Management system, method, image-forming apparatus, and server apparatus

A management system comprising:

• an obtaining unit located in a user environment and configured to obtain an identification code for identifying a container device containing a consumable agent to be consumed for image formation;
• an opening and closing mechanism disposed in at least one of the container device and an image-forming apparatus and capable of opening and closing a replenishment path of the consumable agent from the container device to the image-forming apparatus;
• a server apparatus located in a remote environment different from the user environment and configured to receive the identification code obtained by the obtaining unit and perform authentication for the container device based on the received identification code;
• and
• a control unit located in the user environment and configured, in response to a result indicating successful authentication by the server apparatus, to cause or allow the opening and closing mechanism to open the replenishment path.

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

• a preserving unit configured to preserve a consumable agent replenished from a container device containing the consumable agent to be consumed for image formation;
• an image-forming unit configured to consume the consumable agent preserved in the preserving unit to form an image on a recording medium;
• a control unit configured to control an opening and closing mechanism capable of opening and closing a replenishment path of the consumable agent from the container device to the preserving unit;
• and
• a communication interface configured to communicate with a server apparatus located in a remote environment,
• wherein the control unit is configured to:
• obtain an identification code for identifying the container device;
• transmit the obtained identification code to the server apparatus via the communication interface;
• and
• in response to receiving, from the server apparatus, a control signal based on successful authentication for the container device performed by the server apparatus based on the transmitted identification code, cause or allow the opening and closing mechanism to open the replenishment path.

A server apparatus for managing replenishment of a consumable agent to be consumed for image formation from a container device containing the consumable agent to an image-forming apparatus, wherein at least one of the container device and the image-forming apparatus includes an opening and closing mechanism capable of opening and closing a replenishment path of the consumable agent, the image-forming apparatus is located in a user environment, and the server apparatus is located in a remote environment, the server apparatus comprising:

• a communication interface;
• and
• a processing circuit configured to:
• receive, from an apparatus located in the user environment via the communication interface, an identification code for identifying the container device;
• perform authentication for the container device based on the received identification code;
• and
• when the authentication for the container device is successful, transmit, to the image-forming apparatus via the communication interface, a control signal for causing or allowing the opening and closing mechanism to open the replenishment path.

A method for controlling replenishment of a consumable agent to be consumed for image formation from a container device containing the consumable agent to an image-forming apparatus, wherein an opening and closing mechanism capable of opening and closing a replenishment path of the consumable agent from the container device to the image-forming apparatus is disposed in at least one of the container device and the image-forming apparatus, and the image-forming apparatus is located in a user environment, the method comprising:

• obtaining, by an obtaining unit located in the user environment, an identification code for identifying the container device;
• transmitting the obtained identification code from the obtaining unit to a server apparatus located in a remote environment;
• performing, by the server apparatus, authentication for the container device based on the identification code received by the server apparatus;
• and
• causing or allowing, by the image-forming apparatus, the opening and closing mechanism to open the replenishment path when the authentication by the server apparatus is successful.