Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and consumable

Abstract

The operation setting of an image forming apparatus corresponding to a consumable is easy to perform. An image forming apparatus (1) includes a toner cartridge (4) having a toner memory (42) capable of storing toner capacity information stored in a region to be an electronic signature and toner capacity switching information stored in a region other than the region to be an electronic signature, and a control unit (61) executing a setting process. When the toner capacity switching information is not stored in the toner memory (42), the operation setting of the image forming apparatus (1) is performed by referring to the toner capacity information, and when the toner capacity switching information is not stored in the toner memory (42), the operation setting of the image forming apparatus (1) is performed by using the reference target information based on the toner capacity switching information. Thus, the operation setting is performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a consumable. Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a technique is disclosed in which the operation mode of a printer is determined based on information stored in a consumable, i.e., a print cartridge. The memory of the print cartridge includes an area that requires a digital signature, and setting data for determining the operation mode of the printer is stored in this area.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Specification of U.S. Patent No. 10372898

[0006] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in an image forming apparatus equipped with, for example, a consumable that is recycled, there is a need to perform operation settings of the apparatus corresponding to the recycled consumable.

[0008] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the setting data is stored in the storage area that requires a digital signature, when the setting data is changed, a digital signature needs to be applied to the changed setting data. Therefore, it is cumbersome to perform the operation setting of the apparatus corresponding to the consumable, and there is room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to facilitate the operation setting of an image forming apparatus corresponding to a consumable.

[0010] Technical Means for Solving the Technical Problem

[0011] In order to solve the above technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a device main body; a consumable that can be installed in the device main body and has a consumable memory; and a control unit. The consumable memory can store basic information and switching information. The basic information is related to the operation setting of the image forming apparatus and is stored in an area that becomes the object of an electronic signature. The switching information switches a reference target of information for performing the operation setting and is stored in an area other than the object of the electronic signature. The control unit executes a setting process in which, when the switching information is not stored in the consumable memory, the operation setting is performed with reference to the basic information.

[0012] When the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the information of the reference target is used based on the switching information, and thus the operation setting is performed.

[0013] The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that the consumable memory can store adjustment information indicating an adjustment value for performing the operation setting corresponding to the consumable, and the adjustment information is stored in an area other than the object of the electronic signature. In the setting process, the control unit determines the operation setting with reference to the adjustment information.

[0014] The image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that when the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the control unit performs a setting process for performing the operation setting based on the switching information and with reference to the basic information.

[0015] The image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that when the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the control unit performs a setting process for performing the operation setting based on the switching information and with reference to the basic information and the adjustment information.

[0016] The image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that when the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the control unit performs a setting process for performing the operation setting based on the switching information and with reference to the adjustment information.

[0017] The image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that the control unit further performs a determination process for determining whether a matter related to the operation setting determined in the setting process satisfies a preset condition.

[0018] The image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure may be configured to further include a display. When it is determined in the determination process that the preset condition is not satisfied, the control unit further performs a display process for displaying that the consumable is not usable on the display.

[0019] The image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure may also be such that the image forming apparatus further includes an image forming unit having a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit. The developing roller supplies toner to the photosensitive drum, the transfer unit transfers the toner supplied to the photosensitive drum to a printing medium, and the fixing unit heats the printing medium by a heating roller to fix the toner transferred to the printing medium on the printing medium. The operation setting is a setting related to the operation of the image forming unit.

[0020] The control method of the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the image forming apparatus includes a device main body, a consumable that can be mounted on the device main body and has a consumable memory, and a control unit, wherein the consumable memory can store basic information and switching information, the basic information is related to the operation setting of the image forming apparatus and is stored in an area that is the object of an electronic signature, the switching information switches a reference target of information for performing the operation setting and is stored in an area other than the object of the electronic signature, and the control unit performs the following control: when the switching information is not stored in the consumable memory, the operation setting is performed with reference to the basic information, and when the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the operation setting is performed with reference to the basic information and the switching information.

[0021] The consumable according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure may also have the following structure: the consumable can be mounted on the device main body of an image forming apparatus having a control unit, wherein it has a consumable memory, the consumable memory can store basic information and switching information, the basic information is related to the operation setting of the image forming apparatus and is stored in an area that is the object of an electronic signature, the switching information switches a reference target of information for performing the operation setting and is stored in an area other than the object of the electronic signature, when the switching information is not stored in the consumable memory, the control unit performs the operation setting with reference to the basic information, and when the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the control unit performs a setting process for performing the operation setting with reference to the basic information and the switching information.

[0022] Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, since the main basic information is stored in the area that is the object of the electronic signature, it is possible to detect tampering of the information based on the electronic signature. In addition, the switching information can be stored outside the area that is the object of the electronic signature in the consumable memory. Therefore, in the setting process, when the switching information is stored in an area other than the object of the electronic signature in the consumable memory, it is possible to use the information of the reference target based on the switching information, and thus perform the operation setting of the image forming apparatus. Thereby, it is possible to prevent tampering of the basic information and easily perform the operation setting of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the consumable.

[0024] According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, it is possible to perform the operation setting corresponding to the consumable by referring to the adjustment information. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the operation of the image forming apparatus fails due to the installation of the consumable.

[0025] The image forming apparatus according to the third mode sets the operation of the image forming apparatus with reference to the basic information even when the switching information is stored. Therefore, there is no need to store information identical to the basic information outside the object area of the electronic signature of the consumable memory. As a result, the capacity of the consumable memory can be reduced.

[0026] The image forming apparatus according to the fourth mode sets the operation of the image forming apparatus with reference to the basic information and the adjustment information when the switching information is stored. Therefore, the adjustment information can be set to a value corresponding to the basic information. As a result, the amount of the adjustment information can be reduced.

[0027] The image forming apparatus according to the fifth mode sets the operation of the image forming apparatus with reference to the adjustment information when the switching information is stored. Therefore, the operation of the image forming apparatus can be set without referring to the basic information. As a result, the operation of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the consumable can be set.

[0028] The image forming apparatus according to the sixth mode can determine whether the consumable installed in the apparatus main body can be used by executing the determination process. Therefore, it can be known whether the installed consumable can be used. As a result, the concern about the occurrence of a failure in the operation of the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

[0029] The image forming apparatus according to the seventh mode executes the display process, and thus, when it is determined in the determination process that a matter related to the operation setting does not satisfy a preset condition, "not available" is displayed on the display. Therefore, the user can know that an unusable consumable is installed in the apparatus main body. As a result, the concern about the occurrence of a failure in the operation of the image forming apparatus due to the installation of an unusable consumable can be reduced.

[0030] The operation setting of the image forming apparatus according to the eighth mode is a setting related to the operation of the image forming unit, and thus, the setting of the operation of the image forming unit corresponding to the consumable is determined. Therefore, the image forming unit can operate corresponding to the consumable. As a result, the concern about the occurrence of a failure due to the operation in the image forming unit can be reduced.

[0031] The control method of the image forming apparatus according to the ninth mode can achieve the same effect as that achieved by the image forming apparatus according to the first mode.

[0032] The consumable according to the tenth mode can achieve the same effect as that achieved by the image forming apparatus according to the first mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the main component structure of an image forming apparatus including a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of toner cartridge information stored in a toner memory.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of the memory mapping of a toner memory.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow of action setting processing performed by an image forming apparatus.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing Figure 5 an example of the process flow of the first action setting processing shown.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing Figure 5 an example of the process flow of the second action setting processing shown.

[0040] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow of the first action setting processing related to Embodiment 2. Detailed Embodiment

[0041] 〔Embodiment 1〕

[0042] Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, as an example of the image forming apparatus 1, a laser printer that forms an image on a printing medium using toner will be described. However, the image forming apparatus in the present disclosure may also be a printer other than a laser printer. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be an inkjet printer.

[0043] <Structural Outline of Image Forming Apparatus 1>

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1 including the toner cartridge 4.

[0045] As Figure 1 shown, the image forming apparatus 1 is composed of a main body housing 10 and a cover 11. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a toner cartridge 4, a drum cartridge 20, a transfer belt 70, a control unit 61, a main body memory 62, and a display 63. The image forming apparatus 1 may further include an image forming unit 30.

[0046] (Main Body Housing 10)

[0047] The main body housing 10 is an example of the main body of the apparatus related to the present disclosure. The main body housing 10 is, for example, in the shape of a rectangular box. The toner cartridge 4, the drum cartridge 20, the image forming unit 30, the control unit 61, the main body memory 62, the display 63, and the transfer belt 70 are housed in the main body housing 10.

[0048] The display 63 may also be provided on the main body housing 10. In addition, the display surface of the display 63 may be provided on the outer surface of the main body housing 10 in such a manner that the user can visually confirm the displayed information. The display 63 may also be configured to function as an operation unit by being integrally formed with a touch panel.

[0049] The toner cartridge 4 can be installed on the main body housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. Although the details will be described later, the toner cartridge 4 is integrated with the drum cartridge 20 by being installed on the drum cartridge 20. That is, the toner cartridge 4 is installed on the main body housing 10 together with the drum cartridge 20 in a state where the toner cartridge 4 is installed on the drum cartridge 20.

[0050] In addition, four toner cartridges 4 are installed in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can install four toner cartridges 4 and four drum cartridges 20. However, the number of drum cartridges 20 and toner cartridges 4 installed in the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to Figure 1 the example. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may also be a monochrome printer that can install one drum cartridge 20 and toner cartridge 4.

[0051] The main body housing 10 has four cartridge holding portions 13. The cartridge holding portions 13 are formed in a concave shape and have openings. The toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 are installed on the main body housing 10 by being held by the respective cartridge holding portions 13.

[0052] (Cover 11)

[0053] A light source unit 50 corresponding to each drum cartridge 20 is provided on the cover 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 includes four light source units 50. The cover 11 can rotate (be movable) about a rotation axis 11A between an open position shown by a solid line in Figure 1 where the opening 10A is opened and Figure 1 a closed position shown by a double-dot chain line in where the opening 10A is closed. By the rotation of the cover 11, the opening 10A provided at the upper end of the main body housing 10 is opened and closed.

[0054] When the cover 11 is disposed at the open position, the respective openings of the cartridge holding portions 13 are open. When the cover 11 is disposed at the closed position, the respective openings of the cartridge holding portions 13 are covered by the cover 11.

[0055] In the main body case 10, a closed sensor (not shown) may also be provided at the opening 10A. The closed sensor is a sensor that detects the case where the cover 11 is in the closed position. The closed sensor may be, for example, a contact sensor or an optical sensor.

[0056] (Toner cartridge 4)

[0057] The toner cartridge 4 stores toner. The image forming apparatus 1 consumes the toner stored in the toner cartridge 4 to perform printing. The toner cartridge 4 is an example of a consumable used in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0058] The toner cartridge 4 has a cartridge case that can accommodate a developing roller 41 and a developer as an example of a printing material. In addition, in the following description, the developer used is described by taking toner as an example. The cartridge case can be mounted on the main body case 10. Four toner cartridges 4 store toners of mutually different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) as materials used for image formation. Toner is a material that is consumed as it is used. When the toner cartridge 4 is mounted on the drum cartridge 20, the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 41. The developing roller 41 supplies toner onto the photosensitive drum 21.

[0059] In addition, as Figure 2 shown, the toner cartridge 4 has a toner memory 42. The toner memory 42 is an example of a consumable memory. The toner memory 42 is disposed on an outer surface on one side in a first direction of the toner cartridge 4. The toner memory 42 is a memory capable of reading and writing information, and is, for example, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or an EEPROM (registered trademark, Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory).

[0060] The toner memory 42 can store toner cartridge information 420, which is information about the toner cartridge 4. Information related to the operation setting of the image forming apparatus 1 corresponding to the toner cartridge 4 is stored in the toner cartridge information 420. In addition, in the following description, the operation setting of the image forming apparatus 1 is simply referred to as "operation setting". Refer to Figure 3 the data structure of the toner cartridge information 420 described later.

[0061] (Drum cartridge 20)

[0062] As Figure 1As shown, the drum cartridge 20 has a cartridge housing for mounting the toner cartridge 4. As a component used in image forming processing, the drum cartridge 20 has a photosensitive drum 21. The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is covered with a photosensitive material. The photosensitive drum 21 is a replacement part that needs to be replaced due to deterioration such as surface wear during use. The drum cartridge 20 is also an example of a consumable used in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0063] In addition, as Figure 2 shown, the drum cartridge 20 may also have a drum memory 22, which is an example of a consumable memory. The drum memory 22 is a memory capable of reading and writing information. The drum memory 22 is, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM (registered trademark). The drum memory 22 can store drum cartridge information, which is information about the drum cartridge 20. Similar to the toner cartridge information 420 stored in the toner memory 42, the drum cartridge information may store information about the operation settings corresponding to the drum cartridge 20.

[0064] <Cartridge Installation and Printing Mechanism>

[0065] As Figure 1 shown, the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 are installed in the main body housing 10 in a state where the cover 11 is disposed at the open position. In this state, the toner cartridge 4 and the drum cartridge 20 are inserted into the cartridge holding portion 13 from the opening 10A.

[0066] Four light source units 50 are installed on the inner surface of the cover 11. In a state where the drum cartridge 20 is installed in the main body housing 10 and the cover 11 is in the closed position, the light source units 50 are disposed opposite to the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. In addition, the light source unit 50 has a plurality of light sources arranged in a first direction. The light source can irradiate light to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. The light source is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0067] The light source unit 50 is electrically connected to the control unit 61. The control unit 61 causes the plurality of light sources of the light source unit 50 to emit light according to the input image data. The light source irradiates light toward the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21. As a result, the photosensitive material on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is exposed according to the image data.

[0068] The transfer belt 70 is a component that transfers the developer (e.g., toner) located on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the printing medium. The transfer belt 70 is a replacement part that needs to be replaced due to deterioration such as surface wear during use. The transfer belt 70 is a belt capable of contacting the photosensitive drum 21 and is annular (annular belt). The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 can contact the outer peripheral surface of the transfer belt 70. During image forming processing, the printing medium is conveyed between the transfer belt 70 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0069] The transfer belt 70 is installed between the driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72. The driving roller 71 drives the transfer belt 70. The control unit 61 rotates the driving roller 71. The driven roller 72 rotates following the movement of the transfer belt 70 driven by the driving roller 71.

[0070] The image forming unit 30 performs image forming processing on the printing medium to form an image. The image forming unit 30 includes: a photosensitive drum 21, a developing roller 41, a transfer unit 33 that transfers the toner supplied onto the photosensitive drum 21 to the printing medium, and a fixing unit 34 that fixes the toner transferred to the printing medium onto the printing medium by heating the printing medium with a heating roller 35. Additionally, the image forming unit 30 may further include an exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive drum 21 by irradiating a prescribed light beam onto the photosensitive drum 21, and a charger that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.

[0071] <Internal Structure of the Apparatus Main Body>

[0072] The control unit 61 has, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 61 is electrically connected to the main body memory 62 provided in the main body housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. Although not shown in Figure 2 , the display 63 is also electrically connected to the control unit 61. The control unit 61 performs various processes related to the printing of the image forming apparatus 1 by executing various operations.

[0073] Furthermore, the control unit 61 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In this case, it may also be that a control program for implementing the control method of the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in the main body memory 62, and the processor operates in accordance with the control program, whereby the control unit 61 causes the image forming apparatus 1 to perform various processes.

[0074] In addition, the control unit 61 may include a computer-readable recording medium such as the main body memory 62 that stores a control program. As the recording medium, in addition to "non-transitory tangible media" such as ROM, for example, magnetic tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, programmable logic circuit, etc. may also be used. Additionally, RAM (Random Access Memory) etc. that expands the control program may also be used. Additionally, the control program may be supplied to the above computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the control program. Additionally, one aspect of the present disclosure may also be implemented in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave that is realized by electronic transmission of the control program.

[0075] AsFigure 2 As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 1 has a connector 101 and a connector 102. With the drum cartridge 20 inserted Figure 1 into the cartridge holding portion 13 as shown, the connector 101 is electrically connected to the drum memory 22, whereby the control unit 61 can communicate with the drum memory 22 of the drum cartridge 20. That is, the control unit 61 can execute a read process of information from the drum memory 22 and a write process (including a rewrite process) of information to the drum memory 22.

[0076] In addition, with the toner cartridge 4 installed in the main body housing 10, the connector 102 is electrically connected to the toner memory 42, whereby the control unit 61 can communicate with the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4. That is, the control unit 61 can execute a read process of information from the toner memory 42 and a write process (including a rewrite process) of information to the toner memory 42.

[0077] The main body memory 62 is a memory capable of reading and writing information. The main body memory 62 is, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM (registered trademark). The main body memory 62 has one or more storage areas, and as an example, the following various types of information are stored in each area.

[0078] Cartridge information is stored in the main body memory 62, and this cartridge information is information related to the cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, in order to be able to identify the toner cartridges 4 of each color, the cartridge information includes the toner cartridge information 420 read from the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridges 4 of each color. In addition, in order to be able to identify each drum cartridge 20, the cartridge information includes the drum cartridge information 220 read from the drum memory 22 of the drum cartridge 20. As an example, the drum cartridge information 220 includes usage amount information indicating the usage amount of the drum cartridge 20. For details of the data structure of the toner cartridge information 420 stored as the cartridge information 621, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 described later.

[0079] <Data Structure of Cartridge Information>

[0080] (Toner Cartridge Information 420)

[0081] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the toner cartridge information 420 stored in the toner memory 42. As an example, the toner cartridge information 420 includes toner capacity information 421, toner capacity switching information 422, toner capacity adjustment information 423, toner remaining amount information 424, fixing control information 425, fixing control switching information 426, and fixing control adjustment information 427. In addition, although not shown, the toner cartridge information 420 may also include other information about the toner cartridge 4, such as usage amount information indicating the usage amount of the toner cartridge 4.

[0082] The toner capacity information 421 includes first toner capacity information 421A and second toner capacity information 421B. The toner capacity information 421 is an example of basic information related to operation settings. Operation settings are made using the toner capacity information 421 as the basic information. In the present embodiment, the first toner capacity information 421A is information indicating the toner capacity accommodated in the toner cartridge 4, and the second toner capacity information 421B is information indicating the maximum toner capacity that the toner cartridge 4 can accommodate.

[0083] The toner capacity switching information 422 is information for switching the reference target of the information used for operation settings. The toner capacity switching information 422 is an example of switching information. The toner capacity switching information 422 is information indicating that at least any one of the toner capacity information 421 and the toner capacity adjustment information 423 described below is to be referred to in the setting process described below. When the toner capacity switching information 422 is stored in the toner memory 42, operation settings are performed by using the information of the reference target based on the toner capacity switching information 422.

[0084] The toner capacity adjustment information 423 is information indicating an adjustment value for performing operation settings corresponding to the toner cartridge 4. The toner capacity adjustment information 423 is an example of adjustment information. In the present embodiment, the toner capacity adjustment information 423 is an adjustment value related to the capacity of the toner accommodated in the toner cartridge 4.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the toner capacity adjustment information 423 may also be information indicating, for example, the adjustment value of the toner capacity accommodated in the toner cartridge 4 at the time of shipment from the factory. As an example, if the toner capacity accommodated in the toner cartridge 4 is 100 g, the toner capacity adjustment information 423 is information indicating 100 g. In this case, the toner capacity adjustment information 423 is information used for operation settings in place of the first toner capacity information 421A. Additionally, the toner capacity adjustment information 423 may also be an adjustment value indicating the difference between the accommodated toner capacity and the first toner capacity information 421A. As an example, if the toner capacity accommodated in the toner cartridge 4 is 80 g and the first toner capacity information 421A is 100 g, the toner capacity adjustment information 423 is information indicating -20 g. Furthermore, the toner capacity adjustment information 423 may also be information indicating the filling amount of the toner filled in the toner cartridge 4.

[0086] The toner remaining amount information 424 is information indicating the amount of toner remaining in the toner cartridge 4. The toner remaining amount information 424 is information indicating the toner remaining amount calculated based on the toner consumption amount during printing, and is information updated each time printing is performed. The toner remaining amount information 424 may also be calculated based on the toner capacity of the toner cartridge 4 calculated using at least one of the toner capacity information 421, the toner capacity switching information 422, and the toner capacity adjustment information 423.

[0087] The fixing control information 425 is information related to the setting of the operation of the image forming unit 30 corresponding to the toner cartridge 4. More specifically, the fixing control information 425 is information related to the setting of the operation of the fixing unit 34 of the image forming unit 30. The fixing control information 425 is an example of basic information. The operation setting is performed using the fixing control information 425 as the basic information. As an example, the fixing control information 425 is information for performing an operation setting corresponding to the composition of the toner accommodated in the toner cartridge 4 and the characteristics of the printing medium used in printing (the size or type of the printing medium).

[0088] The fixing control information 425 includes first fixing control information 425A to fourth fixing control information 425D. In the present embodiment, the first fixing control information 425A to the fourth fixing control information 425D are the target temperatures of the heating roller 35 provided in the fixing unit 34 during printing. As an example, the first fixing control information 425A is the target temperature when the first printing medium is conveyed at the first speed, which is the maximum speed at which the printing medium is conveyed. Further, the second fixing control information 425B is the target temperature when the first printing medium is conveyed at the second speed, which is half of the first speed. Further, the third fixing control information 425C is the target temperature when a second printing medium different from the first printing medium is conveyed at the first speed. Further, the fourth fixing control information 425D is the target temperature when the second printing medium is conveyed at the second speed.

[0089] The fixing control switching information 426 is information for switching the reference target of the information used for the operation setting. More specifically, the fixing control switching information 426 is information for switching the setting of the operation of the fixing unit 34 of the image forming unit 30. The fixing control switching information 426 is an example of switching information. The fixing control switching information 426 is information indicating that at least any one of the fixing control information 425 described later and the fixing control adjustment information 427 described later is referred to in the setting process described later. When the fixing control switching information 426 is stored in the toner storage 42, the operation setting is performed by using the information of the reference target based on the fixing control switching information 426. The fixing control switching information 426 includes first fixing control switching information 426A to fourth fixing control switching information 426D, and the first fixing control switching information 426A to the fourth fixing control switching information 426D respectively correspond to the first fixing control information 425A to the fourth fixing control information 425D.

[0090] The fixing control adjustment information 427 is information indicating an adjustment value for performing an operation setting corresponding to the toner cartridge 4. More specifically, the fixing control adjustment information 427 is information indicating an adjustment value related to the setting of the operation of the fixing unit 34 of the image forming unit 30. The fixing control adjustment information 427 is an example of adjustment information. The fixing control adjustment information 427 includes first fixing control adjustment information 427A to fourth fixing control adjustment information 427D, and the first fixing control adjustment information 427A to fourth fixing control adjustment information 427D respectively correspond to the first fixing control information 425A to fourth fixing control information 425D.

[0091] In the present embodiment, the fixing control adjustment information 427 is information indicating an adjustment value of the target temperature of the heating roller 35 provided in the fixing unit 34 during printing. In this case, the fixing control adjustment information 427 is information used for performing an operation setting in place of the fixing control information 425. In addition, the fixing control adjustment information 427 may also be information indicating an adjustment value of the difference between the target temperature of the heating roller 35 during printing and the fixing control information 425.

[0092] The control unit 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 uses at least one of the fixing control information 425, the fixing control switching information 426, and the fixing control adjustment information 427 to perform an operation setting. When performing the operation setting, the control unit 61 controls the target temperature of the heating roller 35 to the target temperature corresponding to the toner cartridge 4 during printing.

[0093] (An example of the memory mapping of the toner storage 42)

[0094] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the memory mapping of the toner storage 42. In Figure 4 a mapping M1 is illustrated as an example of the memory mapping of the toner storage 42. However, the memory mapping of the toner storage 42 is not limited to Figure 4 the example.

[0095] In Figure 4 the addresses of 0x0000 to 0x007F of the mapping M1 of the toner storage 42 are shown. As an example, the memory capacity of the minimum unit of the addresses of the mapping M1 is 1 byte. Each piece of information included in the toner cartridge information 420 is stored in the toner storage 42 in correspondence with each address of the mapping M1. For example, the first toner capacity information 421A is stored in the area of the addresses 0x0020 to 0x0021 of the mapping M1 and has a memory capacity of 2 bytes.

[0096] The addresses from 0x0010 to 0x002F of the mapping M1 are the area ES that is the object of the electronic signature. Therefore, in order to store information in the area ES of the mapping M1, an electronic signature is required. In the area ES, an electronic signature is attached to the stored information. The addresses other than 0x0010 to 0x002F of the mapping M1 are areas other than the object of the electronic signature. Therefore, in the areas other than the area ES of the mapping M1, an electronic signature is not required, and an electronic signature is not attached to the stored information. In addition, for the verification of the information stored in the area ES based on the electronic signature, well-known techniques related to electronic signatures are used. For example, the electronic signature uses a method of comparing the hash value calculated using a hash function with a pre-calculated hash value. In addition, the pre-calculated hash value 428 is stored in the area ES.

[0097] In the area ES of the mapping M1, the first toner capacity information 421A, the second toner capacity information 421B, the first fixing control information 425A, the second fixing control information 425B, the third fixing control information 425C, and the fourth fixing control information 425D are stored. That is, in the area ES of the mapping M1, basic information as the operation setting is stored to prevent rewriting. In other words, when the information in the area ES of the mapping M1 is rewritten, it may be possible to detect the tampering of the information. In addition, information other than the information shown in Figure 4 is stored in the area ES of the mapping M1.

[0098] In the areas other than the area ES of the mapping M1, Figure 3 among the respective information of the toner cartridge information 420 shown, information other than the first toner capacity information 421A to the second toner capacity information 421B, the first fixing control information 425A to the fourth fixing control information 425D is stored. For example, the toner capacity switching information 422, the toner capacity adjustment information 423, the fixing control switching information 426, and the fixing control adjustment information 427 are stored in the areas other than the area ES. The information stored in the areas other than the area ES can be rewritten without an electronic signature. Therefore, the operation setting corresponding to the toner cartridge 4 can be easily performed.

[0099] <Action Setting Process>

[0100] Refer to Figures 5 to 7 to describe the action setting process performed by the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the action setting process performed by the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the first action setting process shown. Figure 7 It shows Figure 5 a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the second action setting process shown.

[0101] As Figure 5 shown, when the toner cartridge 4 is installed in the main body housing 10, the control unit 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs an operation setting process corresponding to the installed toner cartridge 4. First, the control unit 61 executes a first operation setting process (S1). The first operation setting process is an operation setting process based on the information on the toner capacity stored in the toner memory 42.

[0102] Refer to Figure 6 to describe the details of the first operation setting process. First, the control unit 61 reads the area ES (S10) of the toner memory 42 that is the object of the electronic signature. That is, in step S10, the control unit 61 reads the toner capacity information 421 stored in the area ES. More specifically, in step S10, the control unit 61 reads the first toner capacity information 421A. In addition, in step S10, the control unit 61 may further read the second toner capacity information 421B.

[0103] Next, the control unit 61 verifies the electronic signature attached to the toner capacity information 421 (S11). Then, based on the verification result of step S11, the control unit 61 determines whether information has been tampered with (S12). In the case where information has been tampered with (S12: Yes), the control unit 61 performs a process of displaying that the toner cartridge 4 is unusable on the display 63 (S13). Step S13 is an example of a display process. After step S13, the control unit 61 ends the first operation setting process. On the other hand, in the case where information has not been tampered with (S12: No), the control unit 61 determines whether toner capacity switching information 422 is stored in the toner memory 42 (S14).

[0104] In the case where the toner capacity switching information 422 is not stored (S14: No), the control unit 61 performs an operation setting using the first toner capacity information 421A (S15). That is, in step S15, the control unit 61 performs an operation setting using the toner capacity indicated by the first toner capacity information 421A. After step S15, the control unit 61 ends the first operation setting process. On the other hand, in the case where the toner capacity switching information 422 is stored (S14: Yes), the control unit 61 reads the toner capacity switching information 422 (S16).

[0105] Next, the control unit 61 determines whether the toner capacity switching information 422 read in step S16 includes information using the toner capacity adjustment information 423 (S17). In the case where the toner capacity adjustment information 423 is not used (S17: No), the control unit 61 executes the above step S15. In this case, the toner capacity switching information 422 includes information indicating reference to the first toner capacity information 421A.

[0106] On the other hand, in the case of using the toner capacity adjustment information 423 (S17: Yes), the control unit 61 determines the toner capacity accommodated in the toner cartridge 4 using the toner capacity adjustment information 423 (S18). In this case, the toner capacity switching information 422 includes information indicating that the toner capacity adjustment information 423 is referred to.

[0107] In step S18, the control unit 61 refers to the toner capacity adjustment information 423 to determine the toner capacity accommodated in the toner cartridge 4. In step S18, when the toner capacity adjustment information 423 is an adjustment value representing the value of the accommodated toner capacity, the control unit 61 refers to the toner capacity adjustment information 423 to determine the toner capacity. Further, in step S18, when the toner capacity adjustment information 423 is an adjustment value representing the difference between the accommodated toner capacity and the first toner capacity information 421A, the control unit 61 refers to the first toner capacity information 421A and the toner capacity adjustment information 423 to determine the toner capacity.

[0108] Next, the control unit 61 determines whether the toner capacity of the toner cartridge 4 determined in step S18 satisfies a preset condition (S19). That is, in step S19, the control unit 61 determines whether the matter related to the operation setting determined with reference to the toner capacity adjustment information 423 satisfies the preset condition. In step S19, the control unit 61 determines whether the toner capacity determined in step S18 satisfies at least any one of the conditions of being equal to or less than the second toner capacity information 421B and being a value less than 0 (negative value).

[0109] In the case where the toner capacity does not satisfy the preset condition (S19: No), the control unit 61 executes the above-described step S13. That is, in step S19, when the toner capacity does not satisfy at least any one of the conditions of being equal to or less than the second toner capacity information 421B and being a value less than 0 (negative value), the control unit 61 executes step S13. In the case where the toner capacity satisfies the preset condition (S19: Yes), the control unit 61 performs the operation setting using the toner capacity adjustment information 423 (S20). In addition, steps S14 to S18 and S20 are examples of setting processes.

[0110] Return Figure 5 . After the first operation setting process, the control unit 61 executes the second operation setting process. Refer to Figure 7Describe the details of the second operation setting process. The second operation setting process is an operation setting process based on information stored in the toner storage 42 related to the control of the fixing unit 34 of the image forming unit 30. In addition, in the present embodiment, the operation settings of the fixing control information 425A to 425D of the toner cartridge information 420 follow the same control flow. Therefore, in the following description, the operation setting for the first fixing control information 425A will be described.

[0111] As Figure 7 shown, the control unit 61 reads in the area ES (S30) that is the object of the electronic signature. That is, in step S30, the control unit 61 reads in the first fixing control information 425A stored in the area ES that is the object of the electronic signature. After step S30, the control unit 61 executes step S31. In addition, steps S31 to S33 of the second operation setting process are the same as steps S11 to S13 of the first operation setting process, so the description is omitted.

[0112] When it is determined in step S32 that no information has been tampered with (S32: No), the control unit 61 determines whether the first fixing control switching information 426A is stored in the toner storage 42 (S34). When the first fixing control switching information 426A is not stored (S34: No), the control unit 61 performs operation setting using the first fixing control information 425A (S35). After step S35, the control unit 61 ends the second operation setting process. On the other hand, when the first fixing control switching information 426A is stored (S34: Yes), the control unit 61 reads in the first fixing control switching information 426A (S36).

[0113] Next, the control unit 61 determines whether the first fixing control switching information 426A read in step S36 includes information using the first fixing control adjustment information 427A (S37). When the first fixing control adjustment information 427A is not used (S37: No), the control unit 61 executes the above step S35. In this case, the first fixing control switching information 426A includes information indicating reference to the first fixing control adjustment information 427A.

[0114] On the other hand, when the first fixing control adjustment information 427A is used (S37: Yes), the control unit 61 performs operation setting using the first fixing control adjustment information 427A (S38). In this case, the first fixing control switching information 426A includes information indicating reference to the first fixing control adjustment information 427A. In addition, steps S34 to S38 are an example of the setting process. After step S38, the control unit 61 ends the second operation setting process.

[0115] 〔Embodiment 2〕

[0116] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 8 another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 8 FIG. is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the first operation setting process according to Embodiment 2. In addition, for ease of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0117] In the first operation setting process according to Embodiment 2, the toner capacity switching information 422 is set with a value corresponding to the type of the toner capacity adjustment information 423 when the toner capacity is determined, which is different from the first operation setting process according to Embodiment 1. In addition, Figure 8 the steps S40 to 46 and the steps S54 to S55 shown are respectively the same as Figure 6 the steps S10 to 16 and the steps S19 to S20 shown, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0118] As Figure 8 shown, after step S46, the control unit 61 determines whether the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is "0" (S47). When the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is "0" (S47: Yes), the control unit 61 executes step S45. That is, when the operation is set using the first toner capacity information 421A, the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is set to "0". In this case, the value "0" of the toner capacity switching information 422 indicates information referring to the first toner capacity information 421A. On the other hand, when the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is not "0" (S47: No), the control unit 61 reads in the toner capacity adjustment information 423 (S48).

[0119] After step S48, the control unit 61 determines whether the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is "3" (S49). When the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is "3" (S49: Yes), the control unit 61 determines that "toner capacity = toner capacity adjustment information 423" (S50). For example, when the toner capacity adjustment information 423 represents an adjustment value of the toner capacity accommodated in the toner cartridge 4, the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is set to "3". In this case, the value "3" of the toner capacity switching information 422 indicates information referring to the toner capacity adjustment information 423.

[0120] After step S50, the control unit 61 executes step S54. On the other hand, when the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is not "3" (S49: No), the control unit 61 determines whether the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is "2" (S51).

[0121] When the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is "2" (S51: Yes), the control unit 61 determines that "toner capacity = first toner capacity information 421A - toner capacity adjustment information 423" (S52). After step S52, the control unit 61 executes step S54. On the other hand, when the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is not "2" (S51: No), it is determined that "toner capacity = first toner capacity information 421A + toner capacity adjustment information 423" (S53). For example, in steps S51 to S53, when the toner capacity adjustment information 423 is an adjustment value representing the difference between the stored toner capacity and the first toner capacity information 421A, if it is a positive difference, the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is set to "2", and if it is a negative difference, the value of the toner capacity switching information 422 is set to "1". That is, when the toner capacity switching information 422 is the difference relative to the first toner capacity information 421A, the toner capacity switching information 422 is set to a value corresponding to the difference. After step S53, the control unit 61 executes step S54.

[0122] In the processing of steps S51 to S53, the values "2" and "1" of the toner capacity switching information 422 are information indicating reference to the first toner capacity information 421A and the toner capacity adjustment information 423.

[0123] <Advantages of this Embodiment>

[0124] According to this embodiment described above, since the main toner capacity information 421 and the fixing control information 425 are stored in the area ES that is the object of the electronic signature, it is possible to detect tampering with the information based on the electronic signature. In addition, the toner capacity switching information 422 and the fixing control switching information 426 can be stored outside the object area of the electronic signature of the toner memory 42. Therefore, in, for example, the first operation setting process, when the toner capacity switching information 422 is stored in an area other than the object of the electronic signature in the toner memory 42, it is possible to use the information to be referred to based on the toner capacity switching information 422, thereby performing the operation setting. The second operation setting process is the same as the first operation setting process. Thus, it is possible to prevent tampering with the toner capacity information 421 and the fixing control information 425, and it is easy to perform the operation setting corresponding to the toner cartridge 4.

[0125] In addition, for example, in the first operation setting process, the control unit 61 can perform the operation setting corresponding to the toner cartridge 4 by referring to the toner capacity adjustment information 423. The second operation setting process is the same as the first operation setting process. Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 malfunctions due to the installation of the toner cartridge 4.

[0126] In addition, for example, in the first operation setting process, even when the toner capacity switching information 422 is stored, the control unit 61 also refers to the toner capacity information 421. The second operation setting process is the same as the first operation setting process. Therefore, there is no need to store the same information as the toner capacity information 421 and the fixing control information 425 outside the object area of the electronic signature of the toner memory 42. As a result, the capacity of the toner memory 42 can be reduced.

[0127] In addition, for example, in the first operation setting process, when the toner capacity switching information 422 is stored, the control unit 61 performs operation setting with reference to the toner capacity information 421 and the toner capacity adjustment information 423. The second operation setting process is the same as the first operation setting process. Therefore, the toner capacity adjustment information 423 and the fixing control adjustment information 427 can be set to values corresponding to the toner capacity information 421 and the fixing control information 425, respectively. As a result, the amount of information of the toner capacity adjustment information 423 and the fixing control adjustment information 427 can be reduced.

[0128] In addition, for example, in the first operation setting process, when the toner capacity switching information 422 is stored, the control unit 61 performs operation setting with reference to the toner capacity adjustment information 423. The second operation setting process is the same as the first operation setting process. Therefore, operation setting can be performed without separately referring to the toner capacity information 421 and the fixing control information 425. As a result, operation setting corresponding to the toner cartridge 4 can be performed.

[0129] In addition, the control unit 61 can determine whether the toner cartridge 4 installed in the main body case 10 can be used by executing a determination process. Therefore, it is possible to know whether the installed toner cartridge 4 can be used. As a result, the concern about malfunctions in the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced.

[0130] In addition, the control unit 61 performs a display process. Thus, when it is determined in the determination process that the matters regarding the operation setting do not satisfy the preset conditions, "not available" is displayed on the display. Therefore, the user can know that non-usable consumables are installed in the apparatus main body. As a result, the concern about malfunctions in the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 caused by the installation of non-usable consumables can be reduced.

[0131] In addition, the operation setting is a setting related to the operation of the image forming unit 30, and thus the setting that determines the operation of the image forming unit 30 corresponding to the toner cartridge 4. Therefore, the image forming unit 30 can be made to operate corresponding to the toner cartridge 4. As a result, the concern about malfunctions caused by the operation in the image forming unit 30 can be reduced.

[0132] In addition, according to the control method of the image forming apparatus 1, the same effects as those achieved by the image forming apparatus 1 can be obtained.

[0133] In addition, according to the toner cartridge 4 installed in the main body casing 10, the same effects as those achieved by the image forming apparatus 1 can be obtained.

[0134] 〔Example implemented by software〕

[0135] The functions of the image forming apparatus 1 can be implemented by a program for causing a computer to function as the image forming apparatus 1 and for causing the computer to function as the control unit 61 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0136] In this case, as the hardware for executing the above program, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory). By executing the above program by the above control device and storage device, the respective functions described in the above embodiments are realized.

[0137] The program can be stored in one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media. The image forming apparatus 1 may or may not include the above storage medium. In the latter case, the program can also be supplied to the image forming apparatus 1 via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0138] In addition, part or all of the functions of the control unit 61 can also be implemented by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit functioning as the control unit 61 is formed is also included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0139] In addition, part or all of the functions of the control unit 61 can also be implemented by a microprocessor built in an IC chip.

[0140] 〔Matters to be noted〕

[0141] For example, when the toner remaining amount in the toner cartridge 4 installed in the image forming apparatus 1 is used up, it is recycled by being collected by an operator, refilled with toner, and then redistributed to the user. So-called recycling is performed. However, the toner cartridge 4 after recycling does not necessarily need to be refilled with the same amount of toner as the toner capacity before recycling. For example, sometimes it is less than the toner capacity before recycling, and sometimes it is more than the toner capacity before recycling. In such a case where the toner capacity differs between before and after recycling, action settings corresponding to the toner cartridge 4 after recycling may sometimes be required.

[0142] In addition, in order to perform operation settings corresponding to the toner capacity of the toner cartridge 4 after being recycled, it is necessary to change the toner capacity information 421 which is the basic information of the operation settings. However, since the toner capacity information 421 is stored in the area ES which is the object of the electronic signature for detecting the tampering of information, it is necessary to perform the electronic signature again when rewriting the toner capacity information 421.

[0143] As described above, according to the present disclosure, the toner capacity switching information 422 and the toner capacity adjustment information 423 are stored outside the area ES which is the object of the electronic signature of the toner memory 42. Therefore, the toner capacity switching information 422 and the toner capacity adjustment information 423 can be written into the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 after being recycled. Therefore, the setting process according to the present disclosure can be executed without rewriting the toner capacity information 421. Thus, appropriate control can be performed according to the toner capacity of the toner cartridge 4 after being recycled.

[0144] In addition, the switching information and the adjustment information according to the present disclosure are not limited to the structure of being written into the consumable memory of the consumable after being recycled. That is, at least any one of the switching information and the adjustment information may be written into the consumable memory of the consumable before being recycled.

[0145] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claimed protection. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means separately disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0146] Symbol Description

[0147] 1 Image forming apparatus

[0148] 10 Main body housing

[0149] 20 Drum cartridge

[0150] 21 Photosensitive drum

[0151] 30 Image forming unit

[0152] 33 Transfer unit

[0153] 34 Fixing unit

[0154] 35 Heating roller

[0155] 4 Toner cartridge

[0156] 41 Developing roller

[0157] 42 Toner memory

[0158] 61 Control unit

[0159] 63 Display.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that, Comprising: A device main body; A consumable, which can be installed on the device main body and has a consumable memory; and A control unit, The consumable memory can store basic information and switching information, The basic information is related to the operation settings of the image forming device and is stored in an area that is the object of an electronic signature, The switching information switches the reference target of the information for performing the operation settings and is stored in an area other than the object of the electronic signature, The control unit executes a setting process, in which When the switching information is not stored in the consumable memory, the operation settings are performed by referring to the basic information, When the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the information of the reference target is used based on the switching information, thereby performing the operation settings.

2. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein The consumable memory can store adjustment information, The adjustment information represents an adjustment value for performing the operation settings corresponding to the consumable and is stored in an area other than the object of the electronic signature, In the setting process, the control unit determines the operation settings by referring to the adjustment information.

3. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein When the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the control unit executes a setting process for performing the operation settings based on the switching information and referring to the basic information.

4. The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein When the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the control unit executes a setting process for performing the operation settings based on the switching information and referring to the basic information and the adjustment information.

5. The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein When the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the control unit executes a setting process for performing the operation settings based on the switching information and referring to the adjustment information.

6. The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein The control unit also executes a determination process, The determination process determines whether a matter regarding the operation settings determined in the setting process satisfies a preset condition.

7. The image forming device according to claim 6, wherein It further comprises a display, When it is determined in the determination process that the preset condition is not satisfied, the control unit also executes a display process, which displays on the display that the consumable is not usable.

8. The image forming device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The image forming device further comprises an image forming unit, The image forming unit has a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit. The developing roller supplies toner to the photosensitive drum, the transfer unit transfers the toner supplied to the photosensitive drum to a printing medium, and the fixing unit heats the printing medium through a heating roller, thereby fixing the toner transferred to the printing medium on the printing medium. The operation setting is a setting related to the operation of the image forming unit.

9. A control method for an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus including a main body, a consumable that can be installed in the main body and has a consumable memory, and a control unit, characterized in that: The consumable memory can store basic information and switching information. The basic information is related to the operation setting of the image forming apparatus and is stored in an area that is the object of an electronic signature. The switching information switches the reference target of the information for performing the operation setting and is stored in an area other than the object of the electronic signature. The control unit performs the following control: When the switching information is not stored in the consumable memory, the operation setting is performed by referring to the basic information. When the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the operation setting is performed by using the information of the reference target based on the switching information.

10. A consumable that can be installed in the main body of an image forming apparatus having a control unit, characterized in that: It has a consumable memory. The consumable memory can store basic information and switching information. The basic information is related to the operation setting of the image forming apparatus and is stored in an area that is the object of an electronic signature. The switching information switches the reference target of the information for performing the operation setting and is stored in an area other than the object of the electronic signature. When the switching information is not stored in the consumable memory, the control unit performs the operation setting by referring to the basic information. When the switching information is stored in the consumable memory, the control unit performs the setting process for performing the operation setting by using the information of the reference target based on the switching information.

Images