Management system, method, image-forming apparatus, and server apparatus for replacing cartridges

A method for managing use of a cartridge-type device in an image-forming apparatus,

• wherein an inhibiting mechanism capable of inhibiting the device from being inserted into the image-forming apparatus is disposed in at least one of the image-forming apparatus and the device, and
• the image-forming apparatus is present in a user environment, the method comprising:
• obtaining, by an obtaining unit present in the user environment, a code specific to the device;
• transmitting the obtained code from the obtaining unit to a server apparatus that is present in a remote environment;
• performing, by the server apparatus, authentication for the device based on the code that has been received;
• and
• putting, by the image-forming apparatus, the inhibiting mechanism in a state in which the device can be inserted into the image-forming apparatus when the authentication performed by the server apparatus is successful.

An image-forming apparatus installed in a user environment comprising:

• an image-forming unit configured to consume a consumable agent contained in a cartridge-type device inserted into the image-forming apparatus to form an image on a recording medium;
• a control unit configured to control an inhibiting mechanism that is capable of inhibiting the device from being inserted into the image-forming apparatus;
• and
• a communication interface configured to communicate with a server apparatus that is present in a remote environment;
• wherein the control unit is configured to:
• obtain a code specific to the device to transmit the obtained code via the communication interface to the server apparatus;
• and
• put the inhibiting mechanism in a state in which the device can be inserted into the image-forming apparatus when an authentication for the device performed by the server apparatus based on the transmitted code is successful.

A server apparatus for managing use of a cartridge-type device in an image-forming apparatus,

• wherein at least one of the image-forming apparatus and the device includes an inhibiting mechanism capable of inhibiting the device from being inserted into the image-forming apparatus,
• the image-forming apparatus is present in a user environment, and
• the server apparatus is present in a remote environment, the server apparatus comprising a communication interface and a processing circuit, wherein the processing circuit is configured to:
• receive, from an apparatus present in the user environment via the communication interface, a code specific to the device;
• performing authentication for the device based on the received code;
• and
• cause the image-forming apparatus to switch a state of the inhibiting mechanism to a state in which the device can be inserted into the image-forming apparatus when the authentication for the device is successful.