Patent ID: 7941061
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a body, to which a plurality of image forming cartridges containing developers are attachable, the body including: a body portion including an opening though which the plurality of image forming cartridges are exposed to outside; a cover portion which is coupled to the body portion and is capable of covering the opening; and an open/close detecting unit configured to detect open and close states of the cover portion; and a communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of non-contact tags associated with the plurality of image forming cartridges, respectively, wherein the communication device includes: wherein the communication device is configured such that one of the antennas is configured to wirelessly communicate with the non-contact tag of the corresponding one of the image forming cartridges and a non-contact tag associated with an external device, wherein the communication device includes a first mode of communicating with the plurality of non-contact tags associated with the plurality of image forming cartridges and a second mode of communicating with the non-contact tag associated with the external device, and wherein the communication device switches to the first mode at least when the image forming apparatus is powered on or when the open/close detecting unit detects a state change of the cover portion from the open state to the close state.