Patent ID: 7711274
Filing Date: 2010-05-04
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus configured to communicate with a management server for managing shipping status information on a consumable, comprising: a receiving device configured to receive an arrival time of the consumable from the management server; a calculating device configured to calculate a time when the consumable is used up and needs to be replenished; a saving mode shifting device configured to shift to a mode of saving the consumable; a determining device configured to determine at predetermined time intervals whether the consumable save mode should be turned on or off, until the arrival and replacement of the consumable; and a display device configured to display a saving mode shift setting screen for allowing a user to select whether to automatically shift to the mode of saving the consumable by the saving mode shifting device, if it is expected that the arrival time of the consumable received by the receiving device is later than the time when the consumable needs to be replenished calculated by the calculating device, wherein the saving mode shifting device automatically shifts to the mode of saving the consumable, if it is expected that the arrival time of the consumable received by the receiving device is later than the time when the consumable needs to be replenished calculated by the calculating device and the user selects to shift to the mode of saving the consumable from the saving mode shift setting screen displayed by the display device.