Image forming apparatus, consumable item management system and computer-readable medium
US8275271B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/553
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a prediction unit, an inquiry unit and a request unit. The inquiry unit judges whether or not the prediction unit deals with a type of a consumable item used in image formation processing. The request unit transmits use history information to a consumable item management apparatus and requests the consumable item management apparatus to predict a remaining usable period of the consumable item when the inquiry unit judges the prediction unit does not deal with the type of the consumable item in the image formation processing. The use history information indicates a use history of the consumable item. The prediction unit predicts the remaining usable period of the consumable item using the use history information in the image formation processing when the inquiry unit judges the first prediction unit deals with the type of the consumable item used in image formation processing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.