Network multifunction printing system
AssigneeToshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorTakahiro Hagiwara
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control unit configures an MFP system by combining a plurality of functional units connected to an internal network, so that this MFP system includes functions necessary as an MFP. This allows implementation of a desired function by combining a plurality of functional units connected to a network with a high degree of freedom, regardless of whether there is a failure. To inexpensively expand only necessary functions in accordance with the needs, desired functional units can be flexibly combined. When an MFP system to be discarded includes a functional unit whose life has not expired yet, this functional unit can be reused.
Claims12
A network MFP system comprising:
- functional units each having a unique network address and connected to an internal network;
- and
- a control unit connected to said functional units across said internal network to control operations of said functional units,
- wherein said control unit implements a predetermined function by configuring an MFP system by dynamically combining said functional units for each job.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.