Image formation apparatus and contract system of image formation apparatus

Abstract

To improve usability in exchanging of a consumable unit that is attachable / removable in an image formation apparatus.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus comprises a lock mechanism of a door that regulates removal of a plurality of consumable units from the image formation apparatus in a state in which the plurality of consumable units (cartridges) being removable are mounted for the image formation apparatus. The image formation apparatus makes the lock mechanism in a lock state (regulated state) when at least one of consumable units mounted on the image formation apparatus is an identified type consumable unit in a state (first state) in which a contract of a service using the identified type consumable unit provided from a service provider is performed. The image formation apparatus makes the lock mechanism in a release state (non-regulated state) when all consumable units mounted on the image formation apparatus are not the identified type consumable units in the first state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a contract system for an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In an image forming apparatus to which a detachable consumable unit such as a toner container or a process cartridge including a toner container is attached, a technique is known for using up the consumable unit until its lifespan is reached. By using up the consumable unit until its lifespan is reached, it is possible to reduce the replacement frequency of the consumable unit.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique of setting the stopper of a process cartridge to invalid (released) only when the replacement time of the process cartridge is detected, thereby enabling the attachment and detachment of the process cartridge. Patent Document 2 describes a technique of locking the cover of a toner container, displaying a replacement screen for the toner container when a state without toner in the toner container is detected, and releasing the lock of the cover corresponding to the toner container by input through the replacement screen. Thus, a technique is known for restricting the removal of a consumable unit such as a process cartridge or a toner container from the image forming apparatus until the lifespan of the consumable unit is reached.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, as a printing service provided by a service provider, there is a printing service that delivers a dedicated cartridge (process cartridge) and charges a fixed amount or per-page for image formation using the cartridge. In recent years, a contract system for an image forming apparatus that provides a printing service under a fixed-rate subscription has also become widespread.

[0006] In such a contract system, a situation may occur where the door is locked with a dedicated cartridge provided by the service provider and other cartridges mixed and installed. At this time, it is desirable in terms of cost to use the dedicated cartridge.

[0007] The present invention provides a technique for enabling flexible operation of a printing service provided by a service provider and improving usability by suitably restricting the replacement of cartridges when replacing a detachable consumable unit in an image forming apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of consumable units used for image formation on a recording material. In a state where the plurality of consumable units are mounted on the image forming apparatus, a regulating means for regulating the removal of the plurality of consumable units from the image forming apparatus, and a control for switching the state of the regulating means between a regulating state for regulating the removal of the consumable unit and a non-regulating state for not regulating the removal of the plurality of consumable units. The control means is configured such that, in a first state where a contract for a service using a specific type of consumable unit provided by a service provider is made, when at least one of the consumable units mounted on the image forming apparatus is the specific type of consumable unit, the regulating means is set to the regulating state, and when all of the consumable units mounted on the image forming apparatus are not the specific type of consumable unit, the regulating means is set to the non-regulating state.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to improve the usability when replacing a detachable consumable unit in an image forming apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0012] [First Embodiment] As an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electrophotographic laser beam printer (LBP) will be described. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to only an LBP, and may be other types of image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, an inkjet printer, and the like.

[0013] [Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured to form an image on a recording material by an electrophotographic method. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured to be able to form a full-color image by superimposing yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment employs an intermediate transfer method, but may be configured as a laser beam printer that employs a direct transfer method in which a toner image is transferred from a photoreceptor (photosensitive drum) to a recording material without passing through an intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt).

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 includes laser scanners 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K and process cartridges (cartridges) 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K that are detachable from the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the subscripts Y, M, C, K attached to the reference numerals indicate the toner colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and are omitted when matters common to each color are described. In the image forming apparatus 1, the laser scanner 11Y and the cartridge 12Y constitute an image forming unit for forming a Y-color toner image, and the same applies to the image forming units corresponding to the M color, C color, and K color.

[0015] The cartridge 12 includes a photosensitive drum 13, a drum cleaner 14, a charging roller 15, a developing roller 16, a toner container 6, and a toner remaining amount sensor 62. The cartridge 12 is a consumable unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus 1, and is an example of a consumable unit used for forming an image on a recording material. In the present embodiment, an example in which the consumable unit is constituted by a process cartridge (cartridge 12) will be described, but the consumable unit is not limited thereto. For example, a consumable unit that is detachable from the image forming apparatus 1 and is used for forming an image on a recording material may be constituted by a toner container that stores toner.

[0016] In the cartridge 12, the photosensitive drum 13 is an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image and a toner image formed by developing the electrostatic latent image with toner. The photosensitive drum 13 is driven to rotate at a predetermined peripheral speed in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1. The drum cleaner 14 is disposed so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 13. The intermediate transfer belt 17 is disposed at a position in contact with the photosensitive drums 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K. Further, primary transfer rollers 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K are disposed at positions facing the photosensitive drums 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K via the intermediate transfer belt 17, respectively.

[0017] The charging roller 15 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 13. The laser scanner 11 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 by exposing the photosensitive drum 13 with laser light modulated based on an image signal (image data). The developing roller 16 forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 13 by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 13 using toner (developer) supplied from the toner container 6.

[0018] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 13 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17 at the transfer position (primary transfer section) by the primary transfer roller 18. At this time, the four-color toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black formed on the photosensitive drums 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 17. The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is conveyed to the secondary transfer section, which is the contact section between the intermediate transfer belt 17 and the secondary transfer roller 29, in accordance with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 17. At the secondary transfer section, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is transferred onto the sheet (paper) 21 that has been conveyed through the conveyance path from the cassette (storage section) 22.

[0019] The cassette 22 stores the sheets 21 in a stacked state. A paper feed roller 25, a conveyance roller 26, a registration roller (registration roller) 27, and a registration sensor 28 are arranged in the conveyance path for conveying the sheet 21 from the cassette 22 to the secondary transfer section. The sheet 21 in the cassette 22 is fed into the conveyance path by the paper feed roller 25 and conveyed through the conveyance path toward the registration roller 27 by the conveyance roller 26.

[0020] The sheet 21 conveyed to the registration roller 27 is conveyed to the secondary transfer section at a conveyance speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the intermediate transfer belt 17 at a predetermined control timing by the registration roller 27. At the secondary transfer section, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 17 is transferred onto the sheet 21 by the secondary transfer roller 29.

[0021] On the downstream side of the secondary transfer roller 29 in the conveyance direction of the sheet 21, a fixing device 30 and a discharge roller 59 are installed. Further, in the vicinity of the discharge roller 59, a sheet sensor 53 for detecting the sheet 21 discharged onto the discharge tray is provided. The sheet 21 onto which the toner image has been transferred by the secondary transfer roller 29 is conveyed to the fixing device 30. The fixing unit 30 includes a fixing roller that is a heating member and a pressure roller that is a pressure member disposed opposite to the fixing roller. The fixing device 30 performs a fixing process of fixing the transferred toner image to the sheet 21 by applying heat and pressure to the sheet 21 with the fixing roller and the pressure roller. The sheet 21 on which the fixing process has been performed is discharged onto the discharge tray by the discharge roller 59.

[0022] The image forming apparatus 1 further includes an operation panel 50 and a control unit (control board) 60. The control unit 60 has a main body memory 72. In the main body memory 72, for example, the model information of the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in advance at the time of factory shipment. The operation panel 50 includes a display unit for displaying (notifying) information to the user and an input unit for receiving input of information by receiving the user's operation.

[0023] <Configuration related to attachment and detachment of the cartridge> FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a configuration related to the attachment and detachment of the cartridge 12 in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2(A) shows a case where the door 52 provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is in a closed state. FIG. 2(B) shows a case where the door 52 is in an open state.

[0024] The door 52 is configured to enable access to the consumable unit (cartridge 12) mounted inside the image forming apparatus 1 in the open state and disable access in the closed state. One door 52 is provided for all the cartridges 12 on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The door 52 is provided with an operation member 41 used for the user to open and close the door 52. When the door 52 is in the open state, it is possible to mount the cartridge 12 inside the image forming apparatus 1 (main body) and remove the cartridge 12 from inside the image forming apparatus 1 (main body).

[0025] After a new unit (such as the cartridge 12) is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 and the use of the unit progresses, and eventually the replacement time arrives, it becomes necessary to replace the unit with a new unit. Note that the replacement time corresponds to, for example, the time when the predetermined image quality cannot be maintained when image formation is performed using the mounted unit, and is also referred to as "lifespan" in this specification.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is further provided with a door 42 as a door for enabling access to the inside of the main body. By opening the door 42, the user can access the conveyance path. The door 42 is used, for example, when a jam occurs in the sheet 21 being conveyed, and the user accesses the conveyance path to remove the sheet 21 staying in the conveyance path.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2(B), the image forming apparatus 1 includes a lock pin 47 and a lock member 51 disposed on the door 52 and paired with the lock pin 47. The lock pin 47 is configured to restrict the movement of the door 52 from the closed state to the open state. The lock member 51 is disposed at a position where the lock pin 47 and the lock member 51 are fitted when the door 52 is in the closed state. The image forming apparatus 1 further includes a door sensor 48 that is a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the door 52, and a member 49 used for detecting the open / closed state of the door 52 by the door sensor 48.

[0028] In this embodiment, the lock pin 47 and the lock member 51 constitute a lock mechanism for locking the door 52 in the closed state. The lock pin 47 and the lock member 51 are an example of a restricting means for restricting the removal of the consumable unit from the image forming apparatus 1 in a state where they are mounted on the image forming apparatus 1.

[0029] <Door Lock Mechanism and Opening / Closing Detection Mechanism> FIG. 3(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the lock mechanism of the door 52 in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3(A), a part of the lock pin 47 protrudes into the lock member 51 to be in a convex state, and thus fits with the lock member 51. When the lock pin 47 and the lock member 51 are fitted together, the door 52 is fixed in the closed state by the lock pin 47. Thereby, the removal of the cartridge 12 from the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 by the user is restricted (prohibited).

[0030] The operation of the lock pin 47 is controlled by a lock control unit 94 (FIG. 5) described later. The state of the lock pin 47 can be switched between a state where the door 52 can be opened (as shown by the broken line in FIG. 3(A)) and a state where the door 52 is fixed in the closed state (as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3(A)).

[0031] FIG. 3(B) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the detection mechanism for detecting the opening and closing of the door 52. As described above, the detection of the opening and closing state of the door 52 is performed using the door sensor 48. As an example, the door sensor 48 is composed of a photo interrupter. The door sensor 48 has a light emitting unit 48a that emits light and a light receiving unit 48b that receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 48a.

[0032] The open / closed state of the door 52 is detected based on the output of the light-receiving unit 48b. When the door 52 switches from the open state to the closed state, the member 49 is inserted between the light-emitting unit 48a and the light-receiving unit 48b in the door sensor 48. As a result, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 48a is blocked by the member 49 and is not received by the light-receiving unit 48b. In this case, the door sensor 48 outputs a detection result indicating that the closed state of the door 52 has been detected.

[0033] On the other hand, when the door 52 switches from the closed state to the open state, the member 49 is in a state where it is not inserted between the light-emitting unit 48a and the light-receiving unit 48b in the door sensor 48. As a result, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 48a is received by the light-receiving unit 48b without being blocked by the member 49. In this case, the door sensor 48 outputs a detection result indicating that the open state of the door 52 has been detected. Note that the signal (information) indicating the detection result of the open / closed state of the door 52 output from the door sensor 48 is output to the control unit 60 (lock control unit 94 (FIG. 5)).

[0034] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 60. The control unit 60 includes a CPU 81, a ROM 82, a RAM 83, a bus 85, an input / output I / F (interface) 86, and a network I / F 84. The control unit 60 is configured as, for example, a control board on which these devices are mounted (integrated) as components. The devices in the control unit 60 are connected to each other via a bus 85 capable of bidirectional communication.

[0035] The CPU 81 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus by reading and executing the programs stored in the ROM 82. The CPU 81 uses the storage area of the RAM 83 as a work area. The CPU 81 can access the network I / F 84 and the input / output I / F 86 via the bus 85.

[0036] The input / output I / F 86 is connected to a lock pin 47, a door sensor 48, a main body memory 72, and an operation panel 50. When a cartridge 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K) is mounted on the image forming apparatus, a cartridge memory 71 (71Y, 71M, 71C, 71K) in the cartridge 12 is connected to the input / output I / F 86. Also, a toner remaining amount sensor 62 (62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K) is likewise connected to the input / output I / F 86 when a cartridge 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K) is mounted on the image forming apparatus. The CPU 81 controls the devices connected to the input / output I / F 86 via the input / output I / F 86. Note that devices other than those shown in FIG. 4 may be connected to the input / output I / F 86. The toner remaining amount sensors 62Y, 62M, 62C, 62K are sensors for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the corresponding toner containers 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, respectively.

[0037] The network I / F 84 is connected to a network 400 including a local area network (LAN) and the Internet. The CPU 81 can communicate with an external device accessible via the network 400 using the network I / F 84. In the present embodiment, the CPU 81 can communicate with a server 410 and a PC 420 via the network 400. The PC 420 is a terminal device operated by a user. The server 410 is a server device capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 400 and is managed by a service provider.

[0038] <Control Configuration> FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a management control unit 92, a mode switching control unit 93, a lock control unit 94, an initial control unit 95, and a print control unit 96 as functional units realized on a control unit 60 (CPU 81). Each of these functional units can be realized on the control unit 60 (CPU 81) by the CPU 81 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 82.

[0039] Based on the notification received from the server 410, the mode switching control unit 93 performs control to switch the contract status of the image forming apparatus 1 for the service provided by the service provider between an un-contracted state ("un-contracted") and a contracted state ("contracted"). The mode switching control unit 93 updates the information stored in the main body memory 72 (the contract status in FIG. 11(D) described later) according to the switching of the contract status. In the present embodiment, the contracted state ("contracted") is an example of the first state in which a contract for a service using a specific type of consumable unit (dedicated cartridge) provided by the service provider has been made. Also, the un-contracted state ("un-contracted") is an example of the second state in which the above contract has not been made.

[0040] The management control unit 92 performs control to manage the operations of each unit related to the printing operation. The print control unit 96 performs control related to the image forming operation (printing operation) of the image forming apparatus 1. The print control unit 96 performs, for example, drive control of various rollers (such as the paper feed roller 25 and the conveyance roller 26) used for feeding and conveying the sheet 21, and output control of high voltages (charging voltage, developing voltage, and transfer voltage, etc.) from the high voltage power supply. The print control unit 96 further performs drive control of the scanner motor of the laser scanner 11, light emission control of the laser light source of the laser scanner 11, and temperature control of the fixing unit 30.

[0041] The lock control unit 94 controls the operation of the lock pin 47 (the lock mechanism of the door 52) and manages the information and lifespan of the cartridge 12. Also, the lock control unit 94 makes a determination regarding the conditions for executing the lock of the door 52 and the conditions for releasing the locked state, and controls the operation of the lock pin 47 according to the determination result. The lock control unit 94 is configured to perform control to switch the state of the lock mechanism of the door 52 between a restricted state (locked state) that restricts the removal of the cartridge 12 and a non-restricted state (released state) that does not restrict the removal of the consumable unit.

[0042] When the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or the door 52 is closed, the initial control unit 95 performs initial processing such as detecting residual paper on the conveyance path in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0043] <Example of stored information in memory> Next, with reference to FIG. 11, examples of the stored information in the cartridge memory 71 and the main body memory 72 will be described. FIGS. 11(A) and (B) show an example of the information stored in the cartridge memory 71Y. In this example, an example of the information stored in the cartridge memory 71Y corresponding to the Y color is shown, but the same applies to the cartridges 12M, 12C, and 12K. FIGS. 11(C) and (D) show an example of the information stored in the main body memory 72.

[0044] FIG. 11(A) shows an example of the information unique to the cartridge 12Y stored in the cartridge memory 71Y. The information shown in the figure is the information unique to the cartridge 12Y set at the time of factory shipment of the image forming apparatus 1 and is not updated by the lock control unit 94.

[0045] The serial number (serial No.) is an identification number uniquely assigned to the cartridge 12Y. The model information indicates the model number of the image forming apparatus in which the cartridge 12Y is used. The cartridge color information is the toner color corresponding to the cartridge 12Y and indicates any one of the Y color, M color, C color, and K color. The dedicated CRG (cartridge) information indicates whether the cartridge 12Y is a dedicated cartridge for services provided by a service provider. As an example, the dedicated CRG information includes "TRUE" when the cartridge 12Y is a dedicated cartridge for services and "FALSE" when it is not a dedicated cartridge (i.e., a normal cartridge). In the present embodiment, the dedicated cartridge is an example of a specific type of consumable unit provided by a service provider.

[0046] In the example of FIG. 11(A), the serial number "12345", the model information "LBPXXXX", the cartridge color information "Y", and the dedicated CRG information "TRUE" are stored in the cartridge memory 71Y corresponding to the Y color. The dedicated CRG information is an example of information indicating whether the cartridge 12 is a dedicated cartridge (a specific type of consumable unit). The lock control unit 94 can determine whether the cartridge is a dedicated cartridge (a specific type of consumable unit) based on the information stored in the cartridge memory 71 provided in the cartridge 12 (consumable unit) mounted on the image forming apparatus 1.

[0047] FIG. 11(B) shows an example of information related to the life of the cartridge 12Y stored in the cartridge memory 71Y. The cartridge memory 71Y holds the rotation integrated time of the corresponding photosensitive drum 13Y and the reference time used for determining the remaining life (remaining life) of the photosensitive drum 13Y based on the rotation integrated time. The rotation integrated time of the photosensitive drum 13Y is the integrated time obtained by integrating the time during which the photosensitive drum 13Y has performed a rotation operation. The rotation integrated time held in the cartridge memory 71Y is updated at any time during the rotation operation of the photosensitive drum 13. The reference time is a time predetermined as the rotation integrated time of the photosensitive drum 13Y when the photosensitive drum 13Y reaches the end of its life.

[0048] The lock control unit 94 uses the values of the reference time and the rotation integrated time held in the cartridge memory 71 to obtain a remaining life value based on the rotation integrated time of the photosensitive drum 13Y. For example, as shown in FIG. 11(B), when the reference time of the photosensitive drum 13Y is 10,000 seconds and the rotation integrated time is 6,000 seconds, the usage amount of the photosensitive drum 13Y is calculated as 6,000 / 10,000 × 100 = 60 [%]. This corresponds to the ratio of the rotation integrated time to the reference time. Also, the remaining life value based on the rotation integrated time of the photosensitive drum 13Y is calculated as 40% (= 100% - 60%).

[0049] The cartridge memory 71Y further holds the rotational integrated distance of the corresponding photosensitive drum 13Y and a reference distance used for determining the remaining life of the photosensitive drum 13Y based on the rotational integrated distance. The rotational integrated distance of the photosensitive drum 13Y is an integrated distance obtained by integrating the distance that the surface of the photosensitive drum has moved due to the rotational operation of the photosensitive drum 13Y. The rotational integrated distance held in the cartridge memory 71Y is updated at any time during the rotational operation of the photosensitive drum 13. The reference distance is a distance predetermined as the rotational integrated distance at which the photosensitive drum 13Y reaches the end of its life.

[0050] The lock control unit 94 obtains a remaining life value related to the rotational distance of the photosensitive drum 13Y using the values of the reference distance and the rotational integrated distance held in the cartridge memory 71. For example, as shown in Table 2, when the reference distance of the photosensitive drum 13Y is 5000 m and the rotational integrated distance is 3500 m, the usage amount of the photosensitive drum 13Y corresponds to the ratio of the rotational integrated distance to the reference distance, and is calculated as 3500 / 5000×100 = 70 [%]. Also, the remaining life value based on the rotational integrated distance of the photosensitive drum 13Y is calculated as 30% (= 100% - 70%).

[0051] The cartridge memory 71Y further holds the toner remaining amount in the corresponding toner container 6 detected by the toner remaining amount sensor 62Y. The toner remaining amount is updated at any time in response to detection by the toner remaining amount sensor 62Y. Note that the toner remaining amount may be obtained by a method other than using the toner remaining amount sensor 62Y, such as based on an integrated value of the number of pixels of an image formed by the laser scanner 11Y.

[0052] The remaining life value of the photosensitive drum 13Y based on the above rotational integration time, the remaining life value of the photosensitive drum 13Y based on the rotational integration distance, and the remaining toner amount can be used as the remaining life value indicating the remaining life of the cartridge 12Y. In the present embodiment, as an example, the lock control unit 94 acquires the minimum value among these three values as the remaining life value indicating the remaining life of the cartridge 12Y (consumable unit) and stores it in the main body memory 72. In the example of FIG. 11(B), the remaining life value of the photosensitive drum 13Y based on the rotational integration time is 40%, the remaining life value of the photosensitive drum 13Y based on the rotational integration distance is 30%, and the remaining toner amount is 25%. In this case, the lock control unit 94 determines that the remaining life value of the cartridge 12Y is 25% and stores the determined remaining life value in the main body memory 72.

[0053] The lock control unit 94 may determine the remaining life value indicating the remaining life of the cartridge 12Y based on, for example, one of the remaining life value of the photosensitive drum 13Y based on the above rotational integration time, the remaining life value of the photosensitive drum 13Y based on the rotational integration distance, and the remaining toner amount. Further, other index values related to the life of the cartridge 12 may be used as the remaining life value of the cartridge 12Y. Thus, the lock control unit 94 (control unit 60) uses the following information when acquiring the remaining life value. For example, it is the integration time obtained by integrating the time during which the photoreceptor (photosensitive drum 13) has performed a rotational operation. Also, it is the integration distance obtained by integrating the distance by which the surface of the photoreceptor has moved due to the rotational operation of the photoreceptor. Also, it is the remaining toner amount in the toner container. That is, it can be configured to acquire the remaining life value based on one or more of the above. When the consumable unit detachable from the image forming apparatus 1 is constituted by a toner container, the remaining life value can be acquired based on the remaining toner amount in the toner container.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 11(B), a lock release threshold value is further stored in the cartridge memory 71Y. The lock release threshold value is defined as a threshold value used to determine whether to release the locked state of the door 52 by the lock mechanism based on the remaining life value of the cartridge 12Y. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, when the remaining life value of the cartridge 12Y becomes equal to or less than the lock release threshold value (in this example, 5% or less), the lock control unit 94 performs control to release the locked state of the door 52 in order to enable replacement of the cartridge 12Y. Note that the lock control unit 94 performs the same control for the cartridges 12M, 12C, and 12K.

[0055] FIG. 11(C) shows an example of information unique to the image forming apparatus 1 stored in the main body memory 72. The information shown in this figure is information unique to the image forming apparatus 1 set at the time of factory shipment of the image forming apparatus 1 and is not updated by the lock control unit 94.

[0056] The serial number (Serial No.) is an identification number uniquely assigned to the image forming apparatus 1. The model information indicates the model number of the image forming apparatus 1. In this example, "L01234" is stored in the main body memory 72 as the serial number, and "LBPXXXX" is stored as the model information.

[0057] FIG. 11(D) shows an example of information related to the cartridge 12 stored in the main body memory 72. The information shown in this figure is updated as needed according to the usage status of the image forming apparatus 1. The contract status indicates whether a contract (concluded) for the service using the dedicated cartridge provided by the service provider has been made for the image forming apparatus 1. The contract status stored in the main body memory 72 is set to "Contracted" when the service has been contracted and "Uncontracted" when the service has not been contracted (not contracted). In this way, information indicating the contract status of the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in the main body memory 72.

[0058] The main memory 72 further holds the information read from the cartridge memory 71 of each cartridge 12, and the remaining life value obtained based on the read information. In this example, the serial number, remaining life value, and dedicated CRG information for each cartridge 12 are held in the main memory 72.

[0059] <Processing sequence related to subscription contract> Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a processing sequence related to a subscription contract will be described. In the present embodiment, a contract (subscription contract) for a service using a specific type of consumable unit provided by a service provider is made with the image forming apparatus 1. As described above, in the present embodiment, as described above, a dedicated cartridge dedicated to the service is provided from the service provider as a specific type of consumable unit. The service provider provides a printing service that charges a fixed amount or per-page for image formation using the specific type of consumable unit according to the contract.

[0060] First, in S601, the PC 420 creates contract information for concluding a contract regarding the provision of a service by the service provider according to the user's input. The user inputs information via a website screen displayed on the display unit of the PC 420 by a web browser. This website screen is provided from the server 410 managed by the service provider to the PC 420. The contract information created by the PC 420 includes, for example, name, address, payment method, email address, and model information of the image forming apparatus (printer) used (e.g., "LBPXXXX").

[0061] When the creation of the contract information is completed, in S602, the PC 420 transmits a contract request including the contract information to the server 410. Note that the communication between the PC 420 and the server 410 is performed via the network 400. For example, after creating the contract information, the PC 420 displays a dialog box for finally confirming with the user whether to conclude the contract by means of a web browser, and transmits the contract request in response to the OK button being pressed in the dialog box.

[0062] When the server 410 receives the contract request from the PC 420, in S603, it registers the contract information by saving the contract information included in the received contract request in a non-volatile memory (not shown). Then in S604, the server 410 transmits registration information for registration to the image forming apparatus 1 to the PC 420 as a response to the contract request. For example, the transmission of the registration information can be performed by sending an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address included in the contract information. The registration information to be transmitted includes, for example, a notification indicating that the registration of the contract information has been completed, procedures for starting the provision of the service, and a registration code for input to the image forming apparatus 1 (e.g., "CD123456"). Note that the registration code is saved in the non-volatile memory in association with the contract information.

[0063] After transmitting the registration information, a dedicated cartridge for the service based on the contract is sent by the service provider to the contract user (the user of the PC 420 and the image forming apparatus 1). Note that the service provider sends the dedicated cartridge addressed to the address included in the contract information.

[0064] In S605, the image forming apparatus 1 receives a registration operation regarding a contract with a service provider via the operation panel 50. The control unit 60 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives a registration operation by the user by displaying an operation screen (operation menu) for the registration operation on the operation panel 50. In S606, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits printer information to the server 410 according to the input by the registration operation. This printer information includes, for example, the serial number and model information stored in the main memory 72 of the image forming apparatus 1, the input registration code, and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 410 is performed via the network 400.

[0065] When receiving the printer information from the image forming apparatus 1, in S607, the server 410 checks whether the received printer information matches the contract information. Specifically, the server 410 refers to the contract information associated with the registration code included in the received printer information, and checks that the model information included in the contract information is the same as the model information included in the printer information. If the printer information matches the contract information, the server 410 registers the printer information by associating the printer information with the contract information and storing it in the non-volatile memory. When the registration of the printer information is completed, in S608, the server 410 transmits a contract start notification indicating that the service provider starts providing the service (the contract is established) to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0066] When receiving the contract start notification from the server 410, in S609, the image forming apparatus 1 (mode switching control unit 93) shifts the image forming apparatus 1 from the un-contracted state (second state) to the contracted state (first state) according to the notification. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 (mode switching control unit 93) updates the information (contract status) stored in the main memory 72 from "un-contracted" to "contracted".

[0067] Also, the user performs the above-described registration operation and installs the dedicated cartridge delivered from the service provider in the image forming apparatus 1. When a cartridge of a type other than the dedicated cartridge (such as a normal cartridge) is installed in the image forming apparatus 1 as the cartridge 12, the installed cartridge is replaced with the dedicated cartridge. In S610, the image forming apparatus 1 (lock control unit 94) determines whether a dedicated cartridge is installed as the cartridge 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K) based on the dedicated CRG information stored in the cartridge memory 71.

[0068] Following the installation of the dedicated cartridge as the cartridge 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K) in the image forming apparatus 1, in S611, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits cartridge information regarding the cartridge 12 to the server 410. This cartridge information includes the serial number, remaining life information, and dedicated CRG information acquired from the cartridge memory 71.

[0069] In S612, the server 410 confirms that any of the cartridges 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K) installed in the image forming apparatus 1 is a dedicated cartridge based on the cartridge information received from the image forming apparatus 1. In accordance with this confirmation, the server 410 starts providing services according to the contract with the contract user. Specifically, the service provider (server 410) provides a printing service that charges a fixed amount or per page for image formation using the provided dedicated cartridge for the contract target image forming apparatus 1.

[0070] In this way, when the above-described subscription contract is concluded and the toner remaining amount decreases, a dedicated cartridge (a specific type of consumable unit) for the service provided by the service provider is sent from the service provider to the user.

[0071] When the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment shifts to the contracted state where the above-described contract has been made, in order to enable the dedicated cartridge to be used up until the end of its life, the door 52 is locked by a lock mechanism. Here, the user can mount the dedicated cartridge as the cartridge 12 by performing an unlocking operation from the operation unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 that the user owns. Here, as an example of the unlocking operation, there are a method of inputting the serial No. of the sent dedicated cartridge and unlocking it by matching, a method of inputting the password issued by the service provider and unlocking it, and the like. By not unlocking at unnecessary timings in this way, unnecessary cartridge replacement can be prevented, and the user can use only the dedicated cartridge at the time of the contract.

[0072] <Processing procedure for locking the door> FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for executing the locking of the door 52 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. When the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or the door 52 is closed, the control unit 60 starts executing the processing according to the procedure of FIG. 7. In this processing, the control unit 60 locks the door 52 by the lock mechanism in order to restrict the removal of the cartridge 12 from the image forming apparatus 1, and releases the locked state depending on the conditions.

[0073] In S701, the lock control unit 94 performs a process of checking the state of the cartridge 12. Specifically, the lock control unit 94 reads the information stored in the cartridge memory 71 (see Tables 1 and 2) into the RAM 83, and checks the state of the cartridge 12 based on the read information.

[0074] When the confirmation process of the cartridge 12 is completed, in S702, the lock control unit 94 determines whether all the cartridges 12 (cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12M, 12C) are mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. The mounting of each cartridge 12 is detected based on the output of a detection sensor (not shown) provided in the mounting portion (on the side of the image forming apparatus 1) where each cartridge 12 is mounted. Alternatively, the mounting of each cartridge 12 may be detected based on the output from a detection sensor (not shown) mounted on the cartridge 12 to the control unit 60.

[0075] When all the cartridges 12 are mounted, the lock control unit 94 proceeds to S703. When any of the cartridges is not mounted, the lock control unit 94 releases the lock of the door in S708 and ends the process. When ending the process, the lock control unit 94 may notify the user that the cartridge 12 is not mounted, for example, by displaying a message on the operation panel 50. Thereby, the user may be prompted to mount the unmounted cartridge 12 on the image forming apparatus 1.

[0076] Next, in S703, the lock control unit 94 determines the contract status regarding the provision of the above-mentioned service by the service provider based on the information (contract status) stored in the main body memory 72 (determines whether it is a contracted state or an uncontracted state). When the contract status is "contracted", the lock control unit 94 proceeds to S704. When the contract status is "uncontracted", the lock control unit 94 releases the lock of the door in S708 and ends the process (When the contract status is "contracted") In S704, the lock control unit 94 determines whether the cartridge 12 (cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12M, 12C) is a dedicated cartridge for services based on a contract. This determination is made based on whether the dedicated CRG information stored in the cartridge memory 71 of each cartridge 12 is "TRUE". If all the cartridges 12 are normal cartridges, the lock control unit 94 advances the process to S708, unlocks the door in S708, and ends the process. Otherwise, the process advances to S705.

[0077] In S705, the lock control unit 94 determines whether the release condition (lock release condition) for unlocking the lock state of the door 52 is satisfied. If the lock release condition is satisfied, the lock control unit 94 advances the process to S706. If the lock release condition is not satisfied, the process ends.

[0078] In this embodiment, it is set as the lock release condition that the remaining life value of at least any one of the cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K is equal to or less than the lock release threshold value. Therefore, when the remaining life value of at least any one of the cartridges 12 is equal to or less than the lock release threshold value, the lock control unit 94 advances the process to S706. Otherwise, the process ends. Note that, as described above, based on the information stored in the cartridge memory 71 of each cartridge 12, the lock control unit 94 acquires the remaining life value of the cartridge, stores the acquired remaining life value in the main body memory 72, and uses it. Also, the lock control unit 94 reads out the lock unlocking threshold value stored in the cartridge memory 71 of each cartridge 12 and uses it for the determination in S705.

[0079] In S706, for the cartridge 12 for which it is determined that the remaining life value is equal to or less than the unlock threshold value (i.e., the unlock condition is satisfied), the lock control unit 94 displays, on the operation panel 50, a message for prompting the user to replace it with a new cartridge and an input for the unlock operation. Here, as an example of the input for the unlock operation, there are methods such as inputting the serial No. of the sent dedicated cartridge and unlocking it by matching, or inputting the password issued by the service provider and unlocking it.

[0080] In S710, the lock control unit 94 checks whether an unlock instruction has been issued from the operation panel. If an unlock instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to S708. In S708, the lock of the door is released and the process ends. If no unlock instruction has been issued, the process goes to S709, the lock of the door is continued, and a message indicating that the lock of the door 52 has been executed (indicating that the lock mechanism has been put in a restricted state) is displayed on the operation panel 50, and the process ends. In this way, by notifying the user that the lock of the door 52 has been executed, the user can recognize that the cause of the door 52 not opening is not a failure of the image forming apparatus 1 even if the door 52 cannot be opened.

[0081] In this manner, when at least one cartridge 12 (consumable unit) mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 is a dedicated cartridge (a specific type of consumable unit), the lock control unit 94 sets the lock mechanism of the door 52 to the locked state (restricted state). Then, as the life of any of the cartridges 12 decreases and the user performs a predetermined operation from the operation panel 50, the locked state is released. Note that the lock control unit 94 may also display, on the operation panel 50, the release conditions for releasing the locked state (restricted state) of the door 52 together with the above message. In that case, the lock control unit 94 displays a message such as "The door has been locked. The lock of the door will be released when the remaining life of the cartridge becomes 5% or less." on the operation panel 50. Thereby, the user can recognize the timing when the door 52 opens.

[0082] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a lock mechanism for the door 52 that restricts the removal of the consumable unit (cartridge) detachable from the image forming apparatus 1 while the consumable unit is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 60 (lock control unit 94) performs control to switch the state of the lock mechanism between a restricted state (locked state) that restricts the removal of the consumable unit and an unrestricted state (released state) that does not restrict the removal of the consumable unit. The control unit 60 (lock control unit 94) determines whether or not a contract for a service using a specific type of consumable unit provided by the service provider has been made (first state). Then, in the state where the service contract has been made (first state), when a specific type of consumable unit is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the lock mechanism is set to the restricted state (locked state).

[0083] In this way, in the image forming apparatus 1 capable of mounting a plurality of consumable units (cartridges 12), if at least one of the mounted consumable units is a specific type of consumable unit (dedicated cartridge), the door 52 by the lock mechanism is set to the locked state. By not releasing the lock at unnecessary times in this way, unnecessary cartridge replacement can be prevented, and the user can use only the dedicated cartridge at the time of contract.

[0084] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the consumable unit detachable from the image forming apparatus 1 is constituted by the process cartridge (cartridge 12). However, the present embodiment is applicable to other consumable units such as toner containers. Further, although the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can mount a plurality of consumable units (cartridges 12), it may be configured to be able to mount only one consumable unit (cartridge 12) (that is, configured as a monochrome image forming apparatus). In that case, when the consumable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 is a specific type of consumable unit in the contracted state (first state), the control unit 60 (lock control unit 94) can set the lock mechanism to the restricted state (locked state). On the other hand, when the consumable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 is not a fixed type of consumable unit in the contracted state (first state), the control unit 60 (lock control unit 94) can set the lock mechanism to the unrestricted state (released state). Thereby, similarly to the image forming apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of consumable units (cartridges 12), it becomes possible to improve the usability when replacing the consumable unit.

[0085] [Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which, instead of the cartridge unlock operation from the operation panel 50 by the user, the lock mechanism of the door is permitted and realized by authenticating a dedicated cartridge sent by the service provider via the server 410. Hereinafter, parts overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted from the description by using the same reference numerals.

[0086] In the present embodiment, when the toner remaining amount in the image forming apparatus 1 becomes low, the image forming apparatus 1 automatically notifies the server 410 of the low toner remaining amount information and requests the sending of a cartridge. The service provider sends a dedicated cartridge for service fully loaded with toner to the user, and the user continues printing.

[0087] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the processing sequence when the toner remaining amount at the time of subscription contract becomes low will be described.

[0088] With the print service of FIG. 6 provided, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the toner remaining amount has become low while performing printing. When the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the toner remaining amount has become low, at S620, it transmits toner remaining amount low information to the server 410. Further, at S621, it makes a cartridge sending request to the server 410.

[0089] At S622, since the toner remaining amount has become low, the service provider ships a dedicated cartridge filled with sufficient toner. When the user receives the dedicated cartridge delivered from the service provider, before installing it in the image forming apparatus 1, at S623, the user inputs the serial number of the dedicated cartridge sent from the PC420. The PC420 notifies the server 410 that it has obtained the dedicated cartridge, and upon receiving this, the server 410 performs authentication based on the serial number. Since the server 410 can confirm that the cartridge has arrived at the user's location, at S624, it issues an unlock command to the image forming apparatus 1, enabling the removal of the cartridge with a low toner remaining amount and the installation of the shipped cartridge.

[0090] The user installs the dedicated cartridge in the image forming apparatus 1. In accordance with the installation of the dedicated cartridge as the cartridge 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K), at S625, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits cartridge information regarding the cartridge 12 to the server 410. This cartridge information includes the serial number, remaining life information, and dedicated cartridge information obtained from the cartridge memory 71.

[0091] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for executing the lock of the door 52 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. When the power of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or the door 52 is closed, the control unit 60 starts executing the processing according to the procedure of FIG. 9. In this processing, the control unit 60 locks the door 52 by the lock mechanism to restrict the removal of the cartridge 12 from the image forming apparatus 1, and releases the locked state under certain conditions.

[0092] In S801, the lock control unit 94 performs a process of checking the state of the cartridge 12. Specifically, the lock control unit 94 reads the information stored in the cartridge memory 71 (refer to Table 1 and Table 2) into the RAM 83, and checks the state of the cartridge 12 based on the read information.

[0093] When the confirmation process of the cartridge 12 is completed, in S802, the lock control unit 94 determines whether all the cartridges 12 (cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12M, 12C) are installed in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0094] If all the cartridges 12 are installed, the lock control unit 94 proceeds to S803. If any cartridge is not installed, the lock control unit 94 releases the lock of the door in S809 and ends the process.

[0095] Next, in S803, the lock control unit 94 determines the contract status regarding the provision of the above-mentioned service by the service provider based on the information (contract status) stored in the main body memory 72 (determines whether it is a contracted state or an uncontracted state). If the contract status is "contracted", the lock control unit 94 proceeds to S804. If the contract status is "uncontracted", the lock control unit 94 releases the lock of the door in S809 and ends the process.

[0096] (When the contract status is "contracted") In S804, the lock control unit 94 determines whether the cartridges 12 (cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12M, 12C) are dedicated cartridges for services based on the contract. If all the cartridges 12 are normal cartridges, the lock control unit 94 proceeds to S809, releases the lock of the door in S809, and ends the process. Otherwise, the lock control unit 94 proceeds to S805.

[0097] In S805, the lock control unit 94 determines whether a release condition (lock release condition) for releasing the locked state of the door 52 is satisfied. If the lock release condition is satisfied, the lock control unit 94 advances the process to S806. If the lock release condition is not satisfied, the lock control unit 94 advances the process to S808.

[0098] In S806, for the cartridge 12 in which the remaining life value is determined to be equal to or less than the lock release threshold value (the lock release condition is satisfied), the lock control unit 94 displays a message on the operation panel 50 to prompt the user to replace it with a new cartridge.

[0099] In S807, the lock control unit 94 notifies the server 410 that the lock release condition has been satisfied.

[0100] In S808, the lock control unit 94 checks whether a lock release instruction has been issued from the server 410. If a lock release instruction has been issued, the process advances to S809. In S809, the lock of the door is released and the process ends. If a lock release instruction has not been issued, the process goes to S810, the lock of the door is continued, and a message indicating that the lock of the door 52 has been executed (indicating that the lock mechanism has been put in a restricted state) is displayed on the operation panel 50, and the process ends.

[0101] Also, as a second example of the second embodiment, an example will be described in which, when the user performs a large amount of printing and the dedicated cartridge delivery is not in time, a normal cartridge is used, so the lock mechanism of the door is temporarily released so that there is no period during which the user cannot print.

[0102] In this embodiment, when the toner remaining amount in the image forming apparatus 1 becomes low, the image forming apparatus 1 automatically requests the server 410 to send a cartridge due to the low toner remaining amount. And at the same time as making the cartridge sending request, the door lock is released. Thereby, the user can temporarily use a normal cartridge. The service provider sends a dedicated cartridge for service, which is fully loaded with toner, to the user. As a result, the user can continue printing until the dedicated cartridge arrives.

[0103] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a processing sequence when the toner remaining amount at the time of subscription contract becomes low will be described. In a state where the print service of FIG. 6 is provided, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the toner remaining amount has become low while performing printing. When the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the toner remaining amount has become low, at S650, it transmits information on the low toner remaining amount to the server 410. Further, at S651, a cartridge sending request is made to the server 410. Next, at S652, the server 410 issues an unlock command to the image forming apparatus 1 at the timing of the cartridge sending request. At this point, the user can replace the cartridge. Here, when the user installs a normal cartridge instead of the dedicated cartridge, at S653, the server 410 is notified that the normal cartridge has been installed.

[0104] At S654, the service provider sends a dedicated cartridge filled with sufficient toner. When the dedicated cartridge delivered from the service provider arrives, the user inputs the serial number of the dedicated cartridge sent from the PC420 at S655 before installing it in the image forming apparatus 1. The PC420 notifies the server 410 of the serial number, and upon receiving this, the server 410 authenticates that the dedicated cartridge has been obtained. Since the server 410 can confirm that the cartridge has arrived at the user's destination, at S656, it issues an unlock command to the image forming apparatus 1 so that the normal cartridge can be removed and the sent dedicated cartridge can be installed.

[0105] The user mounts a dedicated cartridge on the image forming apparatus 1. When a dedicated cartridge is mounted as the cartridge 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K), the image forming apparatus 1 transmits cartridge information regarding the cartridge 12 to the server 410 at S657. This cartridge information includes the serial number, remaining life information, and dedicated cartridge information acquired from the cartridge memory 71. Note that the flowchart of the control unit 60 of the image forming apparatus is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 9.

[0106] As described above, in this embodiment, the user can surely use the cartridge shipped by the service provider. Thereby, it becomes possible to surely manage the cartridges of the service provider.

[0107] In this embodiment, the serial number is input on the PC 410 and information is transmitted to the server 410. However, it may be performed by a device that can be connected to a network, such as an information terminal such as a smartphone, instead of a PC.

[0108] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus to read and execute the program. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0109] The disclosure of this specification includes the following image forming apparatuses.

[0110] (Item 1) An image forming apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of consumable units used for image formation on a recording material, Regulating means for regulating removal of the plurality of consumable units from the image forming apparatus while the plurality of consumable units are mounted on the image forming apparatus; Control means for performing control to switch the state of the restriction means between a restriction state for restricting removal of the plurality of consumable units and a non-restriction state for not restricting removal of the plurality of consumable units; In a first state where a service contract using a specific type of consumable unit provided by a service provider is made, the control means When at least one of all the consumable units mounted on the image forming apparatus is the specific type of consumable unit, sets the restriction means to the restriction state; When all the consumable units mounted on the image forming apparatus are not the specific type of consumable unit, sets the restriction means to the non-restriction state. Image forming apparatus.

[0111] (Item 2) In a second state where the contract has not been made, the control means sets the restriction means to the non-restriction state. The image forming apparatus according to item 1.

[0112] (Item 3) The consumable unit includes a memory in which information indicating whether the consumable unit is the specific type of consumable unit is stored. Based on the information stored in the memory included in the consumable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus, the control means determines whether the consumable unit is the specific type of consumable unit. The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 2.

[0113] (Item 4) When setting the restriction means to the restriction state, the control means displays a message indicating that the restriction means has been set to the restriction state on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3.

[0114] (Item 5) When the control means sets the regulation means to the regulated state, the control means further displays on the display unit a release condition for releasing the regulated state. The image forming apparatus according to item 4.

[0115] (Item 6) The release condition is that the remaining life value indicating the remaining life of the consumable unit becomes equal to or less than a threshold value. The image forming apparatus according to item 5.

[0116] (Item 7) The consumable unit is composed of a cartridge including a toner container that stores toner, a photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with the toner. The control means An integrated time obtained by integrating the time during which the photoreceptor performs a rotational operation, An integrated distance obtained by integrating the distance by which the surface of the photoreceptor has moved due to the rotational operation of the photoreceptor, and The remaining amount of toner in the toner container, Based on one or more of the above, the image forming apparatus according to item 6 obtains the remaining life value.

[0117] (Item 8) The consumable unit is composed of a toner container that stores toner, The control means obtains the remaining life value based on the remaining amount of toner in the toner container. The image forming apparatus according to item 6.

[0118] (Item 9) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the specific type of consumable unit is a dedicated consumable unit for the service.

[0119] (Item 10) The service is a printing service that charges a fixed amount or per-page for image formation using the specific type of consumable unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 8.

[0120] (Item 11) The image forming apparatus further includes a door that enables access to a consumable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus in an open state and disables access in a closed state. The restricting means is a locking mechanism that locks the door in the closed state. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 8.

[0121] (Item 12) The image forming apparatus further includes storage means for storing information indicating a contract state of the image forming apparatus. The control means determines whether the image forming apparatus is in the first state based on the information stored in the storage means. In a second state where the contract has not been made, in accordance with a notification indicating the start of the contract received from the server device, the image forming apparatus is shifted from the second state to the first state, and the information stored in the storage means is updated. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 8.

[0122] (Item 13) In an image forming apparatus contract system having an image forming apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of consumable units used for image formation on a recording material and a server that transmits and receives the state and information of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus has restricting means for restricting removal of the consumable unit from the image forming apparatus in a state where the consumable unit is mounted on the image forming apparatus, and control means for performing control to switch the state of the restricting means between a restricting state for restricting removal of the consumable unit and a non-restricting state for not restricting removal of the consumable unit. and has In the first state where a contract for a service using a specific type of consumable unit provided by a service provider is made, when at least one of the consumable units installed in the image forming apparatus is the specific type of consumable unit, the restricting means is set to the restricted state, when all the consumable units installed in the image forming apparatus are not the specific type of consumable unit, the restricting means is set to the non-restricted state, and further when an instruction to release the restricting means is given from the server, the restricting means is set to the non-restricted state, Contract system.

[0123] (Item 14) In the second state where the contract has not been made, the control means sets the restricting means to the non-restricted state, The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to item 13.

[0124] (Item 15) The consumable unit includes a memory in which information indicating whether it is the specific type of consumable unit is stored, The control means determines whether the consumable unit is the specific type of consumable unit based on the information stored in the memory included in the consumable unit installed in the image forming apparatus. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to item 13.

[0125] (Item 16) When the control means sets the restricting means to the restricted state, the control means displays a message indicating that the restricting means has been set to the restricted state on the display unit of the image forming apparatus. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to item 13.

[0126] (Item 17) When the control means sets the restricting means to the restricted state, the control means further displays on the display unit the release conditions for releasing the restricted state. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to item 16.

[0127] (Item 18) The release condition is that the remaining life value indicating the remaining life of the consumable unit is equal to or less than a threshold value. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to Item 17.

[0128] (Item 19) The consumable unit is composed of a cartridge including a toner container containing toner, a photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with the toner. The control means The integrated time obtained by integrating the time during which the photoreceptor performs a rotational operation, The integrated distance obtained by integrating the distance by which the surface of the photoreceptor has moved due to the rotational operation of the photoreceptor, and The remaining amount of toner in the toner container, Based on one or more of these, the contract system of the image forming apparatus according to Item 18, which acquires the remaining life value.

[0129] (Item 20) The consumable unit is composed of a toner container containing toner. The control means acquires the remaining life value based on the remaining amount of toner in the toner container. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to Item 18.

[0130] (Item 21) The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 13 to 20, wherein the specific type of consumable unit is a dedicated consumable unit for the service.

[0131] (Item 22) The service is a printing service that charges a fixed amount or per page for image formation using the specific type of consumable unit. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 13 to 20.

[0132] (Item 23) The apparatus further includes a door that enables access to the consumable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus in an open state and disables access in a closed state. The restricting means is a locking mechanism that locks the door in the closed state. The contract system for the image forming apparatus according to any one of items 13 to 20.

[0133] (Item 24) The apparatus further includes storage means for storing information indicating the contract state of the image forming apparatus. The control means determines whether the image forming apparatus is in the first state based on the information stored in the storage means, and in a second state where the contract has not been made, transitions the image forming apparatus from the second state to the first state according to a notification indicating the start of the contract received from the server, and updates the information stored in the storage means. The contract system for the image forming apparatus according to any one of items 13 to 20.

[0134] (Item 25) The control means releases the restriction of the restricting means according to an instruction to release the restriction of the restricting means received from a server device communicable via a network in the first state. The contract system for the image forming apparatus according to any one of items 13 to 20.

[0135] (Item 26) The server transmits an instruction to release the restriction of the restricting means by receiving the unique number of the delivered consumable. The contract system for the image forming apparatus according to any one of items 13 to 20.

[0136] (Item 27) The server transmits an instruction to release the restriction of the restricting means by performing confirmation of receipt of the delivered consumable. The contract system for the image forming apparatus according to any one of items 13 to 20.

[0137] (Item 28) The server is a contract system for an image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 13 to 20 that transmits an instruction to release the regulation by the regulation means when the remaining life value indicating the remaining life of the consumable unit becomes equal to or less than a threshold value. The invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0138] 1 Image forming apparatus 12 Cartridge (process cartridge) 47 Lock pin 60 Control unit 94 Lock control unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of consumable units used for image formation on a recording material, regulation means for restricting removal of the plurality of consumable units from the image forming apparatus while the plurality of consumable units are mounted on the image forming apparatus; control means for performing control to switch the state of the regulation means between a regulation state for restricting removal of the plurality of consumable units and a non-regulation state for not restricting removal of the plurality of consumable units, wherein, in a first state in which a contract for a service using a specific type of consumable unit provided by a service provider is made, when at least one of all the consumable units mounted on the image forming apparatus is the specific type of consumable unit, the regulation means is set to the regulation state, and when all the consumable units mounted on the image forming apparatus are not the specific type of consumable unit, the regulation means is set to the non-regulation state. An image forming apparatus.

2. In the second state where the contract has not been made, the control means sets the regulation means to the non-regulation state, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The consumable unit includes a memory storing information indicating whether the consumable unit is the specific type of consumable unit, The control means determines whether the consumable unit is the specific type of consumable unit based on information stored in the memory included in the consumable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. When the control means sets the regulation means to the regulation state, the control means displays a message indicating that the regulation means has been set to the regulation state on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. When the control means sets the regulation means to the regulation state, the control means further displays on the display unit a release condition for releasing the regulation state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The release condition is that a remaining life value indicating a remaining life of the consumable unit becomes equal to or less than a threshold value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The consumable unit is configured by a cartridge including a toner container containing toner, a photoreceptor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor with the toner. The control means obtains the remaining life value based on one or more of the integrated time obtained by integrating the time during which the photoreceptor has performed a rotational operation, the integrated distance obtained by integrating the distance traveled by the surface of the photoreceptor due to the rotational operation of the photoreceptor, and the remaining amount of toner in the toner container. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The consumable unit is composed of a toner container that stores toner. The control means obtains the remaining life value based on the remaining amount of toner in the toner container. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific type of consumable unit is a dedicated consumable unit for the service.

10. The service is a printing service that charges a fixed amount or per page for image formation using the specific type of consumable unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

11. The image forming apparatus further includes a door that enables access to the consumable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus in an open state and disables access in a closed state. The restricting means is a locking mechanism that locks the door in the closed state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

12. The image forming apparatus further includes storage means for storing information indicating the contract state of the image forming apparatus. The control means determines whether the image forming apparatus is in the first state based on the information stored in the storage means, and in a second state where the contract has not been made, according to a notification indicating the start of the contract received from a server device communicable via a network, the image forming apparatus is shifted from the second state to the first state, and the information stored in the storage means is updated. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

13. In a contract system for an image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of consumable units used for image formation on a recording material and a server for transmitting and receiving information on the state of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus includes restricting means for restricting the removal of the plurality of consumable units from the image forming apparatus in a state where the plurality of consumable units are mounted on the image forming apparatus, and control means for performing control to switch the state of the restricting means between a restricting state for restricting the removal of the plurality of consumable units and a non-restricting state for not restricting the removal of the plurality of consumable units. has In a first state where a contract for a service using a specific type of consumable unit provided by a service provider is made, when at least one of the plurality of consumable units mounted on the image forming apparatus is the specific type of consumable unit, the control means sets the restriction means to the restricted state, and when all the consumable units mounted on the image forming apparatus are not the specific type of consumable unit, the control means sets the restriction means to the non-restricted state. Further, when an instruction to release the restriction means is received from the server, the control means sets the restriction means to the non-restricted state. A contract system.

14. In a second state where the contract has not been made, the control means sets the restriction means to the non-restricted state. The contract system for the image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

15. The consumable unit includes a memory in which information indicating whether the consumable unit is the specific type of consumable unit is stored. The control means determines whether the consumable unit is the specific type of consumable unit based on the information stored in the memory included in the consumable unit mounted on the image forming apparatus. The contract system for the image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

16. When the control means sets the restriction means to the restricted state, the control means displays a message indicating that the restriction means has been set to the restricted state on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. The contract system for the image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

17. When the control means sets the restriction means to the restricted state, the control means further displays on the display unit a release condition for releasing the restricted state. The contract system for the image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

18. The release condition is that a remaining life value indicating the remaining life of the consumable unit becomes equal to or less than a threshold value. The contract system for the image forming apparatus according to claim 17.

19. The consumable unit is configured by a cartridge including a toner container that stores toner, a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member with the toner. The control means acquires the remaining life value based on one or more of an integrated time obtained by integrating the time during which the photosensitive member has performed a rotational operation, an integrated distance obtained by integrating the distance traveled by the surface of the photosensitive member due to the rotational operation of the photosensitive member, and the remaining amount of toner in the toner container. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 18.

20. The consumable unit is composed of a toner container containing toner, The control means acquires the remaining life value based on the remaining amount of toner in the toner container, The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 18.

21. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the specific type of consumable unit is a dedicated consumable unit for the service.

22. The service is a printing service that charges a fixed amount or per page for image formation using the specific type of consumable unit. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

23. The image forming apparatus further includes a door that enables access to the plurality of consumable units mounted thereon in an open state and disables access in a closed state, The restricting means is a locking mechanism that locks the door in the closed state. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

24. The image forming apparatus further includes storage means for storing information indicating the contract state of the image forming apparatus, The control means, Based on the information stored in the storage means, determines whether the image forming apparatus is in the first state, In a second state where the contract has not been made, according to the notification indicating the start of the contract received from the server, shifts the image forming apparatus from the second state to the first state, and updates the information stored in the storage means. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

25. The control means releases the restriction of the restricting means according to an instruction received from the server in the first state. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

26. The server transmits an instruction to release the restriction of the restricting means by receiving the unique number of the delivered consumable. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

27. The server transmits an instruction to release the restriction of the restricting means by performing a delivery receipt confirmation of the delivered consumable. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

28. The server transmits an instruction to release the restriction of the restricting means when the remaining life value indicating the remaining life of the consumable unit becomes equal to or less than a threshold value. The contract system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 13.

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