Patent Publication Number: US-8526834-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus, replacement toner cartridge management apparatus, replacement toner cartridge management system, replacement toner cartridge management method, and recording medium

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-169875 filed on Jul. 28, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a replacement toner cartridge management apparatus, and a replacement toner cartridge management system which manage replacement toner cartridges to be loaded in place of toner cartridges loaded on an image forming apparatus; a replacement toner cartridge management method; a recording medium having a fuser control program stored thereon to make a computer of the image forming apparatus execute processing; and a recording medium having a replacement toner cartridge management program stored thereon to make a computer of the replacement toner cartridge management apparatus implement the replacement toner cartridge management method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The following description sets forth the inventor&#39;s knowledge of related art and problems therein and should not be construed as an admission of knowledge in the prior art. 
     Conventionally, if the remaining consumable resource in a consumable unit loaded on an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copier, an electrophotographic printer, or an electrophotographic multifunctional machine called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), for example, the amount of remaining toner in a toner cartridge is lower than a predetermined level, the image forming apparatus determines that the toner cartridge will run out of toner in a short time (the toner cartridge is nearly empty) and displays a message stating that the toner cartridge is nearly empty on a display panel provided thereon so that the user can notice it. Noticing this message, the user prepares a replacement toner cartridge, or places an order for a replacement toner cartridge if not having it in stock. 
     Meanwhile, in recent years, an image forming apparatus which is connected with a management apparatus to exchange information with has been more commonly used in a remote management system (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-297969). In many cases, a retailer of image forming apparatuses or a provider of office supplies have their own management apparatus in their own place, in order to collect, store, and manage for their business, various types of information including toner near empty information from a plurality of image forming apparatuses in their users&#39; places. Being connected with the image forming apparatuses, the management apparatus is capable of recognizing a nearly empty toner cartridge or a new toner cartridge. 
     In some cases, the management apparatus is further connected with an order receiving apparatus receiving orders for a replacement toner cartridge (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-271231). In such a case, the management apparatus further transmits an order to the order receiving apparatus, so that a replacement toner cartridge will be delivered to the user. In other words, this is exactly a system to automatically deliver replacement toner cartridges to users while they need not bother to place an order for them. 
     As for a fuser which fuses toner to a sheet of paper or the like, the induction heating method (IH method) has drawn considerable attention for its capability of rapid heating and highly-efficient heating, receiving requirements for reducing the time required for warm-up and energy consumption. To explain an ordinary fuser using the induction heating method, a fuser portion (such as a roller or a belt) heated by an electromagnetic induction coil and a pressure portion (such as a roller) are pressed against each other and a nip area is created between these portions. And a sheet of paper carrying toner thereon goes through the nip area to have the toner fused and firmly fixed thereon. 
     Such an ordinary fuser using the induction heating method is provided with a resonance circuit consisting of an inductive coil and a capacitor connected to each other (for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-043965). And the alternating-current power of one frequency from a commercial power supply is converted into the alternating-current power of another frequency by an inverter circuit, then is applied to the resonance circuit. By exciting the inductive coil in this way, the hot portion is heated. 
     An image forming apparatus employing such an induction heating (IH) fusing method performs the fuser temperature control by controlling the power input to an induction heating (IH) fuser heater. The power input to the IH fuser heater is reduced depending on the use of the user operating the image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus operates at high speed with power from one outlet, the power input to the IH fuser heater is sometimes reduced because the maximum input power is limited to 15 A according to the regulation in Japan. 
     The following are the cases in which the power input to the IH fuser heater is restricted and enough power for the fusing process cannot be reached. 
     [1] The fuser can be hardly heated under the circumstances with low temperature and low humidity. 
     [2] A particular type of paper which takes much amount of heat from the fuser is used for making copies or many copies are made with a high ratio of B (black) to W (white). 
     [3] The fuser, not yet heated enough is used for the first time for the day, for continuously making copies. 
     [4] A plurality of options requiring rather much power (finisher, ADF, and the like) are installed on the image forming apparatus, and some of them are running at the same time. (For example, while sheets of paper are continuously read by the ADF, the printed sheets are stapled by the finisher). 
     When the power input to the fuser is reduced in the cases as described above, an amount of heat high enough to fuse toner to a sheet of paper is not obtained, and thus a permanent image cannot be perfectly created thereon because of bad fusing. To prevent such a possible trouble, conventionally, the interval between sheets of paper is set longer than normal or the print operation is temporarily stopped, by quality keeping control. However, such a solution involving the control operation may cause another trouble; the productivity of printing may decrease to lower than a standard level, which is penalizing users. 
     On the other hand, for recent years, low-melting-point toner requiring a fuser temperature much lower than the conventional type of toner has been developed and just been started to be applied to practical use. Requiring a lower fuser temperature, the low-melting-point toner can contribute to the image forming apparatus&#39;s reducing the time required for warm-up and energy consumption. The low-melting-point toner also may contribute to reducing the frequency of or eliminating the reduction of the input power. However, having not yet been commonly used, the low-melting-point toner still costs more than the ordinary toner. 
     Furthermore, when the power input to the IH fuser heater is reduced, the productivity of printing easily or hardly decreases depending on the user, i.e. the use, printing conditions, and the location of the image forming apparatus as described above. Users who rarely encounter the case of the decrease in productivity due to the reduction of the input power would not need to use the low-melting-point toner because a permanent image can be perfectly created even with the ordinary toner. 
     Therefore, it would be better to select either the ordinary toner or the low-melting-point toner depending on the use of the user operating the image forming apparatus. 
     Using multiple types of toner cartridges, the image forming apparatus needs to identify them to perform the fuser temperature control accordingly. 
     Furthermore, there is an idea of loading an information recording medium such as a memory chip on a toner cartridge; writing information such as a type of toner contained in the toner cartridge on the memory chip; then adding to the body of the image forming apparatus a feature to access the memory chip, in order to allow the image forming apparatus to perform control perfectly with a consideration of the characteristics of toner by reading out data from the memory chip. To the contrary, more types of toner cartridges recently do not have a memory chip inside for the saving on the costs of toner cartridges. Therefore, another method of identifying the type of the toner in a toner cartridge based on the toner characteristics is required. 
     Meanwhile, if the image forming apparatus uses multiple types of toner, the following are possible troubles. 
     [1] A Toner Cartridge Containing a Certain Type of Toner is Replaced with a New One Containing a Different Type of Toner 
     Since different types of toner with different characteristics (which require different optimal fuser temperatures) are mixed in a development unit, and the optimal fuser temperature is changed depending on, the ratio of the ordinary toner to the low-melting-point toner in the development unit.
 
[2] Different Colors and Types of Toner are Contained in the Toner Cartridges in a Color Image Forming Apparatus
 
When some of the toner cartridges uses the ordinary toner while the other ones uses the low-melting-point toner, the optimal fuser temperature is changed depending on the proportion of the colors of the toner transferred to paper.
 
[3] The Case [1] Combined with the Case [2]
 
In this case, the trouble is more complicated.
 
     As described above, it is effective to use multiple types of toner and perform the fuser temperature control, which still leaves some troubles unresolved. 
     The description herein of advantages and disadvantages of various features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed in other publications is in no way intended to limit the present invention. Indeed, certain features of the invention may be capable of overcoming certain disadvantages, while still retaining some or all of the features, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed therein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus is provided with: 
     an obtainer which obtains first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; 
     a determiner which determines the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the first information obtained by the obtainer, based on the second information also obtained by the obtainer; 
     an output portion which outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner; 
     a detector which detects a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon; and 
     a fusing processor which performs a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the detector&#39;s detected new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction outputted by the output portion. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, a replacement toner cartridge management apparatus is provided with: 
     an obtainer which obtains from one or more than one image forming apparatus which the replacement toner cartridge management apparatus can access via a communication circuit, first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; 
     a determiner which determines the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the first information obtained by the obtainer, based on the second information also obtained by the obtainer; 
     an output portion which outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner; and 
     a transmitter which transmits information indicating that delivery has been arranged, to the image forming apparatus, so that the image forming apparatus can perform a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction outputted by the output portion. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention, a replacement toner cartridge management system is provided with one or more than one image forming apparatus and a management apparatus which can access each other via a communication circuit, wherein: 
     the image forming apparatus is provided with:
         a transmitter which transmits first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming;       

     the management apparatus is provided with:
         an obtainer which obtains the first information and the second information;   a determiner which determines the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the first information obtained by the obtainer, based on the second information also obtained by the obtainer;   an output portion which outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner; and   a transmitter which transmits information indicating that delivery has been arranged, to the image forming apparatus; and       

     the image forming apparatus is further provided with:
         a detector which detects a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon; and   an identification portion which identifies the type of a replacement toner cartridge delivered, from the information received from the transmitter of the management apparatus; and   a fusing processor which performs a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the detector&#39;s detected new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction outputted by the output portion of the management apparatus.       

     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium has a fuser control program stored thereon to make a computer of an image forming apparatus execute: 
     obtaining first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded on the image forming apparatus or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; 
     determining the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the obtained first information, based on the obtained second information; 
     outputting an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the determined type; 
     detecting a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon; and 
     performing a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the detected new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a replacement toner cartridge management method for a replacement toner cartridge management system provided with one or more than one image forming apparatus and a management apparatus which can access each other via a communication circuit, includes: 
     the image forming apparatus&#39;s:
         transmitting first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; the management apparatus&#39;s:   obtaining the first information and the second information;   determining the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the obtained first information, based on the obtained second information;   outputting an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the determined type; and   transmitting information indicating that delivery has been arranged, to the image forming apparatus; and       

     the image forming apparatus&#39;s:
         detecting a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon;   identifying the type of a replacement toner cartridge delivered, from the information received from the management apparatus; and   performing a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the detected new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction.       

     According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium has a replacement toner cartridge management program stored thereon to make a computer of a replacement toner cartridge management apparatus execute: 
     obtaining from one or more than one image forming apparatus which the management apparatus can access via a communication circuit, first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded on the image forming apparatus or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; 
     determining the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the obtained first information, based on the obtained second information; 
     outputting an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the determined type; and 
     transmitting information indicating that delivery has been arranged, so that the image forming apparatus can perform a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction. 
     The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments can combine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed as limiting other embodiments or the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a configuration of a replacement toner cartridge management system according to one mode of implementing the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus employed in the replacement toner cartridge management system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view to explain a feature of the image forming apparatus to feed toner in a sub-hopper from a toner cartridge; 
         FIG. 4  is a view to explain a feature of the image forming apparatus to feed toner in a development device from the sub-hopper; 
         FIG. 5  is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of a feature to measure toner concentration; 
         FIG. 6  is a view to explain a fuser; 
         FIG. 7  is another view to explain the fuser; 
         FIG. 8  is a table illustrating the controlled power necessary to eliminate the difference between the fuser temperature actually sensed by the fuser temperature sensor and the optimal (target) fuser temperature; 
         FIG. 9  is a table illustrating the amount of IH (Induction Heating) power to be reduced based on the AD value on the current monitor of the 24V power supply; 
         FIG. 10  is a table illustrating the optimal level of productivity based on the optimal (target) fuser temperature; 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller of the image forming apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a replacement toner cartridge management apparatus; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart representing a processing routine to detect an empty toner cartridge; 
         FIG. 14  is a view to explain an example of an alert message displayed on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 15  is a table illustrating the statuses depending on remaining toner level; 
         FIG. 16  is a view to explain the overview of the procedure to determine the right type of replacement toner cartridge; output a delivery instruction; have a delivered replacement toner cartridge loaded on the image forming apparatus; and start the implementation of the fuser temperature control, which is executed by the replacement toner cartridge management system according to the mode of embodied implementation; 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart representing a processing routine to count how many times the productivity has been decreased, to determine the right type of replacement toner cartridge based on; 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart representing a processing routine to execute the procedure of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart representing a processing routine to determine the right type of replacement toner cartridge; 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart representing a processing routine to change the optimal (target) fuser temperature; and 
         FIG. 21  is a table illustrating the optimal (target) fuser temperature depending on the cumulative amount of toner fed from a new toner cartridge. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following paragraphs, some preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example and not limitation. It should be understood based on this disclosure that various other modifications can be made by those in the art based on these illustrated embodiments. 
     Hereinafter, one mode of implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of a replacement toner cartridge management system according to one mode of implementing the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , this management system is basically provided with one or more than one image forming apparatus  51  and a management server  50 , which are connected to each other via a communication circuit such as Internet. The management server  50  is further connected to an order receiving server  52  via the Internet or the like. 
     The management server  50  is ordinarily provided in a service center or the like taking care of the image forming apparatuses  51  to manage information of the image forming apparatuses  51  by user accounts. More specifically, by communicating with the image forming apparatuses  51 , the management server  50  monitors the remaining toner level(s) of a single toner cartridge containing one color toner or multiple toner cartridges containing different color toner that is a consumable resource, loaded on the image forming apparatuses  51 , and also monitors if there is a replacement toner cartridge(s) for the toner cartridge(s) in stock. The image management server  50  further manages billing transactions and maintenance issues by collecting billing information such as number of prints and trouble information from the image forming apparatuses  51 . 
     Users may use different types of image forming apparatuses; the image forming apparatuses  51  may be of different types. For example, the image forming apparatuses  51  may be printers, full-color copiers, monochrome copiers, and the like. Therefore, the image forming apparatuses  51  may load four toner cartridges containing the four color toner: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), or only one toner cartridge containing the one color toner, black (K). 
     Furthermore, by monitoring unique uses and use patterns of the users, the management server  50  remotely controls the image forming apparatuses  51  for perfect performance based on settings and the like of the image forming apparatuses  51  stored on its own recording medium. The setting information of the image forming apparatuses  51  is integrally managed by the management server  50 ; it therefore can be changed by the management server  50  quite easily even if some of the image forming apparatuses  51  are located in remote areas. 
     The image forming apparatuses  51  and the management server  50  exchange information with each other, for example by e-mails via the Internet network. 
     Being connected to the order receiving server  52  as described above, the management server  50  can output a delivery instruction to the order receiving server  52 , based on toner cartridge replacement information from an image forming apparatus  51 , which indicates a toner cartridge has been replaced with a new one, or a notice such as toner near empty information, which indicates that the remaining amount of toner reaches a predetermined value, so that the order receiving server  52  will arrange for the delivery and the user will receive a replacement toner cartridge automatically delivered without the need for placing an order for it. 
       FIG. 2  is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus  51 . In this example, a tandem color printer is employed as the image forming apparatus  51 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus  51  has a paper feeder  200  in the lower area of the body  51 A, a color image former  100  in the middle area of the body  51 A, and a paper discharger  600  in the upper area of the body  51 A, respectively. A paper conveyance path  206  conveying toward the upper area, paper (a sheet of paper) S provided by the paper feeder  200  is extended all the way from the paper feeder  200  to the paper discharger  600 . 
     The color image former  100  includes: a driving roller  40  and a driven roller  50  provided in the middle area of the vertical direction of the body  51 A; a midway transfer belt  30  horizontally going around a group of the driving roller  40  and the driven roller  50  to run toward the direction indicated by arrow; and image forming units  10 Y,  10 M,  10 C, and  10 K containing yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner, respectively, provided along the belt&#39;s running direction. 
     Toner images formed by the image forming units  10 Y,  10 M,  10 C, and  10 K are layered together and transferred onto the transfer belt  30 . In the second transfer process, the merged toner images are further transferred on the paper S passing through the corner of the transfer belt  30  (on the extreme right of the body) via the paper conveyance path  206 ; the sheet S is conveyed to a fuser  300  to have the merged toner images fixed thereon. 
     The image forming units  10 Y,  10 M,  10 C, and  10 K forming images by the electrostatic copy method is provided with: a charger; a print head  21  including four laser diodes, a polygon mirror, a scanner lens, and the like; an exposure unit  20  including four reflection mirrors  22  and the like; development devices  9 Y,  9 M,  9 C, and  9 K; photoreceptor drums  11 Y,  11 M,  11 C, and  11 K; a transfer portion; and the like, which are all located in the vicinity of the image forming units themselves. 
     Above the image forming units  10 Y,  10 M,  10 C, and  10 K, toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K and sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K are provided as a supplier feature which feeds toner in the development devices  9 Y,  9 M,  9 C, and  9 K of the image forming units  10 Y,  10 M,  10 C, and  10 K, respectively. 
     The toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K are removably loaded on the body  51 A so as to be replaced with new ones when need. The toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K have a fuse attached thereto but not illustrated in this drawing; the body  51 A detects an unused state of the toner cartridges when their fuses are conductive, and releases the unused state when the fuses are cut out. In other words, cutting the fuses, the toner cartridges are recognized as new ones having been loaded. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a portion with the number  400  is a communicator communicating with external machines, and a portion with the number  500  is an operation panel provided with a set of keys and a display. 
       FIG. 3  is a view to explain a feature to feed toner in the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K from the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K, respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K are loaded on the body  51 A, the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K open shutters on their top to receive toner from the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K. 
     The toner cartridge  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K have a spiral spring  71  inside, and feed toner in the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K, respectively, by having their spiral springs  71  rotated by stepper motors (also referred to as cartridge motors)  72 . 
     There provided two stepper motors  72  for the four spiral springs  71 ; one of the two works for the toner cartridges  70 Y and  70 M, and the other one works for the toner cartridges  70 C and  70 K. An even number of gears  73  are arranged between an inlet valve of the toner cartridges  70 Y and  70 C and an inlet valve for the toner cartridges  70 K and  70 M; when the stepper motors  72  perform normal rotation, the spiral springs  71  of the toner cartridges  70 Y and  70 C are properly rotated while the spiral springs  71  of the toner cartridges  70 K and  70 M are rotated idle, and when the stepper motors  72  perform reverse rotation, the spiral springs  71  of the toner cartridges  70 Y and  70 C are rotated idle while the spiral springs  71  of the toner cartridges  70 K and  70 M are properly rotated. Switching the stepper motors  72  between normal rotation and reverse rotation determines whether or not to allow the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K to feed toner. 
       FIG. 4  is a view to explain a feature to feed toner in the development devices  9 Y,  9 M,  9 C, and  9 K from the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , there provided one stepper motor (also referred to as sub-hopper motor)  81  for each of the sub-hoppers, the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  81 K. 
     The sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K feed toner in the development devices  9 Y,  9 M,  9 C, and  9 K, respectively, by having paddles  82  and spiral rollers  83  inside of themselves rotated by the sub-hopper motors  81 . The remaining toner levels of the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K are detected by a toner empty sensor (piezoelectric sensor)  84 . 
       FIG. 5  is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of a feature to measure toner concentration. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the development devices  9 Y,  9 M,  9 C, and  9 K is filled with developing agent (toner and carrier); the developing agent in the development devices  9 Y,  9 M,  9 C, and  9 K is stirred by a Mylar plastic fin  92  attached to a motor-driven screw agitator  91 . While the developing agent in the periphery of a toner concentration sensor  93  provided on the bottom of the development devices  9 Y,  9 M,  9 C, and  9 K is stirred by the Mylar plastic fin  92 , new developing agent is let in the periphery of the toner concentration sensor  93 . In other words, the developing agent in the periphery of the toner concentration sensor  93  is replaced with new one every other turn (ripple) of the screw agitator  91 . 
     The toner concentration sensor  93  is a TCR sensor (magnetic sensor), for example. The toner concentration sensor  93  measures the toner concentration of the developing agent by reading out the magnetic permeability of iron included in the carrier of a unit volume of the developing agent in the periphery of the toner concentration sensor  93 . That is, the higher a converted value (10-bit resolution) of an analog signal read out by the toner concentration sensor  93  is, the lower the toner concentration is. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are views to explain the fuser  300 . 
     The fuser  300  is provided with a fuser roller  1  for fusing, a pressure roller  2  for applying pressure, an electromagnetic induction coil  3 , and a temperature sensor  4  for sensing temperatures. The fuser roller  1 , the pressure roller  2 , the electromagnetic induction coil  3 , and the temperature sensor  4  are mounted at the specified positions on the body of the fuser  300  such as a frame not illustrated in this Figure. 
     The fuser roller  1  and the pressure roller  2  are brought into close contact with each other and pressed against each other by a biasing portion such as a spring not illustrated in this Figure, in order to create a nip area  5  to let paper  6  go through. In case of a paper jam, the pressure roller  2  can be removed to resolve the trouble, although the electromagnetic induction coil  3  and the fuser roller  2  cannot. Meanwhile, the fuser roller  1  and the pressure roller  2  can be replaced with new ones when they are too old, although the electromagnetic induction coil  3  cannot. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the fuser roller  1 , the pressure roller  2 , the electromagnetic induction coil  2 , and the temperature sensor  4  are mounted on the frame. The fuser roller  1  is rotated by a driving source (such as a motor) not illustrated in this Figure, in the direction indicated by the Arrow a (in the anti-clockwise direction), and the pressure roller  2  is rotated with the motion in the direction indicated by Arrow b (in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 6 ). In the fusing process, the paper  6  carrying toner  9  on one side thereof  6   a  is conveyed upwardly through the nip area  5  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . By the fusing process, the toner  9  is fused and firmly fixed on the paper  6 . 
     The fuser roller  1  is a cored iron bar having thereon a layer of Si (silicone) sponge rubber with the thickness of 5 mm; a layer of Ni—Cr (nickel-chromium) alloy with the thickness of 50 μm; a layer of Si rubber with the thickness of 1 mm; and a superficial layer of PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer) with the thickness of 20 μm. The pressure roller  2  is a cored iron bar having thereon a layer of Si foam rubber with the thickness of 5 mm and a superficial layer of PFA with the thickness of 30 μm. 
     The electromagnetic induction coil  3 , which is curved along and positioned near the outer peripheral surface of the fuser roller  1 , directly heats the layer of Ni—Cr alloy included in the fuser roller  1  by electromagnetic induction effects. More specifically, the electromagnetic induction coil  3  is provided with a lead wound several times just like layers formed thereon, and while supported by a ferrite core and a ferrite core holder, the wound lead is curved along and positioned near the outer peripheral surface of the fuser roller  1 . And the magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetic induction coil  3  is applied to a magnetic circuit which is constructed of the ferrite core and the layer of Ni—Cr alloy of the fuser roller  1 . 
     The temperature sensor  4 , which is positioned against the outer peripheral surface of the fuser roller  1 , senses the temperature of the surface of the fuser roller  1  by the infrared temperature sensing method which is well-known. The temperatures sensed by the temperature sensor  4  are transferred to a fuser controller circuit  121  (to be described later) via a line  122 . 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control system to control the fusing process described with reference to  FIG. 6 , which is the base technology of the present invention. For the sake of brevity, the pressure roller  2  is omitted in  FIG. 7 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , an inverter circuit  111  is provided between a commercial power supply (AC power supply)  112  and the electromagnetic induction coil  3 . The inverter circuit  111  converts alternating-current power inputted from the commercial power supply  112  via a commercial power supply route  113 , into a high-frequency alternating-current power, and then outputs the obtained high-frequency power to the electromagnetic induction coil  3  via a high-frequency power supply route  114 . 
     Then, the fuser controller circuit  121  serving as a fuser controller provides a control signal including the specified power to the inverter circuit  111 , according to the detection signal from the temperature sensor  4 . The specified power is the amount of power that the inverter circuit  111  is required to output. The procedure is cooperatively performed in this way by the fuser roller  1 , the temperature sensor  4 , the fuser controller circuit  121 , and the inverter circuit  111 , and feedback control is implemented by repeating this procedure in a loop so that the temperature of the surface of the fuser roller  1  can be continuously adjusted to the optimal (target) fuser temperature. The fuser controller circuit  121  as described above is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for example. The fuser controller circuit  121  may control only the fuser  300 , or may control an entire apparatus superordinate to the fuser controller circuit  121 , for example a part of the control circuit to control the entire image forming apparatus  51 . 
     The fuser controller circuit  121  judges whether or not the temperature of the surface of the fuser roller  1  is higher than the optimal (target) fuser temperature, and if the temperature of the surface of the fuser roller  1  is lower than the optimal (target) fuser temperature, the fuser controller circuit  121  increases the specified power. With increase of the specified power, a larger amount of power is inputted to the electromagnetic coil  3  from the inverter circuit  111 , which increases the temperature of the surface of the fuser roller  1 . Alternatively, if the temperature of the surface of the fuser roller  1  is higher than the optimal (target) fuser temperature, the fuser controller circuit  121  reduces the specified power. With reduction of the specified power, a smaller amount of power is inputted to the electromagnetic coil  3  from the inverter circuit  111 , which decreases the temperature of the surface of the fuser roller  1 . 
     Hereinafter, fuser power control will be described. 
     The controlled power to eliminate the difference between the fuser temperature actually sensed by the temperature sensor  4  and the optimal (target) fuser temperature is obtained from the table of  FIG. 8 . The controlled power is the amount of the power input to the IH heater, which is obtained from the table of  FIG. 8 , for example during the stand-by or printing state. 
     Hereinafter, the power restriction control will be described. 
     If the options of ADF, paper feeding, and paper discharging installed on the image forming apparatus  51 , the total current possibly may exceed 15 A because of the concurrent execution of some of the options. To prevent this trouble, it is necessary to control the power input to the IH heater so that the total current cannot exceed 15 A. 
     During the printing state, the amount of IH (induction heating) power to be reduced is determined based on the color mode and the AD value on the current monitor of the 24V power supply, according to the table of  FIG. 9 . 
     The following are the cases in which the amount of IH power to be reduced is not 0 watts because the AD value on the current monitor of the 24V power supply is larger than a certain value. 
     [1] A particular type of paper which takes much amount of heat from the fuser is used for making copies, or many copies are made with a high ratio of B (black) to W (white). 
     [2] The fuser, not yet heated enough is used for the first time for the day, for continuously making copies. 
     [3] A plurality of options requiring rather much power (finisher, ADF, and the like) are installed on the image forming apparatus, and some of them are running at the same time (for example, while sheets of paper are continuously read by the ADF, the printed sheets are stapled by the finisher).
 
These are just some of the cases.
 
     Losing enough IH power for the fusing process, the controlled power as previously described cannot be obtained and the current fuser temperature goes down. If a print operation is performed with the fuser temperature much lower than the optimal (target) fuser temperature, permanent images cannot be perfectly created on the paper because of bad fusing. 
     To prevent this trouble, if the current fuser temperature goes down lower than the optimal (target) fuser temperature during the printing state, the interval between sheets of paper is set longer than normal so that the amount of heat taken by the paper can be recovered during the intervals, that is, the fuser temperature can be continuously adjusted to the optimal (target) fuser temperature.  FIG. 10  is a table illustrating the optimal level of productivity based on the optimal (target) fuser temperature. 
     The image forming apparatus  51  decreases the printing productivity by setting a larger interval between sheets of paper according to the table of  FIG. 10 . 
     With decrease of the productivity, the information of it is backed up on a nonvolatile recording medium of the image forming apparatus  51  so that the log can be referred to later. 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller of the image forming apparatus  51 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the controller includes a CPU  401 , a communication interface (I/F)  402 , an image processor  403 , an image memory  404 , a laser diode driver  405 , an operation panel  500 , a recording medium  700 , a ROM  406 , a RAM  407 , and an engine controller  408 , as primary members. 
     The CPU  401  integrally controls all operations of the image forming apparatus  51 . Also, the CPU  401  reads out a necessary program from the ROM  406 ; converts image data by the image processor  403 ; writes and reads image data in and out from the image memory  404 ; and controls the fuser  300 . Furthermore, the CPU  401  contributes to smooth printing operation by nicely arranging the times of a series of continuous operations of the color image former  100 , the paper feeder  200 , and the like. Furthermore, the CPU  401  detects (determines) a toner near empty state and an empty state of the toner cartridge  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K based on various information inputted from the engine controller  408 ; arranges the time of detecting (determining) a toner near empty state based on an indicated amount of fed toner and print log data; and displays a predetermined message about the time for replacing the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K, on the operation panel  500 . Furthermore, the CPU  401  manages life information of various consumable units such as toner cartridges, a transfer belt unit, a fuser unit, and imaging units such as development units including photoreceptor drums; and transmits the life information to the management server  50  in response to an inquiry from the management server  50 . 
     The communication I/F  402  serves to connect the image forming apparatus  51  to a LAN such as a LAN card or a LAN board, and externally receives data to be printed out according to a print job and transfers it to the image processor  403 . 
     Also, the communication I/F  402  transmits toner empty information, alert information, trouble information, and information of various printing events to the management server  50  managing the image forming apparatus  51  (see  FIG. 13 ) via the Internet, and receives data and an instruction from the administration server  50 . 
     Receiving data to be printed out according to a print job from the communication I/F  402 , the image processor  403  converts the data into Y, M, C, and K image data objects for color reproduction and outputs the image data objects to the image memory  404  to have them stored thereon. 
     Reading out Y, M, C, and K image data objects from the image memory  404 , the laser diode driver  405  drives the laser diodes of the exposure unit  20 . 
     The operation panel  500  allows users to perform entry operations and displays various messages for them. 
     The recording medium  700  stores print log data, toner cartridge replacement log data, and the like, as well as various other data and applications. 
     The ROM  406  stores programs to control image forming operation and other data such as a table serving for toner supply control, toner empty detection control, and other controls. 
     The RAM  407  serves as a work area for the CPU  402 . 
     Receiving signals and state information from the toner empty sensor  84 , the TCR sensor  93 , a toner cartridge loading sensor (not illustrated in the drawing), a TC door sensor (not illustrated in the drawing), a front cover (not illustrated in the drawing), the cartridge motors  72 , the sub-hopper motors (not illustrated in the drawing), and the like, the engine controller  408  controls printing operation. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the management server  50  employed in the replacement toner cartridge management system of  FIG. 1 . 
     The management server  50  is provided with a CPU  50   a , a ROM  50   b , a RAM  50   c , a display  50   e , an entry portion  50   f , a network interface card (NIC)  50   g , and the like, which are connected to each other via a system bus  50   h.    
     The CPU  50   a  integrally controls the entire management server  50  by executing programs stored on the ROM  50   b . Specifically, in this mode of embodied implementation, the CPU  50   a  manages information of remaining toner which is a remaining resource contained in the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K loaded on the image forming apparatuses  51 ; information indicating that the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K have been replaced with new ones; and other information which are received from the image forming apparatuses  51 , and updates the information when the need arises. Also, receiving an instruction to deliver a specified type of replacement toner cartridge from an image forming apparatus  51 , the CPU  50   a  transfers the delivery instruction to the order receiving server  52 . Alternatively, receiving toner cartridge replacement information indicating that the toner cartridge  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, or  70 K has been replaced or toner near empty information indicating that the toner cartridge  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, or  70 K is nearly empty, the CPU  50   a  determines the right type of replacement toner cartridge and outputs a delivery instruction to the order receiving server  52 . 
     The ROM  50   b  is a recording medium that stores programs and data for the CPU  50   a  to execute processing. 
     The ROM  50   c  is a recording medium that provides a work area for the CPU  50   a  to execute processing according to an operation program. 
     The recording medium  50   d  is, for example, a hard disk drive, and stores various data, applications, and the like. Specifically, in this mode of embodied implementation, the recording medium  50   d  stores remaining toner information of the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K loaded on the image forming apparatuses  51 , which is rewritable thereon. Furthermore, the recording medium  50   d  stores information, for example addresses to which replacement toner cartridges and replacement consumable units will be delivered and used in place of the toner cartridges, the transfer belt unit, the fuser unit, and the development units loaded on the image forming apparatuses  51 . 
     The display  50   e  is, for example, a CRT display or a liquid-crystal display, and displays various messages, entry accepting screens, selection screens, and other screens for administrator-level users and other users. 
     The entry portion  50   f  serves for administrator-level users and other users to perform entry operation, and includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. 
     The network interface card  50   g  serves as a communicator that exchanges data with the image forming apparatuses  51  and the order receiving server  52  via the Internet network. 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart representing a processing routine to detect an empty toner cartridge, executed by the image forming apparatuses  51 . 
     In  FIG. 13 , the remaining toner levels of the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K slowly go down with feeding of toner; the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K eventually run out of toner (become empty). 
     There are the four states depending on remaining toner level: “normal” (Step S 1 ), “toner near empty (alert)” (Step S 2 ), “toner empty (permit printing)” (Step S 3 ), and “toner empty (prohibit printing)” (Step S 4 ). 
     Unlike “toner near empty (alert)” (Step S 2 ), “toner empty (permit printing)” (Step S 3 ), and “toner empty (prohibit printing)” (Step S 3 ), “normal” (Step S 1 ) means that the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K and the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K are sufficiently filled with toner. In these four states including the state of “normal” (Step S 1 ), the CPU  401  accumulates the rotation quantum numbers of the cartridge motors  72 , and estimates the amount of toner fed in the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K based on the rotation quantum numbers. 
     The CPU  401  determines the state as “toner near empty (alert)” (Step S 2 ) if estimating that the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K nearly run out of toner based on the estimated amount of toner fed in the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K. In the state of “toner near empty (alert)”, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , an alert message stating that toner will run out in a short time is displayed on the operation panel  500  so that users will be encouraged to prepare a replacement toner cartridge. After that, thousands of prints still can be made using the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C and  70 K before “toner empty (prohibit printing)” is detected, users therefore have enough time to prepare a replacement toner cartridge even when need to place an order because of no replacement toner cartridges in stock. 
     The CPU  401  determines the state as “toner empty (permit printing)” (Step S 3 ) when the toner empty sensor  84  has repeatedly detected a toner empty state of the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K as many as a predetermined number of times. In this state, the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K have no toner left inside while the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K still contain toner for as many as 100 prints approximately, and printing is therefore permitted. 
     The CPU  401  determines the state as “toner empty (prohibit printing)” (Step S 4 ) when the sub-hoppers  80 Y,  80 M,  80 C, and  80 K run out of toner by further consuming it for a predetermined number of prints after “toner empty (permit printing)” is detected. In this state, printing is prohibited. 
     In the state of “toner near empty (alert)” (Step S 2 ) and “toner empty (permit printing)” (Step S 3 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , an alert message is displayed on the operation panel  500  to let the user know that the toner will run out soon. In the state of “toner empty (prohibit printing)” (Step S 4 ), a strong alert message is displayed on the operation panel  500  to let the user know that the toner has run out, and printing is prohibited. 
     These states depending on remaining toner level: normal, toner near empty, toner empty (permit printing), and toner empty (prohibit printing) (described in Steps S 1  to S 4 , respectively) are incorporated in a table illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
     As is obviously understood from the table of  FIG. 15 , when the state turns to “toner empty (permit printing)” (Step S 3 ), it is acceptable to replace the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K with new ones since these contain little remaining toner (almost run out of toner); when the state turns to “toner near empty” (Step S 2 ), it is not preferred to replace the toner cartridges  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, and  70 K with new ones since these still contain some remaining toner. 
       FIG. 16  is a view to explain the overview of the procedure to determine the right type of replacement toner cartridge; output a delivery instruction; have a delivered replacement toner cartridge loaded on the image forming apparatus  51 ; and start the implementation of the fuser temperature control, which is executed by the replacement toner cartridge management system according to the mode of embodied implementation. 
     In this example, receiving from an image forming apparatus  51 , information indicating that the toner cartridge  70 Y,  70 M,  70 C, or  70 M is nearly empty, the management server  50  outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge. 
     To begin with, a toner cartridge loaded on an image forming apparatus  51  becomes nearly empty (circled number  1 ). Then the image forming apparatus  51  determines the right type of replacement toner cartridge and outputs a delivery instruction to the management server  50  connected therewith via a communication circuit (circled number  2 ). 
     And if the productivity is decreased too often because of the reduction of the power input to the fuser  300  depending on the user environment or the mode used, an instruction to deliver a low-melting-point toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a lower fuser temperature is outputted. The method of determining the right type of replacement toner cartridge will be described later. 
     Receiving an instruction to deliver the right type of replacement toner cartridge from the image forming apparatus  51 , the management server  50  transfers the delivery instruction (an order) to the order receiving server  52  (circled number  3 ). 
     And then, just in case if an order cannot be submitted, the management server  50  returns the information indicating the type of replacement toner cartridge having been ordered, to the image forming apparatus  51  (circled number  4 ). 
     Receiving the information indicating the type of the ordered replacement toner cartridge and the information indicating that this type is different from the current one, the image forming apparatus  51  performs the fuser temperature control based on the amount of toner supplied from a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded thereon. If the CMYK toner cartridges loaded on the image forming apparatus contain different types of toner, the image forming apparatus  51  adjusts the fuser temperature control based on the amount of toner supplied from replacement CMYK toner cartridges to be loaded thereon and the proportion of the CMYK toner used for image forming (circled number  5 ). 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart representing a processing routine to count how many times the productivity has been decreased so that the right type of replacement toner cartridge can be determined based on that number of times. The flowcharts in  FIG. 17  and its following Figures are executed by the CPU  401  of the image forming apparatus  51  according to operation programs stored on a recording medium such as the ROM  406 . 
     The routine waits for the start of a print operation in Step S 01 , and it is judged whether or not a print operation is started in Step S 02 . If a print operation is not started (NO in Step S 02 ), the routine goes back to Step S 01 . If a print operation is started (YES in Step S 02 ), the productivity is set to 100% as an initial value in Step S 03  (the productivity is kept to normal). After a print operation is started, the value on the current monitor of the 24V power supply is checked out and the optimal level of productivity is determined based on the value in Step S 04 . Normally, the productivity does not need to be decreased. However, the power input to the fuser heater is sometimes reduced depending on the state of the process of the fuser  300  or the use of the options, then the current fuser temperature goes down. In such a case, the productivity needs to be decreased. 
     Then in Step S 05 , it is judged whether or not the optimal level of productivity determined in Step S 04  is identical with the current level of productivity. If it is identical therewith (YES in Step S 05 ), the routine proceeds to Step S 09 . If the optimal level of productivity determined in Step S 04  is identical with the current level of productivity (NO in Step S 05 ), the interval between sheets of paper is corrected so that the productivity is adjusted to the optimal level in Step S 06 . 
     The number of times the productivity is decreased is counted. In Step S 07 , it is judged whether or not the productivity is decreased. If the productivity is not decreased (NO in Step S 07 ), the routine proceeds to Step S 09 . If the productivity is decreased (YES in Step S 07 ), the number of times the productivity is decreased is incremented by one and the new number is backed up on the nonvolatile memory in Step S 08 . Then the routine proceeds to Step S 09 . 
     In Step S 09 , it is judged the print operation is finished. If it is not finished (NO in Step S 09 ), the routine goes back to Step S 04 . If it is finished (YES in Step S 09 ), the routine goes back to Step S 01 . 
       FIG. 18  is a flowchart representing a processing routine to execute the procedure of  FIG. 16 . 
     Initially, an image forming apparatus  51  detects a nearly empty toner cartridge in Step S 11 , and then determines the right type of toner in Step S 12 . The algorithm of the determination will be later described with reference to  FIG. 19 . 
     In Step S 13 , the image forming apparatus  51  outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge which is filled with the right type of toner determined in Step S 12 , to the management server  50 . Receiving the delivery instruction in Step S 19 , the management server  50  transfers the delivery instruction to the order receiving server  52  and returns delivery instruction information including the type of replacement toner cartridge having been ordered, to the image forming apparatus  51 . Having a communication route with the order receiving server  52 , the management server  50  can output an instruction to deliver a different type of replacement toner cartridge if the type of replacement toner cartridge having been ordered is out of stock. That is why the management server  50  needed to return a notice of the type of replacement toner cartridge having been ordered, to the image forming apparatus  51 . 
     Receiving the delivery instruction information from the management server  51  in Step S 14 , it is judged whether or not the type of replacement toner cartridge having been ordered is identical with the type of toner cartridge currently loaded on the image forming apparatus  51  in Step S 15 . If it is identical with it (YES in Step S 15 ), the routine immediately terminates. If it is not identical with the type of toner cartridge currently loaded on the image forming apparatus  51  (NO in Step S 15 ), the routine waits until the toner cartridge currently loaded thereon is replaced with a new one in Step S 16 . It is judged whether or not a new toner cartridge is detected in Step S 17 . If a new toner cartridge is not detected (NO in Step S 17 ), the routine waits until it is detected. If a new toner cartridge is detected (YES in Step S 17 ), it is recognized that the ordered replacement toner cartridge has been loaded and the implementation of the fuser temperature control is started in Step S 18 . The algorithm of the implementation of the fuser temperature control will be later described with reference to  FIG. 20 . 
       FIG. 19  is a flowchart representing a processing routine to determine the right type of replacement toner cartridge. 
     In this mode of embodied implementation, the right type of replacement toner cartridge can be selected between the following two types of toner cartridges: an ordinary toner cartridge and a low-melting-point toner cartridge. An ordinary toner cartridge and a low-melting-point toner cartridge contain the ordinary toner and the low-melting-point toner which require different optimal fuser temperatures, respectively; these two types of toner cartridges commonly have the same hardware configuration. A low-melting-point toner cartridge is filled with the toner requiring the optimal fuser temperature 140° C. (degrees Celsius), for example; an ordinary toner cartridge is filled with the toner requiring a higher temperature than the low-melting-point toner, the optimal fuser temperature 160° C. (degrees Celsius), for example. The optimal fuser temperature which is the target temperature pursued by the fuser temperature control depends on the characteristics of toner. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , an image forming apparatus  51  detects a nearly empty toner cartridge in Step S 31 , and then checks out the number of times the productivity is decreased as described in  FIG. 17 , from the nonvolatile memory in Step S 32 . In Step S 33 , it is judged whether or not the number of times the productivity is decreased is equal to or more than 10 times. If it is less than 10 times (NO in Step S 33 ), an instruction to deliver an ordinary toner cartridge is outputted in Step S 34 . Then the routine proceeds to Step S 36 . If it is equal to or more than 10 times (YES in Step S 33 ), an instruction to deliver a low-melting-point toner cartridge is outputted in Step S 35 . Then the routine proceeds to Step S 36 . In Step S 36 , the number of times the productivity is decreased is cleared. 
     Even if an ordinary toner cartridge is replaced with a low-melting-point toner cartridge, the ordinary toner in the development unit cannot be entirely and immediately replaced with the low-melting-point toner; the reverse also holds true. Therefore, the different types of toner temporarily remain mixed in the development unit. In order to completely fuse the toner to paper, it is necessary to change the optimal (target) fuser temperature depending on the ratio of the ordinary toner to the low-melting-point toner in the development unit. 
       FIG. 20  is a flowchart representing a processing routine to change the optimal (target) fuser temperature. 
     The image forming apparatus  51  activates the function of the fuser temperature control when detecting a new toner cartridge, then starts the implementation of the fuser temperature control when detecting toner fed from the new toner cartridge. 
     Toner is supplied from the new toner cartridge in Step S 41 , and the amount of the toner supplied from the new toner cartridge is cumulatively counted in Step S 42 . Then the optimal (target) fuser temperature based on the cumulative amount of the toner supplied is checked out from the table of  FIG. 21 , and the optimal (target) fuser temperature is determined in Step S 44 . If the current optimal (target) fuser temperature is different, it is updated with the determined one. Also, if the current optimal (target) fuser temperature is different, the temperature of the fuser roller is adjusted to the determined one. 
       FIG. 21  is a table illustrating the optimal (target) fuser temperature depending on the cumulative amount of toner fed from a new toner cartridge;  FIG. 21   a  is a table to refer to when a low-melting-point toner cartridge is replaced with an ordinary toner cartridge, and  FIG. 21   b  is a table to refer to when an ordinary toner cartridge is replaced with a low-melting-point toner cartridge. 
     As described above, in this mode of embodied implementation, a particular type of replacement toner cartridge containing the toner requiring a fuser temperature which is optimal for the power input to the fuser  300  can be delivered. And the user temperature is adjusted to the optimal (target) fuser temperature depending on the cumulative amount of toner fed from a new toner cartridge. Therefore, the toner fusing process is perfectly performed by the fuser temperature control, even when different types of toner with different characteristics are mixed in the development unit. 
     If the number of times the productivity is decreased by reducing the power input to the fuser, having been counted during a certain period of time is more than a predetermined value, a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a lower fuser temperature will be delivered; if it is smaller than a predetermined value, a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a higher fuser temperature will be delivered. In this way, the right type of toner can be effectively selected based on the log data of the power control and used. 
     Furthermore, the image forming apparatus  51  can recognize the type of replacement toner cartridge having been loaded, based on the information received from the management server  50 , and performs the toner fusing process accordingly. Therefore, information indicating the type of toner does not have to be stored on each toner cartridge so that the image forming apparatus  51  can read the information, which contributes to the saving on the costs of toner cartridges. 
     Hereinafter, the case in which more than one type of toner cartridge is loaded on a color image forming apparatus  51  will be described. 
     The color image forming apparatus  51  uses four color CMYK toner cartridges. When these toner cartridges need to be replaced with new ones depends on the frequency of the use of these color toner. In this case, if all these ordinary toner cartridges are replaced with low-melting-point toner cartridges, the different types of these color toner are mixed in the development units, and the ratios of the ordinary toner to the low-melting-point toner in the respective development units may be totally different. To resolve this problem, it is necessary to correct the optimal (target) fuser temperatures. 
     In this mode of embodied implementation, the optimal (target) fuser temperatures are corrected according to the following formula.
 
Target Temperature (° C.)= Y  Target Temperature (° C.)× Y  Image Ratio (%)+ M  Target Temperature (° C.)× M  Image Ratio (%)+ C  Target Temperature (° C.)× C  Image Ratio (%)+ K  Target Temperature (° C.)× K  Image Ratio (%)
 
     The optimal (target) fuser temperatures for the four color toner are obtained from the table of  FIG. 21 . The image ratios (%) refer to the ratios of the four colors CMYK of permanent images to be printed on paper, which can be calculated by a dot counter, for example. It should be noted that Y Image Ratio (%)+M Image Ratio (%)+C Image Ratio (%)+K Image Ratio (%)=100%. 
     As described above, in this mode of embodied implementation, the image forming apparatus  51  displays a message requesting the user to confirm an order for a replacement toner cartridge on the operation panel  500 , and outputs a delivery instruction after the user submits his/her order. Therefore, possible trouble with users over order confirmation can be prevented. 
     The mode of implementing the present invention has been described in the foregoing specification, which does not mean that the present invention shall be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the image forming apparatus  51  and the management server  50  with different functions from each other are provided in the replacement toner cartridge management system in this mode of embodied implementation, but the image forming apparatus  51  may have the functions of the management server  50 . Having the functions of the management server  50 , the image forming apparatus  51  outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge to the order receiving server  52 . 
     Furthermore, in this mode of embodied implementation, the image forming apparatus  51  determines the right type of replacement toner cartridge. Alternatively, the management server  50  may receive information indicating the fusing process condition for image forming from the image forming apparatus  51 , determine the right type of replacement toner cartridge, then return a notice of the determined type of replacement toner cartridge. 
     Furthermore, in the modes of embodied implementation, there is the order receiving server  52  and the management server  50  outputs a delivery instruction to the order receiving server  52 . Alternatively, the management server  50  may output a message encouraging the users to place an order: on the display  50   e  of the management server  50  itself; on a display of another machine such as a personal computer; or on a display of the operation panel  500  of one of the image forming apparatuses  51  if it takes over the functions of the management server  50 . In such a case, an order placement operation is manually performed. 
     Each of the following is one aspect of the present invention of the subject application having been described above: an image forming apparatus which is capable of performing the fuser temperature control for cost saving by selecting a right replacement toner cartridge based on the user&#39;s use and the like, among multiple color toner cartridges, for example which are filled with different types of toner requiring different optimal fuser temperatures, and delivering the selected replacement toner cartridge to the user; a replacement toner cartridge management apparatus; a replacement toner cartridge management system; a replacement toner cartridge management method; and recording mediums. 
     [1] An image forming apparatus is provided with: 
     an obtainer which obtains first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; 
     a determiner which determines the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the first information obtained by the obtainer, based on the second information also obtained by the obtainer; 
     an output portion which outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner; 
     a detector which detects a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon; and
         a fusing processor which performs a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the detector&#39;s detected new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction outputted by the output portion.       

     [2] The image forming apparatus as recited in the aforementioned item [1], wherein: 
     a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner is filled with the toner requiring a different optimal fuser temperature; 
     the current condition indicated by the second information is the power input to a fuser; and 
     the optimal condition under which the fusing processor performs a fusing process is the target fuser temperature. 
     [3] The image forming apparatus as recited in the aforementioned item [2], wherein if the number of times the productivity is deceased by reducing the power input to the fuser, having been counted for a certain period of time is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the determiner determines that a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a lower fuser temperature should be delivered; or if it is smaller than the predetermined value, the determiner determines that a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a higher fuser temperature should be delivered. 
     [4] The image forming apparatus as recited in the aforementioned item [1], wherein if multiple colors and types of toner are contained in toner cartridges, the fusing processor adjusts the fuser temperature for each page based on the ratio of the types of toner and the amounts of the respective colors of toner used for image forming. 
     [5] The image forming apparatus as recited in the aforementioned item [1], further provided with a receiver which externally receives information indicating that delivery has been arranged, wherein the fusing processor identifies the type of a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction outputted by the output portion, from the information received by the receiver. 
     [6] The image forming apparatus as recited in the aforementioned item [1], wherein the output portion outputs the delivery instruction to an order receiving server which the image forming apparatus can access via a communication circuit to place an order for a consumable unit. 
     [7] A replacement toner cartridge management apparatus is provided with: 
     an obtainer which obtains from one or more than one image forming apparatus which the replacement toner cartridge management apparatus can access via a communication circuit, first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; 
     a determiner which determines the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the first information obtained by the obtainer, based on the second information also obtained by the obtainer; 
     an output portion which outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner; and 
     a transmitter which transmits information indicating that delivery has been arranged, to the image forming apparatus, so that the image forming apparatus can perform a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction outputted by the output portion. 
     [8] The replacement toner cartridge management apparatus as recited in the aforementioned item [7], wherein: 
     a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner is filled with the toner requiring a different optimal fuser temperature; 
     the current condition indicated by the second information is the power input to a fuser; and 
     the optimal condition under which the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process is the target fuser temperature. 
     [9] The replacement toner cartridge management apparatus as recited in the aforementioned item [8], wherein if the number of times the productivity is deceased by reducing the power input to the fuser, having been counted for a certain period of time is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the determiner determines that a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a lower fuser temperature should be delivered; or if it is smaller than the predetermined value, the determiner determines that a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a higher fuser temperature should be delivered. 
     [10] The replacement toner cartridge management apparatus as recited in the aforementioned item [7], wherein if multiple colors and types of toner are contained in toner cartridges, the image forming apparatus adjusts the fuser temperature for each page based on the ratio of the types of toner and the amounts of the respective colors of toner used for image forming. 
     [11] The replacement toner cartridge management apparatus as recited in the aforementioned item [7], wherein the output portion outputs the delivery instruction to an order receiving server which the replacement toner cartridge management apparatus can access via a communication circuit to place an order for a consumable unit. 
     [12] A replacement toner cartridge management system provided with one or more than one image forming apparatus and a management apparatus which can access each other via a communication circuit, wherein: 
     the image forming apparatus is provided with:
         a transmitter which transmits first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming;       

     the management apparatus is provided with:
         an obtainer which obtains the first information and the second information;   a determiner which determines the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the first information obtained by the obtainer, based on the second information also obtained by the obtainer;   an output portion which outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner; and   a transmitter which transmits information indicating that delivery has been arranged, to the image forming apparatus; and       

     the image forming apparatus further is further provided with:
         a detector which detects a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon; and   an identification portion which identifies the type of a replacement toner cartridge delivered, from the information received from the transmitter of the management apparatus; and   a fusing processor which performs a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the detector&#39;s detected new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction outputted by the output portion of the management apparatus.       

     [13] The replacement toner cartridge management system as recited in the aforementioned item [12], wherein: 
     a replacement toner cartridge of the type determined by the determiner of the management apparatus is filled with the toner requiring a different optimal fuser temperature; 
     the current condition indicated by the second information is the power input to a fuser; and 
     the optimal condition under which the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process is the target fuser temperature. 
     [14] The replacement toner cartridge management system as recited in the aforementioned item [13], wherein if the number of times the productivity is deceased by reducing the power input to the fuser, having been counted for a certain period of time is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the determiner of the management apparatus determines that a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a lower fuser temperature should be delivered; or if it is smaller than the predetermined value, the determiner of the management apparatus determines that a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a higher fuser temperature should be delivered. 
     [15] The replacement toner cartridge management system as recited in the aforementioned item [12], wherein if multiple colors and types of toner are contained in toner cartridges, the image forming apparatus adjusts the fuser temperature for each page based on the ratio of the types of toner and the amounts of the respective colors of toner used for image forming. 
     [16] The replacement toner cartridge management system as recited in the aforementioned item [12], wherein the output portion of the image forming apparatus outputs the delivery instruction to an order receiving server which the image forming apparatus can access via a communication circuit to place an order for a consumable unit. 
     [17] A replacement toner cartridge management method for a replacement toner cartridge management system provided with one or more than one image forming apparatus and a management apparatus which can access each other via a communication circuit, including: 
     the image forming apparatus&#39;s:
         transmitting first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming;       

     the management apparatus&#39;s:
         obtaining the first information and the second information;   determining the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the obtained first information, based on the obtained second information;   outputting an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the determined type; and   transmitting information indicating that delivery has been arranged, to the image forming apparatus; and       

     the image forming apparatus&#39;s:
         detecting a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon;   identifying the type of a replacement toner cartridge delivered, from the information obtained from the management apparatus; and   performing a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the detected new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction.       

     [18] A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a fuser control program stored thereon to make a computer of an image forming apparatus execute: 
     obtaining first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded on the image forming apparatus or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; 
     determining the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the obtained first information, based on the obtained second information; 
     outputting an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the determined type; 
     detecting a new toner cartridge having just been loaded thereon; and 
     performing a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the detected new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction. 
     A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a replacement toner cartridge management program stored thereon to make a computer of a management apparatus execute: 
     obtaining from one or more than one image forming apparatus which the management apparatus can access via a communication circuit, first information indicating a new toner cartridge having just been loaded on the image forming apparatus or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one and second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; 
     determining the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the obtained first information, based on the obtained second information; 
     outputting an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the determined type; and 
     transmitting information indicating that delivery has been arranged, so that the image forming apparatus can perform a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [1], if the first information indicating a new toner cartridge or a toner cartridge to be replaced with a new one, the right type of a replacement toner cartridge to be loaded in place of the toner cartridge causing the first information is determined based on the second information indicating the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming, and an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the determined type is outputted. And then, after a detector detecting a new toner cartridge detects a new toner cartridge which is a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction, a fusing process is performed under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the replacement toner cartridge. 
     Briefly, according to this mode, an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the best type for the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming is outputted, and after the replacement toner cartridge is loaded as a new one, a fusing process is performed under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the replacement toner cartridge. In this way, the costs of toner cartridges can be saved as much as possible. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [2], a replacement toner cartridge which is filled with the toner requiring the optimal fuser temperature based on the power input to a fuser is delivered, and if different types of toner are mixed in a development unit after the replacement toner cartridge is loaded as a new one, a fusing process is performed under the optimal fuser temperature based on the amount of the toner supplied from the replacement toner cartridge. In this way, even if there are different types of toner, the optimal fuser temperature for the mixed toner always can be obtained. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [3], if the number of times the productivity is deceased by reducing the power input to the fuser, having been counted for a certain period of time is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a lower fuser temperature will be delivered; or if it is smaller than the predetermined value, a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a higher fuser temperature will be delivered. In this way, the better type of toner based on the characteristics caused by power control can be selected for image forming. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [4], if there are multiple toner cartridges filled with the toner requiring different optimal fuser temperatures, the image forming apparatus is allowed to use toner cartridges filled with toner of the better type based on the characteristics caused by power control. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [5], the type of a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction is identified from the information indicating the determined type of replacement toner cartridge, and a fusing process is performed suitably for the identified type. Since the toner cartridges do not have to store thereon information to identify the types of the toner contained, the costs of toner cartridges can be saved. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [6], the delivery instruction is outputted to an order receiving server, thereby an order for a replacement toner cartridge of the determined type is placed automatically. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [7], the management apparatus outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the best type for the current condition under which the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process for image forming, and after the replacement toner cartridge is loaded on the image forming apparatus as a new one, the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the replacement toner cartridge. And then, receiving the information indicating the determined type of replacement toner cartridge from the management apparatus, the image forming apparatus identifies the type of a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction, and performs a fusing process accordingly. Since the toner cartridges do not need to hold information to identify the types of the toner contained, the costs of toner cartridges can be saved. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [8], the management apparatus outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge which is filled with the toner requiring the optimal fuser temperature based on the power input to a fuser, and then if different types of toner are mixed in a development unit after the replacement toner cartridge is loaded on the image forming apparatus as a new one, the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process under the optimal fuser temperature based on the amount of the toner supplied from the replacement toner cartridge. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [9], if the number of times the productivity is deceased by reducing the power input to the fuser, having been counted for a certain period of time is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the management apparatus outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a lower fuser temperature; or if it is smaller than the predetermined value, the management apparatus outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a higher fuser temperature. According the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [10], if there are multiple toner cartridges filled with the toner requiring different optimal fuser temperatures, the image forming apparatus is allowed to use toner cartridges filled with toner of the better type based on the characteristics caused by power control. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [11], by outputting the delivery instruction to an order receiving server, the management apparatus automatically places an order for a replacement toner cartridge of the determined type. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [12], the management system outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the best type for the current condition under which the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process for image forming, and after the replacement toner cartridge is loaded on the image forming apparatus as a new one, the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the replacement toner cartridge. And then, receiving the information indicating the determined type of replacement toner cartridge from the management apparatus, the image forming apparatus identifies the type of a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction, and performs a fusing process accordingly. Since the toner cartridges do not need to hold information to identify the types of the toner contained, the costs of toner cartridges can be saved. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [13], the management apparatus outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge which is filled with the toner requiring the optimal fuser temperature based on the power input to a fuser, and then if different types of toner are mixed in a development unit after the replacement toner cartridge is loaded on the image forming apparatus as a new one, the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process under the optimal fuser temperature based on the amount of the toner supplied from the replacement toner cartridge. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [14], if the number of times the productivity is deceased by reducing the power input to the fuser, having been counted for a certain period of time is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the management system delivers a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a lower fuser temperature; or if it is smaller than the predetermined value, the management system delivers a replacement toner cartridge filled with the toner requiring a higher fuser temperature. 
     According the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [15], if there are multiple toner cartridges filled with the toner requiring different optimal fuser temperatures, the image forming apparatus is allowed to use toner cartridges filled with toner of the better type based on the characteristics caused by power control. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [16], the delivery instruction is outputted to an order receiving server, thereby an order for a replacement toner cartridge of the determined type is placed automatically. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [17], the management apparatus outputs an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the best type for the current condition under which the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process for image forming, and after the replacement toner cartridge is loaded on the image forming apparatus as a new one, the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the replacement toner cartridge. And then, receiving the information indicating the determined type of replacement toner cartridge from the management apparatus, the image forming apparatus identifies the type of a replacement toner cartridge delivered according to the delivery instruction, and performs a fusing process accordingly. Since the toner cartridges do not need to hold information to identify the types of the toner contained, the costs of toner cartridges can be saved. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [18], a computer of the image forming apparatus executes outputting an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the best type for the current condition under which a fusing process is performed for image forming; and performing a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the replacement toner cartridge after the replacement toner cartridge is loaded on the image forming apparatus as a new one. 
     According to the mode as recited in the aforementioned item [19], a computer of the management apparatus is allowed to execute outputting an instruction to deliver a replacement toner cartridge of the best type for the current condition under which the image forming apparatus performs a fusing process for image forming; and transmitting the information indicating the determined type of replacement toner cartridge to the image forming apparatus, so that the image forming apparatus can perform a fusing process under the optimal condition based on the amount of the toner supplied from the replacement toner cartridge after the replacement toner cartridge is loaded on the image forming apparatus as a new one. 
     While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and such examples are not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein. 
     While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g. of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to”. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present In that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may be used as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure. The language present invention or invention should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment” can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this case, the following abbreviated terminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example”, and “NB” which means “note well”.