Image forming apparatus, image formation control method, and image formation control program

Abstract

To cause an image forming apparatus to match surrounding environment.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium according to an operation parameter; an external sensor value acquisition unit 53 that acquires, from another electronic apparatus, an environmental value indicating the state of environment detected by an external sensor provided in the another electronic apparatus; and an operation parameter determination unit 65 that determines the operation parameter on the basis of the environmental value acquired from the another electronic apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method executed by the image forming apparatus, and an image forming control program for causing the image forming apparatus to execute the image forming control method. [Background technology]

[0002] The quality of an image formed on a recording medium by an image forming apparatus, such as an MFP, is affected by the characteristics of the recording medium on which the image is formed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-108569 describes an image forming apparatus equipped with a reflective optical sensor capable of measuring information related to the characteristics of a recording material and an apparatus control means capable of automatically setting printing conditions based on the measurement results, characterized in that the image forming apparatus has a correspondence setting means capable of arbitrarily setting a correspondence between the information related to the characteristics of the recording material measured by the reflective optical sensor and the printing conditions set at the time of printing, and the means is a means for acquiring information from an information management means that can be called from an external device and setting a correspondence between the information related to the characteristics of the recording material and the printing conditions.

[0003] On the other hand, the quality of an image formed on a recording medium is affected by the surrounding environment of the image forming apparatus, such as temperature, humidity, etc. For this reason, it is preferable to provide a sensor in the image forming apparatus to detect the environmental condition and form an image under printing conditions that correspond to the environment.

[0004] However, some image forming devices do not have sensors to detect environmental conditions, and in such devices, the quality of the images formed on the recording medium may differ depending on the environment in which the device is installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-108569 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be adapted to its surrounding environment.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an image formation control method that can adapt an image forming apparatus to its surrounding environment.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an image forming control program that can adapt an image forming apparatus to its surrounding environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium in accordance with operating parameters, an external sensor value acquisition means for acquiring from the other electronic device an environmental value indicating the state of the environment detected by an external sensor provided in the other electronic device, and an operating parameter determination means for determining operating parameters based on the environmental value acquired from the other electronic device.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming device includes an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium in accordance with operating parameters, a consumption information acquisition means for acquiring consumption information indicating the amount of consumption of consumables provided in the other electronic device from the other electronic device, and an operating parameter determination means for determining operating parameters based on the consumption information acquired from the other electronic device and the consumption information of the image forming device itself.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus control method is a control method for controlling an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium in accordance with operating parameters, and causes the image forming apparatus to acquire, from the other electronic apparatus, environmental values indicating the state of the environment detected by an external sensor provided in the other electronic apparatus, and to determine operating parameters based on the environmental values acquired from the other electronic apparatus.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an image forming device control method is a control method for controlling an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium in accordance with operating parameters, and causes the image forming device to obtain consumption information indicating the amount of consumption of consumables provided in the other electronic device from the other electronic device, and determine operating parameters based on the consumption information obtained from the other electronic device and the consumption information of the image forming device itself.

[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus control program causes a computer that controls an image forming apparatus to execute the image forming control method described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the MFP main body. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of an MFP according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a CPU included in the MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of an image formation control process. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an operation parameter determination process. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a CPU included in an MFP according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0016] 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, image forming system 1 includes MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C, and a server 200.

[0017] Each of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C is an example of an image forming apparatus. Although the sensors included in MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are different, their hardware configurations and functions are basically the same. Here, the basic hardware configuration and functions will be described using MFP 100 as an example. MFP 100 is connected to network 3. Network 3 is, for example, a local area network (LAN). The network 3 may be connected via either a wired or wireless connection. Network 3 may also be a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, or the like.

[0018] A gateway (G / W) device 7 is connected to the network 3 and also to the Internet 5. The gateway device 7 relays between the network 3 and the Internet 5. A server 200 is connected to the Internet 5. The servers 200 can communicate with each other via the Internet 5. Each of the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C can communicate with the server 200 via the gateway device 7.

[0019] Server 200 is a general-purpose computer, and its hardware configuration is well known, so description thereof will not be repeated here. Server 200 stores partial programs executable by MFP 100. Server 200 transmits the partial programs to MFP 100 in response to a request from MFP 100. MFP 100 installs and executes the partial programs transmitted from server 200. The partial programs include a program that defines a process for determining operational parameters used by MFP 100 to form an image. The operational parameters are defined for image data that defines the image. Furthermore, the operational parameters may be determined to values appropriate for the environment in which MFP 100 is installed. In this embodiment, the partial programs are programs that define a process for determining the operational parameters using environmental values that indicate the environment. The environmental values include, for example, values indicating temperature, humidity, and air pressure.

[0020] For this reason, the server 200 stores a partial program that defines a process for determining operating parameters using temperature, a partial program that defines a process for determining operating parameters using humidity, and a partial program that defines a process for determining operating parameters using atmospheric pressure. The server 200 also stores a partial program that defines a process for determining operating parameters using temperature and humidity, a partial program that defines a process for determining operating parameters using temperature and atmospheric pressure, and a partial program that defines a process for determining operating parameters using temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the internal configuration of an MFP main body. Referring to Fig. 2, the main body of MFP 100 includes a document reading unit 130 for reading a document, an automatic document feeder 120 for transporting the document to document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140 for forming an image on paper or the like based on image data output by document reading unit 130 after reading the document, and a paper feeding unit 150 for supplying paper to image forming unit 140.

[0022] Original reading unit 130 exposes the image of an original placed on original glass 11 or an original transported by automatic original transporter 120 with exposure lamp 13 attached to slider 12 that moves below it. Light reflected from the original is guided to lens 16 by mirror 14 and two reflecting mirrors 15 and 15A, and forms an image on CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) sensor 18.

[0023] The reflected light that forms an image on the CCD sensor 18 is converted into image data as an electrical signal within the CCD sensor 18. The image data is converted into printing data in cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) and output to the image forming unit 140.

[0024] The image forming unit 140 includes image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Here, "Y," "M," "C," and "K" represent yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. An image is formed by driving at least one of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. A full-color image is formed by driving all of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. Printing data for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are input to the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, respectively. The image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K differ only in the color of the toner they use. Therefore, the image forming unit 20Y for forming a yellow image will be described here.

[0025] The image forming unit 20Y includes a photosensitive drum 23Y as an image carrier, a charging roller 22Y, a toner bottle 40Y, a developing unit 24Y, a primary transfer roller 25Y, and a drum cleaning blade 27Y. The charging roller 22Y, the exposure device 21Y, the developing unit 24Y, the primary transfer roller 25Y, and the drum cleaning blade 27Y are arranged around the photosensitive drum 23Y in this order along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 23Y.

[0026] Charging roller 22Y uniformly charges the surface of photoreceptor drum 23Y. Yellow printing data is input to exposure device 21Y, which exposes photoreceptor drum 23Y in accordance with the printing data. Primary transfer roller 25Y transfers the toner image formed on photoreceptor drum 23Y onto intermediate transfer belt 30, which is an image carrier, by the action of electric field force. Drum cleaning blade 27Y removes residual toner from photoreceptor drum 23Y.

[0027] After being charged by the charging roller 22Y, the photoreceptor drum 23Y is irradiated with laser light emitted by the exposure device 21Y. The exposure device 21Y exposes the image-corresponding portion of the surface of the photoreceptor drum 23Y. This forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor drum 23Y. Next, the developing device 24Y develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 23Y with charged toner. Specifically, toner is placed on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 23Y by the action of electric field force, thereby forming a toner image on the photoreceptor drum 23Y. The toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 23Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 30, which serves as an image carrier, by the action of electric field force using the primary transfer roller 25Y. Any toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 23Y that has not been transferred is removed from the photoreceptor drum 23Y by the drum cleaning blade 27Y.

[0028] Toner is supplied to the developing unit 24Y from a toner bottle 40Y. The toner bottle 40Y has a cylindrical shape that extends in one direction, and an opening that opens downward is formed at one end. The toner bottle 40Y has a spiral convex portion formed on its inner circumferential surface. The toner contained inside the toner bottle 40Y is transported in one direction as the toner bottle 40Y rotates, drops through the opening, and is supplied to the developing unit 24Y. The amount of toner supplied is adjusted by changing the rotation speed of the toner bottle 40Y.

[0029] Meanwhile, the intermediate transfer belt 30 is suspended tightly by a drive roller 33 and a driven roller 34. When the drive roller 33 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing at a predetermined speed. As the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates, the driven roller 34 rotates counterclockwise.

[0030] As a result, the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K sequentially transfer toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt 30. The timing at which each of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K transfers a toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 is adjusted based on the detection of the reference marks on the intermediate transfer belt 30. As a result, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 30.

[0031] The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is transferred to paper by the action of electric field force by the secondary transfer roller 26, which is a transfer member. The paper is transported by timing roller 31 to the nip portion where the intermediate transfer belt 30 and secondary transfer roller 26 come into contact. The paper with the transferred toner image is transported to fixing roller 32, where it is heated and pressed. This melts the toner and fixes it to the paper. The paper is then ejected to paper output tray 39.

[0032] A belt cleaning blade 28 is provided upstream of the image forming unit 20Y on the intermediate transfer belt 30. The belt cleaning blade 28 removes toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 30 that has not been transferred to paper.

[0033] Paper of different sizes is set in paper feed cassettes 35 and 35A, respectively. The paper stored in paper feed cassettes 35 and 35A is supplied to the transport path by take-out rollers 36 and 36A attached to paper feed cassettes 35 and 35A, respectively, and sent to timing roller 31 by paper feed roller 37.

[0034] When forming a full-color image, the MFP 100 drives all of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. When forming a monochrome image, the MFP 100 drives only one of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. It is also possible to form an image by combining two or more of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. Here, we will describe an example in which the MFP 100 employs a tandem system equipped with image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K that form four color toners on paper. However, the MFP 100 may also employ a four-cycle system in which four color toners are transferred sequentially to paper using a single photosensitive drum.

[0035] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of an MFP according to the present embodiment. Referring to Fig. 3, MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110, a document reading unit 130, an automatic document feeder 120, an image forming unit 140, a paper feeding unit 150, a post-processing unit 155 that processes paper sheets on which images have been formed, and an operation panel 160 as a user interface.

[0036] The post-processing unit 155 executes a sorting process for sorting and discharging one or more sheets of paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 140, a punching process for punching holes, and a stapling process for driving staples into the sheets.

[0037] Main circuit 110 includes CPU 111, communication interface (I / F) unit 112, ROM 113, RAM 114, hard disk drive (HDD) 115 as a mass storage device, facsimile unit 116, external storage device 117 to which CD-ROM 118 is attached, and temperature sensor 119. CPU 111 is connected to automatic document feeder 120, document reading unit 130, image forming unit 140, paper feed unit 150, post-processing unit 155, and operation panel 160, and controls MFP 100 overall.

[0038] ROM 113 stores programs executed by CPU 111 or data required to execute the programs. RAM 114 is used as a work area when CPU 111 executes the programs. Furthermore, RAM 114 temporarily stores image data continuously sent from document reading unit 130.

[0039] The communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting the MFP 100 to the network 3. The CPU 111 communicates with the server 200 via the communication I / F unit 112, sending and receiving data. The communication I / F unit 112 is also capable of communicating with a computer connected to the Internet 5 via the network 3.

[0040] Facsimile unit 116 is connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. Facsimile unit 116 stores the received facsimile data in HDD 115 or outputs it to image forming unit 140. Image forming unit 140 prints the facsimile data received by facsimile unit 116 on paper. Facsimile unit 116 also converts data stored in HDD 115 into facsimile data and transmits it to a facsimile device connected to the PSTN.

[0041] A CD-ROM 118 is attached to the external storage device 117. The CPU 111 can access the CD-ROM 118 via the external storage device 117. The CPU 111 loads a program recorded on the CD-ROM 118 attached to the external storage device 117 into the RAM 114 and executes the program. Note that the medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the CD-ROM 118, and may be an optical disc, an IC card, an optical card, or a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM or EPROM.

[0042] Furthermore, the programs executed by CPU 111 are not limited to programs recorded on CD-ROM 118. CPU 111 may load a program stored in HDD 115 into RAM 114 and execute it. In this case, another computer connected to network 3 may rewrite the program stored in HDD 115 of MFP 100. Also, another computer connected to network 3 may additionally write a new program to HDD 115 of MFP 100. Furthermore, MFP 100 may download a program from another computer connected to network 3 and store the program in HDD 115. The program here includes not only a program that can be directly executed by CPU 111, but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, etc.

[0043] Temperature sensor 119 detects the air temperature and outputs the detected temperature to CPU 111. Operation panel 160 is provided on the top surface of MFP 100 and includes display unit 161 and operation unit 163. Display unit 161 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, and displays instruction menus for the user, information related to acquired image data, and the like. Operation unit 163 includes touch panel 165 and hard key unit 167. Touch panel 165 is provided on the top or bottom surface of display unit 161, superimposed on display unit 161. Hard key unit 167 includes a plurality of hard keys. The hard keys are, for example, contact switches. Touch panel 165 detects a position on the display surface of display unit 161 designated by the user.

[0044] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a CPU included in the MFP according to the present embodiment. The functions shown in Fig. 4 are realized by CPU 111 included in MFP 100 as CPU 111 executes an image formation control program stored in ROM 113, HDD 115, or CD-ROM 118.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, the CPU 111 provided in the MFP 100 includes a related device information acquisition unit 51, an internal layout information acquisition unit 53, an operation reception unit 55, a switching unit 57, a device determination unit 59, an external sensor value acquisition unit 61, an image formation control unit 63, an operation parameter determination unit 65, and an internal sensor value acquisition unit 67.

[0046] The operation reception unit 55 controls the operation panel 160 to receive operations input by the user to the operation unit 163 .

[0047] Internal location information acquisition unit 53 acquires internal location information. The internal location information corresponds to MFP 100 and indicates the location where MFP 100 is located. Internal location information acquisition unit 53 acquires location information stored in HDD 115 as internal location information. The location information is information indicating the location where the device is located. The location information is information that identifies a geographical location. The location information includes, for example, latitude, longitude, and altitude. The location information may also be information that indicates a predetermined area. The information that indicates the area includes, for example, information that indicates the number of floors in a building and information that indicates a room in the building. The internal location information may be stored in HDD 115 in advance.

[0048] Furthermore, if MFP 100 includes a sensor that detects its position, such as a GPS sensor, the latitude and longitude measured by the GPS sensor may be stored as internal location information in HDD 115. If MFP 100 includes a barometric pressure sensor that measures barometric pressure, the barometric pressure measured by the barometric pressure sensor may be stored as internal location information in HDD 115.

[0049] Furthermore, the arrangement information input by the user to the operation unit 163 may be stored in the HDD 115. Furthermore, when the communication I / F unit 112 receives the arrangement information from an external personal computer, the received arrangement information may be stored in the HDD 115.

[0050] The associated device information acquisition unit 51 acquires device information from an associated device. An associated device is an electronic device separate from MFP 100. In the present embodiment, the associated devices of MFP 100 are MFPs 100A to 100C. The device information includes external location information and device configuration information. The external location information is location information corresponding to an associated device. The location information is information indicating the location where the device is located. The device configuration information is information related to sensors provided in the associated device. The device configuration information includes the type of environmental value detected by the sensor and the detection accuracy.

[0051] Associated device information acquisition unit 51 controls communication I / F unit 112 to broadcast a command requesting device information and acquire device information from the associated devices. In response to receiving the command from MFP 100, the associated devices return the device information. Associated device information acquisition unit 51 outputs a pair of device information and device identification information for identifying the device that has transmitted the device information to device determination unit 59. Here, the command is received by each of MFPs 100A to 100C. Associated device information acquisition unit 51 receives device information from each of MFPs 100A to 100C. Associated device information acquisition unit 51 outputs a pair of device identification information and device information for each of MFPs 100A to 100C to device determination unit 59.

[0052] The device determination unit 59 receives the internal placement information from the internal placement information acquisition unit 53 and receives a set of device information and device identification information from the related device information acquisition unit 51. The device determination unit 59 determines an external device based on the internal placement information and the device information. The device determination unit 59 outputs the device identification information for identifying the external device to the external sensor value acquisition unit 61 and the operating parameter determination unit 65.

[0053] The device determination unit 59 determines, as an external device, a device that is located in an environment similar to the environment in which the device itself is located. The device determination unit 59 determines whether the environments are similar based on the relative positions of the device itself and the other device. The device determination unit 59 determines that the environments are more similar the shorter the distance between the device itself and the other device. Furthermore, the device determination unit 59 determines that the environments are more similar the shorter the difference in altitude between the device itself and the other device.

[0054] The device determination unit 59 determines the relative positions of its own device and other devices based on the internal location information and the external location information included in the device information. The device determination unit 59 determines, as candidate devices, associated devices for which the inter-device distance determined from the relative positions is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold. The device determination unit 59 also determines, as candidate devices, associated devices for which the difference in altitude between the devices determined from the relative positions is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold. Note that the device determination unit 59 may also determine, as candidate devices, associated devices for which the inter-device distance determined from the relative positions is equal to or less than the first threshold and the difference in altitude between the devices determined from the relative positions is equal to or less than a second threshold.

[0055] Device determination unit 59 determines all of the one or more candidate devices, excluding predetermined prohibited devices, as external devices. Device identification information of the predetermined prohibited devices is stored in HDD 115. Prohibited devices are, for example, devices that are placed in hot and humid environments. When a user registers a prohibited device in MFP 100 from operation panel 160 or a personal computer connected to network 3, the device identification information of the prohibited device is stored in HDD 115.

[0056] There may be a plurality of external devices for MFP 100. Here, an example will be described in which MFPs 100A to 100C are external devices for MFP 100. Also, an example will be described in which MFP 100A has a temperature sensor, MFP 100B has a humidity sensor, and MFP 100C has a barometric pressure sensor.

[0057] The image formation control unit 63 controls the image forming unit 140 and the paper feed unit 150 to cause the image forming unit 140 to form an image on a recording medium stored in the paper feed unit 150. The image formation control unit 63 causes the image forming unit 140 to form an image according to the operating parameters determined by the operating parameter determination unit 65. The operating parameters are parameters used by the image forming unit 140 to form an image. The operating parameters include parameters that are affected by environmental changes. Changes in temperature, humidity, or air pressure change the state of the toner. The state of the toner includes charge amount and volume. The operating parameters include parameters that change depending on the toner charge amount and parameters that change depending on the toner volume. The parameters that change depending on the toner charge amount include the value of the development bias voltage applied to the developers 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K. Furthermore, the parameters that change depending on the toner charge amount include the value of the primary transfer voltage applied to the primary transfer rollers 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K. Furthermore, parameters that change depending on the charge amount of toner include the value of the secondary transfer pressure applied to secondary transfer roller 26. Parameters that change depending on the volume of toner are parameters that control the amount of toner supplied to each of developing units 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K. For example, parameters that change depending on the volume of toner are the rotation speed and rotation time of toner bottles 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K.

[0058] Furthermore, when the temperature changes, the temperatures of the components of MFP 100 also change. The operating parameters include parameters that change depending on the temperature of the components. The parameter that changes depending on the temperature of the components is the value of the voltage applied to the electric heating circuit of fixing roller 32.

[0059] The internal sensor value acquisition unit 67 acquires an environmental value detected by an internal sensor included in the device as an internal sensor value. In this embodiment, the internal sensor is a temperature sensor 119, and the environmental value is a temperature. The internal sensor value acquisition unit 67 controls the temperature sensor 119, acquires a value indicating the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 119, and outputs the value indicating the temperature to the operating parameter determination unit 65 as the internal sensor value.

[0060] The operating parameter determination unit 65 determines operating parameters. When the MFP 100 receives a print job from an external device, the operating parameter determination unit 65 determines operating parameters. The operating parameters include parameters used by the image forming unit 140 to execute the print job. The print job includes a job transmitted from a personal computer connected to the network 3. The print job also includes a job input by the user operating the MFP 100 through operation of the operation panel 160. For example, when the user instructs the MFP 100 to make a copy, a scan job for reading an original and a print job for forming an image of the read original on paper are accepted. When the user instructs the MFP 100 to form an image of image data stored in the HDD 115, a print job is accepted.

[0061] The external sensor value acquisition unit 61 receives device identification information of the external device from the device determination unit 59. The external sensor value acquisition unit 61 acquires external sensor values from the external device. The external sensor values are environmental values detected by equipment included in the external device. The external sensor value acquisition unit 61 outputs the external sensor values to the operation parameter determination unit 65.

[0062] The operating parameter determination unit 65 includes a download unit 71, an execution unit 73, and a selection unit 75. The download unit 71 compares the device configuration information of the external device with the device configuration information of the own device, identifies a sensor other than the sensor included in the own device from among the sensors included in the external device, and determines the type of environmental value detected by the identified sensor. The type of environmental value that cannot be detected by the own device but is detected by the external device is determined.

[0063] A program for determining operating parameters from environmental values detected by an internal sensor acquired by an internal sensor value acquisition unit 67 is installed in the MFP 100. However, there are cases where a partial program for determining operating parameters from external sensor values acquired by an external sensor value acquisition unit 61 is not installed. A download unit 71 downloads a partial program that defines a process for determining operating parameters using external sensor values from a server 200. The download unit 71 installs the downloaded partial program.

[0064] For example, assume that MFP 100A is determined as the external device and that MFP 100A is equipped with a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor. MFP 100 is equipped with temperature sensor 119, and therefore a program that defines a process for determining operating parameters based on temperature is installed on MFP 100. However, MFP 100 does not have a partial program installed that determines operating parameters based on temperature and humidity acquired from MFP 100A. Therefore, download unit 71 downloads from server 200 a partial program that determines operating parameters based on temperature and humidity, and installs the downloaded partial program.

[0065] When the external sensor value is the same type of environmental value as the internal sensor value, the selection unit 75 selects either the external sensor value or the internal sensor value. The selection unit 75 selects either the external sensor value or the internal sensor value by comparing the accuracy of the sensors that detect the environmental value. For example, this is the case when the external device MFP 100A is equipped with a temperature sensor and a value indicating the temperature is acquired from MFP 100A as the external sensor value. The selection unit 75 compares the accuracy of the temperature sensor 119 equipped in MFP 100 with the accuracy of the temperature sensor equipped in the external device MFP 100A, and selects the external sensor value or the internal sensor value detected by the sensor with the higher accuracy.

[0066] The execution unit 73 executes the partial program and determines operation parameters using the external sensor values and the internal sensor values. The execution unit 73 outputs the determined operation parameters to the image formation control unit 63.

[0067] The image formation control unit 63 controls the image forming unit 140 to execute a print job in accordance with the operating parameters. Since the operating parameters are determined using external sensor values, they are determined to values that are more suited to the environment than when they are determined only by internal sensor values without using external sensor values. This improves the quality of the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit 140.

[0068] Switching unit 57 switches whether or not external sensor values are used in order for operating parameter determination unit 65 to determine operating parameters. The user operates operation panel 160 to switch between a reference mode in which operating parameters are determined using external sensor values and a basic mode in which operating parameters are determined without using external sensor values, in accordance with a switching operation input to operation unit 163. The user may recognize that the environment in which the external device is located is different from the environment in which MFP 100 is located.

[0069] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of image formation control processing. The image formation control processing is performed by CPU 111 included in MFP 100 as CPU 111 executes an image formation control program stored in ROM 113, HDD 115, or CD-ROM 118.

[0070] 5, CPU 111 included in MFP 100 acquires internal layout information (step S01), and proceeds to step S02. The internal layout information is layout information that indicates the location where MFP 100 is arranged. The layout information stored in HDD 115 is acquired as the internal layout information.

[0071] In step S02, device information is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S03. Device information is acquired from associated devices. The associated devices are MFPs 100A to 100C that are different from MFP 100. The device information includes external location information and device configuration information. The external location information is location information that corresponds to the associated devices. Specifically, CPU 111 controls communication I / F unit 112 to broadcast a command requesting device information, and acquires device information from each of MFPs 100A to 100C.

[0072] In step S03, an external device is determined, and the process proceeds to step S04. CPU 111 determines the relative positions of its own device and other devices based on the internal location information and the external location information included in the device information. CPU 111 determines, as candidate devices, devices for which the inter-device distance determined from the relative positions is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold and the difference in altitude between the devices is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold. CPU 111 determines, as external devices, devices excluding prohibited devices from the candidate devices. Device identification information of the prohibited devices is stored in HDD 115. Here, a case will be described in which MFP 100A is determined as the external device and MFP 100A has a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor.

[0073] In step S05, it is determined whether or not the external sensor values include environmental values of a different type from the internal sensor values. The external sensor values are environmental values detected by sensors provided in the external device. The type of the external sensor value is determined based on the device configuration information included in the device information of the external device acquired in step S04, and is compared with the type of the internal sensor value. If the external sensor values include environmental values of a different type from the internal sensor values, the process proceeds to step S06; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S07.

[0074] In step S06, CPU 111 downloads a partial program from server 200 and proceeds to step S07. The partial program is a program that defines a process for determining operating parameters using environmental values of internal and external sensor values. For example, a case will be described in which MFP 100A is determined as the external device and MFP 100A has a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor. Because MFP 100 has temperature sensor 119, the internal sensor value indicates temperature. Because MFP 100A has a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, the external sensor value indicates temperature and humidity. Because the external sensor value includes humidity, an environmental value of humidity, which is a different type from temperature, is included. Therefore, a partial program that defines a process for determining operating parameters based on temperature and humidity is downloaded from server 200.

[0075] In step S07, it is determined whether a print job has been accepted. A print job is accepted when communication I / F unit 112 receives a print job from a personal computer connected to network 3, or when a user operates operation panel 160 to instruct operation unit 163 to execute a print job. If the print job has been accepted, the process proceeds to step S08; if not, the process proceeds to step S10.

[0076] In step S08, an operation parameter determination process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S09. The operation parameter determination process will be described in detail later.

[0077] In step S09, the print job is executed, and the process proceeds to step S17. CPU 111 provides the operating parameters determined in step S08 to image forming unit 140, causing the image forming unit 140 to execute the print job accepted in step S07.

[0078] In step S10, it is determined whether the power supply has been turned off. If the power supply has not been turned off, the process returns to step S12, but if the power supply has been turned off, the process ends.

[0079] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an operating parameter determination process. Here, an example will be described in which MFP 100A is determined to be the external device and MFP 100A has a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor. Referring to FIG. 6, CPU 111 acquires external sensor values (step S11) and proceeds to step S12. CPU 111 controls communication I / F unit 112 to acquire the external sensor values from MFP 100A, which is the external device. The external sensor values include a value indicating humidity detected by a humidity sensor provided in MFP 100A and a value indicating air pressure detected by an air pressure sensor.

[0080] In step S12, an internal sensor value is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S 13. CPU 111 controls temperature sensor 119 to cause temperature sensor 119 to detect the temperature, and acquires the value output by temperature sensor 119 indicating the temperature.

[0081] In step S13, an external sensor value is selected, and the process proceeds to step S14. The external sensor value acquired in step S11 is selected. If multiple types of external sensor values are acquired, the multiple types of external sensor values are selected in order.

[0082] In step S14, it is determined whether the external sensor value and the internal sensor value selected for processing are of the same type. If there is an internal sensor value of the same type as the external sensor value selected for processing among the internal sensor values acquired in step S12, they are determined to be of the same type. If the external sensor value and the internal sensor value selected for processing are of the same type, processing proceeds to step S15; otherwise, processing proceeds to step S16. In step S15, either the external sensor value or the internal sensor value of the same type is tagged, and processing proceeds to step S16. The accuracy of the temperature sensor 119 that detects the internal sensor value is compared with the accuracy of the sensor that detects the external sensor value, and the sensor value detected with the higher accuracy is selected. The accuracy of the sensor that detects the external sensor value is included in the device configuration information included in the device information acquired from MFP 100A in step S02 of the image formation control processing. Since the sensor value detected by the sensor with the higher detection accuracy is selected, operating parameters appropriate for the environmental values can be determined.

[0083] In step S16, it is determined whether the next type of external sensor value exists. If there is an external sensor value that has not been selected for processing, the process returns to step S13; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the operating parameters are determined, and the process returns to the image formation control process. If the external sensor value includes an environmental value of a different type from the internal sensor value, the partial program downloaded in step S06 of the image formation control process is executed, thereby determining the operating parameters. Therefore, the operating parameters are determined based on an environmental value of a different type from the internal sensor value detected by temperature sensor 119 provided in MFP 100. Furthermore, if the external sensor value is an environmental value of the same type as the internal sensor value, the one detected by the sensor with the higher accuracy is selected, and the operating parameters are determined based on the selected environmental value. Therefore, operating parameters that are more suitable for the environment are determined. This improves the image quality of images formed by MFP 100.

[0084] <First Modification> (1) In the above-described embodiment, MFP 100 determines an external device from among multiple associated devices based on its relative position relative to the MFP 100 itself. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the external device may be a device that has a predetermined positional relationship with MFP 100 and includes other components than those included in MFP 100. The device determination unit 59 determines the candidate device as an external device based on the device configuration information included in the device information of the candidate device. The device determination unit 59 compares the device configuration information of the candidate device with the device configuration information of the MFP 100 itself to determine whether or not the candidate device includes any components that the candidate device does not include. If the candidate device includes such components, the device determination unit 59 determines the candidate device as an external device. The components are detection devices that detect environmental conditions. The environmental conditions include temperature, humidity, and air pressure. The components include a temperature sensor that detects temperature, a humidity sensor that detects humidity, and an air pressure sensor that detects air pressure.

[0085] There may be multiple candidate devices that are similar to MFP 100 in the environment where it is placed and that include components different from those included in MFP 100. Each of the multiple candidate devices includes components different from those included in MFP 100. When the components included in each of the multiple candidate devices are different, device determination unit 59 determines each of the multiple candidate devices to be an external device. For example, when MFP 100A includes a humidity sensor and MFP 100B includes a barometric pressure sensor, MFP 100A and MFP 100B are determined to be external devices.

[0086] (2) In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are connected to network 3. However, image forming system 1 may have at least one MFP 100, which is an image forming apparatus, and one or more electronic devices connected to network 3. An electronic device refers to a device equipped with a sensor that detects environmental values. In the present embodiment, MFPs 100A, 100B, and 100C are examples of electronic devices. Note that the number of MFPs 100A, 100B, and 100C, which are electronic devices, is not limited, and there may be one or more electronic devices. Furthermore, the electronic device is not limited to an image forming apparatus and may be, for example, a scanner, a facsimile machine, or a post-processing device. It may also be a device that does not have an image processing function as long as it is equipped with a sensor that detects environmental values.

[0087] (3) In the image forming system 1 described above, device determination unit 59 of MFP 100 may determine a device designated by the user as an external device. In this case, device identification information of the predetermined external device is stored in HDD 115. When the user registers an external device in MFP 100 from operation panel 160 or a personal computer connected to network 3, the device identification information of the external device is stored in HDD 115.

[0088] <Second Modification> In the image forming system 1 according to the embodiment described above, the MFP 100 acquires environmental values from an external device. In the image forming system 1 according to the second modification, the MFP 100 acquires lifespan information relating to the lifespan of consumables from the external device. The consumables are, for example, toner bottles that supply toner to the developing units 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K, respectively.

[0089] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of a CPU included in an MFP in the second modified example. The functions shown in Fig. 8 differ from those shown in Fig. 4 in that device determination unit 59, external sensor value acquisition unit 61, internal sensor value acquisition unit 67, and operating parameter determination unit 65 are changed to device determination unit 59A, external lifespan information acquisition unit 61A, internal lifespan information acquisition unit 67A, and operating parameter determination unit 65A, respectively. The other functions are the same as those shown in Fig. 4, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

[0090] The device determination unit 59A determines an external device based on the internal arrangement information and the device information, and outputs device identification information for identifying the external device to the external life information acquisition unit 61A.

[0091] The device determination unit 59A determines an external device based on the relative positions of its own device and related devices. The device determination unit 59A determines the relative positions of its own device and other devices based on the internal location information and the external location information included in the device information. The device determination unit 59A determines the related device as a candidate device if the distance between the devices determined from the relative positions is less than or equal to a first threshold and the difference in altitude between the devices determined from the relative positions is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0092] The internal life information acquisition unit 67A acquires the remaining amount of toner in each of the toner bottles 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K included in the device as internal life information, and outputs the internal life information to the operating parameter determination unit 65A.

[0093] The external lifespan information acquiring unit 61A acquires external lifespan information from an external device, which indicates the remaining amount of toner in each of the toner bottles 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K provided in the external device.

[0094] The operating parameter determination unit 65A determines the operating parameters. The operating parameter determination unit 65A determines the operating parameters so that the end of life of consumables coincides between the device itself and the external device. For example, for toner bottle 40Y, if the amount of toner remaining in the device itself is less than the amount of toner remaining in the external device, the operating parameters are determined to reduce the amount of toner consumed. Conversely, for toner bottle 40Y, if the amount of toner remaining in the device itself is more than the amount of toner remaining in the external device, the operating parameters are determined to increase the amount of toner consumed.

[0095] In the image forming system 1 of the second modification, the replacement timings of the toner bottles 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K can be synchronized between the MFP 100 and its external device, the MFP 100A. This allows the user to replace the toner bottles 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K of the MFPs 100 and 100A at the same time, reducing the number of operations required. This simplifies maintenance work.

[0096] As described above, in image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, MFP 100 acquires an external sensor value (humidity), which is an environmental value detected by MFP 100A, an external device. MFP 100A then determines operating parameters to be used for forming an image on a recording medium based on the external sensor value. This improves the accuracy with which MFP 100 detects the environmental state, allowing it to determine operating parameters to values appropriate for the environment. This in turn improves the image quality of the image formed on the recording medium.

[0097] Furthermore, if the external sensor value (humidity) detected by MFP 100A, which is an external device, is of a different type from the internal sensor value (temperature) detected by temperature sensor 119 of MFP 100, a partial program is downloaded that defines a process for determining operating parameters using the internal sensor value and the external sensor value. MFP 100 then executes the partial program to determine operating parameters according to the internal sensor value detected by temperature sensor 119 as well as the external sensor value detected by MFP 100A. Because operating parameters are determined according to environmental values that cannot be measured by MFP 100, it is possible to determine operating parameters to values that are more suitable for the environment.

[0098] Furthermore, if the internal sensor value detected by temperature sensor 119 of MFP 100 is the same type as the external sensor value detected by MFP 100A, which is an external device, MFP 100 compares the accuracy of temperature sensor 119 of MFP 100 with the accuracy of the temperature sensor provided in MFP 100A, which is an external device. MFP 100 then determines operating parameters based on the detected environmental value with higher accuracy. Because the operating parameters are determined based on more accurate environmental values, the operating parameters can be determined to values more suitable for the environment.

[0099] The MFP 100 determines candidate devices from among related devices based on location and altitude. Therefore, the MFP 100 can determine devices in environments similar to the environment in which the MFP 100 is placed as candidate devices. The MFP 100 also determines operating parameters based on at least one of temperature, humidity, and air pressure. Therefore, it can determine operating parameters suitable for the environment in which the MFP 100 is placed.

[0100] MFP 100 switches whether or not to determine operating parameters based on external sensor values acquired from another MFP 100A. Only when the environment in which MFP 100 is placed is similar to the environment in which the external device is placed, can MFP 100 be set to determine operating parameters based on external sensor values acquired from the external device.

[0101] The MFP 100 determines the external device based on location information indicating at least one of the position and altitude detected by the MFP 100 itself and the related devices, and can therefore determine whether the environment in which the related devices are located is similar to the environment in which the MFP 100 is located.

[0102] In image forming system 1 according to the second modification, MFP 100 acquires, from the external device, consumption information indicating the consumption amount of consumables provided in the external device, and determines operating parameters based on the consumption information acquired from the external device and the consumption information of its own device. When the consumption information indicates the lifespan, the operating parameters can be determined so that the replacement timing of the consumables of the external device and the consumables of its own device coincides. This allows the replacement timing of consumables of MFP 100 and MFPs 100A to 100C to be synchronized, simplifying maintenance work.

[0103] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0104] <Summary of implementation form> (Item 1) An image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium according to operating parameters; an external sensor value acquisition means for acquiring, from another electronic device, an environmental value indicating an environmental state detected by an external sensor provided in the other electronic device; and an operating parameter determining unit that determines the operating parameters based on the environmental values acquired from the other electronic device.

[0105] According to this aspect, an environmental value indicating the state of the environment detected by an external sensor provided in the other electronic device is acquired from the other electronic device, operation parameters are determined based on the acquired environmental value, and an image is formed on a recording medium according to the operation parameters. Since the accuracy of detecting the state of the environment is improved, the operation parameters can be determined to values appropriate for the environment. Therefore, the quality of the image formed on the recording medium can be improved. As a result, an image forming apparatus capable of adapting to the surrounding environment can be provided.

[0106] (Item 2) In the image forming apparatus described in Item 1, when the type of environmental value detected by the external sensor is different from the type of value detected by an internal sensor possessed by the device, the parameter determination means downloads a partial program that defines a process for determining the operating parameters based on the environmental value detected by the external sensor, and determines the operating parameters according to the environmental value detected by the external sensor by executing the partial program.

[0107] According to this aspect, a partial program that defines a process for determining operating parameters based on environmental values is downloaded, and the partial program is executed to determine the operating parameters according to the environmental values. If the other electronic device has an external sensor that can detect environmental values that the device itself cannot measure, the operating parameters are determined according to the environmental values that the device itself cannot measure. Therefore, the operating parameters can be determined to values that are more suitable for the environment.

[0108] (Item 3) In an image forming apparatus as described in item 1 or 2, when the type of environmental value detected by the external sensor is the same as the type of value detected by an internal sensor possessed by the apparatus, the operating parameter determination means selects either the environmental value detected by the internal sensor or the environmental value detected by the external sensor based on the accuracy of the internal sensor and the accuracy of the external sensor, and determines the operating parameters based on the selected environmental value.

[0109] According to this aspect, the operating parameters are determined based on either the environmental values detected by the internal sensor or the environmental values detected by the external sensor, based on the accuracy of the internal sensor and the accuracy of the external sensor. If the external sensor has higher accuracy than the sensor provided in the device itself, the operating parameters are determined based on the more accurate environmental value. Therefore, the operating parameters can be determined to values more suitable for the environment.

[0110] (Item 4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the environmental values include at least one of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.

[0111] According to this aspect, the operating parameters are determined based on at least one of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, location, and altitude, thereby making it possible to determine operating parameters suitable for the environment in which the device is placed.

[0112] (Item 5) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising a switching means for switching whether or not the operating parameter determination means determines the operating parameters based on the environmental values acquired from the other electronic device.

[0113] According to this aspect, the operating parameters can be determined based on environmental values obtained from other electronic devices only if the environment in which the other electronic devices are placed is similar to the environment in which the device itself is placed.

[0114] (Item 6) The image forming device according to any one of items 1 to 5, further comprising a device determination means for determining the other electronic devices based on location information indicating at least one of the position and altitude detected by the image forming device itself and the other electronic devices.

[0115] According to this aspect, it is possible to determine whether the environment in which the other electronic device is placed is similar to the environment in which the own device is placed.

[0116] (Item 7) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6, further comprising a device designation unit that receives device information for identifying the other electronic device.

[0117] According to this aspect, the other electronic device is specified by the user, improving convenience.

[0118] (Item 8) An image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium according to operating parameters; a consumption information acquiring means for acquiring consumption information indicating consumption amounts of consumables provided in the other electronic device from the other electronic device; and an operation parameter determining unit that determines the operation parameters based on the consumption information acquired from the other electronic device.

[0119] According to this aspect, when the consumption information indicates the end of life, the operating parameters can be determined so that the replacement timing of the consumables of the device and other electronic devices coincides with each other. Therefore, the consumables of the multiple electronic devices can be replaced at the same time, which simplifies maintenance work. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming device that can be adapted to the surrounding environment.

[0120] (Item 9) A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium according to operating parameters, The image forming apparatus includes: acquires from the other electronic device an environmental value indicating an environmental state detected by an external sensor provided in the other electronic device; The image forming control method further comprises determining the operating parameters based on the environmental values acquired from the other electronic device.

[0121] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image formation control method that can be adapted to the surrounding environment.

[0122] (Item 10) A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium according to operating parameters, comprising: The image forming apparatus includes: acquiring consumption information indicating consumption amounts of consumables provided in the other electronic device from the other electronic device; The image forming control method further comprises determining the operation parameters based on the wear information acquired from the other electronic device.

[0123] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image formation control method that allows an image forming apparatus to be adapted to its surrounding environment.

[0124] (Item 11) An image formation control program that causes a computer that controls the image forming apparatus to execute the image formation control method according to item 9 or 10.

[0125] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image formation control method that allows an image forming apparatus to be adapted to its surrounding environment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1 image forming system, 3 network, 5 Internet, 7 gateway device, 18 CCD sensor, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C MFP, 200 server, 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K image forming unit, 21Y exposure device, 22Y charging roller, 23Y photosensitive drum, 24Y, 24M, 24C, 24K developing unit, 25Y, 25M, 25C, 25K primary transfer roller, 26 secondary transfer roller, 30 intermediate transfer belt, 31 timing roller, 32 fixing roller, 35, 35A paper feed cassette, 36, 36A take-out roller, 37 paper feed roller, 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K toner bottle, 51 related device information acquisition unit, 53 internal layout information acquisition unit, 55 operation reception unit, 57 switching unit, 59 Device determination unit, 59A device determination unit, 61 external sensor value acquisition unit, 61A external life information acquisition unit, 63 image formation control unit, 65 operation parameter determination unit, 65A operation parameter determination unit, 67 internal sensor value acquisition unit, 67A internal life information acquisition unit, 71 download unit, 73 execution unit, 75 selection unit, 111 CPU, 112 communication I / F unit, 113 ROM, 114 RAM, 115 HDD, 116 facsimile unit, 117 external storage device, 118 CD-ROM, 119 temperature sensor, 120 automatic document feeder, 130 document reading unit, 140 image forming unit, 150 paper feeding unit, 155 post-processing unit, 160 operation panel, 161 display unit, 163 operation unit.

Claims

1. an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium in accordance with operating parameters; an external sensor value acquisition means for acquiring, from another electronic device, an environmental value indicating an environmental state detected by an external sensor provided in the other electronic device; and an operating parameter determining unit that determines the operating parameters based on the environmental values acquired from the other electronic device.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameter determination means, when the type of the environmental value detected by the external sensor is different from the type of value detected by an internal sensor possessed by the apparatus, downloads a partial program that defines a process for determining the operating parameters based on the environmental value detected by the external sensor, and determines the operating parameters according to the environmental value detected by the external sensor by executing the partial program.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the type of the environmental value detected by the external sensor is the same as the type of value detected by an internal sensor possessed by the apparatus, the operating parameter determination means selects either the environmental value detected by the internal sensor or the environmental value detected by the external sensor based on the accuracy of the internal sensor and the accuracy of the external sensor, and determines the operating parameters based on the selected environmental value.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the environmental value includes at least one of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit that switches whether or not the operation parameter determining unit determines the operation parameters based on the environmental values acquired from the other electronic device.

6. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a device determination unit that determines the other electronic device based on location information indicating at least one of a position and an altitude detected by the image forming apparatus itself and the other electronic device.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a device designation unit that accepts device information for identifying the other electronic device.

8. an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium in accordance with operating parameters; a consumption information acquiring means for acquiring consumption information indicating consumption amounts of consumables provided in the other electronic device from the other electronic device; and an operation parameter determining unit that determines the operation parameters based on the consumption information acquired from the other electronic device.

9. 1. A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium in accordance with operating parameters, comprising: The image forming apparatus includes: acquires from the other electronic device an environmental value indicating an environmental state detected by an external sensor provided in the other electronic device; The image forming control method further comprises determining the operating parameters based on the environmental values acquired from the other electronic device.

10. 1. A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium in accordance with operating parameters, comprising: The image forming apparatus includes: acquiring consumption information indicating consumption amounts of consumables provided in the other electronic device from the other electronic device; The image forming control method further comprises determining the operation parameters based on the wear information acquired from the other electronic device.

11. An image formation control program that causes a computer that controls the image forming apparatus to execute the image formation control method according to claim 9 or 10.

Images