Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image input device that reads an image to obtain image data and a printer engine that forms an image on a medium based on image data. A bus of a PCI Express standard is used to transfer data. Storage areas serving as end points of the standard and hardware resources that transmit data and receive image data to and from the storage areas are connected to an identical switch according to the PCI Express standard. Specifically, an input/output area, an image input device, and a printer engine are connected to one switch, and a storage area, a compressor, and a hard disk is connected to another switch.

Abstract: An information processor that is connected to at least one other information processor via a network, includes a detecting unit that detects an optional device to be used for information processing, as a target optional device, installed on the other information processor, an issuing unit that issues an access request to use the target optional device to the other information processor, a receiving unit that receives an access permission for access to the target optional device from the other information processor, and a processing unit that performs the information processing with the target optional device.

Abstract: A high-speed serial switch fabric is configured to perform a mapping of a traffic class that is capable of differentiating traffics onto a virtual channel. The high-speed serial switch fabric connects a plurality of devices. A traffic-class setting unit sets, when a conflict occurs between devices connected to the high-speed serial switch fabric, the traffic class for each of traffics in the devices having the conflict. A channel setting unit assigns each of set traffic classes to different virtual channels, and gives a priority of data communication to each of the set traffic classes.

Abstract: A high-speed serial switch fabric is configured to perform a mapping of a traffic class that is capable of differentiating traffics onto a virtual channel. The high-speed serial switch fabric connects a plurality of devices. A traffic-class setting unit sets, when a conflict occurs between devices connected to the high-speed serial switch fabric, the traffic class for each of traffics in the devices having the conflict. A channel setting unit assigns each of set traffic classes to different virtual channels, and gives a priority of data communication to each of the set traffic classes.

Abstract: An information processor that is connected to at least one other information processor via a network, includes a detecting unit that detects an optional device to be used for information processing, as a target optional device, installed on the other information processor, an issuing unit that issues an access request to use the target optional device to the other information processor, a receiving unit that receives an access permission for access to the target optional device from the other information processor, and a processing unit that performs the information processing with the target optional device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image input device that reads an image to obtain image data and a printer engine that forms an image on a medium based on image data. A bus of a PCI Express standard is used to transfer data. Storage areas serving as end points of the standard and hardware resources that transmit data and receive image data to and from the storage areas are connected to an identical switch according to the PCI Express standard. Specifically, an input/output area, an image input device, and a printer engine are connected to one switch, and a storage area, a compressor, and a hard disk is connected to another switch.

Abstract: A data transfer system using a high-speed serial interface system that forms a tree structure in which point-to-point communication channels are established for data sending and data receiving independently is provided. The data transfer system includes plural end points each having plural upper ports each of which is connected to a switch of an upper side, wherein each end point includes a port selecting part for selecting a port to be used according to an operation mode of the data transfer system so as to dynamically change the tree structure.

Abstract: An image forming system comprising a serial communication control part, an image input part, an image output part, an image processing part, a storage part, a printer controller, and a high-speed serial bus. The high-speed serial bus mutually couples the serial communication control part and at least one of the image input part, the image output part, the image processing part, the storage part and the printer controller.

Abstract: An imaging system that implements a PCI Express high-speed serial interface system is disclosed in which a plurality of point-to-point simplex communication channels are established to realize a data communication network having a tree structure. The imaging system includes a PCI Express high-speed serial interface, and plural independent image processing units as end point devices of the tree structure that are connected by the PCI Express high-speed serial interface.