Patent ID: 8194261

Claim:
An image processing apparatus having a first block and a second block that expands a function of the first block, wherein the first block comprises: an image processing unit configured to perform at least one of image processing functions including an image forming function and an image scanning function; a basic control unit configured to control the image processing unit as a function initially installed in the image processing apparatus; a first expansion control unit configured to expand the functions of the image processing apparatus and control the image processing unit; and a first basic communication unit configured to exchange information at least between the basic control unit and the second block, and the second block comprises: a second expansion control unit configured to expand the functions of the image processing apparatus and control the image processing unit; an operations unit configured to input information and output information associated with the second expansion control unit; an instruction unit configured to transmit an instruction signal to one of the first basic communication unit and the first expansion control unit via the operations unit; a second basic communication unit configured to exchange information between the operations unit and the first block, wherein an operation on the basic control unit and an operation on the first expansion control unit are switched based on the instruction signal transmitted from the instruction unit.