Patent ID: 7254284

Claim:
An image processing apparatus comprising: image storage device for storing digital image data; image input device having a function capable of sequentially reading required image data from at least said image storage device; branching process device capable of outputting entered image data to a plurality of output destinations; a process storage unit including said image input device, another image processing device, and said branching process device; and a plurality of image processing devices having a function capable of acquiring a data portion necessary for the image processing operation from at least said image input device, another image processing device, or said branching process device, and for executing a predetermined process operation as to said acquired data portion, wherein said branching process device includes: input management device for managing input conditions from at least said image input device, or from said image processing device; branching information management device for managing information of branching destinations; buffer device of which upper capacity limit is capable to be designated; and branching control device for controlling an entire branching process operation.