Patent ID: 6954281

Claim:
An image processing apparatus comprising: a programmable image processing unit which processes image data, the image data represented by a digital signal generated based on an image, and allows realization of a plurality of image formation operations; an image data storage unit that stores the image data; an image data storage management unit which manages access to said image data storage unit; and an image data transmission management unit which manages a transmission of the image data between a data bus transmitting the image data and said programmable image processing unit used for the image processing, wherein said programmable image processing unit includes: a SIMD (Single Instruction stream Multiple Data stream) type data operation unit; a plurality of memories used for the image processing conducted by said SIMD type data operation unit; a plurality of memory controllers configured to control said plurality of memories; a memory switch configured to selectively connect said plurality of memories with said data operation unit; a plurality of data buses configured to input and output the image data; a bus switch configured to control a connection between said plurality of data buses and said data operation unit; and at least one auxiliary operation unit which assists said data operation unit.