# US 2021/0240103 A1 · Image forming apparatus that determines whether cartridge can be used in the image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0240103 A1 - Document ID: US20210240103A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/158,433 - Filed: 2021-01-26 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-31 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Tadao KYOTANI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210240103A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/0863: {provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory} - G03G 15/55: {Self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display} - G03G 15/556: {for toner consumption, e.g. pixel counting, toner coverage detection or toner density measurement} - G03G 21/1633: {using doors or covers (G03G21/1638 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1875: {provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. lifetime of the cartridge} - G03G 21/1889: {for auto-setting of process parameters, lifetime, usage} - G03G 21/1892: {for presence detection, authentication} - G03G 15/0865: {Arrangements for supplying new developer} - G03G 2215/0697: being an electronically readable memory - G03G 2221/1823: Cartridges having electronically readable memory - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cover, a cartridge, and a controller. The cartridge includes a second memory storing lifetime information indicating lifetime of the cartridge and identification information unique to the cartridge. In a case where the lifetime information indicates the initial value for the lifetime, the controller is configured to perform 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, the controller is configured to perform judging whether the identification information stored in the second memory matches a registration identification information stored in a first memory of the apparatus body. In a case where the identification information matches the registration identification information, the controller is configured to perform determining that the cartridge is usable for the image forming apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first memory stores therein data of the initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge, and wherein the controller compares the lifetime information acquired from the second memory of the cartridge to the initial value stored in the first memory, and determines that the lifetime information indicates the initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge when the lifetime information matches the initial value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller stores the lifetime information acquired from the second memory to the first memory, the controller being configured to further perform: updating the lifetime information stored in the first memory in accordance with execution of an image-forming operation; and storing the updated lifetime information in the second memory. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first memory stores usage information indicating which of an unused state, an in use state, and an unusable state the cartridge is in, and wherein, in a case where the controller determines that the lifetime information acquired from the second memory indicates the initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge, the controller sets the cartridge to be usable for the image forming apparatus, and the cartridge is used for an image-formation operation, the controller performs: rewriting the usage information for the cartridge from the unused state to the in use state; and storing the identification information of the cartridge in the first memory as the registration information. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the controller determines that the lifetime information acquired from the second memory of the cartridge does not indicate the initial value for the lifetime of the cartridge, the controller performs: determining whether the lifetime of the cartridge reaches an end of the lifetime of the cartridge based on the lifetime information stored in the second memory; and in a case where the controller determines that the lifetime of the cartridge does not reach the end of the lifetime of the cartridge, judging whether the identification information stored in the second memory matches the registration identification information stored in the first memory. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is either one of a toner cartridge capable of accommodating toner therein and a drum cartridge comprising a photosensitive drum. ### Claim 7 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. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 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.