Patent ID: 8274608

Claim:
An image processing apparatus, comprising: an image processor, configured to include a matrix switcher having a plurality of input lines arranged in one direction, a plurality of output lines arranged in another direction and intersecting the input lines, and a plurality of crosspoint switches, which connect the input lines to the output lines at each crosspoint where the input lines and the output lines intersect, a signal processing block, connected to a portion of the output lines of the matrix switcher on the upstream side, and connected to a portion of the input lines of the matrix switcher by reentry paths on the downstream side thereof, and an output block, connected to a portion of the output lines of the matrix switcher on the upstream side thereof; an external reentry settings unit, configured to set a first port selected from the plurality of output ports in the matrix switcher as an external reentry output port, and to set a second port selected from the plurality of input ports in the matrix switcher as an external reentry output port; and a reentry stage information generator, configured to use connection settings information for each crosspoint of the matrix switcher as well as the settings information of the external reentry settings unit as a basis for generating reentry stage information, which indicates the stage of the internal signal processing path where a special function unit is logically positioned, and wherein the special function unit corresponds to the external reentry output ports of the signal processing block and the output block.