Image processing apparatus, control method of image processing apparatus, and storage medium storing therein control program for image processing apparatus

An image processing apparatus for receiving an agent including an operation train via a network and allowing an image processing unit to execute image processes, comprising:

• control means for controlling the image processing unit;
• interpreting means for interpreting the operation train of the agent;
• message output means for outputting a message to said control means in response to the operation train interpreted by said interpreting means;
• and
• transmitting means for transmitting the agent to another apparatus via the network,
• wherein the operation train includes an operation to move the agent to the other apparatus by said transmitting means.

A control method of receiving a first agent including an operation train via a network and allowing an image processing unit to execute image processes, comprising:

• a reception step of receiving the first agent via the network;
• a control step of controlling the image processing unit, wherein the control step is executed by a second agent;
• an interpreting step of interpreting the operation train of the first agent received in said reception step;
• a search step of searching for the second agent in response to the operation train interpreted in said interpreting step;
• and
• a message output step of outputting a message from the first agent received in said reception step to the second agent searched for in said search step.

A control method of receiving an agent including an operation train via a network and allowing an image processing unit to execute image processes, comprising:

• a control step for controlling the image processing unit;
• an interpreting step for interpreting the operation train of the agent;
• a message output step for outputting a message for use in said control step in response to the operation train interpreted in said interpreting step;
• and
• a transmitting step of transmitting the agent to another apparatus via the network,
• wherein the operation train includes an operation to move the agent to the other apparatus by said transmitting step.

A storage medium in which a control program for receiving a first agent including an operation train via a network and allowing an image processing unit to execute image processes is stored, wherein the control program comprises code for:

• a reception step of receiving the first agent via the network;
• a control step of controlling the image processing unit, wherein the control step is executed by a second agent;
• an interpreting step of interpreting the operation train of the first agent received in the reception step;
• a search step of searching for the second agent in response to the operation train interpreted in the interpreting step;
• and
• a message output step of outputting a message from the first agent received in the reception step to the second agent searched for in the search step.

A storage medium in which a control program for receiving an agent including an operation train via a network and allowing an image processing unit to execute image processes is stored, wherein the control program comprises code for:

• a control step of controlling the image processing unit;
• an interpreting step of interpreting the operation train of the agent;
• a message output step of outputting a message for use in the control step in response to the operation train interpreted in the interpreting step;
• and
• a transmitting step of transmitting the agent to another apparatus via the network,
• wherein the operation train includes an operation to move the agent to the other apparatus by said transmitting step.