Patent ID: 8375391

Claim:
An image processing apparatus connected to an external terminal device through a network, the image processing apparatus comprising: a connector to which a removable external storage device, having an application program recorded thereon, is attachable; a scanner for obtaining image data by scanning a document image; a memory for storing job processing information; an input device for accepting a user's operation input; and a controller configured to control said image processing apparatus for entering into an emulation mode causing said input device to emulate an operation function of said external terminal device, wherein the operation function is not natively supported by the input device; transmitting said image data to said external terminal device when said removable external storage device is attached to said connector, receiving said image data from said external terminal device after it has been processed by said external terminal device, writing said image data received from said external terminal device into said removable external storage device, issuing an identification number in accordance with an order of execution of job processing and causing said memory to store the identification number, monitoring a processing state of the processing corresponding to the issued identification number of said job processing and causing said memory to store the processing state, issuing, when the contents of said job processing includes execution of a plurality of sub jobs, which are steps for processing said job, wherein at least one step is an additional step to perform said job when emulation mode is used for said job, a sub identification number associated with the identification number issued in correspondence with accepted said job, in accordance with the order of said processing and causing said memory to store the sub identification number, and monitoring a processing state of the sub job corresponding to each said sub identification number and causing said memory to store the processing state.