Patent ID: 6634817
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus on which is mounted a detachable functional unit that includes a storage unit, said apparatus comprising:an image processing unit adapted to generate dot data corresponding to an image to be formed, based on data from an external apparatus; and an image forming unit adapted to form an image, based on the dot data generated by said image processing unit, wherein said image processing unit is adapted to provide said image forming unit a request for reading out data from the storage unit, wherein said image forming unit is adapted to detect the request, to perform a read-out operation from the storage unit, and to notify said image processing unit of an end of the read-out operation, wherein said image processing unit is adapted to recognize the end of the read-out operation in said image forming unit upon reception of a notification, and to provide said image forming unit with a request for transmission of the data read out from the storage unit, and wherein said image forming unit is adapted to transmit the data read out from the storage unit, in response to the request for transmission.