Abstract: When the distributed load system of grid computing is applied to printers, multi-functional peripheral equipments, and the like connected to a computer network, if a device which inputs a job received from the client is executing processing, the distributed processing requires much time, and the user of the client cannot obtain the print result soon. Hence, when a print job is input, the processing time upon executing distributed processing of data processes in the print job by computer devices connected to the computer network is estimated. Based on the estimation result, the print job or jobs divided from the print job are transmitted to the computer devices connected to the computer network.

Abstract: By smoothing a full-color image, staircasing of characters even in a gradation image is removed. An area to be smoothed is detected from image data having a plurality of color components, and image data included in the detected area is smoothed in units of color components. Image data which places an importance on resolution is smoothed by increasing the resolution to reproduce smooth characters and figures. Image data which places an importance on gradation characteristic is output without increasing the resolution, thus attaining high-gradation recording. A character or figure is detected from bitmap image data input from external equipment, and is smoothed. In correspondence with the density of the smoothed image data, the pulse width is switched, thereby changing the resolution of image data.

Abstract: An image processing system and method includes selecting a color desired by a user, extracting a partial image corresponding to the color desired by the user and selected from a bit-map image, converting the partial image into vector data, storing the vector data in a memory, and setting the converted vector data as vector data to be processed as desired by the user. The image processing system and method further includes calculating a palette color from the bit-map image, extracting a partial image corresponding to the palette color, converting the partial image into vector data per color object, storing the vector data in a memory, and setting, as vector data to be processed as desired by the user, vector data per object that is selected from the vector data stored in the memory based on the color selected from the calculated palette colors.

Abstract: In order to produce a high-quality output of an image which is a mixture of images having different characteristics, there is provided an image processing apparatus having an image memory storing an entered color image and a feature detector, arranged for detecting a feature signal from the entered color image and storing the feature signal in the image memory. The feature signal represents a feature of the entered color image. An outputter is arranged for reading an image signal of the entered color image and the feature signal thereof out of the image memory, and outputting the image and feature signals as a recording signal. Processors are arranged for respectively processing one of a number of color components, which represent color image information, in accordance with the recording signal. The detection and storage in the image memory of feature signals and the readout of the image signal and associated feature signal from the image memory are performed in parallel.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing system and image processing method which allow a user to easily confirm conversion result information when image information is converted into vector data. Image information input from an input device (113) is vectorized by a data processing device (115). Vector data which has successfully been vectorized is converted into image data. The input image information and the converted image data are combined to generate and output combined image data.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing system and image processing method which can appropriately provide vector data permitted to reuse by inhibiting information, whose reuse is inhibited or which should not unnecessarily be manipulated from the viewpoint of copyright protection, from being provided to a third party as vector data. An image reading unit (110) inputs image information. A data processing device (115) generates vector data. The data processing device (115) determines whether reuse of the vector data is permitted or inhibited. When it is determined that reuse of the vector data is inhibited, the stored vector data is discarded.

Abstract: In order to produce a high-quality output of an image which is a mixture of images having different characteristics, there is provided an image processing apparatus having an image memory storing an entered color image and a feature detector, arranged for detecting a feature signal from the entered color image and storing the feature signal in the image memory. The feature signal represents a feature of the entered color image. An outputter is arranged for reading an image signal of the entered color image and the feature signal thereof out of the image memory, and outputting the image and feature signals as a recording signal. Processors are arranged for respectively processing one of a number of color components, which represent color image information, in accordance with the recording signal. The detection and storage in the image memory of feature signals and the readout of the image signal and associated feature signal from the image memory are performed in parallel.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing system and image processing method which can promote efficient use of a memory by vectorizing all data of a representative object and, for the same or similar object, referring to the vectorized representative object and using difference data and also convert the same or similar objects at once by editing only the representative object. Input image information is vectorized. The vector data of a representative object is stored. Identity between a target object and the representative object is determined. If the two objects are identical, property information containing information about the reference destination of the vector data of the representative object is stored in place of the vector data of the target object.

Abstract: Even when a CPU gains higher performance and a distributed computing environment is being put in place, it is not easy to follow the speed of hardware image processing implemented by dedicated hardware. Hence, jobs of filter processing having a heavy operation load and low distributability are selectively and intensively input to a small number of resources having performance as high as possible. On the other hand, since the color conversion processing and gamma processing have high distributability, even when jobs are input to many resources having low performance, an improvement of the processing speed can be expected. Therefor, color conversion processing and gamma processing distribute jobs to many resources.

Abstract: A print system which are capable of inhibiting simultaneous use of the encrypted print and the box storage to thereby increase the security of print data. A host computer has an encryption function of encrypting print data, and issues a print job for the print data encrypted by the encryption function. A print server receives the issued print job, and has a decryption function of decrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job. A printer has a storage function of storing the print data decrypted by the decryption function, and outputs the stored print data. At least one of the host computer and the print server inhibits simultaneous use of the encryption function and the storage function.

Abstract: An image forming system having an image information generation apparatus for generating image information, and an image forming apparatus capable of forming images on both sides of a printing medium on the basis of the image information generated by the image information generation apparatus, the image information generation apparatus comprises image information generation unit for generating image information, storage unit for storing the generated image information to allow identifying whether the image information is image information to be printed on a first surface or a second surface of the sheet.

Abstract: When a target device of distributed processing has shifted to a power save mode, if the target device is resumed to the normal operation to attain the distributed processing, resources of the target device which are not required for the distributed processing waste electric power. Therefore, when a print job to be processed by grid processing is received, resources required for the grid processing from resources in a waiting state, and the grid processing is executed to process the received print job.

Abstract: Input raster image data is divided into objects of each attribute. The division results, and charge information representing a consideration accrued from a vectorized process for the division results are displayed. It is designated whether to execute the vectorized process for the displayed division results. The vectorized process of converting the raster image data into vector data is executed on the basis of the contents of the designation.

Abstract: A mechanism that attains high-speed processing by distributing a great deal of processing to a plurality of devices upon processing does not perform processing distribution which considers hardware resources of devices used in distributed processing. When rendering processing of a print job is executed by distributed processing using devices connected to a computer network, it is determined whether hardware or software rendering processing is executed (S1102, S1103). Image processing devices which can implement hardware or software rendering processing are sought from devices connected to the computer network (S1104, S1106). Based on the determination and seek results, devices to which jobs divided from the print job are transmitted are notified (S1108).

Abstract: When the distributed load system of grid computing is applied to printers, multi-functional peripheral equipments, and the like connected to a computer network, if a device which inputs a job received from the client is executing processing, the distributed processing requires much time, and the user of the client cannot obtain the print result soon. Hence, when a print job is input, the processing time upon executing distributed processing of data processes in the print job by computer devices connected to the computer network is estimated. Based on the estimation result, the print job or jobs divided from the print job are transmitted to the computer devices connected to the computer network.

Abstract: In a network print system in which a printer and at least one client are connected to each other through a network, and at least a part of a job for the printer can be subjected to load distributed processing by grid computing, wherein when a printer driver of the printer is installed on any one of the at least one client, the system is adapted to build a grid computing network. In this arrangement, it is easily to build the grid computing network in which the printer job is subjected to load distributed processing.

Abstract: In a computer system including a job scheduler which divides an input job and determines a client apparatus to assign the divided job, and a task manager which transmits the divided job to the client apparatus determined by the job scheduler, the job scheduler assigns the same job to a plurality of client apparatuses when the number of client apparatuses is larger than the number of divided jobs, and when the job is finished in one of the plurality of client apparatuses assigned the same job, execution of the job in the remaining client apparatuses is canceled so that the time until all jobs are finished is shortened.

Abstract: A read document image is converted into first vector data. First layout structure information representing the layout structure of the first vector data is generated. The first layout structure information is changed into second layout structure information on the basis of preset layout setting information. The first vector data is converted into second vector data on the basis of the changed second layout structure information.

Abstract: Input image data is divided into a plurality of blocks. The skew angle of each divided block with respect to a predetermined direction is detected. Image data input from an input unit is converted into vector data for each divided block. The vector data corresponding to the divided block is corrected on the basis of the detected skew angle of each block.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus via a network encrypts print data if identification information is input, and does not encrypt print data if identification information is not input. If identification information is input and the print data has been encrypted, the information processing apparatus sends a print job including the encrypted print data to the printing apparatus via the network; otherwise, the information processing apparatus sends unencrypted print data to the printing apparatus via the network.