Image forming apparatus associating with other apparatuses through network

Abstract

In an image forming apparatus, screen information for displaying a plurality of function options available for a predetermined process is generated. A screen generating program and option information showing the plurality of function options is transmitted in response to an request from an apparatus that is connected through a network and the user uses. The predetermined process is conducted by using a hardware resource when receiving the setting parameter indicating the function option set by the user from the plurality of the function options that the apparatus displays by executing said screen generating program, from the apparatus.

1 . An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a screen generating program generating screen information allowing the user to set at least one function option, based on option information showing a plurality of function options available for a predetermined process;   a screen Web service providing process part providing said screen generating program and said option information as a first process result for a request received from an apparatus, that is connected through a network and the user uses; and   a process Web service providing process part controlling the predetermined process by utilizing a hardware resource for conducting the predetermined process based on the setting parameter, and providing a result of the predetermined process as a second process result, when receiving a setting parameter indicating the function option set by the user from the plurality of the function options displayed at the apparatus by executing said screen generating program.