An image forming apparatus, detachably connected to a consumable product including a plurality of function units integrated with each other, includes an acquisition unit that acquires a life of each of the plurality of function units and a setting unit that sets an operation in a case where each acquired life reaches a preset value.

An image forming apparatus includes a medium carrying part carrying a continuous medium, an image forming part performing a print process, a cutting part cutting the medium, replacement parts that are expendable and expected to be replaced when reaching its end of life, a usage detection part detecting usages of all of the replacement parts, a controller controlling these parts. The controller determines if one of the replacement parts reaches its end of life during the print process based on the detection result of the usage detection part wherein the one of the replacement parts is defined as a life-end part, and when the life-end part is found, the controller determines whether or not to cut the medium according to a type of the life-end part and selection information input by an operator before the print process starts.

An image forming apparatus comprises an expendable item having a specific function, installed replaceably with respect to a main body of the image forming apparatus, wherein there are several types of expendable items, and an engine control unit. The engine control unit judges end of lifetime of the expendable item by using one of a plurality of lifetime judgment methods. The engine control unit selects a lifetime judgment method used in the judgment, according to a type of the expendable item. It makes possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately determining the reaching of the lifetime end of expendable items.

Provided is an image forming apparatus including a process unit that is used for an image forming operation for forming an image on a sheet and detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus, a storage unit that stores operation history information indicating an operation history of the process unit, a detection unit that detects that the process unit is replaced with a new process unit, and a determination unit that determines a replacement timing of the new process unit on a basis of the operation history information of the process unit.

Provided is an image forming apparatus that prints an image on a recording material. The image forming apparatus includes: a fixing unit that fixes an image formed on a recording material onto the recording material; a temperature sensor that detects temperature of a rotating member of the fixing unit; a wearing amount acquisition portion that acquires a wearing amount of a surface layer of the rotating member corresponding to the detected temperature; and a control temperature setting portion that sets control temperature of a heater according to the wearing amount.

According to an example, object type based image processing may include analyzing an input object type, and implementing a toner savings.

A resin molded component includes a discoloration checker made of a first material discolored at a first speed; and a resin molded portion including the discoloration checker, the resin molded portion made of a second material discolored at a second speed faster than the first speed at which the first material of the discoloration checker discolors.

Presented is an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of photoconductors, a sensor, a first memory, and a processor. The photoconductors include first and second photoconductors on which a toner image is formed in response to an image being formed. The sensor detects a physical amount that changes in response to a deterioration state of the first photoconductor. The first memory collects and stores a history of the physical amount and usage status information relating to a usage status of the first photoconductor. The processor performs a prediction of a lifespan of the second photoconductor and determination of a failure of the second photoconductor based on the history of the physical amount and the usage status information of the first photoconductor, and usage status information relating to a usage status of the second photoconductor.

Many devices, such as printers, work with one or more removable unit. Often, the removable units have an electronic circuit that used to communicate with the device. It may be desirable to provide a replacement unit in these devices. The replacement unit must include an electronic circuit that is able to communicate with the original device. Disclosed is a method and apparatus where a replacement unit is provided with a new electronic circuit and a used electronic circuit. The new electronic circuit is electrically connected to the used electronic circuit and uses the used electronic circuit to facilitate communication with the host device.

A developing cartridge includes: an agitation member configured to be rotatable around a rotational shaft extending in a first direction and to agitate a developer; an agitation gear being fixed to the agitation member and including a first gear configured to receive driving force to be inputted and a second gear positioned on one side of the first gear in the first direction; a detection target unit including a detection target receiving portion configured to receive the driving force from the second gear and a detection target portion configured to be detected by an external detecting apparatus; and a gear cover configured to cover at least a part of the agitation gear and the detection target unit therewith. The detection target portion is configured to move between the second gear and the gear cover when being projected in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.