| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method enabling a user to set timing to record the history of application of a process cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: When the power source of the image forming apparatus 6 is set to an ON-state, a control part 7 reads out the history of application of the process cartridge 1 recorded in the IC chip 5 of the process cartridge 1. When image forming operation is performed according to designation from a PC 9, the history of application of the process cartridge is temporarily stored in the control part 7. When the image forming operation is newly instructed, at such a time, the history of application is not written in the IC chip 5 and operation is set to a stand-by state. When the image forming operation is not newly instructed, it is written in the IC chip 5. Then, communication between the apparatus 6 and the IC chip 5 is performed through a signal transmitting/receiving element 8 realizing communication in a non-contact state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI |
