Image forming apparatus and control method

Abstract

To allow a contracted consumable supply to be used in another image formation apparatus in which a contract is concluded, and prevent double order placement of the contracted consumable supply.SOLUTION: A controller (61) executes second storage processing of storing ordered information being information indicating that a new second consumable supply (4) is ordered in a consumable supply memory (42) when a consumption degree of a first consumable supply (4) is equal to or greater than a prescribed value in a case where type information stored in the consumable supply memory (42) of the first consumable supply (4) indicates that the consumable supply is a special consumable supply, and third storage processing of storing identification information stored in a body memory (62) in an external memory (31) in such a state that the external memory (31) that can be physically connected to a body housing from the outside of the body housing (10) is connected to the body housing. Another image formation apparatus (1) connected with the external memory is configured to allow the first consumable supply to be used on the basis of the identification information stored in the external memory.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a flat-rate printing service has been widely provided to users who use image forming apparatuses. The flat-rate printing service, also called a subscription service, is a service that can be subscribed for each image forming apparatus. For example, in an image forming apparatus that is a contracted machine for which a contract regarding the use of the flat-rate printing service has been concluded, printing is permitted at a fixed usage fee up to a preset number of sheets during a preset period.

[0003] Generally, when using the flat-rate printing service, the service provider often designates that contract consumables dedicated to the flat-rate printing service be used in the image forming apparatus for which the contract has been concluded. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for distinguishing between contract consumables and ordinary consumables that can be used regardless of service subscription. Also, a technique for managing by associating contract consumables with a contract machine so that the contract consumables are used in a specific contract machine is disclosed.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses that an image forming apparatus has a function of detecting the degree of consumption of a cartridge containing a recording material, and when the degree of consumption of the recording material meets a predetermined condition, for example, outputs an order request for the cartridge to an information processing apparatus for an administrator. Further, after the image forming apparatus outputs an order request for the cartridge, it stores an ordered flag indicating that an order has been placed in the memory of the image forming apparatus in association with the cartridge in use related to the order request for the cartridge. Thereby, a technique for preventing double ordering of cartridges is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] In such subscription services, if a contracted image forming machine malfunctions or reaches the end of its lifespan and a new contract is made for the same model, any remaining consumables from the previously used machine cannot be used in the new machine. Furthermore, preventing duplicate orders of consumables by having the newly contracted image forming machine's memory remember that the installed cartridge has already been ordered presents the problem of complicating toner cartridge order management.

[0007] This disclosure addresses the aforementioned issues and aims to permit the use of contracted consumables in other image forming apparatuses with which contracts have been concluded, as well as to prevent duplicate ordering of contracted consumables. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the aforementioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus comprising: a main body housing; a main body memory; a controller; a first consumable having a consumable memory that stores: status information indicating whether the first consumable mounted in the main body housing is new or old; unique identification information for identifying the first consumable; consumption information indicating the degree of wear of the first consumable; and type information indicating whether the first consumable is a dedicated consumable usable when a contract covering the image forming apparatus has been concluded, or a normal consumable usable regardless of the conclusion of the contract; and the controller includes a first storage process that stores the identification information in the main body memory when the status information indicates new; a rewriting process that rewrites the status information to old when the first storage process has been performed; and when the status information of the first consumable represents old and the type information is dedicated When the system is in a state indicating that the first consumable is a consumable, if the identification information stored in the consumable memory is stored in the main unit memory, the system permits the use of the first consumable; if the identification information is not stored in the main unit memory, the system prohibits the use of the first consumable; when the type information indicates that the first consumable is a dedicated consumable, and the degree of wear of the first consumable is above a predetermined value, the system performs a second storage process which stores ordered information, which is information indicating that a new second consumable has been ordered, in the consumable memory; and when an external memory that can be physically connected to the main unit housing from outside the main unit housing is connected to the main unit housing, the system performs a third storage process which stores the identification information stored in the main unit memory in the external memory, and based on the identification information stored in the external memory, the system permits the use of the first consumable by other image forming apparatuses to which the external memory is connected.

[0009] The second embodiment is an image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, wherein the controller, in the third storage process, determines whether the degree of wear of the first consumable is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and if it determines that the degree of wear of the first consumable is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it stores the identification information of the first consumable stored in the main memory in the external memory, and if it determines that the degree of wear of the first consumable is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, it does not store the identification information of the first consumable stored in the main memory in the external memory.

[0010] A third embodiment is an image forming apparatus according to the first or second embodiment, wherein the controller may, in the third storage process, store in the external memory the identification information of the first consumable that is attached to the main body housing when the external memory is connected, from among the identification information stored in the main body memory.

[0011] The fourth embodiment is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein the external memory may be a USB memory.

[0012] A control method in a fifth embodiment is a control method for a first image forming apparatus equipped with a first consumable having a consumable memory that stores: status information indicating whether the first consumable is new or old; unique identification information for identifying the first consumable; consumption information indicating the degree of wear of the first consumable; and type information indicating whether the first consumable is a special consumable that can be used when a contract for the image forming apparatus has been concluded, or a regular consumable that can be used regardless of the conclusion of the contract, the control method comprising: a first storage step of storing the identification information in the main memory of the first image forming apparatus when the status information of the first consumable indicates new; a rewriting step of the first image forming apparatus rewriting the status information to old when the first storage step has been performed; and when the status information of the first consumable indicates old and the type information indicates that it is the special consumable, the main memory is used to store the information stored in the consumable memory. The system includes: a determination step in which, if the identification information is stored, the first image forming apparatus permits the use of the first consumable, and if the identification information is not stored in the main memory, the first image forming apparatus prohibits the use of the first consumable; a second storage step in which, if the type information indicates that it is a dedicated consumable, the first image forming apparatus stores ordered information, which indicates that a new second consumable has been ordered, in the consumable memory; a third storage step in which, with an external memory that can be physically connected to the main housing from outside the main housing connected to the main housing, the first image forming apparatus stores the identification information stored in the main memory in the external memory; and a usage permission step in which, based on the identification information stored in the external memory, another image forming apparatus to which the external memory is connected permits the use of the first consumable.

[0013] The sixth aspect is a control method of the fifth aspect, wherein the third storage step includes a second determination step of determining whether the degree of wear of the first consumable is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and if it is determined that the degree of wear of the first consumable is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the identification information of the first consumable stored in the main memory is stored in the external memory, and if it is determined that the degree of wear of the first consumable is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the identification information of the first consumable stored in the main memory is not stored in the external memory.

[0014] A seventh aspect is a control method according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the third storage step may store in the external memory the identification information of the first consumable that is attached to the main body housing when the external memory is connected, from among the identification information stored in the main body memory.

[0015] The eighth aspect is a control method according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the external memory may be a USB memory. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment or the control method of the fifth embodiment, the other image forming apparatus stores identification information stored in the connected external memory in its main memory. The other image forming apparatus then authorizes the use of the installed first consumable if the installed first consumable is an older, dedicated consumable, and the identification information stored in the consumable memory of the first consumable matches the identification information stored in the main memory from the external memory. This makes it possible to authorize the use of the first consumable, which is a dedicated consumable installed in the image forming apparatus, in another image forming apparatus with which a contract has been concluded.

[0017] Furthermore, if the first consumable is a dedicated consumable, and the degree of wear of the first consumable exceeds a predetermined value, order information indicating that a new second consumable has been ordered is stored in the consumable memory of the first consumable. This prevents duplicate ordering of dedicated consumables by other image forming apparatuses not ordering a new second consumable if order information is stored in the consumable memory of the installed first consumable.

[0018] According to the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment or the control method of the sixth embodiment, if the controller determines that the degree of wear of the first consumable is not above a predetermined value, it stores the identification information of the first consumable stored in the main memory in the external memory. On the other hand, if the controller determines that the degree of wear of the first consumable is above a predetermined value, it does not store the identification information of the first consumable stored in the main memory in the external memory. As a result, other image forming apparatuses can only permit the use of first consumables whose degree of wear is not above a predetermined value.

[0019] According to the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus or the seventh embodiment of the control method, the controller stores identification information of the first consumables installed in the main housing in the external memory when the external memory is connected to the main housing. This makes it possible to use only the first consumables used in the image forming apparatus in other image forming apparatuses when the external memory is connected to the main housing.

[0020] According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment, or the control method of the eighth embodiment, the controller can store identification information of the first consumable stored in the main unit memory in a USB memory connected externally to the main unit housing. This makes it possible to use the first consumable in other image forming apparatuses by connecting the USB memory to another image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This figure shows an overview of the image forming system in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]It is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus included in an image forming system. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing the internal structures of an image forming apparatus including a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge, and a server, respectively, and the connection relationship between the image forming apparatus and the server. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of cartridge determination processing executed by the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is installed. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing an example of USB storage processing executed by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] It is a sub - flowchart showing an example of a sub - process of the copy determination processing in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an example of cartridge ordering processing executed by the server.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] 〔Embodiment 1〕 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. In this embodiment, as an example, the image forming apparatus is a laser printer, and the case where image formation is printing will be described. However, the image forming apparatus may be a printer other than a laser printer. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be an inkjet printer.

[0023] ≪Outline of the Image Forming System≫ FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the outline of the image forming system 100 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1, a server 8, and a user terminal 9. The plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 shown in FIG. 1 are provided by a business operator through the conclusion of contracts by the same user. However, although not shown, the image forming system 100 may be configured to include other image forming apparatuses purchased by the user.

[0024] Image forming apparatus 1 is a device for realizing services provided through a contract with image forming apparatus 1. Server 8 is an external device that communicates with image forming apparatus 1 via a network and is an example of a management device for managing image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, server 8 is a server managed by a service provider.

[0025] In this embodiment, "contract" refers to a contract concluded between a user and a service provider, in which the service provider provides specific services through an image forming apparatus 1 designated by the user or an image forming apparatus 1 provided to the user by the service provider. In other words, the user enters into a contract for a particular image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 can be said to be the device that is the subject of the contract. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 1 that is designated by the user or provided to the user by the service provider and is the subject of the contract will be referred to as the "contracted device".

[0026] Each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 1 can be provided by a service provider through a contract with the user, and can be used, for example, for a fixed monthly fee. In addition, each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 1 can be used, for example, for a fixed monthly fee, through a contract with the service provider, with the user also being able to use contract-specific consumables. The contract, as an example, is an agreement between the service provider and the user where the service usage period, usage fees, maximum number of images, etc., are agreed upon, and both parties agree that the service provider will provide the service to the user.

[0027] In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is an image forming apparatus that can perform contract printing, which is printing using contract-specific consumables based on the content of the concluded service contract, after the service contract has been concluded. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment may be an image forming apparatus that can be used based on the content of the concluded service contract after the service contract has been concluded.

[0028] The user can register or change the image forming apparatus 1 as the contracted machine at any time. "Registration" here refers to new registration, or re-registration of an image forming apparatus 1 that was previously registered and whose contract was terminated. Furthermore, the user can register multiple image forming apparatuses 1 as contracted machines. In other words, the user can use multiple image forming apparatuses 1 as contracted machines simultaneously, and can also change the image forming apparatus 1 used as the contracted machine from one image forming apparatus 1 to another.

[0029] The user terminal 9 used by the user is a device that communicates with the server 8 to conclude, terminate, and perform other procedures related to contracts. The user terminal 9 can be, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or any other information processing terminal equipped with standard communication functions. The user may also issue print commands to the image forming apparatus 1 via the user terminal 9 to print any number of copies using contract-specific consumables. Each device constituting the image forming system 100 can communicate with each other via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0030] <<Structural Overview of Image Forming Apparatus 1>> Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 3 shows the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1, including the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4, and the server 8, as well as the connection relationship between the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 8. Although Figure 3 includes two image forming apparatuses 1, both image forming apparatuses 1 have the same configuration.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 1 consists of a main body housing 10 and a cover 11. Although not shown, the image forming apparatus 1 may also be provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or lamps, and an input unit such as buttons. Furthermore, the liquid crystal display may be configured to function as an input unit by being integrated with a touch panel.

[0032] (Main unit casing 10) The toner cartridge 4 is mounted in the main housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. As will be described in more detail later, the toner cartridge 4 is mounted on the drum cartridge 20, thereby becoming one with the drum cartridge 20. In other words, the toner cartridge 4, while mounted on the drum cartridge 20, is mounted on the main housing 10 together with the drum cartridge 20. This realizes the image forming apparatus 1, which includes the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4.

[0033] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 requires the installation of four toner cartridges 4 for printing. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured to accommodate four drum cartridges 20 and four toner cartridges 4. However, the number of drum cartridges 20 and toner cartridges 4 installed in the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the example in Figure 2. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a monochrome printer capable of accommodating one drum cartridge 20 and one toner cartridge 4.

[0034] The toner cartridge 4 contains the toner consumed by the image forming apparatus 1 during printing. In other words, the toner cartridge 4 is a consumable item for the image forming apparatus 1. The drum cartridge 20 contains the photosensitive drum 21 used by the image forming apparatus 1 during printing. The drum cartridge 20 is also an example of a consumable item for the image forming apparatus 1.

[0035] The main unit housing 10 is, for example, a rectangular box shape. Four drum cartridges 20, four toner cartridges 4, a transfer belt 70, a controller 61, a main unit memory 62, and a communication unit 63 are housed in the main unit housing 10. The main unit housing 10 has four cartridge holders 13. The cartridge holders 13 are formed in a concave shape and have openings. The drum cartridges 20 and toner cartridges 4 are mounted in the main unit housing 10 by being held in each of the cartridge holders 13.

[0036] (Cover 11) The cover 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a light source unit 50 corresponding to each drum cartridge 20. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with four light source units 50. The cover 11 is rotatable (movable) around a pivot axis 11A extending in a first direction, between an open position where the opening 10A shown by the solid line in Figure 1 is open, and a closed position where the opening 10A is closed, shown by the dashed line in Figure 2. The rotation of the cover 11 opens and closes the opening 10A provided at the upper end of the main body housing 10. The "first direction" refers to the direction in which the rotation axis (developing axis) of the developing roller in the toner cartridge extends.

[0037] When the cover 11 is in the open position, each opening of the cartridge holder 13 is opened. When the cover 11 is in the closed position, each opening of the cartridge holder 13 is covered by the cover 11.

[0038] The main housing 10 may be provided with a closed sensor (not shown) in the opening 10A. The closed sensor is a sensor that detects when the cover 11 is in the closed position. The closed sensor may be, for example, a contact type sensor or an optical type sensor.

[0039] (Toner cartridge 4) The toner cartridge 4 has a developing roller 41 and a cartridge housing capable of housing a developer (e.g., toner) as an example of a printing material. The toner cartridge 4 can be mounted in the main body housing 10. The four toner cartridges 4 each contain a developer of a different color (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) as the material used to form an image. The developer is consumed as the toner cartridge 4 is used. The developing roller 41 is a cylindrical member extending in a first direction and is rotatable about a developing axis extending in the first direction. When the toner cartridge 4 is mounted in the drum cartridge 20, the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 comes into contact with the outer surface of the developing roller 41.

[0040] Furthermore, the toner cartridge 4 has a toner memory 42 as an example of consumable memory. The toner memory 42 is located on one outer surface of the toner cartridge 4 in the first direction. The toner memory 42 is a memory that can read and write information, such as flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or EEPROM (registered trademark, Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory).

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the toner memory 42 has a first area 421, a second area 422, a third area 423, a fourth area 424, and a fifth area 425 for storing information about the toner cartridge 4. The toner memory 42 stores the toner ID in the first area 421. The toner memory 42 stores toner type information as an example of type information in the second area 422. The toner memory 42 stores toner remaining amount information in the third area 423. Note that the data in the third area 423 may be rewritable. The toner memory 42 stores a new flag as an example of status information in the fourth area 424. The toner memory 42 stores ordered information in the fifth area 425.

[0042] The toner ID is, for example, a unique serial number used to identify each individual toner cartridge 4. The toner ID may also include information representing the color of each toner cartridge 4.

[0043] Toner type information is information that represents the type of toner cartridge 4. In this embodiment, there are two types of toner cartridges 4. One is a "dedicated cartridge," which is an example of a dedicated consumable that can only be used with the contracted machine. The other is a "standard cartridge," which is an example of a standard consumable that can be used with image forming apparatus 1 that is not the contracted machine. Note that toner type information may be included in the toner ID. That is, the toner ID may be information that identifies each toner cartridge 4, and at the same time, information that represents what type each toner cartridge 4 is.

[0044] The toner level information represents the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge 4. The toner level is composed of values ​​corresponding to multiple stages, from full to empty, and the value corresponding to the toner level among these stages is stored in the third area 423. Each stage of the toner level stored in the toner memory 42 may be a string such as "FULL" to "EMPTY", a numerical value such as "100%" to "0%", or a combination of a string and a numerical value, based on the above values.

[0045] Here, the degree of toner consumption in toner cartridge 4 is the ratio of the amount of toner remaining to the initial amount of toner filled in toner cartridge 4 to the amount of toner initially filled in toner cartridge 4. In other words, as the amount of toner remaining decreases, the degree of toner consumption increases.

[0046] The new product flag stored in the fourth area 424 indicates whether the toner cartridge 4 is new or old. For example, if information indicating "ON" for the new product flag is stored in the fourth area 424, the toner cartridge 4 is new. On the other hand, if information indicating "OFF" for the new product flag is stored in the fourth area 424, the toner cartridge 4 is old.

[0047] The ordered information indicates whether a new toner cartridge 4 has been ordered or not. For example, the ordered information may include an ordered flag. If information indicating "ON" for the ordered flag is stored in the fifth area 425, it indicates that a new toner cartridge 4 has been ordered. On the other hand, if information indicating "OFF" for the ordered flag is stored in the fifth area 425, it indicates that a new toner cartridge 4 has not been ordered.

[0048] (Drum cartridge 20) The drum cartridge 20 has a cartridge housing that can be mounted on the main unit housing 10. The cartridge housing includes a photosensitive drum 21 as a component used for image formation. The photosensitive drum 21 is an example of a consumable part that needs to be replaced due to deterioration such as surface wear that occurs with use. The photosensitive drum 21 is a cylindrical photoreceptor extending in a first direction. The photosensitive drum 21 is rotatable around a drum axis extending in the first direction. The outer surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is covered with a photosensitive material.

[0049] The drum cartridge 20 may also have a drum memory 22. The drum memory 22 is a memory that can read and write information. The drum memory 22 is, for example, a flash ROM or an EEPROM.

[0050] The drum memory 22 stores information about the photoconductor drum 21 of the drum cartridge 20. The drum memory 22 may also store the drum ID. The drum memory 22 may also store drum life information. The drum ID is a unique serial number for identifying each drum cartridge 20. The drum life information is information representing the lifespan of the photoconductor drum 21.

[0051] Cartridge installation and printing mechanism As shown in Figure 2, the drum cartridge 20 and toner cartridge 4 are mounted in the main body housing 10 with the cover 11 in the open position. In this state, the drum cartridge 20 and toner cartridge 4 are inserted into the cartridge holding section 13 through the opening 10A.

[0052] The main unit housing 10 has connectors 101 and 102. When the drum cartridge 20 is inserted into the cartridge holder 13, connector 101 is electrically connected to the drum memory 22, enabling the controller 61 of the main unit housing 10 to communicate with the drum memory 22 of the drum cartridge 20. Also, when the toner cartridge 4 is installed in the main unit housing 10, connector 102 is electrically connected to the toner memory 42, enabling the controller 61 of the main unit housing 10 to communicate with the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4.

[0053] The four light source units 50 are mounted on the inner surface of the cover 11. The light source units 50 are positioned facing the surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 when the drum cartridge 20 is mounted in the main housing 10 and the cover 11 is in the closed position. The light source units 50 also have multiple light sources arranged in a first direction. The light sources are capable of irradiating the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 with light. The light sources are, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes).

[0054] The light source unit 50 is electrically connected to the controller 61. The controller 61 causes the multiple light sources of the light source unit 50 to emit light according to the input image data. The light sources irradiate the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 21 with light. As a result, the photosensitive material on the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is exposed according to the image data.

[0055] The transfer belt 70 is a component that transfers the developer (e.g., toner) on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 to the printing paper. The transfer belt 70 is an example of a consumable part that needs to be replaced due to deterioration such as surface wear that occurs with use. The transfer belt 70 is a belt that can contact the photoreceptor drum 21 and is annular (endless). The outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 can contact the outer surface of the transfer belt 70. During the printing process, the printing paper is transported between the transfer belt 70 and the photoreceptor drum 21.

[0056] The transfer belt 70 is stretched between the drive roller 71 and the driven roller 72. The drive roller 71 drives the transfer belt 70. The controller 61 rotates the drive roller 71. The driven roller 72 rotates in accordance with the movement of the transfer belt 70 as a result of the drive roller 71.

[0057] ≪Internal structure of the main unit≫ The controller 61, for example, has an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The controller 61 is electrically connected to the main memory 62 and the communication unit 63, both of which are located in the main housing 10. The controller 61 performs various processes to cause the image forming apparatus 1 to perform printing and related processes.

[0058] The controller 61 may also include a processor such as a CPU. In this case, a control program that implements the printing control method may be stored in the main memory 62. The processor of the controller 61 may then operate according to the control program stored in the main memory 62 to execute the printing process in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0059] Furthermore, the controller 61 itself may be equipped with a computer-readable recording medium that stores the control program. As the recording medium, a "non-temporary tangible medium" such as ROM (Read Only Memory), as well as tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, programmable logic circuit, etc., can be used. Alternatively, RAM (Random Access Memory) for deploying the control program may also be used.

[0060] Furthermore, the control program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the control program (such as a communication network or broadcast waves). In one aspect of this disclosure, the control program may also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, which is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0061] When the drum cartridge 20 and toner cartridge 4 are mounted in the cartridge holder 13 of the main unit housing 10, the drum memory 22 and toner memory 42 are electrically connected to the controller 61, as shown in Figure 3. The controller 61 can then perform the process of reading information from the connected drum memory 22 and toner memory 42, and the process of writing and / or rewriting information to the drum memory 22 and toner memory 42.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the image forming apparatus 1 has a USB connector 103. The USB connector 103 is provided, for example, on the outer surface of the main body housing 10. The USB connector 103 is electrically connected to the USB memory 31 when the USB memory 31 is attached to the USB connector 103 from outside the main body housing 10. This allows the controller 61 of the main body housing 10 to perform the process of reading information from the USB memory 31. In addition, the controller 61 can perform the process of writing information to the USB memory 31 and the process of deleting information written to the USB memory 31 while the USB connector 103 and the USB memory 31 are electrically connected.

[0063] Note that USB memory 31 is just one example of external memory. Other examples of external memory include SD cards and external hard disk drives.

[0064] The main memory 62 is a memory that can read and write information. The main memory 62 is, for example, a flash ROM or EEPROM (registered trademark). The main memory 62 has an area 621 for storing toner information, an area 622 for storing the device ID, an area 623 for storing mode information, an area 625 for storing the first page counter, and an area 626 for storing the second page counter.

[0065] Toner information refers to information about individual toner cartridges 4 installed in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, toner information may be data that associates a toner ID read from a first area 421 of a toner memory 42 with toner type information and toner remaining amount information read from the second area 422 and third area 423 of the same toner memory 42. The controller 61 may store data that associates the toner ID, toner type information, and toner remaining amount information in area 621 of the main memory 62 for each toner cartridge 4, regardless of the toner color, in chronological order.

[0066] The device ID is identification information for identifying the image forming apparatus 1. The device ID may be, for example, the serial number of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0067] Mode information is information representing the operating mode of the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the mode information is one of two types of modes: "contract mode," which means that the image forming apparatus 1 has been registered as a contracted machine, and "normal mode," which means that the image forming apparatus 1 is not registered as a contracted machine or the contract has been terminated. When an image forming apparatus 1 that is newly to be contracted is shipped, the area 623 is initially stored with a value corresponding to the normal mode. The controller 61 rewrites the mode information as appropriate.

[0068] Area 625 may store a first count counter. The first count counter is the cumulative number of prints made by the image forming apparatus 1. Area 626 may store a second count counter. The second count counter indicates the number of prints made by the image forming apparatus 1 under contract printing. The second count counter may be reset to 0 each time the image forming apparatus 1 switches from contract mode to normal mode, or it may be the cumulative number of prints made by the image forming apparatus 1 under contract printing up to that point. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the value of the second count counter will be the cumulative number of prints made under contract printing.

[0069] The communication unit 63 is a communication interface that facilitates communication between the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 8. The communication unit 63 outputs various data, notifications, and requests received from the server 8 to the controller 61. The communication unit 63 also transmits various data, notifications, and requests input from the controller 61 to the server 8.

[0070] (User terminal 9) The user terminal 9 has an input interface for receiving various user input operations and a communication interface for communicating with the server 8. The user registers the contracted machine with the server 8 by performing input operations via the user terminal 9. For example, the user inputs their own identification information and the identification information of the image forming apparatus 1 they wish to contracted into the user terminal 9. Upon receiving the input, the user terminal 9 transmits the input information to the server 8.

[0071] In addition to registering contracted machines (i.e., adding contracted machines), the user terminal 9 may also accept input operations related to changes to contracted machines. For example, the user terminal 9 may accept input operations from the user, including the user's own identification information, the identification information of the contracted machine after the contract change, and the identification information of the contracted machine before the contract change. These three types of information may then be sent to the server 8. Furthermore, if print data such as text or diagrams is input from the user via the user terminal 9, the user terminal 9 will output a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 according to this print data and print the data.

[0072] (Server 8) Server 8 is a management device that manages the operating status of the image forming apparatus 1. Server 8 comprises a server communication unit 83, a server memory 82, and a server control unit 81. The server control unit 81 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that comprehensively controls Server 8. Server memory 82 is a storage device that stores data necessary for the operation of Server 8.

[0073] The server control unit 81 updates the registration table stored in the server memory 82 in response to notifications or requests received from the image forming apparatus 1. The "registration table" is a data table in which image forming apparatus 1 designated as a contracted machine by the user or the server is registered. The "registration table" also contains data indicating whether or not each contracted machine is currently under contract.

[0074] Server memory 82 stores device information and registration tables. Server memory 82 is rewritable. Device information is data that summarizes various information about the image forming apparatus 1. Device information is stored separately for each image forming apparatus 1. The device information includes at least the device ID. In addition, the device information may also include the value of the first image counter and / or the value of the second image counter.

[0075] The server communication unit 83 is a communication interface that facilitates communication between the server 8 and the image forming apparatus 1. The server communication unit 83 outputs various data, notifications, and requests received from the image forming apparatus 1 to the server control unit 81. The server communication unit 83 transmits various data, notifications, and requests input from the server control unit 81 to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0076] For example, the server communication unit 83 may receive the device ID, the toner ID of the toner cartridge 4, toner type information, toner remaining amount information, a new product flag, and ordered information from the image forming apparatus 1 and output them to the server control unit 81. The server control unit 81 may associate the input device ID with the toner ID of the toner cartridge 4, toner type information, toner remaining amount information, a new product flag, and ordered information and store them in the server memory 82 as device information for the image forming apparatus 1.

[0077] [An example of the cartridge detection process flow] Next, an example of the cartridge determination process executed by the controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 when the toner cartridge 4 is installed in the main unit housing 10 will be explained based on Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the cartridge determination process executed by the controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 when the toner cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge holding section 13 and installed. The process shown in Figure 4 is executed by the controller 61 at predetermined intervals after the power switch (not shown) is set to ON. The predetermined interval is, for example, an interval of several milliseconds to tens of milliseconds.

[0078] As shown in Figure 4, the controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 first determines whether a new "dedicated cartridge" has been installed in the main unit housing 10 (S11). Specifically, when the toner cartridge 4 is installed in the drum cartridge 20 and inserted into the cartridge holder 13 and installed in the main unit housing 10, the controller 61 sequentially reads the toner IDs from the toner memory 42 of each toner cartridge 4. The controller 61 then compares the four toner IDs read from each toner memory 42 with the four most recent toner IDs for each color among the toner information stored in area 621 of the main unit memory 62.

[0079] The controller 61 then determines that no new toner cartridge 4 is installed if the four toner IDs read from each toner memory 42 are the same as the four most recent toner IDs for each color in the toner information stored in area 621 (S11: NO). The controller 61 then terminates the cartridge determination process.

[0080] On the other hand, if the controller 61 reads out any of the four toner IDs from each toner memory 42 that are different from the four most recent toner IDs for each color stored in the toner information area 621, it determines that a new toner cartridge 4 has been installed.

[0081] Next, the controller 61 reads toner type information from the second area 422 of the newly installed toner memory 42. If the controller 61 determines that the read toner type information does not indicate a "dedicated cartridge" (S11: NO), it terminates the cartridge determination process. In other words, if the controller 61 determines that the toner type information indicates a "standard cartridge," it terminates the cartridge determination process. Here, a dedicated cartridge is an example of a dedicated consumable. A standard cartridge is an example of a standard consumable.

[0082] On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the read toner type information indicates a "dedicated cartridge" (S11: YES), it proceeds to process S12. In S12, the controller 61 reads various information from the toner memory 42 of the newly installed "dedicated cartridge" (S12). Specifically, the controller 61 reads the toner ID, toner type information, toner remaining amount information, new product flag, and ordered information from the first to fifth areas 421 to 425 of the toner memory 42 of the newly installed "dedicated cartridge".

[0083] Next, in S13, the controller 61 determines whether the new product flag indicates "new product". Specifically, the controller 61 reads the new product flag from the fourth area 424 of the toner memory 42 of the newly installed "dedicated cartridge". Then, the controller 61 determines whether the "dedicated cartridge" is "new product" depending on whether the new product flag indicates "new product" or "old product" (S13). If the controller 61 determines that the new product flag indicates that the cartridge is new (S13: YES), it proceeds to process S14. In S14, the controller 61 rewrites the new product flag stored in the toner memory 42 from information indicating a new product to information indicating an old product (S14), and then proceeds to process S15.

[0084] In S15, the controller 61 stores in area 621 of the main memory 62 the toner ID, toner type information, toner remaining amount information, new flag, and ordered information, which were read from the first area 421 to the fifth area 425 of the toner memory 42 in S12, in chronological order. In other words, the controller 61 associates the toner ID read from the toner memory 42 in S12 with the toner type information, toner remaining amount information, new flag, and ordered information read from the toner memory 42 in S12, and stores them in area 621 in chronological order.

[0085] Next, in S16, the controller 61 authorizes the use of the toner cartridge 4 (S16) and then terminates the cartridge determination process. As a result, the controller 61 authorizes contract printing using the installed toner cartridge 4.

[0086] On the other hand, in S13, if the controller 61 determines that the new product flag indicates that the toner cartridge 4 is an old product (S13: NO), the process proceeds to S17. In S17, the controller 61 determines whether the toner ID read from the toner memory 42 in S12 is included in the toner information stored in area 621 of the main unit memory 62 (S17). In other words, the controller 61 determines whether the toner ID read in S12 is already stored in area 621 of the main unit memory 62.

[0087] Then, if the controller 61 determines that the toner ID read from the toner memory 42 in S12 is included in the toner information stored in area 621 of the main unit memory 62 (S17: YES), it proceeds to the process in S18.

[0088] In S18, after authorizing the use of the toner cartridge 4 (S18), the controller 61 terminates the cartridge determination process. As a result, the controller 61 authorizes contract printing using the installed toner cartridge 4.

[0089] On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the toner ID read from the toner memory 42 in S12 is not included in the toner information stored in area 621 of the main unit memory 62 (S17: NO), it proceeds to the process in S19.

[0090] In S19, the controller 61 prohibits the use of toner cartridge 4 (S19) and then terminates the cartridge determination process. As a result, the controller 61 prohibits contract printing using the installed toner cartridge 4.

[0091] [Example of USB storage processing] Next, an example of USB storage processing performed by the controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described based on Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of USB storage processing performed by the controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 6 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a sub-process of the copy determination processing in Figure 5. The processing shown in Figure 5 is performed by the controller 61 at predetermined intervals after the power switch (not shown) is set to ON. The predetermined interval is, for example, an interval of several milliseconds to tens of milliseconds.

[0092] As shown in Figure 5, the controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1 first determines whether it has received a notification from the server 8 via the communication unit 63 requesting information about the toner cartridges 4 (S31). If the controller 61 determines that it has received a notification from the server 8 via the communication unit 63 requesting information about the toner cartridges 4 (S31: YES), it proceeds to the process in S32. In S32, the controller 61 transmits information about each toner cartridge 4 to the server 8 via the communication unit 63 (S32).

[0093] For example, the controller 61 sequentially reads the toner ID, toner type information, toner remaining amount information, new product flag, and ordered information from the toner memory 42 of each toner cartridge 4. Then, the controller 61 adds the device ID of the image forming apparatus 1 to each piece of information read and sends it to the server 8 via the communication unit 63. After that, the controller 61 executes the processing from S31 onwards again.

[0094] On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that it has not received a notification from the server 8 via the communication unit 63 requesting information about the toner cartridge 4 (S31: NO), it proceeds to the process in S33. In S33, the controller 61 determines via the communication unit 63 whether it has received a notification of ordered information, that is, whether it has received ordered information from the server 8 (S33). The ordered information is information indicating that the server 8 has ordered a new dedicated cartridge. The ordered information includes toner color information.

[0095] Then, if the controller 61 determines that it has received notification of ordered information from the server 8 via the communication unit 63 (S33: YES), it proceeds to the process in S34. In S34, the controller 61 reads the ordered flag corresponding to the dedicated cartridge from the fifth area 425 of the toner memory 42. For example, if the controller 61 receives order information indicating that a dedicated black cartridge has been ordered, it reads the ordered flag from the fifth area 425 of the toner memory 42 for the dedicated black cartridge. The ordered flag indicates whether a dedicated cartridge has been ordered or not.

[0096] Next, the controller 61 determines whether the ordered flag read from the fifth area 425 of the toner memory 42 indicates that a dedicated cartridge has been ordered (S34). For example, if the ordered flag is "ON", it indicates that a dedicated cartridge has been ordered. If the ordered flag is "OFF", it indicates that a dedicated cartridge has not been ordered.

[0097] Then, if the controller 61 determines that the ordered flag read from the fifth area 425 of the toner memory 42 indicates that no dedicated cartridge has been ordered (S34: NO), it proceeds to process S35. In S35, the controller 61 rewrites this ordered flag with information indicating that a dedicated cartridge has been ordered and stores it in the fifth area 425 of the toner memory 42 (S35). Then, the controller 61 executes the processes from S31 onwards again.

[0098] On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the ordered flag read from the fifth area 425 of the toner memory 42 indicates that a dedicated cartridge has been ordered (S34: YES), it proceeds to the process in S36. In S36, the controller 61 determines whether the USB memory 31 is electrically connected to the USB connector 103 from outside the main unit housing 10 (S36). If the controller 61 determines that the USB memory 31 is not electrically connected to the USB connector 103 from outside the main unit housing 10 (S36: NO), it terminates the USB storage process.

[0099] On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the USB memory 31 is electrically connected to the USB connector 103 from outside the main unit housing 10 (S36: YES), it proceeds to the process in S37. In S37, the controller 61 determines whether the "Consumable ID Copy" instruction file is stored in the USB memory 31 (S37). The "Consumable ID Copy" instruction file is a file that instructs the USB memory 31 to store the toner ID stored in the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 installed in the main unit housing 10 as toner information.

[0100] The instruction file for "Consumables ID Copy" is pre-stored on the USB memory 31. For example, if the contracted image forming machine 1 becomes unusable due to malfunction or end of lifespan, the service provider sends the user an image forming machine 1 of the same model and the USB memory 31. This USB memory 31 stores the instruction file for "Consumables ID Copy".

[0101] Then, if the controller 61 determines that the "Consumable ID Copy" instruction file is stored in the USB memory 31 (S37: YES), it executes a subprocess of the copy determination process (S38) and then proceeds to process S39. Here, the subprocess of the copy determination process will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a subflowchart showing an example of a subprocess of the copy determination process.

[0102] (Sub-processing of the copy detection process) As shown in Figure 6, the controller 61 first selects the toner cartridge 4 with the "K: Black" toner color from among the four toner cartridges 4 installed in the main unit housing 10. Then, the controller 61 sets the selected toner cartridge 4 as the determination cartridge for which the toner level will be determined in the process of S52 described below (S51). Subsequently, the controller 61 reads the toner level information from the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 set as the determination cartridge and determines whether the toner level is below a predetermined amount (S52).

[0103] For example, the controller 61 determines whether the toner level of the toner cartridge 4, which is set as the judgment cartridge, is almost empty or completely depleted, such as "EMPTY" or "5% or less". In other words, the controller 61 determines whether the degree of depletion of the toner cartridge 4, which is set as the judgment cartridge, is above a predetermined value.

[0104] Then, if the controller 61 determines that the remaining toner in the toner cartridge 4, which is set as the judgment cartridge, is below a predetermined amount (S52: YES), it proceeds to process S53. In S53, the controller 61 sets the copy permission flag corresponding to the toner cartridge 4 with the toner color "K: Black" to indicate copy not allowed and stores it in the main unit memory 62 (S53). After that, the controller 61 proceeds to process S56, which will be described later. The copy permission flag is a flag that indicates either copy permission, which allows copying of the toner ID to the USB memory 31, or copy not allowed, which does not allow copying of the toner ID to the USB memory 31.

[0105] On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the remaining toner level of the toner cartridge 4 set as the judgment cartridge is not below a predetermined amount (S52: NO), it proceeds to the process in S54. In S54, the controller 61 sets the copy permission flag corresponding to the toner cartridge 4 whose toner color is "K: Black" to indicate copy permission and stores it in the main unit memory 62 (S54). Then, the controller 61 reads the toner ID from the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 set as the judgment cartridge. After that, the controller 61 associates the toner ID of the judgment cartridge with the toner color of the judgment cartridge and stores it in the USB memory 31 as "consumable ID information" (S55).

[0106] Furthermore, the controller 61 may read the toner ID from the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 set as the judgment cartridge, and then store the judgment cartridge's toner ID as "consumable ID information" in the USB memory 31.

[0107] Next, the controller 61 determines whether the processes S52 to S55 have been executed for all colors (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) of the four toner cartridges 4 installed in the main unit 10 (S56). If the controller 61 determines that the processes S52 to S55 have not been executed for all colors of the toner cartridges 4 installed in the main unit 10 (S56: NO), it sets the toner cartridge 4 of the next toner color as the determination cartridge. Then, the controller 61 executes the processes S52 to S56 again (S57).

[0108] For example, the controller 61 sets the toner cartridge 4 as the judgment cartridge in the order of toner colors "K: Black", "C: Cyan", "M: Magenta", and "Y: Yellow". Then, the controller 61 executes the processes S52 to S56 for each judgment cartridge.

[0109] On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that it has performed the processes S52 to S55 for all colors of the four toner cartridges 4 installed in the main unit housing 10 (S56: YES), it terminates the copy detection subprocess and returns to the main flowchart, proceeding to the process S39 shown in Figure 5.

[0110] As shown in Figure 5, in S39, the controller 61 sequentially reads the permission flags stored in the main unit memory 62 corresponding to each toner color of the four toner cartridges 4 installed in the main unit housing 10. The controller 61 then determines whether there is a permission flag among the permission flags stored in the main unit memory 62 corresponding to each toner color that is set to indicate "copy permission" (S39).

[0111] Then, if the controller 61 determines that there is no permission flag among the permission flags stored in the main unit memory 62 corresponding to each toner color that is set to indicate "copy permission" (S39: NO), it terminates the USB storage process. In other words, the controller 61 determines that the remaining toner levels of all toner cartridges 4 installed in the main unit housing 10 are below a predetermined amount and terminates the USB storage process. Consequently, the USB memory 31 stores the instruction file for "Consumable ID Copy".

[0112] On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that there is a permission flag among the permission flags stored in the main unit memory 62 corresponding to each toner color that is set to indicate "copy permission" (S39: YES), it proceeds to process S40. In S40, the controller 61 deletes the "Consumable ID Copy" instruction file stored in the USB memory 31 (S40). Subsequently, in S41, the controller 61 reads the "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file from the main unit memory 62. Then, after the controller 61 stores the "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file in the USB memory 31 (S41), it terminates the USB storage process.

[0113] Therefore, the USB memory 31 stores the "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file. The "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file is a file that instructs the system to store the toner ID stored in the USB memory 31 as toner information in area 621 of the main unit memory 62, as the toner ID of the newly installed dedicated cartridge. Note that the "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file is pre-stored in the main unit memory 62.

[0114] On the other hand, in S37, if the controller 61 determines that the "Consumable ID Copy" instruction file is not stored in the USB memory 31 (S37: NO), it proceeds to the process in S42. In S42, the controller 61 determines whether the "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file is stored in the USB memory 31 (S42). If the controller 61 determines that the "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file is not stored in the USB memory 31 (S42: NO), it terminates the USB storage process.

[0115] On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file is stored in the USB memory 31 (S42:YES), it proceeds to the process in S43. In S43, the controller 61 reads the toner ID stored as "Consumable ID Information" from the USB memory 31 and determines whether the read toner ID is stored as toner information in area 621 of the main unit memory 62 (S43). If the controller 61 determines that the toner ID read from the USB memory 31 is stored as toner information in area 621 of the main unit memory 62 (S43:YES), it terminates the USB storage process.

[0116] On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the toner ID read from the USB memory 31 is not stored as toner information in area 621 of the main unit memory 62 (S43: NO), it proceeds to process S44. In S44, the controller 61 reads the toner ID and toner color stored as "consumable ID information" from the USB memory 31. The controller 61 then stores this read toner ID and toner color as toner information in area 621 of the main unit memory 62 (S44). As a result, if a dedicated cartridge corresponding to the toner ID stored in the USB memory 31 is installed in the main unit housing 10, contract printing using this dedicated cartridge becomes possible (see Figure 4).

[0117] Then, in S45, the controller 61 deletes the toner ID and toner color stored as "consumable ID information" in the USB memory 31. The controller 61 also deletes the "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file stored in the USB memory 31 (S45). Subsequently, in S46, the controller 61 reads the "Consumable ID Copy" instruction file from the main memory 62 and stores it in the USB memory 31 (S46), after which the USB storage process ends. The "Consumable ID Copy" instruction file is pre-stored in the main memory 62.

[0118] [Migrating toner IDs from the old device to the new device] The above explains the USB storage process in the image forming apparatus 1. Now, let's explain the process of transferring toner IDs from the old device to the new device.

[0119] For the sake of clarity, regarding the migration of toner IDs from the old device to the new device, the image forming apparatus 1 currently in use by the user will be referred to as the old device. The image forming apparatus 1 that the user plans to use in place of the old device will be referred to as the new device. The new device corresponds to "other image forming apparatus" in this disclosure.

[0120] In the old device, the controller 61 executes the determination process in S31 to S36. Then, in S37, if it is determined that the instruction file for "Consumable ID Copy" is stored in the USB memory 31 (S37: YES), it executes a sub-process of the copy determination process (S38) and then proceeds to the processes in S39 to S41.

[0121] As a result, the toner ID of the toner cartridge 4 used in the old device is stored in the USB memory 31 attached to the old device. Also, the instruction file for "Consumable ID Copy" stored in the USB memory 31 is deleted (S40). In addition, the instruction file for "Consumable ID Reflection" is stored in the USB memory 31 (S41).

[0122] Next, the toner cartridge 4 used in the old device and the USB memory 31 containing the toner ID of toner cartridge 4 and the instruction file for "reflecting consumable IDs" are installed in the new device. Once the USB memory 31 is installed in the new device, the controller 61 in the new device executes the determination process in S31 to S36.

[0123] Then, because the instruction file for "Consumable ID Copy" has been deleted from the USB memory 31 attached to the new device, in S37, the controller 61 determines that the instruction file for "Consumable ID Copy" is not stored in the USB memory 31 (S37: NO). Then, it executes the processes in S43 to S46.

[0124] This allows the toner ID stored in the toner memory 42 of the toner cartridge 4 used in the old device to be stored in the main memory 62 of the new device via USB 31. As a result, the controller 61 of the new device executes the processes S13:YES~S18~S20 shown in Figure 4, thereby allowing contract printing using the toner cartridge 4 used in the old device.

[0125] [Example of cartridge ordering process] Next, an example of the cartridge ordering process performed by the server control unit 81 of server 8 to order a new dedicated cartridge will be explained based on Figure 7. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the cartridge ordering process performed by the server control unit 81 of server 8.

[0126] As shown in Figure 7, in S61, the server control unit 81 first waits for the timing to acquire information about each toner cartridge 4 installed in the main housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 (S61: NO). Then, when the timing to acquire information about each toner cartridge 4 installed in the main housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 is reached (S61: YES), the server control unit 81 proceeds to the process in S62. In S62, the server control unit 81 notifies the image forming apparatus 1 via the server communication unit 83 of an information acquisition request requesting information about each toner cartridge 4 installed in the main housing 10 (S62).

[0127] Then, in S63, the server control unit 81 waits to receive information about each toner cartridge 4 installed in the main housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the server communication unit 83 (S63:NO). The information about the toner cartridge 4 includes the device ID of the image forming apparatus 1 and information stored in the toner memory 42 of each toner cartridge 4, such as the toner ID, toner type information, toner remaining amount information, new flag, and ordered information.

[0128] Then, when the server control unit 81 receives information about each toner cartridge 4 installed in the main body housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the server communication unit 83, it stores the information about each toner cartridge 4 in the server memory 82 (S63:YES). Subsequently, in S64, the server control unit 81 reads the remaining toner amount information from the received information about each toner cartridge 4 and determines whether the remaining toner amount of the toner cartridge 4 is below a predetermined amount that would necessitate ordering a new toner cartridge 4 (S64).

[0129] Then, if the server control unit 81 determines that the remaining toner in toner cartridge 4 is below a predetermined amount that would necessitate ordering a new toner cartridge 4 (S64: YES), it proceeds to the process in S67 described below. On the other hand, if the server control unit 81 determines that the remaining toner in toner cartridge 4 is not below a predetermined amount that would necessitate ordering a new toner cartridge 4 (S64: NO), it proceeds to the process in S65. In S65, the server control unit 81 determines whether the remaining toner in toner cartridge 4 meets the ordering conditions for ordering a new toner cartridge 4 (S65).

[0130] For example, the server control unit 81 determines that the ordering conditions are met if the number of prints from the image forming apparatus 1 is above a certain threshold, that is, if the rate at which the toner level is decreasing indicates that the toner level will reach "EMPTY" within a few days. Also, the server control unit 81 determines that the ordering conditions are met if, based on past ordering history, it is expected that an order will be placed within a few days.

[0131] Then, if the server control unit 81 determines that the remaining toner in toner cartridge 4 does not meet the ordering conditions for ordering a new toner cartridge 4 (S65: NO), it proceeds to process S66. In S66, the server control unit 81 decides not to order toner cartridge 4 (dedicated cartridge) (S66). After that, the server control unit 81 executes the processes from S61 onwards again.

[0132] On the other hand, if the server control unit 81 determines that the remaining toner in toner cartridge 4 meets the ordering conditions for ordering a new toner cartridge 4 (dedicated cartridge) (S65: YES), it proceeds to the process in S67. In S67, the server control unit 81 reads the ordered information from the information about each toner cartridge 4 received in S63 and determines whether the ordered flag included in the ordered information indicates that a dedicated cartridge has been ordered (S67).

[0133] Then, if the server control unit 81 determines that the ordered flag included in the ordered information indicates that a new toner cartridge 4 (dedicated cartridge) has been ordered (S67: YES), it proceeds to process S66. In S66, the server control unit 81 decides not to order the dedicated cartridge (S66). After that, the server control unit 81 executes the processes from S61 onwards again.

[0134] On the other hand, if the server control unit 81 determines that the ordered flag included in the ordered information does not indicate that a new toner cartridge 4 (dedicated cartridge) has been ordered (S67: NO), it proceeds to the process in S68. In S68, the server control unit 81 places an order for a new toner cartridge 4 (dedicated cartridge) (S68). Then, in S69, the server control unit 81 transmits the ordered information indicating that a new toner cartridge 4 (dedicated cartridge) has been ordered to the image forming apparatus 1 corresponding to the device ID received in S63, via the server communication unit 83 (S69). After that, the server control unit 81 executes the processes from S61 onwards again.

[0135] Therefore, when the toner level in the toner cartridge 4 is below a predetermined amount, the controller 61 receives ordered information from the server 8 via the communication unit 63, indicating that a new toner cartridge 4 (dedicated cartridge) has been ordered. The controller 61 then rewrites the ordered flag stored in the fifth area 425 of the toner memory 42 with information indicating that a dedicated cartridge has been ordered, and stores it in the fifth area 425 of the toner memory 42.

[0136] [Differentiation] (Variation 1) For example, a belt unit comprising a transfer belt 70, a drive roller 71, a driven roller 72, etc., or consumables such as a light source unit 50 or a fuser, may each be equipped with a consumable memory, similar to the toner cartridge 4. The drum memory 22 provided in a drum cartridge 20, which is an example of a consumable, is also an example of a consumable memory. The consumable memory may store status information indicating whether it is new or old, unique identification information for identifying the consumable, type information indicating whether it is a dedicated consumable or a regular consumable, and consumption information indicating the degree of wear of the consumable.

[0137] Furthermore, the controller 61 may store the identification information stored in the consumable memory of a consumable when a new consumable is installed in the main unit 10. Also, the controller 61 may overwrite the status information stored in the consumable memory of a consumable with that of the old consumable when a new consumable is installed in the main unit 10. In addition, the USB memory 31 may store a "Consumable ID Copy" instruction file in advance.

[0138] This allows the image forming machine 1, as a contracted machine, to be fitted with a new consumable, similar to the dedicated cartridge for toner cartridge 4, and also electrically connects the USB memory 31 to the USB connector 103. As a result, the controller 61 deletes the "Consumable ID Copy" instruction file from the USB memory 31. The controller 61 then becomes able to store the consumable ID and the "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file in the USB memory 31.

[0139] Next, the consumables used in the image forming machine 1, which is the contracted machine, are installed in the other image forming machine 1, which is also the contracted machine. In addition, the USB memory 31 that was connected to image forming machine 1 is electrically connected to the other image forming machine 1. As a result, the controller 61 can read the consumable ID from the USB memory 31 and store it in the main memory 62, making the consumables usable. The controller 61 also deletes the consumable ID and the "Consumable ID Reflection" instruction file from the USB memory 31. Finally, the controller 61 can store the "Consumable ID Copy" instruction file in the USB memory 31.

[0140] (Modification 2) The drum cartridge 20 may have a photoreceptor drum 21, a cartridge housing, a drum memory 22, a charger, and a developing roller 41. The cartridge housing is provided with the photoreceptor drum 21, the drum memory 22, the charger, and the developing roller 41. The toner cartridge 4 has a cartridge housing and a toner memory 42, but does not have a developing roller 41. The cartridge housing contains the toner. The outer surface of the developing roller 41 is in contact with the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 inside the drum cartridge 20.

[0141] (Variation 3) The toner cartridge 4 may consist of two cartridges (not shown). The first of the two cartridges constituting the toner cartridge 4 has a developing roller 41. The second of the two cartridges constituting the toner cartridge 4 has a cartridge housing and a toner memory 42. The cartridge housing contains the toner.

[0142] (Modification 4) The image forming apparatus 1 may include one cartridge (not shown) instead of the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4. The one cartridge includes a photoreceptor drum 21, a cartridge housing, a memory, a charger, and a developing roller 41. The outer surface of the developing roller 41 contacts the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum 21 inside the cartridge. The cartridge housing of the one cartridge contains the toner.

[0143] (Variation 5) Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, the drum cartridge 20 and the toner cartridge 4 may be independently attachable to and detachable from the main body housing 10.

[0144] (Experimental variation 6) Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 may also be an MFP (Multi-Function Printer) equipped with other functions such as a scanner or facsimile. Even if the image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP, the image forming apparatus 1 may perform the various processes described in the above embodiment in the same way as the image forming apparatus 1 of the above embodiment. The modified image forming apparatus 1 will have the same effects as the image forming apparatus 1 of the above embodiment.

[0145] (Example 7) The printing equipment of the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to paper. For example, the printing substrate may be tape. When the printing substrate is tape, the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a tape cassette for supplying the tape. The image forming apparatus 1 prints on the tape transported from the tape cassette. In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 may be a laser printer or an inkjet printer.

[0146] (Variation 8) The image forming apparatus 1 may be an inkjet printer. If the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer, the cartridge holder 13 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be fitted with ink cartridges instead of the drum cartridge 20 and toner cartridge 4 described in each embodiment. The number of ink cartridges fitted to the image forming apparatus 1 is not particularly limited. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be fitted with a total of four ink cartridges, one for each of the four colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, or it may be fitted with only one black ink cartridge.

[0147] Ink cartridges have a built-in ink memory. This ink memory stores information such as the ink ID, ink type, ink level, new cartridge flag, and ordered cartridge information. The ink ID is the same information as the toner ID. The ink type information is the same information as the toner type information.

[0148] The processing flow in Figures 1 to 7 is the same even when the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer. Specifically, when the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer, the terms "toner cartridge 4," "toner memory 42," "toner ID," "toner type information," and "toner remaining amount information" in the description of each embodiment above should be read as ink cartridge, ink memory, ink ID, ink type information, and ink remaining amount information, respectively. The same effects as those of the image forming apparatus 1 in each embodiment above are achieved even when the image forming apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer.

[0149] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the image forming apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as "apparatus") can be realized by a program that causes the computer to function as the image forming apparatus 1, and by a program that causes the computer to function as the controller 61 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0150] In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the above program. By executing the above program using this control device and storage device, each of the functions described in each of the above embodiments is realized.

[0151] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, rather than temporarily. This recording media may or may not be provided by the image forming apparatus 1. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the image forming apparatus 1 via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0152] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the controller 61 can also be implemented by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits that function as each of the control blocks described above are formed is also included in the scope of this disclosure.

[0153] [Additional Notes] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, 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 this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 1 Image forming apparatus, 4 Toner cartridge, 8 Server, 9 User terminal, 10 Main unit housing, 31 USB memory, 42 Toner memory, 61 Controller, 62 Main unit memory, 63 Communication unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, The main casing and Main memory and Controller and A first consumable having a consumable memory that stores: status information indicating whether the first consumable attached to the main housing is new or old; unique identification information for identifying the first consumable; wear information indicating the degree of wear of the first consumable; and type information indicating whether the first consumable is a dedicated consumable that can be used when a contract for the image forming apparatus has been concluded, or a regular consumable that can be used regardless of the conclusion of the contract. Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, When the status information indicates that the product is new, a first storage process is performed to store the identification information in the main memory, When the first storage process is performed, a rewrite process is performed to overwrite the state information with the old information, When the status information of the first consumable represents an old item and the type information represents the dedicated consumable, if the identification information stored in the consumable memory is stored in the main unit memory, the use of the first consumable is permitted; if the identification information is not stored in the main unit memory, the use of the first consumable is prohibited; a determination process; When the type information indicates that it is a dedicated consumable, and the degree of wear of the first consumable is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, a second storage process stores ordered information in the consumable memory, which is information indicating that a new second consumable has been ordered. Execute, With an external memory that can be physically connected to the main unit enclosure from outside the main unit enclosure connected to the main unit enclosure, If an instruction file for copying identification information is stored in the external memory, a third storage process is executed to store the identification information stored in the consumable memory in the external memory. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, if an instruction file for reflecting identification information is stored in the external memory, it performs a fourth storage process to store the identification information stored in the external memory in the main memory.

2. The aforementioned controller, In the third storage process, it is determined whether the degree of wear of the first consumable is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. If it is determined that the degree of wear of the first consumable is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the identification information of the first consumable stored in the main unit memory is stored in the external memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, if it is determined that the degree of wear of the first consumable is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the identification information of the first consumable stored in the main memory is not stored in the external memory.

3. The aforementioned controller, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the third storage process, the identification information of the first consumable that is attached to the main body housing when the external memory is connected is stored in the external memory from among the identification information stored in the main body memory.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the external memory is a USB memory.

5. A control method, In a first image forming apparatus equipped with a first consumable having a consumable memory that stores status information indicating whether the first consumable is new or old, unique identification information for identifying the first consumable, consumption information indicating the degree of wear of the first consumable, and type information indicating whether the first consumable is a special consumable that can be used when a contract for the image forming apparatus has been concluded, or a regular consumable that can be used regardless of the conclusion of the contract, the first storage step is to store the identification information in the main memory of the first image forming apparatus when the status information of the first consumable indicates new. When the first storage step is performed, the first image forming apparatus performs a rewriting step in which it overwrites the state information with the old product, A determination step in which, when the status information of the first consumable represents an old item and the type information represents the dedicated consumable, the identification information stored in the consumable memory is stored in the main unit memory, the first image forming apparatus permits the use of the first consumable; and when the identification information is not stored in the main unit memory, the first image forming apparatus prohibits the use of the first consumable. When the type information indicates that it is a dedicated consumable, and the degree of wear of the first consumable is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, a second storage step is to store ordered information in the consumable memory, which is information indicating that a new second consumable has been ordered in the first image forming apparatus. It has, With an external memory that can be physically connected to the main body housing from outside the main body housing connected to the main body housing, in the first image forming apparatus, If an instruction file for copying identification information is stored in the external memory, a third storage step is executed to store the identification information stored in the consumable memory in the external memory. A control method that, if an instruction file for reflecting identification information is stored in the external memory, executes a fourth storage step of storing the identification information stored in the external memory in the main memory.

6. The third storage step described above is: The process includes a second determination step of determining whether the degree of wear of the first consumable is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, If it is determined that the degree of wear of the first consumable is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the identification information of the first consumable stored in the main unit memory is stored in the external memory. If it is determined that the degree of wear of the first consumable is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the identification information of the first consumable stored in the main unit memory is not stored in the external memory. The control method according to claim 5.

7. The third storage step described above is: The control method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, among the identification information stored in the main unit memory, the identification information of the first consumable that is attached to the main unit housing when the external memory is connected is stored in the external memory.

8. The control method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the external memory is a USB memory.

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