Patent ID: 8363238
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a communication unit configured to receive a request written in a first description format; a data processing unit configured to convert a requested item contained in the request into a data format corresponding to the requested item if the image forming apparatus has the data format for processing the requested item, and configured to convert the requested item into a second description format if the image forming apparatus does not have the data format for processing the requested item; a plurality of function implementing units for performing processes regarding image forming function, communication function, and facsimile function; a management unit configured to store in memory a logic name and identification information identifying a function implementing unit for each of the plurality of function implementing units such that the logic name and the identification information are associated with each other; and a shared processing unit configured to define processes used in common by the plurality of function implementing units, wherein the management unit is configured to generate a logic unit of a function based on a logic name associated with given identification information contained in the request if the given identification information contained in the request is stored in the memory, the logic unit of the function serving to cause a function implementing unit identified by the given identification information to perform processing, wherein the shared processing unit is configured to request the logic unit generated by the management unit to process the requested item contained in the request, and wherein the management unit is configured to include, for the logic unit, only one or more processes needed by the function implementing unit identified by the given identification information among the processes defined by the shared processing unit.