Image forming apparatus and control method

A control method of controlling an image forming apparatus in which a consumable is usable, the consumable containing consumable material, the consumable including a consumable memory being a non-transitory memory configured to store first remaining amount information, the first remaining amount information indicating a first remaining amount that is a current remaining amount of the consumable material in the consumable, the control method comprising:

• in a case where the consumable is a contract consumable that is usable when a contract for the image forming apparatus is set,
• storing a second remaining amount in the consumable memory as the first remaining amount information, the second remaining amount being a part of the first remaining amount stored in the consumable memory;
• and
• storing a third remaining amount in an apparatus memory being a non-transitory memory of the image forming apparatus, the third remaining amount being obtained by subtracting the second remaining amount from the first remaining amount,
• wherein, when the consumable is attached to the image forming apparatus, the first remaining amount of the consumable material of the consumable is useable by the image forming apparatus;
• and
• when the consumable is attached to another image forming apparatus, the second remaining amount of the consumable material of the consumable is useable by the another image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a main housing;
• a consumable attachable to and detachable from the main housing together with a non-transitory consumable memory, the consumable being usable in the image forming apparatus, the consumable containing consumable material, the consumable including the non-transitory consumable memory configured to store first remaining amount information, the first remaining amount information indicating a first remaining amount that is a current remaining amount of the consumable material in the consumable;
• a non-transitory apparatus memory fixed to the image forming apparatus;
• a connector electrically connectable to the consumable memory;
• a print engine configured to perform printing by using the consumable material of the consumable;
• and
• a controller configured to execute:
• communicating with the consumable memory in a state where the consumable is attached to the main housing and the connector is electrically connected to the consumable memory;
• a first storing process of, in a case where the consumable is a contract consumable that is usable when a contract for the image forming apparatus is set,
• storing a second remaining amount in the consumable memory as the first remaining amount information, the second remaining amount being a part of the first remaining amount stored in the consumable memory;
• and
• storing a third remaining amount in the apparatus memory, the third remaining amount being obtained by subtracting the second remaining amount from the first remaining amount;
• performing printing by using the consumable material of the consumable;
• and
• updating the third remaining amount stored in the apparatus memory based on an amount of the consumable material consumed by the printing.