Patent Publication Number: US-9413918-B2

Title: Image forming system, server, image forming apparatus, and image forming method that ensure simple execution of application

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application relates to and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2014-072100 and 2014-072102, each filed in the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 31, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Unless otherwise indicated herein, the description in this section is not prior art to the claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     In typical image forming apparatuses such as a multifunctional peripheral (MFP) and a printer that can print a document and an image, application programs (herein after simply referred to as application) can be installed and executed. These applications ensure addition of functions such as PDF creation, business card management, and account management to the image forming apparatus. The application also ensures cooperation with equipment such as a camera. 
     There is proposed a technique of the image forming apparatus that includes a storage unit storing these applications and performs image processing using various applications stored in the storage unit. 
     SUMMARY 
     An image forming system according to one aspect of the disclosure includes: an image forming apparatus; and a server connectable to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes: a model-unique-information transmitting unit that transmits model-unique information of the image forming apparatus to the server; and a function-control mediating unit that controls functions of respective units based on an instruction from the server when an application corresponding to the model-unique information transmitted to the server is executed at the server. The server includes: a model-unique-information receiving unit that receives the model-unique information transmitted by the model-unique-information transmitting unit of the image forming apparatus; an application managing unit that manages and executes the application corresponding to the model-unique information acquired by the model-unique-information receiving unit; and an interface unit that instructs the function-control mediating unit of the image forming apparatus to perform control corresponding to the model-unique information, based on an instruction of the control on a function of the image forming apparatus from the application executed by the application managing unit. 
     These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. Further, it should be understood that the description provided in this summary section and elsewhere in this document is intended to illustrate the claimed subject matter by way of example and not by way of limitation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  schematically illustrates the image forming apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the overall configuration of a server illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the control configuration of the image forming system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an application installing process according to the first embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  conceptually illustrate presentation and authentication of an application list illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an application using process according to the first embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  conceptually illustrates GUI drawing illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the configuration of an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the overall configuration of a terminal illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the control configuration of the image forming system illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an application installing process according to the second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a terminal-model-unique-information acquiring process according to the second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a use-application selecting process according to the second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  conceptually illustrates presentation of an application list illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an application using process according to the second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  conceptually illustrates GUI drawing illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example apparatuses are described herein. Other example embodiments or features may further be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof. 
     The example embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the drawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein. 
     Configuration of Image Forming System X 1  of First Embodiment 
     Firstly, a description will be given of the configuration of the image forming system X 1  with reference to  FIG. 1 . The image forming system X 1  includes, for example, an image forming apparatus  1  and a server  2 . The image forming apparatus  1  issues an instruction of execution of an application. The server  2  is connectable to the image forming apparatus  1 . The image forming apparatus  1  is an MFP, a single-function printer, or similar apparatus that includes an operation panel unit  16  (in  FIG. 2 ) and similar member, and can use the application associated with this equipment in collaboration with the server  2 . The server  2  is an information processor such as a PC server such as PC/AT compatible machine or an ARM (registered trademark) server, which is placed on what is called “cloud” such as a data center on the Internet (registered trademark), and a server on the intranet. The server  2  stores the application associated with the image forming apparatus  1 , and can execute the application in accordance with the instruction from the image forming apparatus  1 . The image forming apparatus  1  and the server  2  are connected to a network  5  such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a wireless LAN, a Wide Area Network (WAN), and a mobile phone network. 
     Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus  1   
     Next, a description will be given of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus  1  with reference to  FIG. 2 . In the image forming apparatus  1 , a control unit  10  connects to an image processing unit  11 , a document reading unit  12 , a document feeding unit  13 , a conveying unit (a feed roller  42   b , a conveyance roller pair  44 , and a discharge roller pair  45 ), a network transmission/reception unit  15 , the operation panel unit  16 , an image forming unit  17 , a storage unit  19 , and similar member. The control unit  10  operates and controls the respective units. 
     The control unit  10  is an information processing unit such as a General Purpose Processor (GPP), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Micro Processing Unit (MPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), and an Application Specific Processor (ASIC). The control unit  10  reads a control program stored in a ROM or a HDD of the storage unit  19 , deploys this control program into a RAM, and executes this control program, so as to cause the control unit  10  to operate as each unit of function blocks described later. Further, the control unit  10  performs the control of the entire apparatus corresponding to predetermined instruction information that is input from an external terminal (not illustrated) or the operation panel unit  16 . 
     The image processing unit  11  is an operation control unit such as the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). The image processing unit  11  is a unit that performs predetermined image processing on data of various images, and, performs, for example, various image processing such as scaling, print density adjustment, gradation adjustment, and image improvement. The image processing unit  11  stores the image read by the document reading unit  12  as print data in the storage unit  19 . At this time, the image processing unit  11  can also convert the print data into a file unit in a PDF, a TIFF, or a similar format. 
     The document reading unit  12  is a unit that reads (scans) a set document. The document feeding unit  13  is a unit that conveys the document to be read by the document reading unit  12 . The image forming unit  17  is a unit that causes image formation on a recording sheet based on the data stored in the storage unit  19 , the data read by the document reading unit  12 , or the data acquired from the external terminal by an output instruction of users. The conveying unit (the feed roller  42   b , the conveyance roller pair  44 , and the discharge roller pair  45 ) conveys the recording sheet from a sheet feed cassette  42   a  ( FIG. 3 ), and causes image formation on the recording sheet at the image forming unit  17 , and then conveys the recording sheet to a stack tray  50 . Here, the respective operations of the document reading unit  12 , the document feeding unit  13 , the conveying unit, and the image forming unit  17  will be described later. 
     The network transmission/reception unit  15  is a network connection unit that includes a LAN board, a wireless transceiver, and similar member for connecting to an external network such as LAN, wireless LAN, WAN, and a mobile phone network. The network transmission/reception unit  15  transmits and receives data via a data communication line and transmits and receives a voice signal via a voice-grade telephone line. The network transmission/reception unit  15  may be connected to an external terminal such as a Personal Computer (PC), a smart phone, a Personal Data Assistant (PDA), and a mobile phone (not illustrated), the server, and similar member via the network. 
     The operation panel unit  16  includes: a display unit such as an LCD; and an input unit. The input unit includes: a numeric keypad; a start key; a cancel key; a button for switching action modes such as copy, FAX transmission, and scanner; a button for issuing an instruction for execution of a job related to printing, transmission, storage, recording or similar operation of a selected document; a touch panel; and similar member. The operation panel unit  16  acquires the instructions of the user. These instructions of the user include instructions for installing and using applications  500  (in  FIG. 5 ) described later. Additionally, the information of each user can be input or changed in accordance with the user instruction. Accordingly, the operation panel unit  16  may include a dedicated control unit and a recording medium such as a ROM and a RAM so as to control a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in cooperation with the control unit  10 . The detail of the control on the operation panel unit  16  when the applications  500  are installed and used will be described later. The operation panel unit  16  may include a connecting unit for connecting to a recording medium such as a USB flash drive and a flash memory card or external equipment incorporating the recording medium. 
     The storage unit  19  is a storage unit that employs a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory such as a Read Only Memory (ROM) and a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a Hard Disk Drive (HDD). The RAM of the storage unit  19  holds the content of the memory by a function such as self-refreshing even during the power-saving state. The ROM and the HDD in the storage unit  19  store control programs for performing the operation control of the image forming apparatus  1 . In addition, the storage unit  19  stores account settings of the user. Further, the storage unit  19  may include a region for a document box for each user or for each application  500  (in  FIG. 5 ). 
     Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus  1 , the control unit  10  and the image processing unit  11  may be integrally formed like a GPU built-in CPU or a similar device, or a chip-on-module package. Additionally, the control unit  10  and the image processing unit  11  may each incorporate a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, or a similar memory. The image forming apparatus  1  may include a FAX transmission/reception unit that performs facsimile transmission/reception. 
     Operation of Image Forming Apparatus  1   
     Next, a description will be given of an operation of the image forming apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment of the disclosure with reference to  FIG. 3 . The document reading unit  12  is arranged on the upper portion of a main unit  14 . The document feeding unit  13  is arranged on the upper portion of the document reading unit  12 . The stack tray  50  is arranged at the side of a discharge port  41 , which is formed in the main unit  14 , of recording sheets. The operation panel unit  16  is arranged on the front side of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     The document reading unit  12  includes a scanner  12   a , a platen glass  12   b , and a document reading slit  12   c . The scanner  12   a  is constituted of an exposing lamp, a Charge Coupled Device (CCD), a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) imaging sensor, and similar members. The scanner  12   a  is capable of moving in the conveyance direction of the document by the document feeding unit  13 . The platen glass  12   b  is a platen constituted of a transparent member such as glass. The document reading slit  12   c  has a slit formed in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the document by the document feeding unit  13 . 
     When reading the document placed on the platen glass  12   b , the scanner  12   a  is moved to the position facing the platen glass  12   b . Subsequently, the scanner  12   a  acquires the image data by reading the document while scanning the document placed on the platen glass  12   b , and outputs the acquired image data to the control unit  10  (in  FIG. 2 ) included in the main unit  14 . Further, when reading the document conveyed by the document feeding unit  13 , the scanner  12   a  is moved to the position facing the document reading slit  12   c . Subsequently, the scanner  12   a  acquires image data via the document reading slit  12   c  by reading the document in synchronization with the conveying operation of the document by the document feeding unit  13 , and outputs the acquired image data to the control unit  10  included in the main unit  14 . 
     The document feeding unit  13  includes a document platen  13   a , a document discharging unit  13   b , and a document conveying mechanism  13   c . The document placed on the document platen  13   a  is sequentially fed one by one by the document conveying mechanism  13   c , conveyed to the position facing the document reading slit  12   c , and then discharged to the document discharging unit  13   b . In addition, the document feeding unit  13  is constituted to be collapsible. Lifting up the document feeding unit  13  ensures opening the top surface of the platen glass  12   b.    
     The main unit  14  includes the image forming unit  17 , and also includes a paper sheet feeder  42 , a paper sheet conveyance passage  43 , the conveyance roller pair  44 , and the discharge roller pair  45 . The paper sheet feeder  42  includes a plurality of sheet feed cassettes  42   a  and a plurality of feed rollers  42   b . The sheet feed cassettes  42   a  store respective recording sheets having different sizes or orientations. The feed roller  42   b  feeds the recording sheet one by one to the paper sheet conveyance passage  43  from the sheet feed cassette  42   a . The feed roller  42   b , the conveyance roller pair  44 , and the discharge roller pair  45  function as a conveying unit. The recording sheet is conveyed by the conveying unit. The recording sheet, which is fed to the paper sheet conveyance passage  43  by the feed roller  42   b , is conveyed toward the image forming unit  17  by the conveyance roller pair  44 . Then, the recording sheet, having undergone recording in the image forming unit  17 , is discharged to the stack tray  50  by the discharge roller pair  45 . 
     The image forming unit  17  includes a photoreceptor drum  17   a , an exposing unit  17   b , a developing unit  17   c , a transfer unit  17   d , and a fixing unit  17   e . The exposing unit  17   b  is an optical unit that includes a laser device, a mirror, a lens, and a light emitting diode array, and similar members. The exposing unit  17   b  outputs a light or similar radiation based on the image data to expose the photoreceptor drum  17   a , which is primary-charged by a charging unit (not illustrated), and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum  17   a . The developing unit  17   c  is a developer unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum  17   a  using toner. The developing unit  17   c  forms a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum  17   a . The transfer unit  17   d  transfers the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum  17   a  by the developing unit  17   c  to the recording sheet. The fixing unit  17   e  heats the recording sheet, to which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit  17   d , to fix the toner image to the recording sheet. 
     Overall Configuration of Server  2   
     Next, a description will be given of the overall configuration of the server  2  (information processor) with reference to  FIG. 4 . The server  2  includes a control unit  20 , a network transmission/reception unit  25 , and a storage unit  29 . The control unit  20  operates and controls the respective units. 
     The control unit  20  is an information processing unit with operation and control capability, for example, a GPP, a CPU, an MPU, a DSP, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), and an ASIC. The control unit  20  executes respective programs stored in the storage unit  29  with hardware resources. 
     The network transmission/reception unit  25  is a LAN interface, a wireless LAN interface, a mobile radio wave, or similar interface in a standard such as 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX for connection to the network  5 . The server  2  can transmit and receive various data via the network transmission/reception unit  25 . Here, the network transmission/reception unit  25  may be connected to an external hub, a router, or similar device for connection to the network  5 . 
     The storage unit  29  is a storage unit that includes a RAM, a flash memory disk such as a Solid State Drive (SSD), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a magnetic tape unit, an optical disk unit, and similar unit. The storage unit  29  stores an Operating System (OS) for causing the server  2  to function and various programs and data of the server. The detail of these programs and data will be described later. 
     Control Configuration of Image Forming System X 1   
     A description will be given of the control configuration of the image forming system X 1  that includes the image forming apparatus  1  and the server  2  with reference to  FIG. 5 . The control unit  10  of the image forming apparatus  1  includes a model-unique-information acquiring unit  110 , a model-unique-information transmitting unit  120 , and a function-control mediating unit  130 . The storage unit  19  of the image forming apparatus  1  stores model-unique information  400  and authentication information  410 . The control unit  20  of the server  2  includes a platform  200  that executes the application  500 . This platform  200  includes a model-unique-information receiving unit  210 , an application managing unit  220 , and an API unit  230  (interface unit). The storage unit  29  of the server  2  stores the model-unique information  400 , the authentication information  410 , and the applications  500 . 
     The model-unique-information acquiring unit  110  acquires the model-unique information  400 , which is the identification information of the model, the authentication information  410 , and similar information. The model-unique-information acquiring unit  110  can acquire the authentication information  410  required for use of the application  500  in cooperation with a Web Browser (hereinafter referred to as “browser”) of the operation panel unit  16 . 
     The model-unique-information transmitting unit  120  transmits the model-unique information  400 , which is acquired by the model-unique-information acquiring unit  110 , to the server  2 . The model-unique-information transmitting unit  120  can also transmit the setting information for the browser of the operation panel unit  16  or similar information. 
     The function-control mediating unit  130  controls the functions of the respective units by instructions from the server  2  corresponding to the model-unique information  400 , which is transmitted to the server  2  by the model-unique-information transmitting unit  120 . The function-control mediating unit  130  functions as what is called a “connector” that controls the respective units of the image forming apparatus  1  corresponding to the function requested by the API unit  230  of the server  2 . Accordingly, when the function-control mediating unit  130  receives the command for a function-control instruction generated by the API unit  230  of the server  2 , and the function-control mediating unit  130  analyzes this command and controls the respective units corresponding to the functions achievable in the image forming apparatus  1  using an appropriate method. For example, the function-control mediating unit  130  can call a copy function, a network scan function, a document box function, or similar function corresponding to the command for the function-control instruction. The function-control mediating unit  130  selects a usable function among these functions in accordance with the setting of the model-unique information  400 . 
     The function-control mediating unit  130  can also directly control the respective units. For example, the function-control mediating unit  130  may cause: the document reading unit  12  to read the document while setting the resolution, the color and similar parameter; the storage unit  19  to store the reading result as image data; the image processing unit  11  to perform image processing on the image data or document data (not illustrated) in the storage unit  19 ; drawing of the image on the browser of the operation panel unit  16 ; and causes the image forming unit  17  to perform image formation of the image data or the document data. The function-control mediating unit  130  may perform control closer to the hardware configuration of the equipment, for example, driving of one of motors in the conveying unit. The function-control mediating unit  130  can also call the respective functions of: binding, stapling, and similar function when there is a finisher in the image forming apparatus  1 ; facsimile transmission/reception when there is a FAX transmission/reception unit; user authentication by a user authentication unit using an IC card or biometrics authentication when there is this user authentication unit; and acquisition of a camera image, visual line detection, and similar function when there is a camera. The availability of calling these functions can be set to the model-unique information  400 . The function-control mediating unit  130  can control another image forming apparatus, terminal or similar member (not illustrated) via the network transmission/reception unit  15  (in  FIG. 2 ). 
     The function-control mediating unit  130  may perform processes such as acquisition of the states of the respective units. The function-control mediating unit  130  can transmit these acquired states of the respective units, the result of calling the functions of the respective units, and similar result to the server  2 . At this time, the function-control mediating unit  130  can also transmit and receive various files and similar data to/from the server  2 . For example, the function-control mediating unit  130  can also transmit and receive scanned image data, document data of the document box, and similar data. Here, for example, the function-control mediating unit  130  can also transmit and receive image data to/from the server  2  in facsimile transmission/reception when there is a FAX transmission/reception unit, and can transmit and receive a user authentication result when there is a user authentication unit or video data when there is a camera. 
     The operation panel unit  16  receives and displays the screen content of the application  500  from the platform  200 . Accordingly, a control unit for the operation panel unit  16  may execute a dedicated browser or similar program stored in a ROM. 
     The platform  200  includes programs and data including an Application Programming Interface (API), middleware, runtime, and similar platform (hereinafter referred to as “API and similar platform”), which is an execution platform of the application  500 . The platform  200  includes the service as programs (for example, classes, routines, and functions) called by the application  500  and the data related to this service. The platform  200  operates on the OS (not illustrated) installed on the storage unit  29  of the server  2 . 
     The model-unique-information receiving unit  210  receives the model-unique information  400  transmitted from the model-unique-information transmitting unit  120  of the image forming apparatus  1  and saves the model-unique information  400  in the storage unit  19 . At this time, for example, the model-unique-information acquiring unit  110  may check whether the model-unique information  400  is not unauthorized. 
     The application managing unit  220  manages and executes the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  acquired by the model-unique-information receiving unit  210 . Specifically, the application managing unit  220  causes the API of the platform  200  to manage installation, activation that causes the state usable by the image forming apparatus  1 , execution, termination of execution, uninstallation, and similar process of the application  500  (hereinafter, these processes are referred to as management of “life cycle” of the application  500 ). The application managing unit  220  also searches the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  so as to present the application  500  to the image forming apparatus  1 . The application managing unit  220  sets the application  500  to a usable state when the authentication information  410  from the image forming apparatus  1  is acquired. 
     The API unit  230  instructs the function-control mediating unit  130  of the image forming apparatus  1  to perform control corresponding to the model-unique information  400  based on the instruction from the application  500  during execution. That is, the API unit  230  provides the interface for controlling the respective functions of the image forming apparatus  1  from the application  500 . Specifically, the API unit  230  references the acquired model-unique information  400  to generate the command for instruction (hereinafter referred to as “function-control instruction”) to control the functions of the respective units included in the image forming apparatus  1  and transmits the command to the function-control mediating unit  130  of the image forming apparatus  1 . As the command of this function-control instruction, the API unit  230  may generate the command that associates the parameter or similar information when the API of the platform  200  is called with the control method corresponding to the function of the image forming apparatus  1 . The API unit  230  also acquires the result of the control on the function of the image forming apparatus  1 , information reference, or similar process, so as to present the result to the application  500 . At this time, the API unit  230  may acquire various files and similar data of the result of the function control from the image forming apparatus  1  so as to present the result to the application  500 . 
     The model-unique information  400  includes: the equipment unique ID including the model identification number, the serial number, the production number, the unique number, and similar number of the image forming apparatus  1 ; the information regarding the function usable in the image forming apparatus  1 ; the memory capacity; the equipment setting including the print setting; the count of printed sheets; the charging information; and similar information. The information regarding the function of the model-unique information  400  includes information such as: the display size of the display unit or the browser of the operation panel unit  16 ; the size of the paper sheet that causes scanning and image formation; the type, which is color or black and white, of scanning and image formation; and the existence or non-existence of optional equipment such as the finisher, the FAX transmission/reception unit, the user authentication unit, the camera, and a visual-line detection device. The model-unique information  400  may include various information such as the IP address of the image forming apparatus  1 , the e-mail address of the administrator, the transmission destination, and the address. 
     The authentication information  410  is the information related to the authentication of the application  500 . The authentication information  410  may include: the account information of the user including the administrator; the information of an “activation key” as key information for activating the application  500 ; application identification information such as the identifier of the application  500  and the type of the application  500 ; and similar information. In the authentication information  410 , the account information may include the user ID and the password. The account information may include the credit card number and the authority information. The authentication information  410  can be registered from the operation panel unit  16 , the terminal (not illustrated) of the user, or similar device by each user in advance. 
     The application  500  is a program that is installed on the server  2  and executed on the platform  200 . The application  500  uses the function of the image forming apparatus  1  via the API unit  230  so as to function in cooperation with the image forming apparatus  1 . Accordingly, the application  500  ensures various processes that cannot be used by the image forming apparatus  1  alone. A plurality of the applications  500  may be stored in the storage unit  29  of the server  2 . The application  500  may be, for example, an application for Optical Character Recognition (OCR), a monitoring camera, watermark generation, billing, company directory management, slip management, contract management, business card management, PDF creation, account management, group management, and similar operation. 
     The respective applications  500  may be selected as executable or non-executable corresponding to the model-unique information  400  of the image forming apparatus  1 . In this case, when there are a plurality of the image forming apparatuses  1 , the respective applications  500  may be set to be or not to be in a usable state corresponding to the respective pieces of the model-unique information  400  of these image forming apparatuses  1 . In this case, it is possible to employ the configuration that causes “activation” so as to cause a usable state associated with the image forming apparatus  1  based on the authentication information  410  of this image forming apparatus  1 . The application  500  may be installed from the image forming apparatus  1  or other terminal or similar device (not illustrated) and then stored in the storage unit  29 . Here, it is possible to employ the configuration where the different application  500  is installed for each model of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     The application  500  may include an execution file that operates on the platform  200  and various data including the class information. In this case, the execution file of the application  500  may be a binary file of the application including, for example, an intermediate language file of a Java (registered trademark) application and a “native” exe file. The application  500  may additionally include necessary data. 
     Here, the storage unit  19  and the storage unit  29  may store various job data specified by the operation panel unit  16  in the image forming apparatus  1 , the image data scanned by the document reading unit  12 , the image data processed by image processing in the image processing unit  11 , the data of a printed document transmitted from another terminal (not illustrated), various files read out from the connected recording medium, the data of a thumbnail image, and similar information. The storage unit  19  and the storage unit  29  may include the region of the document box for each user. 
     Application Installing Process by Image Forming System X 1   
     Next, a description will be given of the installation of the application by the image forming system X 1  according to the first embodiment of the disclosure with reference to  FIG. 6  and  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The application installing process in this embodiment sets the application  500  on the server  2  to be usable based on the instruction of the user. In this application installing process, firstly, the model-unique information  400  is transmitted to the server  2  from the image forming apparatus  1  so as to acquire the list (hereinafter referred to as an “application list”) of the applications  500  usable in the image forming apparatus  1 . When the user selects the application  500  within the application list and inputs the activation key, the image forming apparatus  1  transmits this activation key included in the authentication information  410  to the server  2 . The server  2  performs activation while the image forming apparatus  1  and the application  500  are associated with each other using this activation key. This causes the usable state of the application  500  associated with the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     In the application installing process according to this embodiment, mainly, the control unit  10  and the operation panel unit  16  in the image forming apparatus  1  and the control unit  20  in the server  2  execute the programs stored in the storage unit  19  and the storage unit  29  in collaboration with the respective units using the hardware resources. The following describes the detail of the application installing process for each step with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 6 . 
     Step S 101   
     Firstly, the control unit  10  performs an application-list requesting process as the model-unique-information acquiring unit  110 . When the control unit  10  acquires the instruction for displaying the usable application  500  from the user using the GUI of the browser of the operation panel unit  16 , the control unit  10  starts the process for acquiring the application list from the server  2 . The control unit  10  acquires the model-unique information  400  from the storage unit  19  to instruct the model-unique-information transmitting unit  120  to acquire the application list and transmit the model-unique information  400 . At this time, the control unit  10  may encrypt the model-unique information  400  with a public key or similar key. 
     Step S 102   
     Subsequently, the control unit  10  performs a model-unique-information transmitting process as the model-unique-information transmitting unit  120 . The control unit  10  transmits the model-unique information  400  whose transmission is instructed and the command for requesting the transmission of the application list, to the server  2  (at timing T 101 ). 
     Step S 201   
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the server  2 . The control unit  20  of the server  2  performs a model-unique-information receiving process as the model-unique-information receiving unit  210 . The control unit  20  receives the model-unique information  400  and saves the model-unique information  400  in the storage unit  29 . At this time, the control unit  20  may check whether the model-unique information  400  is not unauthorized by decoding using a secret key. Here, the control unit  20  receives the command for requesting the acquisition of the application list so as to notify the application managing unit  220 . 
     Step S 202   
     Subsequently, the control unit  20  performs an application searching process as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  20  references the model-unique information  400  to search the application  500  from the storage unit  29  and searches the application  500  corresponding to this model-unique information  400  so as to generate the application list. At this time, for each searched application  500 , the control unit  20  also adds the information indicating whether or not the application  500  has already been associated with the image forming apparatus  1  and activated, to the application list. 
     Step S 203   
     Subsequently, the control unit  20  performs an application-list transmitting process as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  20  transmits the generated application list to the image forming apparatus  1  (at timing T 201 ). 
     Step S 103   
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the image forming apparatus  1  again. The operation panel unit  16  performs an application-list presenting process. The operation panel unit  16  acquires the application list of the searched applications  500  from the server  2  and display the application list on the display unit using the browser. 
     In  FIG. 7A , a screen example  600  illustrates an example of the displayed application list. In a display field  610 , the user name, the model, the names of the usable applications  500 , and similar information are displayed in a list format. In each application  500  in the display field  610 , the information indicating whether or not the application  500  is activated is also displayed. A button  700  is a button for issuing an instruction to terminate the display of this application list. 
     Step S 104   
     Subsequently, the operation panel unit  16  performs an application selecting process. When the user selects the application  500  that has not been usable yet from the list of the names or similar parameter of the usable applications  500  using the GUI, the operation panel unit  16  instructs activation. According to a screen example  601  in  FIG. 7B , the operation panel unit  16  displays a dialog box or similar interface for requesting the input of the activation key in a display field  620 . When the user inputs the activation key using the GUI, the operation panel unit  16  issues an instruction to acquire and transmit this activation key to the control unit  10 . Here, the operation panel unit  16  may perform user authentication or similar process before the activation key is input. When the application  500  that has already been activated is selected, the operation panel unit  16  may issues an instruction to use this application  500 . 
     Step S 105   
     Subsequently, the control unit  10  performs an authentication-information transmitting process as the model-unique-information transmitting unit  120 . The control unit  10  includes the activation key input using the operation panel unit  16 , the application identification information of the selected application  500 , the account information, and similar information in the authentication information  410  and transmits the authentication information  410  to the server  2 . In the example of  FIG. 7B , when the user completes the input, the control unit  10  may display a button  720  of “Transmit” in the display field  620  and transmit the authentication information  410  when the clicking of this button  720  is detected (at timing T 102 ). 
     Step S 204   
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the server  2  again. The control unit  20  of the server  2  performs an authentication-information receiving process as the application managing unit  220 . When the control unit  20  receives the authentication information  410  from the image forming apparatus  1 , the control unit  20  saves the authentication information  410  in the storage unit  29 . 
     Step S 205   
     Subsequently, the control unit  20  determines whether or not activation is possible as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  10  decodes the received activation key using a secret key (not illustrated) or similar key, so as to determinate whether or not the activation key is proper. The control unit  10  makes a determination of Yes when the activation key is proper and otherwise makes a determination of No. At this time, the control unit  10  may make a determination of No when the control unit  10  compares the application identification information of the authentication information  410  with the model-unique information  400  to check whether this application  500  is usable in the image forming apparatus  1  again and the application  500  cannot be used in this equipment, by this user, or similar condition. The control unit  20  may make a determination of No when the charging information does not have a sufficient balance or similar case. In the case of Yes, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 206 . In the case of No, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 207 . 
     Step S 206   
     When the application  500  can be activated, the control unit  20  performs an application activating process as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  20  associates the application  500  corresponding to the acquired application identification information of the authentication information  410  with the image forming apparatus  1  to cause a usable state, so as to perform activation. After this process, this application  500  can be executed and used by the instruction from the image forming apparatus  1 . Here, the control unit  20  may additionally prepare a database in the storage unit  29  and store the execution or non-execution of the activation in this database. 
     Step S 207   
     Here, the control unit  20  performs an activation-result transmitting process as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  20  transmits activation-result information that is the information of the result indicating whether or not the application  500  is activated to the image forming apparatus  1  (at timing T 202 ). 
     Step S 106   
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the image forming apparatus  1  again. The operation panel unit  16  performs an activation-result displaying process. When the operation panel unit  16  receives the activation-result information from the server  2 , the operation panel unit  16  displays the activation-result information on the display unit using the browser. Thus, the application installing process according to the first embodiment of the disclosure is terminated. 
     Application Using Process by Image Forming System X 1   
     Next, a description will be given of the application using process by the image forming system X 1  according to the first embodiment of the disclosure with reference to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . The application using process in this embodiment uses the application  500  in the usable state in the server  2  based on the instruction of the user. Firstly, when the execution is instructed in the image forming apparatus  1 , the application  500  in the server  2  is executed. At this time, the information of the instruction (hereinafter referred to as “GUI instruction”) of drawing and inputting for the browser of the operation panel unit  16  is transmitted to the image forming apparatus  1 . Similarly, the command for the function-control instruction of the image forming apparatus  1  is transmitted. The image forming apparatus  1  determines these instructions and performs the processing. In the application using process according to this embodiment, mainly, the control unit  10  and the operation panel unit  16  in the image forming apparatus  1  and the control unit  20  in the server  2  execute the programs stored in the storage unit  19  and the storage unit  29  in collaboration with the respective units using the hardware resources. The following describes the detail of the application using process for each step with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 8 . 
     Step S 111   
     Firstly, the operation panel unit  16  performs an application execution-instruction acquiring process. When the user instructs the execution of the application  500  using the GUI, the operation panel unit  16  acquires this instruction as an application execution instruction. Here, before this execution of the application  500 , the process similar to the application-list requesting process and the model-unique-information transmitting process in  FIG. 6  may be performed so as to acquire the application list of the executable applications  500 . This application execution instruction may include the model-unique information  400  or the authentication information  410 . The operation panel unit  16  may perform user authentication before acquisition of the application execution instruction. 
     Step S 112   
     Subsequently, the operation panel unit  16  performs an application execution-operation-instruction transmitting process. The operation panel unit  16  acquires the instruction of the user to the application. This instruction includes the above-described application execution instruction and the instruction for operation on the application  500  during execution of the application. The control unit  10  transmits the application execution instruction to the server  2  and transmits the instruction to the application  500  during execution (at timing T 111 ). 
     Step S 211   
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the server  2 . As the application managing unit  220 , the control unit  20  of the server  2  determines whether or not it is possible to execute the application  500  whose execution is instructed by the application execution instruction or the instruction for operation. When the control unit  20  receives the application execution instruction and when the application  500  whose execution is instructed is activated in association with the image forming apparatus  1  to be in a usable state in the image forming apparatus  1 , the control unit  20  makes a determination of Yes. Also when the application has already been executed, the control unit  20  makes a determination of Yes. The control unit  20  otherwise determines that the application execution instruction is unauthorized and then makes a determination of No. In the case of Yes, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 212 . In the case of No, the control unit  20  terminates the process of the server  2  in the application using process. 
     Step S 212   
     When the application  500  corresponding to the application execution instruction is executable, the control unit  20  performs an application execution process as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  20  executes the application  500  stored in the storage unit  29 . When the application  500  has already been executed, the control unit  20  performs various controls in accordance with the instruction for operation on this application  500 . At this time, the control unit  20  also reads out the model-unique information  400  corresponding to this application  500  and sets the model-unique information  400  to a referable state. The executed application  500  may exchange the information with the image forming apparatus  1  via the platform  200 . 
     Step S 213   
     Subsequently, the control unit  20  determines whether or not there is a GUI instruction, as the application managing unit  220 . When the application  500  is executed and there is a GUI instruction for displaying, inputting, and similar operation through a GUI for the service of the platform  200  from the application  500 , the control unit  20  makes a determination of Yes. The control unit  20  otherwise makes a determination of No. In the case of Yes, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 214 . In the case of No, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 215 . 
     Step S 214   
     When there is a GUI instruction, the control unit  20  performs a GUI-instruction transmitting process as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  20  generates the information of the GUI instruction and transmits this information to the image forming apparatus  1  (at timing T 211 ). This information of the GUI instruction may include a file such as an HTML file and an XML file that can be displayed by the browser, a command for socket communication, a file displayed on the operation panel unit  16  of the image forming apparatus  1 , and similar information. At this time, the control unit  20  may determine the display size or similar parameter of the display unit or the browser of the operation panel unit  16  based on the acquired model-unique information  400  and then perform adjustment so as to cause the information of the GUI instruction in an appropriate layout. 
     Step S 113   
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the image forming apparatus  1  again. The operation panel unit  16  of the image forming apparatus  1  determines whether or not the GUI instruction is received. When the operation panel unit  16  receives the information of the GUI instruction, the operation panel unit  16  makes a determination of Yes. The operation panel unit  16  otherwise makes a determination of No. In the case of Yes, the operation panel unit  16  proceeds the process to step S 114 . In the case of No, the operation panel unit  16  proceeds the process to step S 115 . 
     Step S 114   
     When the GUI instruction is received, the operation panel unit  16  performs an application GUI-drawing process. The operation panel unit  16  performs drawing on the display unit corresponding to the information of the GUI instruction using the browser. The operation panel unit  16  can request the instruction of inputting from the user using the GUI. In  FIG. 9 , a screen example  602  illustrates the example of the operation panel unit  16  where the application  500  for OCR is executed in the server  2 . The operation panel unit  16  displays a preview and a character recognition result of the OCR in a display field  630 . Here, in the example of this display field  630 , when scanning for OCR or similar operation is not actually performed, the respective results are not displayed. In this example of  FIG. 9 , the operation panel unit  16  draws a button  710  for inputting the instruction to execute OCR by the user and a button  720  for inputting the instruction to cancel the operation. 
     In this example of  FIG. 9 , as the application managing unit  220 , the control unit  20  of the server  2  transmits the document file of the result of OCR to the image forming apparatus  1 . The operation panel unit  16  receives and displays this document file as the character recognition result in the display field  630 . The control unit  10  or the operation panel unit  16  may store this document file in the document box of the storage unit  19 . 
     Step S 215   
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the server  2  again. As the API unit  230 , the control unit  20  of the server  2  determines whether or not there is a function-control instruction. When the application  500  is executed so as to call the function-control instruction of, for example, calling the API of the platform  200  that controls the function of the image forming apparatus  1  from this application  500 , the control unit  20  makes a determination of Yes. The control unit  20  otherwise makes a determination of No. In the case of Yes, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 216 . In the case of No, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 217  and becomes a standby state. 
     Step S 216   
     When there is a function-control instruction, the control unit  20  performs a function-control-instruction transmitting process as the API unit  230 . The control unit  20  references the model-unique information  400  so as to generate the command for the function-control instruction corresponding to the function of the image forming apparatus  1 . The control unit  20  transmits this command for the function-control instruction to the image forming apparatus  1  (at timing T 212 ). 
     Step S 115   
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the control unit  10  of the image forming apparatus  1  again. As the function-control mediating unit  130 , the control unit  10  determines whether or not the command for the function-control instruction is received. When the command for the function-control instruction is received, the control unit  10  makes a determination of Yes. The control unit  10  otherwise makes a determination of No. In the case of Yes, the control unit  10  proceeds the process to step S 116 . In the case of No, the control unit  10  proceeds the process to step S 117 . 
     Step S 116   
     When the command for the function-control instruction is received, the control unit  10  performs an each-function controlling process as the function-control mediating unit  130 . The control unit  10  analyzes the command for the function-control instruction and then performs control corresponding to the functions of the respective units of the image forming apparatus  1 . The control unit  10  can directly control the respective units, acquire the states of the respective units, and acquire the result of the function control and transmit the result to the server  2  so as to perform the process for transmitting and receiving various files between the image forming apparatus  1  and the server  2 . 
     In the above-described example of  FIG. 9 , scanning is performed in the document reading unit  12  and the image file as the result of this scanning is transmitted to the server  2 , so as to perform OCR by the application  500 . At this time, the control unit  20  of the server  2  can once store the document file as the result of this OCR in the storage unit  29  of the server  2  and transmit the document file based on the instruction from the operation panel unit  16  of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     Step S 117   
     Subsequently, the operation panel unit  16  determines whether or not there is an application termination instruction. When the operation panel unit  16  acquires the instruction to terminate the application  500  from the user, the operation panel unit  16  makes a determination of Yes. In the example of  FIG. 9 , when the button  720  of “Cancel,” the button of “x” in the upper right, or similar button is clicked, the operation panel unit  16  makes a determination of Yes. The operation panel unit  16  otherwise makes a determination of No. In the case of Yes, the operation panel unit  16  proceeds the process to step S 118 . In the case of No, the operation panel unit  16  returns the process to step S 112  and waits for the instruction from the user. 
     Step S 118   
     When the application termination instruction is acquired, the operation panel unit  16  performs an application termination-instruction transmitting process. The operation panel unit  16  transmits the command for the application termination instruction to the server  2  (at timing T 112 ). The operation panel unit  16  may include the application identification information in this command for the application termination instruction. 
     Step S 217   
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the control unit  20  again. The control unit  20  performs an application terminating process as the application managing unit  220 . When the control unit  20  receives the command for the application termination instruction from the image forming apparatus  1 , the control unit  20  terminates the execution of the corresponding application  500  and becomes a standby state. Thus, the application using process according to the first embodiment of the disclosure is terminated. 
     With the configuration as described above, the following effects can be obtained. The image forming system X 1  of the disclosure includes the image forming apparatus  1 , which issues the instruction for execution of the application  500 , and the server  2 , which is connectable to the image forming apparatus  1 . The image forming apparatus  1  includes the model-unique-information acquiring unit  110 , which acquires the model-unique information  400 , the model-unique-information transmitting unit  120 , which transmits the model-unique information  400  acquired by the model-unique-information acquiring unit  110  to the server  2 , and the function-control mediating unit  130 , which controls the functions of the respective units based on the instruction from the server  2  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  transmitted to the server  2  by the model-unique-information transmitting unit  120 . The server  2  includes the model-unique-information receiving unit  210 , which receives the model-unique information  400  transmitted by the model-unique-information transmitting unit  120  of the image forming apparatus  1 , the application managing unit  220 , which manages and executes the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  acquired by the model-unique-information receiving unit  210 , and the API unit  230 , which instructs the function-control mediating unit  130  of the image forming apparatus  1  to perform control corresponding to the model-unique information  400  based on the instruction of the control on the function of the image forming apparatus  1  from the application  500  executed by the application managing unit  220 . 
     With this configuration, the application  500  and the execution platform are managed on the server  2 . Accordingly, the image forming system X 1  can use the application  500  even when the capabilities of the control unit  10  and the storage unit  19  in the image forming apparatus  1  are similar to that of the equipment where the application  500  is not installed. That is, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus  1  that can use the application  500  at a low price. Additionally, even when the control operation capability of the control unit  10  and the storage capacity of the storage unit  19  in the image forming apparatus  1  are limited, the image forming system X 1  need not perform a unique process of the application  500 . This improves the performance of the image forming system X 1 . 
     The image forming system X 1  need not introduce the application  500  into the image forming apparatus  1 , a special server, or similar member. This reduces the labor and cost for management of setup or similar process. The image forming system X 1  can select the corresponding application  500  from the plurality of the applications  500  based on the model-unique information  400 . This eliminates the need to save the application  500  for each model on the server  2 , thus saving the storage area for the application  500  in the storage unit  29  of the server  2 . The image forming system X 1  executes the application  500  on the server  2 . This reduces the risk of hacking of the image forming apparatus  1  that is not sufficiently managed or similar risk, thus reducing the security risk. 
     The application managing unit  220  of the server  2  according to the first embodiment of the disclosure searches the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  and presents the application  500  to the image forming apparatus  1 , and acquires the authentication information  410  from the image forming apparatus  1  so as to set the presented application  500  to the usable state. With this configuration, it is possible to transmit the model-unique information  400  of the image forming apparatus  1  to the server  2  so as to present the appropriate application  500  to the user. Accordingly, the user need not install the application  500  by oneself. This reduces the labor and cost for management. The user also need not find out the setting information of the image forming apparatus  1  or the user to introduce or set up the application  500  into the server  2 . This improves the usability of the user. The user also need not perform setting. This reduces the security risk. The service is provided not as a simple client/server configuration but as what is called a “cloud” service. It is possible to collectively manage the license of the application  500  and similar information, thus reducing the management cost of the provider of the application  500 . When the user attempts to install the unauthorized application  500 , which is pirated, modified, or similar program, it is possible to find the unauthorized program by introducing a security program into the server  2 . This can prevent the distribution or the use of the unauthorized application  500 . 
     According to the conventional image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus has the platform for operation of the application. Accordingly, while appropriate sizes are set to the data save area, the working memory area, and similar area for the platform in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, a part of the valuable resources is used. Regarding the application that operates on the platform, similarly to the platform, it is necessary to extend the data save area and the working memory area corresponding to the count of applications that can be introduced. Accordingly, to introduce many applications and platforms, it is necessary to extend the capacity of the storage unit, thus increasing the cost. In contrast, when the capacity of the conventional storage unit is maintained, the valuable resources are used. This might affect the performance of the entire image forming apparatus and ruin the advantage of the function extension by the application. On the other hand, in the image forming system X 1  of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus  1  does not store the main body of the application  500  and the operating area of the platform  200  and the application  500  is set to the area on the server  2 . This eliminates the need to extend the storage area of the storage unit  19  in the image forming apparatus  1 , thus reducing the cost increase and reducing the degradation in performance. 
     Here, in the above-described embodiment, the browser of the image forming apparatus  1  is executed by the control unit of the operation panel unit  16 . However, the model-unique-information acquiring unit  110  of the control unit  10  may execute this browser based on the program and the setting information of the browser stored in the storage unit  19 . The setting information of the browser may be stored in the ROM of the storage unit  19  or the operation panel unit  16 . In the above-described embodiment, the application managing unit  220  of the server  2  determines the display size or similar parameter of the display unit or the browser of the operation panel unit  16 . In contrast, the API unit  230  of the server  2  may also generate the command for the function-control instruction where the display size or similar parameter of the display unit or the browser of the operation panel unit  16  is determined when generating the command for the function-control-instruction transmitting process. With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly perform the control on the respective units, thus reducing the cost. 
     The application  500  may be associated not for each image forming apparatus  1  but for each user. Accordingly, the different application  500  can be used for each user who logs in the image forming apparatus  1 . The application  500  may include “general applications” for achieving desired functions by calling the respective functions of the image forming apparatus  1  and a “management application” for controlling these general applications  500 . The application  500  may include the control program and the data of the image forming apparatus  1  or the server  2  for using the functions of the image forming apparatus  1 . With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly control the image forming apparatus  1  using the application and enhancing the security. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the application  500  has already been in the state stored in the storage unit  29  of the server  2 . However, it is also possible to additionally introduce and store the application  500  in the storage unit  29  from the external recording medium connected to the image forming apparatus  1 , the recording medium connected to the server  2 , the external terminal connected via the network  5 , and similar member. In this case, this application  500  may be set to be usable only from the user, the image forming apparatus  1 , or the terminal that has performed the installation. The administrator of the server  2  can update the application  500 . Similarly, the administrator of the server  2  can change the information of the application  500  on the association with the image forming apparatus  1  or similar information, or can change the information on the association between the model-unique information  400  and the application  500  or similar information. With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly realize function extension and ensure control on the server  2 , thus reducing the management cost. 
     The storage unit  19  of the image forming apparatus  1  or the storage unit  29  of the server  2  can store the applications different from the application  500  based on the API of the platform  200 . For example, the storage unit  19  or the storage unit  29  may store a web application or similar program (hereinafter referred to as “external application”) other than the application  500  and the data of the user or similar data. The external application may be called by the instruction of the user using the operation panel unit  16  of the image forming apparatus  1  to be read into the image forming apparatus  1  and executed or executed on the server  2 , or may call the data of the user in the image forming apparatus  1  so as to display the data on the operation panel unit  16 . With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly selectively use the application of the platform  200  and the external application, thus improving the usability of the user. 
     Configuration of Image Forming System X 2  of Second Embodiment 
     Firstly, a description will be given of the configuration of the image forming system X 2  with reference to  FIG. 10 . The image forming system X 2  includes, for example, the image forming system X 1  and a terminal  3 . The image forming apparatus  1  can use the application associated with this equipment in collaboration with the server  2  and the terminal  3 . The server  2  stores the application associated with the image forming apparatus  1  and can execute the application in accordance with the instruction from the terminal  3 . 
     The terminal  3  is a tablet terminal, a Personal Data Assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a mobile phone, a PC such as a PC/AT compatible machine, and similar terminal. The terminal  3  instructs execution, operation, and similar process of the application, and transmits and receives the information to/from the image forming apparatus  1  and the server  2 . The image forming apparatus  1 , the server  2 , and the terminal  3  are connected to the network  5  such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a wireless LAN, a Wide Area Network (WAN), and a mobile phone network. 
     The operation panel unit  16  includes: a display unit such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel; and an input unit. The input unit includes: a numeric keypad; a start key; a cancel key; a button for switching action modes such as copy, FAX transmission, and scanner; a button for issuing an instruction for execution of a job related to printing, transmission, storage, recording or similar operation of a selected document; and similar member. The display unit of the operation panel unit  16  may employ a simple configuration that displays alphanumeric characters, one-byte katakana characters, and similar character in one line. The display unit of the operation panel unit  16  may include the LED alone. 
     Overall Configuration of Terminal  3   
     Next, a description will be given of the overall configuration of the terminal  3  with reference to  FIG. 11 . The terminal  3  includes a control unit  30 , an I/O unit  31 , an input unit  32 , a display unit  33 , a network transmission/reception unit  35 , and a storage unit  39 . The control unit  30  operates and controls the respective units. 
     The control unit  30  is an information processing unit with operation and control capability, for example, a GPP, a CPU, an MPU, a DSP, a GPU, and an ASIC. The control unit  30  executes respective programs stored in the storage unit  39  with hardware resources. 
     The I/O unit  31  is a configuration part to provide an interface for connection to various peripherals, such as a DVI, an analog RGB, an HDMI (registered trademark), a USB, IEEE1394, a serial, a parallel, an infrared, or a wireless. The I/O unit  31  is connected to the input unit  32  and the display unit  33 . The I/O unit  31  can connect to a recording medium  34  such as a USB flash drive, a flash memory card, an optical recording medium, and external equipment incorporating a flash memory, so as to read/write the stored file. 
     The input unit  32  is an input unit such as a keyboard, a computer mouse, a touch panel, and a touch pad, to input information such as various settings and user authentication. The input unit  32  acquires the instructions of the user. These instructions of the user include instructions for installing and using the applications  500  (in  FIG. 12 ) described later. Additionally, the information of each user can be input or changed in accordance with the user instruction. 
     The display unit  33  is a display unit such as an LCD display and an OEL display. The display unit  33  can display various setting screens of an Operating System (OS), drawing screens of Application Software, and similar screen using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The display unit  33  may have a higher resolution and display performance compared with the display unit of the operation panel unit  16  of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     The network transmission/reception unit  35  is a LAN interface, a wireless LAN interface, a mobile radio wave, or similar interface in a standard such as 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX for connection to the network  5 . The terminal  3  can transmit and receive various data, the user ID and the password during login, and similar data via the network transmission/reception unit  35 . Here, the network transmission/reception unit  35  may be connected to an external hub, a router, or similar device for connection to the network  5 . 
     The storage unit  39  is a storage unit that includes a main storage unit such as a RAM and an auxiliary storage unit such as a flash memory disk including an SSD and similar disk, an HDD, a magnetic tape unit, and an optical disk unit. The storage unit  39  stores various programs and data for causing the terminal  3  to function as the terminal for instructing the application  500  (in  FIG. 12 ). These programs and data may be executed via a World Wide Web Browser (hereinafter referred to as “browser”) or may be executed with a dedicated application installed on the terminal  3 . This dedicated application may be installed when the application  500  is installed on the server  2 . The storage unit  39  also stores an OS with a GUI, an application such as a word processor, spreadsheet software, drawing software, a browser, and an e-mailer, the other programs and data, and similar information. These programs and data can be read and executed or written by the control unit  30 . 
     Control Configuration of Image Forming System X 2   
     A description will be given of the control configuration of the image forming system X 2  that includes the image forming apparatus  1 , the server  2 , and the terminal  3  with reference to  FIG. 12 . The control unit  10  of the image forming apparatus  1  includes the function-control mediating unit  130  (the function-control mediating unit and the model-unique-information transmitting unit). The storage unit  19  of the image forming apparatus  1  stores the model-unique information  400 . The control unit  20  of the server  2  includes the platform  200  that executes the application  500 . This platform  200  includes the model-unique-information receiving unit  210 , the application managing unit  220 , and the API unit  230  (interface unit). The storage unit of the server  2  stores the model-unique information  400 , the authentication information  410 , and the applications  500 . The control unit  30  of the terminal  3  includes a model-unique-information acquiring unit  310 , a model-unique-information transmitting unit  320 , and an application execution instructing unit  330 . The storage unit  39  of the terminal  3  stores the model-unique information  400  and the authentication information  410 . 
     The function-control mediating unit  130  controls the functions of the respective units by instructions when the server  2  executes the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400 , which is transmitted to the server  2 . The function-control mediating unit  130  functions as what is called a “connector” that controls the respective units of the image forming apparatus  1  corresponding to the function requested by the API unit  230  of the server  2 . Accordingly, when the function-control mediating unit  130  receives the command for a function-control instruction generated by the API unit  230  of the server  2 , and the function-control mediating unit  130  analyzes this command and controls the respective units corresponding to the functions achievable in the image forming apparatus  1  using an appropriate method. For example, the function-control mediating unit  130  can call a copy function, a network scan function, a document box function, or similar function corresponding to the command for the function-control instruction. The function-control mediating unit  130  selects a usable function among these functions in accordance with the setting of the model-unique information  400 . The function-control mediating unit  130  can also directly control the respective units. For example, the function-control mediating unit  130  may cause: the document reading unit  12  to read the document while setting the resolution, the color and similar parameter; the storage unit  19  to store the reading result as image data; the image processing unit  11  to perform image processing on the image data or the document data (not illustrated) stored in the storage unit  19  by acquisition from the terminal  3  or acquisition using the document reading unit  12 ; and the image forming unit  17  to perform image formation of the image data or the document data, or the display unit of the operation panel unit  16  to display the image data or the document data. The function-control mediating unit  130  may perform control closer to the hardware configuration of the equipment, for example, driving of one of motors in the conveying unit. The function-control mediating unit  130  can also call the respective functions of: binding, stapling, and similar function when there is a finisher in the image forming apparatus  1 ; facsimile transmission/reception when there is a FAX transmission/reception unit; user authentication or similar process by a user authentication unit using an IC card or biometrics authentication when there is this user authentication unit; and acquisition of a camera image, visual line detection, and similar function when there is a camera. The availability of calling these functions can be set to the model-unique information  400 . The function-control mediating unit  130  can control the terminal  3 , another image forming apparatus, or similar member (not illustrated) via the network transmission/reception unit  15  (in  FIG. 2 ). The function-control mediating unit  130  may perform processes such as acquisition of the states of the respective units. The function-control mediating unit  130  can transmit these acquired states of the respective units, the result of calling the functions of the respective units, and similar result to the server  2  or the terminal  3 . At this time, the function-control mediating unit  130  can also transmit and receive various files and similar data to/from the server  2  or the terminal  3 . For example, the function-control mediating unit  130  can also transmit and receive scanned image data, document data of the document box, and similar data to/from the server  2  or the terminal  3 . Here, for example, the function-control mediating unit  130  can also transmit and receive image data to the server  2  in facsimile transmission/reception when there is a FAX transmission/reception unit, and transmit and receive a user authentication result when there is a user authentication unit or video data when there is a camera. 
     The platform  200  includes programs and data including an Application Programming Interface (API), middleware, runtime, and similar platform (hereinafter referred to as “API and similar platform”), which is an execution platform of the application  500 . The platform  200  includes the service as programs (for example, classes, routines, and functions) called by the application  500  and the data related to this service. The platform  200  operates on the OS (not illustrated) installed on the storage unit  29  of the server  2 . 
     The model-unique-information receiving unit  210  receives the model-unique information  400  transmitted from the model-unique-information transmitting unit  320  of the terminal  3  or the function-control mediating unit  130  of the image forming apparatus  1  and saves the model-unique information  400  in the storage unit  19 . At this time, for example, the model-unique-information acquiring unit  310  may check whether the model-unique information  400  is not unauthorized. 
     The application managing unit  220  manages and executes the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  received by the model-unique-information receiving unit  210 . Specifically, the application managing unit  220  causes the API of the platform  200  to manage installation, activation that causes the state usable by the image forming apparatus  1  and the terminal  3 , execution, termination of execution, uninstallation, and similar process of the application  500  (hereinafter, these processes are referred to as management of “life cycle” of the application  500 ). More specifically, the application managing unit  220  performs installation (introduction) where the application  500  received from the terminal  3  is stored in the storage unit  29  in a usable state. When the application managing unit  220  receives the instruction during execution and use of the application  500  from the application execution instructing unit  330  of the terminal  3 , the application managing unit  220  performs control during execution and use of the application  500  in accordance with this instruction. The application managing unit  220  also searches the usable application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  so as to present the application  500  to the terminal  3 . The application managing unit  220  executes the application  500  when the authentication information  410  is acquired from the application execution instructing unit  330  of the terminal  3 . 
     The API unit  230  instructs the function-control mediating unit  130  of the image forming apparatus  1  to perform control corresponding to the model-unique information  400  based on the instruction from the application  500  during execution. That is, the API unit  230  provides the interface for controlling the respective functions of the image forming apparatus  1  from the application  500 . Specifically, the API unit  230  references the acquired model-unique information  400  to generate the command for instruction (hereinafter referred to as “function-control instruction”) to control the functions of the respective units included in the image forming apparatus  1  and transmits the command to the function-control mediating unit  130  of the image forming apparatus  1 . As the command of this function-control instruction, the API unit  230  may generate the command that associates the parameter or similar information when the API of the platform  200  is called with the control method corresponding to the function of the image forming apparatus  1 . The API unit  230  also acquires the result of the control on the function of the image forming apparatus  1 , information reference, or similar process, so as to present the result to the application  500 . At this time, the API unit  230  may acquire various files and similar data of the result of the function control from the image forming apparatus  1  so as to present the result to the application  500 . 
     The model-unique-information acquiring unit  310  receives the model-unique information  400  of the image forming apparatus  1  from the function-control mediating unit  130  of the image forming apparatus  1  and saves the model-unique information  400  in the storage unit  39 . 
     The model-unique-information transmitting unit  320  transmits the model-unique information  400  acquired by the model-unique-information acquiring unit  310  to the server  2 . 
     The application execution instructing unit  330  issues the instruction in the server  2  during execution and use of the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  transmitted from the model-unique-information transmitting unit  320 . Accordingly, the application execution instructing unit  330  can transmit the information of the instruction input using the input unit  32  by the user to the server  2 , using the browser or the dedicated application. The application execution instructing unit  330  can acquire the authentication information  410  necessary for using the application  500 . The application execution instructing unit  330  may receive the screen content of the application  500  via the platform  200  of the server  2  and draw the screen content on the browser so as to display the screen content on the display unit  33 , or may transmit and receive various files to/from the image forming apparatus  1  and the server  2 . The application execution instructing unit  330  can also transmit the setting of the browser or the dedicated application of the application execution instructing unit  330  and the setting information such as the information of the hardware and the OS of the terminal  3 . The application execution instructing unit  330  transmits the application  500  stored in the recording medium  34  to the server  2  and installs the application  500  on the server  2 . 
     The model-unique information  400  includes: the equipment unique ID including the model identification number, the serial number, the production number, the unique number, and similar number of the image forming apparatus  1 ; the information regarding the function usable in the image forming apparatus  1 ; the memory capacity; the equipment setting including the print setting; the count of printed sheets; the charging information; and similar information. The information regarding the function of the model-unique information  400  includes information such as: the display size of the display unit  33  or the browser; the size of the paper sheet that causes scanning and image formation; the type, which is color or black and white, of scanning and image formation; and the existence or non-existence of optional equipment such as the finisher, the FAX transmission/reception unit, the user authentication unit, the camera, and a visual-line detection device. The model-unique information  400  may include various information such as the IP address of the image forming apparatus  1 , the e-mail address of the administrator, the transmission destination, and the address. 
     The authentication information  410  is the information related to the authentication of the application  500 . The authentication information  410  may include: the account information of the user including the administrator; key information for activating or using the application  500 ; application identification information such as the identifier of the application  500  and the type of the application  500 ; and similar information. In the authentication information  410 , the account information may include the user ID and the password. The account information may include the credit card number and the authority information. The authentication information  410  can be registered from the terminal  3 , the server  2 , the operation panel unit  16  of the image forming apparatus  1 , or similar device by each user in advance. 
     The application  500  is a program that is installed on the server  2  and executed on the platform  200 . The application  500  uses the function of the image forming apparatus  1  via the API unit  230  so as to function in cooperation with the image forming apparatus  1 . Accordingly, the application  500  ensures various processes that cannot be used by the image forming apparatus  1  alone. A plurality of the applications  500  may be stored in the storage unit  29  of the server  2 . The application  500  may be, for example, an application for billing, company directory management, a monitoring camera, watermark generation, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), slip management, contract management, business card management, PDF creation, account management, group management, and similar operation. 
     The respective applications  500  may be selected as executable or non-executable corresponding to the model-unique information  400  of the image forming apparatus  1 . In this case, when there are a plurality of the image forming apparatuses  1 , the respective applications  500  may be set to be or not to be in a usable state corresponding to the respective pieces of the model-unique information  400  of these image forming apparatuses  1 . In this case, it is possible to employ the configuration that causes “activation” so as to cause a usable state associated with the image forming apparatus  1  based on the authentication information  410  of this image forming apparatus  1 . The application  500  may be installed from the image forming apparatus  1  or other terminal or similar device (not illustrated) and then stored in the storage unit  29 . Here, it is possible to employ the configuration where the different application  500  is installed for each model of the image forming apparatus  1 . The application  500  may include an execution file that operates on the platform  200  and various data including the class information. In this case, the execution file of the application  500  may be a binary file of the application including, for example, an intermediate language file of a Java (registered trademark) application and a “native” exe file. The application  500  may additionally include necessary data. 
     Here, the storage unit  19 , the storage unit  29 , or the storage unit  39  may store various job data specified by the operation panel unit  16  in the image forming apparatus  1 , the image data scanned by the document reading unit  12 , the image data processed by image processing in the image processing unit  11 , the document data transmitted from the terminal  3 , various files, the data of a thumbnail image, and similar information. The storage unit  19 , the storage unit  29 , or the storage unit  39  may include the region of the document box for each user. 
     Application Installing Process by Image Forming System X 2   
     Next, a description will be given of the installation of the application by the image forming system X 2  according to the second embodiment of the disclosure with reference to  FIG. 13 . The application installing process in this embodiment additionally introduces the application  500  from the external recording medium  34  connected to the terminal  3 , an external server (not illustrated), or similar member, so as to store the application  500  in the storage unit  29 . In the application installing process according to this embodiment, mainly, the control unit  30  of the terminal  3  and the control unit  20  in the server  2  execute the programs stored in the storage unit  39  and the storage unit  29  in collaboration with the respective units using the hardware resources. The following describes the detail of the application installing process for each step with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 13 . 
     Step S 301   a    
     Firstly, the control unit  30  of the terminal  3  performs an application-reading transmitting process as the application execution instructing unit  330 . The control unit  30  reads out the installation program of the application  500  from the recording medium  34  connected to the I/O unit  31  and execute the application  500 . At this time, the control unit  30  may input the authentication information  410  from the input unit  32 . The control unit  30  may cause login or similar operation of the server  2 . The control unit  30  may input the key information of the application  500  written in the label or similar thing of the recording medium  34  as this authentication information  410 . The control unit  30  transmits the read application  500  from the network transmission/reception unit  35  via the network  5  to the server  2  (at timing T 301   a ). 
     Step S 201   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the server  2 . The control unit  20  of the server  2  performs an application registering process as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  20  stores the application  500  received by the network transmission/reception unit  25  in the storage unit  29  and registers as the usable application  500 . At this time, the control unit  20  may relates this application  500  to the terminal  3  or the user so as to limit the usable terminal  3  or the user. The control unit  20  notifies the terminal  3  about the registration result of this application  500  (at timing T 201   a ). 
     Step S 302   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the terminal  3  again. The control unit  30  of the terminal  3  performs a registration-result displaying process as the application execution instructing unit  330 . The control unit  30  displays the registration result of the application  500  in the display unit  33  as “Installation has been completed” or similar message. Thus, the application installing process is terminated. 
     Terminal-Model-Unique-Information Acquiring Process by Image Forming System X 2   
     Next, a description will be given of the terminal-model-unique-information acquiring process by the image forming system X 2  according to the second embodiment of the disclosure with reference to  FIG. 14 . The terminal-model-unique-information acquiring process in this embodiment is the process that connects to the image forming apparatus  1  from the terminal  3  to acquire the model-unique information  400  and once saves the model-unique information  400  in the terminal  3  before the application  500  is used. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus  1  can be controlled from the terminal  3  via the server  2 . In the terminal-model-unique-information acquiring process according to this embodiment, mainly, the control unit  30  of the terminal  3  and the control unit  10  of the image forming apparatus  1  execute the programs stored in the storage unit  39  and the storage unit  19  in collaboration with the respective units using the hardware resources. The following describes the detail of the terminal-model-unique-information acquiring process for each step with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 14 . 
     Step S 311   a    
     Firstly, the control unit  30  of the terminal  3  performs a connection process as the model-unique-information acquiring unit  310 . The control unit  30  executes the web browser or the dedicated application stored in the storage unit  39 . Subsequently, the control unit  30  allows the user to input or select the name, the IP address, or similar information of the image forming apparatus  1  to connect using the input unit  32 . The control unit  30  attempts to have connection with the selected image forming apparatus  1  (at timing T 311   a ). 
     Step S 111   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the image forming apparatus  1 . The control unit  10  of the image forming apparatus  1  performs a user authentication process as the function-control mediating unit  130 . The control unit  10  requests the user of the terminal  3  to input the ID or the password and acquires this information via the network  5 . The control unit  10  performs the user authentication by comparing the acquired ID or password with the data of the account setting. The control unit  10  transmits the result of the user authentication to the terminal  3  (at timing T 111   a ). 
     Step S 312   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the terminal  3  again. As the model-unique-information acquiring unit  310 , the control unit  30  of the terminal  3  determines whether or not the user authentication succeeds. The control unit  30  receives the result of the user authentication from the image forming apparatus  1 . The control unit  30  makes a determination of Yes when the result indicates success and makes a determination of No when the result indicates failure. In the case of Yes, the control unit  30  proceeds the process to step S 114   a . In the case of No, the control unit  30  terminates the terminal-model-unique-information acquiring process. 
     Step S 313   a    
     When the user authentication succeeds, the control unit  30  performs a model-unique-information transmission instructing process. The control unit  30  instructs the connected image forming apparatus  1  to transmit the model-unique information  400  (at timing T 312   a ). 
     Step S 112   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the image forming apparatus  1  again. The control unit  10  of the image forming apparatus  1  performs a model-unique-information transmitting process as the function-control mediating unit  130 . The control unit  10  transmits the model-unique information  400  stored in the storage unit  19  to the terminal  3  (at timing T 112   a ). At this time, the control unit  10  may encrypt the model-unique information  400  with a public key or similar key. In this case, the secret key that decodes the model-unique information  400  is not held by the terminal  3  but held by the server  2  alone. 
     Step S 314   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the terminal  3  again. The control unit  30  of the terminal  3  performs a model-unique-information acquiring process as the model-unique-information acquiring unit  310 . When the control unit  30  receives the model-unique information  400  from the image forming apparatus  1 , the control unit  30  temporarily saves the model-unique information  400  in the storage unit  39 . Here, this saved model-unique information  400  may be saved in the storage unit  39  for a predetermined time, for example, about several days to several months. When a dedicated application is installed on the terminal  3 , the model-unique information  400  may be saved in the protected area of the storage unit  39  separately from this dedicated application. The model-unique information  400  may be acquired each time when the dedicated application is started or at the time of a use-application selecting process or an application using process described later. Thus, the terminal-model-unique-information acquiring process is terminated. 
     Use-Application Selecting Process by Image Forming System X 2   
     Next, a description will be given of the use-application selecting process by the image forming system X 2  according to the second embodiment of the disclosure with reference to  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 . The use-application selecting process in this embodiment transmits the model-unique information  400  acquired in the above-described terminal-model-unique-information acquiring process to the server  2  and queries about the application  500  usable in the image forming apparatus  1  among the applications  500  installed on the server  2 . The server  2  transmits the list (hereinafter referred to as an “application list”) of the applications  500  usable in the image forming apparatus  1 . The terminal  3  displays this application list so as to allow the user to select the application to start. In the use-application selecting process according to this embodiment, mainly, the control unit  30  of the terminal  3  and the control unit  20  of the server  2  execute the programs stored in the storage unit  39  and the storage unit  29  in collaboration with the respective units using the hardware resources. The following describes the detail of the use-application selecting process for each step with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 15 . 
     Step S 321   a    
     Firstly, the control unit  30  performs the model-unique-information transmitting process as the model-unique-information transmitting unit  320 . The control unit  30  acquires the instruction to start the selection of the application  500  to use from the user using the GUI of the browser or the dedicated application. In this case, the control unit  30  reads the model-unique information  400 , which is acquired from the connected image forming apparatus  1 , from the storage unit  39 , and transmits this model-unique information  400  and the command for requesting the transmission of the application list to the server  2  (at timing T 321   a ). At this time, the control unit  30  may encrypt the model-unique information  400  with a public key or similar key. The control unit  30  may transmit the authentication information  410  to the server  2 . 
     Step S 221   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the server  2 . The control unit  20  of the server  2  performs a model-unique-information receiving process as the model-unique-information receiving unit  210 . The control unit  20  receives the model-unique information  400  and saves the model-unique information  400  in the storage unit  29 . At this time, the control unit  20  may check whether the model-unique information  400  is not unauthorized by decoding using a secret key stored in the storage unit  29 . Here, the control unit  20  receives the command for requesting the acquisition of the application list so as to notify the application managing unit  220 . 
     Step S 222   a    
     Subsequently, the control unit  20  performs an application searching process as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  20  references the model-unique information  400  to search the application  500  from the storage unit  29  and searches the application  500  corresponding to this model-unique information  400  so as to generate the application list. At this time, for each searched application  500 , the control unit  20  also adds the information indicating whether or not the application  500  has already been associated with the terminal  3 , to the application list. 
     Step S 223   a    
     Subsequently, the control unit  20  performs an application-list transmitting process as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  20  transmits the generated application list to the image forming apparatus  1  (at timing T 221   a ). 
     Step S 323   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the terminal  3  again. The control unit  30  of the terminal  3  performs an application-list presenting process as the application execution instructing unit  330 . The control unit  30  acquires the application list of the searched applications  500  from the server  2  and display the application list on the display unit  33  using the browser, the dedicated application, or similar method. In  FIG. 16 , a screen example  601  illustrates an example of the displayed application list. In the display field  610 , the user name, the model, the names of the applications  500  usable in the image forming apparatus  1 , and similar information are displayed in a list format. A button  700  is a button for issuing an instruction to terminate the display of this application list. 
     Step S 324   a    
     Subsequently, the control unit  30  performs an application selecting process as the application execution instructing unit  330 . The control unit  30  uses the GUI to allow the user to select the application  500  that is started to be used from the list of the name or similar information of the usable applications  500  using the input unit  32 . The control unit  30  transmits the information of the selected application  500  to the server  2  (at timing T 322   a ). 
     Step S 224   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the server  2  again. The control unit  20  of the server  2  performs an application-execution starting process as the application managing unit  220 . When the control unit  20  receives the information of the selected application  500  from the image forming apparatus  1 , the control unit  20  starts the application  500 . As the API unit  230 , the control unit  20  may connect to the function-control mediating unit  130  of the image forming apparatus  1  corresponding to the model-unique information  400 . At this time, the control unit  20  may use the authentication information  410  received from the terminal  3  for connection to the image forming apparatus  1 . Thus, the application installing process according to the second embodiment of the disclosure is terminated. 
     Application Using Process by Image Forming System X 2   
     Next, a description will be given of the application using process by the image forming system X 2  according to the second embodiment of the disclosure with reference to  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 . The application using process in this embodiment uses the application  500  whose execution is instructed by the terminal  3  and whose execution is started by the server  2 , based on the instruction of the user. Here, various instructions (hereinafter referred to as “application use instruction”) of the user when the application is used are transmitted to the server  2  from the terminal  3 . The information of the instruction (hereinafter referred to as “GUI instruction”) of drawing and inputting for the browser or the dedicated application of the terminal  3  is transmitted from the server  2 . The command for the function-control instruction is also transmitted to the image forming apparatus  1  from the server  2 . In the application using process according to this embodiment, mainly, the control unit  10  of the image forming apparatus  1 , the control unit  20  of the server  2 , and the control unit  30  of the terminal  3  execute the programs stored in the storage unit  19 , the storage unit  29 , and the storage unit  39  in collaboration with the respective units using the hardware resources. The following describes the detail of the application using process for each step with reference to the flowchart in  FIG. 17 . 
     Step S 331   a    
     Firstly, the control unit  30  of the terminal  3  performs an application-use-instruction acquiring process as the application execution instructing unit  330 . The control unit  30  acquires the application use instruction of the user from the input unit  32  using the GUI of the browser or the dedicated application during execution of the application  500  in the server  2 . 
     Step S 332   a    
     Subsequently, the control unit  30  performs an application-use-instruction transmitting process as the application execution instructing unit  330 . The control unit  30  transmits the acquired application use instruction from the network transmission/reception unit  35  to the server  2  (at timing T 331   a ). 
     Step S 231   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the server  2 . The control unit  20  of the server  2  performs the application execution process as the application managing unit  220 . When the control unit  20  receives the application use instruction, the control unit  20  performs various controls on the application  500  during execution in accordance with the content of this instruction. The control unit  20  also reads the model-unique information  400  corresponding to this application  500  and sets this information to a referable state. The executed application  500  may exchange the information with the image forming apparatus  1  via the platform  200 . 
     Step S 232   a    
     Subsequently, the control unit  20  determines whether or not there is a GUI instruction, as the application managing unit  220 . When the application  500  is executed and there is a GUI instruction for displaying, inputting, and similar operation through a GUI for the service of the platform  200  from the application  500 , the control unit  20  makes a determination of Yes. The control unit  20  otherwise makes a determination of No. In the case of Yes, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 233   a . In the case of No, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 234   a.    
     Step S 233   a    
     When there is a GUI instruction, the control unit  20  performs a GUI-instruction transmitting process as the application managing unit  220 . The control unit  20  generates the information of the GUI instruction and transmits this information to the terminal  3  (at timing T 231   a ). This information of the GUI instruction may include a file such as an HTML file and an XML file that can be displayed by the browser or the dedicated application of the terminal  3 , a command for socket communication, an image file or a sound file that is displayed and played the display unit  33  of the terminal  3 , and similar information. At this time, the control unit  20  may determine the display size or similar information of the display unit  33  or the browser based on the acquired model-unique information  400  and then perform adjustment so as to cause the information of the GUI instruction in an appropriate layout. 
     Step S 334   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the terminal  3  again. The control unit  30  performs the application GUI-drawing process as the application execution instructing unit  330 . When the control unit  30  receives the GUI instruction, the control unit  30  performs drawing on the display unit  33  corresponding to the information of the GUI instruction using the browser or the dedicated application. The control unit  30  can request the instruction of inputting of the user from the input unit  32  using the GUI. 
     In  FIG. 18 , the screen example  602  illustrates the example of the GUI display displayed on the display unit  33  when the application  500  for billing is executed in the server  2 . The display field  620  is a field that receives inputs of the product name and the amount of money and displays a preview. The product name and the amount of money input by the user are transmitted to the server  2  as the application use instruction that includes the document data of the bill, and the server  2  calculates the sum. When the control unit  30  receives this calculation result as the GUI instruction, the control unit  30  reflects the calculation result to the display field  620 . The display field  630  is a field that indicates the state of the image forming apparatus  1  received as the GUI instruction. The connection state between the server  2  and the image forming apparatus  1  may be displayed here. The button  710  is a button for the application use instruction to instruct the image forming apparatus  1  to perform a print job. When this button is clicked, the control unit  30  transmits the document data of the bill from the terminal  3  or the server  2  to the image forming apparatus  1  so as to cause the image forming apparatus  1  to perform a print job. The button  720  is a button for the application use instruction to instruct storage of the document data of the bill. When this button is clicked, the control unit  30  may store this document data in the storage unit  39  or the storage unit  29  in the server  2 . The control unit  30  may transmit this document data to the image forming apparatus  1  and store the document data in the document box of the storage unit  19 . A button  730  is a button that instructs termination of this application for billing. When this button is clicked, the control unit  30  transmits the instruction (hereinafter referred to as “application termination instruction”) for termination of the application to the server  2 . 
     Step S 234   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the server  2  again. As the API unit  230 , the control unit  20  of the server  2  determines whether or not there is a function-control instruction. When the function-control instruction of, for example, calling the API of the platform  200  that controls the function of the image forming apparatus  1  from this application  500  is called during execution of the application  500 , the control unit  20  makes a determination of Yes. In the example of  FIG. 18 , the control unit  20  makes a determination of Yes when the instruction of a print job is issued with the button  710  or similar case. The control unit  20  otherwise makes a determination of No. In the case of Yes, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 235   a . In the case of No, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 236   a.    
     Step S 235   a    
     When there is a function-control instruction, the control unit  20  performs a function-control-instruction transmitting process as the API unit  230 . The control unit  20  references the model-unique information  400  so as to generate the command for the function-control instruction corresponding to the function of the image forming apparatus  1 . The control unit  20  transmits this command for the function-control instruction to the image forming apparatus  1  (at timing T 232   a ). In the example of  FIG. 18 , the control unit  20  includes the instruction for a print job of the document data of the bill in the command for the function-control instruction and transmits this command. 
     Step S 131   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the image forming apparatus  1 . The control unit  10  of the image forming apparatus  1  performs an each-function controlling process as the function-control mediating unit  130 . When the command for the function-control instruction is received, the control unit  10  analyzes the command for the function-control instruction and then performs control corresponding to the functions of the respective units of the image forming apparatus  1 . The control unit  10  can directly control the respective units or acquire the states of the respective units. The control unit  10  can perform the process for transmitting and receiving various files between the image forming apparatus  1 , the server  2 , and the terminal  3 . 
     In the above-described example of  FIG. 18 , when the button  710  or the button  720  is clicked, the control unit  10  can receive the document data of the bill transmitted from the terminal  3  or the server  2  to print the document data as an output from the image forming unit  17  or save the document data in the document box of the storage unit  19 . 
     Step S 132   a    
     Subsequently, the control unit  10  performs a function-control-result transmitting process as the function-control mediating unit  130 . The control unit  10  acquires the result of the function control and transmits the result to the server  2  (at timing T 131   a ). This result of the function control may be presented to the application  500  via the platform  200  after being received at the server  2 . 
     Step S 335   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the terminal  3  again. As the application execution instructing unit  330 , the control unit  30  determines whether or not there is an application termination instruction. When the control unit  30  acquires the instruction to terminate the application  500  from the user using the GUI, the control unit  30  makes a determination of Yes. In the example of  FIG. 18 , when the button  730  of “Terminate,” the button of “x” in the upper right, or similar button is clicked, the control unit  30  makes a determination of Yes. The control unit  30  otherwise makes a determination of No. In the case of Yes, the control unit  30  proceeds the process to step S 336   a . In the case of No, the control unit  30  returns the process to step S 331   a  and waits for the instruction from the user. 
     Step S 336   a    
     When the application termination instruction is acquired, the control unit  30  performs an application termination-instruction transmitting process as the application execution instructing unit  330 . The control unit  30  transmits the command for the application termination instruction to the server  2  (at timing T 332   a ). The control unit  30  may include the application identification information in this command for the application termination instruction. 
     Step S 236   a    
     Here, a description will be given of the process of the control unit  20  again. As the application managing unit  220 , the control unit  20  determines whether or not there is an application termination instruction. When the control unit  20  receives the application termination instruction from the terminal  3 , when the execution of the application  500  is completed, or similar case, the control unit  20  makes a determination of Yes. Also when the application  500  is terminated as the result of the function control, the control unit  30  makes a determination of Yes. The control unit  20  otherwise makes a determination of No. In the case of Yes, the control unit  20  proceeds the process to step S 237   a . In the case of No, the control unit  20  returns the process to step S 231   a  and continues the execution of the application. 
     Step S 237   a    
     When there is an application termination instruction, the control unit  20  performs an application terminating process as the application managing unit  220 . When the control unit  20  receives the command for the application termination instruction from the terminal  3 , the control unit  20  terminates the execution of the corresponding application  500  and becomes a standby state. Thus, the application using process according to the second embodiment of the disclosure is terminated. 
     With the configuration as described above, the following effects can be obtained. The image forming system X 2  of the disclosure includes the terminal  3 , the server  2 , which is connectable to the terminal  3 , and the image forming apparatus  1 , which is controlled from the server  2 . The terminal  3  includes the model-unique-information acquiring unit  310 , which acquires the model-unique information  400  of the image forming apparatus  1 , the model-unique-information transmitting unit  320 , which transmits the model-unique information  400  acquired by the model-unique-information acquiring unit  310  to the server  2 , and the application execution instructing unit  330 , which issues an instruction in the server  2  during execution and use of the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  transmitted by the model-unique-information transmitting unit  320 . The image forming apparatus  1  includes the function-control mediating unit  130 , which transmits the model-unique information  400  to the terminal  3  or the server  2  and controls the functions of the respective units based on the instruction when the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  transmitted by the server  2  is executed in the server  2 . The server  2  includes the model-unique-information receiving unit  210 , which receives the model-unique information  400  transmitted by the model-unique-information transmitting unit  320  of the terminal  3  or the function-control mediating unit  130  of the image forming apparatus  1 , the application managing unit  220 , which manages and executes the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  acquired by the model-unique-information receiving unit  210 , and the API unit  230 , which instructs the function-control mediating unit  130  of the image forming apparatus  1  to perform control corresponding to the model-unique information  400  based on the instruction of the control on the function of the image forming apparatus  1  from the application  500  executed by the application managing unit  220 . With this configuration, in the image forming system X 2 , even the image forming apparatus  1  without a large display unit in the operation panel unit  16  can use the application  500  via the terminal  3  such as a tablet. It is possible to issue an instruction to the application  500  from the terminal  3 , which includes the display unit  33  with a higher resolution and display performance compared with the operation panel unit  16  of the image forming apparatus  1 . This improves the convenience for the user. The application  500  and the execution platform are managed on the server  2 . Accordingly, the image forming system X 2  can use the application  500  even when the capabilities of the control unit  10  and the storage unit  19  in the image forming apparatus  1  are similar to that of the equipment where the application  500  is not installed. That is, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus  1  that can use the application  500  at a low price. Additionally, when the control operation capability of the control unit  10  and the storage capacity of the storage unit  19  in the image forming apparatus  1  are limited, the image forming system X 2  need not perform a unique process of the application  500 . This improves the performance of the image forming system X 2 . The image forming system X 2  need not introduce the application  500  into the image forming apparatus  1 . This reduces the labor and cost for management of setup or similar process. The image forming system X 2  can select the corresponding application  500  from the plurality of the applications  500  based on the model-unique information  400 . This eliminates the need to save the application  500  for each model on the server  2 , thus saving the storage area for the application  500  in the storage unit  29  of the server  2 . The image forming system X 2  executes the application  500  on the server  2 . This reduces the risk of hacking of the image forming apparatus  1  that is not sufficiently managed or similar risk, thus reducing the security risk. 
     The application managing unit  220  of the server  2  according to the second embodiment of the disclosure searches the application  500  corresponding to the model-unique information  400  and presents the application  500  to the terminal  3  and acquires the authentication information  410  from terminal  3  so as to set the presented application  500  to the usable state. With this configuration, it is possible to transmit the model-unique information  400  of the image forming apparatus  1  to the server  2  so as to present the appropriate application  500  to the user. Accordingly, the user need not select the application  500  usable in the image forming apparatus  1  by oneself. This reduces the labor and cost for management. The user also need not find out the setting information of the image forming apparatus  1 . This improves the usability of the user. The user also need not perform setting. This reduces the security risk. The service is provided not as a simple client/server configuration but as what is called a “cloud” service. It is possible to collectively manage the license of the application  500  and similar information, thus reducing the management cost of the provider of the application  500 . When the user attempts to install the unauthorized application  500 , which is pirated, modified, or similar program, it is possible to find the unauthorized program by introducing a security program into the server  2 . This can prevent the distribution or the use of the unauthorized application  500 . In the image forming system X 2  of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus  1  does not store the main body of the application  500  and the operating area of the platform  200  and the application  500  is set to the area on the server  2 . This eliminates the need to extend the storage area of the storage unit  19  in the image forming apparatus  1 , thus reducing the cost increase and reducing the degradation in performance. 
     Here, in the above-described embodiment, the application managing unit  220  of the server  2  determines the display size or similar parameter of the display unit  33  or the browser of the terminal  3 . In contrast, the API unit  230  of the server  2  may also generate the command for the function-control instruction where the display size or similar parameter of the display unit  33  or the browser is determined when generating the command for the function-control-instruction transmitting process. With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly perform the control on the respective units, thus reducing the cost. 
     The application  500  may be associated not for each image forming apparatus  1  but for each user. Accordingly, the different application  500  can be used for each user who logs in the image forming apparatus  1 . The application  500  may include “general applications” for achieving desired functions by calling the respective functions of the image forming apparatus  1  and a “management application” for controlling these general applications  500 . The application  500  may include the control program and the data corresponding to the image forming apparatus  1 , the server  2 , and/or the terminal  3  for using the functions of the image forming apparatus  1 . With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly control the image forming apparatus  1  using the application and enhancing the security. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the application  500  is installed on the server  2  from the terminal  3 . However, it is possible to install the application  500  on the server  2  from the recording medium connected to the image forming apparatus  1 . With this configuration, it is possible to transmit the model-unique information  400  when the application  500  is installed from the image forming apparatus  1  so as to install the application  500  corresponding only to the image forming apparatus  1 , thus improving the convenience for the user and reducing the management cost or similar cost. 
     It is possible to employ the configuration that stores the dedicated application for instructing the application  500  of the terminal  3  in the storage unit  29  of the server  2  or the storage unit  19  of the image forming apparatus  1  to install this application  500  on the terminal  3 . With this configuration, it is possible to first prepare the dedicated application corresponding only to the image forming apparatus  1  or the terminal  3 , thus improving the convenience for the user and reducing the management cost or similar cost. 
     It is possible to employ the configuration where the administrator or similar person first installs the applications  500  corresponding to the respective models from the management terminal (not illustrated) for the server  2 . In this case, it is also possible to employ the configuration that select the group of the applications  500  already installed on the server  2  and inputs the key information or similar information so as to set (activate) the applications  500  to usable states from the terminal  3 . With this configuration, the ordinary user need not install the application  500 . This improves the convenience for the user and reduces the management cost or similar cost. The administrator of the server  2  can simply update the application  500 . The administrator of the server  2  may change the information of the application  500  on the association with the image forming apparatus  1  or similar information, or may change the information on the association between the model-unique information  400  and the application  500  or similar information. In this case, this application  500  may be set to be usable only from the user, the image forming apparatus  1 , or the terminal that has performed the installation. With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly realize function extension and ensure control on the server  2 , thus reducing the management cost. 
     The storage unit  19  of the image forming apparatus  1 , the storage unit  29  of the server  2 , and/or the storage unit  39  of the terminal  3  can store the applications different from the application  500  based on the API of the platform  200 . For example, the storage unit  19 , the storage unit  29 , and/or the storage unit  39  may store a web application or similar program (hereinafter referred to as “external application”) other than the application  500  and the data of the user or similar data. The external application may be called by the instruction of the user using the input unit  32  of the terminal  3  or the operation panel unit  16  of the image forming apparatus  1  to be read into the image forming apparatus  1  and executed or executed on the server  2 , or display the data of the user on the display unit  33  of the terminal  3  or the operation panel unit  16  of the image forming apparatus  1 . With this configuration, it is possible to flexibly selectively use the application of the platform  200  and the external application, thus improving the usability of the user. 
     The disclosure is also applicable to various information processors other than the image forming apparatus. That is, a possible configuration employs a network scanner, a server to which a scanner is additionally connected via USB or similar interface, and similar device. The disclosure is also applicable to a PC as an information processor on which an application is installable, a smart phone, a mobile phone, an office device, an industrial device, and similar device. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.