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: 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: 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: An image processor is capable of transferring an input job. The image processor receives input of jobs, displays a list of the jobs received, selects a job to be output to another image processor from the displayed list, and transfers the selected job to that another image processor.

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: 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: 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: 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: An output control apparatus controls an output unit to output an image based on output data. The output unit provides a condition change signal indicating a predetermined condition change thereof. The apparatus includes detection means for detecting the condition change signal provided by the output unit, and transmission means for transmitting information on the predetermined condition change to an external apparatus in response to the detection means detecting the condition change signal.

Abstract: An image processor is capable of transferring an input job. The image processor receives input of jobs, displays a list of the jobs received, selects a job to be output to another image processor from the displayed list, and transfers the selected job to that another image processor.

Abstract: If an optional paper feeding deck or furnisher, or paper stacker, is connected to an image forming apparatus (such as a printer), such optional devices are to be controlled by connecting the paper conveyance control apparatus to control those options. Such an image forming apparatus has a video controller to convert the printer language sent from a high-order device such as a host computer, into a bit map data and a printer engine to print the bit map data. Such a paper conveyance control apparatus, being electrically connected to the video controller, has a memory to be shared with the video controller. The video controller writes the job schedule in the shared memory. The paper conveyance control apparatus controls the optional device according to the written job schedule.

Abstract: A scheduler develops a band in which a development processing time is longer than an image formation process speed so that a band development process can always be performed during a continuous image formation. To form images at a high throughput, a CPU analyzes print data from a plurality of pages, and a band development schedule is optimized when an image is formed on the basis of a band unit basis on the basis of the developing processing time which is previously predicted for the plurality of pages.

Abstract: If an optional paper feeding deck or furnisher, or paper stacker, is connected to an image forming apparatus (such as a printer), such optional devices are to be controlled by connecting the paper conveyance control apparatus to control those options. Such an image forming apparatus has a video controller to convert the printer language sent from a high-order device such as a host computer, into bit map data and a printer engine to print the bit map data. Such a paper conveyance control apparatus, being electrically connected to the video controller, has a memory to be shared with the video controller. The video controller writes the job schedule in the shared memory. The paper conveyance control apparatus controls the optional device according to the written job schedule.

Abstract: It is prevented that a processing time of a print job which is interrupted becomes longer than it is needed. Particularly, when an amount of residual processes of the job which is interrupted is small, interruption is inhibited, thereby preventing a situation such that a process end time becomes longer than it is needed because the print job which is being processed is finished first.

Abstract: If connecting the optional paper feeding deck or furnisher to the image forming apparatus such as a printer, those optional devices are to be controlled by connecting the paper conveyance control apparatus to control those options. Such an image forming apparatus has a video controller to convert the printer language sent from a high-order device such as a host computer, into a bit map data and a printer engine to print the bit map data. Such a paper conveyance control apparatus, being electrically connected to the video controller, has a memory to be shared with the video controller. The video controller writes the job schedule in the shared memory. The paper conveyance control apparatus controls the optional device according to the written job schedule.

Abstract: The conventional laser beam printer has to execute serial communication periodically or whenever necessary, with respect to the status change which is not reflected in the /RDY signal, and the serial communication is indispensable for each printing operation, particularly in case the auto sheet feeding function is selected, and such serial communications constitute an overhead in the process.

Abstract: If an optional paper feeding deck or furnisher, or paper stacker, is connected to an image forming apparatus (such as a printer), such optional devices are to be controlled by connecting the paper conveyance control apparatus to control those options. Such an image forming apparatus has a video controller to convert the printer language sent from a high-order device such as a host computer, into bit map data and a printer engine to print the bit map data. Such a paper conveyance control apparatus, being electrically connected to the video controller, has a memory to be shared with the video controller. The video controller writes the job schedule in the shared memory. The paper conveyance control apparatus controls the optional device according to the written job schedule.