Patent ID: 7929884

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing unit comprising: a developer bearing body including a rotating shaft and a large diameter section that has a diameter larger than a diameter of said rotating shaft and that is for bearing developer, wherein said developer bearing body is capable of rotating about said rotating shaft, an element with which communication is possible, and a developer containing section for containing a developer; an attach/detach section to and from which said developing unit can be attached and detached; and an antenna for wirelessly communicating with the element of the developing unit attached to said attach/detach section, wherein said element of the developing unit is provided more to the outside in an axial direction of said rotating shaft than an end of said large diameter section in the axial direction of said rotating shaft, and wherein said image forming apparatus further comprises: an attach/detach opening through which said developing unit is attached to and detached from said attach/detach section, and a photoconductor on which a latent image can be formed; wherein in a state in which said developing unit is positioned at an opposing position where said developing unit is in opposition to said photoconductor due to rotation of said rotating body, said latent image can be developed with the developer contained in said developing unit; wherein in a state in which said developing unit is positioned at a detaching position that is different from said opposing position due to rotation of said rotating body, said developing unit can be detached from said attach/detach section via said attach/detach opening; and wherein during a period from when said developing unit arrives at said opposing position until when said developing unit arrives at said detaching position due to rotation of said rotating body, said image forming apparatus writes information into said element of said developing unit using said antenna.