US Patent 7295351 Network multifunction printing system

A control unit configures an MFP system by combining a plurality of functional units connected to an internal network, so that this MFP system includes functions necessary as an MFP. This allows implementation of a desired function by combining a plurality of functional units connected to a network with a high degree of freedom, regardless of whether there is a failure. To inexpensively expand only necessary functions in accordance with the needs, desired functional units can be flexibly combined. When an MFP system to be discarded includes a functional unit whose life has not expired yet, this functional unit can be reused.