Image forming apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and method for controlling image forming apparatus

Abstract

To enable appropriate paper setting.SOLUTION: There is provided an image forming apparatus including a first acquisition unit configured to acquire a physical property value indicating a physical property of a recording medium supplied to the image forming apparatus, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire setting information of the recording medium having the physical property corresponding to the physical property value from a server connected to the image forming apparatus via the Internet based on the acquired physical property value, and a control unit configured to perform control to set the acquired setting information as sheet information of the supplied recording medium in the image forming apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a program, and a method for controlling an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming device such as a printer can perform print control that matches the characteristics of the selected paper type when the user selects the paper type. When setting the paper type, the user may not know the type of paper fed into the image forming device and may not be able to select the appropriate paper type. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for determining the type of paper fed from information about recording media registered in the image forming device and information about the fed paper acquired by a sensor installed in the image forming device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-145590 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the method of Patent Document 1 can determine the type of paper supplied within the range of paper types registered in the image forming device and make that paper type settable, but cannot make unregistered paper types settable.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to enable appropriate paper settings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: a first acquisition means for acquiring physical property values ​​indicating the physical properties of a recording medium supplied to the image forming apparatus; a second acquisition means for acquiring, based on the acquired physical property values, setting information of a recording medium having physical properties corresponding to the acquired physical property values ​​from a server connected to the image forming apparatus via the Internet; and a control means for controlling the image forming apparatus to set the acquired setting information as paper information of the recording medium supplied. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, appropriate paper settings can be made. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a control system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical sensor. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an individual media information file stored in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a management information file. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow for acquiring an individual media information file from a server. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on an operation panel. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing apparatus equipped with a media information setting application. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow for acquiring an individual media information file from a server. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by an information processing device. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen of a media information setting application. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by an information processing device. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. Note that the same components will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0010] <<First embodiment>> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system according to this embodiment. The control system includes an image forming apparatus 100, an information processing apparatus 101, and a server 104. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 101 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network 102. The information processing apparatus 101 generates a print job and transmits the generated print job to the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 1, this embodiment will be described with an example in which there is one image forming apparatus 100, one information processing apparatus 101, and one server 104, but there may be two or more of each. The image forming apparatus 100 and the information processing apparatus 101 can access the server 104 via an internet line 103. The image forming apparatus 100 and the server 104 are types of information processing apparatuses.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of image forming apparatus 100. Image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 200, a ROM 201, a RAM 202, an optical sensor 203, a network I / F (interface) 204, a printing unit I / F 205, a memory controller 206, and an operation panel 209. These elements are connected to one another via a system bus 210. Image forming apparatus 100 also includes a printing unit 207 and an external memory 208. Printing unit 207 is connected to printing unit I / F 205 and forms an image on a supplied recording medium based on image data transmitted via printing unit I / F 205. External memory 208 is connected to memory controller 206 and stores various data and various control programs. Network I / F 204 is also connected to network 102, such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network), via a wired or wireless connection.

[0012] The CPU 200 controls the entire image forming apparatus 100. The CPU 200 reads out control programs stored in the ROM 201 and the external memory 208 into the RAM 202 and executes the read control programs to realize various controls.

[0013] CPU 200 outputs image data as output information to printing unit 207 via printing unit I / F 205. CPU 200 is capable of communicating with information processing apparatus 101 via network I / F 204, and can transmit information held by image forming apparatus 100, information generated by image forming apparatus 100, and the like to information processing apparatus 101. CPU 200 can also receive output data to be output to printing unit 207 and other information via network I / F 204.

[0014] The RAM 202 is a storage device that functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 200. The RAM 202 is used as an area for developing output information, an area for storing environmental data, a non-volatile memory, and the like.

[0015] Optical sensor 203 receives reflected light (specularly reflected light, diffusely reflected light, etc.) from the surface of the recording medium and acquires values ​​indicating the physical properties of the recording medium (hereinafter referred to as physical property values). Note that, although the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment will be described as a large-format inkjet printer, any printing method can be used as long as the printer can be equipped with optical sensor 203. For example, image forming apparatus 100 may be an electrophotographic printer, a thermal printer, or a thermal transfer printer.

[0016] Access to external memory 208, such as a memory card, flash memory, or hard disk (HDD), is controlled by memory controller 206. External memory 208 can be connected to image forming apparatus 100 from the outside, or can be provided inside image forming apparatus 100. External memory 208 can store font data, emulation programs, form data, information related to recording media, and the like.

[0017] The operation panel 209 has an operation section that accepts instructions to set various settings and execute various controls for the image forming apparatus 100, and a display section that displays the status of the image forming apparatus 100, predetermined messages, and the like.

[0018] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 101. The information processing device 101 has a control unit 311, an input device 308, a display 309, and an external storage 310. The control unit 311 includes a CPU 300, a ROM 301, a RAM 302, a storage 303, a network I / F 304, an input device controller 305, a display controller 306, and a disk controller 307. These elements are connected to one another via a system bus 312.

[0019] The CPU 300 controls the entire information processing device 101. The CPU 300 reads various programs stored in the ROM 301, the storage 303, etc., and various programs stored in the external storage 310 into the RAM 302. The CPU 300 then executes the various programs read into the RAM 302, thereby achieving various controls. The CPU 300 may be a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC. The CPU 300 and the dedicated circuit are examples of a hardware circuit, a hardware processor, etc.

[0020] A disk controller 307 controls access to an external storage 310 such as a HDD, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory.

[0021] The RAM 302 is configured so that its capacity can be expanded by using an optional RAM (not shown) or the like, and is mainly used as a work area for the CPU 300.

[0022] An input device controller 305 controls input from an input device 308 such as a keyboard and a pointing device. A display controller 306 controls display on a display 309. The input device 308 and the display 309 may be configured integrally with the information processing device 101 as shown in FIG. 3, or may be provided externally to the information processing device 101.

[0023] Furthermore, CPU 300 can communicate with image forming apparatus 100 via network I / F 304. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, CPU 300 controls each element connected to system bus 312 via system bus 312.

[0024] In this embodiment, the information processing device 101 is described as a notebook PC, but is not limited to this. The information processing device 101 in this embodiment may be a desktop PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

[0025] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of server 104. Server 104 has a network I / F 400, an information processing unit 401, and storage 402. Information processing unit 401 has a CPU, ROM, RAM (not shown), etc. Information processing unit 401 controls the entire server 104. When image forming apparatus 100, information processing apparatus 101, etc. access server 104 via internet line 103, access information is transmitted to information processing unit 401 connected to network I / F 400.

[0026] The information processing unit 401 acquires data indicated by a request from the image forming apparatus 100, the information processing apparatus 101, etc., from data stored in the storage 402. Then, the information processing unit 401 performs processing to transmit a response including the data acquired in response to the request to the request source via the Internet line 103.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating the configuration of the optical sensor 203 and an example of a method for acquiring physical property values ​​indicating the physical properties of a recording medium using the sensor. Hereinafter, physical property values ​​indicating the physical properties of a recording medium will be referred to as the physical property values ​​of the recording medium. In this embodiment, as an example of a method for acquiring physical property values ​​of a recording medium, a method for acquiring values ​​indicating the characteristics of the surface of the recording medium using the optical sensor 203 will be described. The optical sensor 203 includes a light-emitting unit 502 and a light-receiving unit 503. When light 504 emitted from the light-emitting unit 502 reaches the surface of the recording medium 501, it becomes reflected light 505 and is received by the light-receiving unit 503. The light-receiving unit 503 then acquires the values ​​indicating the characteristics of the surface of the recording medium. The values ​​acquired by the optical sensor 203 are stored in RAM 202, which serves as a data storage area.

[0028] Note that image forming apparatus 100 may use an ultrasonic sensor (not shown) to acquire a value indicating the mass of the recording medium being fed. The ultrasonic sensor includes, for example, an oscillator and a receiver, and ultrasonic waves generated by the oscillator are received by the receiver via the recording medium being fed. Image forming apparatus 100 can then acquire a value indicating the mass of the recording medium being fed by calculating the attenuation of the ultrasonic waves received by the receiver. In this way, by acquiring a value indicating the mass of the recording medium in addition to a value indicating the surface characteristics of the recording medium being fed, the type of the recording medium can be identified with high accuracy.

[0029] 6 is a diagram showing an individual media information file (described later) held in the image forming apparatus 100. The flow of printing performed by the image forming apparatus 100 based on a print job received from the information processing apparatus 101 and the individual media information file will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] The information processing apparatus 101 generates a print job using a print job generation unit 600 in the print processing software. The information processing apparatus 101 transmits the print job generated by the print job generation unit 600 to the image forming apparatus 100 using a print job transmission unit 601.

[0031] When image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job from information processing apparatus 101, command analysis unit 610 analyzes the commands included in the print job. Image forming apparatus 100 then determines the print quality, which indicates the finished print, using command analysis unit 610 and determines the required image processing table. The image processing table is a table used to convert the RGB values ​​of image data included in the print job into RGB values ​​for the image forming apparatus, and then to perform color conversion to CMYK values.

[0032] The image forming apparatus 100 uses the media information processing unit 611 to extract the individual media information files stored in the media information file 620 and acquire information necessary for the print processing indicated by the print job. As shown in FIG. 6, individual media information files 622 to 625 are stored in the media information file 620 for each type of recording medium. In addition to the individual media information files 622 to 625, the media information file 620 in this embodiment also stores information about recording media that can be set by the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 uses the media information processing unit 611 to perform color conversion of the image data using the acquired information, such as the image processing table. Thereafter, the media information processing unit 611 passes the color-converted image data to the print execution unit 612. The image forming apparatus 100 then executes printing using the print execution unit 612.

[0033] Individual media information file 625 stores information files 630 that can be used with PC software, such as information indicating print quality and information indicating borderless or bordered printing, which can be set when printing using "film paper." Individual media information file 625 also stores information files such as print control parameter file 631, which describes mechanical parameters used when printing using "film paper," and image processing table 632. In other words, individual media information files are treated as setting information that enables setting of the recording medium corresponding to the individual media information file.

[0034] Note that information files corresponding to the respective paper types are stored in the individual media information files other than the individual media information file 625. The media information file 620 also stores a management information file 621. The management information file 621 describes information about the recording media registered in the image forming apparatus 100.

[0035] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of management information file 621. Management information file 621 includes a list of recording media (media list) in which characteristic information for each recording medium is described in a markup language such as XML (eXtensible Markup Language). In this embodiment, characteristic information refers to information indicating the characteristics of the recording medium, and more specifically, physical property values ​​of the recording medium acquired in advance by a predetermined sensor. The characteristic information of the recording medium is used to identify the recording medium supplied to image forming apparatus 100. Management information file 621 also describes storage location information (e.g., URL) indicating on which server on the Internet individual media information files for each recording medium are stored.

[0036] 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow in which image forming apparatus 100 connects to server 104 on the Internet and acquires an individual media information file. First, the flow in which media information file 810 is uploaded to server 104 will be described.

[0037] Before image forming apparatus 100 connects to server 104, printer manufacturer 800, which develops and produces image forming apparatus 100, or third vendor 801, which sells paper for printers, creates individual media information file 812. The created individual media information file 812 may be an information file corresponding to a recording medium not held by server 104, or may be an information file obtained by modifying the contents of an information file already held by server 104. Printer manufacturer 800 and third vendor 801 can then upload the created individual media information file 812 to server 104. The person who can upload individual media information file 812 may be both printer manufacturer 800 and third vendor 801, or either one of them. Note that individual media information file 812 may be uploaded automatically or manually.

[0038] When an individual media information file 812 is uploaded, the server 104 adds information about the recording medium corresponding to the individual media information file 812 to the media list of the management information file 811 that the server 104 already holds, thereby updating the media list. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the server 104 holds the updated media list as the management information file 811. The management information file 811 has the same structure as the management information file 621, but the types of recording media described in its media list are greater than those in the management information file 621.

[0039] Next, a flow until the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the individual media information file 812 from the server 104 will be described.

[0040] In S801, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits a request to the server 104 via the Internet to acquire a management information file 811. When the server 104 receives the request from the image forming apparatus 100 in S801, it transmits a management information file 804 to the image forming apparatus 100 as a response to the request. At this time, the management information file transmitted from the server 104 describes the names of recording media usable by the image forming apparatus 100 from among the information on recording media held by the server 104, as well as the physical properties of each recording medium. However, the recording media described in the management information file transmitted from the server 104 may be recording media usable by the image forming apparatus 100 and also usable by multiple other image forming apparatuses.

[0041] In S802, the image forming apparatus 100 receives a management information file from the server 104 as a response to the request sent in S801. The image forming apparatus 100 compares the physical property values ​​of the recording medium acquired by the optical sensor 203 with the physical property values ​​of the recording medium described in the received management information file, and determines whether the two physical property values ​​are similar. In this embodiment, the two physical property values ​​being similar means that the difference between the physical property values ​​of the recording medium acquired by the optical sensor 203 and the physical property values ​​of the recording medium described in the management information file 811 is equal to or less than a first threshold value (e.g., 3%).

[0042] In S803, if the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the physical property values ​​of both are close to each other, it requests the server 104 for an individual media information file 812 using information indicating the storage location of the individual media information file described in the received management information file. At this time, the requested individual media information file 812 is a media information file of a recording medium corresponding to physical property values ​​close to the physical property values ​​of the recording medium acquired by the optical sensor 203. The server 104 transmits the individual media information file 812 to the image forming apparatus 100 as a response to the request from the image forming apparatus 100 received in S803.

[0043] If there are multiple recording media that meet the condition that "the physical property values ​​of both are close to each other," image forming apparatus 100 may receive the individual media information files for each of the multiple recording media. This is also true not only for this embodiment but also for other embodiments when there are multiple recording media that meet the above condition.

[0044] In S804, the image forming apparatus 100 receives the individual media information file 812 as a response to the request sent in S803. Note that the server on which the management information file is stored and the server on which the individual media information file is stored may be the same server or different servers.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow from when a recording medium such as paper is supplied to image forming apparatus 100 until the recording medium is set in image forming apparatus 100. The processing executed by image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, which will be described later. The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is implemented by CPU 200 of image forming apparatus 100 reading a control program stored in ROM 201 into RAM 202 and executing it. Note that some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 9 may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit. The symbol "S" in the description of each process indicates a step in the flowchart (the same applies to flowcharts in the following specification). The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 starts after a recording medium is supplied to image forming apparatus 100.

[0046] In S901, the CPU 200 acquires the physical property values ​​of the recording medium using the optical sensor 203. Then, the CPU 200 temporarily stores the physical property values ​​of the recording medium acquired in S901 in the RAM 202 or the like.

[0047] In S902, the CPU 200 acquires the management information file 621 from the media information file 620. The management information file 621 describes information including the physical property values ​​of the recording media registered in the image forming apparatus 100.

[0048] In S903, CPU 200 searches for a value close to the physical property value of the recording medium acquired in S901 (hereinafter referred to as the acquired physical property value) from among the physical property values ​​of the recording medium described in management information file 621. Specifically, CPU 200 determines whether the difference between the physical property value of the recording medium described in management information file 621 and the acquired physical property value is equal to or less than a first threshold value. Note that the first threshold value may be a predetermined threshold value or may be determined according to a predetermined determination criterion.

[0049] In S904, the CPU 200 determines whether or not there is a recording medium in the management information file 621 that has physical properties corresponding to physical properties close to the acquired physical property value. If the CPU 200 determines that there is a recording medium with physical properties corresponding to physical properties close to the acquired physical property value (Yes), the process proceeds to S905. If the CPU 200 determines that there is no recording medium with physical properties corresponding to physical properties close to the acquired physical property value (No), the process proceeds to S907. Here, a determination of (No) means that, as a result of the search in S903, the CPU 200 was unable to find a recording medium described in the management information file 621 whose difference from the acquired physical property value is equal to or less than the first threshold value. In other words, this means that the difference between the acquired physical property value and all physical property values ​​described in the management information file 621 exceeds the first threshold.

[0050] In S905, CPU 200 presents to the user recording media having physical properties corresponding to physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​(hereinafter referred to as recording media having physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values) as configurable recording media candidates. For example, CPU 200 displays on operation panel 209 the recording media having physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​determined in S904 as configurable recording media candidates. The user operates operation panel 209 to select a recording medium that matches the recording medium supplied to image forming apparatus 100 from the configurable recording media. CPU 200 then determines whether or not a recording medium selection operation by the user has been detected. If CPU 200 determines that a recording medium selection operation has been detected (Yes), the process proceeds to S906; if CPU 200 determines that a recording medium selection operation has not been detected (No), the process ends. Here, a case where CPU 200 determines that a recording medium selection operation has not been detected (No) refers to, for example, a case where the user performs an operation to end the selection operation without selecting a recording medium presented as a configurable candidate.

[0051] If there are multiple candidates for the recording medium that can be set, the CPU 200 may present the multiple recording media to the user. In this case, the CPU 200 may present the multiple recording media to the user in order of proximity to the acquired physical property values. The same applies to the presentation of candidates for the recording medium that can be set to the user, which will be described later.

[0052] In S906, the CPU 200 sets the recording medium selected by the user in S905 as the recording medium to be used for printing, and ends this flow.

[0053] In S907, the CPU 200 determines whether the Internet is accessible. If the CPU 200 determines that the Internet is accessible (Yes), the process proceeds to S910, and if the CPU 200 determines that the Internet is not accessible (No), the process proceeds to S908.

[0054] If CPU 200 determines in step S907 that the Internet is accessible, it displays screen 1000 of FIG. 10 on operation panel 209. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on operation panel 209. Screen 1000 displays a message indicating that the image forming apparatus 100 does not have an information file for a recording medium that is a candidate for the supplied recording medium, and therefore will acquire the file from the server. Screen 1000 also has an OK button 1001 for accepting consent to acquire management information file 811, and a cancel button 1002 for accepting denial of consent to acquire management information file 811. The user selects either OK button 1001 or cancel button 1002.

[0055] When the CPU 200 detects a user operation on the OK button 1001, it performs the processing from step S910 onwards, which will be described later, and displays a screen 1010 on the operation panel 209, notifying the user that a search for a settable recording medium is in progress. When the CPU 200 detects a user operation on the cancel button 1002, it ends the display of the screen 1000 and proceeds to step S908.

[0056] In S908, the CPU 200 searches for a recording medium whose difference between the physical property value of the recording medium and the acquired physical property value exceeds a first threshold value and is equal to or smaller than a second threshold value (for example, 5%) from among the recording media described in the management information file 621. In this embodiment, the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value.

[0057] Furthermore, if the search results in no matching recording medium being found among the recording media described in the management information file 621, the CPU 200 may vary the second threshold within a range exceeding the first threshold and continue searching until a matching recording medium is found. Alternatively, the CPU 200 may search among the recording media described in the management information file 621 for a recording medium whose physical property values ​​are closest to the acquired physical property values ​​and whose difference between the acquired physical property values ​​and the physical property values ​​of the matching recording medium exceeds the first threshold. If the matching recording medium is still not found, the CPU 200 ends this flow.

[0058] When the CPU 200 finds a corresponding recording medium from among the recording media described in the management information file 621, it presents the recording medium to the user as a candidate for a settable recording medium. For example, the CPU 200 displays the found recording medium on the operation panel 209 as a candidate for a settable recording medium. Thereafter, the CPU 200 detects a selection operation by the user in the manner described in S905. If the CPU 200 determines that a selection operation for a recording medium has been detected (Yes), it proceeds to S909, and if it determines that this has not been detected (No), it ends this flow.

[0059] In S909, the CPU 200 sets the recording medium selected by the user in S908 as the recording medium to be used for printing, and ends this flow.

[0060] In S910, the CPU 200 accesses the server 104 on the Internet. Here, address information of the server that the image forming apparatus 100 accesses in S910 is stored in advance in a storage device such as the external memory 208.

[0061] In S911, after accessing the server 104 in S910, the CPU 200 requests the server 104 for the management information file 811 and obtains the management information file 811 in response. The management information file 811 may contain a list of recording media, including the latest recording media, that are not included in the management information file 621, and their physical property values. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 may use the management information file 811 to find a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values.

[0062] In S912, CPU 200 searches for a value close to the acquired physical property value from among the physical property values ​​of the recording medium described in management information file 811 acquired in S911. Specifically, CPU 200 determines whether the difference between the physical property value of the recording medium described in management information file 811 and the acquired physical property value is equal to or less than a first threshold value.

[0063] In S913, the CPU 200 determines whether or not a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​exists in the management information file 811. If the CPU 200 determines that a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​exists (Yes), the process proceeds to S914, and if the CPU 200 determines that a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​does not exist (No), the process proceeds to S920.

[0064] In S914, the CPU 200 determines whether or not to acquire an individual media information file 812 corresponding to a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​from the server 104. If the CPU 200 determines that the individual media information file 812 should be acquired (Yes), the process proceeds to S915, and if the CPU 200 determines that the individual media information file 812 should not be acquired (No), the process ends.

[0065] Specifically, in S914, the CPU 200 displays a screen 1020 shown in Fig. 10 on the operation panel 209 to determine whether or not to acquire the individual media information file 812. The screen 1020 displays a message indicating that a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​has been found in S913. The screen 1020 has an OK button 1021 for accepting consent to the acquisition of the individual media information file 812 corresponding to the recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values, and a cancel button 1022 for accepting denial of consent to the acquisition. The user selects either the OK button 1021 or the cancel button 1022.

[0066] When the CPU 200 detects a user operation on the OK button 1021, it performs the processing from step S915 onwards, which will be described later, and displays a screen 1030 on the operation panel 209 to notify the user that the individual media information file 812 is being downloaded. When the CPU 200 detects a user operation on the cancel button 1022, it ends the display of the screen 1020 and ends this flow.

[0067] In S915, the CPU 200 obtains from the management information file 811 a URL indicating the storage location of the individual media information file 812 corresponding to the recording medium found in S913.

[0068] In S916, the CPU 200 accesses the server of the URL acquired in S915, requests the server for the individual media information file 812, and acquires the individual media information file 812 as a response.

[0069] In S917, when the CPU 200 acquires the individual media information file 812 in S916, it registers the recording medium corresponding to the individual media information file 812 as a candidate for a settable recording medium. Specifically, the CPU 200 saves the individual media information file 812 acquired in S916 in the media information file 620. At this time, the CPU 200 displays a screen 1040 shown in Fig. 10 on the operation panel 209. The screen 1040 displays a message indicating that the download of the individual media information file 812 in S916 has been completed and that the registration of the recording medium for the individual media information file 812 has been completed.

[0070] Then, CPU 200 presents the registered recording media to the user as candidates for configurable recording media. For example, CPU 200 displays the registered recording media as candidates for configurable recording media on operation panel 209. The user selects a recording medium that matches the recording medium supplied to image forming apparatus 100 from the configurable recording media. CPU 200 then determines whether or not a recording medium selection operation by the user has been detected.

[0071] In S918, the CPU 200 sets the recording medium selected by the user in S917 as the recording medium to be used for printing. After acquiring the individual media information file 812 in S916, the CPU 200 may automatically set the recording medium corresponding to the individual media information file 812 as the recording medium to be used for printing, regardless of the user's selection of the recording medium in S917.

[0072] In S919, the CPU 200 adds information about the recording media registered in S917 to the management information file 621, and ends this flow. Here, the information about the registered recording media is information such as the name of the registered recording media and the physical properties of the recording media. Note that the CPU 200 may add information about the recording media set in S918 to the management information file 621, but may not add information about recording media that were not set in S918 to the management information file 621. In this case, the CPU 200 may delete from the media information file 620 the individual media information files corresponding to the recording media that were not set among the recording media registered in S917.

[0073] In S920, CPU 200 determines whether a general-purpose paper (hereinafter referred to as general-purpose paper) of the same category as the recording medium category to which the supplied recording medium belongs is registered in image forming apparatus 100. The category of the recording medium to which the supplied recording medium belongs is determined based on the acquired physical property values. For example, CPU 200 searches for a recording medium described in management information file 811 for a recording medium whose physical property value is closest to the acquired physical property value and whose difference between the physical property value of the recording medium and the acquired physical property value exceeds a first threshold value. Alternatively, CPU 200 searches for a recording medium described in management information file 811 for a recording medium whose physical property value is closest to the acquired physical property value and whose difference between the physical property value of the recording medium and the acquired physical property value exceeds a first threshold value and is equal to or less than a second threshold value.

[0074] Here, let us assume that CPU 200 finds a recording medium classified as glossy paper as a result of the search. In this case, CPU 200 determines that the recording medium category to which the supplied recording medium belongs is glossy paper. CPU 200 then uses management information file 621 to determine whether general-purpose paper of the same type as glossy paper is registered in image forming apparatus 100.

[0075] The reason why general-purpose paper can be selected in this way is that although fine-tuning of certain parameters is required, other parameters can be used as is, and there is little impact on the image forming device in terms of print control.

[0076] If the CPU 200 determines that general-purpose paper of the same category as the recording medium category to which the supplied recording medium belongs is registered in the image forming apparatus 100 (Yes), the process proceeds to S921. If the CPU 200 determines that general-purpose paper of the same category as the recording medium category to which the supplied recording medium belongs is not registered in the image forming apparatus 100 (No), the process proceeds to S923. Here, a determination of (No) means that the general-purpose paper is not described in the management information file 621 but is described in the management information file 811. In other words, this means that the image forming apparatus 100 does not hold an individual media information file corresponding to the general-purpose paper, but the server does.

[0077] In S921, CPU 200 presents to the user general-purpose papers registered in image forming apparatus 100 as candidates for configurable recording media. For example, CPU 200 displays the registered general-purpose papers on operation panel 209 as candidates for configurable recording media. The process of detecting the user's selection operation for the presented recording media is the same as the process described in S905, and therefore its description will be omitted. Also, S922 is the same as S918, and therefore its description will be omitted.

[0078] In S923, the CPU 200 uses the management information file 811 to acquire a URL indicating the storage location of the individual media information file 812 corresponding to the general-purpose paper of the same series as the glossy paper determined in S920.

[0079] In S924, the CPU 200 accesses the server of the URL acquired in S923, requests the server for the individual media information file 812, and acquires the individual media information file 812 as a response.

[0080] At S925, the CPU 200 registers the general-purpose paper corresponding to the individual media information file 812 acquired at S924 as a candidate for a configurable recording medium. Then, the CPU 200 presents the general-purpose paper corresponding to the individual media information file 812 acquired at S924 to the user as a candidate for a configurable recording medium. For example, the CPU 200 displays the general-purpose paper corresponding to the individual media information file 812 acquired at S924 on the operation panel 209 as a candidate for a configurable recording medium. The process of detecting the user's selection operation for the presented recording medium is the same as the process described at S905, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, S926 and S927 are the same as S918 and S919, respectively, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] According to this embodiment, even if the recording medium supplied to the image forming device is not registered, the image forming device can obtain the setting information for the recording medium from the server, allowing the user to set up the recording medium in the image forming device.

[0082] <<Second embodiment>> In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the image forming apparatus 100 directly accesses the server and acquires the management information file and the individual media information file. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the information processing apparatus 101 accesses the server and acquires the management information file and the individual media information file. The basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Configurations different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0083] 11 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing device 101 that is equipped with a media information setting application (hereinafter referred to as the media information setting app) 1100 and that holds a media information file 620. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the information processing device 101 also holds the same media information file 620 as the image forming device 100. In other words, the information processing device 101 can determine recording media that can be set in the image forming device 100. The media information setting app 1100 is software for acquiring individual media information files from the server 104.

[0084] 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow in which the information processing device 101 acquires the individual media information file 812 from the server 104. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the entity that acquires the individual media information file 812 from the server 104 is the information processing device 101 that has the media information setting application 1100 installed. Note that, as for S801 to S804 shown in FIG. 12, this is a flow in which the processing entity described in FIG. 8 has been replaced by the information processing device 101, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0085] In S1201, the information processing device 101 requests the image forming device 100 to provide acquired physical property values ​​via the media information setting application 1100. Then, in response to the request from the information processing device 101, the image forming device 100 transmits the physical property values ​​of the recording medium obtained by the optical sensor 203 to the information processing device 101.

[0086] In S1202, the information processing apparatus 101 receives the acquired physical property values ​​from the image forming apparatus 100 via the media information setting application 1100. After that, the information processing apparatus 101 executes the processes from S801 onwards.

[0087] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the image forming apparatus 100. Note that steps S901 to S906 are the same as those in the flow described in FIG.

[0088] In S1301, the CPU 200 starts the media information setting application, displays a message on the operation panel 209 urging the user to execute "Acquire paper information", and ends this flow. Executing "Acquire paper information" means that the user selects "Acquire paper information from server" displayed on the UI (user interface) screen of the media information setting application, causing the information processing device 101 to execute the processing shown in Fig. 14, which will be described later.

[0089] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the CPU 300 of the information processing device 101 as a function of the media information setting application 1100. The flow up to when the media information setting application 1100 transmits the individual media information file 812 to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, which will be described later. The flowchart shown in Fig. 14 starts after the media information setting application 1100 is launched.

[0090] In S1401, the CPU 300 displays a UI screen 1500 of the media information setting application 1100 as shown in Fig. 15. The UI screen 1500 shows a state in which the selection items "Add Paper" for selecting a recording medium to be registered in the image forming apparatus 100 from the recording media displayed in a list, and "Get Paper Information from Server" for obtaining an individual media information file are displayed. The user operates the input device 308, such as a pointing device, to select "Get Paper Information from Server."

[0091] In S1402, when the CPU 300 detects a user's selection operation of "obtain paper information from server", it obtains the obtained physical property values ​​from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0092] In S1403, the CPU 300 determines whether the information processing device 101 can access the Internet. If the CPU 300 determines that the information processing device 101 can access the Internet (Yes), the process proceeds to S1405, and if the CPU 300 determines that the information processing device 101 cannot access the Internet (No), the process proceeds to S1404.

[0093] In S1404, the CPU 300 displays a message on the UI screen of the media information setting application, urging the user to connect the information processing device 101 to the Internet. Then, the CPU 300 proceeds to S1401 and displays the UI screen 1500.

[0094] In S1405, the CPU 300 accesses the server 104 on the Internet. Here, address information of the server that the information processing device 101 accesses in S1405 is stored in advance in a storage device such as the storage 303.

[0095] In S1406, after accessing the server 104 in S1405, the CPU 300 requests the management information file 811 from the server 104 and obtains the management information file 811 as a response.

[0096] In S1407, CPU 300 searches for a value close to the acquired physical property value acquired in S1402 from among the physical property values ​​of the recording medium described in management information file 811 acquired in S1406. Specifically, CPU 300 determines whether the difference between the physical property value of the recording medium described in management information file 811 and the acquired physical property value is equal to or less than a first threshold value.

[0097] In S1408, CPU 300 determines whether or not a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​exists in management information file 811. If CPU 200 determines that a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​exists (Yes), the process proceeds to S1409, and if CPU 200 determines that a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​does not exist (No), the process proceeds to S1414.

[0098] In S1409, the CPU 300 determines whether or not to acquire, from the server 104, an individual media information file 812 corresponding to a recording medium having physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values. If the CPU 300 determines that the individual media information file 812 should be acquired (Yes), the process proceeds to S1410, and if the CPU 300 determines that the individual media information file 812 should not be acquired (No), the process ends.

[0099] For example, in S1409, the CPU 300 can display on the UI screen of the media information setting application the content shown in the above-mentioned screen 1020. Then, the CPU 300 can determine whether or not to acquire the individual media information file 812 by detecting a selection operation by the user on the UI screen.

[0100] In S1410, the CPU 300 obtains from the management information file 811 a URL indicating the storage location of the individual media information file 812 corresponding to the recording medium found in S1408.

[0101] In S1411, the CPU 300 accesses the server of the URL acquired in S1410, requests the server for the individual media information file 812, and acquires the individual media information file 812 as a response.

[0102] In S1412, when the CPU 300 acquires the individual media information file 812 in S1411, it sets the recording medium corresponding to the individual media information file 812 as a candidate for a settable recording medium.

[0103] In S1413, the CPU 300 executes a transmission process to transmit the individual media information file 812 corresponding to the recording medium selected as a candidate for the settable recording medium in S1412 to the image forming apparatus 100, and ends this flow. Details of this transmission process will be described later.

[0104] In S1414, the CPU 300 determines whether or not general-purpose paper of the same category as the category of the recording medium to which the supplied recording medium belongs is registered in the information processing device 101. The method for this determination is the same as the method described in S920, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] In S1415, CPU 300 determines the general-purpose paper registered in image forming apparatus 100, as determined in S1414, as a candidate for a settable recording medium. Note that S1417 and S1418, as well as S1416 and S1420, are similar to S923 and S924, as well as S1413, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Also, the processing from S1415 to S1420, like the previous flows, is processing executed by CPU 300 of information processing apparatus 101 as a function of media information setting application 1100.

[0106] In S1419, the CPU 300 sets the recording medium corresponding to the individual media information file acquired in S1418 as a candidate for a settable recording medium.

[0107] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the transmission processing of S1413, S1416, and S1420 shown in FIG. 14, which is executed by the CPU 300 of the information processing device 101 as a function of the media information setting application 1100.

[0108] In S1601, the CPU 300 designates, via the media information setting application, the individual media information file 812 corresponding to the recording medium that is a candidate for a configurable recording medium in the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, as a target for transmission to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0109] In S1602, CPU 300 determines, using the media information setting application, whether image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the network (online) or in a sleep state. CPU 300 can make this determination by acquiring, from image forming apparatus 100, information indicating the state of image forming apparatus 100.

[0110] If the CPU 300 determines that the device is online or in a sleep state (Yes), the process proceeds to S1604, and if the CPU 300 determines that the device is neither online nor in a sleep state (No), the process proceeds to S1603.

[0111] In S1603, CPU 300 waits for a certain period of time, and then proceeds to S1602 again to re-determine the state of image forming apparatus 100. In S1604, CPU 300 transmits the individual media information file 812 specified in S1601 to image forming apparatus 100, and this flow ends. Note that if CPU 300 goes through S1415 in Fig. 14, it can transmit to image forming apparatus 100 an instruction to perform control to present the above-mentioned general-purpose paper to the user as a selectable recording medium, instead of the individual media information file.

[0112] Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the registration process of an individual media information file executed by the image forming apparatus 100. The flowchart shown in Fig. 17 starts after the image forming apparatus 100 receives from the information processing apparatus 101 an instruction to perform control to present the individual media information file or general-purpose paper to the user as a candidate for settable recording media in S1415.

[0113] In S1701, when the CPU 200 receives an individual media information file 812 from the information processing device 101, it saves the individual media information file 812 in the media information file 620. Then, the CPU 200 registers the recording medium corresponding to the saved individual media information file 812 so that it can be set as a supplied recording medium. Thereafter, the CPU 200 presents the registered recording medium to the user as a settable recording medium candidate. Furthermore, when the CPU 200 receives the above instruction from the information processing device 101, it presents general-purpose paper to the user as a settable recording medium candidate in S1415 in accordance with the instruction. The user selects a recording medium that matches the supplied recording medium from the presented recording medium candidates.

[0114] In S1702, the CPU 200 sets the recording medium selected by the user in S1701 as the recording medium to be used for printing. In S1703, when the CPU 200 receives the individual media information file 812 from the information processing device 101, the CPU 200 adds information about the recording medium corresponding to the individual media information file 812 to the management information file 621, and ends this flow. As described in S919, the CPU 200 adds information about the recording medium set in S1702 to the management information file 621, but does not have to add information about the recording medium not set in S1702 to the management information file 621.

[0115] According to this embodiment, an application installed in an information processing device or the like operates to acquire setting information of the recording medium from a server, thereby achieving the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0116] <<Third embodiment>> In the first embodiment, an example was described in which a media information file 620 is stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 100, and the image forming apparatus 100 determines the type of recording medium fed using a management information file 621 stored therein. In this embodiment, a case is assumed in which the media information file 620 is not stored in the image forming apparatus 100, such as when the image forming apparatus 100 is shipped from the factory. The basic configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0117] In this case, when the image forming device 100 executes the process shown in FIG. 9 described above and then executes the process shown in FIG. 9 again, if it determines that the recording medium being fed is the same as the recording medium that has already been registered, there is no need to connect to a server on the Internet.

[0118] On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 100 determines that the recording medium being fed is different from the recording medium already registered, it must connect to a server on the Internet each time and search for a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values. Therefore, when feeding a recording medium that has never been fed before, it takes some time to access the server and download the individual media information file each time. However, there are not many cases in which a user actually uses all of the recording media corresponding to the individual media information files stored on the server.

[0119] The advantage of this embodiment is that it is possible to save on the storage capacity occupied by media information files, since there is no need to store a considerable number of individual media information files in image forming apparatus 100. In other words, assuming that the number of types of recording media that users actually supply is not that large, it is sufficient to ensure storage capacity in image forming apparatus 100 that is large enough to store data for several types of recording media, thereby reducing storage costs.

[0120] <<Other embodiments>> In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the image forming apparatus 100 or the information processing apparatus 101 determines a recording medium having physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​and acquires an individual media information file corresponding to the recording medium. In this embodiment, an example in which the server 104 determines a recording medium having physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​and transmits an individual media information file corresponding to the recording medium to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. The basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment.

[0121] In S904 of FIG. 13, if the CPU 200 determines that there is no recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​in the management information file 621, the process proceeds to S1301.

[0122] 13, on the operation panel 209. When the CPU 200 detects a user's operation to select whether or not to acquire paper information from the server, the CPU 200 transmits the acquired physical property values, the management information file 621, and the like to the server 104.

[0123] The CPU of server 104 determines whether or not a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the received acquired physical property values ​​is in management information file 811. If the CPU of server 104 determines that a recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values ​​is present, it acquires the individual media information file using information about the storage location of the individual media information file corresponding to the recording medium, which information is written in management information file 811. Then, the CPU of server 104 transmits the acquired individual media information file to image forming apparatus 100.

[0124] If the CPU of the server 104 determines that there is no recording medium with physical property values ​​close to the acquired physical property values, it determines whether or not general-purpose paper of the same category as the recording medium category to which the supplied recording medium belongs is registered in the image forming apparatus 100. This determination method is the same as the method described in S920, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0125] If the CPU of server 104 determines that general-purpose paper of the same category as the category of the recording medium to which the supplied recording medium belongs is registered in image forming device 100, it transmits an individual media information file corresponding to the general-purpose paper to image forming device 100. In this case, the CPU of server 104 can transmit to image forming device 100, instead of the individual media information file, an instruction to perform control to present the general-purpose paper to the user as a configurable recording medium.

[0126] If the CPU of server 104 determines that general-purpose paper of the same category as the recording medium to which the supplied recording medium belongs is not registered in image forming device 100, it searches for that general-purpose paper using management information file 811. If the CPU of server 104 finds general-purpose paper of the same category as the recording medium to which the supplied recording medium belongs as a result of the search, it acquires the individual media information file corresponding to that general-purpose paper using information on the storage location of the individual media information file. Then, the CPU of server 104 transmits the acquired individual media information file to image forming device 100.

[0127] When the CPU 200 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives the individual media information file or the above instruction from the server, it executes the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0128] According to this embodiment, the server operates to transmit the setting information of the recording medium to the image forming apparatus, thereby achieving the same effect as the first embodiment.

[0129] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0130] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes configurations typified by the following image forming apparatus example, program example, and image forming apparatus control method example.

[0131] <Configuration 1> a first acquisition means for acquiring a physical property value indicating a physical property of a recording medium supplied to the image forming apparatus; a second acquisition unit that acquires, based on the acquired physical property value, setting information of a recording medium having physical properties corresponding to the acquired physical property value from a server connected to the image forming apparatus via the Internet; a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus to set the acquired setting information as paper information for the recording medium being supplied; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0132] <Configuration 2> 2. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the second acquisition unit acquires the setting information from the server when the setting information is not stored in the image forming apparatus.

[0133] <Configuration 3> the image forming apparatus is configured to hold a list in which physical property values ​​for each recording medium are described; The image forming device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the second acquisition means acquires the setting information from the server when a difference between the physical property value and all physical property values ​​described in a list held by the image forming device exceeds a first threshold.

[0134] <Configuration 4> the server is configured to hold a list in which physical property values ​​for each recording medium are described; The second acquisition means If a difference between the physical property value and all physical property values ​​described in the list held by the image forming apparatus exceeds the first threshold, the list held by the server is acquired from the server; 4. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3, wherein the setting information is acquired from the server based on a list held by the server.

[0135] <Configuration 5> The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, wherein the second acquisition means acquires from the server setting information of a recording medium corresponding to a physical property value described in a list held by the server, the physical property value having a difference from the physical property value that is equal to or less than the first threshold value.

[0136] <Configuration 6> The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, wherein the second acquisition means acquires the setting information of a commonly used recording medium of the same category as the category of the supplied recording medium from the server if the setting information of the commonly used recording medium is not stored in the image forming apparatus.

[0137] <Configuration 7> The image forming apparatus according to configuration 6, wherein the second acquisition means acquires the setting information of a general-purpose recording medium from the server when the setting information of a general-purpose recording medium of the same category as the category of the supplied recording medium is not stored in the image forming apparatus and the physical property values ​​indicating the physical properties of the general-purpose recording medium are described in a list stored in the server.

[0138] <Configuration 8> The image forming apparatus according to configuration 7, wherein the second acquisition means acquires from the server setting information of a recording medium that is generally used and that is in the same category as a recording medium corresponding to a physical property value whose difference from the first threshold value exceeds the first threshold value and is equal to or less than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, among the physical property values ​​described in the list held by the server.

[0139] <Configuration 9> The image forming apparatus according to configuration 4, wherein the second acquisition means acquires the setting information from a server corresponding to the storage location based on information indicating the storage location of the setting information described in a list held by the server.

[0140] <Configuration 10> A program for causing a computer of an information processing device to: a first acquisition means for acquiring, from the image forming apparatus, a physical property value indicating a physical property of a recording medium supplied to the image forming apparatus; a second acquisition means for acquiring, based on the acquired physical property value, setting information of a recording medium having physical properties corresponding to the acquired physical property value from a server connected to the information processing device via the Internet; a transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus information for setting the setting information as paper information for the supplied recording medium in the image forming apparatus; A program characterized by functioning as

[0141] <Configuration 11> a first acquisition step of acquiring physical property values ​​indicating physical properties of a recording medium supplied to an image forming apparatus; a second acquisition step of acquiring, based on the acquired physical property value, setting information of a recording medium having physical properties corresponding to the acquired physical property value from a server connected to the image forming apparatus via the Internet; a control step of performing control to set the acquired setting information as paper information of the supplied recording medium in the image forming apparatus; 1. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 100 Image forming device 101 Information processing equipment 104 Server

Claims

1. a first acquisition unit that acquires a physical property value that indicates a physical property of a recording medium supplied to the image forming apparatus; a second acquisition unit that acquires, based on the acquired physical property value, setting information of a recording medium having physical properties corresponding to the acquired physical property value from a server connected to the image forming apparatus via the Internet; a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus to set the acquired setting information as paper information for the recording medium being supplied; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second acquisition unit acquires the setting information from the server when the setting information is not stored in the image forming apparatus.

3. the image forming apparatus is configured to hold a list in which physical property values ​​for each recording medium are described; The image forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second acquisition means acquires the setting information from the server when a difference between the physical property value and all physical property values ​​described in a list held by the image forming device exceeds a first threshold value.

4. the server is configured to hold a list in which physical property values ​​for each recording medium are described; The second acquisition means If a difference between the physical property value and all physical property values ​​described in a list held by the image forming apparatus exceeds the first threshold, the list held by the server is acquired from the server; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the setting information is acquired from the server based on a list held by the server.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the second acquisition means acquires from the server setting information of a recording medium corresponding to a physical property value described in a list held by the server, the physical property value having a difference from the physical property value that is equal to or less than the first threshold value.

6. The image forming device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second acquisition means acquires the setting information of a commonly used recording medium of the same category as the category of the recording medium being supplied from the server if the setting information of the commonly used recording medium is not stored in the image forming device.

7. The image forming device according to claim 6, characterized in that the second acquisition means acquires the setting information of a general-purpose recording medium from the server when the setting information of a general-purpose recording medium of the same category as the category of the supplied recording medium is not stored in the image forming device and the physical property values ​​indicating the physical properties of the general-purpose recording medium are described in a list stored in the server.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the second acquisition means acquires from the server setting information for a generally used recording medium of the same category as the category of the recording medium corresponding to a physical property value described in a list held by the server, the difference of which from the physical property value exceeds the first threshold and is equal to or less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the second acquisition means acquires the setting information from a server corresponding to the storage location based on information indicating the storage location of the setting information described in a list held by the server.

10. A program for causing a computer of an information processing device to: a first acquisition means for acquiring, from the image forming apparatus, a physical property value indicating a physical property of a recording medium supplied to the image forming apparatus; a second acquisition means for acquiring, based on the acquired physical property value, setting information of a recording medium having physical properties corresponding to the acquired physical property value from a server connected to the information processing device via the Internet; a transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus information for setting the setting information as paper information for the supplied recording medium in the image forming apparatus; A program characterized by functioning as

11. a first acquisition step of acquiring physical property values ​​indicating physical properties of a recording medium supplied to an image forming apparatus; a second acquisition step of acquiring, based on the acquired physical property value, setting information of a recording medium having physical properties corresponding to the acquired physical property value from a server connected to the image forming apparatus via the Internet; a control step of performing control to set the acquired setting information as paper information of the supplied recording medium in the image forming apparatus; 1. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising:

Images