Patent ID: 8208153

Claim:
An image processing apparatus having a portion for joining a network, the apparatus comprising: a processing contents data storage portion for storing processing contents data for a user whose designated home image processing apparatus is the image processing apparatus, the processing contents data indicating contents processing methods that a user sets the designated home image processing apparatus to perform, wherein the home image processing apparatus is used primarily by the user; a newly-joined apparatus detection portion for detecting another image processing apparatus that has newly joined the network; a function data obtaining processing portion for obtaining function data indicating functions that the newly-joined image processing apparatus has; an appropriate function determination portion for determining a function that is more appropriate for the user for carrying out at least one of the contents processing methods specified in the processing contents data by using the newly-joined image processing apparatus rather than using a current function using the image processing apparatus; and an appropriate function offering portion for presenting, to the user, the function that is determined to be more appropriate by the appropriate function determination portion; wherein the appropriate function offering portion performs the processing for the presentation by displaying a screen for the user to select whether or not the newly-joined image processing apparatus is designated as the home image processing apparatus hereafter.