Patent ID: 8234352

Claim:
A method of searching for peripheral image forming apparatuses using a server that has a printer management program for image forming apparatus management installed therein and that is connected to a host apparatus in which one or more printer application programs are installed, the method comprising: selecting a search method in an application program; when a printer management program search method is selected as the search method, determining whether the server exists using a broadcast method; when it is determined that the server exists, searching, using the server, for image forming apparatuses that are connectable to the host apparatus; invoking the printer management program by transmitting identification information of the one or more printer application programs installed in the host apparatus to the server; receiving from the printer management program a search list of one or more image forming apparatuses which are connectable to the host apparatus; and selecting an image forming apparatus from the search list and connecting the selected image forming apparatus to the host apparatus, when it is determined that the server does not exist, searching for image forming apparatuses using a search method corresponding to one or more of the printer application programs installed in the host apparatus; and when a printer management program search method is not selected as the search method, searching for image forming apparatuses by using the selected method.