JP2003195694A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a replaceable functional member; a storage unit that stores information regarding the functional member and image formation processing control information; and an image forming unit that forms an image using the image formation processing control information. ,
Communication means for communicating with an external device via a computer network;
Reset information acquisition means for acquiring reset information from the external device using the information stored in the storage means and the communication means when a predetermined condition is satisfied;
An image forming apparatus comprising: setting means for setting the reset information as the image forming process control information in the storage means. A self-diagnosis unit for self-diagnosis of the function of the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is abnormality detection by the self-diagnosis unit. The information on the functional member includes either an amount of image forming processing performed using the functional member, an elapsed time from the start of use or manufacturing of the functional member,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the amount of the image forming process or the elapsed time has reached a predetermined value.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the functional member is an electrophotographic material. An information processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus,
Communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus and other external devices via a computer network;
Image forming process control information obtaining means for obtaining image forming process control information of the image forming apparatus from the external device using the communication means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a setting unit configured to set the image forming process control information for the image forming apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image formation processing control information acquisition unit transmits information necessary for the external apparatus to communicate with the image forming apparatus to the external apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming process control information is information depending on characteristics of a functional member used in the image forming apparatus. It further has an input means for receiving an instruction from the user,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the acquisition of the image formation processing control information is performed in response to an instruction via the input unit. Storage means for storing optimal image forming process control information according to the type and state of functional members used in the image forming apparatus;
Communication means for communicating with a predetermined image forming apparatus via a computer network;
Functional member information acquisition means for acquiring information on a functional member used by the image forming apparatus from the predetermined image forming apparatus;
Based on the acquired information on the functional member, the image forming process control information optimum for the predetermined image forming apparatus is acquired from the storage unit, and other information that can be communicated via the image forming apparatus or the computer network An information processing apparatus comprising output means for outputting to a processing apparatus.   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.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein information relating to the functional member is stored in a nonvolatile storage unit in the image forming apparatus.   10. The information on the functional member includes any one of an amount of image forming processing performed using the functional member, an elapsed time from the start of use of the functional member, or manufacturing. Item 12. The information processing device according to any one of items 11.