Abstract: A method of offering upgrade history information about firmware of an image forming apparatus, including receiving and storing a firmware upgrade history document and a firmware upgrade file; upgrading the firmware by executing the stored firmware upgrade file; and offering the stored firmware upgrade history document.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of determining whether a toner cartridge is a refilled toner cartridge and method thereof is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a cartridge mount part configured to receive a toner cartridge with a toner memory. The toner memory stores information for determining whether a toner cartridge is a refilled toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus further includes a display part for displaying messages according to the determination information in the toner memory, a control part for reading the determination information from the toner memory and determining toner cartridge condition. The control part directs output of the messages, thus indicating toner cartridge condition. Therefore, use of unauthorized refill toner cartridges can be prevented.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of determining whether a toner cartridge is a refilled toner cartridge and method thereof is provided. The image forming apparatus comprises a cartridge mount part configured to receive a toner cartridge with a toner memory. The toner memory stores information for determining whether a toner cartridge is a refilled toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus further comprises a display part for displaying messages according to the determination information in the toner memory, a control part for reading the determination information from the toner memory and determining toner cartridge condition. The control part directs output of the messages, thus indicating toner cartridge condition. Therefore, use of unauthorized refill toner cartridges can be prevented.