Patent Publication Number: US-2023138284-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus, method, and storage medium

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a method, and a storage medium. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     In multi-functional peripherals (MFPs), the density, the gradation characteristic, and the like of output images may vary due to an environmental variation such as a temperature variation and a humidity variation. In order to obtain a stable density and gradation characteristic of the output images, calibration is performed. In the calibration, a calibration pattern corresponding to an incorporated pattern is printed out, the printed calibration pattern is placed on a document positioning plate and read, and a correction to achieve a target density and a target gradation characteristic is reflected on the output images. 
     Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-329929 discusses an image forming apparatus that performs calibration processing in a plurality of modes. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-329929 describes displaying a recommendation screen, when toner has been replaced for recommending a user to perform a calibration, and displaying a screen for prompting a user to perform a calibration, in a case where a calibration is not performed during a predetermined period set in advance or a period designated by a user. 
     In a case where the recommendation screen is displayed at the time of toner replacement as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-329929, if a calibration is not performed at that timing, there is a possibility that the user cannot recognize thereafter that a calibration is required. In the technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-329929, in a case where a calibration has not been performed during the predetermined period set in advance or the period designated by the user, the screen prompting a user for a calibration is displayed, but the user may not recognize that a calibration is required after the period ends. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure, at least, provides a technique capable of notifying a user at an appropriate timing that a calibration is required. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain information about a drum unit from an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet using the drum unit, and a notification unit configured to provide a notification, in a case where it is detected that the drum unit has been replaced with a new one based on the information obtained by the obtaining unit, indicating that a calibration is required. 
     Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a cross-section diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are diagrams illustrating a configuration around drum units. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a drum unit. 
         FIG.  5    is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are diagrams illustrating a flag management table. 
         FIG.  7    is a diagram illustrating an example of a guide screen. 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart illustrating a calibration execution sub-process. 
         FIGS.  9 A,  9 B, and  9 C  are diagrams illustrating examples of calibration operation screens. 
         FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  are diagrams illustrating examples of screens including a full-time display area. 
         FIG.  11    is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS.  13 A to  13 D  are diagrams illustrating flag management tables. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinbelow, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. 
     Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 
       FIG.  1    is a cross-section diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus  1  according to an exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus  1  according to the present exemplary embodiment is a tandem type color multi-functional peripheral (MFP). 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the image forming apparatus  1  includes a reader unit  306  serving as a reading device. The reader unit  306  includes a document conveyance device  301  for conveying a document automatically, a document reading device  305  for reading an image of the conveyed document, and a document discharge tray  302  onto which the document is discharged. 
     The document conveyance device  301  includes a document feeding tray  300  on which documents are set, and conveys the documents placed on the document feeding tray  300  to a document reading position on a platen glass  303 , one by one. The document conveyed onto the platen glass  303  is read by the document reading device  305 . Then, the document conveyance device  301  conveys the document and discharge the document onto the document discharge tray  302 . 
     The document reading device  305  includes a scanner and a full-color charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor (not illustrated). 
     The scanner performs exposure scanning of the document conveyed onto the platen glass  303  by the document conveyance device  301 . The CCD sensor converts light reflected by the document due to the exposure by the scanner, into an electrical signal. When the scanner performs the exposure scanning of the document, the CCD sensor performs photoelectric conversion. In this way, the electrical signal expressing an image including red (R), green (G), and blue (B) components is transmitted to a central processing unit (CPU)  201  (refer to  FIG.  2   ). 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the image forming apparatus  1  includes an operation unit  304 . The operation unit  304  includes a display  307  for displaying setting information of print conditions and other information to a user. The display  307  displays a status message for providing a notification indicating that a calibration is required, and a guide screen for providing the notification indicating that a calibration is required and accepting a calibration execution instruction. The details thereof will be described below. 
     The display  307  can display a software key that can be operated by being touched by the user. In this way, the user can input instruction information, such as one-sided printing or two-sided printing, via an operation panel. The operation unit  304  includes a start key to be pressed to start an image forming operation, and a stop key to be pressed to interrupt the image forming operation. A numeric keypad includes keys to be pressed to set numbers. In addition, the start key, the stop key, and the numeric keypad may be software keys displayed on the display  307 , not hardware keys. Various kinds of data input via the operation unit  304  are stored in a random access memory (RAM)  203  through the CPU  201  (refer to  FIG.  2   ). 
     The configuration of the image forming apparatus  1  will be described in more detail. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the image forming apparatus  1  includes four image forming units  102 Y,  102 M,  102 C, and  102 K for respectively forming toner patterns of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). 
     The image forming unit  102 Y,  102 M,  102 C, and  102 K include photosensitive drums  103 Y,  103 M,  103 C, and  103 K (hereinbelow, also collectively referred to simply as a photosensitive drum  103  or photosensitive drums  103 ), respectively. Further, the image forming unit  102 Y,  102 M,  102 C, and  102 K include charging units  104 Y,  104 M,  104 C, and  104 K (hereinbelow, also collectively referred to simply as a charging unit  104  or charging units  104 ) for charging the photosensitive drums  103 Y,  103 M,  103 C, and  103 K, respectively. 
     Further, the image forming unit  102 Y,  102 M,  102 C, and  102 K include light emitting diode (LED) exposure units  500 Y,  500 M,  500 C, and  500 K serving as exposure sources for emitting light beams to the photosensitive drums  103 Y,  103 M,  103 C, and  103 K to be exposed thereto, respectively. Further, the image forming units  102 Y,  102 M,  102 C, and  102 K include developing devices  106 Y,  106 M,  106 C, and  106 K (hereinbelow, also collectively referred to simply as a developing device  106  or developing devices 106) for developing toner patterns of different colors on the photosensitive drums  103 , respectively. In addition, the image forming apparatus  1  illustrated in  FIG.  1    employs a “bottom side exposure method” to expose each of the photosensitive drums  103  to light from a bottom side thereof. Hereinbelow, while a description is given of an image forming apparatus that employs the “bottom side exposure method” as an example, an image forming apparatus that employs a “top side exposure method” to expose each of the photosensitive drums  103  to light from a top side may be used. 
     The image forming apparatus  1  includes an intermediate transfer belt  107  and primary transfer rollers  108 Y,  108 M,  108 C, and  108 K. Toner patterns formed on the photosensitive drums  103  are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  107 . The primary transfer rollers  108 Y,  108 M,  108 C, and  108 K transfer the toner patterns formed on the photosensitive drums  103  sequentially onto the intermediate transfer belt  107 . Further, the image forming apparatus  1  includes a secondary transfer roller  109  for transferring the toner patterns on the intermediate transfer belt  107  to a recording sheet P (also referred to as a recording paper or a sheet) conveyed from a sheet feeding unit  101 , and a fixing unit  100  for fixing the secondarily transferred image onto the recording sheet P. In addition, while the image forming apparatus  1  includes the intermediate transfer belt  107  in the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus  1  may include an electrostatic transportation belt (ETB), instead of the intermediate transfer belt  107 . The ETB is a belt that attracts a sheet (paper) to the belt using an electrostatic attraction force, conveys the sheet using a rotation of the belt, and transfers the toner patterns onto the conveyed sheet from the photosensitive drums  103 . 
     Next, an image forming process will be described. 
     The exposure unit  500 Y exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum  103 Y charged by the charging unit  104 Y to the light. In this way, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum  103 Y. Next, the developing device  106 Y develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum  103 Y with yellow toner. The yellow toner pattern developed on the photosensitive drum  103 Y is transferred by the primary transfer roller  108 Y onto the intermediate transfer belt  107 . The magenta, cyan, and black toner patterns are also transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  107  in a similar image forming process. 
     The toner patterns of the four colors transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  107  are conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt  107  to a secondary transfer portion T2. A transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller  109  arranged at the secondary transfer portion T2 to transfer the toner patterns onto the recording sheet P. The toner patterns conveyed to the secondary transfer portion T2 is transferred, by applying the transfer bias of the secondary transfer roller  109 , onto the recording sheet P conveyed from the sheet feeding unit  101 . The recording sheet P with the toner patterns transferred thereon is conveyed to the fixing unit  100 . The fixing unit  100  fixes the toner patterns onto the recording sheet P by applying heat and pressure. The recording sheet P on which the fixing processing is performed by the fixing unit  100  is discharged to a sheet discharge portion  111 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIG.  2   , a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus  1  will be described.  FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     The CPU  201  is a control circuit configured to control each unit. A read-only memory (ROM)  202  stores a control program to be executed by the CPU  201  and required to control the driving of optical print heads  105 Y,  105 M,  105 C, and  105 K (hereinbelow, also collectively referred to simply as an optical printhead  105  or optical print heads 105). The RAM  203  is a system work memory for the CPU  201  to operate. A hard disk drive (HDD)  204  stores image data transferred from the reader unit  306  or a personal computer (PC), and setting information and other information input via the operation unit  304 . 
     An LED light emission control unit  210  corrects, under control of the CPU  201 , image data by performing various kinds of image processing on the image data. Each of the color signals transmitted from the document reading device  305  to the CPU  201  is converted by the LED light emission control unit  210  into image data (dot data) of a corresponding color and input into the corresponding optical print head  105 . The LED light emission control unit  210  not only performs the above-described data conversion, but also controls an amount of light emission and light emission timing of the LED included in each of the optical print heads  105 . The LED light emission control unit  210  may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be implemented by the CPU  201  executing a program stored in advance. 
     The image data corrected by the LED light emission control unit  210  is transferred to each of the optical print heads  105 . Each of the optical print heads  105  is controlled based on the image data corrected by the LED light emission control unit  210 . The optical print head  105 Y exposes the photosensitive drum  103 Y to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum  103 Y based on the image data. The same applies to other colors. 
     The toner patterns transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  107  from the photosensitive drums  103  are detected by a photosensor  150 . 
     Further, the photosensitive drums  103  for respective colors are unitized to configure drum units  518 Y,  518 M,  518 C, and  518 K (hereinbelow, also collectively referred to simply as a drum unit  518  or drum units  518 ), respectively. Each of the drum units  518  for respective colors is provided with a memory electrode  121  (refer to  FIG.  4   ). The image forming apparatus  1  is provided with a memory interface  321  that contacts the memory electrode  121  to obtain information about each of the drum units  518 . The information read by the memory interface  321  from the memory electrode  121  is transferred to a unit information management unit  315 . The information obtained by the unit information management unit  315  is transferred to the CPU  201 . In addition, while the unit information management unit  315  is illustrated to be a separate block from the CPU  201 , the CPU  201  may function as the unit information management unit  315 . 
       FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are diagrams illustrating a configuration around the drum units  518 .  FIG.  3 A  is a perspective view illustrating the configuration around the drum units  518  and development units  641 . Further,  FIG.  3 B  is a diagram illustrating a state where the drum units  518  are inserted in an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus  1 . In the following descriptions, the “front side” is defined as a side on which the drum unit  518  is put into and taken out from (inserted into/removed from) the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus  1 . Further, the “front side” is a side of the image forming apparatus  1  on which a user stands to operate the image forming apparatus  1 . The “back side” (rear side) is a side opposite to the front side. In  FIG.  3 B , the defined directions are illustrated. In addition, a rotational axis direction of each of the photosensitive drums  103  is coincident with the front and back direction illustrated in  FIG.  3 B . 
     Each of the drum units  518  serving as a replaceable cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus  1 . The user can replace each of the drum units  518  by inserting or removing each of the drum units  518  into or from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus  1  from the side surface thereof. 
     Each of the drum units  518  rotatably supports the corresponding photosensitive drum  103 . More specifically, each of the photosensitive drums  103  is supported by a frame of the corresponding drum unit  518 . However, each of the drum units  518  may not include the charging unit  104  and a cleaning device. 
     Further, the image forming apparatus  1  is mounted with the development units  641 Y,  641 M,  641 C, and  641 K (hereinbelow, also collectively referred to simply as a development unit  641  or development units  641 ) that are separately configured from the drum units  518 . Each of the development units  641  is a cartridge in which the developing device  106  illustrated in  FIG.  1    and a toner storage portion are integrated. Each of the developing devices  106  includes a development sleeve (not illustrated) for bearing developer. Each of the development units  641  is provided with a plurality of gears to rotate a screw for agitating toner and carrier. When these gears are deteriorated with age, a user removes the corresponding development unit  641  from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus  1  to replace it with a new one. In addition, the drum units  518  and the development units  641  may be integrated as a cartridge. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the image forming apparatus  1  is provided with a front plate  642  and a rear plate  643 , each formed of a sheet metal. The front plate  642  is a side wall provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus  1 . The front plate  642  configures a part of a casing of the apparatus main body at the front side of the image forming apparatus  1 . The rear plate  643  is a side wall provided on the back side of the image forming apparatus  1 . The rear plate  643  configures a part of the casing of the apparatus main body at the back side of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     The front plate  642  and the rear plate  643  are arranged to face each other, and a metal plate (not illustrated) is bridged as a beam therebetween. The front plate  642 , the rear plate  643 , and the beam (not illustrated) configure a part of a frame of the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     Openings are formed in the front plate  642  so that the drum units  518  and the development units  641  can be inserted into and removed through the openings from the front side of the image forming apparatus  1 . The drum units  518  and the development units  641  are mounted at predetermined positions in the image forming apparatus  1  through the openings, respectively. Further, the image forming apparatus  1  is provided with covers  558 Y,  558 M,  558 C, and  558 K (hereinbelow, also collectively referred to simply as a cover  558  or covers  558 ) each of which covers the front side of the drum unit  518  and the front side of the development unit  641  mounted at the predetermined positions. Each of the covers  558  is fixed to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus  1  with a hinge at one end thereof to be rotatable by the hinge with respect to the image forming apparatus  1 . The user opens any of the covers  558  to remove the corresponding drum unit  518  or the corresponding development unit  641 , and inserts a new drum unit  518  or a new development unit  641 , and then closes the cover  558 . In this way, the replacement work is completed. 
       FIG.  4    is a perspective view of one of the drum units  518 . The configurations of the drum units  518  are substantially the same for respective colors. Thus, a description is given of one drum unit  518 . As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the drum unit  518  includes the photosensitive drum  103  and a frame  125  rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum  103 . The frame  125  is positioned with respect to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus  1 . The drum unit  518  can be mounted and removed by being inserted into and pulled out from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus  1  along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum  103 . 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the frame  125  is provided with the memory electrode  121 . The memory electrode  121  stores a serial number and information, for example, about the printable period, of the drum unit  518  with the memory electrode  121  provided thereto. The electrode terminal is made of metal, and information can be exchanged by bringing the electrode terminal into contact with the memory interface  321  provided on the image forming apparatus  1 . Other examples of the memory electrode  121  include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a bar code, and a quick response code (QRⓇ code). 
     As described above, the memory electrode  121  is not limited to the contact type tag, and may be a non-contact type tag. The form of the memory electrode  121  is not limited as long as the identification information of the drum unit  518  can be written thereinto. A memory chip storing information about the drum unit  518  is built in the memory electrode  121 , and exchange information with the memory interface  321  via the electrode terminal of the memory electrode  121 . The type of the memory interface  321  may be simply determined based on the type of the memory electrode  121 . 
     The image forming apparatus  1  is provided with the memory interface  321  as a unit to communicate with the memory electrode  121 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the memory interface  321  also includes an electrode terminal. By the electrode terminal of the memory interface  321  contacting the electrode terminal of the memory electrode  121 , the memory interface  321  obtains the information about the drum unit  518  from the memory electrode  121  via the electrode terminals. In a case where the drum unit  518  has been replaced, it is determined whether the drum unit  518  has been replaced with a new one by the memory interface  321  reading the memory electrode  121 . In addition, the memory interface  321  or the CPU  201  may determine whether the drum unit  518  has been replaced with a new one. 
     Further, it is possible to determine whether the replacement of the drum unit  518  is required by storing the mount or the replacement detection date and time of the drum unit  518  in the RAM  203  via the CPU  201 , and adding the remaining printable period read from the memory electrode  121 . 
     In this case, the memory interface  321  is constantly detecting the contact when the memory interface  321  is in contact with the memory electrode  121 . Thus, the CPU  201  recognizes that the drum unit  518  is removed from the image forming apparatus  1  in a case where the drum unit  518  is removed from the image forming apparatus  1  and the contact state between the memory electrode  121  and the memory interface  321  is released. Further, the memory interface  321  can also determine whether the drum unit  518  is in a mounted state on the image forming apparatus  1  by periodically reading the information of the memory electrode  121 . In this way, the CPU  201  recognizes that the drum unit  518  has once been removed in the case where the drum unit  518  that is mounted on the image forming apparatus  1  is once removed and mounted again. 
     Processing Performed by Image Forming Apparatus 
     Hereinbelow, processing performed by the image forming apparatus  1  according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described. In the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus  1  functions as an information processing apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied. 
       FIG.  5    is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the image forming apparatus  1 . The flowchart in  FIG.  5    is implemented by the CPU  201  executing a program stored in the ROM  202  or the HDD  204 . 
     In step S 501 , the CPU  201  determines whether the drum unit  518  has been replaced with a new one. As described above, the CPU  201  can determine whether the drum unit  518  has been replaced with a new one by reading the memory electrode  121  by the memory interface  321 . In step S 501 , in a case where the CPU  201  determines that the drum unit  518  has been replaced with a new one (YES in step S 501 ), the processing proceeds to step S 502 . In this way, the CPU  201  determines whether the drum unit  518  has replaced with a new one by obtaining information about the drum unit  518  from the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     In step S 502 , the CPU  201  updates a value of a calibration-required flag  601  to “Yes”. 
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  illustrate a flag management table  600  for managing the calibration-required flag  601  indicating whether a calibration is required. The calibration-required flag  601  corresponds to calibration information in the present exemplary embodiment. The flag management table  600  is stored in the ROM  202  or the HDD  204  and managed by the CPU  201 . As illustrated in  FIG.  6 A , in a case where the calibration is not required, the value of the calibration-required flag  601  is “No” (not required). As illustrated in  FIG.  6 B , in a case where a calibration is required, the value of the calibration-required flag  601  is “Yes” (required). In the case where the CPU  201  determines that the drum unit  518  has been replaced with a new one in step S 501 , in step S 502 , as illustrated in  FIG.  6 B , the value of the calibration-required flag  601  is updated to “Yes”. 
     In step S 503 , as illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the CPU  201  displays on the display  307  a guide screen  700  for prompting the user to perform calibration. In this way, the CPU  201  notifies the user that the replacement of the drum unit  518  with a new one is detected and a calibration such as an automatic gradation correction is required as a result of the detection. On the guide screen  700 , a “Yes” button  701  and a “No” button  702  are displayed to accept a calibration execution instruction. In this way, the CPU  201  prompts the user to perform calibration in response to the replacement of the drum unit  518  with a new one, as a trigger. 
     In step S 504 , the CPU  201  determines whether the calibration is to be performed immediately by accepting the input of the “Yes” button  701  or the “No” button  702  on the guide screen  700 . In a case where the “Yes” button  701  is pressed (YES in step S 504 ), the processing proceeds to step S 505 . In a case where the “No” button  702  is pressed (NO in step S 504 ), the processing proceeds to step S 506  skipping step S 505 . 
     In step S 505 , the CPU  201  executes a calibration execution sub-process. 
     Now, with reference to  FIGS.  8 ,  9 A,  9 B, and  9 C , details of the calibration execution sub-process performed in step S 505  will be described.  FIG.  8    is a flowchart illustrating the calibration execution sub-process performed in step S 505 .  FIGS.  9 A,  9 B, and  9 C  are diagrams each illustrating a calibration operation screen  901 . The calibration operation screen  901  is typically a screen called manually by a user from a home screen or the like. 
     In step S 801 , the CPU  201  displays the calibration operation screen  901  on the display  307 . The various settings and the user operations are required for the execution of the calibration. On the calibration operation screen  901 , as illustrated in  FIG.  9 A , a type of the calibration can be selected, and, as illustrated in  FIG.  9 B , a sheet type of the correction target can be selected. Then, as illustrated in  FIG.  9 C , an instruction for printing a calibration pattern can be issued by pressing a print start button  904  on the calibration operation screen  901 . On the calibration operation screen  901 , a cancel button  905  is provided and the user can cancel the calibration operation at any time. 
     In step S 802 , the CPU  201  determines whether the calibration operation has been completed and the calibration has been executed. In a case where the calibration has been executed (YES in step S 802 ), the processing proceeds to step S 803 . In a case where the calibration has not been executed (NO in step S 802 ), the CPU  201  ends the calibration execution sub-process. 
     In step S 803 , the CPU  201  updates the value of the calibration-required flag  601  to “No”, as illustrated in  FIG.  6 A , and ends the calibration execution sub-process. In addition, in step S 802 , in the case where the calibration has not been executed (NO in step S 802 ), the value of the calibration-required flag  601  remains “Yes” as illustrated in  FIG.  6 B . 
     Referring back to  FIG.  5   , in step S 506 , the CPU  201  determines whether the value of the calibration-required flag  601  is “Yes”. In a case where the value of the calibration-required flag  601  is “Yes” (YES in step S 506 ), the processing proceeds to step S 507 . In a case where the value of the calibration-required flag  601  is “No” (NO in step S 506 ), the CPU  201  exits the present flowchart. When the CPU  201  exits the present flowchart, in a case where a status message is displayed in a full-time display area  1001  in step S 507  described next, the status message is caused to be not displayed. 
     In step S 507 , the CPU  201  displays, as illustrated in  FIG.  10 A , a status message for notification indicating that a calibration is required in the full-time display area  1001  of the screen displayed on the display  307 . The screen displayed on the display  307  is divided into a function display area  1002  and the full-time display area  1001 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  10 B , the user can constantly recognize the contents in the full-time display area  1001  even when the function display area  1002  shifts to a copy setting screen. After executing the processing in step S 507 , the processing returns to step S 506 , and the CPU  201  repeats the processing in steps S 506  and S 507  until the calibration-required flag  601  becomes “No”. 
     As described above, when the drum unit  518  is replaced with a new one, the CPU  201  can display the guide screen  700  for providing the notification indicating that a calibration is required and accepting a calibration execution instruction to prompt the user to execute a calibration. In a case where the calibration is not performed at that timing, then the CPU  201  notifies the user that a calibration is required in the full-time display area  1001  on the screen displayed on the display  307 . In this way, it is possible to notify the user that a calibration is required at an appropriate timing. 
       FIG.  11    is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the image forming apparatus  1 . The flowchart in  FIG.  11    is implemented by the CPU  201  executing a program stored in the ROM  202  or the HDD  204 . 
     In step S 1101 , the CPU  201  determines whether the image forming apparatus  1  is powered on. The CPU  201  determines whether the image forming apparatus  1  is powered on based on, for example, whether power is supplied from the image forming apparatus  1  to the CPU  201 . In a case where the CPU  201  determines that the image forming apparatus  1  is powered on (YES in step S 1101 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1102 . In a case where the CPU  201  determines that the image forming apparatus  1  is not powered on (NO in step S 1101 ), the CPU  201  exits the present flowchart. 
     In step S 1102 , the CPU  201  determines whether the value of the calibration-required flag  601  is “Yes”. In a case where the value of the calibration-required flag  601  is “Yes” (YES in step S 1102 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1103 . In a case where the value of the calibration-required flag  601  is “No” (NO in step S 1102 ), the CPU  201  exits the present flowchart. 
     In step S 1103 , as illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the CPU  201  displays on the display  307  the guide screen  700  for prompting the user to perform calibration. As described above, the CPU  201  prompts the user to perform calibration in response to the powered-on of the image forming apparatus  1 , as a trigger. 
     In step S 1104 , the CPU  201  determines whether the calibration is to be performed immediately by accepting the input of the “Yes” button  701  or the “No” button  702  on the guide screen  700 . In a case where the “Yes” button  701  is pressed (YES in step S 1104 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1105 . In a case where the “No” button  702  is pressed (NO in step S 1104 ), the CPU  201  exits the present flowchart. 
     In step S 1105 , the CPU  201  executes the calibration execution sub-process. The details of the calibration execution sub-process performed in step S 1105  are as described with reference to  FIGS.  8 ,  9 A,  9 B, and  9 C . 
     In addition, not illustrated in  FIG.  11   , similar to the flowchart in  FIG.  5   , the processing in steps S 506  and S 507  may be performed after the calibration execution sub-process performed in step S 1105 . In the case where the “No” button  702  is pressed in step S 1104  (YES in step S 1104 ), since it is known that the calibration-required flag  601  is “Yes” in step S 1102 , the processing may proceed to step S 507 . 
     As described above, when the image forming apparatus  1  is powered on, the CPU  201  can display the guide screen  700  for providing the notification indicating that a calibration is required and accepting a calibration execution instruction. In this way, it is possible to notify the user that a calibration is required at an appropriate timing. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG.  12   , a processing example of a case where a plurality of drum units need to be replaced will be described. 
     Instead of steps S 501  and S 502  in the flowchart of  FIG.  5   , a flowchart in  FIG.  12    may be executed. 
     As described above, the CPU  201  can determine whether the replacement of the drum unit  518  is required by storing the mount or the replacement detection date and time of the drum unit  518  in the RAM  203  and adding the printable period read from the memory electrode  121 . The CPU  201  determines whether the replacement of the drum unit  518  is required, for each of the drum unit  518 Y, the drum unit  518 M, the drum unit  518 C, and the drum unit  518 K for respective colors. Further, as illustrated in  FIGS.  13 A,  13 B,  13 C, and  13 D , drum replacement-required flags  1301  to  1304  each indicating whether the replacement of the corresponding drum unit  518  is required are managed together with the calibration-required flag  601  in the flag management table  600  stored in the ROM  202  or the HDD  204 . The drum replacement-required flags correspond to replacement information in the present exemplary embodiment. The drum replacement-required flags  1301  to  1304  are drum replacement-required flags of the drum unit  518 Y, the drum unit  518 M, the drum unit  518 C, and the drum unit  518 K, respectively. 
     In step S 1201 , the CPU  201  determines whether the drum unit  518  has been replaced with a new one. In step S 1201 , in a case where the CPU  201  determines that the drum unit  518  has been replaced with a new one (YES in step S 1201 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1202 . 
     In step S 1202 , the CPU  201  updates a value of a calibration-required flag  601  to “Yes”. 
     In step S 1203 , the CPU  201  determines whether the values of the drum replacement-required flags  1301  to  1304  do not include “Yes” (required), i.e., all the values of the drum replacement-required flags  1301  to  1304  for respective colors are “No” (not required). In a case where the CPU  201  determines that all the values of the drum replacement-required flags  1301  to  1304  for respective colors are “No” (YES in step S 1203 ), the CPU  201  exits the present flowchart to shift to step S 503  in the flowchart of  FIG.  5   . In a case where the CPU  201  determines that the values of the drum replacement-required flags  1301  to  1304  includes “Yes” (NO in step S 1203 ), the processing returns to step S 1201 . 
     For example, in  FIG.  13 A , the drum replacement-required flag  1301  is “Yes”, and the drum unit  518 C needs to be replaced. In step S 1201 , in a case where the CPU  201  determines that the drum unit  518 C has been replaced with a new one (YES in step S 1201 ), the state of the flags shifts from the state in  FIG.  13 A  to the state in  FIG.  13 B , via the processing in step S 1202 . In  FIG.  13 B , since all the drum replacement-required flags  1301  to  1304  for respective colors are “No”, the processing proceeds from step S 1203  to step S 503  in the flowchart of  FIG.  5   . 
     Further, in  FIG.  13 C , the drum replacement-required flags  1301  and  1302  are “Yes”, and thus the drum units  518 C and  518 M need to be replaced. In step S 1201 , in a case where the CPU  201  determines that the drum unit  518 C has been replaced with a new one (YES in step S 1201 ), the state of the flags shifts from the state in  FIG.  13 A  to the state in  FIG.  13 D , via the processing in step S 1202 . In  FIG.  13 D , not all the drum replacement-required flags  1301  to  1304  for respective colors are “No”, and since the drum unit  518 M needs to be replaced with a new one, the processing returns from step S 1203  to step S 1201  to wait. 
     As described above, when all the values of the drum replacement-required flags  1301  to  1304  for respective colors are “No”, and after all the drum units  518  required to be replaced are replaced, the guide screen  700  can be displayed. 
     While the present disclosure has been described using the exemplary embodiments, all the above-described exemplary embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure and shall not be construed as limiting the technical range of the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be realized in diverse ways so long as it is in accordance with the technological thought or main features of the present disclosure. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the information processing apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied is described as an apparatus integrated with the image forming apparatus  1 . However, the information processing apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied may be configured to be an apparatus separate from the image forming apparatus  1 . 
     Other Exemplary Embodiment 
     The present disclosure can be realized by processing of supplying a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described exemplary embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium and one or more processors in the system or the apparatus reading and executing the program. Further, the present disclosure can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASIC)) that can implement one or more functions. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-176372, filed Oct. 28, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.