Patent ID: 8810815

Claim:
An image reading system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses and an image reading apparatus capable of executing a specific scan mode are connected, the image reading apparatus comprising: a transmission destination selection unit that selects a transmission destination information processing apparatus to which image data read from an original is to be transmitted; a transmission unit that refers to registered information registered in advance in a memory and, when the selected transmission destination information processing apparatus has not been registered as an information processing apparatus for executing the specific scan mode, transmits identification information for identifying the image reading apparatus, wherein the identification information includes at least information indicating a plurality of protocols for performing communication between the transmission destination information processing apparatus and the image reading apparatus and information indicating a priority order according to which the plurality of protocols are to be used; and a display control unit that displays a screen for receiving a scan execution instruction on a display when a notification indicating that the transmission destination information processing apparatus is available as the information processing apparatus for executing the specific scan mode has been received, and each information processing apparatus comprising: an installation unit that installs driver software corresponding to the image reading apparatus identified by the identification information when the identification information transmitted by the transmission unit has been received, wherein the installation unit comprises a search unit that searches a storage unit provided in the information processing apparatus or an external storage unit connected to the information processing apparatus, for the driver software corresponding to the image reading apparatus, and the installation unit installs the driver software found by the search unit, and wherein the installation unit further comprises a driver selecting unit that, when a plurality of driver software items have been found by the search unit, selects a driver software item to install from among the plurality of driver software items according to the priority order; and a notification unit that, when the driver software has been installed by the installation unit, sends, to the image reading apparatus, a notification indicating that the transmission destination information processing apparatus is available as the information processing apparatus for executing the specific scan mode.