Method and apparatus for image processing capable of automatically adding/upgrading image processing functions, and a computer readable data medium containing computer instructions for performing the method
First Claim
1. An image processing apparatus, comprising:
- a memory storing a plurality of individual image processing programs;
an image processing mechanism including a plurality of hardware resources performing individual image processing operations in collaboration with the plurality of individual image processing programs;
a function enhancing mechanism configured to perform an addition of a new individual image processing program to the memory and an upgrade of an existing individual image processing program in the memory; and
an enhancement control mechanism configured to determine whether the image processing mechanism includes a hardware resource corresponding to the new individual image processing program or the existing individual image processing program when the function enhancing mechanism performs such addition or upgrade.
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Abstract
An image processing apparatus having individual image processing programs, the apparatus includes mechanisms of image processing, function enhancement, and enhancement control. The image processing mechanism having hardware resources performing individual image processing operations in collaboration with the individual image processing programs. The function enhancing mechanism adds a new individual image processing program and/or upgrade of an existing individual image processing program. The enhancement control mechanism determines whether the image processing mechanism includes a hardware resource corresponding to the new individual image processing program or the existing individual image processing program when the function enhancing mechanism performs such addition and/or upgrade.
66 Citations
44 Claims
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1. An image processing apparatus, comprising:
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a memory storing a plurality of individual image processing programs;
an image processing mechanism including a plurality of hardware resources performing individual image processing operations in collaboration with the plurality of individual image processing programs;
a function enhancing mechanism configured to perform an addition of a new individual image processing program to the memory and an upgrade of an existing individual image processing program in the memory; and
an enhancement control mechanism configured to determine whether the image processing mechanism includes a hardware resource corresponding to the new individual image processing program or the existing individual image processing program when the function enhancing mechanism performs such addition or upgrade. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of downloading an individual image processing program from a server through a communications network to an image processing apparatus having a plurality of individual image processing programs to perform an image processing application, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining property information associated with an individual image processing program to be downloaded from the server through the communications network;
determining whether the individual image processing program to be downloaded to the image processing apparatus is operable in collaboration with image processing mechanisms provided to the image processing apparatus, based on the property information obtained by the obtaining step; and
downloading the individual image processing program from the server into a memory of the image processing apparatus when the individual image processing program to be downloaded is determined as operable by the determining step. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 13)
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11. A method of transferring an individual image processing program from a data storing medium to an image processing apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining property information associated with an individual image processing program to be transferred from the data storing medium;
determining whether the individual image processing program to be transferred to the image processing apparatus is operable in collaboration with image processing mechanisms provided to the image processing apparatus, based on the property information obtained by the obtaining step; and
transferring the individual image processing program from the data storing medium into a memory of the image processing apparatus when the individual image processing program to be transferred is determined as operable by the determining step. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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14. An image processing apparatus, comprising:
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a memory storing a plurality of individual image processing instruction sets;
an image processing mechanism including a plurality of hardware resources performing individual image processing operations in collaboration with the plurality of individual image processing instruction sets stored in the memory;
a function selecting mechanism configured to select a group of individual image processing instruction sets according to an image processing application being activated from among the plurality of individual image processing instruction sets stored in the memory;
a function enhancing mechanism configured to perform a function enhancing operation to add a new individual image processing instruction set to the memory and to upgrade an existing individual image processing instruction set in the memory; and
an enhancement control mechanism configured to determine whether the image processing mechanism includes a hardware resource corresponding to the new individual image processing instruction set or the existing individual image processing software set when the function enhancing mechanism performs the function enhancing operation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An image processing apparatus, comprising:
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storing means for storing a plurality of individual image processing instruction sets;
image processing means including a plurality of hardware resources performing individual image processing operations in collaboration with the plurality of individual image processing instruction sets stored in the storing means;
function selecting means for selecting a group of individual image processing instruction sets according to an image processing application being activated from among the plurality of individual image processing instruction sets stored in the storing means;
function enhancing means for performing a function enhancing operation to add a new individual image processing instruction set to the storing means and to upgrade an existing individual image processing instruction sets in the storing means; and
enhancement controlling means for determining whether the image processing means includes a hardware resource corresponding to the new individual image processing instruction set or the existing individual image processing instruction set when the function enhancing means performs the function enhancing operation. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of image processing, comprising the steps of:
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storing a plurality of individual image processing instruction sets, from which a group of individual image processing instruction sets is selectable according to an image processing application being activated on an image processing apparatus;
providing a plurality of hardware resources performing individual image processing operations in collaboration with the plurality of individual image processing instruction sets stored in the storing step;
performing a function enhancing operation to add a new individual image processing instruction set and to upgrade an existing individual image processing instruction set; and
determining whether the hardware resources provided in the providing step includes a hardware resource corresponding to the new individual image processing instruction set or the existing individual image processing instruction set when the performing step performs the function enhancing operation. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification