MONITORING DEVICE, UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a monitoring device for monitoring the service circumstances of a unit constituted to be attached to/detached from the main body of an image forming apparatus, capable of coping with the mutual replacement of old units and realizing the miniaturization of an entire connection part by simplifying the constitution of the connection part. SOLUTION: The monitoring device 130 equipped with an IC 134 (non-volatile memory) for storing the service circumstances or the like of a fixing unit constituted to be attached to/detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus is attached to a receptacle 54 for electrically connecting the fixing unit to the main body in a state where the fixing unit is attached to the main body. When the fixing unit is attached to the main body, the monitoring device main body 136 (IC 134) of the device 130 is interfaced with a control part provided in the main body through the receptacle 54, whereby various pieces of information are stored in the IC 134 by the control part. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI