Patent ID: 8761618
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus capable of counting use of components in the apparatus and managing the counted number of uses as counter information, the image forming apparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to store in a storage device counter information, identification information about a related different component in the apparatus, a count-up condition, and setting information indicating whether the counter information may be provided external to the image forming apparatus, in association with identification information about each of a plurality of components whose counter information is to be managed; an input unit configured to receive an input for newly adding a component whose counter information is to be managed; a registration unit configured to register in the storage device identification information about a new component to be included in the input, the identification information about the related different component in the apparatus, and the count-up condition based on the input; and a provision unit configured to provide, external to the image forming apparatus, counter information whose setting information stored in the storage device indicates that the counter information may be provided externally, wherein the registration unit is configured to, based on the input, register the counter information about the different component and the setting information indicating that the counter information may be provided externally, in association with identification information about a new component, when the identification information about the related different component in the apparatus included in the input is stored in the storage device and the count-up condition for the stored different component matches a count-up condition included in the input.