Patent ID: 7433062

Claim:
An image processing method for processing an input job in parallel by a plurality of color image output apparatus, each having a device profile that includes multiple types of color processing conditions, said method comprising: a developing step of developing input image data into bit map image data, wherein said developing step includes first and second modes, wherein, in the first mode, the input image data is developed a number of times equal to the number of color image output apparatus, using a set of type(s) of color processing condition(s) from a device profile, including one or more type(s) as to which the color image output apparatus differ from each other, wherein each time the set of color processing condition(s) used corresponds to a respective color image output apparatus and the result obtained is output to that color image output apparatus, and wherein, in the second mode, the input image data is developed once, using an optional set of type(s) of color processing condition(s) from a device profile, including one or more type(s) as to which the color image output apparatus differ from each other, wherein the set of color processing condition(s) used corresponds to a combination of the plurality of color image output apparatus and the result obtained is output to the plurality of color image output apparatus.