Image forming apparatus, management method for replacement part used therefor, and management program for replacement part

An image forming apparatus which is connected through a network to a management server managing the image forming apparatus so that data can be sent to and received from the management server, the image forming apparatus comprising:

• at least one replacement part including a storage medium, wherein the storage medium only stores identification information inherent to the replacement part;
• and
• an apparatus main body to which the replacement part is detachably mountable and which includes:
• a control unit that obtains information on an operating state of the image forming apparatus,
• wherein the operating state includes information stored in a storage medium, transmits the information on the operating state of the image forming apparatus through the network to the management server, and manages the operating state of the image forming apparatus based on the data sent from the management servers,
• wherein the information includes usage state of the at least one replacement part.

A management method for a replacement part in which the replacement part detachably mountable to an apparatus main body is managed by communicating information through a communication unit between a control unit of the apparatus main body and a storage medium of the replacement part capable of storing the information, the method comprising:

• storing identification information inherent to the replacement part into the storage medium of the replacement part;
• in correspondence with the identification information, storing information for managing a usage state of the replacement part into a storage unit provided to an element other than the replacement part;
• reading the identification information of the replacement part stored in the storage medium of the replacement part;
• based on the identification information read from the replacement part, acquiring the information on a corresponding replacement part stored in the storage unit;
• and
• based on the information on the corresponding replacement part acquired from the storage unit, managing a usage state of the replacement part.

A management program for a replacement part for allowing a computer to execute a process of managing the replacement part detachably mountable to an apparatus main body by communicating information through a communication unit between a control unit of the apparatus main body and a storage medium of the replacement part capable of storing the information, the method comprising:

• reading identification information of the replacement part stored in the storage medium of the replacement part;
• based on the identification information read from the replacement part, acquiring the information on a corresponding replacement part stored in a storage unit provided to an element other than the replacement part;
• and
• based on the information on the corresponding replacement part acquired from the storage unit, managing a usage state of the replacement part.