US 2026/0267579 A1Published application

System including image forming apparatus and server apparatus

AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha

InventorsSHUICHI TETSUNO, SHUNSUKE MATSUSHITA, MIKIHIKO HAMADA

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Abstract

A system includes an image forming apparatus, to which an accommodating device containing a consumable for image formation is detachably attached, and a server apparatus communicating with the image forming apparatus via a network. The image forming apparatus includes a replenishing path configured to replenish the consumable from the attached accommodating device, an opening and closing mechanism configured to open and close the replenishing path, a lock mechanism configured to lock actuation of the opening and closing mechanism, a consumable container configured to contain the replenished consumable, a detection unit configured to detect an amount of the consumable in the consumable container, and a notification unit configured to notify the server of the detected amount. The server apparatus is configured to issue an instruction to deliver the accommodating device according to the notified information and transmit, when delivery is made, an instruction to unlock the lock mechanism.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A system including an image forming apparatus to which an accommodating device that contains a consumable to be used for image formation is detachably attached, and a server apparatus that communicates with the image forming apparatus via a network,

the image forming apparatus comprising:
a replenishing path configured to replenish the consumable from the attached accommodating device;
an opening and closing mechanism configured to open and close the replenishing path;
a lock mechanism configured to lock actuation of the opening and closing mechanism;
a consumable container configured to contain the consumable replenished from the accommodating device;
at least one memory that stores a set of instructions;
at least one processor that executes the instructions causing the image forming apparatus to perform operations comprising:
a detection unit configured to detect an amount of the consumable contained in the consumable container;
and
a notification unit configured to notify the server apparatus of information regarding the amount of the consumable detected by the detection unit;
the server apparatus comprising:
at least one memory that stores a set of instructions;
at least one processor that executes the instructions causing the server apparatus to perform operations comprising:
a delivery instruction unit configured to issue an instruction to deliver the accommodating device to be used by the image forming apparatus in accordance with the information regarding the amount of the consumable notified from the image forming apparatus;
and
a transmission unit configured to transmit to the image forming apparatus, in a case where the accommodating device is delivered to the image forming apparatus based on the delivery instruction issued by the delivery instruction unit, an instruction to unlock the lock mechanism.

13 more elements

the image forming apparatus comprising:
an openable and closeable replenishing path configured to replenish the consumable from the attached accommodating device;
a consumable container configured to contain the consumable replenished from the accommodating device;
at least one memory that stores a set of instructions;
at least one processor that executes the instructions causing the server apparatus to perform operations comprising:
a detection unit configured to detect an amount of the consumable contained in the consumable container;
a notification unit configured to notify the server apparatus of information regarding the amount of the consumable detected by the detection unit;
and
a control unit configured to control opening and closing of the replenishing path;
and
the server apparatus comprising:
at least one memory that stores a set of instructions;
at least one processor that executes the instructions causing the server apparatus to perform operations comprising:
a delivery instruction unit configured to issue an instruction to deliver the accommodating device to be used by the image forming apparatus in accordance with the information regarding the amount of the consumable notified from the image forming apparatus;
and
a transmission unit configured to transmit to the image forming apparatus, in a case where the accommodating device is delivered to the image forming apparatus based on the delivery instruction issued by the delivery instruction unit, delivery information regarding delivery of the accommodating device,
wherein the control unit performs opening of the replenishing path based on the delivery information transmitted from the server apparatus.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/554,406Filed 2 Mar 2026
Priority: JP 2025-03782210 Mar 2025
Published: 10 Sep 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

G06F 3/1238
Print job management: secure printing, e.g. user identification, user rights for device usage, unallowed content, blanking portions or fields of a…
G03G 15/0862
Detection or control means for the developer level: the level being measured by optical means
G03G 15/0863
Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer: provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use…
G03G 21/1633
Means to access the interior of the apparatus: using doors or covers