Image forming apparatus that determines whether cartridge can be used in the image forming apparatus

A non-transitory storage medium storing a set of program instructions installed on and executed by a controller for controlling an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising:

• an apparatus body having an opening and comprising a first memory;
• a cover movable relative to the apparatus body between an open position where the opening is opened and a closed position where the opening is closed;
• a cartridge including material or a part used for image-formation, the cartridge being detachably attachable to the apparatus body through the opening, the cartridge comprising a second memory storing lifetime information indicating lifetime of the cartridge and identification information unique to the cartridge;
• and
• the controller configured to determine whether the cartridge is usable for the image forming apparatus,
• the set of program instructions comprising:
• judging whether power to the image forming apparatus is turned on or the cover is changed from the open position to the closed position;
• when the controller determines that the power to the image forming apparatus is turned on or the cover is changed from the open position to the closed position, judging whether the lifetime information acquired from the second memory of the cartridge indicates an initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge;
• in a case where the lifetime information indicates the initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge, setting the cartridge to be usable in the image forming apparatus;
• in a case where the controller determines that the lifetime information does not indicate the initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge, judging whether the identification information stored in the second memory matches a registration identification information stored in the first memory;
• in a case where the identification information matches the registration identification information, determining that the cartridge is usable for the image forming apparatus;
• and
• in a case where the identification information does not match the registration identification information, determining that the cartridge is not usable for the image forming apparatus.

An image-forming control method controlling an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising:

• an apparatus body having an opening and comprising a first memory;
• a cover movable relative to the apparatus body between an open position where the opening is opened and a closed position where the opening is closed;
• a cartridge including material or a part used for image-formation, the cartridge being detachably attachable to the apparatus body through the opening, the cartridge comprising a second memory storing lifetime information indicating lifetime of the cartridge and identification information unique to the cartridge;
• and
• a controller configured to determine whether the cartridge is usable for the image forming apparatus,
• the controller being configured to perform:
• judging whether power to the image forming apparatus is turned on or the cover is changed from the open position to the closed position;
• when the controller determines that the power to the image forming apparatus is turned on or the cover is changed from the open position to the closed position, judging whether the lifetime information acquired from the second memory of the cartridge indicates an initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge;
• in a case where the lifetime information indicates the initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge, setting the cartridge to be usable in the image forming apparatus;
• in a case where the controller determines that the lifetime information does not indicate the initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge, judging whether the identification information stored in the second memory matches a registration identification information stored in the first memory;
• in a case where the identification information matches the registration identification information, determining that the cartridge is usable for the image forming apparatus;
• and
• in a case where the identification information does not match the registration identification information, determining that the cartridge is not usable for the image forming apparatus.

A cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body including a material or a part used for image-formation;
• and
• a memory storing lifetime information indicating lifetime of the cartridge and identification information unique to the cartridge,
• wherein it is determined whether the cartridge can be used for an image forming apparatus based on the identification information and depending on a result of judging whether the lifetime information indicates an initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge.