Image forming apparatus capable of controlling extension of use of drum cartridge

An image forming system comprising:

• an image forming apparatus;
• and
• a communication device configured to communicate with the image forming apparatus via a network,
• the image forming apparatus comprising:
• an apparatus body;
• a toner cartridge detachably attachable to the apparatus body;
• a replaceable part detachably attachable to the apparatus body and for use with the toner cartridge in an image-formation, the replaceable part comprising a replaceable part memory storing therein extended-use allowance-and-restriction information, the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicating one of allowance information and restriction information, the allowance information indicating that the extended use of the replaceable part should be allowed, the restriction information indicating that the extended use of the replaceable part should be restricted;
• an apparatus body memory storing life information indicating remaining life of the replaceable part attached to the apparatus body, the extended use being 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 communication interface configured to be controlled and used by the controller to communicate with the communication device via the network;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• determine whether the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information stored in the replaceable part memory indicates the allowance information or the restriction information;
• in a case where the controller determines that the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicates the restriction information, restrict an extended use of the replaceable part;
• in a case where the controller determines that the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicates the allowance information, allow the extended use of the replaceable part;
• and
• in a case where the controller restricts the extended use of the replaceable part, control the communication interface to transmit order information to the communication device to order a new replaceable part based on the life information.

A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising a toner cartridge and a replaceable part for use with the toner cartridge in an image-formation, extended-use allowance-and-restriction information being previously assigned to the replaceable part, the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicating one of allowance information and restriction information, the allowance information indicating that the extended use of the replaceable part should be allowed, the restriction information indicating that the extended use of the replaceable part should be restricted,

• the method comprising:
• storing, in an apparatus body memory, life information indicating remaining life of the replaceable part attached to the apparatus body, the extended use being 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;
• according to the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information, control the extended use of the replaceable part;
• in a case where the controller determines that the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicates the restriction information, restrict the extended use of the replaceable part;
• and
• in a case where the controller determines that the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicates the allowance information, allow the extended use of the replaceable part.

A non-transitory storage medium storing a set of program instructions installed on and executed by a computer for controlling an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising a toner cartridge and a replaceable part for use with the toner cartridge in an image-formation, extended-use allowance-and restriction information being previously assigned to the replaceable part, the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicates one of allowance information and restriction information, the allowance information indicating that the extended use of the replaceable part should be allowed, the restriction information indicating that the extended use of the replaceable part should be restricted,

• the set of program instructions comprising:
• storing, in an apparatus body memory, life information indicating remaining life of the replaceable part attached to the apparatus body, the extended use being 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;
• according to the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information, controlling the extended use of the replaceable part;
• in a case where the controller determines that the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicates the restriction information, restricting the extended use of the replaceable part;
• and
• in a case where the controller determines that the extended-use allowance-and-restriction information indicates the allowance information, allowing the extended use of the replaceable part.