Detachable unit, image forming apparatus, server computer, computer program, and client system

• US 7,190,911 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2003
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Nanba, Hitoshi, Inaba, Masaharu, Sato, Hideki
• Primary Examiner(s): NGO, HOANG X
• Application Number:
  US10/726,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20040240893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 399/8, 399/12, 399/13, 399/25, 399/111, 399/119, 399/122
• US Class Current: 399/8
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0863 provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5075 Remote control machines, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0695 using identification means or means for storing process or use parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1823 Cartridges having electronically readable memory

Abstract

A technical solution for easily carrying out detailed image formation control corresponding to respective customers, i.e., a detachable unit, an image forming apparatus, a server computer, a computer program and client system for easily carrying out detailed image formation control corresponding to respective customers, is to be provided. The detachable unit is a detachable unit detachable to an image forming apparatus, the detachable unit has a memory part storing information containing control information, and upon mounting the detachable unit on an image forming apparatus main member, operation of the image forming apparatus is controlled based on the information stored in the memory part.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising an image forming apparatus main member, a detachable unit detachable to the image forming apparatus main member, and a control means for controlling operation of the image forming apparatus,

the detachable unit comprising a memory part storing information containing control information, and

the control means controlling operation of the image forming apparatus based on the information stored in the memory part,

wherein the control information stored in the memory part is capable of being updated by wireless while the detachable unit is detached from the image forming apparatus main member,

wherein the memory part stores advertisement information showing advertisement as the control information, and

the control means prints the advertisement information on a recording sheet upon forming an image, wherein the control means displays the advertisement information on a non-image area of the recording sheet upon forming the image.

2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has an input means for inputting information from a user, and

the control means prints the advertisement information on a recording sheet based on a preference of the user input from the input means.

3. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has an accounting means for accounting corresponding to a number of times of image formation, and

the control means reduces the account in the case where the advertisement information is printed upon forming an image.