JP2002333800A - Image forming device and its consumables, controlling device for image forming device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device using interchangeable consumables and realizing the facilitation of the control of the consumables. SOLUTION: Identification information stored in a storage element provided in the consumable is compared with the identification information of the image forming device or department identification information set in advance. Only when they coincide with each other, image forming processing using the consumable is made valid.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which is a printer or an apparatus having a printing function.
In particular, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using replaceable consumables.
The present invention also relates to replaceable consumables used in the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer and an ink jet printer, and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a facsimile machine, it is generally practiced to make consumables into cartridges in order to facilitate maintenance. Have been done. It is also common practice to notify the user of the replacement time of consumables and to record information such as the number of prints inside the apparatus in order to manage the apparatus.

In such a conventional image forming apparatus, for example, a consumable of the same type of consumable is used by temporarily borrowing a consumable of another image forming apparatus in use of the consumable. Is possible. Then, when the consumables diverted at the time of mounting new consumables are returned to the original device, both devices can be used again.

[0004]

However, when such a consumable item is lent or borrowed during use, the number of prints recorded by the device that lent the consumable item and the actual number of prints using the lent consumable item are actually printed. (That is, the sum of the number of pages printed before lending and the number of pages printed by other devices)
There is a discrepancy between

[0005] Such a discrepancy in the number of sheets becomes a serious problem particularly when the number of printed sheets and the usage of consumables are managed for each department of a company. As described above, the conventional image forming apparatus is provided with a mechanism for managing the size and the number of sheets used, on the assumption that the apparatus is actually used, but can be used in other apparatuses. Consumables could not be managed properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems of the conventional apparatus, and has as its object to enable appropriate management of consumables in an image forming apparatus using detachable consumables. It is another object of the present invention to provide a consumable of an image forming apparatus suitable for appropriate management of consumables. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus management apparatus for managing an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[0007]

That is, the gist of the present invention is an image forming apparatus using replaceable consumables,
Reading means for reading the consumable item identification information recorded on the consumable item; comparing means for comparing the pre-registered identification information with the consumable item identification information; and image formation using the consumable item based on the comparison result by the comparing unit. An image forming apparatus having a determination unit for determining whether the image forming apparatus can be used.

Another aspect of the present invention is a consumable part of an exchangeable image forming apparatus, wherein identification information predetermined by an image forming apparatus to which the consumable part is mounted is recorded. The present invention relates to a consumable of an image forming apparatus having a storage unit having a recording area.

Another aspect of the present invention is a replaceable consumable of an image forming apparatus in which predetermined identification information for specifying an image forming apparatus to which the consumable is to be mounted is recorded. The present invention relates to a consumable for an image forming apparatus having a storage unit having an identification information recording area.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention resides in that identification information of a predetermined image forming apparatus to be managed and consumables recorded in a replaceable consumable attached to the image forming apparatus of the altruistic costume for the entire period. Storage means for storing a management table associated with article identification information; and updating means for updating the management table based on a notification received from an image forming apparatus communicably connected. It exists in the management device of the image forming apparatus.

Another aspect of the present invention resides in a computer program that causes a computer device to function as a management device of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

Another aspect of the present invention resides in a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program of the present invention.

Another aspect of the present invention resides in an image forming system in which an image generating apparatus according to the present invention and a management apparatus for the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are connected.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a laser beam printer is used as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and a process cartridge (a cartridge in which a photoconductor, toner, and the like are sealed) is described as an example of consumables. The present invention is applicable to any image forming apparatus using replaceable consumables and any replaceable consumable used in these image forming apparatuses.

The image forming apparatus which can provide the present invention includes ink jet printers, thermal transfer printers, sublimation printers, dot matrix printers, etc., and consumables include ink cartridges, toner cartridges, and ink ribbon (film) cartridges. There are consumable cartridges in which consumable parts such as printhead cartridges and photosensitive drum cartridges are incorporated, and consumable parts cartridges in which both recording materials and consumable parts are incorporated. it can.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a laser beam printer as an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Laser beam printer 1
Reference numeral 01 includes a controller board 111 and a print engine 112. The printer 101 transmits print data from a host computer (not shown) to an external interface 1 in the controller board 111.
22. The received data is stored in the ROM by the CPU 121.
The processing is performed by executing the program (firmware) stored in the RAM 124, and image data is formed in the RAM 123. The formed image data is transmitted to the print engine 11 via the engine interface 125.
Sent to 2. The print engine 112 forms an electrostatic latent image by scanning the photoreceptor with a laser beam based on the received image data, develops the electrostatic latent image with toner, transfers and fixes the image on recording paper, and prints the image. Is output. Secondary storage unit 12
Reference numeral 6 denotes a nonvolatile memory, which stores identification information and the like described later.

In this embodiment, a process cartridge 130 as a detachable consumable cartridge is mounted inside the print engine 112. The process cartridge 130 is a cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a toner, a cleaner, and the like are incorporated, and a non-volatile memory 131 such as a battery backup RAM and a flash ROM is provided therein. The nonvolatile memory 131 is communicably connected to the print engine 112 through a wiring (not shown) inside the process cartridge 130, and the contents stored in the nonvolatile memory 131 are stored in the CPU 12 via the engine interface 125.
1 enables reading and writing.

Of course, the communication path between the process cartridge 130 and the engine interface 125 is not limited to a wired path, but may be a wireless communication path. In this case, the process cartridge 130
A wireless transceiver may be provided for the engine interface 125.

In this embodiment, the printer 10
The overall operation of the printer 1 is controlled by the CPU 121 by executing a program stored in the ROM 124 and controlling necessary components in the printer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally showing the controller board 111 in FIG. The print data sent from the host computer by the data receiving unit 201 is temporarily stored in the data buffering unit 202. The drawing data generation unit 204 monitors the state of the data buffering unit 202, and if the received print data exists, immediately generates the drawing data according to the content of the print data. After the drawing data is generated, a print result is finally output from the print engine 112 via the engine control unit 203.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the nonvolatile memory 131 provided in the process cartridge 130. The non-volatile memory 131 has a consumable information table area 401 and an identification information area 402. The consumable information table area 401 stores information on the consumable cartridge itself, for example, information for specifying the type and performance of the cartridge, such as the model number, and manufacturing information such as a manufacturing place, date, lot, and the like. On the other hand, in the identification information area 402, information (identification information) for specifying an apparatus in which the consumable cartridge is used is stored. When the consumables are new and are shipped from the factory, the identification information stores information that means "not for any device".

The identification information written when the consumable item is not used may be a predetermined specific value such as "000000" or a specific character string. As the identification information for specifying the device, any information may be used as long as the information is unique to the device.For example, when the image forming device has a network interface as an external interface, the MAC ( Media Access Cont
rol) address can be used as identification information. Alternatively, device information stored in the device, such as a serial number, may be used.

FIG. 3 shows the engine control unit 20 shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an initial printing process at power-on of No. 3; The operation described below is actually performed while the configuration CPU 121 shown in FIG. 1 controls related components.

The engine control unit 203 first executes step S3
01, the nonvolatile memory 13 in the consumable cartridge 130 mounted in the print engine 112.
1 and reads the contents of the identification information area 402. Next, in step S302, it is confirmed whether or not the read data is predetermined information meaning "not belonging to any device".

In step S302, if the data in the identification information area 402 is information meaning "not belonging to any device", it is determined that the cartridge has been mounted on the device for the first time after shipment from the factory. Therefore, in step S303, the identification information unique to the printer 101 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 1 in the process cartridge 130.
Write to 31.

On the other hand, in step S302, if any identification information has already been recorded, in step S304, the read identification information and the printer 1
01 is compared with the identification information. If the results of this comparison match, then the process cartridge 130 is the first cartridge installed in the printer 101,
It is determined that the cartridge can be used, and the series of processes is completed, and the process returns to the normal process.

If the result of the comparison does not match in step S304, it is determined that the cartridge cannot be used because the cartridge has already been mounted in another image forming apparatus. At this time, the printer enters an error state, and displays a message indicating that the cartridge cannot be used for, for example, an LED constituting a display unit (not shown) provided on the printer or a liquid crystal display. Is not performed (step S305).

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the identification information is already written in the non-volatile memory in the consumable cartridge and the identification information and the identification information unique to the apparatus are different. Does not perform the subsequent printing process, so that strict management of consumables becomes possible.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, whether the identification information recorded on the consumable cartridge is information that means "not belonging to any device", whether the identification information unique to the device and the identification information recorded on the consumable cartridge are different from each other. The printing process using the consumable cartridge is performed only when the values match. This embodiment is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the consumable cartridge can be used, using not the identification information unique to the device but the identification number of a department set in the device in advance.

In this embodiment, different identification information (department identification information) for each department is determined in advance, and the printer 101
Printer 1 via an operation unit (not shown) provided in the printer 1
01 is stored with the department identification information. Specifically, in the same way as setting an internal state value for a device such as a printer in general, a menu screen is selected using a numeric keypad or a touch panel that constitutes an operation unit, and the unit identification information is input and set. Keep it. The set department identification information is stored in, for example, the secondary storage unit 126 in the controller board 111.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the nonvolatile memory 131 in this embodiment. The non-volatile memory 131 has a consumable information table area 401 and a use department identification information area 601. The consumable information table area 401 stores information on the consumable cartridge itself, for example, information for specifying the type and performance of the cartridge, such as the model number, and manufacturing information such as a manufacturing place, date, lot, and the like. On the other hand, the use department identification information area 601 stores information (department identification information) for specifying the department in which the consumable cartridge is used. When the consumables are new and shipped from the factory, this identification information stores information meaning "not belonging to any department".

The identification information to be written when the consumable is unused is, for example, "00000" as in the first embodiment.
It may be a predetermined specific value such as 0 ",
It may be a specific character string.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an initial printing process when the power of the engine control unit 203 in this embodiment is turned on. The operation described below is actually performed while the configuration CPU 121 shown in FIG. 1 controls related components.

First, the engine control unit 203 determines in step S5
01, the nonvolatile memory 13 in the consumable cartridge 130 mounted in the print engine 112.
1 and reads the contents of the department identification information area 601. Next, in step S502, it is confirmed whether or not the read data is predetermined information meaning "not belonging to any department".

In step S502, when the data in the department identification information area 601 is information meaning "not belonging to any department", it is determined that the cartridge is mounted on the apparatus for the first time after shipment from the factory. . Therefore, in step S <b> 503, the department identification information set in the printer 101 is written in the non-volatile memory 131 in the process cartridge 130.

On the other hand, if any identification information has already been recorded in step S502, in step S504 the read identification information and the printer 1
The comparison with the department identification information set to 01 is performed. If the result of this comparison is a match, the process cartridge 130 is a cartridge permitted to be used in the same department as the printer 101, so it is determined that this cartridge may be used, and this series of processing is performed. And returns to the normal processing.

If the result of the comparison does not match in step S504, it is determined that the cartridge cannot be used because the cartridge has already been used once by an image forming apparatus of another department. At this time, the printer enters an error state, and displays a message indicating that the cartridge cannot be used for, for example, an LED constituting a display unit (not shown) provided on the printer or a liquid crystal display. Is not performed (step S50).
5).

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the identification information is already written in the non-volatile memory in the consumable cartridge, and the identification information is different from the department identification information set in the apparatus. In such a case, since the subsequent printing process is not performed, strict management of the consumables can be performed for each department.

(Third Embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the non-volatile memory of a new consumable cartridge contains information indicating that the cartridge does not belong to any device.
And information that "they are not belonging to any department" are recorded, and the identification information of the device or the department identification information is written depending on the device that is first mounted.

However, when the consumable cartridge is shipped beforehand, if the device-specific identification information or department identification information used at the delivery destination is known, predetermined identification information may be recorded in advance.

In this case, even if the cartridge is a new cartridge, only a specific device or department can be used, and it is possible to prevent illegal acts such as taking out a new cartridge from another department and using it.

(Image Forming System) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system using the image forming apparatus management apparatus according to the present invention. The management device of the image forming apparatus is a device that manages the above-described image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and is connected to the image forming apparatus via a local interface or a network interface.

The image forming apparatus 721 shown in FIG. 7 may be the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first and second embodiments.
The functions of a state management unit 705 and a logical channel control unit 706 for notifying the management device of information in the image forming apparatus are added.

The management device 722 can be realized by, for example, a general-purpose computer device as shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a display device such as a CRT or an LCD for displaying information on data being processed by an application program, various message menus, and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a video RAM (hereinafter, VRAM) for developing an image displayed on the screen of the display device 1. 3 and 4 are for inputting characters and the like in predetermined columns on the screen, and for icons and GUIs.
1 shows a keyboard and a pointing device (PD) used to indicate buttons and the like in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 5 denotes a CPU that controls the entire host computer as a management device.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a ROM that stores an operation processing procedure (program) of the CPU 5. The ROM 6 stores an application program for data processing, an error processing program, and a management utility program for the image forming apparatus described later. In addition,
Some or all of the programs stored in the ROM 6 may be stored in an HDD described later. Reference numeral 7 denotes a RAM used as a work area when the above-described various programs are executed by the CPU 5 and a temporary save area during error processing.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a hard disk drive (hereinafter, HD)
D) and 9 indicate floppy (registered trademark) disk drives (hereinafter referred to as FDDs), respectively. The respective disks are used for storing and reading application programs and data, tables and a library described later, and the like.
It is also used for a virtual storage area or the like. Also, instead of or in addition to FDD, optical (magnetic) disk drives such as CD-ROM, MO, and DVD, tape streamers,
A magnetic tape drive such as a DDS may be provided.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a network interface for connecting the management device to a network. Reference numeral 11 denotes a bus (comprising an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus) for connecting the above-described units. Reference numeral 13 denotes an external interface including a so-called serial port, parallel port, and the like. The network interface 10 is used when connecting the image forming apparatus and the management apparatus via a network, and the external interface 13 is used when connecting locally.

FIG. 7 shows a management device having such a configuration in a functional block format relating to management of an image forming apparatus.
become that way. That is, the management device 722 has functional blocks of a data transmission / reception unit 711, a logical channel control unit 712, and a utility unit 713. These functional blocks can be actually realized by the CPU 5 executing software to control necessary units.

The engine control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 721
3 executes the initial operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 (or FIG. 5) not only at the time of startup but also when the consumable cartridge is replaced or when the cover is opened and then closed again, for example. can do. The identification information has changed, for example, when the identification information is newly written on the mounted consumable cartridge (step S303) or when a consumable cartridge with a different identifier written is mounted (step S305). In this case, the identification information read from the cartridge is notified to the state management unit 705.

The state management unit 705 includes the engine control unit 20
3 functions as a notifying unit for notifying the management device of the identification information of the cartridge received from 3 together with the identification information of the image forming apparatus itself. Further, the state management unit 705 detects an instruction output by the engine control unit in step S305 to be in a print disabled state, and notifies the management apparatus that the image forming apparatus is currently in a print disabled state. Notice. Communication between the state management unit 705 and the management device 722 is performed via the logical channel control unit 706 and the data transmission / reception unit 201. The communication may be performed using a predetermined protocol.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 721 determines whether or not the identification information of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, that is, the identification information of the apparatus matches the identification information stored in the consumable cartridge (except for the case of a new article). The operation of the management device (host computer) 722 in a case where the consumables management is performed in units of departments as described in the second embodiment as an example using the image forming apparatus that determines whether the consumable cartridge can be used or not. explain. It is assumed that a management table is registered in advance in the management device, for example, in the HDD 8 using the identification number of the image forming apparatus to be managed as a key. In the management table, in addition to the identification number of the image forming apparatus, management group information to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the state of the apparatus, the identification information of the mounted consumable cartridge, and the like are recorded. FIG. 8 shows an example of the management table.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management device. The following processing is performed by the CPU 5 in the ROM 6 or H
The software stored in the DD 8 is executed to realize the required components while controlling the components. First, the management device checks whether the data transmission / reception unit 711 has received a notification from the image forming apparatus (step S110). If there is no reception, the wait state is maintained. On the other hand, if the notification has been received, the notification is passed to the utility unit 713 via the logical channel control unit 712.
Then, the utility unit 713 searches the management table registered in the HDD 8 in advance by using the device identification number included in the notification, and registers the identification number of the consumable also included in the notification in the corresponding record (step). S12
0).

Next, the utility unit 713 checks whether or not the image forming apparatus is in a print-disabled state (step S130). This check can be performed by checking the received notification. If the image forming apparatus that is the transmission source of the notification is in a print-disabled state, the process returns to step S110 and waits for the next notification.

On the other hand, if it is detected in step S130 that the image forming apparatus is in a print-disabled state, the utility unit 713 determines that the identification information of the consumable cartridge included in the notification indicates that the image is in a print-disabled state. It is checked whether the information is identification information belonging to the same management group as the forming apparatus, for example, whether it is identification information of another image forming apparatus belonging to the same management group (step S14).
0). This check, for example, in the management table,
This can be performed by comparing the identification information of another image forming apparatus having the same management group information as the management group information to which the non-printable image forming apparatus belongs with the identification information of the consumable cartridge included in the notification. .

As a result of the check, if the identification information of the consumable cartridge matches the identification information of another image forming apparatus belonging to the same management group as the image forming apparatus in a non-printable state, the utility unit 713 sets the printable state Is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 721 via the logical channel control unit 712 and the data transmission / reception unit 711 (step S150). The instruction of the printable state is transmitted to the state management unit 705 via the data transmission / reception unit 701 and the logical channel control unit 706, and finally, the image forming apparatus 721 returns to the printable state. Thereafter, normal printing processing is performed.

On the other hand, if the identification information of the consumable cartridge does not match the identification information of another image forming apparatus belonging to the same management group as the image forming apparatus in a non-printable state, the utility unit 713 executes, for example, image forming. Device 7
Since the printer 21 is in a print-disabled state, the display device 1 displays a dialog prompting replacement of the currently mounted consumable cartridge with a new one or a consumable cartridge belonging to the same management group.
(Step S160).

After the end of steps S150 and S160, the process returns to step S110, and waits for notification again. The above processing is repeatedly executed.

[0058]

[Other Embodiments] The present invention relates to a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader,
Printer, etc.)
The present invention may be applied to an apparatus including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and the like).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a system or apparatus with a program code itself of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments or a storage medium (or a recording medium) storing the program code, and provide the system or apparatus with the program code. Device computer (or CPU or M
Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the PU) executing the program code directly or from a storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention. By executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned storage medium, the storage medium has been described previously (FIGS. 3, 5 and 10).
The program code corresponding to the flowchart (shown in any one or more of the above) is stored.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus using replaceable consumables, it is possible to realize an effect that it is possible to more strictly manage consumables.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a device of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a controller board in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process when the power of the engine control unit is turned on in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure of management information stored in a storage element in a consumable item.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process when an engine control unit according to a second embodiment is turned on.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of management information stored in a nonvolatile memory in a consumable item.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system using a management device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a management table registered in the management device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a computer device that can be used as a management device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the management device according to the present invention.

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus using exchangeable consumables, comprising: a reading unit for reading consumables identification information recorded on the consumables; and a pre-registered identification information and the consumables identification information. An image forming apparatus comprising: comparing means for comparing; and determining means for determining whether or not to form an image using the consumable based on a result of the comparison by the comparing means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pre-registered identification information is information unique to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pre-registered identification information is information unique to a management group to which the image forming apparatus belongs. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines that an image can be formed using the consumable item when the comparison result indicates that the pre-registered identification information matches the consumable item identification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the comparing unit further compares the consumable item identification information with predetermined new item identification information. apparatus. 6. The method according to claim 6, wherein the determining unit determines whether the consumable item is new based on a comparison result between the consumable item identification information and predetermined new item identification information. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a registration unit that registers the pre-registered identification information for the consumable when it is determined that the consumable is present. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify information specific to the image forming apparatus and the consumable item identification information to an external device when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Item 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 6. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined condition is when the image forming apparatus is started. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined condition is that the determining unit determines that image formation using the consumable is impossible, and the notifying unit includes information unique to the image forming apparatus and the information. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein information indicating that the image formation is impossible is notified in addition to the consumables identification information. 10. A replaceable consumable for an image forming apparatus, comprising storage means having an identification information recording area in which predetermined identification information is recorded by an image forming apparatus to which the consumable is mounted. A consumable for an image forming apparatus, comprising: 11. A storage means having a replaceable consumable of an image forming apparatus, and an identification information recording area in which predetermined identification information for specifying an image forming apparatus to which the consumable is to be mounted is recorded. A consumable for an image forming apparatus, comprising: 12. The identification information of the predetermined image forming apparatus to be managed is associated with the consumable item identification information recorded in the replaceable consumable item attached to the image forming apparatus of the all-out costume. A management device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a storage unit configured to store a management table, and an updating unit configured to update the management table based on a notification received from an image forming device communicably connected. 13. The image according to claim 12, wherein the notification includes identification information for specifying the transmission source image forming apparatus and identification information for a consumable attached to the transmission source image forming apparatus. Forming device management device. 14. The management table includes management group information indicating a management group to which each of the image forming apparatuses to be managed belongs, and information indicating that the transmission source image forming apparatus cannot form an image in the notification. Is included, does the identification information of the consumable included in the notification match the identification information of another image forming apparatus belonging to the same management group as the management group to which the image transmission apparatus of the notification belongs? A confirmation unit that confirms whether or not the identification information of the consumable included in the notification belongs to the same management group as the management group to which the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the notification belongs as a result of the confirmation. And a notifying unit for notifying the transmission source image forming apparatus of performing an image forming process using the consumables when the identification information coincides with the identification information. Management device of an image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a. 15. A computer program for causing a computer device to function as the management device of the image forming apparatus according to claim 12. 16. A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 15. 17. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management apparatus for the image forming apparatus according to claim 12 is connected to the image generation apparatus. Image forming system.