An embodiment includes an image processing apparatus. A driving unit drives at least one mechanism of the image processing apparatus. A network interface receives location information which indicates the presence or absence of a person in a surrounding area of the image forming apparatus at a time of a requested function of the image processing apparatus. A control unit determines, based on the received location information, whether the person is present in the surrounding area of the image forming apparatus. The control unit controls the driving unit so that, when the person is determined to be present, the at least one mechanism is driven in a first operating mode causing noise at a first volume, and, when the person is not determined to be present, the at least one mechanism is driven in a second operating mode causing noise at a second volume louder than the first volume.