Efficient control system of image forming apparatus

A control system of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• detecting means for detecting a consumption amount of consumables used in an image forming operation by said image forming means;
• input means for inputting consumables supply data corresponding to an amount of consumables supplied to a user of said image forming apparatus;
• memory means for storing the consumables supply data input from said input means;
• and
• calculating means for calculating a present stock amount of the consumables including consumables that are not loaded in said image forming apparatus on the basis, of a result detected by said detecting means and the consumables supply data stored in said memory means.

An image forming apparatus connectable to an external device through a communication line, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• storing means for storing a control program;
• control means for controlling said image forming means by running the control program stored in said storing means;
• receiving means for receiving information transmitted from said external device through said communication line;
• and
• changing means for changing the control program stored in said storing means to a new control program on the basis of the information received by said receiving means,
• wherein said storing means simultaneously stores the control program and the new control program wherein said control means is operable to run the control program while said changing means is changing the control program to the new program.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• nonvolatile storing means for storing a control program;
• control means for controlling said image forming means on the basis of the control program stored in said storing means;
• and
• means for replacing the control program stored in said storing means with an updated program and storing the updated program in said storing means while holding the original control program in the storing means so that said control means is operable to control said image forming means on the basis of the original control program during a replacing operation.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• storing means for storing a control program;
• control means for controlling said image forming means by running the control program stored in said storing means;
• information receiving means for receiving information related to said control program;
• and
• changing means for changing the control program stored in said storing means to a new control program on the basis of the information received by said information receiving means,
• wherein said storing means simultaneously stores the control program and the new control program wherein said control means is operable to run the control program while said changing means is changing the control program to the new control program.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• storing means for storing a control program;
• control means for controlling said image forming means by running the control program stored in said storing means;
• information receiving means for receiving information related to said control program;
• means for changing the control program stored in said storing means on the basis of the information received by said information receiving means;
• and
• means for forbidding image forming operation by said image forming means during changing the control program.

A control system of image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming apparatus and a control unit connected to each of said image forming apparatus through a communication line, wherein

• each of said image forming apparatus comprises;
• image forming means for forming an image on paper,
• storing means for storing a control program for controlling said image forming means,
• control means for controlling said image forming means in accordance with the control program stored in said storing means,
• receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted from said control unit through said communication line, and
• program changing means for changing contents of the control program stored in said storing means,
• said control unit comprises transmitting means for transmitting a program change signal instructing change of the control program to said image forming apparatus through said communication line, and
• said program change means performs change operation of the control program in response to reception of said program change signal from said control unit by said receiving means.

An image forming apparatus connectable to an external device through a communication line, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• a memory for storing a control program;
• a processor for controlling said image forming means by performing the control program stored in said memory;
• first receiving means for receiving a demand signal transmitted from said external device through the communication line;
• responding means for transmitting a permitting signal to said external device through the communication line and forbidding an operation of said image forming means in response to the demand signal received by said first receiving means;
• second receiving means for receiving a new control program transmitted from said external device after the permitting signal is transmitted by said responding means;
• and
• changing means for changing the control program stored in said memory to the new control program received by said second receiving means.

An image forming apparatus connectable to an external device through a communication line, comprising:

• image forming means for forming an image on paper;
• first and second memory means for storing control programs;
• a processor for controlling said image forming means by performing the control program stored in one of said first and second memory means;
• receiving means for receiving a new control program transmitted from said external device;
• means for storing the new control program received by said receiving means into one of said first and second memory means in which the control program presently performed by said processor is not stored;
• and
• switching means for switching a control program to be performed by said processor to the new control program stored in one of said first and second memory means.