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

Claim 9:
10. An image forming system comprising:
an image forming apparatus; and
a communication device configured to communicate with the image forming apparatus via a network,
the 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 comprising 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;
a controller; and
a communication interface,
the controller being configured to control the communication interface to communicate with the communication device via the network;
the controller being configured to determine, based on the information stored in the replaceable part memory, whether allowing an extended use of the replaceable part or restricting the extended use of the replaceable part and transmit, based on the life information, order information via the communication interface to the communication device to order a new 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.