The image forming apparatus includes a user interface, a controller, and a main memory. The controller provides an error notification to the user interface in a case where drum cartridge information read from the main memory does not match drum-cartridge identification information stored in a drum-cartridge memory of a drum cartridge and replacement of the drum cartridge replacement is not necessary. The controller may also provide an error notification to the user interface in a case where a toner cartridge information read from the main memory does not match toner-cartridge identification information stored in a toner-cartridge memory of a toner cartridge and replacement of the toner cartridge is not necessary.

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cover, a cartridge, and a controller. The cartridge includes a second memory storing lifetime information indicating lifetime of the cartridge and identification information unique to the cartridge. In a case where the lifetime information indicates the initial value for the lifetime, the controller is configured to perform setting the cartridge to be usable in the image forming apparatus. In a case where the controller determines that the lifetime information does not indicate the initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge, the controller is configured to perform judging whether the identification information stored in the second memory matches a registration identification information stored in a first memory of the apparatus body. In a case where the identification information matches the registration identification information, the controller is configured to perform determining that the cartridge is usable for the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus includes a main casing and a controller. A cartridge is to be attached to the main casing. The cartridge includes a memory stores usage status information indicating whether the cartridge is a new cartridge or an old cartridge which indicates a used product. The controller reads the usage status information stored in the memory in a case that attachment of the cartridge to the main casing is detected. The controller determines, based on the usage status information, whether the cartridge is the new cartridge or the old cartridge. The controller rewrites the usage status information to information indicating that the cartridge is the old cartridge in a case that the cartridge is determined to be the new cartridge. The rewriting is performed before the controller receives a print instruction and before the material or the part of the cartridge is consumed.

A process cartridge mountable in and dismountable from an image forming apparatus includes a frame, a storing portion provided on a mounting surface of the frame and configured to store information on the process cartridge, a projection projecting outwardly of the mounting surface in a direction normal to the mounting surface, and an electrical contact portion mounted on the projection and electrically connected to the storing portion.

According to one example, an image forming apparatus includes a detection unit that detects temperature information on a temperature of a toner stored in a toner cartridge, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on a sheet with the toner supplied from the toner cartridge, a fixing unit that fixes the toner image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit, and a control unit that controls a fixing temperature in the fixing unit according to the temperature information detected by the detection unit and an accumulated time in which the temperature information is detected.

A material cartridge includes a first unit including a first attachment portion, a second unit and a first memory unit. The first memory unit that is attached to the first attachment portion and includes a first electrode and a first storage element. A cartridge reproduction method includes: detaching the first memory unit from the first attachment portion; attaching an electrode unit to the first attachment portion, the electrode unit including a second electrode, the second electrode configured to be brought into contact with a main body electrode of an image forming apparatus so as to be electrically connected to the main body electrode; and attaching, to the first unit, an element unit including a second storage element configured to be electrically connected to the second electrode. The element unit is located in a gap formed between the first unit and the second unit.

In an example, an apparatus includes a container to hold a quantity of a consumable resource. A mechanical drive coupling is attached to the container. The mechanical drive coupling includes a bore and a locking mechanism integrated into the bore. The locking mechanism locks the container to a drive mechanism when the bore and the drive mechanism are rotatably engaged.

An image forming apparatus includes a controller, a main body frame, a cartridge and a display. The cartridge includes a memory, a cartridge data terminal and a cartridge detection terminal. The controller includes a main body data terminal and a main body detection terminal. The main body data terminal is electrically connected to the cartridge data terminal. The main body detection terminal is electrically connected to the cartridge detection terminal in the case where the cartridge is attached to the main body frame. The controller is configured to perform determining whether the main body detection terminal and the cartridge detection terminal are electrically connected with each other. The controller is configured to perform displaying a determination result of the determining whether the main body detection terminal and the cartridge detection terminal are electrically connected with each other on the display.

An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store correction data; an identifying unit configured to identify a correction amount for a correction target pixel based on the correction data stored in the storage unit; a correction unit configured to correct an exposure amount of the correction target pixel among a plurality of pixels indicated by image data, from an exposure amount indicated by the image data, based on the correction amount for the correction target pixel; and an image forming unit configured to form an image based on an exposure amount after correction by the correction unit. The correction data includes only a correction amount corresponding to each of representative parameter values of a plurality of parameter values of a parameter for varying the correction amount.

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and a replacement unit that is detachable to the apparatus main body. The replacement unit includes a first sensor that detects first environmental information that is an ambient environment of the replacement unit, and a recording part that records the first environmental information as environmental history information, the apparatus main body includes a second sensor that detects second environmental information that is another ambient environment of the apparatus main body, and a control part that controls the replacement unit based on the environmental history information and the second environmental information, when the replacement unit is attached to the apparatus main body, the control part performs a return control based on the environmental history information, which is obtained before the replacement unit is attached, and the second environmental information.