Patent ID: 8184996
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body including an image forming engine for performing image forming operation; a first RFID tag storing attribute information; a second RFID tag storing attribute information including maintenance mode startup information; a toner cartridge detachably mounted in said apparatus body, said toner cartridge being fitted with said first RFID tag; a card key mountable to said apparatus body under condition where said toner cartridge is removed from said apparatus body, said card key being fitted with said second RFID tag; an RFID tag interface through which the attribute information is read out from said first and second RFID tags, said RFID tag interface communicating with said first RFID tag under a condition where said toner cartridge is mounted in said apparatus body and communicating with said second RFID tag under a condition where said card key is mounted in said apparatus body; a controller for controlling said image forming engine according to the attribute information read out through said RFID tag interface; and a mode switcher for switching said image forming apparatus from an image forming mode which enables execution of the image forming operation to a maintenance mode which enables execution of maintenance operation; wherein said mode switcher enables a transfer from the image forming mode to the maintenance mode if the maintenance mode startup information is detected in the attribute information read out through said RFID tag interface.