Patent ID: 6266492
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:a main body having a storing section for storing a random number;an expendable member for use in forming an image, removably mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, the expendable member being provided with a storing section in which information specific thereto is previously stored: andcontrol means for judging whether or not an expendable member mounted to the image forming apparatus main body is proper, based on the specific information,wherein, when an expendable member is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body, the control means judges the expendable member as being proper, the control means generates a random number, which random number is then stored in the main body storing section and the storing section of the expendable member, anda subsequent judgment of an expendable member mounted to the image forming apparatus main body is first carried out by checking a match of random numbers of the main body storing section and expendable member storing section by the control means, and in the case where the random number of the expendable member storing section matches with the random number of the main body storing section, the expendable member is judged as being proper for the image forming apparatus.