JPH11232436A - Image processing system, image data processing method and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a processing efficiency and to attain the load distribution of a job in an image processing system. SOLUTION: Copying machines 6a to 6c are connected to 1st to 3rd image processors 1a to 1c which are connected to a network. If an image processing system is compatible with a prescribed transfer condition when a certain copying machine has a fault or a load is concentrated on a specific copying machine, jobs excluding the one currently processed are successively transferred to the processors 1a, 1b, and 1c and then to the processor 1a again, for example.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system, an image data processing method, and an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing system in which an information processing apparatus and a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected via a predetermined communication network. The present invention relates to a system, a method of processing image data for processing image data on the image processing system, and an image processing apparatus for expanding image data sent from an information processing apparatus in units of jobs and outputting the processed data to an output device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image processing system,
2. Description of the Related Art It is known that a host computer (information processing device) is connected to an image processing device via a predetermined communication network, and a plurality of output devices are connected to a single image processing device.

In this type of image processing system, when image data sent from a host computer is input to a queue in an image processing apparatus, bitmap expansion of the image data is sequentially performed according to the storage order of the input queue. It is. The bitmap-decompressed image data specifies an output device from among a plurality of output devices connected to the image processing device, and outputs the image data from the specified output device.

[0004] In the above image processing system,
The time required from when a job is input to the queue until output is completed differs depending on how many jobs are stored in the queue. Then, when the job is queued from the host computer to the image processing apparatus, the required time is determined until the job is developed into a bitmap.

On the other hand, in the above image processing system,
When a preceding job that has been bitmap-deployed is processed by the output device, if a failure such as a jam occurs during the processing of the job, the output of image data is stopped, and as a result, all subsequent jobs wait for output. State and image data cannot be obtained.

Therefore, a utility for managing the processing status of a job has been provided, and the priority of bitmap expansion of the job has been changed based on the management status of the utility, or a failure such as a jam has occurred. Is notified to the image processing apparatus.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image processing system, even if a failure occurs in the output device, the priority of the bitmap development of the job is changed, and the occurrence of an abnormality in the output device is determined by the image processing device. If an error occurs after the output device to output the image data has been specified once, only the job currently being processed and all subsequent jobs are processed until the repair work on the output device is completed. There is a problem in that the job enters an output standby state, and as a result, job processing is delayed, resulting in deterioration of work efficiency.

In the above image processing system,
When a job with a large amount of data is concentrated on a specific output device, the time required until image data is output becomes longer,
There has been a problem that it may be difficult to quickly output image data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image processing system, an image data processing method, and an image processing apparatus capable of improving work efficiency and distributing a job load. With the goal.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing system according to the present invention comprises an information processing apparatus and a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected via a predetermined communication network; In an image processing system in which image processing devices are respectively connected to output devices via dedicated cables, and convert input image data into output image data and output the output image data to the output device, the image processing device converts the output image data into A determination unit for determining whether to output to the output device; and if the determination unit determines that the output image data should not be output to the output device, the output device is connected to the predetermined communication network. And a transfer means for transferring the output image data to the image processing apparatus.

Further, according to a method of processing image data according to the present invention, an information processing apparatus and a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected via a predetermined communication network, and the plurality of image processing apparatuses are respectively connected via dedicated cables. A method of processing image data connected to an output device, converting input image data into output image data and outputting the output image data to the output device, wherein the image processing device should output the output image data to the output device; When it is determined that the output image data should not be output to the output device, the output image data can be transferred to another image processing device connected to the predetermined communication network. And

Further, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a predetermined communication network and connected to an output apparatus via a dedicated cable, converts input image data into output image data, and outputs the output image data to the output apparatus. The image data output device further includes a determination unit that determines whether to output the output image data to the output device, and the determination unit determines that the output image data should not be output to the output device. And a transfer means for transferring the output image data to another image processing apparatus connected to the predetermined communication network.

The other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention.
Image processing apparatuses 1a to 1c have operation units 2a to 2c and image processing units 3a to 3c, and have LAN (Local Area Network).
rk) and the like, and
The third image processing apparatuses 1a to 1c are dedicated cables 5a to 5c.
Digital copier (hereinafter referred to as "copier") via c
6a to 6c.

The image processing apparatus 1 (1a to 1c)
As shown in FIG. 2, it is connected to a host computer 7 via the network 4.

The copying machine 6 has a full-color copying function,
It has various copy functions such as a monochrome copy function, a three-color copy function, and a twin-color copy function, and converts an image, text data, or computer graphics data transferred from the host computer 7 via the image processing apparatus 1 to an image processing apparatus. 1 to output a document image placed on a document table 8 of the copying machine 6. Here, the full-color copy function is to realize full-color copy using yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and K (black).
A monochrome copy is realized using only K (black). In the three-color copy, a color copy is realized using yellow (Y) and magenta (M).
(Red) and K (black) are used to realize a pseudo color copy.

The image processing apparatus 1 has various selection functions (enlargement / reduction rate selection function, CRD selection function, color mode selection function, image mode / character mode selection function, sharpness selection function, etc.) and various adjustment functions (brightness). Adjustment function, toner amount adjustment function, etc.), various specification functions (number of sheets specification function, double-sided printing specification function, sort function, staple function, paper deck function, etc.), scan command function, etc. By operating the operation unit 2, control signals related to these various functions are output to the copying machine 6 to instruct execution of a desired operation. In addition, the various selection functions, etc.
By operating the keyboard 9 of the host computer 7, instructions can be made via the image processing apparatus 1.

Further, the image processing apparatus 1 has various extended functions such as a preview display function and a color area designation function. Here, the preview display function displays desired image data on a previewer (not shown) of the image processing apparatus 1 before output from the copying machine 6, and performs color adjustment and editing processing.
The copy mode area designation function designates a print mode such as color printing, twin-color printing, or monochrome printing for each area of each document. The preview display can be displayed on the display 10 of the host computer 7 by operating the keyboard 9.

The copying machine 6 has an operation panel into which an identifier (ID) number of an operator is input, a management key insertion section into which a management key for enabling the driving of the copying machine 6 is inserted, and a copying machine. A management card insertion unit into which a management card storing the management status of No. 6 is inserted, and a CV (Copy Volume) counter for counting the number of recording sheets used within a predetermined period (for example, one month) are provided.

In this image processing system,
When a job is input from the host computer 7 to the image processing apparatus 1 and the order of bitmap development of the job comes, the copying machine 6 is polled.
Receives the status information of the copying machine 6 from. That is, the image processing apparatus 1 uses the ID input to the operation panel 8
Information, management key information (operability information) indicating whether a management key is inserted into the management key insertion unit, management card information (management information) indicating a management state of the copying machine 6, and a CV counter counting. The CV information at the present time, abnormality occurrence information indicating whether an abnormality has occurred in the copying machine 6, and various other status information are notified from the copying machine 6. The abnormality occurrence information includes operator error information (first abnormality occurrence information) that can be repaired by a user operation, and serviceman error information that cannot be easily repaired by a user operation (second abnormality occurrence information).
The copy machine 6 notifies the image processing apparatus 1 of an error information type such as

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal details of the image processing section 3. As shown in FIG.

That is, the image processing unit 3 temporarily stores the first interface (I / F) 11 for exchanging data with the host computer 7 and PDL data (page description language data) in the order of input. Spooler 12 for forming queuing, and PDL processing unit 13 for developing PDL data into bitmaps and performing predetermined image conversion processing
And a correction / color conversion processing unit 14 for performing gamma correction or predetermined color conversion processing on the bitmap data processed by the PDL processing unit 13 and storing the image processed by the correction / color conversion processing unit 14 A frame buffer 15, a timer 16 for managing the processing time of a job processed by the copying machine 6,
A CV software counter 17 for storing CV information transmitted from the copying machine 6; a transfer determination unit 18 for determining whether or not to transfer a job to another image processing apparatus connected to the network 4; Job log 19 for recording the machine number of the image processing apparatus, the machine number of the image processing apparatus of the transfer destination, or the job result in the copying machine 6
And a second interface (I / F) 20 for exchanging data with the copying machine 6, and a control unit 21 connected to the above-mentioned components and controlling these components.

Then, the image processing apparatus 1 starts measuring the processing time by the timer 16 at the same time as the start of the printing by the copying machine 6, and receives the notification of the end of the printing or the notification of the occurrence of the failure from the copying machine 6 as described above. As a result, the measurement of the processing time is stopped, and whether the normal operation is performed or the normal operation is not performed is recorded in the job log 19. When the processing time exceeds a predetermined time, a succeeding job is transferred to another image processing apparatus as necessary, as described later. Further, the image processing apparatus 1 acquires the processing time information of the immediately preceding job by measuring the processing time described above, and stores the information on the number of pages of the immediately preceding job, the information on the number of copies processed by the immediately preceding job, and the queue. Load processing information such as job number information and processing mode information indicating whether the job is for color processing or for monochrome processing is acquired.

In the image processing system thus configured, the host computer 7 sends the image processing device 1
When a password or a predetermined code indicating the operation content is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 1a (for example, the image processing apparatus 1a),
Confirms these passwords and the predetermined code to determine whether or not to permit the printing operation, and notifies the host computer 7 of the determination result, while confirming the contents of the operation permitted by the user.

When the host computer 7 receives the notification that the printing operation is permitted, the host computer 7 converts the image data into PDL data, and converts the PDL data together with a user-specific code (user code) and a machine number via the network 4. The image is distributed to the image processing apparatus 1.

On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 1, the PDL
Data is input via the first I / F 11 and sequentially stored in the spooler 12. Next, when the order of bitmap development for the PDL data stored in the spooler 12 comes, the transfer determination unit 18 of the image processing unit 3
And the job is transferred to the PD of the image processing apparatus 1 (1a).
It is determined whether the data can be processed by the L processing unit 13 or should be transferred to another image processing device (for example, the image processing device 1b or 1c).

If it is determined that the job can be processed by the PDL processing unit 13 of the image processing apparatus 1a, the PD
The L processing unit 13 expands the PDL data into bitmap data, performs gamma correction and color conversion processing in the correction / color conversion processing unit 14, and stores the result in the frame buffer 15.

Next, print output is performed from the copying machine 6 in accordance with predetermined print parameter information. That is,
The image processing apparatus 1 issues a print request to the copying machine 6. At this time, if the image data stored in the frame buffer 15 covers a plurality of pages, the image data is written page by page into the image storage area of the copying machine 6, and after the image data is written into the image storage area, printing is performed. Start. 1
When the printing of the image data for the page is completed, the copying machine 6 notifies the image processing apparatus 1 to that effect. Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 1 transmits the image data of the next page to the copying machine 6, and thereafter repeats the above operation until the last page of the image data developed by the job is reached.

Also, when a failure such as a jam occurs during printing of one page of image data, the copying machine 6 notifies the image processing apparatus 1 of the occurrence. In this case, as will be described later, the succeeding job is transferred to another image processing apparatus as needed, while the job whose processing is interrupted is removed after the failure of the copying machine 6 is removed. Resume processing.

Next, in this image processing system (FIG. 1)
), The first image processing apparatus 1a → the second image processing apparatus 1b → the third image processing apparatus 1c → the first image processing apparatus 1
A method of processing image data when a job is transferred in the order of a will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for setting the transfer destination. This program is executed by the control unit (not shown) of the host computer 7.

In step S1, the user's password is input to the keyboard 9. Then, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the password is correct. If the password is not correct, the process proceeds to step S3, where the setting of the transfer destination is disabled, and the process ends as it is.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the password is correct, the host computer 7 receives a list of transferable image processing apparatuses from the first image processing apparatus 1a and displays the list on the display 10 (step S2). S
4). In the present embodiment, the second image processing device 1b and the third image processing device 1c are displayed on the display 10 as transfer destination candidates. Then, in step S5, the first image processing device 1b is specified as the first transfer destination, and in step S6, the second image processing device 1b is specified as the second transfer destination.
Then, the transfer destination is set.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a transfer processing routine executed by the first image processing apparatus 1a.

In step S11, the first image processing apparatus 1
By operating the operation unit 2a of the copying machine 6
Depends on the print control unit (printer engine)
Alternatively, it is determined whether the load depends on the load of the first image processing apparatus 1a.

If the printer engine dependence is selected, the flow advances to step S12 to execute engine dependence processing. If load dependence is selected, step S13
To execute load-dependent processing.

Next, the case where the transfer condition depends on the printer engine of the copying machine 6 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the engine-dependent processing executed in step S12.

When a job including PDL data is sent from the host computer 7 to the first image processing apparatus 1a,
The job is stored in the spooler 12. When the order of bitmap development of the job comes, the image processing apparatus 1a polls the first copying machine 6a, and the status information of the first copying machine 6a is sent from the first copying machine 6a. come.

In step S21, it is determined whether or not the status information satisfies one of the following first transfer conditions.

[First transfer condition] (1) When the printer engine exceeds a predetermined CV value (2) When an operator error occurs in the printer engine and it is determined that printing cannot be continued (3) Printer engine If a serviceman error occurs and it is determined that printing cannot be continued (4) If predetermined equipment is not installed in the printer engine to execute the job If none of the first transfer conditions is met Is a case where printing is smoothly performed by the first copying machine 6a.
Proceeding to step S22, the first I / F 20
And instructs the copier 6a to perform a printing process.
At 23, the job result of the job is stored in the first I / F 11
, The job result is recorded in the job log 19, and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, when any of the first transfer conditions is satisfied (the first transfer condition is satisfied), there is a possibility that a problem may occur such that the processing of the succeeding job is put into a standby state and the processing is delayed. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S24, and the host computer 7 is notified that the job transfer condition is satisfied and which of the first transfer conditions is satisfied, that is, the reason why the transfer occurred. And step S
It is determined in step 25 whether or not the client (user) has permitted the transfer, and if the answer is negative (No), step S2
2 and the first copying machine 6a via the second I / F 20
At step S23.
The job result is notified to the host computer 7 via / F11, and the job result is recorded in the job log 19.

If the answer in step S25 is affirmative (Ye)
In the case of s), the remaining jobs after the next time are transferred to the second image processing apparatus 1b (step S26), and the subsequent step S27
Then, the machine numbers of the transfer source and the transfer destination are recorded in the job log 19.

As described above, in the present embodiment, first, the first
In the image processing apparatus 1a, it is determined whether or not the system satisfies the first transfer condition, and if any of the first transfer conditions is satisfied, the first copy is performed by the client's selection. Either the remaining job is processed after the machine 6a is restored, or the remaining job is transferred to the second image processing apparatus 1b as shown by the broken line in FIG.

The remaining jobs after the next time transferred to the second image processing apparatus 1b in this manner are processed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, when a job is transferred from the first image processing apparatus 1a, the job is stored in the spooler 12. Then, when the order of bitmap development of the job comes, the second image processing apparatus 1b causes the second copying machine 6
b, and the status information of the second copying machine 6a is sent from the second copying machine 6b.

Then, in a step S31, it is determined whether or not the status information satisfies any of the following second transfer conditions.

[Second transfer condition] (1) When the printer engine exceeds a predetermined CV value (2) When an operator error occurs in the printer engine and it is determined that printing cannot be continued (3) The printer engine When a serviceman error occurs and it is determined that printing cannot be continued (4) When predetermined equipment is not installed in the printer engine to execute a job (5) When the second image processing apparatus 1b When Job Transfer is Performed to Image Processing Apparatus When none of the above-described second transfer conditions is satisfied, it is a case where printing is smoothly performed by the second copying machine 6b.
Proceeding to step S32, the second I / F 20
The copier 6b is instructed to perform a printing process, and the subsequent step S33
Then, the job result of the job is notified to the host computer 7 via the first I / F 11, the job result is recorded in the job log 19, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if any of the second transfer conditions is satisfied (the second transfer condition is satisfied), step S34 is executed.
Then, as in step S24, the host computer 7 is notified of the fact that the job transfer conditions have been met and the reason why the transfer has occurred. Then, in step S35, it is determined whether the client (user) has permitted the transfer,
If the answer is negative (No), the flow advances to step S32 to instruct a printing process in the second copying machine 6b.
At 3, the job result is notified to the host computer 7 and the job result is recorded in the job log 19.

If the answer in step S35 is affirmative (Ye)
In the case of s), the remaining jobs after the next time are transferred to the third image processing apparatus 1c (step S36), and the subsequent step S37 is performed.
Then, the machine numbers of the transfer source and the transfer destination are recorded in the job log 19.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the second image processing device 1b determines whether or not the second transfer condition is satisfied, and determines whether the second transfer condition is satisfied. In some cases, depending on the client's selection, wait for the second copier 6b to be restored and process the remaining jobs from the next time onward.
Alternatively, the remaining job is transferred to the third image processing apparatus 1c as shown by the dashed line in FIG.

The remaining jobs transferred to the third image processing apparatus 1c in the following manner are processed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, when a job is transferred from the second image processing apparatus 1b, the job is stored in the spooler 12, and when the order of bitmap development of the PDL data arrives, the third image processing apparatus 1c sends the third The copying machine 6c is polled, and status information of the copying machine 6c is sent from the third copying machine 6c.

In step S41, it is determined whether the status information satisfies any of the following third transfer conditions.

[Third transfer condition] (1) When the printer engine exceeds a predetermined CV value (2) When an operator error occurs in the printer engine and it is determined that printing cannot be continued (3) Printer engine When a serviceman error occurs and it is determined that printing cannot be continued (4) When predetermined equipment is not installed in the printer engine to execute the job (5) When the third image processing apparatus 1c When the job transfer is performed to the image processing apparatus. If none of the third transfer conditions is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S42 because there is no problem even if printing is performed by the third copying machine 6c. A print process is instructed to the third copying machine 6c via the second I / F 20, and in a succeeding step S43, the job result of the job is transmitted to the host computer 7 via the first I / F 11. The job result to the job log 19 with the notification to, the process ends.

On the other hand, if any of the third transfer conditions is satisfied (third transfer condition is satisfied), the process proceeds to step S44.
To the first image processing apparatus 1a.
To the first I / F 1 at step S45 that the job transfer condition is met and the reason why the transfer occurred.
1, the host computer 7 is notified, the source and destination machine numbers are recorded in the job log 19, and the process is terminated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the third image processing apparatus 1c determines whether or not the third transfer condition is satisfied, and determines whether the third transfer condition is satisfied. Depending on the client's selection, the remaining job is processed after the second copier 6b is restored, or FIG.
The remaining job is transferred to the third image processing apparatus 1c as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Thus, even if a failure occurs in the first to third copying machines 6a to 6c, it is possible to minimize delay of the processing of the remaining remaining jobs.

Next, the case where the transfer condition depends on the load will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the load-dependent processing executed in step S13.

When a job including PDL data is sent from the host computer 7 to the first image processing apparatus 1a,
The job is stored in the spooler 12. When the order of bitmap development of the job comes, the image processing apparatus 1a polls the first copying machine 6a, and the status information of the first copying machine 6a is sent from the first copying machine 6a. come.

Then, in a step S51, it is determined whether or not the status information satisfies any of the following fourth transfer conditions.

[Fourth transfer condition] (1) When the processing time of the immediately preceding job exceeds a predetermined time (2) When the number of pages of the immediately preceding job exceeds a predetermined number (3) When the number of copies of the immediately preceding job is When the number of copies exceeds a predetermined number. (4) When a queue contains a predetermined number or more of jobs. (5) When a color processing job is sent to a monochrome image processing apparatus, or when a monochrome processing job is a color job. When the image data is sent to the dedicated image processing apparatus, and when none of the fourth transfer conditions is satisfied, it means that the printing is smoothly performed by the first copying machine 6a. The first copier 6a is instructed to perform a printing process via the I / F 20 of the first embodiment, and in step S53, the job result is notified to the host computer 7 via the first I / F 11 and the job result is notified. Recorded in the job log 19, the process is terminated.

On the other hand, when any of the fourth transfer conditions is satisfied (fourth transfer condition is satisfied), step S54 is executed.
And notifies the host computer 7 via the first I / F 11 of the fact that the job transfer conditions have been met and the reason for the transfer. Then, in step S55, it is determined whether or not the client (user) has permitted the transfer. If the answer is negative (No), the process proceeds to step S52, and the first copier is connected via the second I / F 20. In step S53, the host computer 7 is notified of the job result via the first I / F 11 and the job result is recorded in the job log 19.

If the answer in step S55 is affirmative (Ye)
In the case of s), the job is transferred to the second image processing apparatus 1b (step S56), and the machine numbers of the transfer source and the transfer destination are recorded in the job log 19 in the subsequent step S57.

Next, the remaining jobs after the next job transferred to the second image processing apparatus 1b are processed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, when a job is transferred from the first image processing apparatus 1a, it is stored in the spooler 12, and when the order of bitmap development of the PDL data comes, the second image processing apparatus 1b sends the second Polling is performed to the copying machine 6b, and the status information is sent from the second copying machine 6b.

In step S61, it is determined whether the status information satisfies any of the following fifth transfer conditions.

[Fifth transfer condition] (1) When the processing time of the immediately preceding job exceeds a predetermined time (2) When the number of pages of the immediately preceding job exceeds a predetermined number of sheets (3) When the number of copies of the immediately preceding job is When the number of copies exceeds a predetermined number. (4) When a queue contains a predetermined number or more of jobs. (5) When a color processing job is sent to a monochrome image processing apparatus, or when a monochrome processing job is a color job. When sent to the dedicated image processing device (6) When the second image processing device 1b is transferring a job to another image processing device And when none of the fifth transfer conditions is satisfied This is the case where printing is smoothly performed by the second copying machine 6b. The process proceeds to step S62, in which the second copying machine 6b is instructed to perform a printing process via the second I / F 20, and in the subsequent step S63, the first printing is performed. I / F The job result is notified to the host computer 7 via the host computer 11 and the job result is recorded in the job log 19, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if any of the fifth transfer conditions is satisfied (fifth transfer condition is satisfied), the process proceeds to step S64.
Then, the host computer 7 is notified of the fact that the conditions of the job transfer have been met and the reason why the transfer has occurred. Then, in step S65, it is determined whether or not the client (user) has permitted the transfer. If the answer is negative (No), the process proceeds to step S62, and the second copier is connected via the second I / F 20. 6a, a print process is instructed, and the subsequent step S6
3, the host computer 7 via the first I / F 11
To the job log 19
To record.

If the answer in step S65 is affirmative (Ye
In the case of s), the job is transferred to the third image processing apparatus 1c (step S66), and the machine numbers of the transfer source and the transfer destination are recorded in the job log 19 in the subsequent step S67.

Next, the remaining jobs after the next job transferred to the third image processing apparatus 1c are processed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When a job is transferred from the second image processing apparatus 1b, it is stored in the spooler 12, and when the order of bitmap development of the PDL data arrives, the third image processing apparatus 1c switches to the third copier. 6c and the third
The status information is sent from the copying machine 6c.

In step S71, it is determined whether the status information satisfies any of the following sixth transfer conditions.

[Sixth transfer condition] (1) When the processing time of the immediately preceding job exceeds a predetermined time (2) When the number of pages of the immediately preceding job exceeds a predetermined number (3) When the number of copies of the immediately preceding job is When the number of copies exceeds a predetermined number. (4) When a queue contains a predetermined number or more of jobs. (5) When a color processing job is sent to a monochrome image processing apparatus, or when a monochrome processing job is a color job. (6) When the third image processing apparatus 1c is transferring a job to another image processing apparatus, and when the image does not satisfy any of the sixth transfer conditions, the third Since there is no problem even if printing is performed by the copying machine 6c, the process proceeds to step S72, instructs the third copying machine 6c to perform a printing process via the second I / F 20, and in the subsequent step S73, the first I / F 11 Through that The job result is notified to the host computer 7 and the job result is recorded in the job log 19, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if any of the sixth transfer conditions is satisfied (satisfies the sixth transfer condition), the process proceeds to step S74.
To the first image processing apparatus 1a.
Then, in step S75, the host computer 7 is notified that the job transfer conditions are met and the reason for the transfer has occurred. Further, the machine numbers of the transfer source and the transfer destination are recorded in the job log 19, and the processing is performed. finish.

As described above, in the present embodiment, even when the transfer condition depends on the load, the first condition is sequentially determined as indicated by the broken line, the one-dot chain line, and the two-dot chain line in FIG.
, The second image processing apparatus 1b, the third image processing apparatus 1c, and the first image processing apparatus 1a can be sequentially transferred, and the load can be distributed.

[0078]

As described above in detail, according to the image processing system, the image data processing method, and the image processing system according to the present invention, the output device is output based on the status information of the output device and the load information of the image processing device. It is appropriately determined whether or not the output image data should be output. If it is determined that the output image data should not be output, the image data can be transferred to another image processing apparatus connected to the predetermined communication network. Even when the image data is generated, the time required from the input of the image data to the output of the image data can be reduced as much as possible, the load can be further distributed, and the operation rate of the system can be improved. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing an image processing apparatus connected to a predetermined communication network and a copying machine connected to the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating details of an image processing unit of the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a transfer destination setting procedure executed by the host computer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a transfer processing procedure in the first image processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of engine-dependent processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a transfer procedure in engine-dependent processing of the second image processing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a transfer procedure in an engine-dependent process of the third image processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a load-dependent process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a transfer procedure in a load-dependent process of the second image processing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a transfer procedure in a load-dependent process of the third image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b, 1c Image processing device 2a, 2b, 2c Operation unit (setting means) 4 Network (predetermined communication network) 5a, 5b, 5c Dedicated cable 6a, 6b, 6c Digital copier (output device) 16 Timer (time measuring means) 18) transfer determination unit (determination unit) 20 second I / F (reception unit) 21 control unit (transfer unit)

Claims (31)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus and a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected via a predetermined communication network, and the plurality of image processing apparatuses are respectively connected to an output apparatus via a dedicated cable, and input image data is An image processing system for converting output image data to output image data and outputting the output image data to the output device, wherein the image processing device includes a determination unit configured to determine whether the output image data should be output to the output device, and the determination unit When it is determined that the output image data should not be output to the output device, a transfer unit that can transfer the output image data to another image processing device connected to the predetermined communication network is provided. An image processing system. 2. The output device, comprising: abnormality occurrence information indicating whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the output device; information on the number of sheets of recording paper used in the output device within a predetermined period; The image processing apparatus further includes a transmission unit configured to transmit status information including at least mounting information indicating whether or not the output device is mounted to the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive the status information. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the output image data is to be output to the output device based on the status information. 3. The information processing time information of the immediately preceding job of the output image data, the number of pages of the immediately preceding job, the number of copies processed by the immediately preceding job, and the number of jobs stored in the queue. Determining whether to output the output image data to the output device based on load processing information including at least information and processing mode information indicating whether the job is for color processing or for monochrome processing. The image processing system according to claim 1. 4. An image processing apparatus, comprising: abnormality occurrence information indicating whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the output device; information on the number of recording sheets used in the output device within a predetermined period; Status information including at least mounting information indicating whether or not the output device is mounted on the output device; processing time information of the immediately preceding job of the output image data; page number information of the immediately preceding job; And load processing information including at least job number information stored in the queue, job number information stored in the queue, and processing mode information indicating whether the job is a color processing job or a monochrome processing job. Determines whether to output the output image data to the output device based on either the status information or the load processing information, and It should be determined on the basis of Tasu information, or image processing system according to claim 1, wherein it is characterized in that comprises a setting means for setting whether to determine on the basis of the load processing information. 5. The status information includes identifier information unique to the output device, operability information indicating whether the output device is operable, and management information of the output device. The image processing system according to claim 2. 6. The abnormality occurrence information includes first abnormality occurrence information that can be repaired by a user and second abnormality occurrence information that is difficult to repair by a user. The image processing system described in the above. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output device includes a counting unit that counts the number of used recording sheets within a predetermined period, and the number information is obtained based on a counting result of the counting unit. The image processing system according to claim 2 or 4. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a clock unit for clocking a processing time in the output unit, wherein the processing time information is obtained based on a clock result of the clock unit. Alternatively, the image processing system according to claim 4. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing identifier information unique to said another image processing apparatus transferred by said transfer means. Image processing system. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: transfer permission determining means for determining whether a transfer destination of the image processing apparatus can be set; and when the transfer permission determining means determines that the transfer destination can be set. 10. The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a destination setting unit configured to set the destination according to a predetermined priority. 11. The information processing apparatus has permission / rejection determination means for determining permission / rejection of transfer from one image processing apparatus to another image processing apparatus, and the one image processing apparatus is provided with a permission / rejection determination means. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer rejecting unit that rejects the transfer to the other image processing device by the transfer unit when the transfer to the other image processing device is determined to be rejected. The image processing system according to claim 10. 12. An image processing apparatus and a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected via a predetermined communication network, and each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses is connected to an output apparatus via a dedicated cable to output input image data. A method of processing image data to be converted into image data and output to the output device, wherein the image processing device determines whether to output the output image data to the output device, and outputs the output image data to the output device. A method for processing image data, wherein when it is determined that the output image data should not be output to an apparatus, the output image data can be transferred to another image processing apparatus connected to the predetermined communication network. 13. An output device, comprising: abnormality occurrence information indicating whether an abnormality has occurred in the output device; information on the number of sheets of recording paper used in the output device within a predetermined period; While transmitting to the image processing apparatus status information including at least mounting information indicating whether or not the output device is mounted, the image processing apparatus,
13. The image data processing method according to claim 12, further comprising: receiving the status information, and determining whether to output the output image data to the output device based on the status information. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing time information of the immediately preceding job of the output image data, the page number information of the immediately preceding job, the copy number information processed by the immediately preceding job, and the job stored in the queue. Determining whether to output the output image data to the output device based on load processing information including at least numerical information and processing mode information indicating whether the job is a color processing job or a monochrome processing job. The method for processing image data according to claim 12, wherein 15. The image processing apparatus, comprising: abnormality occurrence information indicating whether an abnormality has occurred in the output device; information on the number of recording sheets used in the output device within a predetermined period; Status information including at least mounting information indicating whether or not the output device is mounted on the output device; processing time information of the immediately preceding job of the output image data; page number information of the immediately preceding job; To obtain load processing information including at least copy number information to be processed, job number information stored in the queue, and processing mode information indicating whether the job is a color processing job or a monochrome processing job. Whether to determine whether or not to the output device should be determined based on the status information or whether to determine based on the load processing information, according to the setting result Serial status information or an image data processing method according to claim 12, wherein the determining whether to output the output image data to the output device based on the load processing information. 16. The status information includes identifier information unique to the output device, operability information indicating whether or not the output device is operable, and management information of the output device. The image data processing method according to claim 13 or claim 15. 17. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the abnormality occurrence information includes first abnormality occurrence information that can be repaired by a user and second abnormality occurrence information that is difficult for the user to repair. Processing method of the described image data. 18. The image according to claim 13, wherein the output device counts the number of recording sheets used within a predetermined period, and acquires the number information based on the counting result. How to process the data. 19. The image data according to claim 14, wherein the image processing device measures the processing time in the output device, and acquires the processing time information based on the result of the measurement. Processing method. 20. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein identifier information unique to said another image processing apparatus to be transferred is stored.
The method of processing image data according to claim 19. 21. The information processing apparatus determines whether a transfer destination of the image processing apparatus can be set, and when it is determined that the transfer destination can be set, the information processing apparatus determines the transfer destination according to a predetermined priority. 21. The image data processing method according to claim 12, wherein the image data is set. 22. The information processing apparatus determines whether transfer from one image processing apparatus to another image processing apparatus is permitted, and the one image processing apparatus refuses transfer to the other image processing apparatus. 22. The image data processing method according to claim 12, wherein when the determination is made, transfer to the other image processing apparatus is rejected. 23. An image processing apparatus connected to a predetermined communication network and connected to an output device via a dedicated cable to convert input image data into output image data and output the output image data to the output device. A determination unit that determines whether or not the output image data should be output to the output device. When the determination unit determines that the output image data should not be output to the output device, it is connected to the predetermined communication network. An image processing apparatus comprising: a transfer unit configured to transfer the output image data to another image processing apparatus. 24. An abnormality occurrence information indicating whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the output device, information on the number of sheets of recording paper used in the output device within a predetermined period, and mounting of predetermined equipment on the output device. And receiving means for receiving status information including at least mounting information indicating whether or not the output image data is to be output to the output device based on the status information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the determination is performed. 25. The determination means, comprising: processing time information of the immediately preceding job of the output image data, page number information of the immediately preceding job, copy number information to be processed by the immediately preceding job, and the number of jobs stored in the queue. Determining whether to output the output image data to the output device based on load processing information including at least information and processing mode information indicating whether the job is for color processing or for monochrome processing. 24. The image processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein: 26. An abnormality occurrence information indicating whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the output device, information on the number of sheets of recording paper used in the output device within a predetermined period, and a predetermined equipment mounted on the output device. Status information including at least mounting information indicating whether or not the job has been processed, processing time information of the immediately preceding job of the output image data, page number information of the immediately preceding job, copy number information to be processed by the immediately preceding job, and a queue. And load processing information including at least processing mode information indicating whether a job for color processing or a job for monochrome processing is stored, and the determination unit is configured to obtain the status information or It is determined whether or not the output image data is to be output to the output device based on any of the load processing information, and based on the status information. Should be determined Te, or the load processing image processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein further comprising: a setting means for setting whether to determine based on the information. 27. The status information includes identifier information unique to the output device, operability information indicating whether or not the output device is operable, and management information of the output device. The image processing device according to claim 24 or claim 26. 28. The malfunction occurrence information according to claim 24, wherein the malfunction occurrence information includes first malfunction occurrence information that can be repaired by the user and second malfunction occurrence information that is difficult for the user to repair. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 29. The apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a clock unit for clocking a processing time in the output device, wherein the processing time information is acquired based on a clock result of the clock unit. Image processing device. 30. The image processing apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising storage means for storing identifier information unique to said another image processing apparatus transferred by said transfer means.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13. 31. An image processing apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a transfer rejection unit for rejecting the transfer by said transfer unit to said another image processing apparatus. .