JP2009008757A - Image forming apparatus, print control method for the apparatus and print control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus or the like capable of limiting or permitting the use of consumable units which are non-genuine parts according to a charging system for printing. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 stores information concerning the accounting system for printing in a storage means 29. When consumable units 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K, 10Y, 10M, 10C and 10K mounted in the apparatus are determined to be non-genuine parts by a genuine/non-genuine discriminating means 26, the printing operation using the consumable units which are non-genuine parts is permitted or limited based on the charging system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) which is a multi-function digital multifunction peripheral in which these functions are integrated, a print control method and a print control program for the apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus as described above, a consumable unit such as a toner cartridge or an imaging unit is used. These consumable units have consumables such as toner and a photosensitive drum that are consumed every time a printing operation is performed, and when all the consumables are consumed or when the lifetime is reached, a new consumable unit is obtained. To be exchanged.

  By the way, as a charging method for printing of the image forming apparatus, there are generally a charging method and a spot method, and either method is set by a contract between the user and the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. The charge method is a method in which the image forming apparatus counts the number of printed sheets and charges the user for a charge corresponding to the counted number of printed sheets. The spot method is a method in which the user purchases a consumable unit such as a toner cartridge. This is a method for charging a user. In many cases, the user can select which method to set in consideration of the usage status, cost, etc. of the image forming apparatus. The fact is that they are mixed.

  On the other hand, regarding the consumable unit of the image forming apparatus, there are a genuine product provided by the manufacturer of the image forming device and a non-genuine product provided by a third party called a third party. Non-genuine products are often manufactured by filling in or replacing genuine consumable units with new consumables manufactured by a third party or replacing them with new consumables. Also called a consumable unit. For example, in the case of a toner cartridge, a genuine toner cartridge that has run out of toner is often collected by a third party, refilled with toner that is produced independently, and shipped as a compatible product.

  Generally, the consumables manufactured by these third parties may vary in quality, and there may be a problem in matching with an image forming apparatus to be mounted.

Therefore, conventionally, there has been provided a technique for prohibiting printing when a non-genuine consumable unit is mounted on an image forming apparatus (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-100598

  However, it may be desirable to determine whether to restrict or permit the use of non-genuine consumable units according to the above-described charging method.

  For example, in the case of the charge method, the maintenance cost of the image forming apparatus is generally included in the charge according to the number of printed sheets. For this reason, by using non-genuine consumable units that vary in quality, If the image forming apparatus fails, the repair cost is borne by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus. Further, the image forming apparatus cannot be used during the failure period. In other words, it is unreasonable for the user and the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus to suffer the disadvantages of using a non-genuine consumable unit.

  Therefore, in the charging method, it is desirable that printing is performed by using a genuine consumable unit with a guaranteed quality while restricting the use of non-genuine consumable units.

  On the other hand, in the case of the spot method, since the user can purchase the consumable unit at his / her own responsibility, the user is free to purchase an inexpensive non-genuine consumable unit even if the quality varies. Therefore, even if a non-genuine consumable unit is mounted, it is desirable that printing be performed without restriction. In addition, by permitting the use of non-genuine consumable units, the range of selection of consumable units can be expanded for the user.

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the setting is made so that the printing operation is prohibited when a non-genuine consumable unit is mounted. The use of consumable units could not be restricted or allowed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an image forming apparatus capable of restricting or permitting the use of non-genuine consumable units according to a charging method for printing, and a printing control method for the same It is another object of the present invention to provide a print control program.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) Whether or not the consumable unit that has a consumable unit that is exchangeably mounted and is consumed by the repetition of the printing operation is a genuine product and a non-consumable product unit that performs a printing operation for printing data to be printed on paper. A genuine / non-genuine discriminating means for discriminating whether the product is a genuine product, a storage means for storing information relating to a charging method for printing, and the genuine / non-genuine discriminating means are used to indicate that the consumable unit mounted is a non-genuine product. Control means for permitting or restricting the printing operation by the image forming means using a non-genuine consumable unit based on the information on the charging method stored in the storage means And an image forming apparatus.
(2) When the charging method is a charging method that charges according to the number of printed sheets, the control means restricts a printing operation using a non-genuine consumable unit, and the charging method is The image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein when the user purchases a consumable unit and performs printing, the control unit permits a printing operation using a non-genuine consumable unit. .
(3) The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the information related to the accounting method is stored in a data rewritable area in the storage unit.
(4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 3, wherein the limitation of the printing operation is prohibition of printing.
(5) The image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 3, wherein the restriction of the printing operation is restriction of an executable printing mode and / or restriction of a printing speed.
(6) A step of performing a printing operation of printing data to be printed on paper, and a consumable unit that is replaceably mounted and has a consumable unit that is consumed by repetition of the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. And when it is determined that the mounted consumable unit is a non-genuine product, based on the information regarding the charging method for printing stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, And a step of permitting or restricting a printing operation using a non-genuine consumable unit.
(7) A step of performing a printing operation for printing data to be printed on paper, and a consumable unit that is mounted in a replaceable manner and has a consumable that is consumed by repetition of the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. And when it is determined that the mounted consumable unit is a non-genuine product, based on the information regarding the charging method for printing stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, A printing control program for causing a computer of an image forming apparatus to execute a step of permitting or restricting a printing operation using a non-genuine consumable unit.

  According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (1), information related to the accounting method for printing is stored in the storage means in advance, and the genuine / non-genuine discrimination means discriminates that the installed consumable unit is a non-genuine product. In this case, the printing operation using the non-genuine consumable unit is permitted or restricted based on the stored information on the charging method. The image forming apparatus can restrict or permit the use of the consumable unit, and can be an image forming apparatus having a high commercial value useful for both the user and the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention described in (2) above, when the charging method is a charging method that charges according to the number of printed sheets, the printing operation using the non-genuine consumable unit is limited. When the image forming apparatus breaks down by using a non-genuine consumable unit, the irrational burden of the repair cost of the image forming apparatus manufacturer can be eliminated. On the other hand, when the charging method is a spot method in which a user purchases a consumable unit and performs printing, a printing operation using a non-genuine consumable unit is permitted. In consideration of this, it is possible to purchase a non-genuine consumable unit, and to expand the range of selection by the user when purchasing the consumable unit.

  According to the invention described in item (3) above, since the information related to the charging method is stored in the data rewritable area in the storage means, even if the charging method is changed after the use of the image forming apparatus is started. By rewriting the information related to the charging method stored in the storage means, it is possible to respond quickly.

  According to the invention described in (4) above, when it is determined that the consumable unit is a non-genuine product, printing is prohibited based on the information related to the charging method.

  According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (5), when it is determined that the consumable unit is a non-genuine product, based on the information on the charging method, the restriction of the executable print mode and / or the print speed Restrictions are made.

  According to the invention described in item (6) above, the use of non-genuine consumable units can be restricted or permitted according to the billing method.

  According to the invention described in (7) above, the printing operation is executed, whether the consumable unit is a genuine product or a non-genuine product, and when the consumable unit is determined to be a non-genuine product. It is possible to allow the computer of the image forming apparatus to permit or restrict the printing operation based on the information related to the charging method.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) which is a multifunction digital multi-function peripheral is used as the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a paper discharge tray 5, and the like.

  The scanner unit 2 includes a CCD sensor 6 and reads a document set on an automatic document feeder or platen glass (both not shown).

  The image forming unit 3 performs a printing operation of printing image data of a document read by the scanner unit 2, print data transmitted from the outside, and the like on a sheet. In this embodiment, the imaging unit 10Y 10M, 10C and 10K, toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C and 8K, an intermediate transfer belt 7, an exposure unit 14, a polygon mirror 15, a transport roller 18, a secondary transfer roller 19, a fixing device 20, and the like.

  The imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are for forming an electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image. Yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K ) For each color. Each of the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K includes a rotatable photosensitive drum 11, a charger 13 that charges the photosensitive drum 11, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. A developing device 12 or the like for forming a toner image by attaching toner is provided, and these components are configured as one unit.

  The photosensitive drums 11 and the like included in the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are consumables that gradually deteriorate in performance due to repeated printing operations and eventually reach the end of their lives. For this reason, each of the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K is a consumable unit that is replaced with a new imaging unit when the consumable reaches the end of its life, and is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 in a replaceable manner. The replacement is performed by opening the front door 21 of the image forming apparatus 1. Each imaging unit 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K is provided with a memory chip 22, and information about the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K is registered in the memory chip 22, respectively. .

  The toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K store toners corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. Supply to imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C and 10K.

  The toner of each color accommodated in the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K is a consumable that is consumed by repeating the printing operation. Therefore, each of the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K is a consumable unit that can be replaced with a new toner cartridge when the toner runs out, and can be replaced by opening the front door 21 of the image forming apparatus 1. It is attached to. Each of the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K is provided with a memory chip 9 in which information about the toner cartridge is registered, which will be described in detail later.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 primarily transfers the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 11 of the four imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K in a superimposed state. And the driven roller 17 and is driven to rotate in a fixed direction by the rotation of the driving roller 16.

  The exposure unit 14 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by irradiating the charged photosensitive drum 11 of each imaging unit 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K with laser light.

  The polygon mirror 15 deflects the laser light emitted from the exposure unit 14 and scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 11.

  The transport roller 18 transports the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 4 to the secondary transfer position. The secondary transfer roller 19 transfers the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 onto the sheet conveyed by the conveying roller 18, and the fixing device 20 is transferred to the sheet. The toner image is fixed.

  The paper feed unit 4 stores paper for each type, and when a print instruction is given, the paper is taken out from the paper feed unit 4 one by one and conveyed to the secondary transfer position by the conveyance roller 18.

  The recording paper on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 20 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 5.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an MFP controller unit 26, an engine control unit 27, a storage unit 28, a backup memory 29, an operation panel, in addition to the scanner unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the front door 21 described above. A part 30 and a front door opening / closing sensor 31 are provided.

  Since the scanner unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the front door 21 have already been described, description thereof will be omitted.

  The MFP controller unit 26 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 in an integrated manner, and includes a CPU 261, a ROM 262, and the like.

  The CPU 261 implements control performed by the MFP controller unit 26 by executing a program stored in the ROM 262. Specifically, in addition to controlling the scanner unit 2, the engine control unit 27, the storage unit 28, the operation panel unit 29, etc., in this embodiment, the following control is performed. That is, the CPU 261 determines whether the consumable units such as the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K and the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K that are mounted are genuine products based on information from the engine control unit 27. It is determined whether it is a non-genuine product. In this embodiment, the genuine product refers to a product provided by a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus, and the non-genuine product refers to a product provided by a third party other than the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus.

  When the CPU 261 determines that a non-genuine consumable unit is mounted, the CPU 261 reads information on the charging method stored in the backup memory 29 and determines the type of charging method. Based on the result, the printing operation for the image forming unit 3 is controlled via the engine control unit 27.

  In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the charging method is a charge method in which charging is performed according to the number of printed sheets and a spot method in which a user purchases a consumable unit and performs printing.

  The engine control unit 27 communicates with the MFP controller unit 26 and controls the printing operation by the image forming unit 3 in accordance with a command from the MFP controller unit 26. In this embodiment, when the front door opening / closing sensor 31 that detects opening / closing of the front door 21 transmits a signal indicating that the front door 21 has been opened / closed, the engine control unit 27 transmits the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M. , 8C and 8K memory chips 9, and also the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K memory chips 22 are communicated to read new information, which will be described later, and send the read new information to the CPU 261. Yes.

  The storage unit 28 includes a recording medium such as a hard disk or a non-volatile memory, and stores image data of the original read by the scanner unit 2, other data, various programs, and the like.

  As described above, the backup memory 29 stores information indicating whether the charging method based on the contract between the user of the image forming apparatus 1 and the manufacturer is the charge method or the spot method. For example, the EEPROM ( Nonvolatile memory devices such as electronically erasable and programmable read only memory) are used.

  The operation panel unit 30 is used by the user to perform input operations and provide various screens and messages to the user. The operation panel unit 30 includes a key input unit including a plurality of keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, and a mode setting screen. And a touch panel display (not shown) for displaying messages and the like.

  The front door opening / closing sensor 31 is a sensor that detects an opening / closing operation of the front door 21, and transmits an opening / closing detection signal to the engine control unit 27 when the opening / closing operation of the front door 21 is detected.

  Next, address mapping of the memory chip 9 provided in the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the memory chip 9 is composed of three different types of storage areas, addresses 00H to 1FH, addresses 20H to 2FH, and addresses 30H to 7FH. Each address stores information of up to 8 bits. Is possible.

  The storage areas at addresses 00H to 1FH are areas (ROM areas) in which subsequent writing is prohibited when data is written at the time of manufacture, and only reading is possible.

  This storage area includes a model identification code indicating the type of the toner cartridge, a color identification code indicating the color of the filled toner, the production date of the toner cartridge, and a destination code indicating the country or region where the toner cartridge is shipped Are registered.

  The storage areas at addresses 20H to 2FH are areas (OTP areas) in which the image forming apparatus 1 can rewrite data only once, and new product information is written therein. The new product information means that the toner cartridge 8Y, 8M, 8C or 8K is a new product that has never been installed in the image forming apparatus 1, or an old product that has been installed even once, or has been stored in the past. This is information indicating whether or not the toner that has been consumed has been exhausted. That is, “FFh” is written when the toner cartridge is shipped in a new state, it is rewritten to “FCh” when the toner cartridge is mounted, and “FEh” is written when the toner is empty. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 reads this new product information, and if it is “FCh”, it determines that the toner cartridge is a genuine product, and if it is “FEh”, it is temporarily emptied. Since it is considered that the manufactured toner cartridge is filled with toner manufactured by a third party and remounted, it is determined that the toner cartridge is a non-genuine product.

  The storage areas at addresses 30H to 7FH are rewritable areas (R / W areas), and store information relating to control of the image forming apparatus 1 such as the remaining amount of toner.

  Note that the memory mapping of the memory chip 22 provided in the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K is the same as that of the memory chip 9 of the toner cartridge, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

    FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating address mapping of the backup memory 29 of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The backup memory 29 is a rewritable area (R / W area), and information indicating whether the charging method based on the contract is a charge method or a spot method is stored at an address 12H. “AAh” is written in the charge method, and “55h” is written in the spot method.

As described above, since the information related to the charging method is stored in the rewritable area, if the charging method is changed by changing the contract form after the start of use of the image forming apparatus 1, a new information is added. It can be rewritten with information about the method. The rewriting is performed in a special mode such as a service mode that cannot be performed by a general user.
[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 1]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In this embodiment, when the user opens and closes the front door 21, the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the consumable unit has been replaced, and the mounted consumable unit is a genuine product or a non-genuine product. It is determined whether the product is a non-genuine product. If the product is a non-genuine product, the charging method stored in the backup memory 29 is read out and permission / prohibition of the printing operation is determined.

  In the following example, only the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are described as determining whether they are genuine products or non-genuine products. However, only the imaging units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are described. The determination may be performed, or both the toner cartridge and the imaging unit may be determined.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation from when the user opens / closes the front door 21 until permission / prohibition of the printing operation is determined.

  When the user opens / closes the front door 21, the opening / closing operation is detected by the front door opening / closing sensor 31 (step S <b> 11), and an opening / closing detection signal is transmitted to the engine control unit 27. The engine control unit 27 that has received the open / close detection signal reads the new product information stored in the memory chips 9 of the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K (step S12), and sends the new product information to the CPU 261 (step S13). .

  The CPU 261 that has received the new product information performs the following operation in accordance with a control program stored in a recording medium such as the ROM 262. That is, first, it is determined whether each of the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K is a genuine product or a non-genuine product based on the new product information, and it is also determined whether or not all the toner cartridges are genuine products (step S14). .

  When it is determined that all are genuine products (YES in step S14), the process proceeds to step S15, and permission for printing operation is determined.

  On the other hand, if at least one of the toner cartridges is a non-genuine product (NO in step S14), the CPU 261 reads information on the charging method from the backup memory 29 (step S16), and whether the set charging method is the charge method. It is determined whether or not (step S17).

  If the charging method is the spot method (NO in step S17), it is considered that a non-genuine toner cartridge has been purchased by the user's own selection, the process proceeds to step S15, and the printing operation permission is determined. In this case, the printing operation is executed without restriction as in the case of genuine products.

  On the other hand, if the charging method is the charge method (YES in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18 and the printing operation prohibition is determined.

  When the determination of permission or prohibition of the printing operation is made, the engine control unit 27 controls the image forming unit 3 according to the determination, and the printing operation is executed or prohibited.

  As described above, in this embodiment, whether to allow or restrict the printing operation using the non-genuine toner cartridge is performed based on the charging method, and in the case of the charging method, the printing operation is prohibited. For this reason, the use of a non-genuine toner cartridge can eliminate the unreasonableness that the image forming apparatus 1 breaks down and the repair cost is borne by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 1. On the other hand, when the charging method is the spot method, printing operation using a non-genuine toner cartridge is permitted, so the user can freely use a non-genuine toner cartridge in consideration of the price. Can be purchased at the same time, and the range of product selection at the time of purchase can be expanded.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the consumable unit is a genuine product when the front door 21 is opened and closed. However, the timing of the determination is not limited to this. It is good also as a structure performed when a unit is actually mounted | worn.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when it is determined that a non-genuine consumable unit is mounted, information related to the charging method stored in the backup memory 29 is read. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, before determining whether or not the product is a genuine product, information on the charging method is read first, and only when the charging method is a charge method, new product information is read and the consumable unit is a genuine product. It is good also as a structure which discriminate | determines whether there exists.

  In the above-described embodiment, the toner cartridge is determined to be genuine or non-genuine based on whether or not the toner in the cartridge has been emptied at least once in the past. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any standard may be used as long as it can discriminate between genuine and non-genuine products.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printing operation is restricted as a restriction on the printing operation for the non-genuine consumable unit in the charge method. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, printing in the high image quality mode is prohibited. The print mode that can be executed, such as prohibition of printing in the duplex mode and prohibition of printing on non-genuine paper, may be limited, or the printing speed may be limited.

  In the embodiment, the MFP is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is applicable to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a printer as long as the image forming apparatus uses a consumable unit. Needless to say.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating address mapping of a memory chip provided in a toner cartridge used in the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the address mapping of a backup memory. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 2 ... Scanner part 3 ... Image forming part 4 ... Paper feed part 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K ... Toner cartridge 9 ... Memory chip 10Y, 10M, 10C 10K: Imaging cartridge 21 ... Front door 22 ... Memory chip 26 ... MFP controller unit 27 ... Engine control unit 28 ... Storage unit 29 ... Backup memory 30 ... Operation Panel part 31 .. Front door opening / closing sensor 261... CPU
262 ... ROM

Claims (7)

Image forming means for performing a printing operation for printing print target data on paper;
Genuine / non-genuine discrimination means for discriminating whether a consumable unit having a consumable that is replaceably mounted and consumed by repetition of the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product,
Storage means for storing information relating to a charging method for printing;
When the genuine / non-genuine determination means determines that the installed consumable unit is a non-genuine product, the consumption of the non-genuine product is determined based on the information related to the charging method stored in the storage means. Control means for permitting or restricting the printing operation by the image forming means using a product unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   When the charging method is a charge method that charges according to the number of printed sheets, the control unit restricts a printing operation using a non-genuine consumable unit, and the charging method is determined by a user. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit permits a printing operation using a non-genuine consumable unit when the consumable unit is purchased and printed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the accounting method is stored in a data rewritable area in the storage unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the limitation of the printing operation is prohibition of printing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the limitation of the printing operation is a limitation of an executable printing mode and / or a limitation of a printing speed. Performing a printing operation for printing the data to be printed on paper;
Determining whether a consumable unit that is replaceably mounted and has a consumable that is consumed by repeating the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product;
When it is determined that the mounted consumable unit is a non-genuine product, the non-genuine product consumable unit is used based on the information about the charging method for printing stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus. Allowing or restricting all printing operations,
A printing control method for an image forming apparatus. Performing a printing operation for printing the data to be printed on paper;
Determining whether a consumable unit that is replaceably mounted and has a consumable that is consumed by repeating the printing operation is a genuine product or a non-genuine product;
When it is determined that the mounted consumable unit is a non-genuine product, the non-genuine product consumable unit is used based on the information about the charging method for printing stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus. Allowing or restricting all printing operations,
Is a print control program for causing a computer of the image forming apparatus to execute.

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