Patent ID: 11868667
Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Field: Computer technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 8:
9. A server communicable with an image forming apparatus,
the server comprising a controller comprising a circuit, the controller configured to execute:
transmitting a first instruction from the server to the image forming apparatus to switch the print permission mode in the image forming apparatus from inactive to active in a case where a remaining amount decrease notification indicating that the amount of remaining coloring agent is equal to or less than a dispatch threshold is received from the image forming apparatus,
in a state in which the image forming apparatus is set to a contract mode for the image forming apparatus for which a service contract is made and in which a print permission mode for permitting printing with the image forming apparatus even in a case where it is determined that an amount of remaining coloring agent contained in a cartridge mounted to the image forming apparatus is a state in which the cartridge is to be replaced is inactive;
wherein the server further includes a server memory configured to store number-of-days information indicating a number of days from receipt of the remaining amount decrease notification is received from the image forming apparatus, and
wherein the controller is configured to execute the switching in a case where the number of days is less than a first threshold.