IP Library Granted Patent US 10,175,605
Granted Patent B2
US 10,175,605 · App. 15/980,787 · Granted Jan 8, 2019

Network system comprising customer replaceable unit

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,175,605
App. No.
15/980,787
Granted
Jan 8, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A network system including a customer replaceable unit (CRU) having an excellent security function for operation information which system can realize improvement of the use efficiency of operation information for making the CRU operate, and reduction in costs, is provided. An apparatus main body of a multifunction printer, a server, a personal computer, etc. are connected to a network of a network system, and a CRU is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be detachable. Operation information necessary for making the CRU operate is stored in the server. The apparatus main body obtains operation information of the CRU from the server via the network and stores the obtained operation information into a buffer memory, and causes the CRU to operate based on the operation information. The operation information stored in the buffer memory is erased when communication between the apparatus main body and the CRU ends.

Claims (28)

1. A server, comprising:

an accumulation portion configured to accumulate an operation performance for calculating an amount of remaining toner held in a toner supply container of a developing device attached to an image forming apparatus;

a calculation portion configured to calculate the amount of remaining toner held in the toner supply container based on the operation performance accumulated by the accumulation portion;

a determination portion configured to determinate whether the amount of remaining toner reaches a threshold; and

a sending portion configured to send order information to the image forming apparatus when it is determined that the amount of remaining toner reaches the threshold.

2. The server according to the claim 1 , wherein the threshold value is determined according to models of toner cartridges.

3. The server according to the claim 1 , wherein the order information is displayed on a display portion of the image forming apparatus.

4. A server, comprising:

an accumulation portion configured to accumulate an operation performance for calculating an amount of remaining toner held in a toner supply container of a developing device attached to an image forming apparatus;

a calculation portion configured to calculate the amount of remaining toner held in the toner supply container based on the operation performance accumulated by the accumulation portion;

a determination portion configured to determinate whether the amount of remaining toner reaches a threshold; and

a sending portion configured to send order information to a communication terminal when it is determined that the amount of remaining toner reaches the threshold.

5. The server according to the claim 4 , wherein the threshold value is determined according to models of toner cartridges.

6. The server according to the claim 4 , wherein the order information is displayed on a display portion of the communication terminal.

7. A system, comprising:

an accumulation portion configured to accumulate an operation performance for calculating an amount of remaining toner held in a toner supply container of a developing device attached to an image forming apparatus;

a calculation portion configured to calculate the amount of remaining toner held in the toner supply container based on the operation performance accumulated by the accumulation portion;

a determination portion configured to determinate whether the amount of remaining toner reaches a threshold; and

a sending portion configured to send order information to the image forming apparatus when it is determined that the amount of remaining toner reaches the threshold.

8. The system according to the claim 7 , wherein the threshold value is determined according to models of toner cartridges.

9. The system according to the claim 7 , wherein the order information is displayed on a display portion of the image forming apparatus.

10. A system, comprising:

an accumulation portion configured to accumulate an operation performance for calculating an amount of remaining toner held in a toner supply container of a developing device attached to an image forming apparatus;

a calculation portion configured to calculate the amount of remaining toner held in the toner supply container based on the operation performance accumulated by the accumulation portion;

a determination portion configured to determinate whether the amount of remaining toner reaches a threshold; and

a sending portion configured to send order information to a communication terminal when it is determined that the amount of remaining toner reaches the threshold.

11. The system according to the claim 10 , wherein the threshold value is determined according to models of toner cartridges.

12. The system according to the claim 10 , wherein the order information is displayed on a display portion of the communication terminal.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 30, 2020
From: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: K.MIZRA LLC
Reel/Frame 054223/0499 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2018
From: TANAKA, YUJI
To: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 045815/0929 →