| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent immediate inhibition of an image forming operation even after a warning indicating that the expiration of the life of an image carrier such as a photoreceptor drum is near is issued and allow printing on as many sheets as possible until the image carrier actually reaches the expiration of its life, and to inhibit an image forming operation in specific functions or give high priority to particular functions. <P>SOLUTION: A drum life expiration detection means 115 detects that the expiration of the life of the photoreceptor drum as the image carrier is near. After the detection, an output sheet count means 141 counts the number of sheets subjected to image formation. When the measurement value of the count means 141 has reached a specific value, a printer controller 140 inhibits the image forming operation. After the drum life expiration is detected, a particular function (e.g., FAX function) or an image forming operation performed by functions except a highly frequently used function may be inhibited immediately. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO |
