, wherein the number of output devices to be operated is increased. 19. A medium storing a program for controlling transfer of image data to a plurality of printing apparatuses by a computer, the control program causing the computer to set print conditions of the original image, In accordance with the set print conditions, the priority of the print job is determined, and in accordance with the determined priority of the print job, the number of operating printing apparatuses is determined. A program for allocating the contents of the print job, and transmitting the allocated print job to each of the operating printing apparatuses. 20. The medium according to claim 19, wherein the higher the priority of the print job, the greater the number of operating printing apparatuses.