US 12,335,449 B2
Image forming apparatus, server, and system for use with apparatus or consumable contracts
Takashi Suzuki, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Jan. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/413,269.
Claims priority of application No. 2023-054124 (JP), filed on Mar. 29, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0333857 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
Int. Cl. H04N 1/34 (2006.01); H04N 1/00 (2006.01); H04N 1/32 (2006.01)
CPC H04N 1/346 (2013.01) [H04N 1/00244 (2013.01); H04N 1/0048 (2013.01); H04N 1/00514 (2013.01); H04N 1/00925 (2013.01); H04N 1/32673 (2013.01); H04N 1/344 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
an apparatus main body;
a consumable attachable to the apparatus main body;
a communication interface configured to communicate with a server;
an apparatus memory configured to store mode information indicating one of a first contract mode, a second contract mode, and a commercial mode, the first contract mode being a mode in which an apparatus contract for the apparatus main body and a consumable contract for the consumable are set, the second contract mode being a mode in which the apparatus contract is not set and the consumable contract is set, the commercial mode being a mode in which neither the apparatus contract nor the consumable contract is set; and
a controller configured to perform:
receiving first cancellation information of the first contract mode from the server via the communication interface; and
in response to receiving the first cancellation information of the first contract mode from the server, switching the mode information from the first contract mode to the second contract mode or the commercial mode.