Patent ID: 11934144
Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 0:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
an apparatus body;
a toner cartridge detachably attachable to the apparatus body;
a replaceable part detachably attachable to the apparatus body and for use with the toner cartridge in an image formation, the replaceable part including a replaceable part memory storing information therein;
an apparatus body memory storing life information indicating remaining life of the replaceable part attached to the apparatus body; and
a controller configured to determine, based on the information stored in the replaceable part memory, whether restricting an extended use of the replaceable part or allowing the extended use of the replaceable part, the extended use being defined as use of the replaceable part even after the replaceable part exceeds the remaining life indicated by the life information stored in the apparatus body memory, the information stored in the replaceable part memory indicating whether the extended use of the replaceable part should be allowed or restricted.