JPH11122417A - Picture formation system and information processor in the system and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain the economical and valid use of a resource by operating a picture processing by flexibly combining functioning modules existing on a network. SOLUTION: This is a picture formation system in which plural functioning units 102-115 and 121 for executing a partial processing for picture formation are connected with a network 100. A system controller 101 collects and holds a profile indicating a function which can be provided by each functioning unit related with the plural functioning units. The system controller 101 selects the function requested through the user interface and the functioning unit to be used based on the profile held by the system controller 101, and decides the order of use. Then, the selected functioning unit is used based on the decided order of use so that picture formation can be executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system including a plurality of apparatuses connected to a network, an information processing apparatus in the system, and a control method for the information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a general image forming system,
Functions such as document processing, image reading, and image transfer are 1
Built into one device. Therefore, the user has selected an image processing apparatus that can perform color output for a color original, an image processing apparatus with a double-sided function for a double-sided original, and the like, according to the processing desired by the user.

[0003]

However, in order to use an image forming system having a plurality of apparatuses as described above, the user needs to know to some extent the functions installed in each apparatus. In an environment where there are several such devices in the vicinity, the user must select the device according to the needs at that time based on this knowledge. That is, the user needs to grasp the functions of each of the plurality of devices and select one device that can realize a desired combination of functions.

Further, with the recent increase in image quality and multi-function, there are many parts having similar functions (for example, a document reading unit and a certain image processing module) in each of the above-described image processing apparatuses. ing. Further, with the recent networking, the number of image processing apparatuses described above that can be connected to a network has been increasing. In a situation where several such devices are connected to a network, there will be several similar functional modules on the network. That is, it is obvious that the same functional module is redundantly provided, which is not economical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and enables image processing to be performed by flexibly combining functional modules existing on a network, thereby enabling economical and effective use of resources. The purpose is to do.

[0006]

An image forming system according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement. That is, a plurality of image processing apparatuses that are connected via a network and execute processing for image formation, and function information indicating a function that each image processing apparatus can provide for the plurality of image processing apparatuses is held. Holding means, a determining means for selecting an image processing apparatus to be used based on the requested function and the function information held by the holding means, and determining an order of use; and an image processing apparatus selected by the determining means And an execution unit that executes image formation by using the image forming apparatus based on the use order determined by the determination unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of image processing apparatuses for executing a process for forming an image connected via a network; A collection unit that collects function information indicating a function that can be provided from each of the plurality of image processing devices via the network, and a holding unit that holds the function information collected by the collection unit.
An image processing apparatus to be used is selected based on the function requested for image formation and the function information held by the holding means, a determining means for determining the order of use, and an image processing apparatus selected by the determining means. And an execution unit for performing image formation by using based on the use order determined by the determination unit.

[0008] A method for controlling an image forming system according to the present invention, which achieves the above object, is a method for controlling an image forming system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses for executing processing for image formation are connected via a network. A holding step of holding function information indicating a function that each image processing apparatus can provide for the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and a function of using the requested function and the function information held in the holding step. A determining step of selecting an image processing apparatus to be used and determining the use order thereof, and using the image processing apparatus selected in the determining step based on the use order determined in the determining step to execute image formation. And an execution step.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: a plurality of image processing apparatuses for executing a process for forming an image; A method for controlling an apparatus, comprising: a collecting step of collecting function information indicating a function that can be provided by each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses via the network; and a holding unit that holds the function information collected in the collecting step. A process, a function required for image formation and an image processing apparatus to be used based on the function information held in the holding step, a determining step of determining the order of use, and an image selected in the determining step. An execution step of using the processing device based on the use order determined in the determination step to execute image formation.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, the outline of the present embodiment will be described as follows. In the present embodiment, devices (such as an image reading device, an image processing device, and an image output device) divided for each function are connected via a network, and these functions can be freely combined. In other words, it is possible to combine and use the functions of a plurality of apparatuses connected on a network, and to configure an image forming system that realizes functions as needed at that time. .

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the concept of the configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. Reference numerals 101 and 120 denote system controllers, which control the entire image forming system. The system controllers 101 and 120
It has a CPU, a storage unit, and a communication unit for communicating with a network. The image forming system includes:
Image reading devices 102 and 121, document processing device 103, image memories 112 to 113, image processing devices 114 to 11
5, printers 104 to 107, output processing devices 105 to 1
11 is connected to the network 100. Each of these devices (102 to 115, 121) also has a control CPU for the device itself, a storage unit, and a communication unit for performing communication via the network 100.

In the above-described image forming system, an operation is designated by an operation unit (not shown) in the system controller 101 and processing is started. When the process starts, the document processed by the document processing device 103 is sent to the image reading device 102, and the image information read by the image reading device 102 is sent to the image memory 112 or 113 and stored. The document processing apparatus 103 is, for example, a so-called document feeder that feeds a document from a bundle of documents one by one to the image reading apparatus 102.

The image information stored in the image memory 112 or 113 is sent to the image processing device 114 and / or the image processing device 115 for processing.
04 to 107. Printer 104 ~
An image is recorded on a recording medium such as paper at 107, and processing is performed on the recording medium by the output processing devices 105 to 111.
The processing in the output devices 105 to 111 refers to, for example, stapling processing for binding output recording media into one and bookbinding processing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of each processing device in the image forming system according to the present embodiment.
A system controller 101 is a CPU that controls the entire system.
101a, a memory 101b for holding a control program and various data, and a communication I / F 101c for realizing communication with the network 100. The memory 101b
It is composed of a RAM and a ROM, and stores profile data 101f and sequence data 101g to be described later.

A display 101d displays a user interface for inputting various operations. Display 10
1d includes a touch panel 101e and a display 101d.
By touching the switch displayed above with a finger, a user's instruction can be detected.

The system controller 101 may be constituted by a personal computer, for example.
A pointing device such as a mouse may be used instead of the touch panel 101e as a device for inputting user instructions. The system controller 120
Has the same configuration as above.

An image input unit 201 includes an image reading device 102, a document processing device 103, and the like. However, the document processing device 103 is optional. Image reading device 10
A communication I / F 102a for realizing communication with the network 100, and a CPU for controlling the image reading apparatus
102b and a memory 102c for storing various control programs and various data executed by the CPU 102b. The image reading device 121 has the same configuration as the image reading device 102.

Reference numeral 202 denotes an image output unit.
4 and an output processing device 108. Output processing device 108
Is optional and may be omitted. The printer 104 includes a communication I / F 104 a for realizing communication with the network 100 and a CP for controlling the entire printer.
U104b, and a memory 104c for storing a control program executed by the CPU 104b and the like. The configuration of the printers 105 to 107 is similar to that of the printer 104.

The image memory 112 has a memory controller 112a and a memory 112d. The memory controller 112a has a communication I / F 112b for realizing communication with the network 100 and a CPU 112c, and stores image data transmitted via the network into the memory 112.
Control is performed so as to be stored in d. The image memory 113 has the same configuration as the image memory 112 described above.

The image processing device 114 has a communication I / F 114
a, a filter processing unit 114b, and a parameter 114c. The communication I / F 114a realizes communication with the network 100, and filters input image data on the filter processing unit 1.
14b. If the data input via the communication I / F 114a is a setting parameter, the filter processing unit 114b performs a desired filtering process by changing the parameter 114c. The image processing device 115 includes a communication I / F 115a and a γ processing unit 115.
b, γ table 115c. Communication I / F 115a
Realizes communication with the network 100 and transfers the input image data to the γ processing unit 115b. Communication I
If the data input via the / F 115a is a setting parameter, the parameter of the γ table 115c is changed to perform a desired γ process. Note that the above configuration is merely an example, and it goes without saying that other configurations and image processing may be adopted.

The communication I / Fs 101c, 102a, 1a
The units 04a, 112b, 114a, and 115a can communicate with each other using a predetermined communication protocol. That is, each unit is connected to the network 100
It is possible to communicate with each other via. For example, when the system controller 101
"Read image and transfer image data to image memory 112 (that is, system controller 1
01 gives an image reading instruction to the image reading apparatus 102 and also gives its transfer destination address.)
When the request to the effect is issued to the communication I / Fs 101c and 102a, the image reading apparatus 102 executes the following operation.
The image reading device 102 first reads a document image to obtain image data. Then, the obtained image data is transmitted to the designated transfer address, that is, the image memory 112 via the communication I / Fs 102a and 112b.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list (profile) expressing the functions of the constituent units connected on the network described in FIG. This list is hereinafter referred to as a profile. Reference numeral 300 denotes an image input unit profile, for example, a profile of the image input unit 201 described above. Reference numeral 301 denotes an image memory profile, for example, a profile of the image memory 112.
Reference numeral 302 denotes an image output unit profile, for example, a profile of the image output unit 202. An image processing profile 303 is, for example, a profile of the image processing device 114.

First, the details of the image input section profile 300 will be described.

The main scanning resolution indicates the resolution at which the image reading device reads a document image. Normally 400 dpi
And 600 dpi resolution. Of these,
The resolution at which the reading portion of the image reading device can output is set in the profile. The sub-scanning resolution is determined by an upper limit and a lower limit. 2. Description of the Related Art An image reading apparatus configured to irradiate a document with light and input reflected light to a photoelectric conversion element and extract the image as an image signal has a configuration in which a light source for document irradiation is moved in a sub-scanning direction. Therefore, by changing the moving speed of the optical system, it is possible to change the density of the image signal read into the photoelectric conversion element, that is, the resolution. Therefore, the upper and lower limits are set as a profile.

The reading color is a kind of color that can be read by the optical system. In a normal image reading device, there are full-color (RGB) reading, black-and-white reading, and the like, and therefore, which reading method is possible is set in the profile. In the image output mode, a method for outputting the read image data is set. For example, in the case of full-color reading, is it possible to output three colors simultaneously by scanning the original only once,
For example, whether scanning is performed in batches and output sequentially. The document reading mode indicates what kind of document processing is to be performed by the document processing unit 103. For example, do you read both the front and back images of a manuscript or only one side?
Alternatively, it is indicated whether an A3 size image is to be read by being divided in half at a time. The readable size indicates the maximum document size that can be read by the document reading device. here,
Each image reading device recognizes the function of the connected document processing unit and notifies the system controller of the function.

Next, the details of the image memory profile 301 will be described. The usable capacity is the remaining capacity of the image memory that can receive an image. The image receiving mode indicates an image output mode that can be received. As described above, depending on the output mode of the image sent from the image reading apparatus 102, the image memory may not be able to receive the image. In particular, it indicates whether or not a mode capable of simultaneously outputting image data for three colors as described above can be handled.

The storage function means whether or not the apparatus has a function of storing the image data after outputting the stored image data. Some image memories may have a configuration that is not suitable for storing the image data after the image data is output. Therefore, in the present embodiment, such a function is explicitly notified.

Next, the configuration of the profile of the image output unit will be described. This profile corresponds to the printer unit (1
04 to 106), an output processing unit (107 to 1)
09). “Main scanning resolution” and “sub-scanning resolution” represent the respective main-scanning and sub-scanning resolutions of the output image of the printer. The “outputable size” is a list of paper sizes possessed by the printer. The “output enabled mode” indicates an output mode that can be realized by an application such as the presence or absence of a duplex unit or a sorter, and includes “duplex output mode”, “sort mode”, “staple mode”, and the like. Here, each printer unit recognizes the function of the connected output processing device and notifies the system controller 101 of the function.

The “color mode” is information on colors that can be handled by the printer, and includes “black and white”, “color”, “binary”, “multi-value”
Such information is included in this. "Image receiving mode"
It describes what image interface the printer can receive image data,
For example, a one-drum type color printer receives image data of four colors in four separate steps, while a four-drum color printer receives data of four colors simultaneously at independent timings. This is described using the “image receiving mode”.

The image processing section profile 303 indicates the items of the profile of the image processing apparatus (114 to 115). The “image processing group” represents the image processing of the unit, and the “filter processing”, “γ table processing”, and the like are represented by this. "Receivable parameters"
Indicates which of the setting parameters input from a user interface unit (not shown) connected to the system controller can be received as an input parameter, and the type of a data table stored in the image processing unit. And so on. For example, “filter processing” is a user setting parameter such as a document type (text / photo / map) and a sharpness adjustment value, and “γ table processing” is a user setting parameter such as a density correction and a color balance adjustment value. This indicates the type of non-linear data table built in the unit.

The profile described above is generated for each processing unit such as an image input unit, an image output unit, and an image processing unit, and stored in the memory 101b of the system controller 101 as profile data 101f.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for collecting static information in profile data according to the present embodiment. This flowchart is executed, for example, when the power of the system controller 101 is turned on, and the profiles of the respective devices connected to the network 100 are collected. Figure 1
Devices 102 to 11 connected to the network 100
1 (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as functional units) are uniquely assigned to network addresses. Here, the static information indicates the configuration and capabilities of the device.
For example, the information is fixed to the apparatus, such as the printer unit having two paper cassettes.

In step S301, a function inquiry is made to each functional unit. That is, the function is inquired about one functional unit using the network address. Each functional unit (102-111)
Has the respective profile data, and returns the profile data in response to the function inquiry from the system controller. The system controller is
In step S302, the profile obtained as a result of the inquiry in step S301 is stored in the memory 101b inside the system controller 101 as profile data 1
01f.

In step S303, all addresses,
That is, it is determined whether the inquiry about the function has been completed for all the functional units connected to the network 100. If it is determined that the processing has not been completed, the process returns to step S301, and processing is performed for the next network address. If it is determined that the processing has been completed, the present processing ends.

The above-described collection process is also executed when a new functional unit is added to the network 100 after the power is turned on. In this case, the newly added functional unit issues a request for updating the static information to the system controller 101, and the system controller 101 that has received the request executes the collection process shown in FIG. 4 to update the static information. .

In this image forming system, how each profile is used when the start of copy processing is instructed will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S400, a profile is collected again (dynamic information is collected) for each functional unit connected to the image forming system. This is because there are dynamically changing contents included in the profile. For example, the image memory (112,
113) and the like, the storable capacity at that time dynamically changes, so it is necessary to confirm the capacity before starting the copy processing. It is also possible to confirm whether the functional unit connected at the time of starting the system can be used at this time. The dynamic information indicates the state of the device. For example, in contrast to the static information indicating that there are two paper cassettes, the dynamic information indicates the current mounting status of each paper cassette. Information such as "the first-stage paper cassette is A4 and there is A4 paper. The second-stage paper cassette is A3 and there is no paper."

Next, in step S401, an operation panel is displayed based on the profile collected in step S400. In this embodiment, the system controller 1
An operation screen as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 101d included in 01. When the user designates a desired one of the displayed operation buttons with a finger, the designated position is detected by touch panel 101e, and it is recognized which button has been operated. Various operation buttons and the like may be instructed by a pointing device such as a mouse.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing display examples of the operation screen according to the present embodiment. The collected profile information is reflected on the operation screen displayed by the system controller 101. For example, when a printer capable of duplex output is connected to the image forming system, a setting relating to “duplex” can be performed. As shown in FIG. An operation screen is displayed in which a “page continuous double-sided” mode can be set to output both sides from one single-sided original. Further, an automatic document feeder (document processing unit 10) capable of handling double-sided documents in this system.
3 is included, it is possible to handle double-sided originals, and an operation screen as shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. That is, an operation button for setting a “double-sided → double-sided” mode for outputting a double-sided original on both sides and a “double-sided → single-sided” mode for outputting a double-sided original on two single sides is added.

Next, in step S402, the user's instruction performed on the displayed operation screen is stored. This accumulation process is performed until the OK button displayed on the operation screen is instructed (step S403).

When the OK button is instructed, step S4
At 04, setting parameters input from the user interface of the system controller are analyzed,
Decompose into setting information for each functional unit. For example,
When using the operation screen as shown in FIG. 7, a user setting of “outputting a full-color A3 double-sided A3 double-sided color original composed of photographs by adjusting the density slightly brighter at the same magnification and outputting the same on both sides” is performed. "A3 original"
It is decomposed into “photo mode”, “color original reading”, “RDF”, “main scanning scaling factor 100%”, “sub-scanning scaling factor 100%”, “density adjustment value”, “full color output”, and “A3-sided output”.

Further, in step S404, it is checked whether or not the function set in the above processing can be realized by the function in the collected profile. For example, regarding the above setting example, “A3 original” checks the profiles of the image reading unit 102 and the image memories 112 and 113, and “Photo mode” sets the filter processing function unit 114.
And the profile of the γ table processing unit 115 are checked, and “color document reading”, “RDF”, “main scanning magnification 1”
For “00%” and “100% magnification for sub-inspection”, check the profiles of the image reading unit 102 and the printer units 104 to 106. For “density adjustment value”, check the γ table processing unit 115. "Double-sided output" checks the profiles of the printer units 104 to 106, and checks each profile to determine whether or not the above-described setting contents can be realized.

The functional unit required for performing the process is temporarily unavailable for some reason (for example, being used for another work) and there is no substitute, or the set process cannot be realized. If it is determined that
The process proceeds from step 405 to step S408. Step S408
Then, the copy process is interrupted as an exception process, and the user interface unit (display 101d in this example) connected to the system controller displays a display as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the set contents can be realized, the process proceeds from step S405 to step S406.
In step S406, a function unit to be used for realizing the setting contents is selected, the order of use is determined, and parameters to be set in the selected function unit are determined.

For the above setting example, it is assumed that the image reading unit 102 and the printer 104 satisfy the conditions and are selected in step S406. Further, the image processing apparatus 114 having the filter processing function and the image processing apparatus 115 having the γ conversion processing function are selected, and parameters according to the set contents are determined for each unit. Also, the image resolution handled by each of the selected image reading device unit 102 and printer unit 104 is 400 d.
Assuming that the image has a resolution of 400 dpi, an image memory unit having a capacity capable of storing A3 images at 400 dpi is selected. In this example, it is assumed that the image memory 112 is selected as satisfying the condition.

With the above processing, the determined functional units, their use order, and the parameters to be set for each functional unit are held as sequence data 101g. Then, in step S407, the function unit selected according to the generated sequence data 101g is controlled to perform a desired image forming process.

In the above setting example, first, parameters are set for each selected functional unit.
Next, the system controller 101 controls each functional unit as follows. First, the image reading device 102 is caused to read a document, and the obtained image data is transmitted to the image memory 112. Next, the image memory 112
Then, the image data transmitted from the image reading device 102 is held, and the stored image data is transmitted to the image processing device 114. Next, the image processing device 114 is caused to perform predetermined image processing on the image data transmitted from the image memory 112, and to transmit the obtained image data to the image processing device 115. Next, the image processing device 115 is caused to perform predetermined processing on the image data sent from the image processing device 114, and the obtained data is transmitted to the printer 104. Then, the printer 104 causes the image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus 105 to form an image on both sides of the A3 size.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, each of the plurality of functional units divided for each function is
The whole system has a communication protocol between devices for combining devices capable of realizing necessary functions according to the mode, and controls by combining each functional unit based on the transmitted information. For this reason, the user can combine and use the functions of a plurality of devices connected on the network without having to worry about which device has what function, and have a desired function. The device can be configured as needed at that time.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements 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, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) 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 memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions 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.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Image processing can be performed by flexibly combining functional modules existing on the network, and economical and effective use of resources becomes possible.

[0057]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a concept of a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of each processing device in the image forming system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list (profile) expressing functions of each component unit connected on the network described in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for collecting static information in profile data according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure during a copy process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of an operation screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of an operation screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display when an exception process occurs according to the embodiment.

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of image processing apparatuses connected via a network for executing processing for image formation, and function information indicating functions that each image processing apparatus can provide with respect to the plurality of image processing apparatuses Holding means for holding the image processing apparatus, a selecting means for selecting an image processing apparatus to be used based on the requested function and the function information held by the holding means, and determining an order of use thereof; and An image forming system, comprising: an image processing apparatus that uses the image processing apparatus based on the use order determined by the determination unit and executes image formation. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit inquires the plurality of image processing apparatuses about a function, collects the function information based on a response to the inquiry, and holds the function information. The image forming system as described in the above. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit collects the function information before starting the image forming operation, and holds the collected function information. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit collects the function information when a new image processing apparatus is connected to the network. 5. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising: a generating unit configured to generate a processing mode setting user interface based on the function information held by the holding unit. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that there is no image processing apparatus satisfying the requested function in the determining unit.
3. The image forming system according to 1. 7. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit further determines a setting parameter for the selected image processing apparatus. 8. An information processing apparatus in an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses for executing a process for forming an image are connected via a network, wherein the plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected via the network. Collecting means for collecting function information indicating functions that can be provided from each of them; holding means for holding the function information collected by the collecting means; functions required for image formation and function information held by the holding means A determining means for selecting an image processing apparatus to be used on the basis of the image processing apparatus, and determining an order of use thereof; and using the image processing apparatus selected by the determining means based on the order of use determined by the determining means. An information processing apparatus comprising: an execution unit that executes formation. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the collecting unit collects the function information before starting the image forming operation. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the collection unit starts collecting function information in response to a request from an image processing apparatus connected to the network. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a generation unit configured to generate a processing mode setting user interface based on the function information held by the holding unit. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a notifying means for notifying that there is no image processing apparatus satisfying the requested function in said determining means. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said determining means further determines a setting parameter for the selected image processing apparatus. 14. A method of controlling an image forming system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses for executing processing for image formation are connected via a network, wherein each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses is A holding step of holding function information indicating a function that can be provided, a selecting step of selecting an image processing apparatus to be used based on the requested function and the function information held in the holding step, and determining an order of use; And an execution step of executing image formation by using the image processing device selected in the determining step based on the use order determined in the determining step. 15. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus in an image forming system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses that execute processing for forming an image are connected via a network, wherein the plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected via the network. A collecting step of collecting function information indicating a function that can be provided from each of the processing apparatuses; a holding step of holding the function information collected in the collecting step; a function required for image formation and held in the holding step Determining an image processing apparatus to be used based on the function information obtained, and determining the order of use; and using the image processing apparatus selected in the determination step based on the use order determined in the determination step. And an execution step of executing image formation. 16. A computer-readable memory for storing a control program in an image forming system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses for executing a process for forming an image are connected via a network, wherein the control program comprises: A code of a collecting step of collecting function information indicating a function that can be provided from each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses via a storage device, a code of a holding step of holding the function information collected in the collecting step, An image processing apparatus to be used is selected based on the requested function and the function information held in the holding step, a code of a determining step for determining the use order, and the image processing apparatus selected in the determining step, And a code for an execution step of executing image formation, which is used based on the use order determined in the determination step. Computer-readable memory.