Patent ID: 6991308
Filing Date: 2006-01-31
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image formation device, comprising: a new process cartridge detecting unit that detects when a new process cartridge is set; an initialization unit that performs an initialization of the set new process cartridge when the new process cartridge detecting unit detects the new process cartridge; an initialization flag storage that stores an initialization flag that indicates an initialization stats of the new process cartridge; an initialization flag setting unit that controls and sets the initialization flag in the initialization flag storing unit; and a new product determination unit that counts a total number of times the new process cartridge detecting unit detects the new process cartridge plus next new process cartridges, wherein when a count in the new product determination unit is equal to zero, the initialization flag indicates non-initialization of the new process cartridge, and wherein when the count in the new product determination unit is equal to or greater than one, the initialization flag setting unit sets the initialization flag to indicate non-initialization when the new process cartridge detecting unit has detected the new process cartridge, maintains the initialization flag to indicate non-initialization when the initialization of the new process cartridge is being performed by the initialization unit, and sets the initialization flag to indicate initialization completion when the initialization of the new process cartridge has been completed normally by the initialization unit.