Patent ID: 6434343
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A composite machine that is used in a state that it is connected to a network, comprising:scanner means for generating image data of a document; first-kind process executing means for executing first-kind processes each of which uses the image data generated by the scanner means and requires an operation in cooperation via the network with a server executing the first-kind processes; second-kind process executing means for executing second-kind processes each of which uses the image data generated by the scanner means and does not require an operation in cooperation with the server; designating means for designating a first-kind process to be executed by the first-kind process executing means or a second-kind process to be executed by the second-kind process executing means; execution control means for causing the scanner means to generate the image data when a first-kind process or a second-kind process is designated by using the designating means, and for causing the first-kind process executing means or the second-kind process executing means to execute the designated first-kind or second-kind process by using the image data; status judging means for judging whether a status is such that an operation in cooperation with the server is possible; designation control means for controlling the designating means so that it cannot designate any of the first-kind processes when the status judging means has judged that the status is such that an operation in cooperation with the server is not possible; utilization states monitoring means for monitoring utilization states of the first-kind process executing means and the second-kind process executing means; utilization states storing means for storing utilization states information as a monitoring result of the utilization states monitoring means; and utilization states transmitting means for transmitting, to the server, the utilization states information stored in the utilization states storing means.