Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus improved in the convenience of a user.SOLUTION: A controller (61) of an image forming apparatus (1) performs: prohibition processing of prohibiting of rewriting first state information (431) stored in a consumable supply memory (42) or body memory (62) with an old product thereby prohibiting a consumable supply (4) from being used in another image forming when the first state information (431) or body memory (62) indicates a new product; and update processing (S105) of updating second state information (432) so that the second state information indicates that the consumable supply can be temporarily used in the other image forming apparatus when receiving a contract release instruction of releasing a contract of the image forming apparatus whose contract has been made.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a method for controlling an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, flat-rate printing services have been widely provided to users of image forming devices. Flat-rate printing services are also called subscription services, and are services that can be subscribed to for each image forming device. For example, an image forming device that is a contract machine for which a contract for the use of the flat-rate printing service has been concluded is permitted to print up to a preset number of sheets for a predetermined period of time for a fixed usage fee.

[0003] In general, when using a flat-rate printing service, the service provider often specifies that the image forming device with which the contract is concluded should use contract consumables exclusively for the flat-rate printing service. In this case, a mechanism is required to ensure that the contract consumables are used appropriately on the contract device.

[0004] In order to ensure proper use of contracted consumables, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for distinguishing between contracted consumables and normal consumables that can be used regardless of subscription to a service. It also discloses a technique for managing contracted consumables in association with contracted machines so that contracted consumables are used in specific contracted machines. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0131831 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Meanwhile, a user may change a contracted machine for various reasons. Conventionally, changing a contracted machine has been completed in the following procedure. For example, first, a new image forming apparatus (hereinafter, new apparatus) is delivered to the user. Second, a contract procedure is concluded for the new apparatus. Third, based on the conclusion of the contract, the service provider supplies the user with dedicated consumables for the new apparatus. In other words, there was a problem that the user could not immediately use the flat-rate printing service with the new apparatus, and had to wait a period of time from the purchase of the new apparatus until the dedicated consumables for the new apparatus arrived, which was inconvenient.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide an image forming apparatus that improves user convenience by shortening or eliminating the period during which services are temporarily unavailable when changing contract machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an image forming device of a first aspect of the present disclosure is an image forming device comprising: a main body housing; a main body memory; a consumable that is capable of storing printing material and is attached to the main body housing, the consumable having a consumable memory; and a controller, wherein at least one of the consumable memory and the main body memory stores first status information indicating that the consumable is new or an old item that can be used only in the image forming device, and the consumable memory stores second status information indicating whether the consumable can be temporarily used in other image forming devices, and when the first status information stored in the consumable memory or the main body memory indicates new, the controller executes a prohibition process of rewriting the first status information to the old item to prohibit the consumable from being used in other image forming devices, and an update process of updating the second status information to indicate temporary use in other image forming devices when a contract cancellation instruction is received to cancel a contract for the image forming device for which a contract has been concluded.

[0009] A second aspect is the image forming device of the first aspect, wherein, when the controller receives the contract cancellation instruction, the controller further executes a first determination process to determine whether status information indicating the status of the image forming device stored in the main body memory indicates that the image forming device is malfunctioning, or whether the status information received along with the contract cancellation instruction indicates that the image forming device is malfunctioning, and if the controller determines in the first determination process that the image forming device is malfunctioning, the controller updates the first status information to the second status information in the update process.

[0010] A third aspect is an image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, wherein the controller further executes a second determination process to determine whether the remaining amount of the consumable is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, and if the controller determines in the second determination process that the remaining amount of the consumable is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the controller does not execute the update process.

[0011] A fourth aspect is an image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, wherein the controller further executes a second determination process to determine whether the remaining amount of the consumable is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, and when the controller determines in the second determination process that the remaining amount of the consumable is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, it executes the update process.

[0012] A fifth aspect is an image forming device of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the second status information includes identification information of the image forming device, and the controller updates the second status information to "available" by deleting the identification information from the consumable memory in the update process.

[0013] A sixth aspect is an image forming device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein, in the update process, the controller updates the second status information to "available" by storing information in the consumable memory indicating that temporary use in another image forming device is permitted.

[0014] A seventh aspect is an image forming device of any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the controller executes a permission process to permit the printing to be executed when the first status information indicating the new product or the second status information indicating the usable product is stored in the consumable memory, and a rewrite process to rewrite the first status information indicating the new product or the second status information indicating the usable product to the second status information indicating the usable product cannot be used in other image forming devices when the consumable memory stores the first status information indicating the new product or the second status information indicating the usable product.

[0015] An eighth aspect is an image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, wherein the consumable memory includes a first area for storing the first status information and a second area for storing the second status information, and when the first status information stored in the first area indicates that the product is new, the controller executes a new product management process which is a process specific to when a new product is installed, and when the first status information stored in the first area indicates that the product is old, the controller does not execute the new product management process.

[0016] A ninth aspect is an image forming device of the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the controller further executes a third determination process to determine whether or not the image forming device is in a contract mode for which a contract has been concluded when the consumable is installed, and if the controller determines in the third determination process that the image forming device is not in the contract mode, further executes a transition support process to prompt an operation to transition the image forming device to the contract mode, and executes the permission process after the image forming device has transitioned to the contract mode.

[0017] A tenth aspect is the image forming device of the ninth aspect, wherein the main body memory stores mode information indicating whether the image forming device is in a contract mode or not, and in the third determination process, the controller determines that the image forming device is in the contract mode if the mode information stored in the main body memory indicates the contract mode, and determines that the image forming device is not in the contract mode if the mode information stored in the main body memory indicates a non-contract mode, which means that the image forming device is not in the contract mode.

[0018] An eleventh aspect is an image forming device of any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein, when the controller receives the contract termination instruction, the controller further executes a fourth determination process to determine whether purpose information indicating the purpose of canceling the contract received along with the contract termination instruction represents changing the image forming device with which the contract is concluded to another image forming device, and when the controller determines in the fourth determination process that the purpose of canceling the contract is to make the change, in the update process, the controller updates the first status information to the second status information.

[0019] In order to solve the above problem, a control method of a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for controlling an image forming device, the image forming device comprising: a main body housing; a main body memory; a consumable capable of containing printing material and attached to the main body housing, the consumable having a consumable memory; and a controller, wherein at least one of the consumable memory and the main body memory stores first status information indicating that the consumable is new or an old item that can be used only in the image forming device, and the consumable memory stores second status information indicating whether the consumable can be temporarily used in another image forming device, and the control method includes a prohibition step in which, when the first status information stored in the consumable memory or the main body memory indicates new, the controller rewrites the first status information to the old item to prohibit the consumable from being used in another image forming device, and an update step in which, when the controller receives a contract cancellation instruction to cancel a contract for the image forming device for which a contract has been concluded, the controller updates the second status information to indicate temporary use in another image forming device.

[0020] The image forming apparatus according to each aspect of the present disclosure may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control program of the image forming apparatus that causes the computer to operate as each part (software element) of the image forming apparatus to realize the image forming apparatus, and the computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the image forming device of the first aspect, when a contract cancellation instruction is received, the image forming device which is the currently contracted machine (hereinafter, the old machine) rewrites the first status information stored in the consumables memory of the installed consumables to the second status information which permits temporary use in another image forming device (hereinafter, the new machine) which is scheduled to become the contracted machine in place of the old machine. This causes the consumables to transition from a state in which they can be used only in the old machine to a state in which they can be used in other image forming devices such as the new machine.

[0022] The user can immediately start printing on the new device using the consumables that they had been using on the old device, which shortens or eliminates the period during which the service is temporarily unavailable, thereby improving user convenience.

[0023] When an image forming device breaks down, it is highly likely that a user will want to change to a new image forming device and resume printing as soon as possible. In addition, it is highly likely that the user will select an image forming device of the same model as the one they have been using, that is, a device that has compatibility in terms of consumables, as the new device after the change. In such a case, the image forming device of the second aspect makes it possible to continue using the consumables used in the old device in the new device, thereby meeting the user's request as described above and resuming printing services without making the user wait.

[0024] According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to avoid turning consumables that are low on printing material and unsuitable for continued use into a provisional new product that can be used in another image forming apparatus, thereby preventing unnecessary replacement work for consumables and improving user convenience.

[0025] According to the fourth aspect of the image forming device, consumables that have a predetermined amount or more of printing material remaining and are suitable for continued use can be put into a provisional new state that can be used in another image forming device. Therefore, the user can continue to use the old device for a sufficient period of time. This can shorten or eliminate the period during which the service is temporarily unavailable, and as a result, it is possible to improve user convenience.

[0026] According to the image forming device of the fifth aspect, the identification information stored in the consumables memory is deleted from the consumables memory in the update process. As a result, the consumables that were usable only in the image forming device corresponding to the identification information transition to a provisionally new state that can be used in other image forming devices. The user can immediately start printing in the new device using the provisionally new consumables that were used in the old device. This makes it possible to shorten or eliminate the period during which the service is temporarily unavailable, and as a result, it is possible to improve user convenience.

[0027] According to the sixth aspect of the image forming device, in the update process, information indicating that temporary use in another image forming device is permitted is stored in the consumables memory. As a result, the consumables that were only usable in the old device transition to a provisionally new state that allows them to be used in another image forming device. The user can immediately start printing in the new device using the provisionally new consumables that were used in the old device. This makes it possible to shorten or eliminate the period during which the service is temporarily unavailable, thereby improving user convenience.

[0028] According to the seventh aspect of the image forming apparatus, the state of the provisionally new consumables is changed to a consumable that can be used only in the new device, thereby ensuring proper use of the consumables.

[0029] According to the image forming apparatus of the eighth aspect, it is possible to distinguish the provisionally new consumables from new consumables, and to appropriately execute processes specific to new consumables, such as new product management processes.

[0030] According to the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, even if the user makes a mistake in the order of procedures, it is possible to guide the user to the correct procedures.

[0031] According to the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect, the contract machine can be changed in accordance with the proper procedure.

[0032] If the purpose of canceling the contract for the old device is not to change the contracted machine to a new device, allowing the consumables used in the old device to be used in another image forming device may result in the above-mentioned consumables being used in an image forming device for which no contract has been concluded. According to the image forming device of the eleventh aspect, if the purpose is not to change the contracted machine, the consumables are not permitted to be used in another image forming device, so that the above-mentioned inappropriate use can be avoided.

[0033] According to the method of the twelfth aspect, the same effects as those of the image forming apparatus of the first aspect are achieved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus, an ink cartridge, and a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data structure of a cartridge memory. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of pre-change processing executed by the image forming apparatus before change. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of post-change processing executed by the image forming apparatus after the change. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described where the image forming apparatus is an inkjet printer. However, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a printer other than an inkjet printer. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a laser printer.

[0036] <Overview of image forming system> 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the image forming system 100, a printing service is provided from a business to a user's image forming device 1 based on a contract concluded between the business and the user. Hereinafter, a fixed-price printing service provided based on a contract is referred to as a contract service. Then, printing performed by the image forming device 1 using the provided contract service is referred to as contract printing to distinguish it from normal printing performed regardless of the contract. Normal printing performed regardless of the contract is referred to as normal printing below.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 includes a plurality of image forming devices 1, a server 8, and a user terminal 9. The image forming device 1 used by the user is a device that executes printing using a contract service. The server 8 used by the business is a device for managing the image forming device 1 for which a contract has been concluded and the use of the contract service has been permitted. Hereinafter, the image forming device 1 for which a contract has been concluded and the use of the contract service has been permitted is referred to as a contract machine. The user terminal 9 used by the user is a device for communicating with the server 8 to conclude and terminate a contract, and to execute other procedures. For example, an information processing terminal equipped with a standard communication function, such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone, may be adopted as the user terminal 9. The devices constituting the image forming system 100 can communicate with each other via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0038] 1 represent image forming apparatuses 1 purchased by the same user. However, the image forming system 100 may be configured to include other image forming apparatuses purchased by other users, although not shown.

[0039] Each of the multiple image forming devices 1 is an image forming device that allows a user to use consumables or replacement items exclusive to the contract by entering into a contract with a business operator. As an example of a contract, a business operator providing a contract service and a user agree to provide the contract service to the user after the usage period, usage fee, maximum number of sheets, etc. of the contract service are agreed upon between the business operator providing the contract service and the user. In other words, the image forming device 1 of this embodiment is an image forming device that is capable of performing contract printing, which is printing based on the contents of a contract, after a contract for a contract service is concluded.

[0040] In the image forming system 100, in the contract service provided from the business to the user, the timing of the following (1) and (2) may be different.

[0041] (1) The timing when the server 8 recognizes the image forming device 1 as a machine on which a contract has been concluded (2) The timing at which the server 8 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 has started using the contracted service That is, in a contract service, the server 8 may recognize the image forming apparatus 1 as "a contract machine, but the use of the contract service has not yet started."

[0042] In addition, (1) “The server 8 recognizes the image forming device 1 as a contract machine” may be executed when the image forming device 1 transitions from a non-contract mode, which means that a contract has not been concluded, to a contract mode, which means that a contract has been concluded.

[0043] Also, in (2), "considering that use of the contracted service has started" simply means that the server 8 has recognized that "use of the contracted service started at a certain date and time." Therefore, the timing at which the server 8 considers that use of the contracted service has started does not have to coincide with the timing at which the image forming device 1 actually executes the contracted printing.

[0044] In the following, unless otherwise specified, the contracted service is a paid service. The timing of (1) is the timing when the server 8 recognizes the image forming device 1 as a contracted device, and is not the trigger for the start of billing, whereas the timing of (2) is the timing for the start of billing.

[0045] In another example, the timing of (1) and (2) above may occur almost simultaneously. As one example, the above (1) and (2) may occur when an ink cartridge dedicated to the contract service and used for contract printing is installed as a trigger. In the following, an ink cartridge dedicated to the contract service and used for contract printing is referred to as a contract cartridge. For example, the image forming device 1 reads out predetermined information from the cartridge memory of the installed contract cartridge and transmits the predetermined information to the server 8. The server 8, having received the predetermined information from the image forming device 1, recognizes the image forming device 1 as a contract machine and considers that use of the contract service has started in the image forming device 1.

[0046] In this embodiment, as an example, the image forming device 1 is an inkjet printer that prints data on a printing paper by ejecting ink (printing material). One or more ink cartridges are mounted in the main body of the image forming device 1. In this embodiment, as an example, the image forming device 1 is mounted with ink cartridges of four colors, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (BK). Although not shown, the image forming device 1 may be provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or lamp, and an input unit such as a button. The liquid crystal display may be configured to function as an input unit by being integrated with a touch panel.

[0047] In the example shown in FIG. 1, one image forming device 1 indicates a current contract machine for which a contract has been concluded, and the other image forming device 1 indicates another image forming device 1 for which a new contract is scheduled to be concluded in place of the image forming device 1 that is the current contract machine. Hereinafter, changing the contract machine for which a contract has been concluded from the current image forming device 1 to another image forming device 1 is referred to as "changing the contract machine." The image forming device 1 that is the current contract machine is referred to as "image forming device 1 before change." The other image forming device 1 for which a new contract is scheduled to be concluded or the other image forming device 1 for which a new contract has been concluded in place of the image forming device 1 before change described above is referred to as "image forming device 1 after change." When there is no need to particularly distinguish between the image forming device 1 before change and the image forming device 1 after change, and matters that apply commonly to both image forming devices 1 are described, they are simply described as image forming device 1.

[0048] <Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the structure of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment. For convenience, in the following description, the upper side of Fig. 2 will be referred to as the upper side of the image forming apparatus 1, the lower side of Fig. 2 will be referred to as the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1, the left side of Fig. 2 will be referred to as the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the right side of Fig. 2 will be referred to as the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0049] The image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer that prints data on printing paper P by ejecting ink. One or more ink cartridges are attached to the main body housing of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition to the components shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or lamps, and an input unit such as buttons. The liquid crystal display may be configured to function as the input unit by being integrated with a touch panel.

[0050] In the example of FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed tray 20, a paper feed section 2, a transport roller 70, a recording section 3, a discharge roller 72, and a discharge tray 30. An opening is formed in the front of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper feed tray 20 is disposed in the opening so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The paper feed tray 20 accommodates a plurality of stacked printing papers P. The printing papers P are, for example, papers of a predetermined size. The printing papers P are not limited to paper media. For example, the printing papers P may be made of a resin material such as an overhead projector sheet.

[0051] The paper feed unit 2 has a paper feed roller 21, a paper feed arm 22, and a shaft 23. The paper feed unit 2 feeds the print paper P stored in the paper feed tray 20 to the transport path R by forward rotation of the paper feed roller 21. The paper feed roller 21 is rotatably provided at the tip of the paper feed arm 22. The paper feed arm 22 is rotatably provided on a shaft 23 supported by the frame of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper feed arm 22 is urged to rotate toward the paper feed tray 20 by its own weight or an elastic force of a spring or the like. A driving force generated by reverse rotation of a motor (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 21, causing the paper feed roller 21 to rotate forward.

[0052] The transport path R is a space formed by a guide member 51, a guide member 52, the recording unit 3, a guide member 53, a guide member 54, and the like.

[0053] A transport roller 70 is disposed upstream of the recording unit 3 in the transport direction. A pinch roller 71 is disposed so as to face the lower part of the transport roller 70. The transport roller 70 rotates by the power of a motor included in the image forming apparatus 1. The pinch roller 71 rotates with the rotation of the transport roller 70. As the transport roller 70 and the pinch roller 71 rotate forward, the print paper P is transported to an image recording position X on the transport path R while being sandwiched between the transport roller 70 and the pinch roller 71. The image recording position X is a position where an image is recorded on the print paper P by the recording head 32. When the driving force caused by the forward rotation of the motor of the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted to the transport roller 70, the transport roller 70 rotates forward. Also, when the driving force caused by the reverse rotation of the motor is transmitted to the transport roller 70, the transport roller 70 rotates reversely. Note that the forward rotation of the motor provided in the image forming apparatus 1 corresponds to the rotation in the first direction, and the reverse rotation of the motor corresponds to the rotation in the second direction.

[0054] The recording unit 3 is disposed between a transport roller 70 and a discharge roller 72 on the transport path R. The recording unit 3 has a carriage 31, a recording head 32, a plurality of nozzles 33, and a platen 34. The nozzles 33 are each connected to an ink cartridge 4. The number of nozzles 33 and ink cartridges 4 is not particularly limited.

[0055] The ink cartridge 4 has a cartridge housing. The cartridge housing can be attached to the main body housing of the image forming apparatus 1. The ink cartridge 4 contains inks of different colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) as materials used for forming images. The ink is a consumable item that is consumed every time printing is performed.

[0056] The carriage 31 moves back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, i.e., in the width direction of the print paper P. In recording an image on the print paper P, the image forming apparatus 1 ejects ink from the nozzles 33 of the recording head 32 as a recording process while moving the carriage 31 in the width direction of the print paper P with the transport of the print paper P stopped, thereby recording one line of an image on the print paper P. As a line feed process, the image forming apparatus 1 drives the transport rollers 70 and discharge rollers 72 to transport the print paper P by a predetermined line feed amount. The image forming apparatus 1 repeats this recording process and line feed process.

[0057] 2, a recording head 32 is mounted on the carriage 31. A plurality of nozzles 33 are provided on the bottom surface of the recording head 32. The recording head 32 ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 33. The platen 34 is a rectangular plate-shaped member on which the printing paper P is placed. As the carriage 31 moves relative to the printing paper P supported by the platen 34, the recording head 32 selectively ejects ink droplets, thereby recording an image on the printing paper P.

[0058] Discharge rollers 72 are disposed downstream of the recording unit 3 in the transport direction. Spurs 73 are disposed in a position facing the upper part of the discharge rollers 72. The discharge rollers 72 are driven by a motor provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The spurs 73 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the discharge rollers 72. As the discharge rollers 72 and the spurs 73 rotate in the forward direction, the print paper P is sandwiched between the discharge rollers 72 and the spurs 73 and discharged to the discharge tray 30.

[0059] The discharge tray 30 is disposed above the paper feed tray 20. The discharge tray 30 supports the print paper P discharged by the discharge rollers 72.

[0060] <Internal configurations of the image forming device 1, the ink cartridge 4, and the server 8> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, the ink cartridge 4, and the server 8 in this embodiment.

[0061] (Ink cartridge 4) The ink cartridge 4 has a cartridge memory 42 (consumable memory). The cartridge memory 42 is a memory from which information can be read and written. The cartridge memory 42 is, for example, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM).

[0062] The cartridge memory 42 has one or more storage areas, for example, a first area to a fifth area, for storing information about the ink cartridge 4. The data structure of the cartridge memory 42 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0063] The main body housing of the image forming apparatus 1 has a connector 101. When the ink cartridge 4 is attached to the main body housing of the image forming apparatus 1, the connector 101 is electrically connected to the cartridge memory 42. This enables the controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 to communicate with the cartridge memory 42 of the ink cartridge 4.

[0064] (Image forming device 1) The image forming apparatus 1 has a controller 61, a main body memory 62, and a communication unit 63. The controller 61 has, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The controller 61 is electrically connected to the main body memory 62 and the communication unit 63 provided in the main body housing of the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 61 executes various operations to cause the image forming apparatus 1 to perform various processes related to printing.

[0065] The controller 61 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In this case, a control program for implementing a control method for the image forming apparatus may be stored in the main body memory 62, and the controller 61 may cause the image forming apparatus 1 to perform various processes by the processor operating according to the control program.

[0066] The controller 61 may also include a computer-readable recording medium such as a main memory 62 that stores a control program. As the recording medium, a "non-transient tangible medium" such as a ROM or the like, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like may be used. A RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like that expands the control program may also be used. The control program may also be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the control program. Note that one aspect of the present disclosure may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the control program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0067] When the ink cartridge 4 is attached to the image forming device 1, the ink cartridge 4 is electrically connected to the controller 61, as shown in Fig. 3. This enables the controller 61 to execute a process of reading information from the cartridge memory 42 and a process of writing information to the cartridge memory 42 (including a rewriting process).

[0068] The main memory 62 is a memory from which information can be read and written. The main memory 62 is, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM (registered trademark). The main memory 62 has one or more storage areas, and, for example, the following various types of information are stored in each area.

[0069] The cartridge information 621 is information relating to the ink cartridges 4 of each color that are attached to the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the cartridge information 621 includes information that associates information relating to the ink cartridges 4 read from each cartridge memory 42 with each ink cartridge 4. As an example, the information relating to the ink cartridges 4 includes a cartridge ID, a cartridge type, and remaining ink amount information, as shown in the figure. In this embodiment, the information relating to the ink cartridges 4 further includes first status information and second status information that indicate the status of the ink cartridge 4. Details of the data structure of the cartridge information 621 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0070] In this embodiment, the cartridge information 621 read from the cartridge memory 42 is referenced by the controller 61 to accurately determine the state of the ink cartridge 4. By accurately grasping the state of the ink cartridge 4, the controller 61 is able to perform appropriate processing on the ink cartridge 4 at the timing of changing the contract machine. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cartridge information 621 may be referenced by the controller 61 to determine whether or not to transition to the contract mode, depending on the mounting state of the ink cartridge 4 in the image forming apparatus 1. The contract mode is one of the operation modes of the image forming apparatus 1, and is an operation mode in which the image forming apparatus 1 is recognized on the image forming system 100 as a contract machine that is qualified to perform contract printing based on a contract.

[0071] The device ID 622 is identification information for identifying the image forming device 1. The device ID 622 is, for example, a serial number of the image forming device.

[0072] The mode information 623 is information indicating the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, as an example, two types of modes are defined: a "contract mode" and a "non-contract mode". The "contract mode" means that the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a contract machine with which a contract has been concluded on the image forming system 100. The "non-contract mode" means that the image forming apparatus 1 is not a contract machine, but operates as a normal image forming apparatus with which no contract has been concluded.

[0073] When the image forming device 1 is shipped, the main body memory 62 stores mode information 623 indicating a value corresponding to the non-contract mode by default. The server 8 transmits a request including a contract transition instruction to the image forming device 1 of a contracted user to transition to the contract mode. The controller 61 changes the mode information 623 from the non-contract mode to the contract mode in accordance with the request from the server 8. In the present embodiment, as an example, such a change of the value of the mode information 623 by the controller 61 from the non-contract mode to the contract mode is referred to as a "transition to the contract mode."

[0074] In another embodiment, the mode information 623 may indicate whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in a contract mode or a non-contract mode, and when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the contract mode, may further indicate whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in a non-billing state under the contract mode or a billing state. That is, the mode information 623 may be stored in the main body memory 62 as information indicating which of the three states the image forming apparatus 1 is in: (1) non-contract mode, (2) the non-billing state in the contract mode, or (3) the billing state in the contract mode.

[0075] The "non-billing state in contract mode" refers to a state in which the image forming device 1 is in the contract mode but the use of the contracted service has not started. For example, as described above, if the timing at which the server 8 recognizes the image forming device 1 as a contracted machine differs from the timing at which the server 8 considers that the use of the contracted service has started in the image forming device 1, this "non-billing state in contract mode" state may occur.

[0076] On the other hand, the "billing status in contract mode" indicates a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is in the contract mode and the use of the contracted service has started.

[0077] The status information 624 is information that indicates the state of the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, as an example, the status information 624 may include an abnormality flag indicating whether the image forming apparatus 1 is normal or abnormal, and, if abnormal, error information indicating the content of the abnormality. By referring to the status information 624, the controller 61 can determine whether a malfunction has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0078] The first number counter 625 is the cumulative total number of printed sheets in the image forming apparatus 1. The second number counter 626 indicates the number of printed sheets printed using the contracted service in the image forming apparatus 1. The second number counter 626 may be reset to 0 each time the image forming apparatus 1 transitions from the non-contracted mode to the contracted mode, or may be the cumulative total number of printed sheets printed so far using the contracted service in the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the value of the second number counter 626 is taken to be the cumulative total number of sheets printed so far as contracted printing.

[0079] The replacement count counter 627 indicates the number of times the contract cartridge has been replaced with a new one. When a new ink cartridge 4 is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 61 increments the replacement count of the replacement count counter 627 by one.

[0080] The main body memory 62 may have an area for storing, in addition to the above-mentioned information, for example, the total number of printed sheets in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0081] The communication unit 63 communicates between the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 8 via a communication network such as the Internet. The communication unit 63 outputs a request received from the server 8 to the controller 61. Here, the "request" refers to various requests, instructions, inquiries, etc. transmitted from the server 8 in contract-related processing. The communication unit 63 returns the result of the calculation and output by the controller 61 in response to the above-mentioned request to the server 8 as a "response". In this embodiment, the response returned by the communication unit 63 may be omitted. For example, if the request is an instruction to change various settings in the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 61 changes various settings in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the instruction. However, the return of a notification that the settings have been changed to the server 8 via the communication unit 63 may be omitted.

[0082] (Server 8) The server 8 includes a server communication unit 83, a server memory 82, and a server control unit 81 (control unit). The server communication unit 83 is a communication interface for communication between the server 8 and the image forming device 1. The server communication unit 83 transmits a request input from the server control unit 81 to the image forming device 1. The server communication unit 83 receives a response sent from the image forming device 1 in response to the transmitted request, and outputs the response to the server control unit 81.

[0083] Furthermore, the server communication unit 83 communicates with a user terminal 9 operated by a user of the image forming apparatus 1 via a communication network, and transmits and receives information between the user terminal 9. In this embodiment, the server communication unit 83 transmits and receives various information required for concluding a contract between the user terminal 9. Specifically, the server communication unit 83 may receive a contract request message requesting the conclusion of a contract from the user terminal 9. This contract request message may include a device ID 622 that identifies the image forming apparatus 1. After the server control unit 81 executes contract-related processing in response to this contract request message, the server communication unit 83 may transmit a notification to the user terminal 9 that the image forming apparatus 1 has been recognized as a contract machine.

[0084] The server memory 82 is a storage device that stores data necessary for the operation of the server 8. The server memory 82 stores device information for each image forming device 1 that subscribes to a contract service provided in the image forming system 100. The device information may include, for example, a device ID, a contract flag, a contract upper limit number of sheets, a model number of the image forming device 1, a manufacturing date, and the like.

[0085] The device ID 622 is identification information for the server 8 to uniquely identify the image forming device 1. The contract flag is information indicating whether the image forming device 1 has transitioned to the contract mode, i.e., whether it has been recognized as a contract machine. The contract upper limit number of sheets indicates the upper limit of the number of sheets that the image forming device 1 can print in a specified period set by the contract.

[0086] The server control unit 81 is a CPU that performs overall control of the server 8. The server control unit 81 creates a request to the image forming apparatus 1 at a predetermined timing, and outputs the created request to the server communication unit 83. In this embodiment, the request includes, for example, a contract transition instruction that instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to transition to a contract mode. The server control unit 81 is triggered by receiving a contract request message transmitted from the user terminal 9, and controls the server communication unit 83 to transmit the above-mentioned contract transition instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 desired by the user.

[0087] Further, the server control unit 81 stores new device information in the server memory 82 or updates device information already stored based on a response received from the image forming device 1 via the server communication unit 83. More specifically, for example, when the server communication unit 83 receives a contract request message from the user terminal 9 regarding the image forming device 1 with which a new contract is desired to be concluded, the server control unit 81 newly registers device information of the image forming device 1 in the server memory 82. At this time, the server control unit 81 sets the initial value of the contract flag to a value that means "unconfirmed". The contract flag "unconfirmed" means that a contract has been concluded between the user and the event party, but the server 8 itself has not yet confirmed that the image forming device 1 that is scheduled to perform the contract printing has shifted to the contract mode. Then, when the server control unit 81 confirms through communication with the image forming device 1 that the image forming device 1 has shifted to the contract mode, it updates the contract flag of the image forming device 1 to a value that means "confirmed". Based on this process, the image forming device 1 is recognized as a contract machine on the image forming system 100 including the server 8.

[0088] <Data Structure> 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of the cartridge memory 42 of the ink cartridge 4. As an example, the cartridge memory 42 has at least five storage areas, a first area to a fifth area.

[0089] The first area is a storage area for storing first status information. The first status information is information indicating whether the ink cartridge 4 is new or old, and as an example, the first status information is a new product flag 431. For example, a value of "1" for the new product flag 431 may mean that the ink cartridge 4 is new, and a value of "0" for the new product flag 431 may mean that the ink cartridge 4 is old.

[0090] The second area is a storage area for storing the second status information. The second status information is information indicating whether the ink cartridge 4 can be temporarily used in another image forming device, and as an example, the second status information is the device ID 432. For example, if the second status information includes the device ID 432, the second status information may mean "unusable" with respect to temporary use in another image forming device. If the second status information does not include the device ID 432, the second status information may mean "usable" with respect to temporary use in another image forming device. In the following, the status of a contract cartridge that is an old product but is permitted to be temporarily used in another image forming device is referred to as a "provisionally new product."

[0091] In another example, the second status information is a temporary new flag. For example, a value of "1" of the temporary new flag may mean that the ink cartridge 4 is in a temporary new state in which temporary use in other image forming devices is permitted. A value of "0" of the temporary new flag may mean that the ink cartridge 4 is in a state in which use in other image forming devices is prohibited.

[0092] The third area may store a cartridge ID 421. The cartridge ID 421 is, for example, a unique serial number for identifying each individual ink cartridge 4. The cartridge ID 421 may include information indicating the ink color, model number, manufacturer, production lot, etc. of the ink cartridge 4.

[0093] The fourth area may store a cartridge type 422. The cartridge type 422 is information indicating the type of the ink cartridge 4. In this embodiment, at least two types of ink cartridges 4 can be set: “contract” and “commercial”.

[0094] An ink cartridge 4 with the type "contract" set in the fourth area is an ink cartridge exclusively for a contract service. In the following, this type of ink cartridge will be referred to as a contract cartridge. The image forming device 1 can perform contract printing while a contract cartridge is installed. Contract cartridges are supplied by the business operator to users who have signed a contract for the image forming device 1.

[0095] An ink cartridge 4 with the type "commercially available" set in the fourth area is a commercially available ink cartridge that can be purchased from a home appliance retailer or a mail-order site. Hereinafter, this type of ink cartridge will be referred to as a commercially available cartridge. A commercially available cartridge may be a so-called genuine product manufactured by the manufacturer of the image forming device 1, or may be a so-called third-party product manufactured by a third party other than the manufacturer.

[0096] The fifth area may store remaining ink information 423. The remaining ink information 423 is information that indicates the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 4. As an example, the remaining ink amount is made up of values ​​corresponding to a number of stages from full to empty, and these values ​​are stored in the fifth area. Based on the above values, each stage of the remaining ink amount may be notified to the user in words such as "FULL" to "EMPTY", or may be notified to the user as a numerical value such as "100%" to "0%", or may be notified to the user by a combination of these expressions.

[0097] <Processing flow> (Pre-change processing) 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of pre-change processing of a contract machine executed by the image forming apparatus 1 before the change. It is assumed that before receiving a contract cancellation instruction, the image forming apparatus 1 as a contract machine executes a prohibition process (prohibition step) for prohibiting the use of a contracted cartridge in other image forming apparatuses 1 than the image forming apparatus 1 when a new contracted cartridge is installed. As an example, in the prohibition process, the controller 61 updates the new product flag 431 stored in the first area of ​​the cartridge memory 42 of the installed contracted cartridge by changing it from "1" to "0" to indicate an old product. Then, the controller 61 writes the device ID 432 of the image forming apparatus 1 in the second area of ​​the cartridge memory 42.

[0098] Thereafter, the series of processes shown in FIG. 5 is started when, for example, the controller 61 receives from the server 8 a contract cancellation instruction which is an instruction to cancel the contract concluded with the image forming apparatus 1.

[0099] In step S101, the controller 61 determines whether or not a contract cancellation instruction has been received from the server 8. If it is determined that a contract cancellation instruction has been received, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S101 to S102.

[0100] In step S102, the controller 61 executes a first determination process to determine whether the image forming device 1 is broken. As an example, in the first determination process, the controller 61 determines that the image forming device 1 is broken when the status information 624 stored in the main body memory 62 indicates that a failure has occurred in the image forming device 1. The determined failure is assumed to be a failure that requires replacement of the image forming device 1, for example, a failure of a printing function that cannot be restored. As another example, the controller 61 may determine that the image forming device 1 is broken when the status information of the image forming device 1 transmitted from the server 8 together with the contract cancellation instruction indicates a failure. When the controller 61 determines that the image forming device 1 is broken, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S102 to S103. On the other hand, when the controller 61 determines that the image forming device 1 is not broken, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S102 to S106.

[0101] In another example, in step S102, in addition to or instead of the first determination process, the controller 61 may execute a fourth determination process for determining whether or not the purpose of canceling the contract is to change the contracted machine. As an example, in the fourth determination process, the controller 61 refers to purpose information indicating the purpose of canceling the contract transmitted from the server 8 together with the contract cancellation instruction. When the controller 61 determines based on the purpose information that the purpose of canceling the contract is to change the image forming device with which the contract is concluded to another image forming device, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S102 to S103. On the other hand, when the controller 61 determines that the purpose of canceling the contract is not to change the contracted machine, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S102 to S106.

[0102] In step S103, the controller 61 determines the type of the attached ink cartridge 4. Specifically, the controller 61 reads the cartridge type 422 from the fourth area of ​​the cartridge memory 42 of each attached ink cartridge 4. The controller 61 then determines the type of the ink cartridge 4 based on whether the cartridge type 422 indicates "contract" or "commercial." If the controller 61 determines that the attached ink cartridge 4 is a contract cartridge, the process proceeds from YES in S103 to S104. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the ink cartridge 4 is a commercial cartridge, the process proceeds from NO in S103 to S106.

[0103] In step S104, the controller 61 executes a second determination process to determine whether the remaining amount of ink in the contract cartridge is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount or less than a predetermined amount. Specifically, the controller 61 reads out the remaining ink amount information 423 stored in the fifth area of ​​the cartridge memory 42, and compares the remaining amount of ink indicated by the remaining ink amount information 423 with a threshold value indicating the predetermined amount. If the controller 61 determines that the remaining amount of ink in the contract cartridge is less than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds from YES in S104 to S106. In other words, the controller 61 does not execute the update process of S105, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the remaining amount of ink in the contract cartridge is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds from NO in S104 to S105. In other words, the controller 61 executes the update process of S105, which will be described later.

[0104] Alternatively, in S104, the controller 61 may determine whether the remaining amount of ink in the contract cartridge is greater than a predetermined amount or less than the predetermined amount. If the controller 61 determines that the remaining amount of ink in the contract cartridge is less than the predetermined amount, it advances the process from YES in S104 to S106. In other words, the controller 61 does not execute the update process of S105, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the controller 61 does not determine that the remaining amount of ink in the contract cartridge is less than the predetermined amount, that is, if it determines that the remaining amount of ink is greater than the predetermined amount, it advances the process from NO in S104 to S105.

[0105] In step S105, the controller 61 executes an update process (update step) for transitioning the mounted contract cartridge to a provisional new cartridge state. Specifically, the controller 61 updates the second status information, which is stored in the second area of ​​the cartridge memory 42 and indicates whether the cartridge can be temporarily used in another image forming apparatus, to indicate "usable". More specifically, for example, the controller 61 may update the second status information to "usable" by deleting the apparatus ID 432 from the second area of ​​the cartridge memory 42 in the update process. In another example, the controller 61 may update the second status information to "usable" by setting a provisional new cartridge flag in the second area of ​​the cartridge memory 42, for example by updating the value from "0" to "1".

[0106] When a plurality of ink cartridges 4 are attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the controller 61 repeatedly executes the processes of S103 to S105 for each ink cartridge 4.

[0107] In step S106, the controller 61 executes a contract cancellation process for the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the contract cancellation instruction received in S101. As an example, the controller 61 may return the image forming apparatus 1 from the contract mode to the non-contract mode in the contract cancellation process. Specifically, the controller 61 may update the mode information 623 stored in the main body memory 62 from a value corresponding to the contract mode to a value corresponding to the non-contract mode. Then, the controller 61 may return a message to the server 8 notifying that the contract cancellation has been approved and that the transition to the non-contract mode has been completed.

[0108] (Post-change processing) Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of post-change processing of a contract machine executed by the post-change image forming apparatus 1. The post-change image forming apparatus 1 is another image forming apparatus having a device ID different from that of the above-mentioned pre-change image forming apparatus 1. However, the controller 61 of the post-change image forming apparatus 1 may have a function of executing the pre-change processing described based on Fig. 5, like the pre-change image forming apparatus 1.

[0109] A series of processes shown in FIG. 6 is started, for example, when the controller 61 detects that a cartridge has been mounted in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0110] In step S201, the controller 61 determines whether or not the ink cartridge 4 is attached to the main body casing. If the controller 61 determines that the ink cartridge 4 is attached, the process advances from YES in S201 to S202.

[0111] In step S202, the controller 61 executes a third determination process to determine whether the image forming apparatus 1 has already shifted to the contract mode.

[0112] As an example, the process of transitioning to the contract mode is executed by the controller 61 in response to a contract transition instruction transmitted from the server 8. Specifically, when the controller 61 receives the contract transition instruction from the server 8, it updates the mode information 623 stored in the main body memory 62 from a value corresponding to the non-contract mode to a value corresponding to the contract mode. When the mode information 623 is updated to indicate the contract mode, the image forming apparatus 1 completes the transition to the contract mode. The controller 61 may notify the server 8 that the transition to the contract mode has been made in accordance with the contract transition instruction.

[0113] In the above-described configuration, in the third determination process, the controller 61 determines whether or not the image forming device 1 has transitioned to the contract mode based on the mode information 623 stored in the main body memory 62. If the mode information 623 indicates the contract mode and the controller 61 determines based on this that the image forming device 1 has transitioned to the contract mode, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S202 to S203. On the other hand, if the mode information 623 indicates the non-contract mode and the controller 61 determines based on this that the image forming device 1 has not transitioned to the contract mode, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S202 to S210.

[0114] In step S203, the controller 61 determines whether the mounted ink cartridge 4 is a contract cartridge and is either a new or provisionally new cartridge, or is otherwise. As an example, the controller 61 determines whether the mounted ink cartridge 4 is a contract cartridge or a commercially available cartridge based on the cartridge type 422 stored in the fourth area of ​​the cartridge memory 42. Then, the controller 61 refers to the new product flag 431 stored in the first area of ​​the cartridge memory 42, and determines that the ink cartridge 4 is new when the new product flag 431 indicates a used product and the device ID 432 is not stored in the second area of ​​the cartridge memory 42. Alternatively, the controller 61 may determine that the ink cartridge 4 is provisionally new when the provisionally new product flag stored in the second area indicates a provisionally new product. When the controller 61 determines that the mounted ink cartridge 4 is new or provisionally new, the process proceeds from YES in S203 to S204. On the other hand, the controller 61 may determine that the installed ink cartridge 4 is neither a new contract cartridge nor a provisional new cartridge, that is, that it is a commercially available cartridge, or that even if it is a contract cartridge, it is an old product that can only be used for printing in other image forming devices. In this case, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S203 to S209.

[0115] In step S204, the controller 61 executes a rewrite process for the installed ink cartridge 4 to disable use in other image forming apparatuses. As an example, in the rewrite process, the controller 61 stores the device ID 432 of the image forming apparatus 1 in the second area of ​​the cartridge memory 42. This prohibits use of the ink cartridge 4 in other image forming apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus 1 indicated in the device ID 432. Alternatively, the controller 61 may turn off the temporary new product flag in the second area, thereby again prohibiting use in other image forming apparatuses that was temporarily permitted.

[0116] In step S205, the controller 61 judges whether the mounted contract cartridge is new or provisionally new. As an example, the controller 61 judges that the contract cartridge is new when the new product flag 431 indicating a new product is stored in the first area of ​​the cartridge memory 42. On the other hand, the controller 61 judges that the contract cartridge is provisionally new when the new product flag 431 indicating an old product is stored in the first area and the device ID 432 of an image forming device other than the image forming device 1 is stored in the second area. In another example, the controller 61 may judge that the contract cartridge is new when the new product flag 431 is "1" and may judge that the contract cartridge is provisionally new when the new product flag 431 is "0" and the provisionally new product flag is "1". When the controller 61 judges that the mounted contract cartridge is new, the controller 61 advances the process from NO in S205 to S206. On the other hand, when the controller 61 judges that the contract cartridge is provisionally new, the controller 61 advances the process from YES in S205 to S208. That is, when the installed contract cartridge is new, the controller 61 executes new product management processing, which is processing specific to the installation of a new product, as shown in S206 and S207 described later. On the other hand, when the installed contract cartridge is an old product and a provisional new product, the controller 61 does not execute the above-mentioned new product management processing.

[0117] In step S206, the controller 61 clears the new product flag of the attached contract cartridge as new product management processing. Specifically, the controller 61 updates the value of the new product flag 431 stored in the first area of ​​the cartridge memory 42 from "1" to "0."

[0118] In step S207, the controller 61 counts up the number of times the contract cartridge has been replaced with a new one as a new cartridge management process. As an example, an exchange count counter 627 for managing the number of times the contract cartridge has been replaced is stored in the main body memory 62. In S206, the controller 61 increments the exchange count of the exchange count counter 627 by one, for example.

[0119] In step S208, the controller 61 executes permission processing to permit the image forming apparatus 1 to execute the contract printing. In the permission processing, the controller 61 may notify the server 8 that the execution of the contract printing has been permitted. The notification triggers the server 8 to consider that the use of the contract service has started in the image forming apparatus 1, and can start billing.

[0120] The rewrite process in S204 may be executed at any timing after YES in S203. For example, the rewrite process in S204 may be executed after the permission process in S208.

[0121] In step S209, the controller 61 does not permit the image forming apparatus 1 to perform contract printing. In other words, the controller 61 can prohibit an old contract cartridge that can only be used in other image forming apparatuses from being used for contract printing on the image forming apparatus 1. In S209, the server 8 maintains the recognition of the image forming apparatus 1 that "it is a contract machine, but use of the contract service has not yet started," and does not start charging. Note that when a commercially available cartridge is attached instead of an old contract cartridge, the controller 61 does not permit contract printing, but may permit normal printing.

[0122] In step S210, the image forming device 1 is in the non-contract mode. In S210, the controller 61 determines whether the installed ink cartridge 4 is a contract cartridge and is either new or provisionally new, or is otherwise, as in S203. If the controller 61 determines that the installed ink cartridge 4 is a new or provisionally new contract cartridge, the process proceeds from YES in S210 to S211. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the ink cartridge 4 is an old contract cartridge or a commercially available cartridge that cannot be used in the image forming device 1, the process proceeds from NO in S210 to S213.

[0123] In step S211, the controller 61 executes a transition support process for prompting the user to perform an operation for transitioning the image forming apparatus 1 to the contract mode. As an example, the controller 61 may display a message on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 1 or the display unit of the user terminal 9 to prompt the user to perform various procedures for concluding a contract. Furthermore, the controller 61 may provide input support to the user to transition the image forming apparatus 1 to the contract mode, for example by displaying link information of a site for performing various procedures for concluding a contract on each of the above-mentioned display units.

[0124] In step S212, the controller 61 prohibits printing. That is, the controller 61 prohibits contract printing in a situation where the image forming apparatus 1 has not transitioned to the contract mode and is therefore not recognized as a contract machine by the server 8. In addition, the controller 61 also prohibits normal printing with a contract cartridge attached.

[0125] In step 213, the controller 61 permits normal printing when no contract cartridges are installed and a commercially available cartridge is installed. Note that the controller 61 prohibits both normal printing and contract printing if even one old contract cartridge that can only be used in other image forming devices is installed.

[0126] [Modifications] The image forming device 1 may be any device that has a function of printing using consumables such as ink cartridges or toner cartridges and a communication function. For example, the image forming device 1 may be an inkjet printer or a laser printer. Alternatively, the image forming device 1 may be an MFP (Multi Function Printer) that also has other functions such as a scanner or a facsimile.

[0127] When the image forming apparatus 1 is a laser printer, a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge are attached to the image forming apparatus 1 instead of the ink cartridge 4. The number of drum cartridges and toner cartridges attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is not particularly limited. The configurations of the drum cartridges and toner cartridges are not particularly limited.

[0128] For example, the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge may be independent cartridges. The drum cartridge and the toner cartridge may be integrated by mounting the toner cartridge on the drum cartridge. The toner cartridge is mounted in the main body of the image forming device 1 together with the drum cartridge in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge.

[0129] When the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are independent cartridges, the configuration of the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge can be one of the following three types.

[0130] In a first configuration example, the drum cartridge includes a cartridge housing, and the cartridge housing may be provided with a photosensitive drum, a drum memory, and a developing roller. The toner cartridge includes a cartridge housing, and the cartridge housing may be provided with a toner memory. The cartridge housing of the toner cartridge contains toner. The outer peripheral surface of the developing roller contacts the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum inside the drum cartridge. This causes a developer (i.e., toner) to be applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum. The applied toner is transferred to paper by the transfer belt, and the data indicated by the print job is printed.

[0131] As a second configuration example, the cartridge housing of the drum cartridge may include a photosensitive drum and a drum memory. The cartridge housing of the toner cartridge may be provided with a developing roller. The outer peripheral surface of the developing roller contacts the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum inside the drum cartridge.

[0132] As a third configuration example, a developing cartridge having a developing roller may be attached to the image forming apparatus 1 in addition to the drum cartridge and toner cartridge. In this case, the drum cartridge has a cartridge housing, a photosensitive drum, and a drum memory. The toner cartridge has a cartridge housing and a toner memory. The cartridge housing of the toner cartridge contains toner. In the third configuration example, three parts, the drum cartridge, the toner cartridge, and the developing cartridge, are attached to the main body housing.

[0133] The drum memory stores, for example, a drum ID, drum type information, and drum life information. Note that the drum ID and drum life information are not essential information for this disclosure. The drum type information is information that indicates whether the drum cartridge is a contract-specific drum cartridge or a normal drum cartridge.

[0134] The toner memory stores, for example, a toner ID, toner type information, and toner life information. Note that the toner ID and the toner life information are not essential information in this disclosure. The toner type information is information that indicates whether the toner cartridge is a contract-specific toner cartridge or a normal toner cartridge.

[0135] When the image forming apparatus 1 is a laser printer, the main body memory 62 stores drum information and toner information instead of ink information. The drum information is information in which the drum ID, drum type information, and drum life information read from the drum memory of each drum cartridge are associated with each other. The toner information is information in which the toner ID, toner type information, and toner life information read from the toner memory of each toner cartridge are associated with each other.

[0136] That is, the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge may be an integrated cartridge configured as one unit. The integrated cartridge has a cartridge housing, a photosensitive drum, a memory, and a developing roller. The outer peripheral surface of the developing roller contacts the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum inside the integrated cartridge. The cartridge housing of the integrated cartridge contains toner. The memory of the integrated cartridge stores various pieces of information stored in the drum memory and toner memory described above.

[0137] The process flow shown in the flowchart referred to in the above embodiment can be applied even when the image forming device 1 is a laser printer. Specifically, when the image forming device 1 is a laser printer, the contract cartridge described in the above embodiment can be read as a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge (or an all-in-one cartridge) instead of the ink cartridge 4.

[0138] When the image forming apparatus 1 is a laser printer, the fifth area of ​​the cartridge memory 42 of the all-in-one cartridge stores drum life information and toner life information instead of remaining ink amount information 423. When the image forming apparatus 1 is not an all-in-one cartridge, the fifth area of ​​the cartridge memory 42 of the drum cartridge stores drum life information, and the fifth area of ​​the cartridge memory 42 of the toner cartridge stores toner life information.

[0139] The image forming apparatus 1 according to this modification also achieves the same effects as the image forming apparatus 1 according to the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0140] [Software implementation example] The control blocks of the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 8 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software.

[0141] In the latter case, the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 8 are provided with a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. The computer includes, for example, one or more processors, and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. The processor in the computer reads the program from the recording medium and executes it, thereby achieving the object of the present disclosure. The processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The recording medium may be a "non-transient tangible medium," such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like. The computer may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program. The program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. Note that one aspect of the present disclosure may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0142] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 1 Image forming device, 4 Ink cartridge (consumables, contract consumables), 8 Server, 9 User terminal, 42 Cartridge memory (consumables memory), 61 Controller, 62 Main body memory, 63 Communication unit, 100 Image forming system, 421 Cartridge ID, 422 Cartridge type, 423 Ink remaining amount information, 431 New product flag (first status information), 432 Device ID (second status information), 621 Cartridge information, 623 Mode information, 624 Status information, 627 Replacement count counter

Claims

1. A main body housing; The internal memory and a consumable item that is capable of storing a printing material and is attached to the main body housing, the consumable item having a consumable item memory; A controller; An image forming apparatus comprising: at least one of the consumable memory and the main body memory stores first status information indicating that the consumable is a new item or an old item that can be used only in the image forming apparatus; the consumable memory stores second status information indicating whether the consumable item can be temporarily used in another image forming apparatus; The controller: a prohibition process for prohibiting the consumable from being used in another image forming apparatus by rewriting the first status information stored in the consumable memory or the main body memory to the old status information when the first status information indicates a new product; When a contract cancellation instruction is received to cancel a contract for the image forming device for which a contract has been concluded, an update process is executed to update the second status information to indicate that the image forming device can be temporarily used on another image forming device.

2. When the controller receives the contract cancellation instruction, Status information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus stored in the main body memory indicates that the image forming apparatus is out of order, or The status information received together with the contract cancellation instruction indicates that the image forming apparatus is out of order, Further performing a first determination process to determine The controller:

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined in the first determination process that the image forming apparatus is out of order, in the update process, the second status information is updated to indicate that the image forming apparatus is temporarily usable by another image forming apparatus.

3. The controller: A second determination process is further performed to determine whether the remaining amount of the consumable is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The controller:

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined in the second determination process that the remaining amount of the consumable is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the update process is not executed.

4. The controller: A second determination process is further performed to determine whether the remaining amount of the consumable is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The controller:

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update process is executed when it is determined in the second determination process that the remaining amount of the consumable is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.

5. the second status information includes identification information of the image forming device, The controller: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in the updating process, the second status information is updated to the usable status by deleting the identification information from the consumables memory.

6. The controller:

5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the update process, the second status information is updated to the usable state by storing information in the consumable memory indicating that temporary use in another image forming apparatus is permitted.

7. The controller: a permission process for permitting execution of printing when the first status information indicating the new product or the second status information indicating the usable product is stored in the consumable product memory; 7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a rewrite process for rewriting the first status information indicating new or the second status information indicating usable to the consumable memory to the second status information indicating unusable in other image forming apparatuses when the first status information indicating new or the second status information indicating usable is stored in the consumable memory.

8. The consumable memory includes: a first area for storing the first status information; a second area for storing the second state information; The controller: When the first status information stored in the first area indicates that the product is new, a new product management process is executed, which is a process specific to a new product being attached; 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the new product management process is not executed when the first status information stored in the first area indicates that the toner cartridge is an old product.

9. The controller: a third determination process is further executed to determine whether or not the image forming apparatus is in a contract mode for which a contract has been concluded when the consumable is attached; The controller: when it is determined in the third determination process that the image forming apparatus is not in the contract mode, a transition support process is further executed to prompt an operation for transitioning the image forming apparatus to the contract mode; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a permission process executed after the image forming apparatus has entered the contract mode.

10. the main body memory stores mode information indicating whether the image forming apparatus is in a contract mode; The controller, in the third determination process, When the mode information stored in the main body memory indicates the contract mode, the image forming apparatus is determined to be in the contract mode; The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein when the mode information stored in the main body memory indicates a non-contract mode, which means that the image forming apparatus is not in the contract mode, the image forming apparatus is determined to be not in the contract mode.

11. When the controller receives the contract cancellation instruction, further executing a fourth determination process for determining whether purpose information indicating a purpose for canceling the contract received together with the contract cancellation instruction indicates that the image forming apparatus with which the contract is to be concluded is to be changed to another image forming apparatus; The controller:

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined in the fourth determination process that the purpose of terminating the contract is to make the change, in the update process, the second status information is updated to indicate temporary use in another image forming apparatus.

12. A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: The image forming apparatus includes: A main body housing; The internal memory and a consumable item that is capable of storing a printing material and is attached to the main body housing, the consumable item having a consumable item memory; A controller; An image forming apparatus comprising: at least one of the consumable memory and the main body memory stores first status information indicating that the consumable is a new item or an old item that can be used only in the image forming apparatus; the consumable memory stores second status information indicating whether the consumable item can be temporarily used in another image forming apparatus; The control method includes: a prohibition step of prohibiting the consumable from being used in another image forming apparatus by the controller, when the first status information stored in the consumable memory or the main body memory indicates a new product, by rewriting the first status information to the old product; a control method including an update step of, when the controller receives a contract cancellation instruction to cancel a contract for the image forming device for which a contract has been concluded, updating the second status information to indicate that the image forming device is temporarily usable on another image forming device.

Images