# US 12,001,153 B2 · Image forming system, information carryover method, server apparatus, storage medium, image forming apparatus, and image processing system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,001,153 B2 - Document ID: US12001153B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/964,283 - Filed: 2022-10-12 - Published: 2023-02-02 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-17 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Daisuke Momiyama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12001153B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/0863: {provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory} - G03G 15/36: Editing, i.e. producing a composite image by copying one or more original images or parts thereof - G03G 15/5075: {Remote control machines, e.g. by a host} - G03G 15/553: {Monitoring or warning means for exhaustion or lifetime end of consumables, e.g. indication of insufficient copy sheet quantity for a job} - H04N 1/00039: {Analysis, i.e. separating and studying components of a greater whole} - H04N 1/00204: {with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server (programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561)} - H04N 1/00915: {Assigning priority to, or interrupting, a particular operation} - H04N 1/60: Colour correction or control {(H04N1/54 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/502: {relating to the structure of the control menu, e.g. pop-up menus, help screens} - G03G 15/5079: {for maintenance} - G03G 2215/00021: Plural substantially independent image forming units in cooperation, e.g. for duplex, colour or high-speed simplex - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract There is provided an image forming system including at least a first image forming apparatus that includes a first image forming unit and an obtaining unit configured to obtain operation-related information related to an operation of the first image forming unit. The image forming system further includes a carryover unit configured to carry over, to a second image forming apparatus, information related to an operation of a second image forming unit of the second image forming apparatus among the operation-related information obtained by the first image forming apparatus when the second image forming apparatus is newly used in the image forming system. The operation-related information includes operation history information of the first image forming unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming system comprising: a first image forming apparatus including a first image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording material and an obtaining unit configured to obtain operation-related information related to an operation of the first image forming unit; and a carryover unit configured to carry over analysis result information generated by analyzing the operation-related information to a second image forming apparatus in a case where an operation unit of the second image forming apparatus has received a request that the carryover unit carry over information from the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the operation-related information includes user preference information expressing a user's preference with respect to one or more performance indicators of an image forming operation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the one or more performance indicators include at least one of image quality, quietness, productivity, apparatus lifetime, energy-saving performance, and first output time. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the user preference information is obtained from the user via a user interface included in the first image forming apparatus. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the operation-related information includes operation history information of the first image forming unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the operation history information relates to at least one of a paper size, a paper type, a number of printouts, and an average printing ratio in operations in the past. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the operation-related information includes environmental condition information of an operating environment of the first image forming apparatus. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the environmental condition information related to at least one of a past temperature and humidity in an operating environment of the first image forming apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the analysis result information is generated by analyzing one or both of operation history information of the first image forming unit and environmental condition information of the first image forming apparatus. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the analysis result information is used for controlling a second image forming unit included in the second image forming apparatus. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the carryover unit selects the information, among the analysis result information, to carry over to the second image forming apparatus by comparing apparatus information related to a function, configuration, and use of the first image forming apparatus with apparatus information related to a function, configuration, and use of the second image forming apparatus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the carryover unit selects the information, among the analysis result information, to be carried over to the second image forming apparatus in accordance with a predefined criterion for each of information items of the analysis result information. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the carryover unit carries over, to the second image forming apparatus, information used to adjust or set an operation of a second image forming unit of the second image forming apparatus among analysis result information obtained by one or more image forming apparatuses including the first image forming apparatus that have been present in the image forming system from before the use of the second image forming apparatus. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The image forming system according to claim 13, further comprising: a retaining unit configured to retain the analysis result information in association with user identification information, wherein the carryover unit carries over, to the second image forming apparatus, information associated with the user identification information of a user that uses the second image forming apparatus among the analysis result information. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising: a server apparatus including the carryover unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming apparatus includes the carryover unit. ### Claim 17 An information carryover method, comprising: obtaining, by a first image forming apparatus in an image forming system, operation-related information related to an operation of a first image forming unit of the first image forming apparatus; and carrying over, by a carryover unit of the image forming system, analysis result information generated by analyzing the operation-related information to a second image forming apparatus in a case where an operation unit of the second image forming apparatus has received a request that the carryover unit carry over information from the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus. ### Claim 18 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a processor of a server apparatus in an image forming system including at least a first image forming apparatus to function as: a retaining unit configured to retain analysis result information generated by analyzing operation-related information related to an operation of a first image forming unit of the first image forming apparatus; and a carryover unit configured to carry over the analysis result information to a second image forming apparatus in a case where an operation unit of the second image forming apparatus has received a request that the carryover unit carry over information from the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus. ### Claim 19 An image forming apparatus in an image forming system, the apparatus comprising: an image forming unit; an obtaining unit configured to obtain operation-related information related to an operation of the image forming unit; and a carryover unit configured to carry over analysis result information generated by analyzing the operation-related information to a second image forming apparatus in a case where an operation unit of the second image forming apparatus has received a request that the carryover unit carry over information from the image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus. ### Claim 20 A server apparatus in an image forming system, the system including at least a first image forming apparatus, and the server apparatus comprising: a retaining unit configured to retain analysis result information generated by analyzing operation-related information related to an operation of a first image forming unit of the first image forming apparatus; and a carryover unit configured to carry over the analysis result information to a second image forming apparatus in a case where an operation unit of the second image forming apparatus has received a request that the carryover unit carry over information from the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus.