G03G21/1882

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF CONTROLLING EXTENSION OF USE OF DRUM CARTRIDGE

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.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS DETERMINING WHETHER CARTRIDGE IS USABLE BASED ON TWO SETS OF CONSUMPTION STATE INFORMATION
20210302910 · 2021-09-30 · ·

An image forming apparatus includes: a casing having an opening; a cover for opening and closing the opening; a cartridge attachable to the casing through the opening; and a controller. The casing includes a first memory. The cartridge includes a second memory storing consumption state information representing a consumption state of the cartridge. The controller performs: determining whether the cartridge attached to the casing is unused; storing, when the attached cartridge is unused, the consumption state information acquired from the second memory in the first memory; determining, when the image forming apparatus is powered on or the cover is closed, whether the consumption state information in the first memory and the consumption state information in the second memory match; permitting use of the cartridge when the two sets of consumption state information match; and prohibiting use of the cartridge when the two set of consumption state information does not match.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF DETERMINING WHETHER TONER CARTRIDGE IS ATTACHED TO APPROPRIATE SLOT PROVIDED IN MAIN CASING

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.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20210141889 · 2021-05-13 ·

An authentication operation of a communication device is facilitated without making an outer appearance of an image forming apparatus complicated. An image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading portion 41 for reading an original image, an image forming portion 44 for forming the image on a recording material, communication devices 32 and 33 capable of communication with a storing device 52 for storing information through rear-range wireless communication, and a mounting portion 23 to which the communication devices are mounted, and the mounting portion is provided between the image reading portion and the image forming portion.

CHIP AND SUPPLY ITEM FOR IMAGING DEVICE, INCLUDING COMMUNICATION

A supply item has toner for use in an imaging device. A chip has memory storing quanta indicating allowed usage of the supply item over its lifetime and a multiplier correlating the quanta to toner mass. The imaging device requires quanta to conduct imaging operations and loads the quanta and multiplier by way of a certificate stored in the memory. The imaging device retrieves quanta from the chip over time and both devices keep tally. Initialization between the supply item and imaging device includes providing encrypted and unencrypted instances of firmware versions and certificates from the supply item that the imaging device can compare for security. Alternatively, the supply item defines a fuser assembly, imaging unit, intermediate transfer member, or other component installed for use in the imaging device.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS TO WHICH CARTRIDGE IS ATTACHABLE

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.

Image forming apparatus
10929521 · 2021-02-23 · ·

An authentication operation of a communication device is facilitated without making an outer appearance of an image forming apparatus complicated. An image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading portion 41 for reading an original image, an image forming portion 44 for forming the image on a recording material, communication devices 32 and 33 capable of communication with a storing device 52 for storing information through rear-range wireless communication, and a mounting portion 23 to which the communication devices are mounted, and the mounting portion is provided between the image reading portion and the image forming portion.

Image forming apparatus capable of determining whether toner cartridge is attached to appropriate slot provided in main casing

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.

LOGIC CIRCUITRY PACKAGE

A logic circuitry package for a print apparatus component includes an interface to communicate with a print apparatus logic circuit, and at least one logic circuit. The at least one logic circuit is configured to receive, via the interface, a command series addressed to a first default address and a second default address, and transmit, via the interface, at least one response in response to at least one command of the command series. The at least one logic circuit is configured to receive, via the interface, an other command series addressed to an other first default address and subsequently, the second default address, and transmit, via the interface, at least one other response in response to at least one other command of the other command series.

Logic Circuitry

An integrated circuit for a replaceable print apparatus component comprising a communication interface to communicate with a print apparatus logic circuit over the bus, and at least one logic circuit.