Image forming apparatus and operation method thereof

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image forming unit configured to form an image;
• a mounting unit configured to detachably mount a consumable component containing a consumable supply used when an image is formed by said image forming unit;
• a storage configured to store identification information for uniquely identifying said mounted consumable component;
• a detecting unit configured to detect a remaining amount of said consumable supply in the mounted consumable component;
• a determining unit, configured to obtain, responsive to a detection of removal and mounting of a consumable component while the remaining amount of said consumable supply is not lower than a prescribed value, from the mounted consumable component, the identification information of the mounted consumable component and to compare the obtained identification information with the identification information stored in said storage, and thereby to determine whether the mounted consumable component corresponds to the identification information stored in said storage;
• and
• an inhibiting unit, configured to control said image forming unit such that an image forming operation is inhibited, responsive to a negative result of determination by said determining unit.