JP2003195694A - Image forming apparatus, information processor and their control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set a fine image forming condition in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic material of which the characteristics are changed by various factors. <P>SOLUTION: A process cartridge 10 in a printer 1 is provided with a non- volatile memory 11 and the manufacturing lot information of an electrophotographic material such as a photoreceptor and toner in the cartridge 10 and information concerned with the use state of the material are stored in the memory 11. When a prescribed condition is satisfied, a printer 1 accesses a printer information management database server 120 through networks 110, 111. The server 120 acquires the information stored in the memory 11 from the printer 1, retrieves databases 130 to 132 and generates and transmits resetting information optimum to the process cartridge 10 in the printer 1. The printer 1 stores the received resetting information into the memory 11 and updates the information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or printer using an electrophotographic method and a control method thereof, and more particularly to setting of image forming conditions thereof.

The present invention also relates to an information processing apparatus for generating an optimum image forming condition for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer using an electrophotographic system, and a control method thereof.

The present invention further relates to an information processing apparatus using an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer using an electrophotographic method and a control method thereof.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink has been used in an image forming apparatus.
Materials (functional members) whose characteristics are strongly influenced by ambient temperature, humidity, elapsed time, etc., such as a photoconductor, toner, and various rollers are used. Therefore, various designs are performed so that these functional members operate in an optimal state.

[0005]

However, each functional member may have a subtle difference in performance depending on its manufacturing method and timing (manufacturing lot). Therefore, when optimizing various conditions so that each functional member operates (is used) under optimal conditions, it is necessary to take a margin in consideration of the individual performance difference of the functional members, which is truly optimized. It is not designed to work.

[0006]

That is, the gist of the present invention is to use exchangeable functional members, storage means for storing information about the functional members and image forming processing control information, and image forming processing control information. An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit for forming an image, the communication unit communicating with an external device via a computer network, and the information and the communication unit stored in the storage unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied. An image forming apparatus is characterized by having reset information acquisition means for acquiring reset information from an external device by using the setting information, and setting means for setting the reset information in the storage means as image forming processing control information.

Another aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising a communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus and other external devices via a computer network, and a communication means. An image forming processing control information acquiring unit that acquires image forming processing control information of the image forming apparatus from an external device by using the setting unit, and a setting unit that sets the image forming processing control information to the image forming apparatus. It exists in the information processing device.

Another aspect of the present invention is to store predetermined image forming process control information according to the type and state of functional members used in the image forming apparatus, and a predetermined means via a computer network. A communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus, a functional member information acquisition unit that acquires information about a functional member used by the image forming apparatus from a predetermined image forming apparatus, and a memory based on the acquired information about the functional member. An image forming process control information optimum for a predetermined image forming device from the device, and an output device for outputting the image forming process control information to the image forming device or another information processing device communicable via a computer network. It exists in the processing unit.

Another aspect of the present invention is to perform an image formation by using a replaceable functional member, a storage unit for storing information about the functional member and image forming process control information, and image forming process control information. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus having an image forming means, comprising a communication step of communicating with an external device via a computer network, and information and communication steps stored in a storage means when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a reset information acquisition step of acquiring reset information from an external device by using the setting information; and a setting step of setting the reset information in a storage unit as image forming processing control information. Exist.

Another object of the present invention is a control method of an information processing apparatus which has a communication means for communicating with an image forming apparatus and other external apparatuses via a computer network and controls the image forming apparatus. And an image forming process control information obtaining step of obtaining image forming process control information of the image forming device from an external device, and a setting step of setting the image forming process control information to the image forming device. It exists in the control method of an information processing apparatus.

Another aspect of the present invention is to store predetermined optimum image forming processing control information according to the type and state of functional members used in the image forming apparatus, and a predetermined means via a computer network. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus having communication for communicating with an image forming apparatus, comprising a functional member information acquiring step of acquiring information about a functional member used by the image forming apparatus from a predetermined image forming apparatus, An output step of acquiring image forming processing control information most suitable for a predetermined image forming apparatus from the storage unit based on information about the functional member and outputting the image forming processing control information to the image forming apparatus or another information processing apparatus communicable via a computer network. And a control method for an information processing apparatus, which comprises:

Another subject matter of the present invention resides in a computer program characterized by causing a computer device to function as the information processing device of the present invention.

Another feature of the present invention is that a replaceable functional member, storage means for storing information about the functional member and image forming process control information, and image forming using the image forming process control information. A control program of an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit, a program of a communication process for communicating with an external device via a computer network, and information and communication stored in a storage unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied. An image characterized by having a program for a reset information acquisition step of acquiring reset information from an external device using steps, and a program for a setting step of setting the reset information as storage control means as image forming processing control information. It exists in the control program of the forming device.

Another subject of the present invention resides in a computer-readable storage medium storing the program of the present invention.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below in detail based on its preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a laser beam printer as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described as an example.
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus adopting the electrophotographic system, such as a copying machine and a facsimile machine.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a usage pattern of the laser beam printer according to this embodiment. In the figure,
1 is a laser beam printer according to this embodiment. The laser beam printer includes an image forming engine unit 2 that forms an image by an electrophotographic method, a control unit 3 that controls the process of the image forming engine, a host computer 100 as an information processing apparatus of the present invention, and a printer information management database server. The image processor unit 4 is configured to communicate with 120 and convert image information.

The image forming engine section 2 includes a process cartridge 10 having a photosensitive drum or toner which is an electrophotographic material as a functional member in the image forming process, and the material data in the cartridge is written in the process cartridge 10. The nonvolatile memory 11 is provided. The material data stored in the non-volatile memory 11 relates to individual differences in cartridge performance such as the characteristics and lot number of the photosensitive drum, the toner lot number and characteristics, the manufacturing date of the cartridge, the country of production, and the line number. It is possible to appropriately select from the items that are considered to affect. It may also include a version number improved for performance improvement. In addition, it is also desirable to include a print counter function to correct the life of the cartridge and changes in material characteristics.

The control section 3 is provided with an electrostatic latent image control table 20 and a developing bias control table 21. In the electrophotographic process, since the image is formed by using the surface potential difference on the photosensitive drum, the dark area potential
The control of the light area potential is very important. Therefore, the electrostatic latent image control table 20 stores a plurality of appropriate combinations of charging device control data and exposure device control data in a referable state.

The developing bias is an important parameter for determining the moving toner amount when the electrostatic latent image is visualized with toner. In the developing bias control table 21, the DC bias voltage value, the AC bias amplitude value, the AC bias frequency,
The AC bias waveform shape data is stored so that it can be referenced.

The electrostatic latent image control table 20 and the developing bias control table 21 are preferably stored in a rewritable non-volatile memory and can be updated at any time by using a network function described later, for example.

The image processor section 4 is provided with a network interface card (NIC) 30. The NIC 30 is equipped with a network driver that supports a communication protocol required for the laser beam printer 1 to function on a computer network, such as a TCP / IP protocol. The NIC 30 also communicates with other devices on the network to communicate with the electrostatic latent image control table 20 and the developing bias control table 2.
Select / change the table such as 1 held in the printer. In this case, it is desirable to support a multi-platform language typified by Java or the like in order to eliminate the model dependence of the devices connected on the network. It should be noted that all data (external data) communicated with an external device including the output image data is the NIC 30.
Be communicated through.

Reference numeral 111 denotes a computer network represented by Ethernet (registered trademark). The laser beam printer 1 has a computer network 111.
Is connected to the host computer 100 or the like. Further, it is connected to a printer information management database server 120 that collectively manages printer information via an external network 110 represented by the Internet. In any case, the laser beam printer 1
It functions as an appropriate client and performs processing such as output, adjustment and diagnosis.

FIG. 2 shows the host computer 100 and the print information management database server 120 shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a computer device which can be used as. In the figure, 201 is a display for displaying information of data being processed by an application program, various message menus, and the like.
T (Cathode Ray Tube), LCD (Liquid Crystal Disp)
lay) etc. Reference numeral 202 denotes a video RAM (hereinafter referred to as VRAM) which develops an image displayed on the screen of the display 201. 203 and 204 are for inputting characters and the like on the screen and GUI (Graphical User).
Interface) shows a keyboard and pointing device used for pointing icons and buttons. Reference numeral 205 denotes a CPU that controls the entire computer apparatus.

Reference numeral 206 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory) which stores the operation processing procedure (program) of the CPU 205.
Is. The ROM 206 stores application programs related to various data processing and error processing programs, as well as programs related to flowcharts described later. 207 is the above-mentioned various programs C
RAM (Random A) used as a work area when the PU 205 executes, a temporary save area during error processing, etc.
ccess Memory) is shown.

Reference numeral 208 denotes a hard disk drive (hereinafter,
HDDs and 209 denote floppy (registered trademark) disk drives (hereinafter referred to as FDD), which are used as storage areas for the OS, application programs such as browsers, data, and libraries. Further, instead of or in addition to FDD, a storage device using removable media such as MO and flash memory may be provided.

210 is a CD / DVD-ROM / R / RW
Drive, CD / DVD-ROM / CD-R / R
Read and write W media. In addition, an external storage device such as a tape streamer or a magnetic tape drive such as a DDS may be provided if necessary.

Reference numeral 211 is a network interface for connecting the computer device to a computer network such as Ethernet. Reference numeral 212 denotes a bus (consisting of an address bus, a data bus and a control bus) that connects the units described above. In addition to the network interface 211, RS-232C, RS-4
22, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE139
It has a serial interface such as 4 and a parallel interface such as IEEE 1284, and enables connection with external devices such as a modem and a printer.

Such a general-purpose computer device has an OS
A computer network or public telephone by using a router (including a dial-up router) connected via the network interface 211, a modem or TA connected via a serial interface, by using necessary driver software or the like. Communicate with other devices on the network.

Printer information management database server 12
0 is the centralized information processing device 121, the photoconductor database 1
30, a toner database 131, and a process control database 132. Each of the databases 130 to 132 stores detailed data relating to the information stored in the non-volatile memory 11 provided in the process cartridge 10 of the printer 1. Also,
In the process control database 132, feedback data from the market is also stored, setting changes relating to the same trouble, and optimization information in a specific use condition / specific use environment are stored. Remote adjustment of printers corresponding to various conditions is performed. It is possible. The centralized information processing device 121 uses the h
Host computer 100 having the function of the ttp server
It also has a role of receiving trouble information etc.

Such a printer information management database server 120 is provided in the computer apparatus shown in FIG.
2 and the CPU 205 executes the control program to configure the centralized information processing apparatus 121.

When the printer 1 is newly installed and started to be used, the control unit 3 sets the image forming conditions based on the information stored in the non-volatile memory 11 when the cartridge 10 is manufactured. Normally, in this state, image forming processing is performed based on image information sent from the host computer 100 or the like through the network 111. As the processing is repeated, the image forming conditions are corrected according to the cumulative number of output sheets. Such setting and correction processing is realized by a CPU (not shown) in the control unit 3 also executing a program stored in advance in a ROM (not shown) or the like inside the control unit 3.

Next, the image forming condition resetting process using the printer data management database, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described. The resetting process can be executed under arbitrary conditions. For example, it can be executed when the user of the host computer 100 or the self-diagnosis function of the laser beam printer 1 finds some abnormality in the image formation result. Further, it may be configured to be executed every time a predetermined elapsed time elapses or every predetermined number of times of image forming processing, other than when an abnormality is detected.

(Processing of Printer) First, the processing of the printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The control unit 3 of the printer 1 reads various information from the non-volatile memory 11 in the cartridge 10 when a predetermined event such as occurrence of a predetermined abnormality in the self-diagnosis process occurs (step S201). Then, the printer information management database server 120 is accessed (step S203). In this case, the address of the printer information management database server 120 to be accessed may be set in advance in the non-volatile memory 11 or may be redirected from another address to access the printer information management database server 120. .

As will be described later, when the printer information management database server 120 receives an access from the printer 1, it searches the databases 130 to 132 using various information stored in the non-volatile memory 11 of the printer 1 and makes an appropriate search. The reset condition is sent back to the printer 1. The printer 1 updates the content of the non-volatile memory 11 according to the received resetting condition (step S205), and performs the subsequent image forming process.

(Process of Host Computer) Next, regarding the process of the host computer 100 when the user of the host computer 100 finds an abnormality in the output result of the printer 1 and resets the image forming condition of the printer 1, This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

This processing is performed, for example, by the host computer 1.
This is performed by the user clicking a “reset print condition” button or the like provided on a GUI screen of a printer driver or the like corresponding to the printer 1 installed in 00.

First, the information for the printer information management database server 120 server to access the printer 1, that is, at least the network address, is stored in the HDD 2
It is read from the storage device such as 08 (step S301).
Then, using the address set in advance in the printer driver or the like, the printer information management database server 120
Is accessed (step S303).

As will be described later, when the printer information management database server 120 detects that the access is from the host computer 100, it acquires the address of the printer 1 to be reset from the host computer 100 and accesses the printer 1. To do. Then, various information is acquired from the non-volatile memory 11 of the printer 1, and the databases 130 to 132 are searched based on the acquired information. The printer information management database server 120 returns the reset information (printer setting information), which is the result of the search, to the host computer 100.

When the host computer 100 receives the reset setting information for the printer 1 from the printer information management database server 120, the host computer 100 presents the setting contents to the user (step S305). The user sets the presented setting contents in the printer 1 by using setting software such as a printer driver. Setting contents are printer 1
Stored in the nonvolatile memory 11 and used for the subsequent image forming processing.

When presenting the setting information to the user, instead of simply presenting only the information, a setting screen of the printer driver in which the setting information received from the printer information management database server 120 is reflected is presented to the user. Alternatively, the setting process of the new condition may be performed only by clicking the setting button on the screen.

(Processing of Printer Information Management Database Server) Finally, printer information management database server 1
The process of 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The printer information management database 120 monitors access from outside via the network 110 (step S101). When the access is detected, it is determined whether the access is from the printer or the host computer (step S103). This determination may be performed using, for example, the address of the access source, or may be performed using the accompanying information transmitted at the time of access.

In case of access from the printer, various information transmitted from the printer (manufacturing lot of cartridge, toner, photoconductor, etc., cartridge type, printer type, elapsed time from start of use, number of sheets used, etc.) Based on the
132 is searched (step S105).

Then, based on the retrieval result, printer reset information that seems to be optimal is generated (step S10).
7) Send to printer 1 (step S109). The printer 1 sets the received setting information in the non-volatile memory 11 as described above.

On the other hand, in step S103, if the access is from the host computer 100,
Using the network address of the printer to be reset (printer 1) acquired from the host computer 100,
Access the printer 1. Then, various information necessary for generating the reset information is acquired from the nonvolatile memory 11 of the printer 1 (step S111).

Then, similarly to steps S105 and S107, the databases 130 to 132 are searched, and reset information is generated based on the search result (steps S113 and S).
115). The generated reset information is the host computer 1
It returns to 00 (step S117). As mentioned above,
The host computer 100 presents the received reset information to the user and prompts the user to reset.

[0046]

Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the printer information management database 1 from the host computer 100.
When the printer 20 is accessed, the user of the host computer 100 is supposed to set the reset information for the printer 1.

However, if the user of the host computer 100 is inquired about whether or not to reset, and there is an instruction to reset, the printer 1
It is also possible to configure so that the setting process of the resetting condition to the printer information management database server 120 and the printer 1 is performed.

Further, when the reset information is generated in the printer information management database server 120, it is possible to consider not only the information obtained from the printer but also the information obtained from the host computer 100 and / or its user. For example, data such as a questionnaire form may be transmitted to the host computer 100, and the results of the reply may be considered to search the databases 130 to 132 and generate reset information.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic method has been described. However, in the image forming apparatus using other methods such as the ink jet method, the characteristic of the functional member such as ink is the manufacturing lot. The present invention can be applied in common in that the characteristics change due to changes with time and the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, only the printer information management database server 120 composed of one device has been described, but the equivalent function may be realized by a system composed of a plurality of devices.

A software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in any one or more of FIGS. 3 to 5) that realizes the function of the above-described embodiment is directly or wired from a recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an equivalent function is achieved by supplying the program to a system or apparatus having a computer capable of executing the program using wireless communication, and the computer of the system or the apparatus executing the supplied program. Including.

Therefore, the program code itself supplied to and installed in the computer to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention.

In this case, the program may take any form such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to an OS as long as it has the function of the program.

As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk,
Magnetic recording media such as magnetic tape, MO, CD-ROM, C
D-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, D
There are optical / magneto-optical storage media such as VD-RW and nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

As a method of supplying a program using wired / wireless communication, the present invention may be implemented on a client computer such as a computer program itself forming the present invention in a server on a computer network or a compressed file including an automatic installation function. A method of storing a data file that can be a computer program to be formed (a program data file) and downloading the program data file to a connected client computer can be used. In this case, it is also possible to divide the program data file into a plurality of segment files and arrange the segment files in different servers.

That is, the present invention also includes a server device that allows a plurality of users to download a program data file for implementing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.

The program of the present invention is encrypted to C
The key information is stored in a storage medium such as a D-ROM and distributed to users, and the key information for decrypting the encryption is supplied to users who satisfy predetermined conditions by downloading it from a homepage via the Internet, for example, and the key is supplied. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the information and install the program in a computer to realize the program.

Further, the computer executes the read program to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the OS running on the computer executes the actual processing based on the instructions of the program. The function of the above-described embodiment can be realized also by performing a part or all of the above.

Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program,
CPU provided on the function expansion board or function expansion unit
Etc. perform part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by that processing.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to always and truly set optimum image forming conditions for a printer that uses an electrophotographic material whose characteristics change depending on the manufacturing lot and the use conditions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of a laser beam printer 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a computer device usable as a printer information management database server and a host computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the laser beam printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a host computer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart explaining the processing operation of No. 00.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the printer information management database server 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 AK K04N 1/00 106 H04N 1/00 106C 107 107Z F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AQ05 AQ06 HK15 HK19 HQ17 HQ20 HQ21 HV46 2H027 EJ08 EJ13 EJ15 EK01 EK04 HA03 HA06 HB01 ZA07 ZA08 5B021 AA01 BB10 NN00 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA29 AB38 AB42 AC41 AC55 BA04

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. An image having a replaceable functional member, a storage unit for storing information related to the functional member and image forming process control information, and an image forming unit for forming an image using the image forming process control information. A forming device, which communicates with an external device via a computer network; and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the information stored in the storage device and the communication device are used to reset from the external device. An image forming apparatus comprising: a reset information obtaining unit that obtains information; and a setting unit that sets the reset information in the storage unit as the image forming processing control information. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a self-diagnosis unit that self-diagnoses the function of the image forming apparatus, wherein the predetermined condition is abnormality detection by the self-diagnosis unit. apparatus. 3. The information regarding the functional member includes any one of an amount of image forming processing performed using the functional member and an elapsed time from the start of use of the functional member or the manufacturing time, and the predetermined condition. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the image forming process or the elapsed time has reached a predetermined value. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the functional member is an electrophotographic material. 5. An information processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus and another external apparatus via a computer network; and the external apparatus using the communication means. Information processing comprising: an image forming process control information acquiring unit that acquires image forming process control information of the image forming device; and a setting unit that sets the image forming process control information to the image forming device. apparatus. 6. The image forming process control information acquisition means,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the external apparatus transmits information necessary for the external apparatus to communicate with the image forming apparatus, to the external apparatus. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming processing control information is information that depends on characteristics of functional members used in the image forming apparatus. 8. An input unit for receiving an instruction from a user is further provided, and the acquisition of the image formation processing control information is performed in response to the instruction via the input unit. Thru | or the information processing apparatus of any one of Claim 7. 9. A storage unit that stores optimum image forming processing control information according to the type and state of a functional member used in the image forming apparatus, and a communication unit that communicates with a predetermined image forming apparatus via a computer network. And a functional member information acquisition unit that acquires information about a functional member used by the image forming apparatus from the predetermined image forming apparatus, and the predetermined unit from the storage unit based on the acquired information about the functional member. An information processing apparatus, comprising: an output unit that acquires image forming processing control information most suitable for the image forming apparatus and outputs the image forming processing control information to the image forming apparatus or another information processing apparatus capable of communicating via the computer network. . 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein information for communicating with the predetermined image forming apparatus is acquired from the other information processing apparatus. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the information regarding the functional member is stored in a non-volatile storage unit in the image forming apparatus. 12. The information about the functional member includes any one of an amount of image forming processing performed by using the functional member, and an elapsed time from the start of use of the functional member or the manufacturing time. The information processing device according to any one of claims 9 to 11. 13. An image having a replaceable functional member, a storage unit for storing information on the functional member and image forming process control information, and an image forming unit for forming an image using the image forming process control information. A method of controlling a forming apparatus, comprising: a communication step of communicating with an external device via a computer network; and, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the external device using the information stored in the storage means and the communication step. And a setting step of setting the reset information as the image forming processing control information in the storage unit. 14. The image forming according to claim 13, further comprising a self-diagnosis step of self-diagnosing the function of the image forming apparatus, wherein the predetermined condition is abnormality detection by the self-diagnosis step. Device control method. 15. The information regarding the functional member includes any one of an amount of image forming processing performed using the functional member and an elapsed time from the start of use of the functional member or the time of manufacturing, and the predetermined condition. 15. The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the amount of the image forming process or the elapsed time has reached a predetermined value. 16. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the functional member is an electrophotographic material. 17. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: a communication unit for communicating with an image forming apparatus and another external apparatus via a computer network, the method comprising: controlling the image forming apparatus from the external apparatus. An information processing apparatus comprising: an image forming processing control information acquiring step of acquiring image forming processing control information of the image forming apparatus; and a setting step of setting the image forming processing control information to the image forming apparatus. Control method. 18. The image forming processing control information obtaining step transmits, to the external device, information necessary for the external device to communicate with the image forming device. Information processing apparatus control method. 19. The control method of an information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the image forming processing control information is information depending on characteristics of functional members used in the image forming apparatus. . 20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising an input step of receiving an instruction from a user, wherein the acquisition of the image forming process control information is performed in response to the instruction in the input step. Item 20. A method for controlling an information processing device according to any one of items 19. 21. Storage means for accumulating optimum image forming processing control information according to the type and state of functional members used in the image forming apparatus, and communication for communicating with a predetermined image forming apparatus via a computer network. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having, wherein a functional member information acquisition step of acquiring information about a functional member used by the image forming apparatus from the predetermined image forming apparatus, and based on the acquired information about the functional member. And an output step of acquiring the optimum image forming processing control information for the predetermined image forming apparatus from the storage unit and outputting the image forming processing control information to the image forming apparatus or another information processing apparatus capable of communicating via the computer network. A method of controlling an information processing device, comprising: 22. The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein information for communicating with the predetermined image forming apparatus is acquired from the other information processing apparatus. 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the information regarding the functional member is stored in a non-volatile storage unit in the image forming apparatus. 24. The information about the functional member includes any one of an amount of image forming processing performed by using the functional member, and an elapsed time from the start of use of the functional member or the manufacturing time. The method for controlling the information processing device according to claim 21. 25. A computer program that causes a computer device to function as the information processing device according to any one of claims 5 to 12. 26. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 25. 27. An image having a replaceable functional member, a storage unit for storing information about the functional member and image forming process control information, and an image forming unit for forming an image using the image forming process control information. A control program for a forming apparatus, which is a program for a communication step of communicating with an external apparatus via a computer network, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the information stored in the storage means and the communication step are used to An image forming method, comprising: a program for a reset information obtaining step of obtaining reset information from an external device; and a program for a setting step of setting the reset information as the image forming processing control information in the storage means. Device control program.