Patent ID: 7113720
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions, comprising: setting a trial using mode to a main body of the image forming apparatus for limiting a use frequency of a network printer function among the plurality of functions; executing a printer operation according to an image signal input from a computer when a print instruction is input to the main body from the computer via a network in the state that a print enable key is not inserted to the main body; finishing the trial using mode of the network print function when a number of times printing reaches the limited use frequency in correspondence with the print operation; judging whether the print enable key is inserted to the main body or not; and permitting subsequent use of the network print function when it is judged that the print enable key is inserted to the main body after the end of the trial using mode and a code read from the print enable key coincides with an identification code intrinsic to the main body.