An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a toner cartridge, a replaceable part, a controller and an apparatus body memory. An operating mode of the controller is set to one of a subscription mode and a normal mode. The controller is configured to perform processes in accordance with the set operating mode. The apparatus body memory is configured to store life information indicating a remaining life of the replaceable part attached to the apparatus body. The controller is configured to switch a control between: a control for allowing an extended use of the replaceable part; and a control for restricting the extended use of the replaceable part, according to the set operating mode. The extended use is defined as use of the replaceable part even after the replaceable part exceeds the remaining life indicated by the life information stored in the apparatus body memory.

An image forming apparatus includes: a drum cartridge to which one of a first toner cartridge and a second toner cartridge is attachable; a frame including a first slot and a second slot; and a controller including a control memory and a processor. The drum cartridge to which the one of the first toner cartridge and the second toner cartridges is attached is attachable to one of the first slot and the second slot. The control memory stores first color information allocated to the first slot, and second color information allocated to the second slot. In a state where the drum cartridge is attached to one of the first slot and the second slot and when the drum memory does not store any color information, the processor is configured to perform: writing, into the drum memory, one of the first color information and the second color information which is appropriate.

An image forming apparatus includes a development unit having a first wireless communication part, a developer cartridge having a second wireless communication part and an antenna part that communicates with the first and second wireless communication parts. When the first and second wireless communication parts are respectively accommodated in holding parts, the first wireless communication part is closer to the antenna part than the second wireless communication part is, and the second wireless communication part and the first wireless communication part oppose each other.

A communication method is provided between a chip and an imaging device. Accordingly, the chip receives a clock pulse signal from the imaging device via a clock line; and receives a READ instruction from the imaging device via a data line. Within one clock pulse signal period, the chip transmits at least one bit of implicit data and one bit of master data that are stored in an internal memory to the data line within different time slots, respectively, and the imaging device collects data from the data line while the chip is transmitting the master data to the data line. Further, the chip receives a WRITE instruction from the imaging device via the data line, wherein the chip receives master data sent from the imaging device, writes the master data into the memory arranged in the chip, and updates the implicit data stored in the memory.

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a toner cartridge, a replaceable part, a controller and an apparatus body memory. An operating mode of the controller is set to one of a subscription mode and a normal mode. The controller is configured to perform processes in accordance with the set operating mode. The apparatus body memory is configured to store life information indicating a remaining life of the replaceable part attached to the apparatus body. The controller is configured to switch a control between: a control for allowing an extended use of the replaceable part; and a control for restricting the extended use of the replaceable part, according to the set operating mode. The extended use is defined as use of the replaceable part even after the replaceable part exceeds the remaining life indicated by the life information stored in the apparatus body memory.

An image forming apparatus includes: a main body; a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge those attachable to the main body; a main memory; and a controller. The controller is configured to perform: determining a number of sheets printable using the toner cartridge attached to the main body; determining a number of sheets printable using the drum cartridge attached to the main body; determining a number of sheets printable using a new toner cartridge; and when determining that a sum of the number of sheets printable using the toner cartridge attached to the main body and the number of sheets printable using a new toner cartridge is greater than or equal to the number of sheets printable using the drum cartridge attached to the main body, transmitting to a server a signal for ordering a new drum cartridge together with a new toner cartridge.

An image forming apparatus includes: a main body; a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge those attachable to the main body; a main memory; and a controller. The controller is configured to perform: determining a number of sheets printable using the toner cartridge attached to the main body; determining a number of sheets printable using the drum cartridge attached to the main body; determining a number of sheets printable using a new toner cartridge; and when determining that a sum of the number of sheets printable using the toner cartridge attached to the main body and the number of sheets printable using a new toner cartridge is greater than or equal to the number of sheets printable using the drum cartridge attached to the main body, transmitting to a server a signal for ordering a new drum cartridge together with a new toner cartridge.

A chip, a chip set, an electrical parameter detection method, a consumable, and an image forming apparatus are provided in embodiments of the present disclosure. The chip is capable of being installed on the consumable; and the consumable is capable of being detachably installed on the image forming apparatus. The chip includes an installation detecting terminal; a chip controller configured to control the installation detecting terminal to output a low level after the chip is powered on; and a storage unit configured to store a time control parameter, where the time control parameter is configured to control a time point for the installation detecting terminal to output the low level. The above configuration can realize that the signal conflict between a plurality of chips is not generated when detecting whether the plurality of chips is in a desired contact with the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a toner cartridge, a replaceable part, a controller and an apparatus body memory. An operating mode of the controller is set to one of a subscription mode and a normal mode. The controller is configured to perform processes in accordance with the set operating mode. The apparatus body memory is configured to store life information indicating a remaining life of the replaceable part attached to the apparatus body. The controller is configured to switch a control between: a control for allowing an extended use of the replaceable part; and a control for restricting the extended use of the replaceable part, according to the set operating mode. The extended use is defined as use of the replaceable part even after the replaceable part exceeds the remaining life indicated by the life information stored in the apparatus body memory.

A consumable chip applied to a consumable includes a memory and a controller. The memory is used to store information of a consumable product of an image formation device. The controller is configured to control the consumable chip to generate a predetermined signal to cause the image formation device to perform a target operation according to the predetermined signal. The consumable chip is mounted at the consumable. The consumable is detachably mounted at the image formation device.