Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form a toner image using a first toner supplied to the image forming unit with a first process bias VR; a density sensor configured to detect a density of toner in the image forming unit; a toner cartridge containing a second toner and including a memory that stores data representing a process bias VA appropriate for the second toner; a mounting unit on which the toner cartridge is mounted; and a toner replenishing unit configured to replenish the image forming unit with the second toner from the toner cartridge mounted on the mounting unit based on the density, in which a density detected by the density sensor when the toner cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit is converted into an estimated amount, and the image forming unit is set to a process bias V until the image forming unit is replenished with the second toner by the estimated amount after the toner cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit, the

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer to bear a latent image, a charging device to charge the image bearer, a developing device to develop the latent image on the image bearer, a cleaning device to clean a surface of the image bearer, a target component including at least one of the image bearer, the charging device, the developing device, and the cleaning device, and a temperature change suppression member opposed adjacent to or disposed in contact with an outer peripheral face of the target component. The temperature change suppression member suppresses a temperature change of the target component.

Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner and a rotatable auger in the reservoir. A screw flight of the auger is configured to move toner away from a first end of the auger and toward a second end of the auger when the auger rotates in an operative rotational direction. A segment of the screw flight at a first end of the screw flight has an outer diameter that is reduced in comparison with an outer diameter of the screw flight outside the segment of the screw flight to reduce an efficiency of the auger at the first end of the screw flight for reducing toner packing against an interior wall of the housing when the auger rotates in a direction counter to the operative rotational direction.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a consumable product is provided, comprising: one or more consumable components; a radio frequency communication tag; wherein said radio frequency communication tag comprises data indicative of a type of consumable component to which said consumable components belong. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided, being configured to operate using a consumable product of the kind set forth; wherein said machine comprises a reader configured to read data from the radio frequency communication tag of the consumable product.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is detachably mounted, wherein the cartridge includes: a storage unit that stores one or a plurality of sets of information associating identification information assigned according to a classification for image forming apparatus with control information used to control the image forming apparatus, and a management unit that, in response to a request from an image forming apparatus in which the cartridge is mounted, provides information stored in the storage unit; and the image forming apparatus comprises: a holding unit that holds identification information assigned to the image forming apparatus itself, and an acquisition unit that, with the identification information held in the holding unit, requests to and acquire from the cartridge corresponding control information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a first mode and a second mode with respectively different rotational peripheral velocity ratios of a developer bearing member, stores a first lifetime threshold value of a developing apparatus corresponding to the first mode and a second lifetime threshold value of the developing apparatus corresponding to the second mode, updates a lifetime determination value of a developing apparatus on the basis of drive amount information when the developer bearing member operates in the first mode and second modes, performs a first determination related to a lifetime in the first mode on the basis of the first lifetime threshold value and the lifetime determination value, performs a second determination related to a lifetime in the second mode on the basis of the second lifetime threshold value and the lifetime determination value, and makes a notification on the basis of determination results.

Abstract: A developing device includes a housing that includes a container portion, a rotating portion, and a developing roller. The container portion has a metal formed portion formed of metal and contains developer. The rotating portion is to be rotated so as to transport the developer contained in the container portion in a longitudinal direction. The developing roller holds the developer transported by the rotating portion. The metal formed portion is disposed in at least part of the container portion in a region superposed on a developer holding region of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, a replacement unit detachably mounted on the main assembly, an identification unit configured to identify whether the replacement unit is a first unit mounted in advance in a shipment state of the image forming apparatus or is a second unit after replacement, a common signal line configured to transmit a signal from the identification unit and another signal; a memory unit mounted on the main assembly and configured to store control information for the first unit, and a control unit configured to control the first unit based on the control information of the first unit, wherein the control unit is switchable between an identification mode and a normal operation mode, and wherein the control unit switches control information of the replacement unit mounted on the main assembly depending on whether the replacement unit is the first unit or the second unit.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes a first photosensitive drum, a frame, a main body connector, a first toner cartridge connector, a drum-cartridge circuit board, a harness, and a first harness. The harness is electrically connected between the main body connector and the drum-cartridge circuit board. The harness extends in the first direction. The first harness is electrically connected between the first toner cartridge connector and the drum-cartridge circuit board. The first harness extends in the second direction.

Abstract: In a cartridge, a developing roller is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis extending in a predetermined direction and to carry developer thereon, the developing roller having a first end and a second end apart from each other in the predetermined direction, a from-first-to-second direction being defined along the predetermined direction as being directed from the first end to the second end. A developing electrode is formed of a conductive material and is configured to be electrically connected to the developing roller, the developing electrode including a main part and a protruding portion protruding from the main part in the from-first-to-second direction. A detection body is formed of an insulating material and is rotatably supported by the protruding portion, the detection body including a first opening that exposes part of the protruding portion and a covering portion covering part of the protruding portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges containing toners, each cartridge including a storage element that stores a type of thermal characteristic information of the toner contained therein, and a reading portion configured to read the type of thermal characteristic information. A fixing portion thermally fixes a toner image, formed by a plurality of toners of different colors contained in the cartridges, respectively, onto a recording material, and a control portion controls the fixing portion by switching a thermal fixing condition in accordance with a combination of the types of the thermal characteristic information read by the reading portion, the thermal fixing condition being a condition that prioritizes the performance of fixing, to a recording material, a toner, of the toners that form the toner image, that is transferred first to the recording material, from among the plurality of toners of different colors.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a toner cartridge used in an image forming apparatus including a processor which forms a toner pattern image on a photoconductive member, transfers the toner pattern image on a medium, and changes an image forming condition based on a detection result obtained by optically detecting the toner pattern image transferred onto the medium, the toner cartridge including: a toner accommodating container accommodating a toner, and a memory. The memory stores reference data which is determined according to toner characteristics in the toner accommodating container, and is used for applying a reference value for an optical detection result of a toner pattern formed by the toner on the medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developer containers to contain different types of developers and a container mount in which the plurality of developer containers is removably installed and arranged adjacent to each other. Each of the developer containers includes an engagement portion. The engagement portion of one of the developer containers engages the engagement portion of another of the developer containers adjacent to the one of the developer containers when the developer containers are installed in the container mount in a predetermined order, to allow the developer containers to be installed. Further, the engagement portion of one of the developer containers interferes with the engagement portion of another of the developer containers adjacent to the one of the developer containers when the developer containers are installed in the container mount in a different order from the predetermined order, to prevent the developer containers from being installed.

Abstract: A consumables consumption apparatus includes a cartridge determination section that determines one of a specified cartridge and an unspecified cartridge which is attached to the consumables consumption apparatus in accordance with maintenance subject information indicating a subject of a maintenance contract and a notification section that requests a selection of one of use agreement of the unspecified cartridge and replacement of the unspecified cartridge by the specified cartridge when the cartridge determination section determines that the unspecified cartridge is attached and that makes a notification indicating at least one of information on cancellation of the maintenance contract and information on replacement by the specified cartridge when the use agreement is selected.

Abstract: To provide a display device including a display that displays an input screen having one or a plurality of areas arranged with an input element, a determiner that determines a cause of a disabled state if the input element is in the disabled state, and a display controller that performs control to identifiably display the one or the plurality of areas arranged with the input element in the disabled state, in a color corresponding to the cause.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stopper movable between a stopping position in which the stopper contacts with a downstream end portion of a cartridge, having a first contacting portion and a second contacting position, in a mounting direction, to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction and a non-stopping position in which the stopper is retracted from the stopping position so as not to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction. The stopper moves from the stopping position to the non-stopping position in conjunction with movement of a movable member from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a drive gear, a first gear, and a second gear rotatable relative to the first gear. The drive gear includes a small-diameter gear part, and a large-diameter gear part. The first gear includes: a first gear teeth part having a plurality of gear teeth; and a first protrusion movable in accordance with rotation of the first gear teeth part. The second gear includes: a second gear teeth part having at least one gear tooth; and a second protrusion movable in accordance with rotation of the second gear teeth part. The second gear teeth part is configured to meshingly engage with the large-diameter gear part to rotate the second gear after the first gear rotates by a prescribed angle by meshing engagement between the small-diameter gear part and the first gear teeth part.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes a frame on which a toner cartridge is attachable, a photosensitive drum, and a drum memory. The drum cartridge relays information stored in the toner memory to the image forming apparatus when the toner cartridge is attached to the frame.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a toner cartridge used in an image forming apparatus including a processor which forms a toner pattern image on a photoconductive member, transfers the toner pattern image on a medium, and changes an image forming condition based on a detection result obtained by optically detecting the toner pattern image transferred onto the medium, the toner cartridge including: a toner accommodating container accommodating a toner, and a memory. The memory stores reference data which is determined according to toner characteristics in the toner accommodating container, and is used for applying a reference value for an optical detection result of a toner pattern formed by the toner on the medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chip processing device and a method for chip processing using the same, where the device can program, detect, reset or inspect a plurality of chips, and meanwhile has one or more functions of programming, detecting, identifying, resetting or inspecting. The plurality of chips has different communication interfaces, and/or uses different communication protocols. The chip processing device can be configured to program, detect, identify, reset or inspect a chip after obtaining the model of the chip to be processed, thus having higher universality.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container, and a lock drive portion. The toner container is attached to an attachment position set in an apparatus main body. The lock drive portion acquires a identification information from a storage portion, and upon determining, based on the identification information, that the toner container has an attachment compatibility, places a lock member at a lock position, and upon determining that the toner container does not have the attachment compatibility, places the lock member at a unlock position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body and a unit detachably mounted to the apparatus body and comprising a unit body, a cam, a first movement member, and a second movement member. The unit includes a first contact portion, an urging portion, and a second contact portion. The second movement member is attachable to the first movement member in a first manner or a second manner. A detection pattern of a detection signal differs between a state in which the second movement member is in contact with the first contact portion and a state in which the second movement member is in contact with the second contact portion, and differs between a state in which the second movement member is attached in the first manner and a state in which the second movement member is attached in the second manner.

Abstract: A toner container includes a container body, an opening, a cover, a toner discharge port, a shutter, a cylindrical structure, protrusions, and an identifier. The shutter is attached to the cover and includes a main shutter covering the toner discharge port. The main shutter moves between a closed position to close the toner discharge port and an open position to open the toner discharge port. The protrusions are on both sides of the cover and protrude in a direction orthogonal to a toner container mounting direction. The identifier is on the cover to indicate a toner color. The cylindrical structure's leading end is downstream of leading ends of the protrusions in the mounting direction. The main shutter's leading end is downstream of the protrusions' leading ends in the mounting direction when the main shutter is in the closed position. The protrusions are downstream of the identifier in the mounting direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a read-out unit, a memory unit, and a processor. The read-out unit reads out first collation information from an exchange product which is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The memory unit stores second collation information. The processor detects a power supply or a sleep return, compares the first collation information with the second collation information based on detection of the power supply or the sleep return, and sets an operation mode based on a comparison result of the first collation information with the second collation information.

Abstract: In a cartridge, a developing roller is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis extending in a predetermined direction and to carry developer thereon, the developing roller having a first end and a second end apart from each other in the predetermined direction, a from-first-to-second direction being defined along the predetermined direction as being directed from the first end to the second end. A developing electrode is formed of a conductive material and is configured to be electrically connected to the developing roller, the developing electrode including a main part and a protruding portion protruding from the main part in the from-first-to-second direction. A detection body is formed of an insulating material and is rotatably supported by the protruding portion, the detection body including a first opening that exposes part of the protruding portion and a covering portion covering part of the protruding portion.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a first gear; a second gear; a cover; a link; and an urging member engaging with the second gear and the link. The second gear is rotatable from a first position to a second position in accordance with the first gear when the second gear engages with the first gear. The link is movable together with rotation of the second gear and pivotally movable relative to the second gear. The link has: a first state where a distal end portion of the link contacts the cover; and a second state where the link pivotally moves relative to the second gear. The first state is provided due to resilient deformation of the urging member in the first position of the second gear. The second state is provided due to a restoring force of the urging member in the second position of the second gear.

Abstract: An image bearing member unit and a developing unit are respectively configured to be attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, the image bearing member unit has a first memory that stores information related to a toner amount during a toner supply in accordance with a use amount of the image bearing member unit, the developing unit has a second memory that stores information related to a toner amount during the toner supply in accordance with a use amount of the developing unit, and a control device controls, during the toner supply, the toner supply with a toner amount based on the information stored in the first memory and the information stored in the second memory.

Abstract: A developing cartridge may include a housing including an outer surface, a small-diameter gear, a large-diameter gear, a first gear, and a moving member. The small-diameter gear may include a first engaging portion positioned on at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the small-diameter gear. The large-diameter gear may be positioned farther from the outer surface than the small-diameter gear from the outer surface. The large-diameter gear may be rotatable together with the small-diameter gear. The first gear may include a second engaging portion, a first end surface, a second end surface, and at least one protrusion. The moving member may include a contact portion configured to move the moving member from one position to another position in a state where the contact portion is in contact with the protrusion.

Abstract: A developer cartridge comprises a first gear. The first gear may include a first protrusion extending in a radial direction of the first gear. The first protrusion may be positioned at a circumference of a column of the first gear. The first protrusion may be spaced apart from a second end face opposite to a first end face facing an exterior surface of a casing configured to accommodate developer therein. The first protrusion may be further from the second end face than a large-diameter gear in an axial direction. A rotational circumference of the first protrusion defined by rotation of the first protrusion and a portion of the large-diameter gear are aligned in the axial direction.

Abstract: A process unit has an image carrying unit having an image carrying member configured to be rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and a developing agent removing member, a developing unit having a developing agent carrying member configured to be rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a waste developing agent collecting unit configured to collect the developing agent removed by the removing member from the image carrying member. The waste developing agent collecting unit is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to the developing unit such that the waste developing agent collecting unit faces the developing unit, and the developing unit is connected to the waste developing agent collecting unit such that the developing unit being movable in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the waste developing agent collecting unit.

Abstract: An erroneous insertion preventing system includes a first cartridge including a first frame provided with a first engaging portion and a first discrimination portion, a second cartridge including a second frame provided with a second discrimination portion, and a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes a movable member provided with a portion-to-be-engaged engageable with the first engaging portion and a regulating portion having a configuration corresponding to the first discrimination portion. The first cartridge is mounted in the main assembly without movement of the first discrimination portion being limited by the regulating portion. In a case that the second cartridge is attempted to be inserted into the main assembly, by insertion of the second cartridge into the main assembly, the regulating portion and the second discrimination portion interfere with each other to prevent mounting of the second cartridge in the main assembly.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to form an image includes a mounting portion on which a container containing toner is mounted, a motor to rotate an agitation member in the container, an electrical circuit to acquire an output value corresponding to electrostaticcapacitance between electrodes of the container and a controller. The controller controls the motor to rotate the agitation member, controls the electrical circuit to acquire the output value, and controls to detect the amount of the toner in the container based on the acquired output value. The controller controls to write predetermined information in a memory of the container where the detected amount is below a predetermined amount. Where the predetermined information is stored in the memory of the container currently mounted on the mounting portion, the controller determines whether the container is a refilled container based on the output value acquired while the agitation member is rotating.

Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing for accommodating developer therein; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one side of the casing in a second direction; a storage medium having an electric contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the casing in the second direction with the electric contact surface between a first position and a second position, the holder having an outer surface at which the electric contact surface is positioned.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a replacement time predicting circuit, a variation determining circuit, and a replacement time adjusting circuit. The replacement time predicting circuit periodically predicts, based on a consumption trend, a replacement time of a consumption article starting from a time when a replacement article is ordered, the replacement time being a time when a non-consumption amount of the consumption article is equal to or less than a specific replacement threshold. The variation determining circuit determines a variation of each later-predicted replacement time from a replacement time that is predicted when the replacement article is ordered, each later-predicted replacement time being predicted after the replacement article is ordered. The replacement time adjusting circuit, in response to the variation determined by the variation determining circuit, changes the consumption trend of the consumption article so as to reduce or eliminate the variation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body casing having a front side wall having a plurality of cartridge ports and a tray port, each of the plurality of cartridge ports extending in a first direction and being aligned in a second direction; a reading scanner unit provided above the main body casing; and a sheet discharging unit configured to discharge a sheet and positioned between an upper side wall of the main body and the reading scanner unit. The apparatus further includes a sheet feeding unit positioned below a door provided on the front side wall; a plurality of toner cartridges which are attached to the plurality of cartridge ports; and a plurality of photosensitive drums being detached from the main body casing in the second direction, each of the plurality of toner cartridges being spaced apart from the plurality of photosensitive drums in a third direction.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction of the developing roller, a casing having an outer surface positioned at one end of the casing in the axial direction, an electrode electrically connected to the developing roller and positioned at the outer surface, the electrode extending in the axial direction, a gear, a protrusion, and an adapter having an electric conductivity and detachably attachable to the electrode, the adapter being electrically connected to the electrode in a state where the adapter is attached to the electrode. A total length of the electrode and the adapter in the axial direction in the state where the adapter is attached to the electrode is greater than a length in the axial direction of the electrode in a state where the adapter is detached from the electrode.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus having a lubricant application apparatus applying lubricant to an image carrier in an image former, in which the lubricant application apparatus includes: a lubricant stick; an application member disposed on an upstream side in an advancing direction of the image carrier surface with respect to a cleaning apparatus pressing lubricant supplied to the image carrier to form a film, supplying lubricant scraped off from the lubricant stick to the image carrier, and removing residual toner adhering to the image carrier; and a recovery member in contact with the application member, and recovering toner adhering to the application member, and the image formation apparatus includes a hardware processor controlling a lubricant amount on the image carrier by changing each of removability of residual toner on the image carrier by the application member, and recoverability of residual toner on the application member by the recovery member.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an attachment mechanism to which an attachment unit is detachably attachable and a processor. The processor is configured to perform a determination operation to determine whether or not an attachment unit attached to the attachment mechanism is of a specific type, and transmit a determination result of the determination operation.

Abstract: Identification information of a toner bottle recorded in an IC chip is included in a toner bottle. When information on remaining amount of toner is successful, a printing apparatus notifies a management server with identification information of the toner bottle and information on remaining amount of toner, obtains toner usage amount used in printing processing according to an execution of printing processing based on print job, and updates information on remaining amount recorded in the IC chip according to usage amount. When reading of information of the IC chip fails, updating of information on remaining amount recorded in the IC chip, according to usage amount of toner used in printing processing according to execution of printing processing based on print job, which is received when the reading fails, is suppressed. Notification including information indicating the reading has failed as the information on remaining amount is transmitted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a formation unit configured to form an image by using a plurality of cartridges that are detachable from the image forming apparatus, each cartridge having a storage unit and a member for forming the image; and a control unit configured to set an image forming condition for image formation. The control unit reads identification information from each storage unit of at least two cartridges out of the plurality of cartridges, the identification information indicating a version of a corresponding cartridge, and the control unit sets the image forming condition based on a combination of versions of the at least two cartridges.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that carries a toner image; a developing part that accommodates two-component developer containing toner and a carrier, and supplies the toner to the image carrier; a transferor that transfers the toner image on the image carrier onto paper; a cleaning member that removes the toner remaining on the image carrier; and a hardware processor that controls toner discharge operation in the developing part according to a toner discharge condition, in which the hardware processor sets the toner discharge condition so that a replacement time of the cleaning member overlaps with a replacement time of another consumable.

Abstract: A secondary transfer portion includes a transfer roller, a fixing member, a movable member, and a detector. The transfer roller is configured to rotate about an axis thereof when the secondary transfer portion is attached to an apparatus body. The fixing member is fixed to the axial end portion of the transfer roller. The movable member is caught on the fixing member. The detector is configured to indicate different detection states depending on a position of the movable member. The fixing member and the movable member are connected to each other through a guide mechanism (a guide groove and a guide protrusion) that is configured to move the movable member in an axial direction of the transfer roller. The movable member is moved to a detection position of the detector by rotation of the transfer roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect an object within a predetermined range, a storage unit that stores information about the detected object, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the sensor to detect the object when the image forming apparatus is in a first mode, and in response to the detection of the object, store the information indicating that the object is detected. In response to transition from the first mode to a second mode in which power consumption is higher than the first mode, when the information indicates that the object is detected, the controller performs authentication of a developer cartridge attached to the image forming apparatus, and when the information does not indicate that the object is detected, the controller skips the authentication of the developer cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms an image on a recording medium, includes: a belt which is endless and rotationally driven; a drive roller which is wound around the belt to rotationally drive the belt; a position detector which is arranged along an axial direction of the drive roller to detect deviation of the belt; a steering roller which is wound around the belt and corrects the deviation of the belt detected by the position detector; and a controller which controls the steering roller, wherein the controller determines a deterioration state of the belt based on a change amount linked with change of a friction coefficient of the belt until a predetermined period elapses after starting use of the belt.

Abstract: A processor causes a transmission circuit to output a carrier signal intermittently. Each time the carrier signal is output, the processor determines whether or not a level of a detection signal is in a satisfactory state. In a first case where the level of the detection signal is determined to be in the satisfactory state, the processor performs a read control to cause the transmission circuit to perform a precharge process and a transmission process. In a second case where the level of the detection signal is not determined to be in the satisfactory state, the processor determines that the unit attachment portion is in a unit non-attachment state. In the first case, when the processor succeeds in identifying the developer information, the processor determines that the unit attachment portion is in a unit attachment state, and otherwise, determines that the unit attachment portion is in an exceptional state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner supply section, an image forming section, a touch panel, a determining section, a calculating section, and a display section. The determining section determines whether a toner container mounted to the toner supply section is a first container or a second container which differs from the first container. The calculating section calculates a consumption amount of toner consumed for the image forming section to form an image on paper when the determining section determines that the toner container is the second container. The display section displays a ratio of a second consumption amount to a first consumption amount on the touch panel. The first consumption amount is a consumption amount of the toner when the toner container is the first container. The second consumption amount is a consumption amount of the toner when the toner container is the second container.

Abstract: An engagement part fitted in an outer package of an ink cartridge is provided with: a fit-in rib which is provided at a circumferential edge on a rear side and which serves as a guide upon engagement with an opening of the outer package; an engagement rib provided upright at the circumferential edge of the engagement hole in the same direction as a direction of the fit-in rib; and a bonding region for bonding a communication tag that performs near field radio communication with a printer. A tag-removing hole which is formed in the bonding region and which is to be removed from a bonding surface side of the communication tag with a bar-like member inserted is formed in a formation region as the bonding region located in a first quadrant and a fourth quadrant in an orthogonal coordinate system.

Abstract: One example discloses a peripheral supply component. The peripheral supply component includes a supply item to provide resources on an installed peripheral component, wherein the supply item is a consumable, upgradable, or replacement component on the installed peripheral component. An encoded component is installed with the supply item, wherein the encoded component is employed to generate a message event related to the peripheral component.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a recognition tag is an electronic tag in which recognition information is recorded in advance. A displacement mechanism holds a displacement portion at a first position so as to make a communication access from a tag reader to a recognition tag possible in a case where a replenishment unit is not attached to a unit attachment portion, and holds the displacement portion at a second position so as to make the communication access from the tag reader to the recognition tag impossible in a case where the replenishment unit is attached to the unit attachment portion. The state determining portion determines a state from among a unit attachment state, a unit non-attachment state, and an exceptional state based on information obtained via the tag reader.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To register a device driver in the kernel of an operating system by means of a method simpler than conventional methods. [Solution] The device driver is registered in an operating system kernel using a notification driver, which is provided with a driver interface for notifying the operating system kernel of device setting information, and a scenario sequence file, in which device setting information is described which includes device parameters, including configuration structure information about the device, and an execution script for determining the operations of the device. By loading the scenario sequence file into the notification driver, the device driver is registered in the operating system kernel by means of the device interface.