Abstract: An image input/output system is used to input information for specifying the transmission source of data and a period of time during which the data should be received as search conditions for specifying the data that should be received. On the basis of the input conditions, the reception history of the data received via a network or a public network is read. The reception history is searched to determine whether the data that should be received has already been received. On the basis of the determination result, when the data that should be received has not been received, the fact that the data has not been received is reported.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that is capable of displaying an operating manual so as to conform to a machine configuration, option settings and/or customization by a user. A screen ID corresponding to an apparatus function based on functions that can be performed on a copying machine 1001 is obtained. A manual screen using image corresponding to the obtained screen ID is composed. The composed manual screen is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: There is provided a web browser operation method and operation apparatus capable of preferably setting an access restriction function for restricting access of a web browser to be used by an unspecified number of users. First, content acquired from a web server is displayed on a display based on a format described in the content. An operation tool for performing operations related to processing of the content is also displayed on the screen. When an operation instruction is inputted by a user with the use of the operation tool, processing related to the displayed content is performed based on the operation instruction. In this case, restrictions are set on operation instructions by the user among operation instructions, and selection by the user of tool portions corresponding to the set restrictions, among tool portions which can be specified by the operation tool, are set as disabled.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, which can improve security and reinforce privacy protection for cache data and management data generated when an operator employs a browser function, and which can efficiently utilize storage resources of the apparatus. In the image processing apparatus having a browser function, data generated by an operator employing the browser function is stored in the RAM. Herein, it is determined whether or not the operator employing the browser function is a particular operator such as a system administrator. In a case where the browser function is employed by an operator other than the particular operator, the data stored in the RAM is deleted. Meanwhile, in a case of the particular operator, the data is stored in a hard disk drive (HDD).

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A multi-function apparatus which is capable of properly coping with cases where an auto-clear function is activated to thereby improve operability after execution of the function. The operating section of a copying machine displays an operating screen associated with each function and receives inputs via the operating screen. According to the auto-clear function, set values associated with predetermined functions are reset to initial values when no input operation has been performed via the operating section over a predetermined time period, and the operating section is caused to display an operating screen associated with a predetermined function. A controller unit of the machine determines whether the copying machine should be operated in a first mode in which disconnection from the network is carried out or in a second mode in which connection to the network is maintained. The controller unit selects one of the first mode and the second mode based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming images on sheets in the copy mode, the facsimile mode, and the printer mode a plurality of storage units for storing the sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit, a setting unit for setting storage units which are to store sheets on which images are formed in the respective modes, a detection unit for detecting empty states of the storage units, and a control unit for storing sheets on which images are formed in the facsimile or printer mode in the storage units that are set by the setting unit, and storing sheets on which images are formed in the copy mode in storage units whose empty states are detected by the detection unit independently of the setting state of the setting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming images on sheets in the copy mode, the facsimile mode, and the printer mode a plurality of storage units for storing the sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit, a setting unit for setting storage units which are to store sheets on which images are formed in the respective modes, a detection unit for detecting empty states of the storage units, and a control unit for storing sheets on which images are formed in the facsimile or printer mode in the storage units that are set by the setting unit, and storing sheets on which images are formed in the copy mode in storage units whose empty states are detected by the detection unit independently of the setting state of the setting unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first determination unit for determining the direction of an input image, a second determination unit for determining if the input image is a portrait type or landscape type, and an image rotation unit for rotating the input image in correspondence with the determination results of the first and second determination units. The image rotation unit rotates one of portrait type and landscape type images to adjust the direction of the image in a predetermined direction, and rotates the other one of portrait type and landscape type images to adjust the direction of the image in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An image processing system includes an input device which inputs an n page document, with the n pages being reduced in size so that a predetermined number of the n pages can be layed out in a layout print format on a single sheet for recording. A selection device selects between first and second layout modes for laying out the predetermined number of pages in the layout print format for recording. In the first layout mode the predetermined number of the n pages are first layed out in the layout print format and are subsequently stored in a storage device, and are then read from the storage device for recording on a single sheet. In the second layout mode the predetermined number of pages are first stored in the storage device on a page by page basis, are then read from the storage device and are subsequently layed out in the layout print format, and are then recorded on a single sheet.

Abstract: An image formation device, such as a printer, forms an image in a transfer format. The image formation device is configured to execute a predetermined down sequence to prepare the device for the next image formation operation after completion of an image formation operation. Alternatively, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the device is configured to execute a blank rotation sequence instead of executing the down sequence after completion of an image formation operation. The device may have the ability to form an image from different image generation sources. A determination of whether an image formation operation switches from one image generation source to using another image generation source may be based on whether the predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition may be that the sizes of the images formed using each image generation source are equal.

Abstract: A copying apparatus includes an original feed unit for feeding originals stacked on the stacking position to an exposure position one by one, an exposure unit for exposing an image on the original fed to the exposure position, and an image forming unit for forming the image exposed by the exposure unit onto a sheet, the image forming unit being able to operate in a first mode for forming an image on a single original on a single sheet, and a second mode for forming images on a plurality of originals on a single sheet. The original feed unit includes a first feed unit for feeding the originals stacked at the stacking position in turn from the last page, and a second feed unit for feeding the originals stacked at the stacking position in turn from the first page. When the image forming unit operates in the first mode, the first feed unit feeds the originals. When the image forming unit operates in the second mode, the second feed unit feeds the originals.

Abstract: An original reading apparatus includes an original feeding unit for feeding the front and back sides of two-side originals in succession to a reading position, a reader unit for reading the original in the reading position, a memory unit for storing the image data of the original read by the reader unit, a read-out unit adapted to read the image data from the memory unit in the continuous order of pages, in case of reading a bundle of originals wherein the pages are so arranged that a side of the original bears the images of N-th and first pages and the other side of the original bears the images of (N-1)-th and second pages, and an output unit for successively outputting or transmitting the image data read by the read-out unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having multiple functions inputs image data for each of the multiple functions and stores the input image data in a memory. The image data stored in the memory is then processed. In the apparatus, a priority mode may be set in which a priority function is selected from among the multiple functions, and given priority to use a predetermined portion of the memory. A controller allows the predetermined portion of the memory to be used by the priority function only, when the priority mode is set, and allows the predetermined portion of the memory to be used by all of the multiple functions when the priority mode is not set.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first processor for outputting first image data and a second processor for outputting second image data different from the first image data. The apparatus also includes a first detector for detecting a processing stage of the first processor and a second detector for detecting a processing condition of the second processing means. The apparatus also includes means for judging whether operations, to interrupt the processing by the first processor and to execute the processing by the second processor, are permitted or inhibited on the basis of a first detection result of the first detector and a second detection result of the second detector.