Patent ID: 8670132

Claim:
An image processing apparatus to be connected to an apparatus that includes a first display unit displaying a menu to accept a user's operation, a layout data storage unit storing layout data of a display part that is to be displayed on the menu, a display part data storage unit storing part data where a part name of the display part is registered in accordance with a hierarchy structure of the menu, and a customization data storage unit storing customization data and a user ID, the customization data being associated with the user ID and indicating whether the display part is to be displayed or a display manner of the display part, the image processing apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives the layout data, the part data, and the customization data for the menu from the apparatus to provide a function of the apparatus; a menu construction unit that generates the menu based on at least the part data; a menu generation unit that modifies the menu based on the customization data, the menu having been generated by the menu construction unit; a second display unit that displays the menu modified based on the customization data and accepts an operation for the display part; and a device cooperation unit that requests the apparatus to provide the function and setting information of the function, the function having been accepted via the second display unit, wherein applications and services in the image processing apparatus are separated and applications and services in the apparatus are separated, such that an application in only one of the image processing apparatus and the apparatus can be used by the other of the image processing apparatus and the apparatus that does not contain the application, via a shared service among the image processing apparatus and the apparatus.