Image forming apparatus, image processing system, method for expanding function of image forming apparatus and method for forming virtual network

An image forming apparatus having a function of exchanging data via a communication line, the image forming apparatus comprising:

• a function information obtaining portion for obtaining function information on a function that resides in another image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is connected to the other image forming apparatus via the communication line;
• a function presence determining portion for determining whether or not the image forming apparatus has a predetermined function that resides in the other image forming apparatus based on the function information of the other image forming apparatus, the function information being obtained by the function information obtaining portion;
• and
• a function expansion process portion for performing a function expansion process to install an application module that supports the predetermined function in the image forming apparatus when the function presence determining portion determines that the image forming apparatus does not have the predetermined function.

An image forming apparatus having a function of exchanging data via a communication line, the image forming apparatus comprising:

• a function information obtaining portion for obtaining function information on a function that resides in another image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is connected to the other image forming apparatus via the communication line;
• a function presence determining portion for determining whether or not the other image forming apparatus has a predetermined function that resides in the image forming apparatus based on the function information of the other image forming apparatus, the function information being obtained by the function information obtaining portion;
• and
• a function expansion commanding portion for instructing the other image forming apparatus to perform a function expansion process to provide the other image forming apparatus with the predetermined function when the function presence determining portion determines that the other image forming apparatus does not have the predetermined function;
• wherein the predetermined function is a function for encrypting and decoding the predetermined data, and the predetermined data are data including confidential information.

A method for forming a virtual network, comprising:

• when a first image forming apparatus is connected to a system including one or more second image forming apparatuses, determining whether or not each of the second image forming apparatuses has a predetermined function that resides in the first image forming apparatus;
• performing a function expansion process, when any of the second image forming apparatuses does not have the predetermined function, for installing an application module that supports the predetermined function in the second image forming apparatus;
• and
• forming the virtual network for exchanging predetermined data by using the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus having the predetermined function.

An image processing system including plural image forming apparatuses, at least one of the plural image forming apparatuses having a function of exchanging data via a communication line, and at least one of the plural image forming apparatuses comprising:

• a function information obtaining portion for obtaining function information on a function that resides in another image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is connected to the other image forming apparatus via the communication line;
• a function presence determining portion for determining whether or not the other image forming apparatus has a predetermined function that resides in the image forming apparatus based on the function information of the other image forming apparatus, the function information being obtained by the function information obtaining portion;
• and
• a function expansion commanding portion for instructing the other image forming apparatus to perform a function expansion process to provide the other image forming apparatus with the predetermined function when the function presence determining portion determines that the other image forming apparatus does not have the predetermined function;
• wherein the predetermined function is a function for encrypting and decoding the predetermined data, and the predetermined data are data including confidential information.

A method for expanding a function of an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:

• obtaining, by an image forming apparatus, function information on a function that resides in another image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is connected to the other image forming apparatus via the communication line;
• determining, by the image forming apparatus, whether or not the other image forming apparatus has a predetermined function that resides in the image forming apparatus based on the function information of the other image forming apparatus, the function information being obtained during the obtaining step;
• and
• instructing the other image forming apparatus, by the image forming apparatus, to perform a function expansion process to provide the other image forming apparatus with the predetermined function when it is determined that the other image forming apparatus does not have the predetermined function;
• wherein the predetermined function is a function for encrypting and decoding the predetermined data, and the predetermined data are data including confidential information.

An image forming apparatus having a function of exchanging data via a communication line, the image forming apparatus comprising:

• a function information obtaining portion for obtaining function information on a function that resides in another image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is connected to the other image forming apparatus via the communication line;
• a function presence determining portion for determining whether or not the image forming apparatus has a predetermined function that resides in the other image forming apparatus based on the function information of the other image forming apparatus, the function information being obtained by the function information obtaining portion;
• and
• a function expansion process portion for performing a function expansion process to provide the image forming apparatus with the predetermined function when the function presence determining portion determines that the image forming apparatus does not have the predetermined function;
• wherein the predetermined function is a function for encrypting and decoding the predetermined data, and the predetermined data are data including confidential information.