Patent ID: 6633403
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus in which a reader controller is inserted between a printer controller and an engine control section to allow a composite functional operation, comprising:first communication means for communicating between the printer controller and the reader controller; second communication means for communicating between the reader controller and the engine control section; detection means for detecting a load state of the engine control section through said second communication means; update means for, in accordance with a request of status information from the reader controller, acquiring latest status information of the engine control section through said second communication means and communicating with the reader controller to update the status information; communication control means for, in communication for a confirmation request of the status information of the engine control section from the printer controller, when the load of the engine control section is large on the basis of the detected load state, communicating the updated status information to the printer controller through said first communication means, and when the load of the engine control section is small, communicating the latest status information updated by said update means through said second communication means to the printer controller through said first communication means, wherein said communication control means limits communication between the printer controller and the engine control section in accordance with a change in the state of the engine control section to control a communication amount.