A memory chip for an imaging cartridge, the memory chip being detachably installable on an imaging cartridge, wherein the imaging cartridge is capable of being detachably installable in an imaging device, and the memory chip comprises: an interface unit, configured to electrically connect the memory chip to the imaging device, and receive an instruction that is sent from the imaging device; a storage unit, configured to store information related to the imaging cartridge; a service life determining unit, configured to determine, according to the information that is related to the imaging cartridge and that is stored in the storage unit, whether a service life of the imaging cartridge runs out; and a control unit connected to the interface unit and the storage unit, and configured to perform a read/write operation on the storage unit in response to an instruction sent by the imaging device; characterized in that the interface unit is configured to receive an instruction from the imaging device, and the control unit is configured to perform the read/write operation on the storage unit in response to the instruction received from the imaging device when the service life determining unit determines that the service life of the imaging cartridge does not run out; and the memory chip comprises an exception processing unit configured to: when the service life determining unit determines that the service life of the imaging cartridge runs out, perform exception processing upon receiving the instruction sent by the imaging device and received by the interface unit, the exception processing including skip responding to the instruction received from the imaging device, or incorrectly responding to the instruction received from the imaging device, so that the imaging device considers that the memory chip is exceptional by not communicating normally with the imaging device, and the imaging device is enabled to stop an imaging operation. an interface unit, configured to electrically connect the memory chip to the imaging device, and receive an instruction that is sent from the imaging device; a storage unit, configured to store information related to the imaging cartridge; a service life determining unit, configured to determine, according to the information that is related to the imaging cartridge and that is stored in the storage unit, whether a service life of the imaging cartridge runs out; and a control unit connected to the interface unit and the storage unit, and configured to perform a read/write operation on the storage unit in response to an instruction sent by the imaging device; characterized in that the interface unit is configured to receive an instruction from the imaging device, and the control unit is configured to perform the read/write operation on the storage unit in response to the instruction received from the imaging device when the service life determining unit determines that the service life of the imaging cartridge does not run out; and the memory chip comprises an exception processing unit configured to: when the service life determining unit determines that the service life of the imaging cartridge runs out, perform exception processing upon receiving the instruction sent by the imaging device and received by the interface unit, the exception processing including skip responding to the instruction received from the imaging device, or incorrectly responding to the instruction received from the imaging device, so that the imaging device considers that the memory chip is exceptional by not communicating normally with the imaging device, and the imaging device is enabled to stop an imaging operation.