Patent ID: 7431448

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of ink cartridges each containing ink; a plurality of ink recording heads each ejecting ink contained in a respective one of the plurality of ink cartridges through a nozzle array so as to form an image on a recording medium; a cover which is configured to open and close so as to allow replacement of the plurality of ink cartridges; an input device which provides a user interface; a cover closing detection device which detects at least the closing of the cover from an unclosed state; a query device which displays a request for input regarding actual replacement of one of the plurality of ink cartridges, and functions after a replacing ink cartridge input is received from the input device and after the cover closing detection device detects the closing of the cover; and a maintenance device which performs maintenance of the plurality of recording heads according to input from the input device after the functioning of the query device.