Image processing system having registration means

Abstract

An image processing apparatus and method are provided which permit cooperation of a plurality of image input/output units having image data input and/or output functions. The apparatus is connected to another device using a communication line, and receives image processing conditions from the other device. The apparatus processes image information transferred from the other device in accordance with the image processing conditions. When image processing is inexecutable under those conditions, the apparatus transmits executable image processing conditions in place of those received from the other device.

1 - 28 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         29 . An image processing system wherein a first image processing device transfers image information to a second image processing device, said system comprising: 
 said first image processing device; and    said second image processing device, connected to said first image processing device by a communication line: and registration means for registering said first image processing device and said second image processing device. 
 wherein said second image processing device includes: 
 receiving means for receiving image processing conditions from said first image processing device,  
 processing means for processing the image information transferred from said first image processing device in accordance with the image processing conditions received by said receiving means, and  
 transmitting means for transmitting, when image processing is inexecutable under the image processing conditions received by said receiving means via said processing means, executable image processing conditions in place of the received image processing conditions.  
 
   
     
     
         30 . An image processing system according to  claim 29 , wherein said processing means prints out the image information in accordance with the received image processing conditions.  
     
     
         31 . An image processing system according to  claim 29 , wherein said second image processing device further comprises determining means for determining whether image processing is executable in accordance with the image processing conditions received by said receiving means.  
     
     
         32 . An image processing system according to  claim 31 , wherein the image processing conditions received by said receiving means include a plurality of image processing instructions, and said determining means determines whether image processing is executable for each of the plurality of image processing instructions.  
     
     
         33 . An image processing system according to  claim 32 , wherein said transmitting means transmits alternative image processing conditions for each of the plurality of image processing instructions included in the image processing conditions.  
     
     
         34 . An image processing system wherein a first image processing device transfers image information to a second image processing device, said system comprising: 
 said first image processing device;    said second image processing device, connected to said first image processing device by a communication line; and    registration means for registering said first image processing device and said second image processing device 
 wherein said second image processing device includes; 
 receiving means for receiving image processing conditions from said first image processing device, said image processing conditions including a plurality of image processing instructions,  
 processing means for processing the image information transferred from said first image processing device in accordance with the plurality of image processing instructions included in the image processing conditions received by said receiving means,  
 determining means for determining whether image processing by said processing means is possible in accordance with each of the plurality of image processing instructions included in the image processing conditions received by said receiving means, and  
 transmitting means for transmitting a response indicating an executable image processing instruction in accordance with a result of determination by said determining means.  
 
   
     
     
         35 . An image processing system according to  claim 34 , wherein said processing means prints out the image information in accordance with the plurality of image processing instructions included in the received image processing conditions.  
     
     
         36 . An image processing system according to  claim 34 , wherein said transmitting means transmits an alternative image processing instruction, in addition to the response indicating an executable image processing instruction.  
     
     
         37 . An image processing system wherein a first image processing device processes image information transferred from a second image processing device, said system comprising: 
 said first image processing device; and    said second image processing device, connected to said first image processing device by a communication line; and    registration means for registering said first image processing device and said second image processing device, 
 wherein said second image processing device includes; 
 transmitting means for transmitting image processing conditions to the first image processing device,  
 receiving means for receiving executable image processing conditions in place of the transmitted image processing conditions, when image processing by said first image processing device is inexecutable under the image processing conditions transmitted by said transmitting means, and  
 displaying means for displaying alternative image processing conditions received by said receiving means.  
 
   
     
     
         38 . An image processing system according to  claim 37 , wherein said first image processing device prints out the image information in accordance with the image processing conditions transmitted by said transmitting means.  
     
     
         39 . An image processing system according to  claim 37 , wherein the image processing conditions transmitted by said transmitting means include a plurality of image processing instructions, and said receiving means receives alternative image processing conditions for each of the plurality of image processing instructions.  
     
     
         40 . An image processing system wherein a first image processing device processes image information transferred from a second image processing device, said system comprising: 
 said first image processing device; and    said second image processing device, connected to said first image processing device by a communication line; and    registration means for registering said first image processing device and said second image processing device,    wherein said second image processing device includes; 
 transmitting means for transmitting image processing conditions including a plurality of image processing instructions to said first image processing device,  
 receiving means for receiving a response showing whether image processing in accordance with each of the plurality of image processing instructions included in the image processing conditions transmitted by said transmitting means is executable by said first image processing device, and  
 displaying means for displaying whether image processing in accordance with each of the plurality of image processing instructions is executable in compliance with the response received by said receiving means.  
   
     
     
         41 . An image processing system according to  claim 40 , wherein said first image processing device prints out the image information in accordance with the plurality of image processing instructions included in the image processing conditions transmitted by said transmitting means.  
     
     
         42 . An image processing system according to  claim 40 , wherein said receiving means receives an alternative image processing instruction in addition to the response showing that image processing is executable.  
     
     
         43 . An image processing apparatus which transfers image information to another device connected to said apparatus through a network which has a printer for printing an image based on the image information on a recording sheet and executes a cooperating operation with the other device, said apparatus comprising: 
 an image reader that reads an image and generates image information based on the image;    a setting unit that sets a device for the cooperating operation;    a receiver that receives an image processing condition and a sheet processing condition from the device set by said setting unit before said image reader reads the image; and    a transfer unit that transfers the image information generated by said image reader with image processing instruction and sheet processing instruction based on the image processing condition and the sheet processing condition received by said receiver.    
     
     
         44 . An image processing apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein said setting unit sets the device for cooperating operation based on an IP address.  
     
     
         45 . An image processing apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein said receiver receives information concerning image size or image resolution as the image processing condition.  
     
     
         46 . An image processing apparatus according to  claim 43 , wherein the sheet processing condition received by said receiver is information concerning at least one of a number sheets, two-sided printing, sorting, and sheet size.  
     
     
         47 . An image processing method of transferring image information from an image processing apparatus to a device connected to the apparatus through a network which has a printer for printing an image based on the image information on a recording sheet and executes a cooperating operation with the other device, said method comprising the steps of: 
 reading an image and generating image information based on the image;    setting a device for the cooperating unit;    receiving an image processing condition and a sheet processing condition from the device set in the setting step, before the image is read; and    transferring the generated image information with image processing instruction and sheet processing instruction based on the received image processing condition and sheet processing condition.    
     
     
         48 . An image processing method according to  claim 47 , wherein the device set for the cooperating unit is set based on an IP address.  
     
     
         49 . An image processing method according to  claim 47 , wherein the image processing condition received in the receiving step is information concerning image size or image resolution.  
     
     
         50 . An image processing method according to  claim 47 , wherein the sheet processing condition received in the receiving step is information concerning at least one of a number of sheets, two-sided printing, sorting, and sheet size.  
     
     
         51 . A program for controlling an image processing apparatus which transfers image information to another device connected to the apparatus through a network which has a printer for printing an image based on the image information on a recording sheet and executes a cooperating operation with the other device, said program comprising the steps of: 
 reading an image and generating image information based on the image;    setting a device for the cooperating unit;    receiving an image processing condition and a sheet processing condition from the device set in the setting step, before the image is read; and    transferring the generated image information with image processing instruction and sheet processing instruction based on the received image processing condition and sheet processing condition.    
     
     
         52 . A program according to  claim 51 , wherein the device set for the cooperating unit is set based on an IP address.  
     
     
         53 . A program according to  claim 51 , wherein the image processing condition received in the receiving step is information concerning image size or image resolution.  
     
     
         54 . A program according to  claim 51 , wherein the sheet processing condition received in the receiving step is information concerning at least one of a number of sheets, two-sided printing, sorting, and sheet size.