Image processing system, data processing apparatus, data processing method, computer program and storage medium

• US 6,921,220 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Aiyama, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Colilla, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hamdan, Wasseem H.
• Application Number:
  US10/017,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20020076245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 400/76, 101/487, 101/494, 101/488, 101/483, 101/248, 358/1.15, 358/1.16, 358/1.8, 358/296, 709/208, 709/203
• US Class Current: 400/76
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1803 Receiving particular commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1823 for evaluating the resources needed, e.g. rasterizing time, ink, paper stock

Abstract

An image processing system wherein a data processing apparatus and a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected through a network. The data processing apparatus transmits a print job that is received through the network from a client and first instruction data that instructs to calculate a printing cost for the print job to each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and receives response data with respect to the transmission from each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and selects one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses based on a plurality of response data received. The image processing apparatus responds to reception of the print job and the first instruction data from the data processing apparatus, calculates a printing cost based on an image processing capability of the apparatus itself, and transmits the print cost calculated to the data processing apparatus.

Claims

1. A data processing apparatus adapted for communicating with a client and a plurality of image processing apparatuses through a network, comprising:

a storage unit, adapted for storing data representing characteristics of each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

a reception unit, adapted for receiving print data through the network, the print data being in a format non-specific to the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

a generating unit, adapted for generating a plurality of image data from the print data based on characteristics of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, each image data being specific to one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, and for generating, based on the plurality of image data, cost estimate data representing a cost required for producing an image from the print data by each image processing apparatus; and

a selector unit, adapted for selecting one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses based on the cost estimate data.

2. A data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitter unit, adapted for transmitting the print data and an instruction to execute printing of the print data to the selected image processing apparatus.

3. A data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selector unit selects an image processing apparatus with a lowest cost.

4. A data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data includes data in portable document format (PDF).

5. A data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selector unit uses, as a condition for selecting an image processing apparatus, printing condition data associated with the print data received through the network including at least one of a size of paper, a type of paper, whether or not a two-sided printing is conducted, whether or not a binding process is conducted after printing, whether or not a stapling process is conducted after printing, a method of delivery after printing, and a number of prints.

6. A data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selector unit uses, as a condition for selecting an image processing apparatus, at least one of a number of pages of images and a consumption amount of consumables.

7. A data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selector unit uses, as a condition for selecting an image processing apparatus, a rate of black and white image and color image to be formed.

8. A method for processing data in a data processing apparatus in communication with a plurality of image processing apparatuses through a network, comprising:

storing data representing characteristics of each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

receiving print data through the network, the print data being in a format non-specific to the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

generating a plurality of image data from the print data based on characteristics of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, each image data being specific to one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

generating, based on the plurality of image data, cost estimate data representing a cost required for producing an image from the print data by each image processing apparatus; and

selecting one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses based on the cost estimate data.

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising transmitting to the selected image processing apparatus the print data and an instruction to execute printing of the print data.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the selecting step selects an image processing apparatus with a lowest cost.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the print data includes data in portable document format (PDF).

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the selecting step uses, as a condition for selecting an image processing apparatus, printing condition data associated with the print data received through the network including at least one of a size of paper, a type of paper, whether or not a two-sided printing is conducted, whether or not a binding process is conducted after printing, whether or not a stapling process is conducted after printing, a method of delivery after printing, and a number of prints.

13. A method according to claim 8, wherein the selecting step uses, as a condition for selecting an image processing apparatus, at least one of a number of pages of images and a consumption amount of consumables.

14. A method according to claim 8, wherein the selecting step uses, as a condition for selecting an image processing apparatus, a rate of black and white image and color image to be formed.

15. A computer program executed by a computer of a data processing apparatus adapted for communicating with a plurality of image processing apparatuses through a network, comprising:

program code for receiving print data through the network, the print data being in a format non-specific to the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

program code for generating a plurality of image data from the print data based on stored data representing characteristics of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, each image data being specific to one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

program code for generating, based on the plurality of image data, cost estimate data representing a cost required for producing an image from the print data by each image processing apparatus; and

program code for selecting one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses based on the cost estimate data.

16. A computer program according to claim 15, further comprising:

program code for transmitting to the selected image processing apparatus the print data and an instruction to execute printing of the print data.

17. A computer readable memory that stores the computer program recited in claim 16.

18. A computer readable memory that stores the computer program recited in claim 15.

19. A computer program executed by a computer of a data processing apparatus adapted for communicating with a plurality of image processing apparatuses through a network, comprising:

program code for supplying print data, the print data being in a format non-specific to the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

program code for generating a plurality of image data from the print data based on stored data representing characteristics of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, each of the image data being suitable for one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

program code for generating, based on the plurality of image data, cost estimate data representing a cost required for producing an image from the print data by each image processing apparatus; and

program code for selecting one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses based on the cost estimate data.

20. A computer program according to claim 19, further comprising:

program for transmitting to the selected image processing apparatus the print data and an instruction to execute printing of the print data.

21. A computer readable memory that stores the computer program recited in claim 19.

22. A method for processing data in a data processing apparatus in communication with a plurality of image processing apparatuses through a network, comprising the steps of:

storing data representing characteristics of each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

supplying print data, the print data being in a format non-specific to the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

generating a plurality of image data from the print data based on characteristics of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, each of the image data being suitable for one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses;

generating, based on the plurality of image data, cost estimate data representing a cost required for producing an image from the print data by each image processing apparatus; and

selecting one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses based on the cost estimate data.

23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising transmitting to the selected image processing apparatus the print data and an instruction to execute printing of the print data.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the selecting step includes selecting an image processing apparatus with a lowest cost.

25. A method according to claim 22, wherein the print data includes data in portable document format (PDF).

26. A method according to claim 22, wherein the selecting step uses, as a condition for selecting an image processing apparatus, printing condition data associated with the print data received through the network including at least one of a size of paper, a type of paper, whether or not a two-sided printing is conducted, whether or not a binding process is conducted after printing, whether or not a stapling process is conducted after printing, a method of delivery after printing, and a number of prints.