JP2001356654A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of effectively preventing a toner cartridge other than genuine one from being used by making identification information showing judgement whether the cartridge is genuine or not to be hardly recognized. SOLUTION: Since the identification information showing the judgement whether the cartridge is genuine or not is stored in an NVRAM 21 as electronic information, the identification information cannot be easily recognized. Thus the device is controlled to be used or not used based on the cartridge identification information hardly to be recognized, thereby effectively preventing the toner cartridge other than the genuine one from being used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for preventing unauthorized copying of a toner or ink supply cartridge and determining the type of the supply cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus that replenishes toner or ink using a replaceable toner cartridge or ink cartridge. An apparatus of this type is known which has a function of preventing the use of an illegally copied product of a toner cartridge. For example, an apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-224479 has a bar code information stored in a regular toner cartridge. If the bar code information on the toner cartridge cannot be read when the toner cartridge is mounted on the main body of the device, the use of unauthorized copying products will be prevented by preventing good images from being obtained. Has been prevented. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. -105005 discloses that when the remaining amount of toner becomes low, identification information such as a trade name printed on an irreversible ink label becomes indistinguishable, and when a cartridge is reproduced, Only authorized persons can rewrite the identification information on the ink label, thereby preventing the toner cartridge from being reproduced by anyone other than the authorized trader. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-161411 does not aim to prevent the use of an illegally copied product in a toner cartridge, but it does not provide information on the deterioration status of each part of the toner cartridge and toner characteristics. The information is exchanged between the toner cartridge and the apparatus main body by transmitting and receiving these information to and from the apparatus main body in a non-contact manner.

[0003]

However, in an apparatus for preventing the use of an illegally copied product based on the barcode information attached to a regular toner cartridge as described above, the barcode information can be easily imitated. The use of illegally copied products cannot be effectively prevented. Also,
In an apparatus for preventing the reproduction of a toner cartridge by a non-authorized trader as described above, if the toner cartridge itself to be reproduced is an unauthorized copy product, the user is notified that the attached toner cartridge is an unauthorized copy product. In addition, if the user uses the illegally copied toner cartridge acknowledging that it is not a legitimate product, the user cannot make the apparatus unusable. Further, when a device for transmitting and receiving information such as the deterioration state of the toner cartridge held in the ROM in the toner cartridge in a non-contact manner to the apparatus main body as described above is applied to the prevention of use of an illegally copied product of the toner cartridge. In addition, a light emitting element or the like for non-contact transmission / reception is required, which increases the production cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and it is not possible to easily know identification information that is a source of determination of a genuine product. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of effectively preventing use of a toner cartridge other than a product.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a cartridge for supplying toner or ink to an apparatus main body is detachable from the apparatus main body, and the cartridge is mounted when the cartridge is mounted. Reading means for reading the identification information of the cartridge held by the cartridge; determining means for determining whether the cartridge is authentic based on the identification information of the cartridge read by the reading means; An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit for controlling an image forming operation based on a determination result; a semiconductor memory in which identification information of the cartridge is stored as electronic information is provided on the cartridge side, and the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body. When the main body and the semiconductor memory are electrically connected to each other, The electronic information stored in the semiconductor memory is read, and the control unit enables the device when the determination unit determines that the cartridge is genuine, and uses the device when it is determined that the cartridge is not genuine. It is controlled to make it impossible.

In the above configuration, since the identification information used to determine whether the cartridge is a legitimate cartridge is stored in the semiconductor memory as electronic information, the identification information cannot be easily obtained. Further, based on such identification information, the determination means determines whether or not the cartridge is genuine, and as a result, if it is determined that the cartridge is not genuine, the control means uses the device. Impossible. Accordingly, the use / non-use of the apparatus is controlled based on the cartridge identification information which is difficult to know, so that the use of a toner cartridge other than a regular product can be effectively prevented.

When the determining means determines that the cartridge is a regular one, the control means sends mounted information indicating that the cartridge is a mounted cartridge to the cartridge side. The information is stored in the semiconductor memory, and the determining unit is further configured to determine whether the mounted cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal based on the mounted information stored in the semiconductor memory. You may. This makes it possible to easily determine whether or not the installed cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal. For example, when the installed cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal, the remaining toner It is possible to prevent the setting values such as the amount from being reset to the initial values by mistake.

The control means stores the identification information of the cartridge in a semiconductor memory provided in the main body of the apparatus when the determination means determines that the cartridge is authentic, and the determination means further comprises: By comparing the identification information of the cartridge before removal stored in the semiconductor memory of the apparatus body with the identification information of the newly attached cartridge, the newly attached cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal. Or not. Thus, it is possible to easily know whether or not the cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body is the same as the cartridge before the removal, so that the same operation as described above can be obtained.

Further, the apparatus main body further includes a remaining amount storage unit for storing the remaining amount of toner or ink in the cartridge, and the control unit determines that the installed cartridge is not the same as the cartridge before removal by the determination unit. When it is determined, the toner remaining amount or the ink remaining amount stored in the remaining amount storage unit is changed to the initial value, and the determination unit determines that the installed cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal. Alternatively, the remaining toner amount or remaining ink amount stored in the remaining amount storage means may not be changed to the initial value. Thus, when the mounted cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal, the original remaining amount of toner or ink can be used as it is.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a main configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
This image forming apparatus forms an image by an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum 1 and a developing device 2 for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 with toner.
The photosensitive drum 1 and the developing device 2 are disposed at positions facing each other. The inside of the frame 3 of the developing device 2 is filled with a developer 4 in which a magnetic carrier and a toner are mixed. The developing device 2 has a developer stirring roller 5 for mixing and stirring the developer 4 inside the frame 3.
And a magnetic developing sleeve 6 for transporting the developer 4 mixed and stirred by the developer stirring roller 5 to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1. The toner in the developer 4 transported to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1 by the magnetic developing sleeve 6 is consumed when developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. A toner cartridge 7 for replenishing toner is mounted on the developing device 2, and the toner cartridge 7 is configured to be detachable from the developing device 2. The toner cartridge 7 has a toner supply roller 9 for supplying toner into the developing device 2 inside the frame 8, and a toner supply roller 9 at a position where the frame 8 and the frame 3 of the developing device 2 are joined. Stores ID data for identifying whether the cartridge 7 is a legitimate product or not.
It has an ID data storage output circuit 10 for outputting. Although the details will be described later, in the present image forming apparatus, it is determined whether or not the toner cartridge 7 is authentic based on the ID data output from the ID data storage output circuit 10 to the apparatus main body.

Next, referring to FIG. 2 in addition to FIG.
A method for electrically connecting the ID data storage output circuit 10 to the apparatus main body will be described. FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration around the ID data storage output circuit 10. The ID data storage output circuit 10 has a terminal 11. The terminal 11 is connected to a terminal 12 provided on the frame 3 of the developing device 2 when the toner cartridge 7 is mounted on the developing device 2. The terminal 12 is connected to a controller (see FIG. 3) of the apparatus main body via a cable 13 that passes through the frame 3 of the developing device 2. Therefore, the developing device 2 of the toner cartridge 7
At the time of attachment to the device, the ID data storage output circuit 10 and the controller on the device main body side are in a state of being electrically connected via the terminals 11, 12 and the cable 13.

FIG. 3 shows an electrical block diagram of the ID data storage / output circuit 10 of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment and the controller on the apparatus main body side. The ID data storage output circuit 10 stores ID data for identifying whether the toner cartridge 7 is a legitimate product or not.
AM (Non-Volatile RAM) 21 (semiconductor memory), a conversion circuit 23 for converting the format between parallel data and serial data, and an I / O between the NVRAM 21 and the conversion circuit 23
Bit counter 2 used when transferring D data
2 Further, the ID data storage output circuit 10 generates a CLK1 for generating a data input / output synchronization signal between the ID data storage output circuit 10 and the controller 30 based on a timing signal CLK1 issued from the controller 30 of the apparatus main body. Circuit 24 and a C for generating a synchronization signal for resetting data in the conversion circuit 23 based on the timing signal CLK2 issued from the controller 30.
And an LK2 generation circuit 25. A power supply circuit 26 is connected to each circuit in the ID data storage output circuit 10, and power is supplied to each circuit by the power supply circuit 26.

The controller 30 of the apparatus main body includes a CPU 31 (control means) for controlling the entire controller. The CPU 31 includes a conversion circuit 32 for performing format conversion between parallel data and serial data, and a conversion circuit 3.
A bit counter 33 used for inputting and outputting data to and from the RAM 2 and a RAM 40 for storing ID data and the like fetched from the ID data storage output circuit 10 are connected. Further, a judgment control circuit 34 is connected to the CPU 31, and the judgment control circuit 34 includes a timing generation circuit 36 and a judgment unit 35. The timing generating circuit 36 is a circuit that generates the data input / output timing signal CLK1 and the data reset timing signal CLK2 based on the system clock 39. The judging section 35 is a circuit for judging whether the toner cartridge 7 is an authentic toner cartridge. The judging section 35 has data 37 serving as a judgment reference, and the reference data 37 and the ID data stored and output from the ID data storage output circuit 10. It comprises a comparison circuit 38 for comparing the ID data with the ID data. A power supply circuit 41 is connected to each circuit in the controller 30, and power is supplied to each circuit by the power supply circuit 41.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 in addition to FIG. 3, a process when the toner cartridge 7 is mounted in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. When the toner cartridge 7 is mounted on the apparatus main body (YES in # 1), the CPU 31 in the controller 30 of the apparatus main body detects this, and the timing generation circuit 3
6 is instructed to transmit a signal for taking in ID data to the ID data storage / output circuit 10. When receiving the instruction from the CPU 31, the timing generation circuit 36 sends the ID signal fetch timing signal CLK 1 to the CLK 1 generation circuit 24 of the ID data storage output circuit 10.
Is transmitted (# 2). When receiving the timing signal CLK1, the CLK1 generation circuit 24 sends a synchronization signal based on the timing signal CLK1 to the bit counter 22 and the conversion circuit 23. The conversion circuit 23 receiving this synchronization signal uses the bit counter 22 to
The ID data in the parallel data format stored in M21 is converted into serial data (# 3) and transmitted to the controller 30 on the device body side. This serial data format I
The D data is converted into a parallel data format by the conversion circuit 32 in the controller 30 (# 4) and sent to the determination unit 35. The comparison circuit 38 in the determination unit 35
The ID data sent from the printer 2 is compared with the reference data 37 (# 5) to check whether the toner cartridge 7 is a legitimate product.

Checking whether the product is a legitimate product is performed as follows. As shown in Table 1 below, a value that can be taken for each bit of the ID data is determined. The reference data 37 in the judging unit 35 stores possible values for each bit of the ID data. The comparison circuit 38 receives the I signal sent from the toner cartridge 7 side.
By comparing the D data with the reference data 37 to determine whether the ID data is within the range of the reference data 37,
It is checked whether or not the mounted toner cartridge 7 is a regular product. A specific method of comparing the ID data sent from the toner cartridge 7 with the reference data 37 may be to compare all the bit information constituting the ID data with the reference data 37 for each bit. , The information of a specific bit constituting the ID data may be compared with the reference data 37. For example, only the data whose bit position is 7 in the ID data sent from the toner cartridge 7 side may be compared with the reference data 37. In this case, as shown in Table 1, the bit position is 7 bits.
Since the reference data 37 is only "0", if the data whose bit position is 7 in the ID data sent from the toner cartridge 7 side is "0", the attached toner cartridge 7 It is determined that the product is "0"
If the value is any other value, it is determined that the attached toner cartridge 7 is an unauthorized copy product.

[0016]

[Table 1]

As a result of the above check, if it is determined that the installed toner cartridge 7 is an unauthorized copy product (NO in # 6), the CPU 31 receives this determination result from the comparison circuit 38, and Is set to a state where printing is impossible (# 7). On the other hand, if it is determined that the attached toner cartridge 7 is a genuine product (YES in # 6), the CPU 31 determines that the bit position in the ID data shown in Table 1 is 8 It is checked whether or not the mounted flag is “1” (# 8). And
If the mounted flag is "0" (YE in # 8)
S), it is determined that the installed toner cartridge 7 is a new cartridge, and the bit position in the ID data shown in Table 1 above allows printing of the installed toner cartridge 7 based on the data of 1 to 3. The number of sheets is determined (# 9), and the initial setting of the toner remaining amount counter in the RAM 40 is performed based on the determination result (# 10). After the initialization, the CPU 31 sets “1” (mounted) in the mounted flag in the ID data (# 11), and converts the ID data into a serial data format using the change circuit 32. Is transferred to the ID data storage output circuit 10 of the toner cartridge 7 (# 12). The ID data in the serial data format is stored in the ID data storage output circuit 1
After the data is converted into the parallel data format by the conversion circuit 23 in 0, the data is stored in the NVRAM 21. In contrast, # 8
If the mounted flag in the ID data is "1" (NO in # 8), the CPU 31 determines that the mounted toner cartridge 7 is the same as that previously mounted. Then, the toner remaining amount counter in the RAM 40 is not changed to the initial value, but is held at the original value (# 13).

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, the attached toner cartridge 7
Is stored as electronic information in the NVRAM 21 as a base for determining whether or not the ID data is legitimate, so that the ID data is compared with the case where the ID data is visually recognizable information such as a bar code. Can not be easily known. By controlling the use / non-use of the device based on such difficult-to-understand ID data, it is possible to effectively prevent the use of a toner cartridge 7 other than a regular product. Also, an installed flag indicating that the toner cartridge 7 is already installed is stored in the NVRAM 21 of the toner cartridge 7, and the next time the toner cartridge 7 is installed in the apparatus main body, the installed flag is stored in the NVRAM 21. It is determined whether or not the attached toner cartridge 7 is the same as that before removal by determining whether or not the attached toner cartridge 7 is the same as that before removal. Can be easily known. This allows
When the attached toner cartridge 7 is the same as that before the removal, the set values such as the remaining toner amount are not reset to the initial values by mistake.

FIG. 5 shows an electrical block diagram of the ID data storage / output circuit 10 of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment and the controller 30 of the apparatus main body. The second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment except for a part. In the first embodiment, a rewritable NVRAM 21 is used as a semiconductor memory for storing ID data for toner cartridge identification.
On the basis of the mounted flag in the ID data stored in the RAM 21 as a reference, it is determined whether or not the mounted toner cartridge 7 is the same as that before removal. In the second embodiment, The ROM 51 is used as a semiconductor memory for storing the ID data, and the ID data stored in the ROM 51 is compared with the ID data of the toner cartridge 7 before removal stored in the RAM 40 in the controller 30 so that the attached toner cartridge It is determined whether 7 is the same as before removal.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 in addition to FIG. 5, a process when the toner cartridge 7 is mounted in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. When the toner cartridge 7 is attached to the apparatus main body (YES in # 21), the CPU 31 in the controller 30 of the apparatus main body performs the same processing as # 2 to # 4 in the first embodiment, and executes ID processing. Data storage output circuit 1
After the ID data stored in the ROM 51 of the controller 0 is fetched into the judging section 35 in the controller 30 in the form of parallel data (# 22 to # 24), the fetched ID data and the reference data 37 in the judging section 35 are compared. By comparison (#
25) Check whether the toner cartridge 7 is a legitimate product. As a result of this check, if it is determined that the installed toner cartridge 7 is not a regular product (NO in # 26), the CPU 31
8 to make the apparatus unprintable (# 27). On the other hand, when it is determined that the attached toner cartridge 7 is a regular product (YES in # 26), the CPU 31 stores the ID data fetched from the ID data storage output circuit 10 into the RAM 40.
Of the toner cartridge 7 stored in the toner cartridge 7 before removal.
It is checked whether it matches the D data (# 28).
If these ID data do not match (#
28), it is determined that the installed toner cartridge 7 is a new cartridge, and the bit position in the ID data shown in Table 1 is set based on the data of 1 to 3 to indicate that the installed toner cartridge 7 is new. The number of printable sheets is determined (# 29), and based on the determination result, the RAM 4
Initialize the toner remaining amount counter within 0 (# 3
0). After the initialization, the CPU 31 uses the ID data taken in from the ID data storage / output circuit 10 as the ID data of the toner cartridge 7 before the removal.
It is stored in M40 (# 31). On the other hand, the ID data fetched from the ID data storage / output circuit 10
If the ID data matches the ID data of the toner cartridge 7 before removal stored in M40 (YE in # 28)
S), the CPU 31 determines that the attached toner cartridge 7
Is determined to be the same as the one that was previously attached,
The toner remaining amount counter in the RAM 40 is not changed to the initial value, but is held at the original value (# 32).

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, the attached toner cartridge 7
Is stored in the RAM 40 of the apparatus main body, and when the toner cartridge 7 is mounted on the apparatus main body, the ID data is stored in the RAM 40 of the apparatus main body. By comparing the stored ID data of the toner cartridge 7 before removal and the ID data of the newly mounted toner cartridge 7, it is determined whether the mounted toner cartridge 7 is the same as before the removal. I did it. Thus, unlike the first embodiment, the toner cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body is configured using the ROM 51 that can only be read as the semiconductor memory for storing ID data on the toner cartridge 7 side. It can be easily known whether or not 7 is the same as before removal.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the first and second embodiments, only the initial setting of the toner remaining amount counter is performed based on the information on the type of the toner cartridge 7 in the ID data read from the mounted toner cartridge 7. The image forming condition such as the temperature of the fixing roller may be changed based on the information on the type of the toner cartridge in the ID data. In the second embodiment, only the ID data of the previously mounted toner cartridge 7 is stored in the RAM 40 of the apparatus main body.
A table for storing toner cartridge ID data is provided in the RAM of the main body of the apparatus, and when the ID data of a plurality of toner cartridges previously mounted and each toner cartridge are removed from the table. May be stored in association with the remaining toner counter. Thus, even when a mounted toner cartridge other than the previously mounted toner cartridge is remounted, the value of the remaining toner counter after mounting can be set to an appropriate value.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the identification information used to determine whether the cartridge is a legitimate cartridge is stored in the semiconductor memory as electronic information.
Compared to the case where the identification information is visually recognizable information such as a bar code, the identification information can be prevented from being easily known. By controlling the use / non-use of the apparatus based on such difficult-to-understand cartridge identification information, the use of toner cartridges other than regular products can be effectively prevented.

When it is determined that the cartridge is a regular cartridge, mounted information indicating that the cartridge is a mounted cartridge is stored in a semiconductor memory of the cartridge, and the mounted information is stored in the semiconductor memory of the cartridge. It is possible to easily determine whether the mounted cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal by determining whether the mounted cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal based on the . As a result, for example, when the installed cartridge is the same as the cartridge before the removal, the setting values such as the remaining toner amount are not erroneously reset to the initial values.

When it is determined that the cartridge is genuine, the identification information of the cartridge is stored in a semiconductor memory provided on the apparatus main body side, and when the cartridge is mounted, the semiconductor memory on the apparatus main body side is stored. By comparing the identification information of the cartridge before removal stored in the storage device with the identification information of the newly installed cartridge, it is determined whether or not the newly installed cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal. By doing so, it is possible to easily know whether or not the cartridge mounted on the apparatus main body is the same as the cartridge before removal.
Thereby, the same effect as above can be obtained.

Further, the apparatus main body further comprises a remaining amount storage means for storing the remaining amount of toner or the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge, and when it is determined that the installed cartridge is not the same as the cartridge before being removed, The remaining amount of toner or the remaining amount of ink stored in the amount storage unit is changed to the initial value, and when it is determined that the attached cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal, the remaining amount is stored in the remaining amount storage unit. If the installed cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal by not changing the remaining toner or ink remaining to the initial value, the original toner or ink remaining can be used as it is. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration around an ID data storage output circuit in a toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of the ID data storage / output circuit and a controller on the apparatus main body side.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the toner cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an electrical block diagram of an ID data storage output circuit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a controller on the apparatus main body side.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a toner cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 Toner Cartridge 21 NVRAM (Semiconductor Memory) 23 Conversion Circuit (Reading Means) 31 CPU (Control Means) 32 Conversion Circuit (Reading Means) 35 Judgment Unit (Judgment Means) 40 RAM (Main Body Semiconductor Memory, Remaining Storage Means) 51 ROM (semiconductor memory) 52 P / S conversion circuit (reading means) 53 S / P conversion circuit (reading means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 15/08 114 B41J 3/04 102Z F-term (Reference) 2C056 EA29 EB20 EB45 EB56 EC67 KC22 KC30 2H027 DA27 DA36 DD02 EC06 EJ03 HB13 HB17 2H071 BA13 BA37 2H077 AA02 AA33 AD02 AD06 AD13 AD17 AE03 DA15 DA87 DB10 DB25 EA15 GA04 GA12

Claims (4)

[Claims] A cartridge for supplying toner or ink to the apparatus main body, the cartridge being detachable from the apparatus main body; reading means for reading identification information of the cartridge held in the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted; Determining means for determining whether or not the cartridge is genuine based on the identification information of the cartridge read by the reading means; control for controlling an image forming operation based on the determination result by the determining means A semiconductor memory in which identification information of the cartridge is stored as electronic information on the cartridge side, and when the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus main body, the apparatus main body and the semiconductor memory are separated from each other. By being electrically connected, the reading means can be connected to the semiconductor memory. The electronic information stored in the cartridge is read, and the control unit enables the apparatus when the determination unit determines that the cartridge is genuine, and activates the apparatus when it is determined that the cartridge is not genuine. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus is controlled to be unusable. 2. The control means, if the determination means determines that the cartridge is an authorized cartridge, sends out mounted information indicating that the cartridge is a mounted cartridge to the cartridge side. Then, the mounted information is stored in the semiconductor memory, and the determining means further includes a cartridge mounted based on the mounted information stored in the semiconductor memory being the same as the cartridge before removal. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is in the image forming apparatus. 3. The control means stores the identification information of the cartridge in a semiconductor memory provided in a main body of the apparatus when the determination means determines that the cartridge is genuine. The determination unit further compares the identification information of the cartridge before removal stored in the semiconductor memory of the apparatus main body with the identification information of the newly attached cartridge, and determines whether the newly attached cartridge is removed. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether the cartridge is the same as a previous cartridge. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a remaining amount storage unit configured to store a remaining amount of toner or remaining amount of ink in the cartridge, wherein the control unit determines that the mounted cartridge is not the same as the cartridge before removal. When the determination is made by the determination unit, the remaining amount of toner or the remaining amount of ink stored in the remaining amount storage unit is changed to an initial value, and the determination unit determines that the installed cartridge is the same as the cartridge before removal. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the determination is made, the remaining amount of toner or remaining amount of ink stored in the remaining amount storage unit is not changed to an initial value. 5.