Patent ID: 7602973

Claim:
A server connected to a client via a network for editing image data based on image editing commands from the client, the server comprising: a storing unit to store image files; a first image editing unit to edit a low resolution part of an image file stored in the storing unit in synchronization with receiving an image editing command from the client; an informing unit to inform the client other that the image editing process has been completed by the first image editing unit; a job supplying unit to form a job commanding a high resolution part of the image file stored in the storing unit to be edited and to insert the job in a queue; and a second image editing unit to conduct a background process at a prescribed timing to edit the high resolution part of the image file stored in the storing unit with respect to the received image editing command from the client in accordance with the job inserted in the queue by the job supplying unit; wherein the editing of the high and low resolution parts of the image file are conducted separately; wherein when the client commands display of a part of the image file using the high resolution part in a case where the background process is not completed, the second image editing unit is operable to edit only the high resolution part corresponding to the part of the image file; wherein the second image editing unit is operable to transmit the edited image file to the client.