Image forming apparatus

摘要

An image forming apparatus includes a main controller unit provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus. The main controller includes a replacement component management memory to store lifespan information of a replacement component is provided in An authentication operation is performed with respect to the replacement component management memory, and the lifespan information of the replacement component is encrypted and stored in the replacement component management memory. Accordingly, the security of the main controller unit may be enhanced and illegal use of the replacement component may be prevented.

主权项

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a replacement component; and a main controller unit including a replacement component management memory having information for authentication of the replacement component management memory stored therein and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) to read one or more information for authentication stored in the replacement component management memory, to perform an authentication operation of the replacement component management memory and to switch a mode of the replacement component management memory from a current mode to a normal mode based on a result of an authentication operation of the replacement component management memory, wherein the main controller unit determines whether the information for authentication corresponds to predetermined information for authentication of the main controller unit, wherein the replacement component management memory is installed in only the main controller unit, and wherein the CPU encrypts and stores lifespan information in a Customer Replaceable Unit Monitoring (CRUM) memory after the authentication operation of the replacement component management memory is completed.