Techniques for generating status messages in image forming apparatus

A method of generating a status message in an image forming apparatus including at least one expendable, comprising the steps of:

• counting a number of papers being printed after the at least one expendable has been replaced, and storing a counting value as an amount of use in a nonvolatile memory;
• and
• printing out the status message including the amount of use at a predetermined time period;
• further comprising the steps of:
• comparing said amount of use with a predetermined warning value which is set to be lower than a predetermined replacing time value of the at least one expandable, and adding replacement request information to said status message if the amount of use is greater than the warning value.

A method of generating a status message in an image forming apparatus including at least one expendable, comprising the steps of:

• counting a number of papers being printed after the at least one expendable has been replaced, and storing a counting value as an amount of use in a nonvolatile memory;
• and
• printing out the status message including the amount of use at a predetermined time period;
• said status message comprising a predetermined test pattern for testing a printing status of the image forming apparatus.

An apparatus for generating a status message in an image forming apparatus including at least one expendable, comprising:

• a counter for counting a number of papers being printed after the at least one expendable has been replaced, and a nonvolatile memory for storing a counting value as an amount of use;
• and
• a means for causing the printing out of the status message including the amount of use at a predetermined time period;
• further comprising:
• a comparator for comparing said amount of use with a predetermined warning value which is set to be lower than a predetermined replacing time value of the at least one expandable, and a means for adding replacement request information to said status message if the amount of use is determined to be greater than the warning value.

An apparatus for generating a status message in an image forming apparatus including at least one expendable, comprising:

• a counter for counting a number of papers being printed after the at least one expendable has been replaced, and a nonvolatile memory for storing a counting value as an amount of use;
• and
• a means for causing the printing out of the status message including the amount of use at a predetermined time period;
• said status message comprising a predetermined test pattern for testing a printing status of the image forming apparatus.