Patent ID: 9747536
Date: 2017-08-29
CPC Classifications: G06K

Claim:
1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a processor that acts as: a plurality of image processing units that perform image processing to convert image data distributed on a page-by-page basis into raster-format color print data, the raster-format color print data including pieces of print data for colors; a cyclicity detector that detects a processing-load cycle of a case where image data is converted into print data on a page-by-page basis, information regarding the processing-load cycle includes information regarding the number of pages of a repetitive cycle, which is the number of pages in units of which a processing-load pattern is cyclically repeated; and a distribution unit that distributes on a page-by-page basis to the plurality of image processing units image data included in a received print command and, in a case where it is determined in accordance with the processing-load cycle detected by the processor acting as the detector and a number of the plurality of image processing units that pages involving heavy processing loads may be distributed to a specific image processing unit in a non-uniform manner, that changes, from a preset distribution order, a distribution order of the plurality of image processing units, to which image data is distributed, and in a case where the number of pages of the repetitive cycle may be divided without a reminder by the number of the image processing units or an aliquot of the number other than one, the processor acting as the distribution unit changes, from the preset distribution order, the distribution order of the plurality of image processing units, to which the image data is distributed, to thereby reduce a delay in printing.