INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM STORING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD

An information processing system includes at least one processor, in which the processor is configured to acquire a device internal temperature in an image forming device, and operate an air conditioning device that air-conditions a room in which the image forming device is installed, in a case where the device internal temperature is outside a predetermined reference device internal temperature.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-047342 filed Mar. 23, 2023.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The technology disclosed in the present application relates to an information processing system, a non-transitory computer readable medium storing an information processing program, and an information processing method.

(ii) Related Art

JP2007-017906A discloses an image forming device including a cooling device having a plurality of fans and having a switching unit for switching a communication state between each of the plurality of fans and each of a plurality of cooled portions.

SUMMARY

Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to suppressing a deviation of a device internal temperature of an image forming device from a reference device internal temperature, as compared with a case where the device internal temperature is controlled to be within the reference device internal temperature only by a fan provided in the image forming device.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing system including at least one processor, in which the processor is configured to acquire a device internal temperature in an image forming device, and operate an air conditioning device that air-conditions a room in which the image forming device is installed, in a case where the device internal temperature is outside a predetermined reference device internal temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the technology disclosed in the present application will be described.

Image Forming System

InFIG.1, an image forming system10according to the present exemplary embodiment is shown. The image forming system10includes an image forming device12, an air conditioning device60, a client terminal70, and a cloud server80. The cloud server80is an example of an information processing system and an information processing apparatus. In addition, the client terminal70is an example of an information processing terminal.

The image forming device12, the air conditioning device60, the client terminal70, and the cloud server80are each connected to a communication line14such as a Local Area Network (LAN), an intranet, a Wide Area Network (WAN), and the Internet. The image forming device12, the air conditioning device60, the client terminal70, and the cloud server80are capable of transmitting and receiving various types of data to and from each other via the communication line14.

The image forming device12is, as an example, a production machine that prints an image on a recording medium such as paper. The air conditioning device60is a device that air-conditions a room R in which the image forming device12is installed by a cooling operation or a heating operation.

InFIG.1, the air conditioning device60is installed inside the room R. However, the air conditioning device60may be installed outside of the room R without being limited to the inside of the room R, and may be an air conditioning device that blows air-conditioned air to the room R via a duct (not shown) or the like.

The client terminal70is, for example, an information processing terminal operated by a user who uses the image forming device12. The client terminal70is a personal computer, a laptop, a smartphone, or the like.

The cloud server80is a server functioning as a virtual device. The cloud server80controls an operation of the image forming device12according to a request from the client terminal70. Specifically, the cloud server80acquires, for example, a printing request and image data to be printed from the client terminal70, and generates a job (print job) based on the acquired printing request and image data. Then, the cloud server80transmits the generated job to the image forming device12, and causes the image forming device12to execute printing according to the printing request.

In addition, the cloud server80monitors a temperature in the image forming device12(hereinafter, referred to as “device internal temperature”), and controls an operation of the air conditioning device60so that the device internal temperature does not deviate from a predetermined temperature (hereinafter, referred to as “reference device internal temperature”).

Further, the cloud server80monitors a temperature of the room R in which the image forming device12is installed (hereinafter, referred to as “indoor temperature”), and controls the operation of the air conditioning device60so that the indoor temperature does not deviate from a predetermined temperature (hereinafter, referred to as “reference indoor temperature”).

Although one image forming device12, one air conditioning device60, one client terminal70, and one cloud server80are shown inFIG.1, each of the image forming device12, the air conditioning device60, the client terminal70, and the cloud server80may be plural.

Image Forming Device

Next, a hardware configuration of the image forming device12will be described.

As shown inFIG.2, the image forming device12includes a control unit20including a Central Processing Unit (CPU)20A, a Read Only Memory (ROM)20B, and a Random Access Memory (RAM)20C.

The CPU20A controls the overall operation of the image forming device12. The RAM20C is used as a work area or the like during execution of various information processing programs by the CPU20A. The ROM20B stores various information processing programs, various parameters, and the like in advance. The CPU20A, the RAM20C, and the ROM20B are electrically connected to a system bus42.

The image forming device12includes a Hard Disk Drive (HDD)26as a storage unit for storing various types of data, application programs, and the like. In addition, the image forming device12includes a display control unit28that is connected to a user interface22and controls the display of various operation screens and the like on a display of the user interface22. Further, the image forming device12includes an operation input detection unit30that is connected to the user interface22and detects an operation instruction input via the user interface22. The HDD26, the display control unit28, and the operation input detection unit30are electrically connected to the system bus42.

The storage unit is not limited to the HDD26, and may be a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory.

The image forming device12includes a reading control unit32that controls an optical image reading operation by a document reading unit46and a document feeding operation by a document transport unit. In addition, the image forming device12includes an image forming control unit34that controls image forming processing by the image forming unit24, transporting a recording medium such as paper to the image forming unit24by a transport unit25, and a fixing unit27that fixes the image formed in the image forming processing of the image forming unit24to the recording medium.

The image forming device12includes a communication line interface (communication line I/F) unit36that is connected to the communication line14and transmits and receives communication data to and from other devices connected to the communication line14, and an image processing unit44that performs various kinds of image processing.

The image forming device12includes a facsimile interface (facsimile I/F) unit38that is connected to a telephone line (not shown) and transmits and receives facsimile data to and from the facsimile device that is connected to the telephone line. In addition, the image forming device12includes a transmission and reception control unit40that controls transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile interface unit38. The reading control unit32, the image forming control unit34, the communication line interface unit36, the facsimile interface unit38, the transmission and reception control unit40, and the image processing unit44are electrically connected to the system bus42.

The image forming device12includes a fan50that cools the inside of the image forming device12. The fan50cools, for example, a device or a part that requires temperature control in the image forming device12. At least one fan50is provided in the image forming device12.

The image forming device12includes a device internal temperature sensor52that detects a device internal temperature. For example, in the image forming device12, the device internal temperature sensor52detects a temperature (a device internal temperature) of a device or a part that requires temperature control, or a temperature of the surroundings of the devices. At least one device internal temperature sensor52is provided in the image forming device12.

The image forming device12includes a device internal temperature control unit54. The device internal temperature control unit54controls the operation of the fan50that cools the inside of the image forming device12, based on the device internal temperature detected by the device internal temperature sensor52. The device internal temperature sensor52and the device internal temperature control unit54are electrically connected to the system bus42.

With the above configuration, the image forming device12executes an access to the RAM20C, the ROM20B, and the HDD26by the CPU20A, respectively. In addition, the image forming device12performs control of the display of information such as an operation screen and various messages on the display of the user interface22via the display control unit28, by the CPU20A.

In addition, the image forming device12performs control of the operations of the document reading unit46and the document transport unit via the reading control unit32, by the CPU20A. In addition, the image forming device12performs control of the operations of the image forming unit24, the transport unit25, and the fixing unit27via the image forming control unit34and control of the transmission and reception of communication data via the communication line interface unit36, by the CPU20A, respectively.

In addition, the image forming device12performs control of the transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile interface unit38by the transmission and reception control unit40, by the CPU20A. Further, the image forming device12grasps the operation contents in the user interface22based on the operation information detected by the operation input detection unit30, and performs various controls based on the operation contents, by the CPU20A.

In addition, the image forming device12performs control of the fan50by the CPU20A based on the device internal temperature detected by the device internal temperature sensor52. Specifically, the CPU20A operates the fan50in a case where the device internal temperature detected by the device internal temperature sensor52is outside a predetermined reference temperature. Accordingly, the inside of the image forming device12is cooled.

On the other hand, the CPU20A stops the fan50in a case where the device internal temperature detected by the device internal temperature sensor52is within the reference temperature. In addition, the image forming device12transmits the device internal temperature detected by the device internal temperature sensor52to the cloud server80via the communication line14by the CPU20A.

Further, the image forming device12transmits the state information representing a state of the image forming device12to the cloud server80via the communication line14by the CPU20A. The state information of the image forming device12includes, for example, operating (operating state) representing a preparation state or an execution state of the image forming device12, and stopping (stopped state) representing a stopped state of the image forming device12.

Air Conditioning Device

Next, a hardware configuration of the air conditioning device60will be described.

As shown inFIG.3, the air conditioning device60includes a CPU62A, a ROM62B, a RAM62C, a storage62D, an operation unit62E, a display unit62F, a communication line interface (I/F) unit62G, an air conditioning control unit64, and an indoor temperature sensor66.

The CPU62A controls the overall operation of the air conditioning device60. The ROM62B stores various information processing programs that perform various controls, various parameters, and the like in advance. The RAM62C is used as a work area or the like during execution of various information processing programs by the CPU62A.

The storage62D stores various types of data, application programs, and the like. For the storage62D, for example, a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD or a flash memory is applied. The operation unit62E is used for input of various types of information.

The display unit62F is used for display of various types of information. The communication line interface unit62G is connected to the communication line14, and transmits and receives various types of data to and from other devices connected to the communication line14.

The air conditioning control unit64controls, for example, an operation of an air-conditioning air generation unit that generates air-conditioned air for cooling or heating, and an operation of a blowing unit that blows the generated air-conditioned air. The indoor temperature sensor66detects the indoor temperature of the room R. At least one indoor temperature sensor66is provided in the room R. The respective units of the air conditioning device60are electrically connected to each other by a system bus62H.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the air conditioning device60includes the indoor temperature sensor66. However, the indoor temperature sensor66may be provided in the room R separately from the air conditioning device60. In this case, the indoor temperature of the room R detected by the indoor temperature sensor66is, for example, transmitted to the cloud server80from an information processing apparatus different from the air conditioning device60via the communication line14.

With the above configuration, the air conditioning device60performs, by the CPU62A, accesses to the ROM62B, the RAM62C, and the storage62D, acquisition of various kinds of data via the operation unit62E, and display of various types of information on the display unit62F, respectively. In addition, the air conditioning device60performs control of transmission and reception of communication data via the communication line interface unit62G by the CPU62A.

In addition, the air conditioning device60performs control of the operations of the air-conditioning air generation unit and the blowing unit via the air conditioning control unit64by the CPU62A. In addition, the air conditioning device60transmits the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor66to the cloud server80, which will be described later, via the communication line14by the CPU62A.

Client Terminal and Cloud Server

Next, hardware configurations of the client terminal70and the cloud server80will be described.

As shown inFIG.4, the client terminal70and the cloud server80include CPUs72A and82A, ROMs72B and82B, RAMs72C and82C, storages72D and82D, operation units72E and82E, display units72F and82F, and communication line interface (I/F) units72G and82G, respectively. The respective units of the client terminal70and the cloud server80are electrically connected to each other by system buses72H and82H. A CPU82A of the cloud server80is an example of the processor.

Here, the client terminal70and the cloud server80are configured by general computers. Therefore, in the following, the hardware configuration of the cloud server80is described, and the description of the hardware configuration of the client terminal70is omitted.

The CPU82A controls the overall operation of the cloud server80. The ROM82B stores various information processing programs that perform various controls, various parameters, and the like in advance. The RAM82C is used as a work area or the like during execution of various information processing programs by the CPU82A.

The storage82D stores various types of data, application programs, and the like. For the storage82D, for example, a non-volatile storage unit such as an HDD or a flash memory is applied. The operation unit82E is used for input of various types of information.

The display unit82F is used for display of various types of information. The communication line interface unit82G is connected to the communication line14, and transmits and receives various types of data to and from other devices connected to the communication line14.

With the above configuration, the cloud server80performs, by the CPU82A, accesses to the ROM82B, the RAM82C, and the storage82D, acquisition of various kinds of data via the operation unit82E, and display of various types of information on the display unit82F, respectively. In addition, the cloud server80performs control of transmission and reception of communication data via the communication line interface unit82G by the CPU82A.

Function of Cloud Server

Next, the device internal temperature control function in which the cloud server80controls the device internal temperature of the image forming device12will be described.

In executing the above information processing program, the cloud server80implements various functions by using the above hardware resources. Specifically, as shown inFIG.5, the cloud server80functionally has an acquisition unit90, a device internal temperature determination unit92, an indoor temperature determination unit94, an air conditioning device control unit96, and an operation determination unit98. The acquisition unit90, the device internal temperature determination unit92, the indoor temperature determination unit94, the air conditioning device control unit96, and the operation determination unit98are implemented by reading out and executing the information processing program stored in the storage82D, by the CPU82A.

Acquisition Unit

The acquisition unit90acquires various types of information from the image forming device12and the air conditioning device60. Specifically, the acquisition unit90acquires the device internal temperature detected by the device internal temperature sensor52and the state information of the image forming device12from the image forming device12. In addition, the acquisition unit90acquires the indoor temperature of the room R detected by the indoor temperature sensor66from the air conditioning device60.

The acquisition unit90may acquire, for example, the device internal temperature of the image forming device12and the state information of the image forming device12from an inspection device that inspects the image forming device12or a management device that manages the image forming device12, without being limited to the image forming device12.

Device Internal Temperature Determination Unit

The device internal temperature determination unit92determines whether or not the device internal temperature in the image forming device12, which is detected by the device internal temperature sensor52, is outside the reference device internal temperature. The reference device internal temperature is, for example, set based on a temperature (recommended temperature) recommended from the viewpoint of image quality printed on the recording medium. The reference device internal temperature is set to have a predetermined range (temperature range), for example, 10° C. to 30° C.

In the image forming device12, for example, the recommended temperature differs between the image forming unit24and the fixing unit27. Therefore, the reference device internal temperature is, for example, appropriately set according to a device or a part in the image forming device12in which the device internal temperature sensor52detects the device internal temperature.

Indoor Temperature Determination Unit

The indoor temperature determination unit94determines whether or not the indoor temperature of the room R, which is detected by the indoor temperature sensor66, is outside the reference indoor temperature. The reference indoor temperature is set, for example, based on a recommended ambient temperature (recommended ambient temperature) as the ambient temperature in which the image forming device12is installed. In addition, the reference indoor temperature is set to have a predetermined range (temperature range), for example, 15° C. to 25° C.

As an example, a lower limit value of the reference indoor temperature is set higher than a lower limit value of the reference device internal temperature. In addition, as an example, an upper limit value of the reference indoor temperature is set lower than an upper limit value of the reference device internal temperature.

Air Conditioning Device Control Unit

The air conditioning device control unit96controls the operation of the air conditioning device60. Specifically, the air conditioning device control unit96operates the air conditioning device60in a cooling operation or a heating operation. In addition, the air conditioning device control unit96stops the air conditioning device60.

Operation Determination Unit

The operation determination unit98determines whether or not the image forming device12is operating, based on the state information of the image forming device12. The state information of the image forming device12includes, as described above, operating (operating state) representing a preparation state or an execution state of the image forming device12, and stopping (stopped state) representing a stopped state of the image forming device12.

Device Internal Temperature Control Processing

Next, an example of the device internal temperature control processing in which the cloud server80controls the device internal temperature of the image forming device12will be described.

For example, in a case where the cloud server80acquires the printing request from the client terminal70, the device internal temperature control processing shown inFIG.6is executed on the cloud server80. The device internal temperature control processing is an example of the device internal temperature control method.

First, in Step S12, the CPU82A acquires a device internal temperature of the image forming device12, which is detected by the device internal temperature sensor52, from the image forming device12, and determines whether or not the acquired device internal temperature is outside the reference device internal temperature. Then, in a case where the CPU82A determines that the device internal temperature of the image forming device12is outside the reference device internal temperature, the CPU82A proceeds to Step S14.

Next, in Step S14, the CPU82A operates the air conditioning device60and air-conditions the room R in which the image forming device12is installed. Specifically, in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12exceeds the reference device internal temperature, the CPU82A operates the air conditioning device60in the cooling operation. Accordingly, the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is cooled.

On the other hand, in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12is lower than the reference device internal temperature, the CPU82A operates the air conditioning device60in the heating operation. Accordingly, the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is heated. After that, the CPU82A proceeds to Step S16.

Next, in Step S16, the CPU82A acquires the state information of the image forming device12from the image forming device12, and determines whether or not the image forming device12is operating based on the acquired state information. Then, in a case where the CPU82A determines that the image forming device12is operating, the CPU82A returns to Step S12. On the other hand, in a case where the CPU82A determines that the image forming device12is stopped, the CPU82A ends the processing.

Next, in Step S12, in a case where the CPU82A determines that the device internal temperature of the image forming device12is within the reference device internal temperature, the CPU82A proceeds to Step S18.

Next, in Step S18, the CPU82A acquires the indoor temperature of the room R, which is detected by the indoor temperature sensor66, from the air conditioning device60, and determines whether or not the acquired indoor temperature is outside the reference indoor temperature. Then, in a case where the CPU82A determines that the indoor temperature of the room R is outside the reference indoor temperature, the CPU82A proceeds to Step S20.

Next, in Step S20, the CPU82A operates the air conditioning device60and air-conditions the room R in which the image forming device12is installed. Specifically, in a case where the indoor temperature of the room R exceeds the reference indoor temperature, the CPU82A operates the air conditioning device60in the cooling operation. Accordingly, the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is cooled.

On the other hand, in a case where the indoor temperature of the room R is lower than the reference indoor temperature, the CPU82A operates the air conditioning device60in the heating operation. Accordingly, the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is heated. After that, the CPU82A proceeds to Step S16described above.

Next, in Step S18, in a case where the CPU82A determines that the indoor temperature of the room R is within the reference indoor temperature, the CPU82A proceeds to Step S22.

Next, in Step S22, the CPU82A stops the air conditioning device60.

Action and Effect

Next, the action and the effect of the present exemplary embodiment will be described.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12is outside the reference device internal temperature, the air conditioning device60is operated and the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is air-conditioned. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the device internal temperature of the image forming device12from the reference device internal temperature, as compared with a case where the device internal temperature is controlled to be within the reference device internal temperature only by the fan50provided in the image forming device12. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the device internal temperature of the image forming device12from becoming a temperature at which the image forming device12cannot operate (operation stop temperature).

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12exceeds the reference device internal temperature, the air conditioning device60is operated in the cooling operation and the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is cooled. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the device internal temperature of the image forming device12from exceeding the reference device internal temperature, as compared with a case where the air conditioning device60is operated only in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12is lower than the reference device internal temperature.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12is lower than the reference device internal temperature, the air conditioning device60is operated in the heating operation and the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is heated. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the device internal temperature of the image forming device12from falling below the reference device internal temperature, as compared with a case where the air conditioning device60is operated only in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12exceeds the reference device internal temperature.

In this way, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the device internal temperature of the image forming device12from deviating from the reference device internal temperature. Therefore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming device12can suppress quality deterioration of the image printed on the recording medium.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12is outside the reference device internal temperature, the air conditioning device60is operated while the image forming device12is operating. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12is outside the reference device internal temperature, an operating rate of the image forming device12may be increased as compared with a case where the image forming device12is stopped.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the indoor temperature of the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is outside the reference indoor temperature, the air conditioning device60is operated and the room R is air-conditioned. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the device internal temperature of the image forming device12from the reference device internal temperature, as compared with a case where the operation of the air conditioning device60is controlled based only on the device internal temperature of the image forming device12.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the indoor temperature of the room R exceeds the reference indoor temperature, the air conditioning device60is operated in the cooling operation and the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is cooled. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the indoor temperature of the room R from exceeding the reference indoor temperature, as compared with a case where the air conditioning device60is operated only in a case where the indoor temperature of the room R is lower than the reference indoor temperature.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the indoor temperature of the room R is lower than the reference indoor temperature, the air conditioning device60is operated in the heating operation and the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is heated. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the indoor temperature of the room R from falling below the reference indoor temperature, as compared with a case where the air conditioning device60is operated only in a case where the indoor temperature of the room R exceeds the reference indoor temperature.

Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, in a case where the indoor temperature of the room R in which the image forming device12is installed is within the reference indoor temperature, the air conditioning device60is stopped. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, energy saving may be achieved as compared with a case where the air conditioning device60is operated constantly.

Modification Example

Next, the modification example of the above exemplary embodiment will be described.

In the above exemplary embodiment, one device internal temperature sensor52is provided in the image forming device12. However, in the image forming device12, a plurality of device internal temperature sensors52may be provided. In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, one image forming device12is installed in the room R to be air-conditioned by the air conditioning device60. However, in the room R, a plurality of image forming devices12may be installed. That is, in the above exemplary embodiment, at least one device internal temperature sensor52can be provided in at least one image forming device12.

Here, in a case where the plurality of device internal temperature sensors52are provided in one image forming device12, the cloud server80performs, for example, processing of operating the air conditioning device60, in a case where at least one of a plurality of device internal temperatures detected by the plurality of device internal temperature sensors52respectively deviates from the reference device internal temperature. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the device internal temperature from the reference device internal temperature over a wide range of the image forming device12, as compared with a case where the device internal temperature of one image forming device12is detected by one device internal temperature sensor52.

In addition, in a case where the plurality of image forming devices12are installed in the room R, the cloud server80performs, for example, processing of operating the air conditioning device60, in a case where at least one of the plurality of device internal temperatures detected by the device internal temperature sensors52respectively provided in the plurality of image forming devices12deviates from the reference device internal temperature. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the device internal temperatures of the plurality of image forming devices12from the reference device internal temperature, as compared with a case where the device internal temperatures of the plurality of image forming devices12are detected by one device internal temperature sensor52.

In addition, in a case where the plurality of device internal temperature sensors52are provided in at least one image forming device12, the reference device internal temperature may be set for each of the device internal temperature sensors52. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the device internal temperature from the reference device internal temperature according to the device or the part in the image forming device12in which the plurality of device internal temperature sensors52detect the device internal temperature, as compared with a case where the reference device internal temperature of the plurality of device internal temperature sensors52is uniform.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, one indoor temperature sensor66is provided in the room R in which the image forming device12is installed. However, in the room R, a plurality of indoor temperature sensors66may be provided.

Here, in a case where the plurality of indoor temperature sensors66are provided in the room R, the cloud server80performs, for example, processing of operating the air conditioning device60, in a case where at least one of a plurality of indoor temperatures detected by the plurality of indoor temperature sensors66respectively deviates from the reference indoor temperature. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the indoor temperature from the reference indoor temperature over a wide range of the room R, as compared with a case where the indoor temperature of the room R is detected by one indoor temperature sensor66.

In addition, in a case where the plurality of indoor temperature sensors66in the room R, a reference indoor temperature may be set for each of the indoor temperature sensors66. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the indoor temperature from the reference indoor temperature according to a region of the room R in which the plurality of indoor temperature sensors66detect the indoor temperature, as compared with a case where the reference indoor temperature of the plurality of indoor temperature sensors66is uniform.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, the operation of the fan50of the image forming device12is controlled by the image forming device12. However, the operation of the fan50of the image forming device12may be controlled by the cloud server80.

Specifically, in the above exemplary embodiment, in a case where the device internal temperature detected by the device internal temperature sensor52exceeds the reference device internal temperature, the fan50is operated by the device internal temperature control unit54of the image forming device12. However, in a case where the device internal temperature exceeds the reference device internal temperature and the indoor temperature of the room R in which the image forming device12is installed exceeds the reference indoor temperature, even though the fan50is operated, the image forming device12may not be cooled, or the cooling efficiency may be lowered.

Therefore, for example, in a case where the device internal temperature detected by the device internal temperature sensor52exceeds the reference device internal temperature and the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor66exceeds the reference indoor temperature, the cloud server80operates the air conditioning device60in the cooling operation without operating the fan50, and the room R is cooled. Then, in a case where the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor66falls within the reference indoor temperature, the cloud server80operates the fan50to cool the image forming device12. Accordingly, the image forming device12can be efficiently cooled.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12exceeds the reference device internal temperature, and a case where the device internal temperature is lower than the reference device internal temperature, the cloud server80operates the air conditioning device60. However, the cloud server80may, for example, operate the air conditioning device60(cooling operation) only in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12exceeds the reference device internal temperature, or may operate the air conditioning device60(heating operation) only in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12is lower than the reference device internal temperature.

Similarly, in the above exemplary embodiment, in a case where the indoor temperature of the room R exceeds the reference indoor temperature and a case where the indoor temperature of the room R is lower than the reference indoor temperature, the cloud server80operates the air conditioning device60. However, the cloud server80operates the air conditioning device60(cooling operation) only in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12exceeds the reference device internal temperature and the indoor temperature of the room R exceeds the reference indoor temperature. In addition, the cloud server80operates the air conditioning device60(heating operation) only in a case where the device internal temperature of the image forming device12is lower than the reference device internal temperature and the indoor temperature of the room R is lower than the reference indoor temperature.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, the cloud server80controls the operation of the air conditioning device60based on the indoor temperature of the room R. However, the cloud server80may be capable of controlling the operation of the air conditioning device60based on at least the device internal temperature of the image forming device12, and does not necessarily control the operation of the air conditioning device60based on the indoor temperature of the room R.

In addition, the term “system” in the present exemplary embodiment includes both a system configured by a plurality of devices and a system configured by a single device. That is, in the present exemplary embodiment, the function of the cloud server80may be implemented by the image forming device12, the air conditioning device60, and the cloud server80, or may be implemented by at least one of the image forming device12, the air conditioning device60, or the cloud server80.

In addition, the processing performed in each unit of the image forming system10according to the above exemplary embodiment may be processing performed by the software, processing performed by the hardware, or processing in which both the software and the hardware are combined. In addition, the processing performed in each unit of the image forming system10may be stored in a storage medium as a program and distributed.

Although one exemplary embodiment of the technology disclosed in the present application has been described above, the technology disclosed in the present application is not limited to the above exemplary embodiment. In addition, the above-described exemplary embodiment and various modification examples may be appropriately combined and used, and it is needless to say that various exemplary embodiments can be implemented without departing from the gist of the technology disclosed in the present application.

Further, the following supplementary notes will be disclosed with respect to the above exemplary embodiment.

An information processing system comprising:at least one processor,wherein the processor is configured to:acquire a device internal temperature in an image forming device; andoperate an air conditioning device that air-conditions a room in which the image forming device is installed, in a case where the device internal temperature is outside a predetermined reference device internal temperature.
(((2)))

The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein the processor is configured to:acquire an indoor temperature of the room; andoperate the air conditioning device in a case where the device internal temperature is within the reference device internal temperature and the indoor temperature is outside a predetermined reference indoor temperature.
(((3)))

The information processing system according to (((2))), wherein the processor is configured to:stop the air conditioning device in a case where the device internal temperature is within the reference device internal temperature and the indoor temperature is within the reference indoor temperature.
(((4)))

The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), wherein the processor is configured to:acquire the device internal temperature from each of a plurality of device internal temperature sensors that detect a temperature in at least one image forming device; andoperate the air conditioning device in a case where at least one of a plurality of device internal temperatures is outside the reference device internal temperature.
(((5)))

The information processing system according to (((4))),wherein the reference device internal temperature is predetermined for each of the plurality of device internal temperature sensors.
(((6)))

The information processing system according to (((4))) or (((5))),wherein the temperature in the one image forming device is detected by the plurality of device internal temperature sensors.
(((7)))

The information processing system according to (((4))) or (((5)),wherein the temperatures in a plurality of image forming devices are detected by the device internal temperature sensors, respectively.
(((8)))

The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))), wherein the processor is configured to:operate the air conditioning device in a cooling operation, in a case where the device internal temperature exceeds the reference device internal temperature.
(((9)))

The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))), wherein the processor is configured to:acquire the device internal temperature in a case where the image forming device is operating; andoperate the air conditioning device while the image forming device is operating, in a case where the device internal temperature is outside the reference device internal temperature.
(((10)))

An information processing program causing a computer to execute a process comprising:acquiring a device internal temperature in an image forming device; andoperating an air conditioning device that air-conditions a room in which the image forming device is installed, in a case where the device internal temperature is outside a predetermined reference device internal temperature.