IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, FUNCTION-EXTENDING METHOD FOR THE APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR FORMING VIRTUAL NETWORK

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend the width of utilizing new functions, as compared with conventional types which is arranged in an image forming apparatus newly added to a network.

SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 2 comprises a part 301 for acquiring attribute information, etc., which acquires an application module list information 74 concerning the function, arranged in another image forming apparatus when connection is performed with another image forming apparatus via a communication line; a non-installation function discriminating part 302 for discriminating whether a prescribed function arranged in the image forming apparatus 2 itself is arranged in another image forming apparatus, based on the acquired application module list information 74 of another image forming apparatus; and a function extension commanding part 305 for commanding another image forming apparatus to perform the function extension processing, in order to provide the prescribed function, when it is determined that the prescribed function is not arranged in another image forming apparatus.

COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT