1. An image processing apparatus that is connected to a network and that executes an image processing job, comprising:
a memory storing firmware;
an image processing job reception unit for receiving an image processing job;
a firmware obtaining unit for obtaining new firmware for a rewrite purpose;
a firmware rewrite controller for rewriting the firmware stored in the memory to the obtained new firmware; and
a job transfer controller for transferring an unexecuted image processing job to another image processing apparatus connected to the network, during a rewrite time period from when the new firmware is obtained to when rewriting of the obtained new firmware is completed, the unexecuted image processing job being at least one of (a) an image processing job that is in a wait state for execution when the new firmware is obtained, and (b) an image processing job that is received during the rewrite time period.
2. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising,
a judgment unit for judging whether the unexecuted image processing job is to be transferred or not, by referring to job attribute information that indicates an attribute of the unexecuted image processing job,
wherein the job transfer controller transfers the unexecuted image processing job when the judgment unit judges that the unexecuted image processing job is to be transferred.
3. The image processing apparatus of claim 2,
wherein the job attribute information is an identification number of a client apparatus that has transmitted the unexecuted image processing job, and
the judgment unit judges that the unexecuted image processing job is not to be transferred, when the identification number does not match an identification number that is registered in advance as a number for which such a job transfer is permitted.
4. The image processing apparatus of claim 2,
wherein the job attribute information is a processing time period that is predicted to be required for executing the unexecuted image processing job, and
the judgment unit judges that the unexecuted image processing job is not to be transferred, when the processing time period is shorter than a predetermined time period.
5. The image processing apparatus of claim 4,
wherein the judgment unit includes
a calculation subunit for calculating the processing time period, based on a data amount of the unexecuted image processing job and an image processing speed of the apparatus.
6. The image processing apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the job transfer controller includes:
an obtaining subunit for obtaining apparatus attribute information for a plurality of other image processing apparatuses connected to the network, the apparatus attribute information indicating attributes of the plurality of other image processing apparatuses; and
a selection subunit for selecting a transfer target out of the plurality of other image processing apparatuses, based on the obtained apparatus attribute information.
7. The image processing apparatus of claim 6,
wherein the apparatus attribute information includes at least one of a number of colors, a resolution, an installation location, and an image processing job’s wait status.
8. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising,
an output unit for outputting information indicating a transfer target to which the unexecuted image processing job is to be transferred.
9. The image processing apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the network includes the Internet, and
the firmware is distributed via the Internet as being attached to e-mail.
10. The image processing apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the image processing apparatus includes a printer, and
the image processing job includes a print job.
11. An image processing method for use in an image processing apparatus that is connected to a network, has a function of rewriting firmware incorporated therein, and executes a received image processing job based on new firmware to which the firmware has been rewritten, the image processing method comprising:
an obtaining step of obtaining new firmware for a rewrite purpose; and
a transfer step of transferring an unexecuted image processing job to another image processing apparatus connected to the network, during a rewrite time period from when the new firmware is obtained to when rewriting of the obtained new firmware is completed, the unexecuted image processing job being at least one of (a) an image processing job that is in a wait state for execution when the new firmware is obtained, and (b) an image processing job that is received during the rewrite time period.
12. The image processing method of claim 11, further comprising,
a judgment step of judging whether the unexecuted image processing job is to be transferred or not, by referring to job attribute information that indicates an attribute of the unexecuted image processing job,
wherein in the transfer step, the unexecuted image processing job is transferred when a judgment result in the judgment step shows that the unexecuted image processing job is to be transferred.
13. The image processing method of claim 12,
wherein the job attribute information is an identification number of a client apparatus that has transmitted the unexecuted image processing job, and
in the judgment step, a judgment result shows that the unexecuted image processing job is not to be transferred, when the identification number does not match an identification number that is registered in advance as a number for which such a job transfer is permitted.
14. The image processing method of claim 12,
wherein the job attribute information is a processing time period that is predicted to be required for executing the unexecuted image processing job, and
in the judgment step, a judgment result shows that the unexecuted image processing job is not to be transferred, when the processing time period is shorter than a predetermined time period.
15. The image processing method of claim 11,
wherein the job transfer step includes:
an obtaining substep of obtaining apparatus attribute information for a plurality of other image processing apparatuses connected to the network, the apparatus attribute information indicating attributes of the plurality of other image processing apparatuses; and
a selection substep of selecting a transfer target out of the plurality of other image processing apparatuses, based on the obtained apparatus attribute information.
16. The image processing method of claim 11, further comprising,
an output step of outputting information that indicates a transfer target to which the unexecuted image processing job is to be transferred.
17. A computer readable medium having a computer program thereon for effecting an image processing method for use in an image processing apparatus that is connected to a network, has a function of rewriting firmware incorporated therein, and executes a received image processing job based on new firmware to which the firmware has been rewritten, the image processing method comprising:
an obtaining step of obtaining new firmware for a rewrite purpose; and
a transfer step of transferring an unexecuted image processing job to another image processing apparatus connected to the network, during a rewrite time period from when the new firmware is obtained to when rewriting of the obtained new firmware is completed, the unexecuted image processing job being at least one of (a) an image processing job that is in a wait state for execution when the new firmware is obtained, and (b) an image processing job that is received during the rewrite time period.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A system for use in a surgical procedure, the system comprising:
a pneumatic instrument having an inlet and an outlet;
a tank fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pneumatic instrument, wherein the tank provides pressurized helium gas to power the pneumatic instrument; and
a compressor fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pneumatic instrument, wherein the compressor receives the helium gas exhausted from the pneumatic instrument and compresses the exhausted helium gas to supply the tank with pressurized helium gas.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprises:
at least one valve for regulating a flow of pressurized helium gas from the tank to the pneumatic instrument; and
a controller for controlling the compressor and the at least one valve.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller utilizes pressure feedback to maintain a substantially constant pressure for the helium gas contained within the tank.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller utilizes pressure feedback to minimize a runtime of the compressor.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a filter for filtering out contaminants in the helium gas exhausted from the pneumatic instrument.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the filter is disposable.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the pneumatic instrument comprises a vane motor.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the pneumatic instrument is sealed to prevent the helium gas from escaping.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a conduit having an inner passage and an outer passage, wherein the inner passage is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pneumatic instrument and the outer passage is fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pneumatic instrument.
10. A method for use in a surgical procedure, the method comprising:
providing a supply of pressurized helium gas;
driving a pneumatic surgical instrument with the pressurized helium gas;
exhausting the helium gas coming from the pneumatic surgical instrument into a compressor; and
compressing the exhausted helium gas to restore the supply of pressurized helium gas.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising filtering out contaminants in the helium gas exhausted from the pneumatic surgical instrument.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising controlling the compressor to maintain a substantially constant pressure level for the supply of pressurized helium gas.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein controlling the compressor comprises minimizing a runtime of the compressor.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the pneumatic surgical instrument is sealed to prevent the helium gas from escaping.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the pneumatic surgical instrument comprises a vane motor.
16. The method of claim 10, further comprising regulating a flow of pressurized helium gas going through the pneumatic surgical instrument.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein regulating the flow of pressurized helium gas is performed by at least one valve.
18. A kit for use in a medical procedure, the kit comprising:
a surgical instrument having a pneumatic motor assembly; and
a supply of pressurized helium gas for powering the surgical instrument;
wherein the helium gas exhausted from the surgical instrument is recycled and compressed by a compressor to restore the supply of pressurized helium gas.
19. The kit of claim 18, further comprising a controller for controlling the compressor to maintain a substantially constant pressure level for the supply of pressurized helium gas.
20. The kit of claim 18, further comprising at least one valve for regulating the flow of pressurized helium gas through the surgical instrument.
21. The kit of claim 18, wherein the pneumatic motor assembly is sealed to prevent leakage of the helium gas.
22. The kit of claim 21, wherein the pneumatic motor assembly comprises a vane motor.
23. The kit of claim 18, further comprising a disposable filter for filtering out contaminants in the helium gas exhausted from the surgical instrument.
24. The kit of claim 18, wherein the supply of pressurized helium gas is stored in a tank.
25. The kit of claim 24, wherein the tank and the compressor are located remotely from the surgical instrument.